Love Me: The Complete Series by Shelley K. Wall Read Free Book Online Page A

just busy.
    Maddie had growled at him every time he showed up, and it was evident her solitary confinement had worn her nerves thin. Fortunately, the boot on her foot would be off in a week and she’d be able to move around again. That would improve her mood. He shrugged as he drove. Maybe she lived alone because she was perpetually grumpy. Ruckus seemed happy and loved though, and was getting easier to corral on their walks. That would be over soon. He’d have no excuse to scour the park for Abby as she did her run and that was disappointing.
    He braked at a light four blocks from Minute Maid Park and sent a text to Jackson.
    Meet me by the gate at the east entrance.
    The light turned and he continued to the closest lot and parked. His phone beeped as he walked toward the field. He looked around for his friend’s familiar face. Nothing.
    It wasn’t like the guy was hard to find either. He was three inches taller and as big around as a string, not an ounce of fat on him. Not much muscle either. What he lacked in physique, he gained in personality though. Carter hated to admit it, but his best friend had a flair for flirting and could charm just about anyone he met.
    Sorry, man. Can’t make it. Work thing. Maybe next time?
    Crap. If he’d known earlier, he would have given the tickets away. The extra one in his hand would go unused this time. He cursed again.
    Oh well, no reason to waste both. He strode in and watched the game—alone. Thankfully, the Astros won. He thumbed a quick message before leaving.
    U missed a great game. Ur off the guest list now.
    No reason not to put a guilt trip on him.
    Yeah, listened to it while I worked. Can’t believe they waited until the sixth inning to make a run. How was it?
    Carter stubbed his toe on the curb as he crossed to the parking lot where his car waited. He swore, the adrenaline of victory waning under the pain. The prior day’s weather had wet the concrete such that it smelled damp. Still, the faint aroma of barbecue at the bar down the street masked it enough to tempt.
    He considered going for ribs and a beer then shrugged. He, too, had work to get done.
    Awesome. They’re out of town for two weeks to Seattle now.
    He dropped the phone into his console and drove home with the intention of firing up his laptop for a few hours. Maybe he’d stop and ask Maddie if she wanted to go to the next game. She probably needed to get out. Hell, he could just give the tickets to her and let her take someone else. Or he could take someone other than Jackson. There was a thought. He grinned and flipped on the turn signal. He suddenly had a need to spice up his apartment.
    With plants.
    • • •
    Other than the shrill of sirens from the cars tearing out of the police department, Abby hadn’t seen a lot of excitement for a weekend afternoon. Of course, she over-thought the implication. Was this the sign of a business slack that could be trouble? She had no idea, but she hoped it was only the prior day’s rain that had potential customers sidetracked.
    Still, she’d been able to listen to the game and now was whistling to the blare of Miranda Lambert’s latest tune. Actually, she alternated between singing the parts she knew and whistling the ones she didn’t. With no customers, she wasn’t worried about offending.
    The display shelf by the counter had to be rearranged to make room for twelve bridal bouquets and boutonnieres for the Taylor-Babbinet wedding. She grappled with baby’s breath and roses, gasping then cursing when she caught her finger on a thorn.
    “Dammit! Missed that one.” Abby thrust the blood drip on her fingertip away from the lace ribbon and leaned over the counter for a clipper to cut the little bugger. Her fingers wouldn’t—quite—reach.
    “Whatever it is, I’ll get it for you.”
    She jerked upright and dropped back to the floor. As she whirled to see who had entered while she danced and whistled, her elbow snagged a crystal vase and water sloshed