A Reason to Stay by Kellie Coates Gilbert Read Free Book Online Page B

getting to her. That hollow spot inside her was filled with something pleasant, and she liked how it felt—liked him.
    Despite how the morning had started out, she’d laughed today, which was good. When had she last laughed?
    After years spent studying night and day, she’d graduated at the top of her journalism class with a diploma and summa cum laude designation in hand. She’d spent the following months stalking the KIAM producers, showing up where she knew the station manager and his management staff ate lunch every day, soon landing an interview, then acing her audition.
    Since then, there’d been no play for her, no downtime. Not if she wanted to position herself for quick promotion. She had an eye on a prize, and wouldn’t leave the so-called carnival until she held the overstuffed bear in her arms—or in her case, an anchor slot.
    And that was just the beginning. She intended to work hard and make her life matter. She believed in herself, and no amount of criticism from those who thought her too focused could convince her otherwise.
    But tonight—well, she was off the map, off the grid, behaving like someone she didn’t recognize. On this particularly unexpected evening she let herself enjoy another side to life.
    â€œYou warm enough?” he asked, casually placing his arm on her seat back as if to ward off a chill.
    Faith nodded and looked up into the now blackened sky as the first rocket launched upward. The corners of her mouth turned up. They both knew the air had to still be at least ninety degrees.
    Overhead, the nightscape popped and crackled as the black sky above burst into a brilliant shower of red and blue lights.
    As focused as Faith was on the beauty of the fireworks, she was even more aware of Geary’s thumb as it lightly brushed her upper arm, up and down in tiny strokes—a small but intimate gesture that set her senses on high alert. It was a powerful, heady feeling that made her feel warm and tingly inside, and—well, safe.
    In her estimation, men were a lot like dogs. Some were scraggly puppies, ones who constantly needed their ears scratched, impulsive, who took more than they gave. German shepherds asserted dominance and wanted women at their beck and call, alwaysmeeting their needs without question. Occasionally, if you were really unlucky, you’d run into a jealous pit bull who wouldn’t think twice about lifting his leg to mark his territory.
    Faith gave Geary a sidelong look, sizing him up.
    No doubt about it. This one was a golden retriever. Sweet-natured and trustworthy. The kind of dog she’d pick for herself at the pet store.
    Not for the first time today, she felt her reservations melting, folding into the comfort of his presence more easily than she would have expected with someone she’d only just met.
    â€œIsn’t the sky beautiful?” she asked drowsily, lulled by the gentle rocking of the boat. In the distance, she could hear cicadas singing their strange song from the trees lining the shoreline.
    Geary agreed. “Don’t know when I’ve seen a fireworks show like this one.” He leaned closer. “I’m thinking maybe it’s a signal I ought to make a pass at you.”
    She couldn’t help it. She laughed out loud. “I might not stop you.”
    A low rumble drew their attention away from the moment. Within seconds, the first flash of lightning streaked across the sky. An audible moan drifted from the nearby crowds. And from Geary.
    â€œAh, no,” he said, obviously upset at the development.
    Anyone living in southern Texas was used to sudden and unexpected storms triggered by hot gulf air converging with cooler air fronts coming in from New Mexico. Still, no one wanted this evening to end prematurely. Her especially.
    Geary scanned the sky with a deep frown on his face. “This doesn’t look good,” he said as the wind picked up. “We’d best get ready to