Heart Mates Read Online Free PDF Page A

of lemon zest—and a quart of brandy.
    Coughing, Sophia set the glass down. She managed, “I don’t suppose you know where Aunt Linda is?”
    “No. Did you ask Noah?” As Almira spoke she filled a small plate with cookies and set it in front of Sophia.
    “He hasn’t seen her since the kid from his group broke into the store—a local named Marlowe, who I want to ask about Auntie. Do you where I can find him?”
    “Marlowe lives just past the gas station.” Almira’s mouth pinched as she pointed east. “You don’t want to go there, though.”
    “I don’t? Why not?”
    “Is tomorrow good?” Gladys Louise stuck her head out the kitchen door, an old-fashioned handset complete with curly black cord at her ear. “Eight a.m. is Mr. Fixit’s first opening.”
    Sophia grimaced. “Could he come tonight? I’d pay extra.” Auntie didn’t believe in indoor locks, and her wards were off during store hours—from after supper until three a.m. Sophia wouldn’t do any sleeping in an unsecured house with that hooded guy lurking.
    Mr. Kibbles wasn’t much of a watch cat.
    “I’ll try, dear.” Gladys Louise disappeared back into the kitchen.
    Sophia set down her glass and picked up a cookie. Her fingers sank in. “Why shouldn’t I visit Marlowe?” She tried a bite. It melted in her mouth.
    “You know I’d never gossip or say an unkind word about anyone.” Almira nibbled a cookie.
    “Of course not.” Unless it was followed by an I’m kidding or a bless his soul. Then even the most poisonous declaration was somehow okay.
    Sophia stuffed two cookies in her mouth to stop her from saying any of that.
    “Not a mean word…but Marlowe is the exception. He has a problem with wandering fingers. Cash, jewelry—women. His brother, Killer, is even worse.”
    Sophia swallowed hard. “Ah.”
    Almira tsked. “You’re going anyway, aren’t you? You Blues always were stubborn women.”
    “We prefer focused.” Sophia brushed her hands on her slacks and rose. “Thanks, Miss Almira. I appreciate your help. I’d better get back to the bookstore and batten down as best I can.”
    “Good news.” Gladys Louise bustled out of the kitchen. “Mr. Fixit fit you in—a personal favor to me.” She blushed.
    “Thanks.” From that deep red, the favor was very personal .
    “Do get home as quickly as possible.” Almira walked Sophia to the door. “Things aren’t what they used to be in Matinsfield.”
    “Dangerous,” Gladys Louise agreed. “Especially with that hooded man lurking about.”
    Sophia spun on the stoop, heart suddenly pounding. “W-who?”
    Almira raised a critical brow. “You sound like an owl.”
    “Shush,” Gladys Louise said. “We call him X.”
    Sophia swallowed a lump of ice. For the Misses not to know something was unheard of.
    “Otherwise we’d have said ‘George’ is lurking about, or ‘Heathcliff’ is lurking about, or—”
    “Right. My mistake. I’ll be off now.” Sophia stuffed her heart back in her chest and headed to the bookstore.
    Mr. Fixit was already there, replacing the glass. Gladys Louise must’ve made one helluva promise. Sophia said, “I don’t suppose you could update the lock too?” The door still had the old-fashioned rod-style key it had come with in the 1800s.
    “I’ll order ’er up tomorrow.” He finished the inside glazing. “Don’t touch this or bump the door for a few days. I’ll send your aunt the bill.”
    “Actually, you can send it to Noah Blackwood.” She flipped on the lights. The sign was set to Closed and she’d lock the door after Mr. Fixit left. Hopefully there wouldn’t be too many disappointed customers. Aunt Linda often kept irregular hours.
    “Oh good. I like Blackwood—he pays promptly.” Mr. Fixit clicked the door shut behind him.
    Sophia watched him go through the window. Her gaze drifted to the dark shadows across the street. She was alone in the store, and though the door was fixed now, a boy breaking in the first time had