Unfinished Dreams Read Online Free PDF

through the letters. “Get more money fast. Need help with extra bills?” He wanted to tear them up in a million pieces and stuff them down the throats of the heartless bastards that evicted him from his home. Gabe’s teeth ground under the stress of his jaw.
    “You look like a man deep in thought.”
    His gaze darted to hers. He realized he’d been so deep in frustration, he’d not heard her return. She carried two mugs of steaming coffee.
    “Here you go.” She smiled, and it caused her nose to wrinkle on one side. He nearly missed accepting the cup from her.
    “Thanks, a lot on my mind, I guess,” He blew across the top of his cup, trying valiantly to ignore the soft curve of her thigh as she leaned against the porch rail.
    “Oh geez, I’m sorry.” He popped out of the swing like a jack-in-the-box, hovering above her. “This is your porch swing.”
    She smiled, slow and easy, those brilliant blue eyes softening. “It’s okay, have a seat.”
    Damn, he was having a difficult time ignoring this woman’s amiable nature. He did not expect the tenant that rode in on his misfortune to be quite so pleasant. What did she know about him anyway? Did she have any conscience about the fact that she sat on the very porch railing he and his father built years ago? Gabe held her gaze trying to see if she was mocking him.
    “You’re sure?” His gaze moved to her lips blowing the steam from her coffee, and quickly pulled back to her catch her soft smile.
    “You look like maybe you need it.” Her eyes were the color of the travel commercials beckoning you to swim in some pristine tropical blue water.
    “Need what?” Gabe’s throat, not to mention other areas, tightened. He swallowed against the parched feeling in his throat, scratching at his shirt collar.
    “The swing. I find it’s kind of a nice place to think things through.”
    She shrugged a shoulder and the oversized sweatshirt dipped, revealing the pale white flesh beneath. He nodded unable to understand what was suddenly happening to him. Maybe being around Mrs. Crane and her advances made him realize how long it’d been since he held a woman in his arms, and felt the intimate contrast of gentle curves to his body.
    Gabe reached behind him and found the arm of the swing. He lowered himself slowly, keeping his focus on his cup.
    “So what is it you do, Mr. Russell?” She peered at him over the rim of her cup.
    “Odd jobs mostly these days.” He glanced to the floor watching a ladybug skitter along toward Tess’s big toe. Not an all-together bad place to be, he thought, then quickly pushed it away.
    “I heard you were good with your hands—uh, that you were a good carpenter.”
    Gabe looked up and met her wide-eyed look. The corner of his mouth turned up, suppressing a smile to her face turning crimson.
    She turned on her heel and headed toward the far end of the porch.
    “Well that’s what your friend Travis said, anyway.” Her laugh was light, carefree and he wondered how long it had been since he’d heard a heart so very much alive. He watched her walk away and in spite of himself, he grinned.
    “He said that, huh?”
    She turned, apparently seeing his grin and blushed again, making him curious as to why she was so nervous around him. Turning away, she continued.
    “I could use some help around here. Like I said, I couldn’t pay you much, but I am starting a new job in another week.” She glanced at him with a shy smile, “Well a promotion really.” She hurried on as if not wanting any lull to occur in the conversation. “There’s some repair to be done to the barn.”
    Gabe sensed she already had a whole list organized in that pretty head of hers.
    “Then there are these trees. Rows and rows of them out there, that I’m not sure what to do with.”
    He chuckled quietly. This woman belongs on a farm about like I belong in Time Square.
    “Sounds like it could be Christmas trees.” He knew exactly what group of trees she spoke of. He