Legacy Found: Legacy, Book 3 by N.J. Walters Read Free Book Online

If he could cancel this meeting, he would. But he’d already put it off for several months. He needed to deal with the bank manager today.
    She pushed her door open and slid out. Reaching in, she grabbed her bag.
    “You can leave that here. We’ll lock up.” And if she didn’t take it, he knew for sure she’d be waiting for him when he was done.
    Shelley hesitated and finally released her hold on the bag. Taking a deep breath, she pushed down the lock and shut the door.
    James knew what a monumental step it was for her to trust him even this much. He wanted to howl, to strut with pleasure. Instead, he slid out of the truck, closed and locked his door and made his way to Shelley’s side.
    “I’ll probably be an hour, maybe less.” He pointed to a building just down the road. “I’ll be at the bank if you need me.” He glanced around and found exactly what he was looking for. “Why don’t you wait in there?”
    He put his hand on the small of her back and guided her toward the funky little coffee shop. There were three tables outside with one hearty soul sitting there sipping coffee. The rest of the patrons were inside. The day was a bit too chilly to be having coffee outdoors.
    Shelley was twisting her head from side to side, trying to take in everything at once. He moved her along as quickly as he could without trying to rush her.
    “We can look around after if you’d like,” he offered.
    “No.” She shook her head and grabbed the door handle and pulled. The fragrant air, redolent with the scent of coffee and sweets, enveloped them in a warm wave of welcome.
    James yanked a twenty-dollar bill out of his pocket and handed it to her. “Get whatever you want. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He closed his fingers around hers, lifted them to his lips and kissed the back of her hand. He left before she could object to the tiny caress.
    As he left the coffee shop, the cold air hit him like a slap in the face. His wolf was pacing inside him, making him feel antsy. Every cell in his body was screaming at him to go back to Shelley. He gritted his teeth and crossed the street and headed to the bank. This was going to be the fastest meeting he’d ever had with a banker.
     
    Her skin tingled where he’d kissed her. Shelley soaked in the warmth and the delicious smells surrounding her even as she turned to watch James. True to his word, he crossed the street and disappeared into the building he’d pointed out to her.
    She shoved her hands into her sweater pockets, wishing she’d brought her belongings with her. What if he left without her?
    “It doesn’t matter,” she whispered under her breath. She still had her money with her. Her fingers automatically closed around the twenty James had given her.
    A man bumped her shoulder and excused himself when she startled. He gave her a strange look as he left the small shop. She realized she was just standing there like an idiot, blocking the doorway.
    Hurrying to the counter, she checked out the display case. Her stomach growled. Suddenly she was starving.
    “What can I get for you today?” An older woman with a shock of gray hair and brilliant blue eyes smiled at her from the other side of the counter.
    “I think I’d like the chicken noodle soup.” It was still a novelty to be able to choose her own food. For years she’d eaten whatever she was given.
    “That comes with a roll. Whole wheat, multigrain or white.” The woman began serving up the soup while she was talking.
    “Multigrain. Please,” Shelley added. “And one of those apple turnovers. And a coffee.”
    “Sure thing.” The woman deftly filled the order, putting it all on a tray before ringing up the total.
    Shelley paid and left a tip in the jar by the cash register. She pocketed the rest of the change. She hoped James didn’t mind her leaving the tip. He’d told her to buy what she wanted. She only hoped he’d meant it.
    Not that it mattered. She had enough money to pay him back. She