Read Online Between Strangers by Linda Conrad - Free Book Online

of her dumplings. “That’d be great, thanks,” he said to Marianne. “By the way, how’s Hank doing? Where is he today?”
    Marianne rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “On the roof. He’s shoveling off the snow accumulation before the next storm hits later.”
    â€œI’d like to see him while I’m here. Maybe I should go lend him a hand.”
    â€œAfter you finish dinner you can go up on my roof and work it off if you feel you must,” Marianne said with a wry smile. “Go out the back way when you’re done. I know he’d love to see you, too.”
    Marianne went into the kitchen and Marcy choked down her last bite. “Here.” She took the spoon from Lance’s hand. “Let me clean up Angie while you finish eating.” She set aside Angie’s plate and dug into the bag for one of the wipes that Lance had bought at the convenience store.
    â€œMarianne is a nice lady,” she said casually as Lance polished off his dinner. “Have you known each other long?”
    â€œAbout ten years, more or less,” he replied between spoonfuls.
    â€œWere you two, uh…”
    Lance slid his empty plate across to a vacant spot and leaned his elbows on the table. “If you’re askingif we were a couple, the answer is yeah. Once. A long time ago.”
    There went that big mouth of hers getting her in trouble again. But he was studying her with such an intense perusal that she’d lost her mind. Those black onyx eyes looked over at her from under thick, dark lashes, and Marcy could swear lightning bolts zinged out of them.
    Well, if she’d already been rude, she might as well go all the way. “What happened?”
    He shrugged a shoulder. “Timing wasn’t right, I guess. Mostly she wanted to settle down, and I wasn’t done being a bronc rider yet.”
    â€œBut now you are settled down. You have a home.”
    â€œSo does she.” He waved a hand around at the interior of the lovely café. “Marianne has been happily married for over four years to one of the best rodeo clowns I ever knew.
    â€œHank once was one of the finest athletes on the circuit…until he shattered his leg one too many times. Now he runs a terrific restaurant and busy filling station. He’s from this part of the country…with deep roots and family.”
    Marcy shook her head. “But that seems so sad. That you and Marianne didn’t want the same thing at the same time.”
    Lance sat back in his chair and crossed his ankles in front of him. “Things work out the way they’re supposed to. Sometimes, no matter how much you think you want something, it just isn’t going to happen.” He took a breath. “And that’s usually for the best.”
    Boy, did she ever know about that. She was beyond grateful that Mike had dumped her when he found out about the baby. The only good thing he’d ever done for her was Angie. And his leaving gave them an opportunity for a better life.
    â€œWhen I was a kid, I thought if you lived right and were good enough, that you’d meet the right person, fall in love and be happy ever after,” she said quietly. “I thought it was like magic. But it isn’t, is it?”
    â€œMagic?” One corner of his mouth turned up in a half smile, half scowl. “No. I don’t believe in magic. I believe that everyone makes their own choices and opportunities.”
    Yeah, she believed in people taking charge of their own destinies and figured he must believe that, too. Otherwise, why would he be preparing to ask a woman he didn’t love to marry him?
    She let her gaze slide over the black T-shirt and jeans he wore beneath his heavy coat and nearly fainted when she saw his bulging muscles flex and stretch under the material. What woman in her right mind would say no to him?
    But the story of his and Marianne’s failed romance was all simply too