Against the Odds: A Love Story Read Online Free PDF Page B

then for ranch business, but this is home.”
    I smiled. “I don't really blame you for not wanting to leave. It's beautiful here.”
    “It is,” he agreed, his expression thoughtful.
    We moved into the living room. I sat on the leather sofa and Hayden sat down next to me. He leaned back, stretching his long legs out in front of him and draped an arm across the back of the sofa.
    “So, what made you decide to come here? I mean, there are plenty of places you could have started over. Why Roswell of all places?”
    “You mean besides wanting to see aliens up close?”
    He chuckled. “Yeah, besides that.”
    “Well, I guess I just wanted to completely start over and get as far from Atlanta as I could. And when Caroline and David offered to let me stay with them I thought, why not? Roswell is as good a place as any, and at least I would be with friends. So, here I am.”
    Hayden smiled. “This is a good place to be.” He ran a hand back through his hair. “To tell you the truth, I think I'd go out of my mind in the city. Too noisy and too much traffic. I guess I've always needed breathing room.”
    “I can understand that.” I sighed. “Before coming here I couldn't have, but I do now.”
    He grinned. “So you really like it here, huh?”
    “I do.”
    “I'm glad.”
    I stayed for another hour or so, soaking up amusing conversation with Hayden. We could talk about absolutely nothing and still wind up laughing about something. I loved that he could always make me laugh, even when I didn't feel like it. He had a way about him that made me feel so comfortable, it was like we had known each other for years.
    The sun had gone down and the sky was dark when I finally said goodnight and headed back to the main house.
    “Sorry I was so long with the truck,” I said to David as I entered the kitchen. He and Caroline were at the table having a piece of apple pie.
    “Oh, that's all right, darlin'. We weren't worried.” He smiled at his wife. “Were we, honey?”
    “Not at all,” Caroline responded, smiling at me. “Did you have a good visit?”
    “I did.” I took a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water, smiling as I lifted it to my lips. I had come to recognize Caroline and David's smiles and I was on to their matchmaking efforts. However, I decided to go on ignoring their subtle attempts. I would just pretend to remain oblivious, because when it came to contemplating another relationship, that's what I wanted now, to be oblivious.
    “He got the leak fixed,” I finally said.
    “That's good,” Caroline remarked. “It would have been awful if it had gotten any worse, especially with all the work he already put into that house.”
    “I'm sure he feels the same.” I finished my water and put the glass in the sink. I stared out the kitchen window for a moment and watched the moths fluttering in and out of the light shining from the back porch. My gaze moved up to the curtains hanging over the window. “Are you still planning to wash some of the curtains tomorrow?”
    “If I can get everything else done first.”
    “Why don't you let me take care of it for you?”
    “Well, if you don't mind. It would sure be a big help to me.” Caroline paused and grinned. “I always knew that height of yours was good for more than just modeling.”
    I laughed. “I guess so.” I stretched and yawned, suddenly very tired. “I think I'll turn in early then. I'll see you both in the morning.”
    “All right, honey,” Caroline said with a smile. “Goodnight.”
    “Goodnight.” I left them then, and headed to my room as my mind anticipated another tiring, yet productive morning to come.

    I was tired, but I knew it was going to take a little time for me to wind down. I figured a little relaxing music would probably do the trick. I walked over to the dresser and grabbed my portable CD player and my case of CDs. Sitting on the bed, I flipped through the selection and tried to decide what I was in the mood for. My