Surrender To Sultry Read Online Free PDF Page B

bowls of nice, safe oatmeal—a breakfast that, while bland,
     had never hurt anyone. She wasn’t in the mood for éclairs anymore.
    Joining Daddy in the living room, she shrugged and told him, “Nobody.”

Chapter 3
    The next morning brought a flurry of visitors, as nearly half of Daddy’s congregation
     circulated through the living room to wish him well. Most of his guests came bearing
     gifts of tater-tot casseroles, fruit pies, creamed soups, and cookie bar mixes sealed
     in Mason jars. While Leah knew their hearts were in the right place, it was the occasional
     crossword puzzle and handheld video game she really appreciated. Those were the kinds
     of distractions Daddy needed—to keep his hands busy and his mind occupied so he didn’t
     munch himself into another stay at Sultry Memorial.
    To her relief, she and Daddy worked well as a team, fielding questions about her ten-year
     absence with a generic, “We had a falling out, but we’re mighty grateful the Lord
     brought us together again.” If anyone pushed for details, Leah told them she didn’t
     want to dwell on the past, and that generally shut them up. And when Miss Pru asked
     if Leah was single, all talk of family rifts abruptly shifted to matchmaking. No less
     annoying, but at least it took the pressure off.
    After lunch, June and Luke Gallagher stopped by to transfer the title to June’s old
     car. A cold front had moved in, so Leah grabbed her cardigan before following the
     couple down the street, where they’d parked behind half a dozen of Daddy’s friends.
    Poor June had adopted that third trimester waddle, pushing out her distended belly
     while supporting her lower back with both hands. Despite the chill, her face was dewy
     with perspiration, her ankles so swollen she’d been forced to wear flip-flops. But
     bless her heart, she didn’t complain once. June’s rounded cheeks exuded the radiance
     of a woman who’d finally earned everything she wanted out of life: a devoted husband
     who couldn’t go thirty seconds without touching her and a healthy baby girl on the
     way.
    It warmed Leah’s heart to see them together. June and Luke had graduated a few years
     ahead of her, but she remembered the way June had always gazed at Luke…and the way
     he’d gazed back when he thought nobody was looking. Leah had hated to miss their wedding.
     She’d missed a lot of nuptials over the years…like Rachel’s. And the divorce that came shortly afterward , she thought with a prickle of guilt.
    “Well,” Luke said, stopping in front of a purple spray-painted hatchback, “here’s
     old Bruiser.” He gave the hood a hearty smack. “Not much to look at, but he’s tougher
     than a two-dollar steak. I don’t think he’ll die on you, but if he does, I’m sure
     whoever wins the pool will split the pot with you.”
    “People are betting on how long it runs?” Leah craned her neck and glanced at the
     mismatched hubcaps—one silver, one black—which drew her attention to a baseball-sized
     rusted hole near the gas tank.
    “Yup.” Luke’s eyes darted to a sarcastic wash me message traced on the front fender. He erased it with the side of his fist. “Last
     I heard, it’s up to five hundred.”
    “Oh, god.” June bit her lip, covering her face in shame. “I feel awful asking anything
     for this heap.” She splayed both hands in front of her and begged, “Just let me give
     it to you.”
    “No, no, no.” Leah dug into her back pocket to retrieve her cash, then thrust the
     wad at June. “I can’t.”
    “Pleeeeeeease?”
    “No, really.” Leah appreciated the offer, but she couldn’t handle freebies. Instead
     of enjoying gifts, she always felt obliged to repay them with kindness, which probably
     explained why she’d said yes to a first date with Ari five years ago. “Thanks, but it’d make me feel—”
    “Believe me,” Luke said, gripping his hips, “I get it. Nobody likes taking charity,
     least of all me.” He