Read Sweet Kiss for Free Online Page B

me to make the first offer, or at least give me a heads up.” He rose. “Think about it.”
    “I don’t have the time to think about it.” Violet jumped up and rushed around the desk. She threw her arms around him. “Yes, yes! I’ll see what I can do to convince my bull-headed sister to sell. Thank you, Tappe. Thank you so much! You don’t know what this means to me.”
    Tappe gently patted her back, then pushed her away and peered into her drawn face and watery, bloodshot eyes. “Do me a favor, will you?”
    She looked at him expectantly. “Anything. Anything. You name it.”
    “Get off the booze, Violet. And meet me tomorrow morning at the bank.”
    ****
    It was near closing time, and Kate was exhausted. Tuesdays were the coffee shop’s pick-up and clean-up days. All the little things unfinished on Mondays, like the restocking of food, paper products, and supplies, were postponed to Tuesdays. Yesterday had been especially hectic since she had to reserve time to interview applicants for part-time work and for after school and weekend hours—which meant Melanie had to do two people’s chores besides working the counter.
    The coffee shop was doing a vigorous business with free WiFi for the internet, and already Melanie was hinting they needed to repaint the far wall and set up a display where people could gather information about the town and local businesses. Kate thought it was an excellent idea and wanted to install a special rack to hold business cards, and a cork board where bulletins, notices, and announcements could be available for the public to view. She also wanted an area where she could showcase various local artists and writers. They had discussed the possibility of cleaning out a storage room and adding tables where businessmen, authors, or high school and college students could gather to have discussions or study in a quiet, private setting.
    Kate sighed as she headed for her Jeep. There never seemed to be enough time to get everything done. And now she had an SUV full of strawberries waiting to be cooked and stuffed into jars to be used during the Valentine’s Day Festival and strawberry month. She looked up to see Tappe Vanderberg standing there, leaning against the back fender of her Jeep. His truck was parked behind it.
    Despite her annoyance, she couldn’t deny the instant pull of attraction as she drank in the sensuality of his physique. Both hands holding the ends of a rope, he was grinning as he showed a group of boys crowding around him how to tie a tricky maritime knot. Tall and broad-shouldered, he looked the part of a marina owner in his faded, torn jeans and a five o’clock shadow. Kate couldn’t think of anyone who affected her to such a primal depth. He was sexy and alluring, so sexy and alluring every woman in Little Heron Shores couldn’t help but notice. Or for that matter, any woman on the planet.
    When he saw her, he handed the rope to a nearby boy and said, “If you guys come down to the docks, I’ll show you some different ways to tie off a boat.” Heads nodded, faces grinned, and the gang scattered, half heading up and half heading down the street.
    “Are you stalking me?” she asked, squinting up at him. In her haste, she had forgotten to put her sunglasses on.
    “Define stalking.” He burst into a grin and removed his shades, revealing sparkling eyes with a hint of mischief in them.
    “Oh, for goodness sake, Tappe, I don’t have time for silly banter. I don’t have time for dinner either.” She rummaged through her purse, removed her keys, and pushed the button to unlock the doors. She jammed a pair of sunglasses on her face.
    “You have a flat.” His voice was low and composed. He pointed downward at the pavement.
    She tore off her glasses and studied the back tire where he was pointing. “Oh, no!” Her shoulders slumped. “Why today? I have twenty pints of ripe strawberries in the back I need to make into strawberry jam tonight.”
    “I can smell