Loving True by Marie Rochelle Read Free Book Online Page B

emotion.
    “You’re right Hayward . I don’t have the right to tell you anything.” Clinton admitted sitting down on the bed beside him. “I was only trying to help.”
    Hayward hugged his brother and then slid back over. “I know you were Clint. But I still need to leave after the funeral or I’ll go crazy.”
    “You’re really going to the funeral?”
    “Yes, I am and if Samantha doesn’t want me there she will have to kick me out.”   He wasn’t about to let Samantha stop him from seeing his family one last time.
    * * * *
    The next morning, Hayward stood in front of the church and realized Brooke and Tyler were truly gone and weren’t coming back. He slowly walked up the wide steps and opened the door. Everyone in the church watched him as he made his way down the aisle. He spotted Samantha but she only looked at him then glanced away. He made his way toward the front of the church and took a seat behind her and Richard.
    Several people got up and said a few words about Brooke and his son. The whole service lasted an hour. Tyler ’s life was worth more than an hour out of the day, he thought. He got up right after the service was over and left because he couldn’t watch them put his little boy into his final resting place.
    * * * *
    A branch snapping behind him brought Hayward back to the present. He pushed his body away from the tree. When he turned away he saw True walking back toward her house.
    “True, wait a minute.” He yelled. “I want to talk to you.” He sighed when she stopped by a group of wildflowers and waited for him. He quickly rushed over to her. “Could you please turn around so I can look at you?”
    She spun around and her rich brown eyes glared up at him.   Damn it was going to harder than he first thought. She didn’t look in a good mood at all. Did he put the pissed look on her gorgeous face?
    “What do you want?” She questioned. “I wasn’t out here looking for you if that is what you are wondering.”   Her eyes glanced over his shoulder then back at his face.   “I wanted some fresh air, so I came out here for a walk.”
    Hayward moved back from the draggers shooting from her eyes. He wasn’t going to have any luck if he didn’t apologize. Here goes nothing.   “I really do want to apologize for how I acted. Can we start over?” His gaze traveled over her face, the fresh clean make-up free look she sported this morning appealed to him. “If I haven’t ruined it I would like for us to become better acquainted.”  
    He watched the wind blow True’s hair around her shoulders. He wondered what she would do if he kissed her right now. Did she taste as good as she looked? Probably like warm chocolate right out of the oven or something more soothing like a glass of brandy on a cold winter night? Whatever the taste was, he knew he wanted a sample soon. Folding his arms across his chest, he smiled down at the confused look in her eyes and saw the storm of emotions in them. She may not want to admit it, but her eyes said that she wanted the same thing as him.
    “Okay, I guess it wouldn’t hurt for us to try again.” True finally whispered.
    Hayward hid his smile. “T hank s, I hope we can become friends.”
    “Well, it was nice talking to you, but I better go,” she whispered turning away from him. “Umm…see you later.”
    He racked his brain for another way to see her. Think of something you idiot. “Hey, since we’re trying to become friends, why don’t I cook dinner for you?” He wrapped his hand around her upper arm and spun her back around to face him. Hayward couldn’t believe the words slipped from his lips. But now that they were out he wanted her to say yes.
    “Live a little and say yes,” he whispered squeezing her upper arm. Her body heat burned his fingers and the feeling was intoxicating. “I’m really an excellent cook.”

Chapter Four
     
    “What did you say?” True gasped. Hayward had intrigued her from the moment she saw him