Tuesday's Child Read Online Free PDF Page A

easily.”
    “Really, I’m fine. I can’t let Jasmine down. Not after she’s gone to all the trouble to cook.” She shook her head, trying to clear the images from her mind. She closed her eyes for a long moment then took a deep breath. Walking to Jasmine’s wasn’t an option, and as he was offering a ride, and going the same way, it would be silly to refuse. “A lift would be good, thank you.”
    He nodded. “Come on then. It’s not too far a walk to where I parked, or I can bring the car around.”
    Not wanting to appear weak in front of this gorgeous man, Adeline smiled at him. “I’m fine. Really…the fresh air will help.”
    “All right.” Taking her arm, Nate led her down the aisle.
    Tempted for a moment to shrug him off, Adeline soon realized that she wouldn’t make it two steps without his help.
     
    ****
     
    Nate glanced at Adeline as he waited for the traffic lights to change. She had her eyes shut, and he took the opportunity to study her in some detail. She wasn’t like most women his older brother, Pete, had tried setting him up with over the years. Pete had preferred brunettes and seemed to think everyone else did too.
    However Nate preferred what he termed a ‘real woman’. One with curves and a natural, inner beauty. Just like Adeline. She almost shone at times, yet had a sense of vulnerability about her that tugged at his heart strings. If it wasn’t for the fact he wasn’t interested in a relationship, he’d probably ask her to dinner.
    And what’s stopping you from doing that? It doesn’t have to be a date, just a ‘thank you for taking care of Vianne’ dinner. And take Vianne, too. Don’t want to give Miss Monroe the wrong idea. We could go to the burger place on the High Street. Or I could cook for her. Make something Vianne will eat without a fuss.
    And then there was her hearing—or lack thereof. It was somewhat disconcerting knowing she couldn’t hear him. If—and that was a big if—he or any other bloke got involved with her, how would that work in the dark? He couldn’t whisper sweet nothings in her ear as they danced, or stand behind her like his father did his mother when she was looking out of the window and talk to her.
    Adeline opened her eyes and smiled.
    He returned the smile and turned back to the road, his cheeks heating at getting caught staring at her. She really was a beautiful woman. Her love for the Lord emphasized it.
    Unlike like his sister-in-law. As thin as a rake and made up to the nines, Ophelié had used her feminine charms and beauty on his brother like a spider wove a web, drawing him in and trapping him, before devouring him.
    No, women were not to be trusted. They captured your heart, and then broke it. After all, Miss Monroe lied to him in church after that dizzy spell. Insisting she was fine, when it was blatantly obvious she wasn’t. He’d have a quiet word with Jasmine. Maybe Miss Monroe would be more akin to talking to her than to him.
    Adeline shifted in her seat. “Penny for them.”
    “For what?”
    “Your thoughts. Your eyes clouded over for a moment.”
    She’s perceptive, I’ll give her that.
    “I was thinking about my brother.”
    “Is he Vianne’s father?”
    “Yeah.” Nate pulled up at a stop sign.
    “She said she lives with you. She hardly mentioned her parents at all.”
    “My brother and his wife died in a plane crash when Vianne was three. She doesn’t really remember them. Pete made me her guardian in his will.” He released the handbrake and pulled away.
    “I’m sorry. Were you and your brother close?”
    Nate tried to stifle the sudden rush of emotion speaking about Pete brought him. “Yeah. I can’t say it’s been easy, because it hasn’t.” His voice came out gruffer than he wanted and wracked with grief. For a moment he was glad she couldn’t hear him. Now if he could only keep the emotion off his face.
    “Must be hard, bringing her up alone.”
    “Because I’m a cop?”
    Adeline shook her