The Courage To Love (Love On The North Shore) by Christina Tetreault Read Free Book Online Page A

Brendan’s fist connected with nothing but air, he lost his balance and fell to the ground.
    “Leave her alone, Brendan. She’s not interested,” Sean said. His voice contained a clear warning of what would happen if Brendan bothered Mia again while she was in town. While he never sought out fights, he had the skills to decimate an opponent if the need arose.
    From the ground, Brendan glared up at him but didn’t get back up. Instead he studied Mia, who now stood next to Sean, her arm brushing against his.
    “You should mind your own business, O’Brien,” Brendan said, as a small group formed around them.
    “Let’s go, Sean.” A soft hand touched his forearm, and he looked over at Mia who watched the growing crowd with alarm.
    “Get off your ass, Brendan.”
    Sean looked back as Brendan’s older brother, Liam, helped him up. Sean and Liam had graduated together, and Liam knew what a jerk his brother could be.
    “I suggest you get him home and make sure you keep him away from my friend,” Sean said, before taking Mia by the hand and leading her away from the crowd.
    He kept her hand in his as they crossed the common. On the stage the band started back up, but Mia didn’t mention dancing again. In fact, she remained silent until they climbed in his truck.
    He started up the truck but kept it in park. “I’m sorry about that scene back there. Not everyone in town is like that.” He looked over at her as he spoke. Her carefree attitude from earlier no longer lit up her face, but at the same time she appeared calm.
    “There’s nothing for you to be sorry about. It wasn’t your fault.” Mia met his gaze. “And thank you for your help.”
    Heat climbed up his neck and he looked out the windshield. “Don’t mention it. Brendan gets like that when he’s drunk. He always has, even in high school.”
    “Does it hurt?” she asked with genuine concern.
    He almost asked what she referred to when her fingers slid across his jaw and the heat he’d felt a moment before spread.
    “There’s already a bruise there.”
    Uncomfortable with the concern he heard, he cleared his throat. “I’m fine.” From the corner of his eye, he saw Mia fold her hands in her lap, but his skin still burned where her fingers had been. “Are you okay?” he asked to fill the silence. Normally, he liked the quiet. Tonight, seated in the cab of his truck with this beautiful woman, he found it oppressive.
    “Great. I had fun, well, until that anyway. It’s been a long time since I went to an event like that.”
    Neither spoke again until they walked inside The Victorian Rose. The entire first floor appeared empty, but all the lights remained on.
    “Thank you again for everything tonight.” Mia pulled the baseball cap off her head. “If you’re not busy, maybe we can go out again while I’m here.”
    The overhead lights bounced off her hair, picking up the golden highlights, and he focused on that as his brain registered her words. He’d assumed that morning’s invitation came because she didn’t want to attend the town block party alone. This invitation didn’t fit with that assumption.
    “Tomorrow I’m having dinner in Boston with an old friend, but maybe another night this week?”
    “Yeah, sure.” No single straight man alive would turn down Mia Troy.
    Mia’s famous smile spread across her face, making her look more like the movie star that graced the covers of magazines than the woman he’d eaten fried dough with at the party. Using all his will power he forced himself not to move closer and kiss her.
    “Great. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Without any warning, Mia took a step closer and dropped a kiss on the developing bruise. “Goodnight. Thank you again.”
    The simple kiss sent all the blood in his body south. “Goodnight.” Confused, he watched her climb the stairs, then with a slight shake of his head, he turned and went toward the kitchen. He needed something ice cold to cool him off before he set the