Free Falling for Love by Marie Force Page B

was so happy. We’d dated for three years, and I finally had everything I’d always wanted. Or at least I thought I did.”
    His hand landed on her shoulder, offering comfort. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Princess. He was the fool who didn’t know how lucky he was to have you.”
    “That’s nice of you to say, but you don’t even know me. How do you know I wasn’t a total shrew of a wife?”
    Owen laughed softly. “I guess I don’t.” Raising a rakish eyebrow, he said, “Were you?”
    “I might’ve been if we’d made it to the second month.”
    “That’s usually when the trouble starts.”
    “And you know this from experience?”
    His face twisted with feigned horror. “Hell, no. I’ve heard rumors. That’s all.”
    “Ahh,” Laura said, amused by his attempts to prop her up. He seemed like someone who’d make for a good friend. “I see. Rumors. Do you believe everything you hear?”
    “Hardly. I’m sorry such a shitty thing happened to you. No one deserves to be treated that way.”
    “You’re right about that.”
    “If it had to happen, at least it was before kids were involved.”
    “Yeah.” Laura stared into the darkness, feeling dead inside. “Thank goodness for that.”
    “I have some news that might lift your spirits,” he said with that effortlessly charming grin he did so well.
    “What’s that?”
    “I talked to my grandmother this afternoon and told her about our tour earlier. She wondered if you might be interested in a job.”
    Intrigued, Laura folded her arms to tighten the coat around her. “What kind of job?”
    “Running the Sand & Surf.”
    She gasped. “You’re not serious.”
    “I’m very serious, and so is she. I told her how much you’ve always loved the place, how excited you were to see the inside, and she said you sounded like the answer to her prayers. That’s a direct quote, by the way.”
    Astounded, Laura stared at him. “But I don’t know a thing about running a hotel! I majored in history.”
    “I talked to Libby, who runs the Beachcomber. She said she’d be happy to lend a hand to get you started. Of course, the old girl needs some work after being closed up the last few years, but you’d have the winter to get her ready for next season.”
    Laura was reeling. “You’re really serious.”
    “As serious as I ever get about anything.”
    “Wow. I just… Wow.”
    Owen laughed and tugged on a strand of her hair. “You don’t have to decide anything tonight, Princess. Think about it for a couple of days.”
    Laura wondered how she’d manage to think of anything else now that the possibility had been presented to her. “What’s in it for you if I agree to this?”
    “Nothing more than knowing my grandparents have some peace of mind. They mean a lot to me.”
    Evan stuck his head out the door. “Hey, O. You wanna play?”
    “Be right there.”
    “Cool.”
    Owen returned his attention to her. “So you’ll think about it?”
    “I will. Thank you for the offer.”
    “Sure thing. You know where to find me when you decide.”
    “Oh, your coat.”
    He stopped her from removing the jacket. “You need it more than I do.”
    “Um, don’t say anything. About what I told you. I haven’t gotten around to telling my family. Not only is it embarrassing and humiliating, I didn’t want to bring all my crap to Janey’s wedding.”
    Owen surprised her when he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “They won’t hear it from me.”
    Nodding, Laura bit her bottom lip to contain a sudden rush of emotion brought on by the kindness of a stranger.
    “Any special requests?”
    Confused, she looked up at him. “What do you mean?”
    “A song,” he said with an indulgent smile.
    Without hesitation, she said, “Anything by James Taylor.”
    “You got it, Princess.”
    He left her on the porch, and through the screen door, she heard him talking to Evan as they set up. A hush fell over the room as the two guitars found perfect harmony.