Free A Place to Call Home by Christina James Page B

naturally. If she leans over any farther, odds are she’ll topple over. Wouldn’t that be a sight? “I’d like my coffee please.”
     
    “Give me the roast beef sandwich,” Mac said. “And bring her the turkey and Swiss wrap.”
     
    Hannah’s jaw dropped. “Are you deaf? I said I’m not hungry.”
     
    Candy looked back and forth between them, her pen hovering over her notepad.
     
    “Just bring it,” Mac said simply, watching Hannah. “She’ll eat it.”
     
    “Whatever you say, handsome.” Candy quickly disappeared.
     
    Hannah mimicked her words and Mac laughed.
     
    “Jealous?” he teased.
     
    “Of a waitress named Candy?” She rolled her eyes and laughed. “Pft. Hardly. You obviously enjoy it when a woman falls all over you.”
     
    “Hardly.”
     
    “Give me a break. I watched you suck up every compliment she gave you.” Hannah stopped talking when Candy returned with their coffee.
     
    “I’ll leave you sugar, Mac, even though you’re sweet enough already.” Candy winked before leaving them alone.
     
    Hannah stared at him. “You’re unbelievable.”
     
    “What?” he said, sipping his coffee.
     
    “ You’re sweet enough. You’re so handsome . If I had an appetite, I would’ve lost it by now.”
     
    He laughed. “I can’t help how someone else speaks.”
     
    Hannah ignored him.
     
    “For the record,” he said, a fire lighting his eyes. “I’m much more interested in the women who I have to chase a little to catch.”
     
    She crossed her arms and stared out the window, ignoring the silly conversation. How dare he flirt in front of her with a trollop named Candy?
     
    Five minutes later, their food arrived and Mac dug in hungrily while he watched her. “I’m the father of teenage boys, Hannah. I’m pretty good at dealing with the silent treatment.”
     
    “No silent treatment going on. Just not interested in talking about the women in your life.”
     
    “Women? Honey, there are no women in my life other than my family.”
     
    When Mac’s hand covered hers, she jumped, all the fears and vulnerability of her past flooding back. While she enjoyed his touch, the unexpected contact startled her. She had long ago learned to fear human touch.
     
    When she froze, his brow furrowed. “Hey, what is it, Hannah? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
     
    She certainly felt like she had. The past swept over her, bringing with it the fear of being powerless under the touch of a man, of being hurt or trapped by someone stronger than her. “It’s nothing. I’m just a little tired is all.” She snatched free her hand and placed it in her lap.
     
    “Like hell. Try again.”
     
    She squirmed and grabbed the turkey Swiss wrap from the plate in front of her. “Can we not talk about this anymore? I just want to eat.”
     
    His eyes studied her while he chewed and swallowed. “Now you want to eat, huh? Well, if that were the case then you’d have to pick the food up and put it in your mouth. Don’t expect it to jump in there by itself.”
     
    She purposely took a big bite to prove she felt better, but when the food hit her tongue she wanted to throw up. She made a face. Why did he have to ask about her past?
     
    He grinned mildly. “Serves you right, trying to force-feed yourself when you’re upset.”
     
    How could he be so in tune with her? That drove her crazy. She didn’t like to be so transparent to people. Especially to him.
     
    Mac and Hannah sat silently for a few minutes. To her relief, he didn’t force the issue. He continued eating, greeting people who passed their table, but glanced at Hannah every few seconds. His gaze interrogated her, the heat of his stare slicing through her like a laser, trying to unwrap the layers she had built up over the years. It was as though his eyes kept saying well ? Like he expected her to blurt out everything she hid inside. Like she could feel comfortable doing that with him.
     
    “What is it, Mac?” she asked