Read Online Justice Healed by Olivia Jaymes - Free Book Online Page B

don't want to scare him off."
    "Oh, that reminds me.  Don't talk about gross, bloody stuff, Star Wars , Star Trek , Dr. Who , global warming, or grisly death of any kind.  Got it?"
    "That's pretty much all I know.  Science and geeky stuff.  Besides, we've already talked about gruesome things."  Sherry shook her head and frowned.  Madison sighed and capitulated.  Perhaps she should be taking notes on her hand so she could remind herself in the middle of the date.  "What should I talk about?"
    "Him.  Ask him about his interests.  Movies, books, sports, his childhood.  Men love talking about themselves.  Do that and he'll think you're wonderful."
    "Okay."  Madison pushed her plate away.  "I can do that."
    "You can do what, sweetheart?"  Madison's dad entered the kitchen and headed straight for the coffee pot.
    "Oh, just go shopping with Sherry today.  What do you have planned?  How's Aunt Carole?"
    Her father smiled.  Madison's mother had died when she was thirteen and Greg Shay had done everything he could to be both parents for his daughter.  Madison never doubted his devotion and love.  It had been an easy decision when he'd asked her to come home to help him with his practice and eventually take over. 
    "Your aunt is doing well.  She's says it's cold and rainy in Seattle, but then it rains all the time there."
    "Is she going to come visit this spring?"  Aunt Carole usually spent a week in Montana for Easter. 
    A strange expression flitted over her father's face but was gone in an instant.  "Not this year.  She has some things going on at work."  Her father added cream and sugar to his coffee and absently stirred the hot liquid.  "In fact, she was asking if I could come back and spend some more time with her.  She needs some advice and has asked me to help."
    Madison sucked in a breath.  "Is Aunt Carole sick?"
    "No, no."  Her father waved the concern away.  "I shouldn't have been so vague.  Forgive me.  She's having some renovations done and she's asked me to help oversee them.  You know how anxiety-ridden your aunt gets about these things."
    Aunt Carole was the president of a bank and one of the most capable women Madison had ever known, but certainly home improvement projects could be stressful.  Carole had divorced her husband about five years ago and did often turn to her brother for advice.
    "I'm sure I can handle things, Dad," Madison assured him.  "How long will you be gone?"
    "I'm not gone yet."  Her dad's eyes twinkled.  "I won't leave for a week or two.  Not sure how long I'll be away.  I'm so glad you're helping with things.  It's nice having you here."
    "It's good to be back."  Madison was surprised, but she truly felt that way.  Being in Springwood was a good thing, and she was determined to put her rocky childhood behind her. 
    Her dad opened the freezer and looked inside, pushing around the contents.  "What do you want for dinner?  We have steaks and there's chicken in here, too."
    The moment had arrived.  "I won't be home for dinner actually, Dad.  I have dinner plans."
    Her dad turned with a smile.  "You and Sherry going out somewhere?  The barbecue place has a brisket on Sunday nights."
    "Um, no.  I'm having dinner with Tanner Marks."  Madison braced herself for a reaction.  Her father never thought the men she dated were good enough.  He'd been disdainful of them all.  At least the ones he'd met. 
    Greg Shay's jaw went slack but he quickly recovered.  "Tanner Marks is a fine man and a good sheriff."  Her father paused.  "He has had some issues in his past, but they do seem to be in the past."
    "What issues?"  Madison frowned.  "I wasn't aware of anything."
    Madison's father sighed.  "He had a drinking problem years ago. He liked to hang out at the local watering hole, have a few too many, and close it down several nights a week."
    "I had no idea."  It didn't sound like Tanner in the least.  Her head swiveled to Sherry.  "Did you