Free One True Heart by Jodi Thomas

but the memory of their shared kiss wouldn’t leave her mind. Maybe now, in recovery, in transition, this gentle man was exactly what she needed.
    He was right about the drive. Even on a still day in Texas the wind blew. By the time they made the few blocks to the bar, her hair was a mess. She usually wore it shorter, but since the accident she hadn’t given her hair or makeup much thought. Now the chocolate-brown strands covered her eyes if she didn’t push them away.
    When he came around to her side of the Jeep to help her out, he lightly touched her hair as if he couldn’t help himself. “I like your curls. My sister’s got curly black hair, but she wears her hair long.”
    â€œYour fortune-telling sister?”
    He nodded. “You remember. Maybe you weren’t as out of it as I thought. Yes, that’s her. I have one sister that I know of and, to tell the truth, she’s about all I can handle.”
    Millanie read what he didn’t say. “When did you find out about her?”
    He studied her as if surprised she’d read between the lines. “I learned of her existence a few years ago. Apparently, she found me on the Internet. We share the same father, but I’m ten years older than her. Our father left me before I had memories of him, which is probably for the best because he’s always calling her just to bug her. She claims if there was an eight hundred number for Dial-A-Lecture it would be his home phone.”
    Millanie logged facts about him in her brain. Drew was so normal. Normal people always tell more than needed. People who have something to hide just deliver what they feel they have to. A few drinks and she’d know every detail of this boring man’s life. She’d bet that when he had traveled the world he’d stayed at American hotels, eaten American food, and never ventured too far off the campus where he lectured.
    Drew helped her to a chair on the deck before going in to order their food from a little takeout window on the side of the building. She liked sitting out on the porch watching people heading into the bar. Most were near her age, but she felt so much older. Something about being on her own early made her grow up fast.
    When he brought back two beers, Drew sat across from her and stretched his long legs out on the chair next to her. Surprisingly, he didn’t seem to want to talk, he just wanted to stare at her. She considered the possibility that he’d had very few dates.
    There was absolutely nothing wrong with him, but women want a man with a touch of danger or an ounce of style. He was too easygoing, too laid-back. The only thing really interesting about the man was the way he kissed, and she couldn’t see that as enough to hold a date together, much less a relationship.
    After several minutes of silence, he said casually, “We could swap life stories, talk about our college days and what we hate about our jobs, but how about we skip that part of the conversation?”
    Millanie was shocked. If this was some kind of line, she’dmisjudged the shy professor. “All right,” she said. “What do we talk about? Politics, movies, the weather?”
    He shrugged. “I’ve already talked about the weather today and I don’t care what your politics are. I haven’t seen a movie in a year, so that topic’s out.”
    â€œSo, what does that leave?”
    â€œWell, later tonight I don’t plan to talk to you at all. I think I’ve made that clear, but for now I’d like to know why you came back here to Harmony. I’m a good judge of people and you don’t seem to belong here. Not your style, I’m guessing.”
    Millanie almost laughed at him. Folks who said they were good judges of people rarely were. So, either the professor was simply making conversation, or he tended to lie to himself.
    The waitress delivered baskets of chicken fingers and sweet potato fries. A