Read Online Almost Midnight by Teresa McCarthy - Free Book Online

something, and they’re waiting until things settle down. Then it’s just a matter of time. I’d rather stay in Clearbrook Valley and not have to move.” 
    Hannah glanced behind her and stepped down from the ladder, noting that Mrs. Gould had her back to her. “Mom was in the hospital the other night. Observation for some stomach pain. Nothing to worry about.”
    Candy stepped around the corner with her nose in a book about Einstein’s relativity theory. “I hope she’s all right. If you let me know when she’s in the hospital, I’ll look in on her.” 
    Hannah let out a small laugh. “I’ll do that next time. But Einstein?” Candy was a nurse, however physics was not her strong point.
    Candy peeked over the pages and smiled. “You wouldn’t be laughing if she weren’t doing fine. Anyway, I’m here because my brother came to visit. I told him that you might be open for dinner. Nothing fancy and no commitments. He’s going back to Chicago soon, so you don’t have to worry about a long term relationship.”
    Hannah groaned, knowing a set-up when she saw it. Dating a man was the last thing on her mind. Even Tanner Clearbrook’s magnetism could not sway her. Now, what made her think of that?
    “I’m certain your brother’s wonderful, but with the tutoring, the library, and my mother—”
    “Would you look at yourself, girl.” Candy threw a hand to her hip and Hannah raised an amused brow. Candy had a stubborn streak a mile long and had known all about her past.
    “You haven’t given yourself time to do anything. Do you want to have another nervous breakdown? I’m not asking you to marry the guy, only go out with him.” 
    Nervous breakdown? Hannah turned to hide her face as she shelved another book. A familiar ache grew in her chest. After her husband’s accident, she’d never been the same. It had been three years ago when it happened and going back to school to finish her bachelor degree had been her saving grace.
    Of course, the last two weeks working with Jeremy had been a blessing in disguise. Her heart seemed to be opening up again. But trusting a man was an entirely different thing, even if it was just a date.
    Candy slapped her book closed and let out a snort of disgust. “Come on, Hannah. Don’t hide from me now. He’s here waiting over by the computers, checking the stocks on the Internet.”
    Hannah turned around and rolled her eyes. “All right. I’ll think about it.” Her brows suddenly narrowed in concern. “Oh no, here comes Mrs. Gould.”
    Candy pushed her book into Hannah’s hands and gave her friend a mischievous wink. “Don’t worry, I can take care of Dragon Lady.”
    Hannah watched in amusement as Candy walked over to Mrs. Gould and asked the older lady for help in researching her family tree - a family tree that included Attila the Hun.
    With a sigh, Hannah returned to shelving her books, recalling the comforting sensation of being held in Tanner’s arms earlier that day, if only for a few seconds.
    Yet it wasn’t comfort she needed now, it was a job. She had thought Tanner didn’t like her after she had given him that fake phone number, but while in his den, she couldn’t deny the attraction that was between them, even though he had acted like a pompous millionaire, a totally different man than she remembered on the mountain.
    However, if she weren’t careful, he could hurt her like Nick had. She and Tanner had battled it out in the den, and he’d made her so mad, she could spit.
    But she could fall in love with a man like Tanner Clearbrook, a man who loved his son very much. There was a kindness about him, but his stubborn pride was a definite fault.  He was also a man who liked control, and she didn’t need that again, no matter what the cost.
    Of course, her mom had mentioned that dream again. The lady had the dream more than once. And from past experience, her mom’s reoccurring dreams usually held some truth. All right, a lot of truth!  But soulmate?