Read Online Dakota Home by Debbie Macomber - Free Book Online Page B

learned that the hard way.
    Early in the year she’d faced the biggest crisis of her career with thirteen-year-old Julie Pounder—and everything had gone wrong. Julie was dead, and while Maddy knew she wasn’t to blame, she felt responsible. She hadn’t been able to deal with the aftermath of the girl’s death; she still couldn’t. Every time she thought about it, she wept, and didn’t want to spoil this afternoon with tears.
    â€œI can’t talk about it yet,” Maddy said, not wanting to elaborate further. “I will in a month or two.”
    â€œAll right,” Lindsay murmured and affectionately squeezed Maddy’s hand. “We’ll change the subject.”
    Maddy was grateful. “Tell me what you know about Jeb McKenna.”
    â€œJeb,” Lindsay repeated slowly. “You like him?”
    â€œI don’t know him.” She could see that Lindsay was already reading something into her curiosity. It was her own fault for asking, but the strong, silent types had always intrigued her.
    â€œYou’ve met him and I haven’t,” Lindsay reminded her.
    â€œTrue.”
    â€œCalla’s mentioned her uncle quite a few times and I know about him, but I’m afraid I can’t be any help.” She met Maddy’s eyes. “You’re attracted to him, aren’t you?”
    Maddy hesitated, not sure how to answer. Yes, she was attracted; in fact, Jeb fascinated her. She suspected that behind his gruff exterior lay a kind, gentle man, one she’d like to know.
    â€œI guess I am interested,” she admitted after a lengthy pause.
    â€œOh, Maddy…” Lindsay sighed. “I’m afraid Jeb McKenna will only break your heart.”
    Â 
    Sunday evenings were traditionally the slowest of the week for Buffalo Bob. Most folks tended to stay home. He’d thought about closing the restaurant on Sundays, but hell, he wouldn’t know what to do with himself if it wasn’t for cooking and serving up a beer or two. Besides, he had to keep busy or he’d start thinking about Merrily again.
    She’d left, gone five weeks already. He’d never understood what made her come and go the way she did. Things would be just fine for a while and then suddenly, without explanation, she’d disappear.
    Usually she didn’t even bother to write him a note. Other times she’d leave something on the pillow. Something he knew she treasured. He guessed it was her way of telling him she’d be back.
    Nothing seemed right without Merrily. A thousand times over the past three years he’d told himself he was better off without her. But he couldn’t make himself believe it because deep down he knew it wasn’t true.
    He rode a Harley and wore his hair in a ponytail, and most folks assumed he’d belonged to a badass motorcycle gang. The truth was, he’d never been involved in gang activities. Oh, he dressed the part, purposely gave people that impression, even dropped hints about the lifestyle—but it wasn’t true. None of it. He’d been a loner most of his life. He liked to suggest he’d been places and done things he could never talk about, but he hadn’t, although he did have a few connections. He’d been on the fringes of a few shady deals, but nothing serious and nothing he was willing to brag about, especially now that he was a business owner and a member of the town council.
    Yeah, he was a success these days—a genuine, bona fide establishment success. His father would never believe it.
    Bob knew he’d made his share of stupid mistakes, but he was a man who wanted the same things every other man did. And that included his own woman. He’d known right away that Merrily was the one for him. He was crazy about her.
    He probably shouldn’t be. For all he knew, she could have ten other men just like him in places all around the country. He had no idea where she went or who