Read Online A Change of Heart by Barbara Longley - Free Book Online Page A

chair. Her nearness, the way she smelled and seeing her grin—it all worked on him until he couldn’t think straight. He wanted more time with her. Alone. “Are you prepared to lose our bet?” She’d be more likely to think the whole thing was no big deal if he opened up the conversation in front of Paige, right? “We can start with my place this weekend.”
    Paige straightened, peering at him over the top of her computer screen. “What’s this about?”
    “I bet Cory where I grew up is worse than where she grew up.”
    “Oh.” Paige laughed. “Ted’s gonna win that one.”
    “Don’t count on it.” Cory raised an eyebrow, and her eyes held a competitive glint. “What did you have in mind?”
    “Come to my parents’ house for Sunday dinner. The whole family gathers there once or twice a month, and one more mouth to feed won’t make a difference.”
    She tensed and averted her gaze.
    “It’s no big deal. Jenny and her husband will be there, and maybe Noah, Ceejay and their brood. They prefer to keep their Sundays to themselves, but they do join us every few months or so. If you aren’t comfortable with me picking you up, I’m sure Jenny and Harlen would be happy to swing by for you if Noah’s family isn’t coming.”
    Cory looked to Paige, her expression unsure.
    “Ted’s folks are the nicest people ever,” Paige told her. “Even if they do live—”
    “Don’t say it.” Ted flashed her a warning look. “This is a wager between me and Cory, and I don’t want her to…uh…
get wind
of my situation. She might pull out if she finds out what she’s up against.”
    “I see what you mean. If you want, I can be the final judge if it comes down to a tie,” Paige volunteered. “You can each give me your impressions of each other’s situation, and I promise to be fair.”
    Cory looked between them, her brow furrowed as if she was trying to figure something out. “All right.” Her chin rose a determined notch. “You can pick me up.”
    “Great.” He tried to keep his expression neutral, even though he wanted to jump up and down and throw his fists in the air like he’d just scored the winning touchdown in the last game of the playoffs. “I’ll be by around eleven thirty. We generally eat at noon or shortly after.”
    “Should I bring something?”
    “Naw. Between my mom, my sisters and my aunts, there’s always way more than enough to feed the entire town.”
    “All the Lovejoys are great cooks too,” Paige added. She glanced at Ted. “We’ll have to make sure Cory is included for the Fourth of July pig roast.”
    “Absolutely.” Ted flashed her a grateful look.
    “I don’t know.” Cory frowned. “I’m just an employee here. I don’t want to intrude.”
    “It’s not like that. The Fourth of July celebration is open to the entire town of Perfect,” Ted said. “The Lovejoys host the event every year because our ancestor is the town’s primary founder. Everybody brings a dish to share, and we all camp out on Ceejay and Noah’s lawn to eat and watch fireworks across the river.”
    “Anyway, Noah should’ve made it clear before you accepted the job,” Paige added. “No one here is just an employee. As soon as you signed on the dotted line, you became part of the L&L family. Just ask the guys. In fact, as soon as we’re done painting our bare walls, Ryan and I are planning a company picnic at our new place.” She turned to Ted. “You wouldn’t mind picking her up for that, would you, Ted?”
    “Not at all.”
    “I don’t want to be a burden. Maybe Bunny can come for me.”
    “It’s in the opposite direction for Wes, and I don’t mind. You’re on my way.” A twinge of jealousy shot through him. He didn’t like the idea of Wesley being her go-to guy. He wanted to be that man for her. “You’re not a burden.”
    “I can always catch a ride with Noah and his family.”
    He caught the look of frustration Paige slid his way as she spoke. “Let’s wait until we