Read Online The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks - Free Book Online Page B

see."
    Though he flashed a quick smile of agreement, Richard was doubtful. This place struck him as a refuge for those who drank to escape their problems, people who were desperate for the companionship of a stranger. It was, he thought, the kind of atmosphere that promoted the notion that everyone here, whether with someone or not, was up for grabs. Julie didn't belong in a place like this any more than he did.
    On stage, the band had started up again and people were trading places on the floor, some heading in, others taking a break. He leaned in close to Julie's ear, and she could feel his breath against her. "Let's get something to drink," he said, "before we find a place to sit down."
    Julie nodded. "Sure. You lead the way. The bar's straight ahead."
    As Richard began squeezing between people, he reached back, offering his hand to Julie. Without hesitation, she took it. When they reached the bar, he held on to it as he raised his other hand to get the bartender's attention.
    "So that's him, huh?" Emma said.Emma, thirty-eight, was a green-eyed blonde with a sunny disposition, which more than offset the fact that she wasn't all that pretty in the classic sense. Short and round faced, she dieted constantly with no success, though neither Mike nor Henry knew why she bothered. People responded to Emma not for superficial reasons, but who she was and the things she did. She volunteered regularly at her children's school, and at three o'clock every afternoon, she propped open the front door with a brick so that kids in the neighborhood would have a place to congregate. And they did-her house was a beehive of activity for hours as children trampled in and out-drawn by the homemade pizzas she cooked almost daily.
    But if the children loved her, Henry adored her and considered himself fortunate to have her by his side. Emma was good for Henry and vice versa; as they often told others, they were too busy laughing together to have any time to argue. Like Henry, Emma loved to tease, and when they got going, they seemed to feed off each other. And after a couple of drinks? Watch out, Mike thought. They were deadly, like sharks who fed on their young.
    Unfortunately for Mike, he knew that right now he was nothing but a baby shark, swimming ahead of Mommy's open jaws. One look at the hungry gleam in their eyes made him want to dive for cover.
    Henry nodded. "That's him."
    Emma continued to stare. "He's really something, isn't he?"
    "I think Mabel used the word . . . sexy," Henry offered.
    Emma raised a finger, as if Henry were an attorney who'd made a valid point in court. "Yes . . . sexy. Very sexy. In a handsome stranger kind of way, I mean."
    Mike crossed his arms and sank lower in his seat, wondering if the evening could get any worse.
    "My sentiments exactly," Henry said. Still waiting for drinks, Richard and Julie were standing at the bar, their faces in profile. "They do make a lovely couple," he added.
    "They certainly stand out in a crowd," Emma agreed.
    "It's like one of those People magazine articles about the world's most glamorous couples."
    "Like they should be starring in a movie together."
    "Knock it off, you guys," Mike finally cut in. "I get it. He's perfect, he's wonderful, he's Mr. Everything."
    Henry and Emma faced Mike, their eyes bright with amusement.
    "We're not saying that, Mike," Henry offered, "we're just saying he looks like he is."
    Emma reached across the table and patted Mike on the shoulder. "Besides," she said, "there's no reason to lose hope. Looks aren't the only thing that matter."
    Mike glared at them.
    Henry leaned toward Emma. "I guess you should know my little brother's been having a hard time with all this. And from his expression, I don't think we're helping."
    "Oh, really?" Emma asked innocently.
    "I'd be fine if you two would quit picking on me. You've been at it all night."
    "But you're such an easy target when you're this way." Emma giggled. "Pouting does that, you know."
    "Henry and I have