Stolen Kisses (Leap of Love Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

if she did not come to market that day?
    He sighed knowing that he had to go on and finish his assignments for the day. He would just have to stop back again later that week.
    "Mr. Abbott?"
    Brent spun around on his heels.
    There she was.
    "Yes. I mean, you can call me Brent."
    Her hand met his and he kissed hers gently.
    "Lily."
    "Yes," she replied. "I saw you walking away from my booth. Were you looking for me?"
    Those doe like brown eyes stared at him waiting for a response.
    The words seemed stuck in Brent's throat. Lily's friendly smile relaxed him enough that he could remember what he wanted to say.
    "I was," he admitted. "I thought maybe I would come by and say good morning."
    "Really?" she replied flirtatiously as she balanced a large bowl on her hip.
    "Well," Brent stammered.
    "Why don't you follow me over here?" Lily nodded in the direction of her booth.
    Brent kindly did as he was asked. "Can I help you with that bowl?"
    "No, I can handle it."
    Brent did not know how to respond. He was used to helping his mother with everything, so to have a woman say that she could handle what she was doing almost seemed borderline rude to him.
    "I did not want to take up much of your time. I simply wanted to stop by and say good morning. I felt like yesterday we did not get to meet properly. I was working and things seemed so rushed. Well, and being new to town, I don't know many people."
    As soon as the words escaped his mouth, he regretted his admission.
    "You said it was Brent, right?" When she spoke, she sat the bowl down and turned to give Brent all of her attention.
    "Yes."
    "I'm flattered that you came back to see me today, Brent."
    The pause between them was a bit awkward, and then Brent broke the silence.
    "I just wanted to make sure things were alright after what I saw yesterday. You know, with Jones and everything."
    "I'm used to him. He is not as much of a threat as you think." Lily busied herself continuing to set up.
    "To you what seemed harmless looked like a bit of a threat to me."
    "Of course it did, Mr. Texas Ranger. But I am no damsel in distress. I've gotten pretty good at taking care of myself."
    This whole independent, I can take care of myself thing was wearing thin on Brent. The saving grace was that he could tell that it was just a front. Whenever Lily claimed to be able to take care of herself, her eyes were downcast and she would look away from him.
    He was amazed that so early on, he could tell something so personal about her. It made him want to learn more about her. This mysterious woman who had stolen his heart and did not even know it.
     
    *
     
    Brent paced the floor of his great room. Miss Sarah had not brought Adam home yet, so he had time to himself. All of his assignments were completed and he had the rest of the evening off.
    The first thing that kept going through his mind was Lawrence Jones. The rancher was more than a tycoon. He was a no holds barred businessman. The kind of man that would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. And Brent could tell that Jones wanted Lily.
    It was all in the way that Jones looked at her. A man with desires. A man used to getting what he wanted. If Jones wanted Lily, there would be no way that Brent could compete with that. A farm boy turned Texas Ranger from South Carolina was no competition for a wealthy rancher.
    He had to hope that Lily fell for him and that she was not enamored by a man that could only offer her a certain lifestyle. Brent was prepared to do what he knew. Woo her. Show her that he wanted to get to know more about her and her life.
    Brent rubbed his chin, deep in thought. Flowers seemed to be in order. But which ones? There were so many varieties and what if he got her sunflowers when she really loved roses? Then it dawned on him. Lilies. They would be perfect.
    He recalled an open garden at the edge of town. He would stop by there and trim a few to take to her tomorrow. What he really wanted to ask her was to take a walk with her. A