Southern Comfort by Amie Louellen Read Free Book Online Page B

ankle. I think I stepped in a hole.”
    Grave, he silently corrected. But he wasn’t about to say that to her. “Come on. I’ll help you.” He hoisted her to her feet, taking most of her weight on his shoulders as he wrapped one arm around her. “Can you walk?”
    “I think so.”
    But he wasn’t taking any chances. He kept his arm anchored firmly around her as he helped her maneuver through the staggering tombstones.
    “Really … I’m okay. It just scared me more than anything.”
    “I don’t mind helping you.” He said the words, knowing that the truth was he really didn’t want to let her go. She smelled good, she was soft against him, and it’d been a long time since he’d held a woman. Way too long.
    She pushed against him “Seriously. I’m fine.”
    He might need to get back into the dating scene. Not that he wanted to date the sassy Miss Everything’s-Got-to-be-Perfect Natalie Coleman. That was just asking for trouble.
    “Almost there,” he said as the sound of the creaky gate drew closer to them. The streetlights added a little illumination and now their walk wasn’t quite so hazardous. Natalie limped a little on her left ankle, but he made no comment. For some reason she didn’t want him touching her and that was fine. He didn’t want to touch her anyway.
    “We’ll be home soon,” he said.
    “What are you doing here?” The voice came out of nowhere, and Natalie stumbled again.
    Newland caught her just in time, though the booming voice had yet to have a form.

Chapter Five
    Natalie knew that voice, but somehow it wasn’t clear. And it had nothing to do with the warmth of Newland’s body next to hers or the comforting weight of his arm around her. The flashlight shining in her face didn’t help. She used one hand to shield her eyes. “Who’s there?”
    “Natalie, I would think you’d know my voice by now.”
    “Gerald?”
    “Of course.” He gave a discreet cough and lowered his light toward the ground, allowing Natalie to see the disapproving frown he shot her.
    She moved away from Newland, quickly realizing that being snuggled up to one man while faced with one’s almost fiancé was not the best situation to find oneself in.
    “What are you doing out here?” Gerald asked again.
    Newland took that time to speak. “I think we can ask you the same thing.”
    Natalie smoothed her hands down over her navy slacks and hoped her blouse hadn’t suffered too much trauma at the fate of the graveyard. Still she knew she looked disheveled and disheveled was not one of her best looks.
    “If you insist. I have some interest in this graveyard, being president and chairman of the historical society. Someone saw something out here and called me.”
    “Of course,” Natalie said, moving to stand by him. Somehow she felt like she had deserted Newland in going to stand by Gerald, but he was her almost-fiancé and it wasn’t like she picked sides. But she was supposed to stand by him right? Even if she would rather stand by Newland. Which was weird. Why would she want to stand by a man she had just met?
    “Your turn.” Gerald gave Newland a swift nod.
    “I’m here at the request of Bitty Duncan.”
    Gerald rolled his eyes. “You’re not here about the ghost are you?” His voice turned derisive even as he shook his head. “She’s been going on about that nonsense for years. Tell him, Natalie.”
    “I did,” she said, though her words were not convincing. “But I’m hopeful that she’ll eventually give up the idea and move into the home.”
    “Wait,” Newland said. “What you mean, move to the home?”
    “She needs to live someplace where she can get assistance,” Natalie explained. Somehow when Newland said it the plan seemed cruel. But they were only watching out for her. “I’m sure she told you all about how the ghost leaves the stove on and the refrigerator door open.” Natalie shook her head. “None of these things are the result of the ghost. She’s starting to lose