Burned by a Kiss by Tina Leonard Read Free Book Online Page A

“Thank you.”
    “What can I get you?”
    “Ah—” Nick began, and Emma thought he really didn’t want to eat with them.
    “You might like a chicken sandwich on fresh-baked bread,” Mary suggested.
    Nick shot a careful look at Santana’s plate. “Coffee, please. Black.”
    Mary looked distressed, and maybe a little embarrassed. Aware that he might look like he was too good for the locals, Nick cleared his throat. “If you wouldn’t mind, I’ll have some of those cucumber sandwiches everyone else is having.”
    Everyone stared at him, but Nick seemed oblivious. “My mother made cucumber sandwiches,” he said with a smile meant to put Mary at ease. “I haven’t had one in many years, and those look delicious.”
    Sunshine parting clouds couldn’t have looked brighter than the smile on Mary’s face. She hurried off to get Nick’s order.
    Santana cleared his throat. “We’re not always socially awkward.”
    “Yes, we are,” Sierra said, determined. “This is a small town. We do awkward very well.”
    Nick smiled at Emma. “So, a vet.”
    She nodded. “Yes. I took over my father’s practice last year.” She couldn’t have said why she was suddenly determined to make him feel more comfortable, except that everyone at the table was behaving like they were completely different people than they normally were. “You’ll call me for any problems you might have with your cattle.”
    That fell on the table like a stack of wet newspapers no one wanted.
    “Big and small animal vet?” Nick asked curiously, not seeming to notice the pointed disregard coming from Sierra.
    “Yes. Until someone comes along that wants to join my practice and take one side or the other, I’m doing both.”
    “I’m not going to keep the cattle,” Nick said, and Sierra stiffened. “Or the horses, I imagine.”
    Sierra got up. “I’m going. Santana, you can get a ride from Nick. He won’t mind taking you to our old home, I’m sure.”
    She went off, a blur of tight jeans and a rose-printed western shirt that for some reason seemed to catch Nick’s eye. Probably didn’t see too many real, honest-to-goodness cowgirls wherever it was that he came from. “I’m going to go with your sister,” Emma said, hopping up so the two men could talk. “Nice meeting you, Nick.” She hurried out after Sierra.
    “Sierra, wait! I’ll drive you.” Emma caught up to her friend.
    “No, thanks. I just want to…I don’t know. Get away from this town for a while. Maybe forever.” She got into her truck and drove away. Emma stared after her, feeling sad for her, for the whole Dark family.
    “You left this,” she heard behind her, and whirled to find Santana staring down at her. He handed over the doggie bag Mary was donating to her new puppies. “Gus and Bean would appreciate it if you don’t leave it behind.”
    “Thank you,” Emma said, breathless suddenly in the cold bursts of icy breeze blowing up under her collar. “I’m so sorry about everything.”
    “I know. So am I.”
    He tipped his hat and went back inside. Emma stared after him, realizing with a sinking heart that the old Santana she’d waited so long for him to return home had changed overnight. Changed into someone who clearly wanted to forget about their kiss, and the closeness that had been developing between them since he’d come back to Star Canyon.
    Without him saying a word, she could tell it was over before it had even gotten started.
    Which broke her heart, that heart that had waited almost half her life for him to realize that he was the only man she could ever truly love.
    • • •
    Santana took a second to eyeball Nick before he returned to his seat. He had to give the man credit; he didn’t look as uncomfortable as he had to feel.
    Then again, commercial real estate was the kingdom Nick’s father—Santana’s mysterious uncle-in-name-only—had built. A ranch was probably nothing to him. Just business as usual.
    “Sorry about that. I didn’t