Read Sidelines (Wounded Hearts #1) for Free Online Page B

snorts.
    “What do you mean by that?” I reach down and find a baby cantaloupe that is soaked, I gently turn it so as not to sever the connection to the vine and lay it back down, wet side out.
    “Logan is a private person. Too much so if you ask me. He doesn’t like people prying.”
    “I wouldn’t say I’m prying so much as just trying to get to know him.”
    Lucy looks up from the plant she’s tending to and wipes her arm over her forehead, pushing a stray strand of hair out of her eyes.
    “He’s a hard person to get to know. I’m his sister and I feel like I hardly know him.”
    Fantastic. “Well, if you have any tips on getting him to talk, I’m all ears.”
    A comical look crosses her face before she chortles. “Same here.”
    Sighing, I’m just about to move on down the row when the sound of the gate opening pulls my attention toward the girls who are joining us.
    “Allie, this is Emma.” Emma stops at the end of the row I’m working in and gives me a pleasant nod.
    “It’s nice to meet you. I saw your interview. I’m sorry my brother was being a jerk.” Dimples on either side of her face give her a welcoming air and I wonder who else in the family has that trait. Logan’s facial hair would keep his hidden, but from the few encounters I’ve had with Drew, I don’t remember seeing anything so adorable on his face.
    “Emma!” Jillian chastises her daughter, but I’m just relieved that I’m not the only person who thought that meeting was a disaster.
    “Come on, Mom. You saw how he was being deliberately vague. I get that he’s Logan and that’s just how he naturally is, but it was just rude of him to be so curt during an interview. He could have put forth a little effort.”
    Jillian pressed her lips together as if she’s trying not to agree with her daughter in front of me, so I politely nod my appreciation to Emma and set my focus back on the cantaloupe in front of me.
    “So this article,” Emma continues, “you’ve kinda got your work cut out for you, you know.”
    Oh, I know.
    I don’t realize I said that out loud until all three girls burst out in laughter. Even Jillian gives me an apologetic look.
    “Be patient with him. It’s easy to push his buttons, but if there’s anything I’ve deduced from watching you over the years it’s that if anyone can get anything out of my sweet boy, it’ll be you.”
    Jillian’s kind words give me hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, I might pull this story off.
     
    ***
     
    A few hours later, dusk is upon us and the branches that were crushing the roof of the barn have been removed, split into firewood, and the tree has been moved to lay alongside the barn. Everyone is sweaty, tired and starting to feel the stress of the day. Jillian and the girls invite me in to make a pitcher of sweet tea for everyone who came out to help. Glasses to have been passed to everyone and although the tea definitely helps to quench my thirst, my stomach is starting to grumble. Not to mention that I’ve got to figure out if there are any vacancies at the hotels over an hour away.
    “I’ve got a pot roast in the oven. Dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes if y’all want to join us.” Jillian tells the gentlemen who are all placing their glasses on a tray on a table on the front porch. One by one the other local men state their appreciation but decline the offer of food. When they all take off toward their trucks, Owen, Logan, and his father, Sam, start to make their way back to the porch too. With his hands in his pockets, Logan looks relaxed as he jokes with his father who has a hand cupped over his shoulder. They’re laughing about something, but when they reach the front porch and find me sitting with Logan’s mother and sisters, Logan stops in his tracks and his face hardens again.
    “Dinner’ll be ready in about twenty, honey.” Jillian picks up a glass and hands it to her husband. “Logan, you and Allie are welcome to join us. She’s been