A Heart to Rescue Read Online Free Page B

out the window at the restaurant, “This place could put me out of business in a heartbeat. Now I’m trusting you to keep my secret.”
    Mel smiled and crossed her heart. “No one will hear it from me.” Secretly, she was also relieved. The possibility of running into someone she had known in her previous life was now next to nil. Those people would never be caught dead at a place like the one in front of her.
    “Good. I hope you’re hungry.”
    Mel’s stomach answered for her in a low growl , and they both laughed. Nate unfolded his tall body from the inside of the car and then was next to her door seconds later, holding it open and offering her a hand up. So far, Mel was impressed with how attentive Nate appeared to be; it was like he was always thinking about how to take care of her.
    His hand at the same of her back reminded her of her earlier thoughts of seducing him if she had dared to invite him up to her condo . She wondered if she still would at the end of the night. The idea exhilarated her.
    She looked up at him through her thick lashes and saw that he looked happy and relaxed. She want ed to pinch herself to see if what was unfolding was actually happening. When she woke up that morning, the most she had to look forward to was eig ht long hours serving rowdy, drunk customers at Rumbling Rock. In the span of less than twelve hours, her life had been turned upside down. It scared her to admit that she was glad. As an extra bonus, she was able to have dinner with a smart, successful, and single man. Her life was looking up .
    They stepped into the restaur ant, and Mel immediately saw what drew Nate to the location. The lighting was dim, and she could make out forty or so tables stretched throughout the room. From her vantage point next to the hostess stand, she could only see couples at each of the tables. There were deep booths lining the walls. The heavy mahogany wood and red and gold tones through the room reminded her a n old-time dinner club. The restaurant had been designed for privacy. In the back corner on a small stage , a three-piece band played light jazz loud enough to be enjoyed, but also soft enough that it would not int errupt conversation at the tables .
    “Why haven’t I ever heard of this place?” Mel said, not meaning to say the words out loud.
    “ Ardore is truly one of Spring City’s best kept secrets. They fill up night after night with absolutely no marketing or promotion, and it’s been open for over twenty years. I found it almost by accident when I was doing my own field research on the area’s competition,” Nate said in her ear.
    “ Nathan , how nice to see you again,” said a soft, throaty , female voice.
    Mel turned and stared at one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen. Dark brown hair shone even in the dim lighting , framing olive skin and intelligent, piercing deep brown eyes. The wom an moved around the hostess stand and e mbrace d Nate. Then, as she gave him a peck on the cheek, Mel had the full view of her curves wrapped in a fitted red dress that fell to her ankles . A flare of jealousy crept up inside of her as she saw the woman’s hand linger a moment longer than she would have liked on Nate’s arm.
    “Daphne, this is Mel,” Nate said. “Daphne, I’d like you to meet my friend, Melanie.”
    Mel was secretly delighted that he had used her full name in his introduction, but e ven as he said the words, Mel could see his appreciative glance taking in Daphne’s enviable figure.
    “Hello, Mel anie ,” Daphne said , extending her hand.
    “Hi,” Mel replied , shaking Daphne’s hand and then pulling it away. She wanted to be outside of the other woman’s orbit as quickly as possible. She saw a slight tightening of Daphne’s lips as she looked Mel over. It was clear that Daphne didn’t approve.
    “I was telling Mel about your fantastic food. I know it’s a huge favor on such short notice , but I’m hoping that you can find a t able for us ,”