Read Online Love Blooms on Main Street by Olivia Miles - Free Book Online

mess.
    â€œBut my dress!” the child said, wiping her eyes with her fists. “It’s my favorite.”
    Grace took her hand. “Come inside with me. We’ll get you a fresh one while your mommy gets you a new hot dog.”
    The little girl sniffled, as if considering the offerings. “Okay,” she said hesitantly.
    Brett smiled as he watched Grace lead Sophie into the house, but his shoulders immediately tensed when he noticed that Ivy now sat alone at the table, her auburn hair glistening with gold in the warmth of the setting sun.
    No use dwelling on that, he told himself. Now was as good a time as any. Pulling in a breath, Brett circled the table and slid onto the bench. Her eyes slowly narrowed on him.
    â€œNice party,” he tried, feeling her out. God, he could use a drink right about now. Something to take the edge off. Something to temper the inconvenient urge he had to lean across the table and wipe that surprise off her lips. He hadn’t dared to properly look at her the other day in the hospital. Hadn’t wanted to. He’d been so shocked to see her, and even more so to be reminded of how damn pretty she was, how his body still reacted all on its own to that face… that body. Now, sitting here, with the evening shadows softening her already delicate features and bringing out the green flecks in those clear blue eyes, he struggled to stay firm.
    Then he thought of his father—a man who had promised more than he could give—and the three bystanders who had paid for it dearly. Ivy didn’t deserve the same fate.
    No one did.
    â€œI heard you moved back to town,” she said after a brief hesitation. Her tone was pleasant enough, but he detected a slightly defensive edge.
    Damn, word traveled fast in this town. And from the steely glint in Ivy’s eyes, she’d taken the news personally. “For now,” he commented, and immediately wished he could take back the words. No doubt that would get around, too, and everyone would wonder what was meant by it, where he was going, why he would leave again.
    He studied Ivy, relaxing a bit. Ivy kept things to herself. She clearly hadn’t told anyone about their kiss. God knew he would have heard about it if she had. Mark would have never let that one pass without a comment or jab, especially now that he’d traded in his bachelor days for domestic comfort.
    â€œI’m filling in at Forest Ridge. One of the emergency room doctors is on maternity leave, so I’m the replacement. I was late for my interview when I ran into you on Monday.”
    Her smile seemed a little easier. “No wonder you seemed a little harried.”
    Brett eyed her warily. He knew that look, the sweet way her plump lips curled at the corner, the way she tucked her hair ever so carefully behind her ear and then fiddled with the lobe. She probably didn’t even know she was doing it, but the effect it had on him was as intense as it had been the first time. He gritted his teeth. He had to remember the plan. Stick to his rules. Keep focused. Get back on track.
    â€œYeah, I…”
Just say it, man. Let her down gently. You know what to do.
“I felt bad I had to run off.”
    â€œOh?” She tipped her head, unimpressed.
    Brett swept his eyes over the party, making sure they wouldn’t be overheard, before leaning into his elbows on the table. This close he noticed the flecks of turquoise around her pupils. The faint dusting of freckles on her nose. And those lips… His groin stirred. Had they always been so pink, so… soft looking?
    He inched back. He wasn’t offering anything. Not to her. Not to anyone. “That kiss. I feel bad about it.”
    She narrowed her eyes. “Bad about it…” She seemed to mull over the words.
    â€œMy life is really complicated right now. I’m not looking for a relationship at this time.”
    She now hadn’t blinked in an alarming amount