Open Arms by Marysol James Read Free Book Online

at her and wished her a good morning. She returned the greetings and saw Mattie over by the window. Her hair was loose and shining in the sun, and her silver eyes watched Tammy’s approach calmly.
    “Hi, Tammy,” Mattie said.
    “Hi. Is it OK if I join you?”
    “I’d love that, hon. You go on and help yourself to breakfast, and I’ll get you a coffee. Milk and sugar?”
    “Yes, please.”
    Tammy wandered over to the buffet and was immediately ravenous: the smells were delectable and she hovered over the sausages and bacon, wavering in her decision which one to have, before finally shrugging and grabbing some of each. She piled her plate high with waffles, drizzled on some syrup, and added a side bowl of cantaloupe melon and strawberries.
    When she turned around, she saw that Phil was sitting with Mattie now. When she joined them, he nodded at her, acting for all the world like he’d just seen her ten minutes before. His face didn’t even change expression as he greeted her.
    There was something about Phil that appealed to Tammy deeply: he looked like the kind of guy who had seen it all at least once in his life, and so nothing at all could take him by surprise. His calm was unshakable, and Tammy envied him whatever hard-won knowledge and certainty he’d gained. She felt like Phil probably had all the answers, to pretty much everything, and she was back at the starting-block, still.
    “Thanks for the coffee, Mattie,” Tammy said reaching for the mug.
    “You’re welcome.” Mattie looked her over now, her eyes not missing a thing. “So, how are you doing now?”
    “Better.”
    “I can see that,” Mattie said. “You want to come down to the stables today, maybe? You like horses?”
    “Umm. Well, not much. But to be fair, I’ve never been near a real horse, except for those horse-drawn carriages that pick up tourists around New York.”
    “Well. If you feel like coming by, you know where we are. We’d be happy to show you around a bit.”
    “Thanks, Mattie. I’ll keep that in mind.”
    Mattie got to her feet. “I’ve got to get going, hon. The vet’s coming in ten minutes, and I’d like to be there. I have a few questions for her.”
    “Sure,” Tammy said. “See you later.”
    Mattie nodded at Phil, and left the restaurant.
    Tammy was surprised at how relaxed she felt, sitting alone with Phil. There was no pressure to talk to him, and she didn’t get the feeling he’d be all that offended if she sat and ate and said nothing. He was drinking his coffee and eating a piece of toast with strawberry jam, and looked so comfortable in his own skin, Tammy wanted to stay near him, bask in his calm.
    Phil was trying to decide if he should tell Tammy what he’d been thinking about for the past three weeks or so, ever since she had arrived at Open Skies. He looked at her and he saw his past staring back at him. He knew a thing or two about violent men, men who preyed on and hurt people. He knew these men because he used to be one of them. He wasn’t sure that she’d appreciate his perspective, though, considering everything.
    He cleared his throat. “So you’ll come to the stables later?”
    Tammy gazed at him, those violet eyes clear and shining. “I’m not sure. Maybe.”
    Phil nodded. He rubbed his forearm absently.
    The movement pulled his sleeve up and the tattoo caught Tammy’s eye. She saw what looked like the tip of a tail and she was curious. She looked up at Phil, asking the question silently.
    “Yeah, it’s a tattoo.” He pulled his work shirt up, held out his arm. She saw that he was strong, heavily muscled. The tattoo was massive: a black dragon, the tail starting at his wrist, the body extending the whole length of his forearm, past his elbow. The head must be on the bicep, Tammy thought, but she couldn’t see it.
    Phil smiled, without humor. “A reminder of my young and wild days, in Detroit.”
    “Yeah?” Tammy said. “You’re from Detroit?”
    He nodded. “Born and