Read Online Steal My Heart (Bachelors & Bridesmaids) by Barbara Freethy - Free Book Online

little pleased to see the shocked look in Michael's eyes when the ball landed perfectly in his hands. He turned and ran toward the designated goal line.
    She let out a squeal of delight and ran across the grass. She was going to give him a high five, but as she raised her hand, he grabbed her around the waist and spun her around.
    Laughing, he finally set her down. "That was a great pass, Lizzie."
    "I taught her to throw," Tom said.
    "Wait a second. I'm the one who taught her," Greg complained.
    "Well, it doesn't matter, let's see how well you two defend," Tom said.
    They lined back up again and for the next twenty minutes they played like the kids they'd all once been. Unfortunately, the game came to an end when Greg's pass sailed over one of the neighbor's fences.
    While her brothers bickered about who was going to get the ball, Michael put his arm around her shoulders and said, "Nice throwing, Lizzie."
    "For a girl?" she asked, smiling up at him.
    "For anyone. You did surprise me. I always thought of you as an artist or a nerd; I had no idea you could play football with the boys."
    "Having two older brothers and a father who loved the game made it impossible for me to avoid learning how to throw a spiral. It has been awhile though. I surprised myself. Thanks for playing today. I know it wasn't what you had in mind."
    "It was more fun that I thought it would be."
    "You're really good with kids. I think my nephews will be raving about you at school all week."
    "Your nephews are great, easy to teach, excited to learn. They reminded me of how I felt when I first started to play."
    "Well, I know I promised you some snacks, so why don't we go to the house? My father is going to be excited to meet you."
    As they walked across the street, Michael kept his arm around her shoulders, and seeing as how he was being so nice to her and her family, she didn't push him away. Plus, she really liked being close to him, and this moment in time wasn't going to last very long, so she would just enjoy it.
    The house she'd grown up in was a two-story, three-bedroom home, with a living room and formal dining room that were rarely used. All the real action took place in the big family room where she found her parents. As she'd expected, her father was on the couch in front of the 70-inch TV her brothers had bought him for his last birthday. The coffee table was laden with chips and veggie platters. While her father muttered at the refs about their latest line call, her mom knitted.
    Liz smiled to herself at the familiar sight, feeling a comfort in the sameness of it all. Her dad had gone bald with the chemo and he was thinner than he used to be but he still had the fire in his eyes when he cared about something, whether it was football or work, or anything else. He was the one who had taught her to always give a hundred percent, no matter the job, no matter the odds against her success.
    Her mother was a fair blonde with short curly hair and a sparkly smile. Her mother couldn't knit anything but blankets, and they all had far more than they could use, but she still kept on knitting. She said it relaxed her and she hated to be idle. The knitting had come in handy during the many long hours she'd spent accompanying her husband to chemo and waiting for tests to come back.
    "Liz," her mom said in happy delight, as she caught sight of them. "I'm so glad you came."
    "I wouldn't miss it." She licked her lips, realizing her mom's astute gaze had registered the fact that a very attractive man had his arm around her daughter's shoulders. She really should have moved away from Michael earlier. She stepped forward, Michael's arm dropping from her shoulders. "I brought someone I thought you might want to meet. This is—"
    "Michael Stafford," her father said, cutting her off. His eyes lit up with excitement as he kicked back the footrest of the recliner and sat up. "I can't believe it. Michael Stafford is in my house. What is going on?"
    "Sir," Michael said,