Once Burned Read Online Free PDF Page A

Maybe she could find a way to cheer them both up.
    “Is this seat taken?” she asked. “Because I’d like to join you for a drink, if that’s all right.”
    He hesitated a moment, adding further evidence that he was here for some serious drinking and not a quick beer after work, and she thought he might decline her proposition. Instead, he extended his hand. “I don’t mind at all if you join me, but I’m not likely to be the best company tonight.”
    “So I gathered,” she replied, taking his hand and enjoying the firm heat of hit. “And that’s quite all right because I probably won’t be, either. Maybe we can salvage the evening together.”
    “Interesting proposal… as long as some guy doesn’t stroll in here spoiling for a fight because I bought his woman a drink.”
    “I haven’t been anyone’s woman for a long time.”
    He eyed her disbelievingly for a moment. Then one corner of his mouth lifted in a devastatingly sexy, lopsided grin. “Well, all right then. What are you drinking?”
    * * *
    A large party occupied the front of the restaurant, and a moment after stepping through the glass doors, Henry realized it must be Vince and his fiancée’s wedding party sitting down to the rehearsal dinner. He recognized Vince and his wife-to-be, Vince’s parents and grandparents, and the two groomsmen—Vince’s college buddies—but he didn’t recognize the two younger women sitting beside the bride, the middle-aged couple, or the older woman beside them. They must be the bridesmaids and the bride’s parents and grandmother.
    A cursory glance at the bridesmaids required a second look. Both were attractive, taller and slimmer than their friend, but the one with the mane of shimmering dark copper that ended in soft curls commanded his attention. Her expression was decidedly not one of enjoyment but of distress. Blue eyes that took on the lavender tint of her summer dress met his briefly, and his breath caught in his throat. With her graceful neck and shoulders, a face with delicate features, and full, feminine curves, it was all he could do to keep from staring. He managed, but he couldn’t help glancing back at her. When he caught her watching him, he turned quickly away so she didn’t see his lips quirk upward.
    “Welcome home, Henry.”
    “Thanks, Pat,” he replied to the man behind the bar.
    “Where’s Aaron?” Pat asked. He popped the top on a Harvest Moon Beltian White and set it in front of him.
    “I postponed our drink together,” Henry replied. He stared at the bottle a moment, turned it around twice with the tips of his fingers, and finally took a sip before he said, “Found out three weeks ago that Dylan isn’t my son.”
    “Ah damn, Henry,” Pat murmured with a genuine regret that soothed Henry’s sore heart. “I’m very sorry to hear that.”
    “I was, too.”
    “How’d you find out?”
    “Paternity test.” Henry took a long swallow of his beer. “About three months ago, Mel’s friend Tamlyn asked me if I was sure Dylan was mine.”
    “Why did she ask you that? I thought she and Mel were best friends.”
    “They are. Were. I don’t know anymore. They’ve been butting heads over the salon for months now. Tam’s serious about it, and Mel…. Well, you know how Mel is with money. She spends it faster than she makes it. Anyhow, before all that started, they went out for drinks one night, and apparently Melanie confided to Tam that she slept with a couple other men right after we broke up. When I confronted Mel about it, she admitted that Dylan might not be mine.”
    “Have you told your folks yet?”
    Henry shook his head. “Haven’t worked up the courage to break their hearts yet.”
    “Something tells me they may not be entirely surprised.”
    “Why do you say that?”
    “I may have overheard a remark your father made to Old Matt a few weeks ago. Seems he thought you should ask for a paternity test.”
    “What else did he say?”
    “That he hoped he was