Sparing the Heart (Pastime Pursuits #3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

a lot.
    I wonder if I’ll ever be so lucky as to meet a wonderful man to marry and have children with him. I’m creeping up there in age, and my clock is ticking. I wasted too many years pretending men didn’t exist. I let a past relationship burn me. At the time, though, none of this mattered. My dad needed me. The bed and breakfast needed me. Now that Dad’s passed and I sold my part of the business off, I’m moving on. I’ll admit, it’s a weird feeling, but one that allows me some freedoms I’ve never had before.
    Clark takes his turn, knocking down only two pins. He displays a rare frown and Gretchen blows him a kiss. With his head hung low he sits back down.
    “Nice one.” Taylor slaps him on the back. “I know you’re confident in your skills, but this is serious. We’re playing on Friday. Get your act together.”
    I doubt Clark genuinely missed so many pins, but at the same time, we’re not professionals. I can’t imagine they get multiple strikes every single game. I certainly can’t. I’m positive I’ll bowl a couple games without any at all. Regardless of the number of pins I knock down, I’m just glad to be bowling again. I wish I’d done this sooner. The league is a consistent opportunity for me to keep it up and spend time with people other than clients and coworkers.  
    “Any teams I should fear?” We’re a good team, but I’m sure another is as good or better.  
    “Tim’s Tornado Alleys, no doubt!” Taylor’s hair falls right in his eyes and he pushes it out of the way. “They’re our rivals. You’ll see.”
    “Can’t wait.”
    And I can’t. I remember the excitement surrounding all my dad’s games. He loved spending time with friends and having a few drinks afterwards, but nothing beat the rush he got during the tournaments.
    “Ugh!” Gretchen is standing behind Clark, texting at lightning speed. “I swear to God I can’t stand this woman.” Her eyebrows are darted and her face is turning red.  
    “Who?” Everyone turns their attention to me as Gretchen’s face reddens and she shoves her phone away.
    “Macy.” She glances at me. “That’s my brother’s fiancée. He won’t be making it tonight. Some emergency, which I’m sure means she broke a nail or something like that. You’ll meet him at the game Friday. If he misses that, he’s off the team!”
    She isn’t kidding. Her cheeks are puffed out and her chest is moving at a rapid pace. I wonder if he ditches practice often. I don’t want to ask though because she’s already upset. Not getting to bowl with my partner is pretty disappointing. I have no idea how good he is and if I’ll be carrying the whole game or not.
    I may be doing this all on my own. Like always.

Chapter
  Five

    Incredible is the only way to describe my night bowling. I’m so glad to be on the team and with a group of people I can call friends. I can’t even recall the last person I considered a friend who wasn’t family. We didn’t leave the alley until almost ten and I was bursting with giggles as we left. Can you be drunk on happiness? If so, I’m hammered.  
    I stop off at the liquor store tonight and pick up a bottle of wine. Not a box — a bottle. I’m celebrating my newfound friendships and getting out there in the world. The best thing to pair with wine? Pizza, of course. I place an order for a small cheese and start flipping through some “For Sale by Owner” listings. I need to add a few more to my portfolio, and if I’m lucky I’ll find a lead worth pursuing.
    There are a ton listed. The problem with people selling their own homes is they’re greedy. Listing on their own is how they avoid paying extra fees to the middle man, but as a result they tend to over price. I’m laughing at what I’m finding. A new buyer will refuse to see past the neon orange walls and country linoleum floors. I can , but they can’t. If a random homeowner wants ten thousand over what the average home in the area sells for, that