The Posse Read Online Free PDF Page B

hungry
or without a/c during the summer. But I think you’re probably the
most passionate about it. I’m proud of you, Matt.”
    His eyes were glued to the
table. “That means a lot. Daniel used to say no one can build up a
man like Jude. He said he never would have done half what he did if
you weren’t there cheering him on.”
    Jude hadn’t really cried in
weeks, but sitting there, hearing his words quoted to her, she
missed her husband with a new keenness. She fought back the tears
and instead grinned at Matt.
    “Does that translate as I
nagged the hell out of him until he got it done? Probably closer to
the truth.”
    Matt shook his head. “Never.
Daniel didn’t ever say anything but good stuff about you. Made the
rest of us hate him, sometimes. He was always the first one to go
home at night, because he had someone worth going home to .”
    The waitress returned along
with a busboy who cleared their plates. “Coffee? And may I bring
our dessert tray? We have a delicious tiramisu tonight.”
    Matt looked at her with
raised brows, but Jude just laughed, holding her stomach. “It
sounds great, and I wish I could, but I’m so stuffed. Plus, I need
to get home. Four AM is going to come early tomorrow.”
    She sat back in her chair,
studying Matt as her took the check, glanced at it and then handed
it back to their server along with his credit card. She hadn’t been
lying earlier when she told him he should get married again. And
she could see him with a younger woman, one who would be willing to
start a family. She only hoped someone would come along who could
appreciate him.
    “Are you sure I can’t pay
for my own? Or at least leave the tip?”
    Matt looked wounded. “What
kind of guy do you think I am? No, thanks. I take a lady out, I
pay. I’m just old-fashioned that way, I guess.”
    The ride home was relaxed
and quiet. Matt showed off the Corvette’s state-of-the-art audio
system as Prince crooned about purple rain.  Jude leaned her
head back against the seat and ran through the list of unattached
women she knew. There weren’t that many, none she could imagine
settling down with Matt.
    The ‘Vette purred into her
driveway, and Matt turned off the ignition before he hopped out and
came around to open Jude’s door. He trailed behind her as she
walked toward the back door.
    “Matt, you don’t have to
walk me to the door. I’m fine. I come home by myself pretty much
all the time, you know.”
    Matt held the screen door
while she worked the lock. “Will you stop? I’m seeing you home
safe. Just like my dad always told me.”
    Jude laughed, shaking her
head as she turned the knob. “Okay, well, mission accomplished. I’m
inside, and all is well. I’d invite you in, but I really do have to
get to bed. I’m sorry, I guess I’m not very fun these days.”
    “Don’t apologize. It’s not
every night I get to have dinner with a beautiful, fascinating
woman.” His eyes fastened on hers, and once again Jude felt that
thin line of dread from earlier in the evening.
    “Well, clearly being
fascinating is also exhausting, because I need my sleep.” Jude
tiptoed up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Matt caught her arm,
and for a moment, Jude’s heart pounded.
    Then he released her, patted
her back and smiled.
    “Thanks for the nice
evening, Jude. See you around.”
    ***
     

 
     

     
    Stopping in at the Riptide in the early
morning had become part of Logan’s routine. He had always been an
occasional jogger, running sporadically a few times a week, but for
the last month, he’d been at it every day. Seeing Jude first thing
in the morning was worth missing an hour of sleep and walking
around with sore muscles.
    As he made his way down the
beach, his footfalls echoed against the dunes between the crashing
of the waves. There was something nearly mystical about the surf at
this time of day, before the sun rose and while a few last stars
still twinkled in the black velvet of the sky. Logan could