Read Online Blind Her With Bliss by Nina Pierce - Free Book Online

offered his hand.
     

    “John Tilling.” The man had a surprisingly firm grip. “Damon, you say?”
     

    “Yes, sir.”  

    “Well, you just missed her. Was she expecting you?”
     

    “I was in town and wanted to surprise her. But I’ll give her a call and see if we can hook up later.”
     

    “ You dating my daughter?”
     

    That wasn’t expected. “Well, if you call one date dating…” It wasn’t in his nature to lie, especially to a woman’s father.
     

    “Deirdre said Julie mentioned she was dating a Damon. I assume that’s you.”
     

    Dating? “Yes, sir.”
     

    “Well, Julie’s over at the family farm. We’re headed over there now. I’m sure she wouldn’t want to miss your visit.” If Damon wasn’t mistaken, a twinkle sparked in the old man’s eye. “Why don’t you follow us?”
     

    * * * *
     

    Julie loved her family. She supposed this was a good way to spend a summer evening. They were the only reason she’d come back to Delmont. There was nothing wrong with this life. Lots of people would be happy and satisfied. So why wasn’t she?
     

    Perhaps it had something to do with the way Deirdre was wrapped around Bri and laughing while Meghan and Peter waited to take their turns at croquet. Yeah, everyone had someone but her and that just sucked.
     

    “Okay, you two, enough of that kissing,” Peter shouted from the corner of the lawn where he was poised to win the second croquet match in a row. “Just knock Brianna’s ball across the lawn, Dee. No apologies necessary.”
     

    “You wouldn’t do that to me would you?” Bri batted her lashes at Dee.
     

    “All’s fair in love and croquet, Bri .” Deirdre placed her booted foot on her ball that lay in the plush grass next to Bri’s . The croquet mallet came down hard, and the impact sent Bri’s ball sailing into the bushes.
     

    “I give up. Peter’s going to win again, anyway.” Bri walked away and dropped her mallet in the rack. “Hey, perfect timing, your parents are here. I’ll go in and grab the steaks.”
     

    “Oh, come on, can’t I at least get the satisfaction of kicking some female butt?” Peter yelled.
     

    Meghan threw her mallet toward Peter. “You always win. Why don’t you stack the wickets while I help in the kitchen?”
     

    Julie was already gathering the wire arches off the lawn.
     

    “Anyone want anything to drink while I’m inside?” Meghan called.
     

    “Beer,” Peter answered as he pulled the stakes from the ground.
     

    “Make that two.” John Tilling rounded the corner of the house.
     

    “Julie, you want anything?”
     

    “You got any iced tea?” she asked.
     

    “Still drinking those iced teas?”
     

    Julie spun to the deep voice that had haunted her dreams last night. “Damon?” The panic riding on his name was painfully obvious.
     

    “Nice to see you too, Julie.” He bent around the cooler filling his hands and kissed her cheek. “Make this look good. Your dad thinks we’re dating, for some reason.” The words spoken into her ear shimmied down her spine.
     

    “What a nice surprise. I thought you couldn’t make it,” Julie spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, then leaned in again to press her flushed cheek against the stubble of his chin. “What the hell are you doing with my parents?”
     

    “I haven’t figured that one out myself.”
     

    They followed her parents to the picnic table beside the deck and Damon set down the cooler.
     

    “Found him looking for you at the end of your driveway.” John Tilling smiled and slapped Damon on the back before stepping around them both to sit heavily at the picnic table. Julie hated how tired her father looked these days. “I certainly couldn’t leave a young man who’s sweet on my daughter standing alone in the cold as it were, now could I?” He leaned his cane against the edge of the table. “Besides, I wanted to witness the grilling myself. You girls are always entertaining when