Read Online You Smiled by S. Jane Scheyder - Free Book Online Page A

committee?”
    “Christmas bazaar? No. Is that what they’re doing here?” Becky looked around the room and then back at Alex. “I’m just picking up coffee.”
    Alex smiled. “But somehow you knew that all those women want to know who I am?”
    “Well, it’s not like I took a poll.” Becky smiled her winning smile, again. “But it was pretty much a no-brainer that they want to know who the only man in the place is, especially when he’s a good-looking man whom no one recognizes.”
    She leaned forward expectantly.
    “Hey Becky.”
    Alex knew the voice immediately, though it lacked the warmth he’d become accustomed to. His new friend waved over his shoulder.
    “Grace! Come help me unravel this mystery.”
    Alex felt her presence behind him. He turned. “Morning, Grace.”
    She looked tired. She didn’t look particularly happy. Alex got to his feet, and she looked less happy at the prospect of looking up at him.
    “No. Please sit down. I can’t stop and talk right now.”
    “You know him?” Becky sounded delighted with the discovery. “I was sent to find out who the mysterious runner was.”
    Grace took in Alex’s T-shirt and running shorts, her eyes quickly returning to his. “Yes, I met Alex on Monday.”
    He didn’t feel particularly embraced by the comment. He wondered what had happened in the last twelve hours.
    “We’re high school friends,” he amended, keeping his eyes on her face. “We were getting reacquainted this week.”
    “Oh, how sweet,” Becky replied. “The ladies will be delighted.”
    Alex glanced at her and then back at Grace. He really wanted to get her alone and find out what was wrong.
    “Please, don’t make a big deal about it,” Grace looked pointedly at Becky. “Did you pick up your coffee?”
    “Jen’s looking into it for me,” Becky replied cheerfully. “Say, do you have a minute to talk about your, ah, you know.” She gestured at Alex,  questioning.
    “He knows,” Grace assured her, concern for her brother now winning out over her earlier irritation. “What’s up? Is he okay?”
    Alex decided to sit down while the women talked. He made room in the booth for Grace, but she remained standing.
    “I wouldn’t really know,” Becky replied. “I haven’t seen him except for one little … altercation. He’s not a super friendly guy, is he?”
    “Not particularly,” Grace conceded. She winced a little. “Was he rude to you?”
    Becky flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Yes. And I generally don’t bring out the rude in men.” She glanced at Alex with a smile. “Anyway, I tried to talk to him about his bill,” she paused. “Is his name really ‘Tank’?”
    Alex raised a brow as Grace allowed a small smile to surface. “That’s what we’ve always called him.”
    “Right, but what’s his real name?”
    “He’ll tell you when he’s ready. If he’s ready.”
    “Well, he wasn’t very forthcoming with billing information. He’s good for it, right? I mean, he played professional football; I’m assuming he’s got money somewhere.”
    “Oh, he’s good for it, I promise,” Grace assured her. “I’ll make sure it gets sorted out.”
    Becky smiled. “Thanks. I hate to bother you, but you did tell me to check in and let you know how it was going.”
    “Absolutely. I thought I’d have heard from you before now.”
    “Well, there was nothing to report. He never comes out of his room. It’s just getting to the point where the other guests are wondering what’s going on.”
    “Oh no, really?”
    “Well, maybe not the other guests so much as Burt. It’s kind of freaking him out, not knowing who’s in that room.”
    Alex looked between the two of them. “Who’s Burt?”
    “Maddy’s dog,” they both replied.
    Alex didn’t know whether to nod or shake his head. He hadn’t come into the shop this morning planning to discuss the emotional state of Grace’s friend’s sister’s dog. Neither had he planned to be the only man