Read Online Sandman by Morgan Hannah MacDonald - Free Book Online Page A

three that afternoon so she would have enough time to get ready for her date with the girls. They wouldn’t tell her where they were going, only that she needed to dress up.
    After she’d freshened her makeup, she slipped on a maxi length halter dress with an Indian print. She piled on some silver bangle bracelets, a couple of rings, and finished with a pair of gypsy style earrings.
    She was standing in front of the bathroom mirror pulling up the sides of her hair when she heard Theresa, the rowdiest of her friends, yelling through her screen door, “Hey, Birthday Girl! Hurry up, we’ve got reservations.”
    “Come on in, I’m almost ready.” Meagan put the second comb in her hair. Tiny red curls framed her face, and the rest of her hair hung down her back.
    She heard the screen door slam while she applied her red lipstick, then Theresa was at her side.
    “You look great. Now get your butt in gear. The engine’s running.” Theresa latched onto her hand.
    “I’m ready. Just let me grab my keys and purse.” Meagan yelled goodbye to Godzilla and locked up the house before she followed Theresa out the door. Katy was riding shotgun, and Sarah sat behind the wheel of her SUV. Theresa and Meagan jumped in the back.
    “So where are you girls taking me tonight?”
    Sarah turned around and said, “Not yet. You’ll have to wait until we get there.”
    “I’ve gotta say, this is the first time Theresa’s ever kept a secret.” Meagan eyed Theresa, who had a sheepish grin.
    “We threatened her with bodily harm,” Katy laughed.
    “Hey, I’m sitting right here!” Theresa defended herself. “I’m not that bad, I just get excited.”
    Meagan patted her knee. “I know, it’s cute, that’s one reason I love you.” Theresa smiled back at her.
    When they exited in San Juan Capistrano, Meagan thought they were going to Cedar Creek, one of her favorite restaurants. Instead they turned into the Coach House, a small venue for musical acts.
    Katy turned around from her seat. “We know how much you like Chris Isaak and it just so happened he was playing today.”
    “Oh, my, God! You guys are fantastic!” Meagan beamed inside and out.
    Once inside they were directed to the center table, only four chairs from the stage. Meagan and Theresa sat across from Sarah and Katy. The main floor of the venue was made up of several long tables where everyone sat together. Private tables ran around the back of the club, but if you wanted a seat close to the stage, you shared a table with others.
    They drank cocktails and chatted while they waited for their food.
    “So, who’s the opening act tonight?” Meagan asked.
    Katy looked at the program, “The Ravens.”
    “Never heard of them,” Meagan replied.
    Once their food arrived, their mouths were busy, and silence ensued. Just as they finished eating, the lights dimmed.
    “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Coach House is proud to present… The Ravens!”
    The band descended the stairs to the right of the stage and the crowd gave halfhearted applause.
    As if on cue, the girls turned their seats toward the stage. The band started with a slow song. The lead singer, who also played an acoustic steel string guitar, was standing front and center.
    He was easy on the eyes with his well-trimmed dark beard, eyes that were framed by long black lashes, and height that towered over his band mates. His voice was low and sexy, and Meagan found her eyes riveted to his.
    After they finished their first song, Sarah leaned across the table, and yelled to be heard over the applause.
    “Meagan, he’s singing to you .”
    “Don’t be ridiculous. The guy’s probably blinded by the stage lights. He’s just staring in the direction of the crowd.”
    But by the end of the set, Meagan noticed that the guy did appear to be singing every song to her.
    After the band left the stage, the lights came up. All at once the girls converged on Meagan, talking over one another.
    “Did you see that?” Theresa