Read Resurrecting Harry for Free Online

she unceremoniously licked her finger and turned the page, Erich’s gut tightened. Oh, to hold her close and inhale the scent of her skin.
    Physical need: one more thing to add to the list of sensations lost to his post-life body and regained in this new flesh. One more thing he’d never again take for granted and would move Heaven and earth to reclaim.
    Swallowing his ache, he squatted down and began putting the cups on the shelf. This vantage point blocked his view of Bess, but her presence still called to him. He wrestled down the undeniable craving, knowing that if he pushed too hard or too fast it would only set off her defensive instincts.
    The bell above the door sounded, announcing another customer, who Will greeted with a hearty welcome. “Erich, bring a fresh cup of coffee for Sergeant Fisher and one of those pecan rolls.”
    The officer took a stool at the counter, patted his stomach and laughed. “I’ll take the coffee and a turkey sandwich. Let’s skip the pecan roll today.”
    “Look at this?” Will laughed, patting the officer’s back. “Trying to act like he’s got to watch his weight.”
    “If I ate all the pastries you pushed my way, my uniform wouldn’t fit.” Fisher spun the stool toward Erich. “Just a cup of coffee and the turkey sandwich, please, on rye.”
    As Erich filled the order, Will continued his conversation. “Are you going to eat here, Stanley, or take it back to the station?”
    “I was planning on sitting right here, if that’s okay.”
    Will’s fingers tapped against the counter. He shifted his weight. “Of course. I need to run across the street for a few minutes. Can you keep an eye on the place for me?”
    “Not a problem.”
    Finally! A chance to interact with Bess .
    Erich watched Will cross the street, dodging between straggling shoppers and the occasional car meandering down Main street. He delivered the order to Stanley, and then turned back, picking up the coffee pot and setting his sights on the corner booth. “A refill, Mrs. Houdini?”
    A curt nod gave him permission, and he began to pour. She closed the book and gave him her full attention. “You won’t spill it on me, will you?”
    Like our very first meeting! His stomach lightened and spirits lifted. Maybe she did find him familiar. “Not if I can help it.”
    “It’d be a perfect distraction. Maybe give you another chance at my husband’s ring.”
    If the short, choppy lilt didn’t speak to her anger, her tone rang loud and clear. He leaned against the opposite seat of the booth and tried to explain. “It wasn’t my intention to steal it. Why would I even try while standing right in front of you? It’s ridiculous.”
    “My husband could steal your wallet while you were staring him dead in the eye. I know more than you might think about sleight of hand.” She straightened her back and lifted her chin, self-assured and defiant.
    God how he missed moments like these. Erich set the pot on the table and leaned against its edge. “Something tells me the great Houdini had a little more honor than to steal a man’s wallet.”
    Bess cocked her head to the right and smiled. She tried to hide it, but he could see she also enjoyed the developing tit-for-tat. “But what of you, Mr. Erich Welch? Are you a man of honor? Or should I have warned Will that you have light fingers?”
    She was teasing him now; her smile proved that. His guard fell, and he began to trust in the implicit soul-connection between them. “I may be clumsy or excitable. I often leap without thinking, but I’m not a thief.”
    Something darker wiped the hint of joy from her face. Her eyes shifted from him to the window. “I know all I care to about impetuous men.”
    Too much pain resided in her voice. Bess and Harry’s life and love should be something she celebrated, not mourned. Separation hurt. He missed her in the same way he’d miss his beating heart. More than a joy, he needed her to breathe, but the pain didn’t darken