Read Online Along the Broken Road by Heather Burch - Free Book Online Page A

up plates of spaghetti; utensils clinked against china. A moment later he was hovering over their table.
    Charlee swallowed as the nauseating scent of hot tuna and tomato sauce filled the space between them, obliterating the honeysuckle. Edward smiled. “An extra large helping for our soldier?”
    Charlee’s eyes widened at Ian then she gave her head an almost imperceptible shake back and forth.
    Ian watched her, unfolding his hands from his stomach. “I did work pretty hard today.”
    When Edward’s grin spread into what Charlee could only call a sadistic smile, she cleared her throat, catching Ian’s eye. Again, the head shake, which she quickly quelled when Edward’s laser gaze moved to her.
    The sound of Ian’s hands slapping together brought everyone’s attention to the table. “Give me a double helping, Edward.”
    Poor Soldier Boy , Charlee thought. She’d tried to warn him. Why did men always insist on learning things the hard way?
    Evil. Pure evil reflected in King Edward’s eyes. He knows his food tastes like crap. He’s doing this on purpose.
    Ian lifted the plate under his nose and inhaled deeply.
    Charlee leaned back, ready to dive under the table lest he spew.
    “Smells amazing.”
    What? What? Charlee blinked. Edward’s smile deflated.
    “Put one more scoop on there, Eddie. I’m starved.”
    The empty ladle hovered in the air for a few long moments while Edward’s curled top lip ticked. Finally, with a huff, he slapped another scoop on top and went back to his chair. “Dive in,” he mumbled.
    And Ian did just that. The air stilled as Ian lifted the first bite. He took it in, eyes fitted tightly on Charlee as he chewed twice and swallowed.
    She waited for the sound of gagging. But there was something more going on here.
    Ian dropped his fork to the plate. “Wow. I mean, wow.”
    Charlee’s gaze flittered from him to the other table, where four sets of round eyes watched Ian intently.
    “King Edward, this is fantastic.”
    Charlee sucked a horrified breath. As did the patrons at the other table. Ian, well, Ian spooned mouthful upon mouthful until his plate was nearly empty.
    Food gone, he wiped his mouth with a napkin. “You gotta give me that recipe, Edward.”
    Edward didn’t bother to turn around or reply so Ian’s gaze skittered to Charlee, eyes flashing with not just tiki illumination, but something else. Something more. His tongue darted out and moistened a mouth that was too perfectly shaped, too sexy to belong to a soldier who lived on her property. His brow dipped and that’s when she saw the smirk.
    Without drawing attention, she pointed to the plate and mouthed, “Good?”
    Ian looked around her at the other table then leaned closer. “Awful.”
    Charlee slapped a hand over her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut until she had her desire to laugh out loud under control. Behind them, the other table had finally engaged in a conversation about museums.
    Charlee lifted a hand. “Why?”
    Ian shot a glance left then right, then motioned for her to move closer. He too leaned in and Charlee refused to admit—even to herself—the intimacy caused emotions to stir inside her.
    When she was right there, two breaths from his face, both their chests pressed against the table edge, Ian said, “My commanding officer always told us to never ever let the enemy know your fear. Fear is the only power he has over you. Don’t give him the match to light the cannon.”
    Charlee felt her face spread into a slow smile. Ian smiled back and the two sat there, looking at one another and sharing the art of war. “Sounds like one smart commanding officer.”
    Ian swallowed, the muscles in his throat tightening. “He was the best.”
    Charlee stayed quiet and let him reminisce. The scars of war and remembrance colored Ian’s features.
    Finally, he returned to the present and addressed the table behind him. “So, Edward, did you ever think of adding Vidalia onion? Maybe a little more