Read Online The Sweetheart Bargain (A Sweetheart Sisters Novel) by Shirley Jump - Free Book Online
Authors: Shirley Jump
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Golden Years, and just seeing Miss Sadie can change their attitudes. Studies have shown that spending time with a dog can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and just increase overall well-being. It’s amazing how much a little ten-pound dog can do.”
“Too bad she can’t use duct tape.”
Olivia grinned. “For a guy who doesn’t say much, you really know how to deliver a punch line.”
He headed down the driveway, pulverizing shells along the way. “That’s me. A man of few words, and even fewer witty comments.”
“Put that in a personals ad and you’ll attract every woman in the tri-county area.”
“And don’t forget my amazing skill with duct tape. There’s a real bonus for the ladies.” A smile curved across his face, and it hit her hard, sending a shiver down her spine and a hot rush of desire through all the other parts.
What was that about a fling with a sexy stranger?
“I’ll, uh, have to put that to use,” she said, then coughed to cover the fact that she was thinking about putting something other than his duct tape to use. “If you’re offering, that is.”
Before he responded, an older dark-haired woman next door hopped to her feet and started waving. “Yoo-hoo, Luke!”
“Oh, great. Lois Blanchard. Don’t talk to her,” Luke muttered. “You’ll only encourage her.”
“But she’s your neighbor. You have to be friendly.”
“If I start being nice,” he said, leaning over and lowering his voice, his breath a quick, hot caress along her neck, sending thoughts of one-night stands and hot nights in his bed careening through her mind, “it’ll ruin my reputation as an ogre.”
Oh. My. God.
She wasn’t having a single ogre thought about him right now. Oh no, her thoughts ran more down the rip-his-clothes-off-and-use-him-for-his-body road. Then she jerked herself back to the present moment, and the woman heading toward them.
Lois darted across their lawns, wearing a floral capri set that matched the pansies sitting on her lawn. A tall, wiry woman, she wore a bright yellow visor and color-coordinated garden clogs. “You’re the new neighbor, aren’t you?” she said to Olivia.
“Yes, I am. Been here only a few weeks.” She recognized Lois now. It was the bright clothes that gave her away. “I’ve seen you walking the neighborhood in the mornings.”
“Yup, that’s me and the Constitutional Crew. My sister and brother-in-law. You’re welcome to join us, you know.”
“Oh, thank you, but I’m usually heading out to work about that time.” Not to mention, the Constitutional Crew usually sported matching neon-colored sweatsuits.
“Too bad.” Lois turned to Luke. “You’re welcome too, Luke. I’m sure Ben would love to have another guy to temper us ladies and our talk about bingo and knitting.”
“An offer I could hardly refuse,” Luke said, his tone dry as the Sahara, “but my mornings are . . . busy.”
Lois made a little face, then flashed Olivia a bright smile. “I’m so sorry Doug—that’s my husband—and I haven’t come over to say howdy yet. You’d think we’d have more time as retirees, but good golly, we’re busy as bees.” She gave Luke a light tap. “Why didn’t you introduce me earlier?”
“With your keen Welcome Wagon skills, Mrs. Blanchard, I figured you had already met the newest addition to the block.”
She waved a hand. “Oh, I’ve been so busy working in that garden, trying to get my azaleas to cooperate with my pansies. The soil here, it can be tricky. Luke, you should grow something. Your yard is starting to look . . . well . . .” She made a sour face. “I’m sure you’ve got a gardening plan all set for this season.”
“Oh, you know it. Posted it right next to my brand-new gardening spade.”
“Wonderful! If you need some tips—”
“I know where you live.” Luke gestured toward his house. “We’ll have to catch up later, Mrs. Blanchard. Olivia and I have something to take care of.”
“Oh. Oh .
“Too bad she can’t use duct tape.”
Olivia grinned. “For a guy who doesn’t say much, you really know how to deliver a punch line.”
He headed down the driveway, pulverizing shells along the way. “That’s me. A man of few words, and even fewer witty comments.”
“Put that in a personals ad and you’ll attract every woman in the tri-county area.”
“And don’t forget my amazing skill with duct tape. There’s a real bonus for the ladies.” A smile curved across his face, and it hit her hard, sending a shiver down her spine and a hot rush of desire through all the other parts.
What was that about a fling with a sexy stranger?
“I’ll, uh, have to put that to use,” she said, then coughed to cover the fact that she was thinking about putting something other than his duct tape to use. “If you’re offering, that is.”
Before he responded, an older dark-haired woman next door hopped to her feet and started waving. “Yoo-hoo, Luke!”
“Oh, great. Lois Blanchard. Don’t talk to her,” Luke muttered. “You’ll only encourage her.”
“But she’s your neighbor. You have to be friendly.”
“If I start being nice,” he said, leaning over and lowering his voice, his breath a quick, hot caress along her neck, sending thoughts of one-night stands and hot nights in his bed careening through her mind, “it’ll ruin my reputation as an ogre.”
Oh. My. God.
She wasn’t having a single ogre thought about him right now. Oh no, her thoughts ran more down the rip-his-clothes-off-and-use-him-for-his-body road. Then she jerked herself back to the present moment, and the woman heading toward them.
Lois darted across their lawns, wearing a floral capri set that matched the pansies sitting on her lawn. A tall, wiry woman, she wore a bright yellow visor and color-coordinated garden clogs. “You’re the new neighbor, aren’t you?” she said to Olivia.
“Yes, I am. Been here only a few weeks.” She recognized Lois now. It was the bright clothes that gave her away. “I’ve seen you walking the neighborhood in the mornings.”
“Yup, that’s me and the Constitutional Crew. My sister and brother-in-law. You’re welcome to join us, you know.”
“Oh, thank you, but I’m usually heading out to work about that time.” Not to mention, the Constitutional Crew usually sported matching neon-colored sweatsuits.
“Too bad.” Lois turned to Luke. “You’re welcome too, Luke. I’m sure Ben would love to have another guy to temper us ladies and our talk about bingo and knitting.”
“An offer I could hardly refuse,” Luke said, his tone dry as the Sahara, “but my mornings are . . . busy.”
Lois made a little face, then flashed Olivia a bright smile. “I’m so sorry Doug—that’s my husband—and I haven’t come over to say howdy yet. You’d think we’d have more time as retirees, but good golly, we’re busy as bees.” She gave Luke a light tap. “Why didn’t you introduce me earlier?”
“With your keen Welcome Wagon skills, Mrs. Blanchard, I figured you had already met the newest addition to the block.”
She waved a hand. “Oh, I’ve been so busy working in that garden, trying to get my azaleas to cooperate with my pansies. The soil here, it can be tricky. Luke, you should grow something. Your yard is starting to look . . . well . . .” She made a sour face. “I’m sure you’ve got a gardening plan all set for this season.”
“Oh, you know it. Posted it right next to my brand-new gardening spade.”
“Wonderful! If you need some tips—”
“I know where you live.” Luke gestured toward his house. “We’ll have to catch up later, Mrs. Blanchard. Olivia and I have something to take care of.”
“Oh. Oh .
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