Ray of Light by Shelley Shepard Gray Read Free Book Online

My sisters do like ice cream, very much,” he said seriously. Just as if Regina’s question meant the world to him.
    Once again, Amanda felt that little, unexpected pull toward him that caught her off guard. What was it about him that made her feel so comfortable with him? That made her trust even Regina to be around him?
    Luckily, she didn’t have to ponder that because they had just arrived at the counter. “Ah. Here we are.”
    â€œAre you going to get vanilla with sprinkles as usual?” Roman asked with wink.
    â€œProbably . . . ”
    â€œYou’re not feeling adventurous?”
    â€œNot in my ice cream,” she replied. Then realized that that had become the case with a lot of things lately. It used to be that she had loved to try new things and meet new people. But after Wesley, even deviating from her regular routine had felt daring.
    As Roman leaned down to talk to Regina, Amanda realized that he wasn’t merely pretending to be interested in her daughter. He actually was at ease with her. She also couldn’t help noticing that Regina didn’t seem to be displaying any of the typical reticence she usually did when she was around men.
    Did Regina sense in Roman the same thing that she did? That there was something about him that was safe . . . and terribly attractive?
    And if she was attracted to him, what did that say about her? She knew better than to ever put her heart in danger again. Especially not with someone with whom there was no hope of a future.
    â€œAmanda, do you want your usual small cup of vanilla?” Cheryl, the chatty red-haired Englischer who owned the Swirl asked.
    With a start, Amanda realized that they were holding up the line. “Sorry,” she said with a blush. “I guess my mind wandered.”
    Cheryl’s smiled broadened. “The heat must be getting to you today.” Picking up a small dish, she raised her pencil-thin brows. “So, the usual?”
    â€œYou know what, I think I’m going to get a medium chocolate-and-vanilla swirl in a cone today.” She paused, then added, “And I’ll have it dipped in chocolate, too.”
    Cheryl’s brows went even higher. “Well, I’ll be. Wonders never cease. I’ll get that for you in a jiffy.”
    As Regina gaped, Roman grinned widely. “Care to tell me why your order is such a big deal?”
    â€œI’ve been coming here for years. Every single time, I’ve always gotten the same thing. A habit, I guess you might call it.”
    â€œBut today it was time for a change?”
    â€œ Jah . Today, it was time for a change.” Of course, the ice cream was the least of it—not that he needed to know that. She shook her head in embarrassment. “That doesn’t say much about me, does it? I mean a change in an ice cream order shouldn’t be such a big deal.”
    â€œI disagree,” he murmured. “I think it says a whole lot about you. And I think it’s all good, Amanda.”
    After handing Amanda her chocolate-covered cone, Cheryl turned to him. “And for you?”
    â€œIt’s time for me to live dangerously, too. I’ll have the same,” he said.
    â€œAnd me, three?” Regina asked.
    â€œ Nee ,” Amanda said with a shiver. “That is far too much for you. You may have your usual.”
    â€œOh, all right.”
    When Cheryl handed out Regina’s cone, Roman pulled out his wallet. “I’ve got this.”
    â€œRoman—”
    â€œIt’s my idea, my treat.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œIt’s ice cream. Let me.”
    â€œ Danke ,” she said, deciding to give in gracefully.
    After they were all armed with more napkins, Regina having her favorite—the small orange swirl—they walked to a bench and sat down together in a row, each of them enjoying the treat and seeming to enjoy the company and the sunny day just as much.
    Amanda