Home to Stay by Terri Osburn Read Free Book Online Page B

You’re scary when you’re like this.”
    Beth sat back and smiled. “Time to get my pie.”
    As their friend moved to the counter, Sid whispered to Will, “Are all pregnant women that schizo?”
    “Think of it this way,” Will said. “At least we’re not Joe.”
    “Amen to that.”

    By the time Randy had returned home Tuesday evening, his face hurt from smiling and his entire body felt as if it had been hooked to a live wire for the last nine hours. Playing tour guide was bad enough, but Rebecca King asked more questions than any woman he’d ever met. He understood that went with the territory, considering she was writing an article about the place, but the woman never took a breath.
    One day had tested his endurance. He might have to cry uncle by the end of the week.
    First on the itinerary for Wednesday was Lola’s Island Arts & Crafts, where at least there would be other people to answer the questions. Rebecca had been silent on the short drive as she reviewed the information Sam had provided for the businesses they would visit that day. Jude had alternated between sipping his coffee and napping.
    “Here we are,” Randy said as he pulled into the gravel lot in front of the art store. “Stop one for the day.”
    “Wow,” Rebecca said. “It really is that blue.”
    Randy glanced toward the small building. The color was a bit bright. Maybe he’d seen it so often, the boldness didn’t register. “The color matches the owner’s personality. Lola is a force of nature.”
    “I’ll take some pics out here and meet you two inside,” Jude said, removing the camera from his bag. “This place has great character.”
    Randy took his enthusiasm as a good sign. The more they found to appreciate about the village, the better the article would be.
    A bell jingled overhead as Randy pulled the door open for Rebecca to pass through. She stopped inches inside the entrance, making it difficult for him to step in and shut the door without being pressed up against her.
    Randy opted to remain in the doorway.
    “It’s like an optical illusion,” Rebecca said, her eyes taking in the wide expanse of space. “You’d never know any of this was possible from outside.”
    “We get that a lot.” Lola LeBlanc joined them at the entrance with a genuine smile. Her colorful dress floated around her as the breeze from the open door caught the material. “You must be Ms. King.”
    “I am,” Rebecca said, clutching her notebook under one arm and extending a hand. “And you must be Ms. LeBlanc.”
    “Please, call me Lola.” With a conspiratorial wink, she added, “We don’t go for much formality around here.”
    “And so far that’s one of my favorite aspects of Anchor.” Finally stepping farther into the store, the reporter lifted a shimmering silver vase from a display. “This is beautiful. I can see I won’t be leaving empty-handed today.”
    Lola laid a finger beside her nose. “I’d be disappointed if you did. Let me show you the rest of the place.” The two women moved farther into the gallery of eclectic art and pottery. “We don’t have many visitors this early in the season, but then that’s why you’re here. Oh, before we go too far, I want to introduce you to the woman I could not live without.”
    Randy lingered in the front display area, letting the women pull ahead. From the corner of his eye, he noticed a statue of a woman a few feet to his right. From a distance it looked like black marble, but moving closer he picked up the dark purple hues. She was slender and elongated, her arms holding up long swirling tendrils of hair that looked more like black fire.
    The body twisted and leaned back slightly as if standing against a strong wind. Around her feet danced dark flames, and her face looked graceful but strong. The figure exuded confidence and sensuality, while the body language made it clear no man deserved her. This woman knew who she was and the power she held. One name came to Randy’s