Rekindled Dreams Read Online Free PDF Page A

Denver omelet with sourdough toast and a large orange juice. And can you bring us a small pitcher of skim milk for the lady’s coffee?”
    “Sure thing.” Judy wrote on her pad, scooped up the menus, and walked away.
    Men had ordered for her in the past, so why did Finn’s manner send a thrill through her? “Nice touch, remembering I prefer milk to cream. And what clued you in to requesting the syrup on the side?”
    “Something I saw in a movie once. I figured that’s the way everyone from California orders.” He grinned and rested a forearm on the table. “Was that okay?”
    “Yeah, but don’t get cocky.” Playing the role of his fiancée could be such fun. “Breakfast is easy. Am I to assume you also ordered your favorite breakfast?”
    With a wide smile, he leaned forward. “My favorite breakfast served in public.”
    The devilish gleam in his eyes set her nerves tingling. To disguise her reaction, she leaned her forearms on the table and tilted her head. “Let me guess. The other menu contains only finger foods. A beautiful woman feeds you as you lie on a chaise like a Roman emperor.”
    Finn threw back his head and laughed. “Good one. The girl I used to know would have blushed beet-red and never dared give such a sassy answer. What have you done with my shy, retiring Elfie?”
    “She got tired of being ignored, so I got rid of her.” She reached across the table and clasped his hand, staring intently into his eyes. “Do me a favor and don’t use my old nickname. I am Vena now.”
    “Sorry.” Finn sobered and squeezed her hand. “Give me more time to get used to this new Vena Fenton.”
    “Okay.” She loosened her grasp and drew her fingernail in a trail along the back of his hand, gazing from under lowered eyelids. “You realize the old Vena would never have agreed to—”
    He tensed and pulled away his hand. “Shh.”
    “Excuse me, folks, here’s your order.” As she placed their food in front of them, Judy’s gaze was wide and flicked between them. “More coffee?”
    She and Finn exchanged conspiratorial glances and nodded.
    When Judy left, Finn leaned forward. “We need to be more careful about what we say and do around other people.”
    “I can see that. But we still have to study.” She cut off an end of golden toast, dipped it in the small pitcher of syrup, and savored the bite of egg-covered bread. “This is great. Okay, so far this morning, I’ve learned you don’t worry about your cholesterol, you’re at ease in politician mode, smiling and waving at those you meet, sometimes including a personal comment or two. You used the waitress’ name, which I’m sure endeared you to her forever.”
    He looked up from pouring ketchup on his hash browns, brows wrinkled over the bridge of his nose. “You don’t do that?”
    Vena thought a moment and then shook her head. “I am embarrassed to admit I dropped the habit after moving away. I’ll make more of an effort in the future. And you”—she pointed with her fork— “still have a sweet tooth. I saw the heaping spoonfuls of jam you slathered on that toast.”
    Eyes closed in obvious enjoyment, he chewed a large bite of sourdough toast. “That’s because I’ve discovered Maxie serves homemade jam, a treat I can’t resist.”
    “Maxie? She’s still cooking here?” Vena wiped her mouth and stood. “I’ve got to say hello.” She walked toward the register, hoping to catch the server’s attention, but Judy was busy clearing a table.
    The sharp clank of a bell sounded. “Order up,” a woman called from the kitchen.
    Vena knew that throaty voice. She’d heard it enough times when she and Moira had haunted Lottie’s for ice cream sodas during long, hot summer afternoons. Standing on her toes, Vena could just see over the pass-through into the kitchen.
    Sure enough, Maxine Roberts, tall and angular with her trademark platinum bouffant hairdo, stood in front of the huge industrial stove and grill.
    Vena cleared her