Read Online My Sunshine by Catherine Anderson - Free Book Online Page A

had been frustrating for everyone in the family. But in the end, her stubbornness had paid off. She’d become self-sufficient, and now she was happily married to a wonderful man and had a normal life.
    â€œI do understand,” Isaiah replied. “No special favors, Laura. If I didn’t sincerely believe you could do the work, I wouldn’t be here. We desperately need good kennel people. They quit almost as fast as we can train them. I think you’ll do a great job, and I believe you’ll stay, not because you’ll have no other opportunities along the way, but because you’ll really like the animals.”
    She searched his face for a long moment. “All right then,” she finally said. “If that’s really why you gave me the job, I’ll be there in the morning.”
    â€œThat’s really why.”
    She didn’t prompt him to offer her more reassurance. Taking him at his word, she simply resumed eating her meal. Isaiah released a pent-up breath, took a sip of merlot, and reclaimed his fork.
    After taking a few bites, he had to compliment her on the food. “The only time I get to eat like this is when I go home for dinner.”
    â€œWhat do you eat the rest of the time?”
    â€œRestaurant fare, TV dinners.” He shrugged. “Sometimes nothing at all. When I get home late, I’m generally too tired to dig something out of the freezer and nuke it. I’d rather go to bed hungry.”
    She shook her head. “You should keep things on hand—cheese, fruit, stuff like that. At least then you could grab something quick and easy.”
    Isaiah shrugged. “I would, but half the time I forget to go shopping.”
    She pushed the platter of meat toward him. “Have some more roast and taters. You’re too thin.”
    Taters. There it was again, her avoidance of words with more than two syllables. Little wonder she talked slowly. It would be difficult enough to learn to speak all over again without constantly having to choose words that were easy to say.
    By the time the meal was over, Isaiah had devoured three large helpings of meat and vegetables, four buttered biscuits, a generous serving of salad, and five little pumpkin pies topped with whipped cream. He was so stuffed that he groaned when he rose from the table.
    â€œYou don’t have to help clean up,” she protested as he began scraping plates.
    â€œSure I do.” He glanced up and winked. “After a meal like that, helping with the dishes is the least I can do.”
    They fell into a comfortable silence as they worked. Then the phone rang. Isaiah continued loading the dishwasher while Laura took the call. When she returned to the kitchen, she said, “That was Gram.”
    â€œMy mother’s partner in crime?”
    She rolled her eyes and nodded. “I’d like to stay mad at her for a while, but she makes it hard.”
    â€œMore like impossible, if she’s anything like my mom.” Isaiah ran a plate under the faucet before sticking it in the rack. “ ‘I’m so sorry, Isaiah,’ ” he mimicked in a high-pitched voice. “ ’Please, please, please forgive me. I’ll never do it again.’ After about six phone calls, I finally caved.”
    â€œDo you think she’ll keep her promise?”
    â€œTo never do it again, you mean?” Isaiah considered the question. “Heck, no.” He flashed a quick grin. “But at least her taste has improved.”
    Laura bent to put away the roasting pan. “Right. No drool on my chin.”
    It goes a lot farther than that, Isaiah thought as he surveyed her attractive backside, but he refrained from saying so. He had accomplished what he’d set out to do. Laura had agreed to take the job at the clinic. They had established a friendship of sorts. He didn’t want to mess that up by telling her she was the most attractive woman he’d met in a