Pretty Face by Sable Hunter Read Free Book Online Page B

nuts. “I ought to write a book about this, it would be a best seller,” she mumbled, then sadly laughed. “I’d have to make up the happy ending, but the rest could be real-life.”
    When she entered the kitchen to get a snack, it occurred to Cody that she would need to make other arrangements for her meals. Oh well, she always had her grill and the slow-cooker. Opening the refrigerator, she was disturbed to find a brown bag with Hunter’s name on it inside. “You didn’t eat,” she groaned. “What am I going to do with you, Hunter Reed?”
    When her cell phone rang, she stood up so abruptly, Cody cracked her head on the bottom of the overhead freezer door. “Ouch!” Holding the soon-to-be bump, she went to grab it. “Hello-ow-ow-ow,” she moaned.
    “What’s wrong, Sage?”
    Hunter’s voice was filled with so much concern, Cody almost melted. “I hit my head on the refrigerator door.”
    He chuckled. “You must be hungry.”
    “Starving,” she admitted. “I didn’t eat much today.” She’d been too busy mooning over him from a distance.
    “Invite me over and I’ll sate your appetite.” His seductive teasing tone sent shivers over Cody’s skin.
    “I wish,” she said with a sigh.
    “This is one wish I could fulfill—now—tonight. Tell me where you are, baby. I need you so much.”
    Suddenly the whole thing was just too much for her. Cody began to cry. “I’m so sorry.”
    “Hey, hey…” Hunter’s heart swelled with love. “Don’t be sad. I’m right here. So close. Just say the word and I’ll kiss those tears away.”
    Cody’s mind whirled, desperately seeking a way—any way. If only she could meet with him in the dark, where he couldn’t see her. But that was just stupid. “Tell me about your day.” She tried to change the subject. There was silence for a moment.
    “Okay, we’ll play it your way for a while, baby. I’m committed to be here for a few weeks. I took a job renovating this woman’s kitchen, but you’ve got to give me something…some hope that I haven’t come on a fool’s journey.”
    Her heart ached, but she couldn’t blame him. Offering hope might be cruel, but she could always pray for a miracle. “I’ll do my best. Just give me a little time.”
    Hunter let out a long, hard breath. “I love you and I trust you. Your best is more than good enough for me.”
    Cody hung her head. How was she going to survive this?
     
    *  *  *
     
    The next day, Hunter arrived in a jubilant mood, and Cody couldn’t help but react positively to it. He laughed, he joked, and he even petted the animals. “Something smells good,” he declared as he came in from the back where he’d carried another load of old wood for the dumpster. Today was a work-from-home day for Cody. She’d forced herself to remain scarce but the coffee pot had drawn her like a siren. Being around Hunter was a heady temptation also. Just being able to study him face to face was amazing. Cody memorized his expressions, the way he moved his hands and the inflections in his voice.
    “I have a pot of gumbo in the slow cooker.” She’d prepared it early and moved the appliance to the dining room so it wouldn’t be in his way. “You’re welcome to have some. I noticed you didn’t eat your lunch yesterday.”
    “Thanks, I appreciate that. I love gumbo.” He nodded with a grin. “I got busy yesterday, talking to my girl.”
    His girl. Her heart palpitated.
    Cody wanted to ask him questions but it seemed wrong, like she was spying on him or something. Still, she couldn’t be rude. “May I pour you a cup of coffee?”
    “Sure, I’d like that.” When he began to whistle, Cody’s heart swelled. She knew it was Sage’s promise to see him that had put Hunter in such a good mood. The same couldn’t be said for her, she was wracking her brain to come up with an answer to their problem. An answer they could both live with.
    As he worked, she poured his coffee, added cream and sugar, and walked it