Sins of the Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

question and smiled. She had always wanted to meet the stranger that had crept into her life almost a year ago. They had many things in common. When he’d said he was coming to America she didn’t think she had ever been so excited in her life, except when she found out the shield was real. Now, he was here and he was gorgeous. She could get lost in his brown eyes forever.
    An antique clock ticked away the seconds behind her head.
    “Six-thirty it is then. I look forward to it.”
    “Great, me, too.”
    He laughed, and the effect was smooth like honey. Warm and thick. She melted.
    “Now I would love a tour of your store.”
    He stood and reached out his hand for her. Placing her palm in his, she stood and walked around the desk. His hand was large and warm and she loved the way it felt holding hers.
    “This way.”
    She strolled through her store, acutely aware of the sexy Scotsman following two steps behind her. She pointed to a creamer standing near an old pie cabinet. They spoke about the year of the piece and how it was used. She watched Grant as he studied the store and all the pieces she had. He was truly interested in history as she was, one of the things she loved about him. Their mutual enjoyment of the past was what had brought them together in the first place.
    Grant’s cell phone rang, and he excused himself. As he took a couple of steps away from her, she took the moment to busy herself, sneaking glances at him from under her lashes. She pretended to wipe away dust that didn’t exist from the creamer.
    “Abigail, I’m sorry. I must leave. Forgive me.”
    “No,” she said as she waved her hand in the air, “it’s okay.”
    “You’re sweet.” He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. “I look forward to tonight.”
    She could feel her cheeks heat. “So do I.”

Chapter 9
    Malcolm sat in his car outside of 1745 Lexington Dr. The gray, stone-washed house sat back on a small lot in a manicured neighborhood. Lights lined the flowerbeds in the front and a security light perched on the back corner of the house near the garage. Anyone who approached the back door triggered the light. He decided to come early so he could scope out her house and the neighborhood. He needed to know who came and went and when. When he decided to start scoping Abigail’s place out, he was trying to find a way in. Who would ever have thought she’d invite him. Maybe this time, luck was on his side. The shield would either be his salvation or his damnation. Only one of those choices was acceptable. Since the shield wasn’t at her store, it had to be here at the house.
    The clock on the dashboard read 6:10. The car window was down and he turned to search the area when a dog, somewhere a couple of houses away, started to bark. The quietness was deafening and set him on edge. He tapped his thumbs on the steering wheel. Looking straight ahead, he watched as a family sat down to dinner. Everyone at the table sat in a glow of soft light. The mother dished out the food to everyone and the father ruffled one of the boys’ hair and they laughed. So picture perfect it belonged on a postcard and he had to look away. His heart was broken and another piece fell.
    Thoughts of his wife floated through his mind like a dandelion on the wind, slow and lazy. He missed her. No, not missed her. His heart ached for her. People say that all the time that their heart aches, but he truly felt the pain. He pictured the last time he saw her. Their anniversary, and he’d surprised her by taking her out to dinner. He opened the door on the car for her and held out his hand. Just as she stood, the wind picked up and rustled her strawberry-blonde hair. Blue eyes sparkled with love for him as she looked at him. There was no one like her.
    Slowly, as he bent to kiss her, she whispered, “I love you, Malcolm.”
    A tear slipped down his cheek at the memory. He took a deep breath, letting the air fill his lungs completely. I’ll make it right,