Take Me As I Am by Erin O'Reilly, JM Dragon Read Free Book Online

Just that small attention to detail would bring more people into town to stay rather than pass it by. The motel in the next town twenty miles away was poor inside by comparison but it didn’t look like it was suffering from depression on the outside.
    Some of the locals wanted to help Thea paint the place when her father had died but he’d blocked all attempts by using devious but effective methods. Once he had some of his friends indicate that the bank might call in all the loans if anyone helped Thea and the offers stopped. He smirked, remembering the faces of John-Henry and Lucy, two who had spearheaded the motion to help Thea. At first, others had agreed, only to gradually decline helping without explanation. He couldn’t touch either of them from the bank angle, but he sure could make it difficult for others in the town if they helped.
    Thea was his. No one and nothing would get in his way to have her. What aggravated him further was when he saw her eating with that whore singer from the bar. Why John-Henry had employed a drifter was beyond him. No way would he let that bitch get in his way either. Thea would marry him and soon. Now that the insurance company had refused payment, it was only a matter of weeks before she acquiesced.
    The door to the motel opened and he heard the harsher tones of the drifter before he heard the tinkling laughter of the woman he was waiting for. That annoyed him even more. What did that bitch say to make his woman laugh?
    “Who told you all those jokes?” Thea had her face turned to Joanna.
    George scowled as he watched them.

    †

    Jo had seen the fat man in the lobby’s expression aimed in her direction. From experience with others in the past, she knew exactly what it meant. She looked at Thea and seriously doubted that she understood the feral look of possession. She smiled gently at Thea and shook her head. “That would be telling, now, wouldn’t it?”
    “Oh, please, Joanna?”
    Thea’s pleading green eyes made Jo want nothing more than to answer her. She knew who the man was, since both John-Henry and Lucy had pointed him out as the bastard banker .
    “You have a visitor.” Jo pointed to the man and watched as Thea turned. Her smile froze. Instantly, Thea’s posture became apprehensive.
    “Mr. Andrews, what a surprise,” Thea said politely.
    Jo looked at the man, who rolled out of the comfortable chair before moving slowly in their direction. “Thea, my dear, I need to speak to you. Privately.” The last word resonated around the lobby as his voice moved up a tempo.
    Thea looked at her with pleading eyes. They planned to have coffee in the yard together but Jo knew that her friend had little choice but to comply with the man’s request. Jo watched Thea’s body sag and she instantly wanted to protect her from the horrible man. She had no choice, knowing that to interfere would only make matters worse for Thea.
    “Go ahead. We can take a raincheck on the coffee.”
    Thea let out an audible sigh, her eyes still begging for a reason and it called to Jo. She turned away, only to make a swift decision and place her hand on Thea’s shoulder. She bent and whispered into the blonde’s ear. When she saw the smile she wanted, she left her to the bastard banker.

    †

    Thea watched Joanna’s receding back and smiled gently at the sight. Joanna’s words had made her feel safe and happier about the situation she was facing. All she said was remember you have a protector . The simple words soothed her troubled spirits when she saw George Andrews. In her heart, she felt that everything was going to be okay. If Joanna Lackerly was around, she knew she was safe and protected.
    What else was missing? Love was the resounding answer.
    “Mr. Andrews, please step into my office.” Thea closed her eyes briefly before heading for her workplace.

    †

    George watched a nervous Thea shuffling paper on her desk. He grinned at the rush he always received when he sat in judgment of