Stef Ann Holm Read Online Free PDF

compromise, a broad smile breaking out on her face. “Now that’s an excellent idea. I’ll be right back.”

    Jacquie folded her arms beneath her breasts. Now she had to stand around and wait for biscuits. If she thought Drew would meet her at her house, she’d leave him and make a mad dash for her car to light up and smoke a quick one. But she knew from past experience that if she didn’t hang on to him while she had him in her sights, somebody would come into Opal’s, or wherever, start talking to him, and he’d get sidetracked at someone’s table before he remembered where he was headed. And at that point, he’d blow off meeting her, knowing she’d be hot under the collar by then.

    Sometimes Jacquie felt as if she couldn’t win for losing, and the frustration was giving her early wrinkles.

    Stepping in closer, she put her arm around Drew, gave him a hug and tried a different tactic. “You’re so good to Ada to buy her biscuits. You know you burn her leather when you park on her property.”

    A lopsided grin caught on Drew’s mouth. “Yeah, I know. But it’s a love thing. She loves me. And I love her.”

    The way Drew could say he loved somebody so casual-like had Jacquie’s arm slowly sliding down his strong and muscular back. Another fraction of an inch and she’d be disconnected from him. A part of her wanted to end this. Right now. She couldn’t hang on for much longer. But every time she thought she had the courage, she thought about how much she’d already invested, and she hated to go back to square one.

    The hideous truth was, Drew Tolman floated her boat. The man just did it for her…and at one time, she’d done it for him.

    Maybe he didn’t find her attractive enough anymore.

    As she thought about booking a spa package in Timberline for the full works—facial, exfoliation, body wrap, manicure, pedicure and massage, the sleigh bells chimed over the diner’s front door.

    A woman and two boys came in. She had her hand on the youngest’s shoulder, but when she tried to do likewise with the oldest, he shrugged away. The woman managed to keep her half smile, although it was looking a little broken.

    Jacquie noticed other women. It was a project of sorts for her. Maybe eyeing competition in a town of three thousand just came naturally, she wasn’t sure. Most of the time, she pegged a tourist right off the bat, and she’d swear that’s what this woman was.

    They walked past the cash register. Drew’s nose was in the current copy of Wood River County Homes and Land magazine, a passing interest of his. He’d been talking about buying investment properties. She’d shown him a few things, but so far he hadn’t done anything.

    The little boy, maybe eleven or twelve—Jacquie couldn’t be sure—looked intently at Drew. She’d never had kids and was no expert at figuring out how old they were, nor did she really care. The whole thought of kids… That subject was a bit touchy for her, anyway.

    “Hey, mister, is that a Los Angeles Dodgers World Series cap?” he asked.

    Drew tossed the magazine on the counter and turned. “Now, how’d you know that?”

    “I seen the team emblem.” He pointed. “Right there.”

    Taking off the hat, which was faded at the band by sweat, Drew held it out. “You want to see it?”

    “Yeah!” The kid examined the hat every which way from Sunday, then hesitated, his hands shaking.

    “You want to try it on?”

    “Yes, sir!”

    “G’ahead.”

    The kid put the hat on, turned to his mother and beamed. “Mom, it’s a World Series hat.”

    “I see that.”

    Jacquie’s attention refocused on the woman. She was very attractive, tall and with generous C-cup breasts. A natural beauty, something that had always eluded Jacquie, who relied on cosmetics to bring out the best of her features. This woman looked as if she only wore a tinted moisturizer, blackest-black mascara and champagne-colored lip gloss. Dangling silver earrings swept