Restless Heart by Wynonna Judd Read Free Book Online Page A

that. “When things like that happen, I sometimes think there’s a little divine intervention at work.”
    He pushed to his feet and then offered a warm, firm grasp to pull her up, still clutching the dog under one arm.
    “Let’s be friends, okay, little guy?” He had the strong, callused hands of a hard-working athlete, she noticed, watching him scratch Mike behind the ears.
    She fully expected her cranky dog to growl again, but he surprised her by nudging Seth’s hand for more.
    “Guess you won him over.”
    Seth grinned. “Was there ever any doubt?”
    “Not at all.”
    And Mike’s not the only one who’s falling for your charm.
    Hearing a door squeak open, she turned to see a familiar figure stepping out onto the first-floor doorstep.
    “What the heck is goin’ on out here?” Nessie Newberry asked in her high-pitched twang.
    A mere few years older than Destiny—but infinitely wiser, as far as Destiny was concerned—Nessie was a backwoods Barbie, raised in the hills of Tennessee like her idol Dolly Parton, and darned proud of it. Her figure was the opposite of Dolly’s hourglass build, but almost everything else about her was over-the-top. Her teased blond hair was pulled back with a pink polka-dotted scarf knotted at the nape of her neck. Her lips were painted ruby red to match her long fake nails.
    “Mike’s got himself all worked up as usual,” Destiny told Nessie. “I hope he didn’t wake you up.”
    “At this hour? Honey, the kids are with my ex, the night is young—and so am I, although maybe not as young as you are. You, either,” Nessie added, shooting a glance at Seth, followed by a pointed one at Destiny. “Aren’t you going to introduce me?”
    “I was getting around to it. Nessie, I’d like you to meet Seth Caldwell, an old friend from high school. Seth, this is my downstairs neighbor, Nessie Newberry.”
    Nessie, who was lucky to break five feet tall even in her wedge heels and big hair, tilted her head back and gave Seth her best smile. “Well, hey there, good-lookin.”
    “Nice to meet you,” Seth responded politely and extended his hand gingerly, probably because of the long fingernails—or perhaps her small stature. But while Nessie looked as if a strong wind would blow her away, she was a force to be reckoned with.
    So, for that matter, was Mike. He barked, looking from Seth to Nessie.
    “What’s the matter, Mikey-boy? You jealous?” Nessie reached back into the house, then tossed something at the dog.
    Mike happily scurried after it.
    “What was that?” Destiny asked.
    “A toy mouse. Just got a shipment.”
    Mike pounced on it as if it were alive and a threat to the well-being of all mankind, whipping the fake rodent back and forth, showing it who was the boss. The fuzzy mouse squeaked as if in protest, and went flying into the air. It landed belly up on Seth’s outstretched arm with a defeated high-pitched wheeze.
    “Oh my,” Nessie said weakly. “That must be some bicep.”
    “Here you go, buddy.” Seth tossed the squeaky toy for Mike to chase down again.
    “So are you just in town for a visit?” Nessie asked casually but gave Destiny a glance filled with you-go-girl.
    “Actually, I was over in Brentwood for a baseball tournament. I coach the Wilmot High School Panthers.”
    “Well, now, just how fun is that?”
    Seth grinned. “Very. Anyway, Destiny’s sister had told me where she was working, so—”
    “Grace?” The light dawned. No wonder her sister had called earlier. “I thought you just happened to be at Back in the Saddle, Seth. I didn’t realize you . . .”
    Were looking for me.
    “Back in the Saddle,” Nessie said. “That reminds me—how did your set go? I hated to miss it, but the shop was open.”
    “You didn’t miss a thing.” Destiny felt her cheeks warm up. “Mandy showed up after all and so Ralph let her go ahead and sing.”
    Nessie pressed her lips together. “Why, if I looked in that man’s ear I’d see daylight clear