Tidal Falls (Wounded Hearts Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

his inner caveman growling. He turned his back before he did something foolish. “I'll let you bandage her up while I get back to work, okay?” With that he stomped outside, slamming the screen behind him.
    Moving around, cleaning up the jobsite—making sure all the damn nails were off the damn ground, he hauled himself over the coals for kissing her. Shivers of excitement still danced along his spine as he recalled the feel of her cool hands stroking his nape. Her tongue playing tag with his. The sweet, tart taste that was hers alone .
    He didn’t want to get mixed up in anyone else’s life. His own head wasn’t screwed on right. He needed to stay the hell away from her.

 
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
    Sara stood at the kitchen window, hands in dishwater, eyelids closed in simple pleasure, her face lifted toward the warmth of the sun’s rays. She’d always loved the promise of spring with all the fresh scents. Shiny new leaves on the trees. Birds singing as they go about the business of nest building and caring for their young. It felt like anything was possible.
    Voices coming through the screen had her opening her eyes to see Nick at work restoring the garden from Jake, who had managed to dig up all her tulip bulbs. Darn mutt. Jessica and the dog followed behind him pretty much step for step. It’d been almost a week and she still couldn’t fathom what she’d been thinking of to let him kiss her like that.
    It’ s not the end of the world, get over it.
    He didn’t seem to be suffering from any such anxiety—not showing by the slightest hint, his tongue had been halfway down her throat. It was almost like it hadn’t happened, except it had.
    Her pulse leapt remembering the hot look in his eyes, and those full lips lowering to hers. Jessica had been right down the hall, but for one, all too brief, exciting moment, she’d forgotten the disillusioned woman staring at her now.
    Fiona, t he only person Sara trusted with her whereabouts had called just yesterday with an all too grim reminder.
    “Hi , babe, how are you and that gorgeous God-daughter of mine making out?” Her effervescent personality bubbling through the airwaves warmed Sara’s heart.
    “Fiona. We miss you so much.” She wasn’t sure what she would have done without her friend’s help and encouragement. And now, through her gallery, Sara was able to provide a living for Jessica by selling her paintings under a pseudonym.
    “ And I miss you. Life’s boring around here without you two.”
    There was a slight pause and Sara could feel the tension flowing down the line. “What’s wrong, Fiona? Tell me.”
    “ It’s nothing, your dickhead husband showed up here a couple of days ago.”
    Sara sucked in a sharp lungful of air, her hands clenching the dishcloth. “Tom didn't bother you, did he?”
    “The air h e breathes bothers me, my dear, but that’s not the reason I called. I just wanted to give you a heads-up, that’s all. Don't worry about me, just take care of yourselves and I'll be happy.”
    “He’s not going to give t his up, is he? I'm so worried.” Tears clogged her throat, turning her voice husky. “When he catches up to us—”
    “ That’s not going to happen.” Fiona swore, her voice full of venom. “Sooner or later he’s going to screw up and then we’ll have him. I spoke to a friend of mine in the DEA—don’t worry, she’s solid—anyway, she’s looking into it, Sara. You’re not alone in this. He’s going to jail. And then you guys can come back home.”
    After a bit more conversation, they’d hung up , promising to stay in touch. Sara wished she felt half as confident as her friend. She’d read the file she’d taken when they ran and been shocked by the contents. She’d known it contained valuable information, but hadn’t realized how the same man who dealt in million dollar drug deals and weapons exchanges, could be the respected one she’d married.
    The sun warmed her chilled skin as h er daughter’s