Read Online Awakening Veronica by Heather Rainier - Free Book Online Page A

looked up at both of them and embraced them.
    Remembering that Travis still held her hand, she turned to them. Both men smiled, and Travis said, “Hello, Veronica. It’s been a long time.”
    “You remembered me?”
    “Of course. This is Hank Stinson, the Sheriff of Divine County, and my oldest friend.”
    Hank smiled and her heart gave several deep thuds as he held out his hand. His gaze was so warm, and his sensual smile both put her at ease and sent the butterflies in her stomach into aerial maneuvers as he shook hands with her. “Hello, Veronica. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He turned his attention to Grandma Kate and said, “It’s good to see you again, ma’am.”
    “Hello, Hank, dear. Good to see you again, too. With the exception of that troublemaker, Maizy’s wedding was simply lovely,” Grandma Kate replied as Ethan made his way over to speak privately with her.
    Unsure what to say, Veronica bit her lip and her insides quivered as both their gazes dropped to her mouth. Hank finally broke the silence between them. “Grace told me you had questions that I might be able to answer.”
    “Yes, sir.” Veronica looked down and realized that Hank still held her hand and he didn’t seem inclined to release it. “I understand the answers to my questions are of a personal nature and I’d be happy to meet with you privately, if you’d prefer.”
    “That would be preferable, actually. Then we can talk at length and I can find out what it is you truly need to know.” He cast a glance around the crowd. “I’m afraid we’d be interrupted repeatedly if we tried to talk here.”
    Veronica nodded, resigning herself to the role of observer at the gathering again. She understood if he and Travis wanted to party. Although there seemed to be more men than women at the gathering, she’d noticed several gorgeous women in attendance and assumed he’d come to socialize.
    Travis slid his hand around her waist and drew her close, turning up the heat simmering inside her. “Great, then that leaves us plenty of time to get caught up, get to know each other better, and make use of that dance floor they’ve set up.”
    Dancing?
    Veronica edged away. “Oh, all right, well, you go have fun then. I’ll—”
    Hank’s brows furrowed but a smile crossed his lips as he gathered her other hand in his. “We’re not letting you get away that easily, Miss Benedict.”
    Travis nodded. “I’m not about to give all the other men here a chance to snatch you away from us. The bride and grooms will be leaving in a couple of hours. Would you stay and then perhaps come to the Dancing Pony with us for the post-reception fun?”
    Before she could answer, Grandma Kate finished her hushed conversation with Ethan, shook her head, and patted his cheek. “That’s not necessary, sweetheart. They’re called intimate gatherings for a reason. But I think Veronica might jump at the chance.”
    Ethan turned to her and she was once again dazzled by his brilliant blue eyes. “Veronica, would you care to join us for the binding ceremony. It’ll take place in about five minutes, in the reception tent.”
    Biting her lip, she looked up at Travis and Hank, wondering what to say. Travis saved the moment when he said, “Veronica, if you’re doing research, you should go with Ethan.” He stroked her cheek and added, “Just know that we’ll be waiting for your answer.”
    “You will?” she asked, glancing between the two of them, fighting the ball of nerves that tightened in her stomach. Her rational brain told her she was thoroughly exhausted from writing through a majority of the night but the idea of spending time with them was tempting. What could it hurt?
    “We will,” Hank murmured, as his gaze slowly stroked her from head to toe, leaving a warm trail that felt like an actual caress.
    I wasn’t hallucinating. “Well then…I’ll see you in a few minutes.” She could see the wedding party and a few select others making their way