Hope Flames: Hope Book 1 Read Online Free PDF Page B

had pretty much emptied out, so she grabbed a table. Anita, one of the waitresses who’d been there “forever” according to her, hustled over.
    “How ya doing, honey?” Anita asked, grabbing the pencil from her multicolored hair.
    “Great, thank you.”
    “You’re in late tonight. I hear the new clinic is keeping you busy.”
    The one thing about Hope—and Bert’s diner—was that there were no secrets, and everyone knew your business. Which for Emma’s business could be a very good thing. “It has been busy, which makes me very happy.”
    “And hungry, I hope. What can I get for you?”
    “I’ll have a diet soda and a bowl of chili. Can I get macaroni with that?”
    “You bet. I’ll bring your order right out.”
    She’d brought a book with her, determined to settle in and enjoy taking herself out to eat.
    Who needed a guy? She didn’t.
    “Hey, Emma.”
    She looked up and smiled as Jane Kline and Chelsea Gardner appeared at her table. She’d gone to high school with both of them, and had recently renewed her acquaintance with Jane because they worked out together at the local gym.
    “Hi. Are you two here to eat?”
    “Yes,” Jane said. “We had a very long school meeting.”
    “Which means we’re starving,” Chelsea added. “Are you eating alone?”
    “Yes. Would you like to join me?”
    “Love to.” Chelsea pulled out a chair.
    “Are you sure we’re not intruding? Maybe you want to be alone,” Jane said, looking unsure.
    Emma laughed. “I spend plenty of my nights alone. I’d love some company.”
    Jane took a seat, too, and Anita came over.

    “A late rush tonight, I see.”
    “Meetings,” Chelsea said. “Ugh.”
    “Oh. No wonder you two look so miserable. Do they like to torture you poor teachers by making you spend all day long with those kids, then all night with a bunch of bureaucrats?”
    “Yes,” Chelsea said while perusing the menu. “All just perks of the job, you know.”
    Jane nodded. “But it’s over now and we can finally eat. What are you having, Emma?”
    “Chili.”
    “Oh, that sounds good. I’ll have that, too.”
    Chelsea ordered the soup of the day, and Anita brought their food over within a few minutes. They all dug in.
    “It’s a good thing Will took an extra shift today,” Jane said. “At least he’s not fending for himself, alone with the kids.”
    “Oh, for God’s sake,” Chelsea said. “The guy can open a can of SpaghettiOs or make a grilled cheese sandwich, Jane. He doesn’t need you to be there to cook dinner for him.”
    “Oh, I know. I just like to cook. I always cooked for the kids and me before Will came along, you know. It’s just nice to have a man in the house again.”
    “Women in love. Spare me,” Chelsea said to Emma with a roll of her eyes.
    Emma laughed. “Will is rather spectacular-looking. It’s a wonder you don’t have him locked in a closet somewhere, Jane.”
    Jane grinned. “He is a hottie, isn’t he? I don’t know what he’s doing with me.”
    “Uh, because you’re a rockin’ sexpot?” Chelsea said.
    “Oh, sure. A rockin’ sexpot with two kids.”
    “That just meant you know what you’re doing. And who says women with children can’t be sexy?” Emma said. “Look at you, Jane. I sometimes can’t believe you’ve had two children. You have an amazing body, you’re a wonderful teacher, and those blue eyes of yours are knockouts.You’re smart and gorgeous. Maybe Will should be the one locking you up in a closet so no other guy gets within five feet of you.”
    “Hell, yeah,” Chelsea said, toasting that comment by raising her glass of iced tea.
    Jane’s cheeks pinkened. “If I’d known it was going to be Build Jane’s Ego Up Night, I’d have dressed better. Thank you, ladies.”
    “Just stating the truth.”
    “Will tells me you treated Luke McCormack’s dog, Boomer.”
    Emma’s spoon stilled on its way to her mouth. She looked up at Jane. “Will knows Luke?”
    Jane smiled innocently at