Your Heart's Desire Read Online Free PDF

right and removed the first section of a much bulkier newspaper than the local one she had opened. She peered to see it was the Los Angeles Times . Leaning back in the straight-back chair, the handsome stranger took a relaxed sip of his coffee as he gazed at the front page. She was tempted to read the headline, but knew that was rude. And why was she staring at him? What was wrong with her anyway?
    Feeling silly and slightly unsettled, she attempted to refocus her attention on the employment ads, but there was no denying that this attractive gentleman was proving a major distraction. That in itself was curious, since she’d never wasted much time concerning herself with men in general—not in the last decade anyway. And if anyone ever asked, she clearly communicated that she had no interest in dating…and no intentions of ever marrying again—period. But at the moment she felt strangely obsessed with trying to get a glimpse of this stranger’s left hand. Curious as to whether his ring finger was occupied or not. Although that seemed rather ridiculous considering that her own ring finger, currently concealed by her newspaper, still displayed the gold band that Joe had given her back in 1934.
    Stop it—stop it—stop it! She silently scolded herself for being such a nitwit. Then, fixing her attention back onto the employment ads, she used her pencil to circle a large help-wanted ad without even reading it. Simply to appear preoccupied.
    “Hunting for a job?” he asked.
    She turned to look at him, but when their eyes locked, she grew as tongue-tied and awkward as a schoolgirl. “Uh, yes,” she stammered, “as a matter of fact, I am.”
    He laid down his newspaper with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be a busybody. I just noticed you were reading the employment ads. Excuse me for intruding.”
    “That’s okay.” She smiled meekly.
    With a doubtful look, he reached over and pointed to the ad she’d just circled. “You, uh, have mechanical experience?”
    Now she peered more closely at the ad. It was for a garage mechanic. She laughed in embarrassment. “Oh, dear! Silly me.” She crossed the ad out, then shook her head. “I must be tired.” She picked up her coffee and, taking a slow sip, willed herself to become invisible. A garage mechanic— really ?
    “Are you new in town?” He leaned forward slightly.
    “Fresh off the train.” She quickly explained how she’d just arrived last night. “All the way from Minnesota. Three days, two nights. Some people say they sleep marvelously on trains, but I’m not one of them.”
    “I never sleep well on trains, either.”
    “Joseph had no problem whatsoever. He slept like a baby.” She saw the question in his eyes. “Uh, Joseph is my son. He’s with me,” she rambled nervously. “Well, not here with me. He’s with my sister and her husband at the moment. I came to town to look around and do some shopping.” She felt even sillier now. Why was she going on like this?
    “I see…”
    She took in a deep breath. “Sorry…I didn’t mean to give you my whole personal history. I suppose I’m still feeling a bit sleep-deprived.”
    “But you are looking for a job?”
    She made a stiff smile. “Yes, I am. But not as a car mechanic.” Her smile became uncomfortable. “The truth is I’m not even a very good driver.”
    To her relief he laughed.
    “I need to find work as soon as possible,” she confessed. “My brother-in-law works for MG Chocolates and he says they’re hiring right now, and that I might possibly get a job on the assembly line.”
    “Have you worked an assembly line before?”
    “No.” She smiled sheepishly. “But I like chocolate.”
    He laughed again, and she felt herself relaxing a bit more.
    “I actually worked as a stenographer. You see, I did a full secretarial course and worked for an insurance company until I married.” She paused, wondering why she was telling him all this, but he did seem interested.