Restore My Heart by Cheryl Norman Read Free Book Online Page B

Stop worrying about what people think of your leg, Sally, and focus on your many assets.”
    “Thank you, Oprah Winfrey.” She immediately regretted her tone. Joe had a habit of saying sweet things. He didn’t mean to be insincere. “I’m sorry. That sounded snotty, and I’m sure you’re only trying to be nice.”
    “I’m not saying anything to be nice. It happens to be the truth. But you really don’t know, do you?”
    “Know what?”
    “Your many assets.”
    Who did he think he was fooling? “I’m not fishing for compliments, Joe, so let’s drop it. Please?”
    “I’m embarrassing you, aren’t I?” He lowered his face even with hers and smiled. “That wasn’t my intention. I really do think you’re an attractive lady.”
    Attractive for a disfigured woman, maybe. “Thank you, Joe. I’ll try to be more gracious next time you pay me a compliment.”
    “You’re so strong and capable, confident in your business. Why are you insecure about your leg?”
    She shrugged. “History, maybe?”
    Something in his expression changed. All charm and teasing evaporated. “Someday, Sally, I’d like to hear about the guy who stomped all over your self esteem.”
    She turned toward the window.
“Try guys.”
    “Plural?” When she faced him again, he grinned and winked. “That’s going to make it more difficult.”
    She returned his grin, but couldn’t keep the wariness from her voice. “Why do I feel a punch line coming?”
    “You’re supposed to say, ‘Make what more difficult, Joe?’ “
    Sally laughed at his falsetto voice, then imitated it. “Make what more difficult, Joe?”
    “Beating up the offenders.”
    She shook her head. “You’re full of baloney, Joe Desalvo, but a nice guy for trying.”
    Pulsating blue light flashed through the narrow windows of the four garage doors, drawing her back to disturbing thoughts about the fire. “That was quick. Must not be any crime in J-town tonight.”
    Joe turned to stare at the pile of burned debris. “I wouldn’t say that.”
    Joe wasn’t sure how much help he’d be, but he wasn’t leaving Sally’s side. The Jeffersontown Police questioned him and Sally, gathered the charred evidence, and promised they’d be in touch. After Joe helped Sally tape a piece of scrap aluminum over the front window—where police discovered a pane had been cut and removed, providing entry for the arsonist—he offered to drive her home.
    “Aw, Joe, it’s just a few blocks from here.”
    “Then it won’t be any trouble. Come on.”
    She smiled at him, her eyes droopy with exhaustion. “You got more than you bargained for when you asked me to dinner.”
    He wrapped one arm around her, supporting her weight as she stood. “I wouldn’t call it a dull date.”
    “Ow!” She stopped, grimacing in pain. “I sat too long. Give me a minute.”
    “Is it your leg? Can I do anything to help?” Flooded with protective instincts he didn’t know he possessed, Joe longed to erase the furrows above her eyes.
    “Yeah, it’s my leg. Just let me stretch it.”
    Leaning against him, Sally flexed her foot and bent from the waist. Several repetitions later, she looked up and smiled.
    “All better?”
    She nodded. “All better.”
    He curbed his curiosity about her leg. After turning out the lights and locking up, they walked to the Mustang. “Want to take your car?”
    “But how will you get back to yours?” she asked.
    He shrugged, then opened the passenger door for her. “You said it’s just a few blocks. I’ll walk.”
    She started to say something, but stopped. Whatever internal debate she waged, Joe’s side must have won. “Okay.”
    She directed him through the old residential neighborhood where the narrow lots had no room for driveways and the garages faced alleys in the rear. Most of the homes, he guessed, were fifty or sixty years old, small by today’s standards.
    “This is it. We can go in around back.”
    He turned at the corner, then entered the alley.