Town Hero: A Romantic Suspense Read online

  “He’s a nice guy would probably work around your budget.” Adam walked around her to the center of a large kitchen, thankfully hidden from the waist down by a tall counter or she would have had a hard time keeping her eyes from wandering.

  Sandstone countertops took her attention next. The appliances were all hidden behind the cherry cabinetry. An enormous farm style sink with a gooseneck faucet had room for any size pot. Unlike the rest of what she’d seen, the kitchen was fully equipped with four barstools in front of a high counter as well as an oval, matching cherry wood dining table and six chairs.

  Adam motioned to a barstool opposite of the counter. “Please sit. I’ll get this stuff out of the oven. It’ll only take a moment.”

  Although he spoke politely, she couldn’t call him friendly. He’d yet to smile, his expression more stoic than anything. His southern manners came into play when she sat. His deep voice held a slight southern accent. “I apologize for not coming to introduce myself when you moved in a few days ago.” He glanced to the oven and took the kitchen towel from his shoulder.

  Tesha smiled at his attempt to make casual conversation. “It’s fine. In Atlanta no one introduces themselves, so I didn’t even think about it. This is all new to me.” She watched him open the oven door and pull out a casserole dish then place it on the counter. Afterwards, he took out a second one and did the same. “Lasagna?”

  Adam nodded, eyes on the dishes. “Yes. My mother’s birthday gift. Mom insisted she wanted my lasagna.” He threw the towel back over his shoulder in what she pegged to be a habit and opened the refrigerator.

  While he disappeared behind the door, she stood and walked closer to the food. Not just to get another whiff, but it gave her a better view of his backside. “Does your mother live near here?”

  He straightened with two soft drinks and held one out to her after popping the top. “About an hour and a half away, in the outskirts of Nashville.”

  Wearing a tank top with what looked to be a tomato stain on the front, she was able to admire his bulging biceps. He replied to her questions but did not ask or elaborate. Tesha drank the sweet liquid and realized he was being polite but not inviting the conversation to continue.

  Suddenly she felt awkward. She’d overstayed her welcome and needed to get to the reason for her visit. “I…” His eyes immediately locked to hers and her throat went dry. She took another sip of her drink. “I came to talk to you about my plans for a gated garden on this side of the house.” Tesha motioned toward her house. “Do you have time to walk around with me so I can tell you what I have in mind and make sure you don’t have a problem with it?”

  “I can’t right now.”

  “Oh. Of course, I don’t expect you to do it right now. I can wait until a better day.” Actually she did expect him to walk outside with her as he didn’t seem particularly busy. But maybe he had plans she’d interrupted with her impromptu visit.

  “I’ll come over, maybe later today.” Although he looked at her as if he was a starving man and she the last ham sandwich on the planet, he did not move, instead remained frozen behind the kitchen island, his untouched drink in front of him.

  It was time to leave. Tesha wondered how she could make a graceful exit. She couldn’t figure out if he was bothered by her visit and wished her gone or if perhaps this would be a good opportunity to invite him over for a meal and maybe get to know him better. She did a quick scan of the surrounding spaces. No woman’s touch anywhere. He was definitely not in a relationship.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Thank You for Reading…

  Excerpt from EVEN HEROES CRY