Read Online Sealed with a Kiss by Mae Nunn - Free Book Online Page B

well. Her empty hands were evidence she’d struck out, but she strolled with a carefree spring in her step through the dwindling crowd.
    The determination to maintain his foul mood fled on the breeze as wisps of her hair danced out of control. By the time she reached the bike he was mesmerized by the motion. She’d grown into a spectacular, self-confident woman. As his heart thundered at the thought, he reminded himself that his real life was on hold for some payback. Nothing more.
    â€œNo go, huh?” he asked, casually.
    â€œOn the contrary.” She flashed an enchanting smile. This close he could see the way her front teeth overlapped a tiny bit. Running his tongue across a smooth bite, he remembered how embarrassingly crooked his own teeth had once been. He’d financed braces before he’d even financed his first bike.
    Tara continued, “I bought several nice pieces of furniture and quite a few interesting knickknacks for Bridges.”
    He looked past her for some proof of the statement.
    â€œDon’t worry, everything’s being delivered tomorrow. If you can take me to get some gas and drop me off at the truck I won’t be any more bother.
    Today, anyway.”
    â€œWhat’s that supposed to mean?”
    â€œI’m going to need a little help getting the pieces up the stairs.”
    â€œLet me guess. You want me to do it.”
    â€œNo, of course not. I thought maybe you’d allow your construction friends to help me for an hour or so. I’ll pay the going rate till I can find some local boys to help out in the future.”
    â€œAnd what’s wrong with the guys making the delivery?”
    â€œThey’re a little old to be hauling heavy pieces up twenty steps. I’m sure they’d help if I asked, but to be honest, I already feel like I’ve taken advantage of them.”
    â€œHow’s that?”
    â€œThey sold me an old desk, and I’m positive there’s a very nice piece beneath about ten layers of black paint.”
    â€œDid they set the price?”
    â€œYes. I even gave them the opportunity to raise it.”
    â€œThen you’re not taking advantage.” He handed her a helmet.
    â€œI know, but they seem like such nice men, I hate making a huge profit on them.”
    â€œGet used to it. The goal of enterprise is to buy low and sell high. You’re in this for the money, so save your guilt for something besides profit margins.”
    â€œYou’re right, and if their big truck is any indicator, the Carlton brothers do very well for themselves.”
    â€œWard and Walter Carlton?” he asked, not believing the dumb luck.
    â€œYou know them?”
    â€œEverybody who’s lived in this state for the past three years knows them. They own Flapjack Heaven.”
    The auburn tips of her eyebrows tilted together.
    â€œYou mean that truck stop on the edge of town with the giant stack of pancakes for a roof? That place belongs to them?
    â€œThat one and forty-seven others across Texas.”
    As the news sunk in, he watched her crystal-blue eyes widen.
    â€œThat’s right,” he confirmed. “They could probably buy everything in both our showrooms out of pocket cash and still have money left over to put a freshman through college.”
    â€œThen what in the world are they doing selling bobble-head dolls at a flea market?”
    â€œThe Carltons aren’t exactly known for their conventional business practices.”
    She shook her head, looking as if she felt a bit foolish.
    â€œI guess I don’t need to worry about making a killing off that desk after all.”
    He climbed on the bike, reached for Tara’s hand, and hauled her up behind him.
    â€œAll you need to worry about right now is how you’re going to pay me back tomorrow after I help haul your junk up that flight of stairs.”
    Before he let her soft hand slip away, he couldn’t help noticing how well it fit