Color Me Love by Tonya Kappes Read Free Book Online Page A

lovebirds. The chairs were covered with red slipcovers.
    The
sterling silver utensils and china were neatly set in places for two. A red
rose was laid on each place setting.
    “Do
you have a reservation?” The hostess looked at me.
    Hmm.
. . That wasn’t something I had thought of. I figured I’d go in and get a
table, happen to notice Joel was alone and say hi. We’d start talking, one
thing would lead to another and by the end of the night, we’d be in each
other’s arms.
    Wrong!
    “No,
but isn’t there just a tiny place for me?” I asked and pointed to an empty
table.
    “Uh,
no.” The hostess snarled. “It’s Valentine’s Day.”
    In
the distance, even in the dimly lit restaurant, I could make out a blue glow.
    I
was ten minutes late, and I was glad to see that Joel was already there.
    “Really?”
I questioned the hostess in a loud voice hoping Joel would look up and see me.
“Not one tiny chair or side table?”
    The
blue aura floated closer just as Joel appeared.
    “Olivia,
right?” He pointed to me.
    “Yes,
umm. . .” I pretend not to remember his name even though it was tattooed on my
brain.
    “Joel
from Color Me Love and Heifer’s and Ho’s Dude Ranch.” He turned to the hostess.
“She’s with me.”
    “But
she said one.” The hostess’ eyes narrowed.
    Joel
shrugged and I followed him to the table. My plan was working great.
    “Are
you sure?” I asked knowing good and well Jennifer wasn’t showing.
    “No,
but too bad.” He laughed. “This is my date from Color Me Love” he said,
pointing to the empty chair. “The girl hasn’t shown up. Why were you there anyway?”
    The
waiter filled our water glass, and took our drink order.
    “So
why were you at Color Me Love?” He asked again.
    “I
could ask you the same question.” I took a drink of my water. “You don’t look
like you need help getting a date.”
    I
had to dodge any questions concerning Color Me Love.
    “I’m
new to Park City and wanted to meet some new people.” He put his hands out.
“And see, I met you.”
    Talking
to Joel was easier than I thought it was going to be. I knew I liked his blue
aura, but sometimes auras could be deceiving and take on a different look
depending on the situation.
    But
his was true blue, and he didn’t even mention Jennifer or Color Me Love again.
    “The
pizza and company was great.” Joel paid the bill. “But I’m starting my new job
in a couple hours, so I have to go.”
    “You
don’t need to pay for me.” I took my wallet out of my purse.
    “No,
my treat.” He put his hand on my mine to put the wallet away. “But you have to
give me your phone number.”
    I
looked into his green eyes, and they were glowing.
    “Absolutely.”
I grabbed the pen the waiter left on the table for Joel to pay the bill, and scribbled
my number on his receipt.
    I
was satisfied the date had gone well, but was a little disappointed I wasn’t in
his arms. . .yet.
    I
was on cloud nine the rest of the day. All the details of Joel’s life aroused
my curiosity. The only way I was going to find out about him was through his
file at Color Me Love.
    Maybe
Michael occupying Erin’s time was a good thing. I could easily break into Color
Me Love and read his file without Erin knowing.
    After
all, I was good at breaking and entering. I’ve only been caught once.
    I
spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning my house and plotting my future with
Joel.
    I
even took Herbie for a quick walk around the block.
    “You
be a good boy,” I said to Herbie while I went down the checklist and gathered
the tools I would need to break into Color Me Love.
    1)    Dress in black
because that seemed to be the color choice for all criminals on television
shows.
    2)    A full set of
different tools for picking locks.
    3)    My mini-mag
flashlight.
    4)    My cool new hat
that had a flashlight built into its bill.
    5)    Pen and paper to
write down all the juicy details about Joel.
    I
pulled the Toyota around to the