Sacred Hart Read Online Free PDF Page A

play cards with your dad.” His voice was almost as full as his grin.
    I smiled, and my eyebrows pulled together. “It is. You knew my father?”
    “I know everyone.” He laughed loudly, and the officers sitting at the bar followed suit. I recognized one of the officers. Tate Evans and I went to high school together, and in a town this small, you knew everyone, well, at least, I thought I did.
    “Hey there, Maggie.” Tate gave me a shy smile and nodded his head.
    “Hey, Tate.” Beth was incessantly pulling on my sweater. “What, little girl?” My eyes were wide as I looked down at the impatient child.
    “Can we get hot chocolate?”
    Oh my gosh. “Yes, I said—”
    “We have the best in town.” The man smirked down at Beth, and she giggled.
    “Who are you?” she asked with attitude.
    I was just about to admonish her, but he interrupted again. “My name is Tony Potts, and I own this place. What can I get for you, little miss?”
    “My mom calls me Honey Bee.”
    “Does she now?” He placed his elbows on the counter surface and leaned closer to where we were standing. “What can I get for you, Honey Bee?”
    “I’d like a cheeseburger, cheese only, fries…” She brought her pointer finger to her lips and started tapping it against her mouth making it next to impossible to suppress my bubbling laughter. “Mmm, and I’d like hot cocoa, to-go, with ten marshmallows.”
    Tony raised his eyebrows. “Ten? Are you sure?”
    She nodded and the entire breakfast bar of men started laughing heartily. “She’s a pistol, that one.” Tony smacked the countertop in jest with the palm of his hand.
    “Don’t I know it.” I giggled as Beth’s lips spread into a large cheesy grin. My mom was always right. The cheesiest grins made everything better. “I’ll have the same as her, please.”
    “Have a seat. Hey, Lou, get these ladies some hot cocoa,” Tony shouted to the older lady taking another customer’s order. She nodded and gave me a welcoming smile. It felt as if I belonged here. I hadn’t felt at “home” since my parents died five years ago. This place, with its run-down green vinyl booths, old wooden tables, and musty bacon scent, felt more like a home to me than my own house.
    Beth and I headed to one of the booths just as the kitchen door swung open. He walked through, head down with his eyes to the floor. I hadn’t noticed much about him in the black morning light. He was taller than I remembered, definitely over six foot, and his shoulders were broad under his red and black checked flannel shirt. His hair was on the darker side of blond, his beard was full, and his features were sharp. Although his beard covered it, you could tell he had an impressive jawline. He was very handsome in a rugged sort of way. His large hands held the door, and I wondered where they’d been. They looked capable, weathered, and strong.
    “Ryan, I need two cheeseburgers, cheese only, combos to-go, for these fine ladies.” Tony held out his hand and gestured to Beth and me.
    Ryan. Ryan. Ryan … I liked how the name sounded in my head. He lifted his gaze, gifting me his brown eyes, and my lips parted. They were the darkest brown I’d ever seen. A deep, painful brown. It was almost too much to behold. The morning moon had hidden this man from me in its shadows. He scanned my face, and then his stare landed on Beth. Immediately, the hard edge dropped from his eyes. He watched her for a moment, and then closed his eyes as if wounded. The crease in his brow became profound as if the sight of her caused him to wince.
    “Did you hear me, son?” Tony’s brows furrowed.
    “I did,” Ryan said as he opened his eyes.
    “All right then?” Tony asked, and Ryan nodded. “All right then.” Tony turned and continued his conversation with Tate.
    “Go pick a song, Honey Bee.” I handed Beth some coins from my purse and watched as she skipped to the jukebox. Her enthusiasm made me smile. Ryan was watching her too as I