A Man to Trust by Carrie Turansky Read Free Book Online

she’s going out on a date with a man she hasn’t seen in fifty years.”
    “Yeah, that’s pretty cool.” Ross grinned, but he quickly sobered. “What’s wrong?”
    Adrie bit her lip. Should she tell him? Would he understand? If she didn’t say something to someone she was afraid she might burst into tears. “I’m worried about her. I don’t want her to get hurt.”
    “George seems like a decent guy.”
    “But she adored my grandpa, and when he got sick and died, she was devastated.” Her throat tightened, making her next words difficult. “She couldn’t sleep, and she wouldn’t eat. I thought I was going to lose her, too.” Hot tears burned her eyes.
    He stepped over and slipped his arm around her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Adrie. That must have been a difficult time for both of you.” His gentle tone and caring touch sent a comforting wave through her.
    She nodded and swallowed, trying to loosen her tight throat. “I miss my grandpa every day, and I thought Nana did, too.” She stepped away from Ross and shuffled some papers on the sales counter.
    “I’m sure she does. You can’t be married that long and not miss your mate.”
    “Then how can she walk out the door with her old boyfriend at a moment’s notice?”
    Ross sent her an understanding look. “I know this is unexpected, but your grandpa’s been gone for over a year. Maybe she’s ready to look ahead and think about the future.”
    Was that true? Was her grandmother done grieving and ready to find a new love?
    “It’s just dinner with an old friend right now.”
    She nodded and pulled in a calming breath. “You’re right. I don’t know why I’m getting so emotional about this. He’s probably just in town for the day, and nothing will come of it.”
    But what if she was wrong? What if her grandmother decided she didn’t want to spend the rest of her life alone? Was George Bradford worthy of her grandmother’s trust?

Chapter Five
    R oss put the ladder away in the closet and brushed off his hands. The store was quiet this afternoon. He’d accomplished all the tasks he and Marian had planned for the day, so he grabbed a broom and headed outside. Might as well keep busy. Maybe he’d be able to greet some people, introduce himself as the new manager and invite them in.
    A few minutes later, Adrie followed him out front, a bucket and scissors in her hands.
    He stopped and leaned on the broom handle. “What are you going to do with those?”
    “I thought I’d tend the flower boxes while you sweep. Seems like a good time to clean up things out here.” Adrie trimmed off a few dead geranium blooms and dropped them in her bucket. She stuck her fingers in the dirt. “These planters seem pretty dry.”
    Ross glanced at the clear blue sky as he swept the last bits of leaves and dirt off the curb. “Makes sense. We haven’t had any rain for a few days.”
    “I better haul out the hose and water them.”
    “I can get that for you. Where do you keep it?”
    She smiled, looking pleased by his offer. “It’s hanging by the side door.”
    “Okay. Be right back.” He set his broom aside and hustled around the building. Today marked the end of his first week at the bookstore. Adrie still kept to herself most of the time, but on a few occasions he’d broken through her reserve and managed to make her smile or laugh.
    Why was she so guarded? It was almost like she wore a protective coat to keep him from getting too close. But rather than repelling him, he took it as a challenge. Winning her trust and perhaps even her friendship became more important to him each day.
    He lifted the hose off the metal hook and hung it over his shoulder. When he rounded the corner of the building, he saw Adrie talking with a tall man in his early thirties with short blond hair. Ross frowned and slowed his steps.
    The man wore shorts and a T-shirt that showed off his muscular build. Adrie laughed at something he said and looked up at him as if he’d hung the