Defying the Odds Read Online Free PDF

as he frowned at her.
     
    “Well, yeah.” She studied his bruised face, trying to memorize his features. Clay was starkly masculine but not traditionally handsome like the sheriff, more rough around the edges in a way that appealed to her. His eyes were so dark it was hard to see his pupils, and he had a day’s beard growth that made him look even more rugged and attractive. “I mean, I don’t know much ’bout fighting or anything ’ cept bruises like those hurt, but I’m glad you’re good at it.”
     
    A scowl carved a familiar pattern into his forehead as if accustomed to being there. “Why would you be glad if you don’t know nothing ’bout it?”
     
    “’Cause I’m happy for you,” Melody said, still awed and bubbling with exhilaration over how inexplicably drawn she was to this man. She felt normal and womanly and blissfully free from her demons. She should probably go back to work before she embarrassed herself, but she felt like a slab of metal being pulled closer to this big, surly fighter like he was a magnet made just for her. “You’re the best at something. There ain’t a bigger accomplishment than that, is there?”
     
    “I dunno .” He looked to his coffee, frowning at it for one long moment. “I guess that is something.”
     
    “A whole lot of something,” she agreed, forcing her brain to start working again. She set the coffeepot down on the table. “Anyway, I better take your order before I stand here bugging you all day.”
     
    “You don’t bug me,” he said quickly. “I like listening to you talk. Your voice is pretty. Sounds nice, like music or something.”
     
    “Really?” She beamed, a blush burning her cheeks from the compliment. She pulled her pad out of her apron and fished for a pencil as she fought the flustered feeling tightening her chest from the compliment. “Well, you’re the first one to ever say so. My ex-husband used to say my yapping was like nails on a chalkboard. Course, he was mostly city and my accent bothered him. I guess it don’t bother you.”
     
    “No.” Clay grunted, the scowl back. “Don’t bother me at all.”
     
    “Anyway.” Melody took a deep breath, her cheeks still burning, her brain scrambled from the simple compliment because she didn’t know how to handle kindness from a man she liked as much as Clay. Perhaps she wasn’t as normal as she’d hoped, and her shoulders slumped with the realization. She turned to the sheriff and his sister to hide the disappointment in herself . “What can I getcha ?”
     
    She took their order, her heart still beating the hell out of her ribs. Her breathing became rapid without warning because she’d mentioned her ex-husband and just thinking about him was enough to make her anxious. It would be a minor miracle if she got their order right, especially Clay’s, who was frowning at Melody, his dark eyes studying her as he ordered his breakfast.
     
    “Okay,” she rasped once she’d gotten their order, still willing her breathing to be steady and normal as she turned to leave. She nearly jumped out of her skin when Clay grabbed her wrist, forcing her to drop her pad to the ground. She winced and, out of instinct, blurted out, “I’m sorry!”
     
    “What’d you got to be sorry ’bout?” Clay asked her softly, letting go of her wrist when she bent to pick up the pad. “Did I say something wrong?”
     
    “No, it’s not you,” she said quickly. Wanting to reassure him, she reached out to squeeze his bicep through his long-sleeved black shirt that clung to his massive arms. She could still touch him, and it felt good, better than she thought it would. It helped to clear her head. She took a cleansing breath as she admitted, “It’s me. I’m just a little bit broken.”
     
    “What?” he asked, his voice low and concerned.
     
    “Not a lot, just a little. I’m okay.” She squeezed his arm again, more to reassure herself than him. Then she turned to leave but pulled up short,