Captured Heart (A Garrett's Point Novel) by Savanna Grey Read Free Book Online Page B

night. In all of her almost thirty years, no man had generated the response that one kiss from Jack had. It had left her extremely unsettled. One kiss and she had been undone. If she was going to be truthful with herself, she hadn’t wanted it to end. That was bad for many many reasons.
    Jack Denton was not looking for a long-term relationship, and she was not in the market for a one-night stand. The bigger point of reference should be that relationships born out of two people being thrown together due to these types of incidents – grief in this case – usually didn’t last. Jack was big city career guy, and she was small town kindergarten teacher girl. Not a good match. She just needed to remember that. Olivia was her primary concern, not Jack.
    Neither one mentioned the “incident” last night. Both were focused on the day ahead and what it would entail. They were to meet with Allen Spencer, Jeff and Dana’s attorney and Jeff’s partner at the law firm, at ten o’clock.
    “Are we ready?” Jack asked as he stood at the upstairs hallway bathroom door. Emma was just finishing braiding Olivia’s long blonde hair. As Emma wound a pink ponytail holder around the bottom of the braid to secure it, Olivia pouted.
    “There. All done.” Holding up a handheld mirror for Olivia to review, Emma asked, “What do you think?”
    Olivia’s bottom lip stuck out and a frown marred her small face. “Mommy puts a barrette in my hair when she braids it. You didn’t do it like she does.”
    Jack and Emma exchange concerned glances. This wouldn’t be the last time they were confronted with comments like this. It was only the beginning.
    With patience and grace Emma asked for Olivia’s help. “If you tell me where the barrettes are, and show me where your mom put the barrettes in your hair, I’ll bet you can help me get it right. Will you help me, Liv?”
    Her lip still protruded, but she took the small step stool in the corner and moved it to the cabinet beside the shower. Opening it, she pulled out a small storage box containing multiple sets of barrettes.
    Handing the box to Emma, she put the stool back and picked out a pair of pink ponies to wear in her hair. She showed Emma where she wanted them placed and the potential emotional crisis was diverted.
    “Alright. We are ready, and you get a special treat this morning, Liv.”As they headed down the stairs to the front door, Jack automatically placed his hand at the small of Emma’s back. A shiver slid up her spine at the contact. She just kept walking.
    “After we eat breakfast at Mel’s, you get to stay with Miss Melanie while your Uncle Jack and I run a few boring errands. I understand that Mel has an important job she needs your help with too.”
    Olivia’s mood changed instantly. She loved going to Mel’s. The diner was bright and friendly, and she always got ice cream. Normally that was for dinner, but Emma bet Mel would make an exception today.
    “I’ll drive in.” Jack led them over to his black Mercedes. Not exactly a kid friendly car with its leather seats and perfect interior. “Liv, don’t put your feet up on the back of the seat, okay?” Emma instructed.
    Jack just raised his eyebrows wondering if that were a normal occurrence. Just another thing he was going to have to learn.
    The scenic drive captured Jack’s attention. He’d visited his sister here many times and always loved the view the water offered. Crossing the bridge into town, Jack noticed the many people already milling around the main downtown block.
    Passing the GP Chronicle Newspaper, a paper delivery boy was loading the day’s news into the outside dispensing machines. Jack noticed the man Emma had introduced as Grady getting out of a Sheriff’s car in front of City Hall. The First Bank & Trust sat next to it with Dr. Hansen’s office and Pretty Paws Pet Grooming next to that. Harper’s Hardware finished out the block and sat directly across the street from Mel’s.
    Usually