Read Online Love Under Construction (The Love Under Series Book 1) by Jody Pardo - Free Book Online

fights so it was going to be an early night. 
    I got back to the table with our drinks and poured two shots. 
    “Will you have a drink with me?”
    “Oh, boy. Like I told that jerk, I’m not a whiskey drinker.”
    “Just one, then you can nurse your beer. You’re not driving.”
    She let out a long sigh as she resigned that I was right. 
    “What’s the occasion?” she asked.
    “Does there have to be a reason to have a drink with me?” She blushed and bowed her head a bit, biting her lip. 
    “No, I suppose not, but shouldn’t we toast to something then?”
    “If it makes you feel better, sure.”
    She raised her glass. “To new beginnings!” She tossed her shot back. I shot mine back behind her and let the amber liquid’s warmth soothe my throat. New beginnings. I wondered what that meant for her, and it also gave me hope. Suzie isn’t like these whores , I thought as I looked around the bar. I wasn’t sure what her story was, but she was living in my aunt’s guest house; that’s all I knew for sure. 
    “So, tell me about yourself, Suzie.”
    “What do you want to know?”
    “I dunno. Tell me something I don’t know.”
    She weighed the question, rubbing her chin before answering, “My favorite color is green.”
    “Really? That’s all you got. By the way, mine too, but seriously, that’s the best thing you could come up with?”
    She shrugged her shoulders and took another sip of her beer. “What about you? Tell me something.”
    “I have my own business, and I like to make furniture from reclaimed wood.”
    “What’s reclaimed wood?”
    “It’s when nature gives it to me. I collect all the trees that get blown down or torn up after the storms. I also pull stumps and use those big trunks to make stuff.”
    “Why not just buy wood?”
    “Because I can shape the wood or use the natural shapes of the branches to make cool stuff. Anyone can make a square table or a chair.”
    She thought about it and simply nodded.
    “Your turn,” I prodded.
    “I like cows,” she stated matter-of-factly.
    I laughed. “Well, then you moved to the right town. We got plenty of them. They are good eating.”
    She slapped me in the arm. “Not for food! Well, yeah, I like a good steak, but, no that’s not what I meant.”
    I laughed even harder as she became increasingly flustered as she tried to elaborate on her statement.
    She crossed her arms and pouted. She was so damn cute with her bottom lip sticking out. I wanted to suck on it. I tried to control my laughter before I pissed her off.
    “I’m sorry. Go ahead. Please, explain.”
    She let out a huff and gave me a sideways glance before she continued. “I just like them. I think they are the most peaceful animals. Sure, other animals are pretty too, but there is something about their eyes. They just stand there and stare. I don’t know, it’s like they can see inside your soul.”
    “You got all that from a cow?”
    “You got wood, I got cows.” She shrugged it off and changed the subject. “So where are your cowboy boots?”
    “My boots? Nah, can’t work in cowboy boots.” I stuck out my foot, showing her my well-worn, steel-toe, construction boots. “Need steel-toes and good ankle support.”
    “I thought everyone around here rode and wore boots?”
    “I have’m, but it’s not my thing.”
    “So what is your thing?”  The conversation felt heavy all of a sudden so I slammed the bottle on the table.
    “Jameson! That’s my thing.” I poured two shots and handed her one. “To peaceful cows!” I didn’t give her an opportunity to say no and slammed my shot back. She looked down at her hand, debating before lifting the glass to her lips and quickly tilted it back. The grimace she made at the amber lava likely warming her throat was amusing. 
    She coughed. “No more.” She waved her hands in front of her face trying to catch her breath. 
    “Chase it down with your beer.” She opened her eyes and grabbed her beer, taking two