Read Online Blue-Eyed Soul by Fae Sutherland, Chelsea James - Free Book Online

held the café door open for Remey and then followed him in. "With your luck, you'd end up paired with Mayor Lackey, who, while a very nice man, tends to spend most of his time talking your ear off about his prostate problems."
    Remey wrinkled his nose and laughed. "Um, ew?"
    "I know." Aleks chuckled and nodded to Mikey behind the counter. "Hey, Mikey, Mona and Joe ought to be back any minute. They were loading up the truck when I left."
    Mikey came over, gesturing to a free table near the back. "Here, sit. Kinda out of sight of the windows, you know?"
    Remey smiled, shrugging out of his coat. "Thank you, Mikey. That's very thoughtful."
    Aleks sat down across from Remey, tucking his own coat in the corner of the booth. "Can I get some coffee and a few minutes to decide what kind of pie?"
    Mikey grinned. "Sure thing. I'm telling you right now, though, the caramel pumpkin is the best on offer today. Hands down."
    Remey groaned. "Sold. I'll have a slice and a cup of the cinnamon-spiced hot chocolate, with plenty of whipped cream on both."
    Mikey grinned. "You got it. Plain coffee for you, right, Aleks?"
    Aleks nodded, and Mikey hustled back behind the counter to start making their drinks. Remey smiled across the table at Aleks, ignoring the curious glances directed their way. "Maybe you should be my small-town mentor. At least I know you won't be talking about anything I'd rather not hear about."
    Aleks chuckled and shook his head. "It's mostly just being prepared for the winter, which anyone could tell you. Snow tires for your car, plenty of oil and firewood and food stocked up come winter, and plenty of rock salt for your sidewalk. And a teenager who'll take twenty bucks per snowstorm to shovel if you're not into the idea of breaking your back over it."
    Remey laughed. "I'll take my chances. I'm kind of looking forward to the first big snowstorm. I'll probably be out the next day, making snow angels like a little kid."
    "You and Willow both. She loves the snow," Aleks commented as Mikey brought over their mugs. "Hey, Mikey, bring me a slice of the key lime pie, okay?"
    "You got it. I'll bring both of those right over for you."
    Remey laughed as he met Aleks's eyes. "Key lime pie? I mean, don't get me wrong, I love it, but it's more of a summer thing."
    Aleks shook his head. "I know, I know, but it's always been my favorite. I can't come here without ordering a slice, even if other pies sound good."
    Remey shot Aleks a grin, propping his elbows on the table. "You can have a bite of my caramel pumpkin if you want."
    "Am I required to share a bite of mine, too? Because that may be problematic. I'm pretty possessive about the pie."
    Remey laughed again. He was easy to laugh, Aleks noticed, and it was charming. Especially the way he did it, kind of scrunching his whole face up, leaning to the side or tipping his head back. Like laughing was a whole-body event. It reminded him of Willow, actually, with the unfettered joy.
    "Willow laughs the way you do," he said suddenly, then wished he hadn't, because Remey's expression went all soft and warm, and it definitely did not make Aleks think of his daughter.
    "How so?" Remey asked, still smiling.
    Aleks shrugged. "Like she's unaware anyone's watching and, if she were, wouldn't care."
    Remey glanced up as Mikey came back with their order. "Well, I think that's how it should be, don't you? Thank you, Mikey."
    Aleks smiled his thanks, then turned his attention back on Remey. "Oh, I do think so, but most adults tend to forget. I know I did, before Willow."
    Remey gave him a teasing look and swiped a finger across his whipped cream to lick off. "Maybe you need another reminder wandering around, hmm?"
    Aleks followed the movement of Remey's tongue on his cream-coated finger, forcing himself to look away after a second. "Maybe. Although I think you've got some kind of sour impression of me because I don't like the changes your presence has made in my town. I assure you, I do plenty of