Steeling My Haart by Lizzy Roberts Read Free Book Online

some strange reason, it reminded her a little of Glen Springs and
the simple, home-cooked food was one of her many weaknesses when it came to
this place. It had only recently opened as she moved to New York and it was one
of the main reasons she rented her apartment in this part of Manhattan. It was
also close to Lily and Gary and was a convenient part of the city to live in.
With Lily being nearby, M’s Place had been a regular haunt of theirs, and
Emma’s guilty secret was the Blaze’s Bake cupcake that they sold.   It was a modern spin on a S’more, one of
her childhood favorites.   That
particular cupcake was by far her favorite sweet treat in New York.   M’s Place also had the best coffee in
the city, and they sold her special pumpkin-spiced lattes year round, too.   It was a one-stop shop for everything
that kept Emma going. It was also in some way comforting for her to be there,
too. Like someone had created the perfect sanctuary for her in the middle of
all the city hustle and bustle.   It
was her go to place to relax and take in the well-deserved time out she often
craved.
             As
she approached the diner, she saw it was pretty busy, as it usually was this
time of the evening and George, one of the regular guys who worked there, was
serving at the counter tonight.   Many of the people who had been employed or who continued to be employed
there were given the opportunity to work and get themselves off the
streets.   It was another reason she
loved the place so much.   The people
she had met here were the most genuine and down to earth people you would ever
have the chance to meet. She loved George, who was a gentle giant, six-foot
plus of pure bulk but he had such a huge heart.   She had found out a few years ago that
he had cared tirelessly for his sick wife for years.   He had told her that when she eventually
died six years ago he was almost left homeless after the health insurance fell
short. He had been tens of thousands of dollars in debt. She recalled the night
they had chatted after his late shift. He cried as he told her how he had fallen
lucky one night when he met his savior in the shape of the current co-owner of
M’s Place.
             “Miss
Emma! How are you this evening? Bobby is just finishing your order up out back
and it’ll be with you shortly.” His cheerful booming baritone voice echoed
across the full diner, slightly muffled by the chatter and noise of the diners
enjoying their evening.
             “George,
good evening! I’m very well, thank you, but I’m so ready for this weekend. I’m
starving tonight. How are those fine grandbabies of yours?” she replied with a
smile and a quiet chuckle, knowing she had hit on his favorite subject.
             “Mighty
fine boys, Miss Emma, and they’re what keeps this ‘ol ticker goin’. He tapped
the left side of his chest as he replied, his face lifted in a broad grin.
“Little Issac just took his first steps yesterday.” He puffed out his chest in
pride.
             “Aww,
that’s great, George, it really is. They’ll be playing football before you know
it. How has today been? It’s busy as usual tonight I see?”
             “It’s
been a crazy day today, an’ to top it all off we’re being called on by the top
boss right now.   The big guy has
called in to do a reg’lar inspection.   Say, you might know the guy.   He’s from out your way somewhere back in Oklahoma, I think.   I’m sure he’ll show his face again
before he heads out to the airport. I was tellin’ him ‘bout you earlier and he
seemed mighty interested. I tol’ him you were a real pretty lady and he could
do worse than to come an’ at least say hello to one of our best customers.” He
grinned at her, pleased with his own matchmaking efforts.  
             He
knew she wasn’t in a relationship.   He had been fiercely protective of her and had kind of adopted her as
his surrogate