A Reason to Love Read Online Free Page B

and is having a tough time. I just want to make sure he’s all right, and then I’ll leave if you want me to. I promise I’m not here to cause trouble.”
    For some reason, he seemed to find that amusing. “Lady, in a place like this, you’re the very definition of trouble.”
    He stared at her for several seconds and then jerked his head in the direction of the booths. “Your soldier is in the back corner booth.”
    He popped the top on a pair of beers. “He’s probably ready for another one of these. The second one is for you.”
    She reached for her wallet in her purse, but he shook his head. “This round is on me.”
    Melanie reached for the beers. “Thank you.”
    He winked at her. Then as she walked away, he called after her, “If you need any help with your friend, come get me.”
    She nodded and kept going. Sure enough, there was Spence. He had his back to her as he stared down at a bottle identical to the ones the bartender had given her. There were also three more empty ones just like it lined up in a neat row on the table in front of him.
    Wow, Spence had been a busy boy in the short time since leaving the church. He didn’t say a word as she slid into the opposite side of the booth. Rather than break the silence herself, she set the new beer down in front of him and settled back to sip her own. She would’ve preferred a soft drink, but maybe this night called for stronger stuff. Judging by the number of beers Spence had already consumed, he thought so, too.
    He finally looked up. “Mel, you shouldn’t have followed me here. You were never one for pool halls and beer.”
    “And how would you know that? Before today, we hadn’t seen each other, much less spoken, since high school. As far as you know, I come here all the time.”
    Although he didn’t smile, she suspected that he found that idea humorous. “Well, as I recall, we didn’t talk much back then, either.”
    She couldn’t argue with that point. “So talk now. What was all of that about at the church?”
    His face turned rock hard. “Don’t go there, Melanie. In fact, finish your beer and leave. Better yet, I’ll finish it for you. We’ll both be happier that way.”
    “Sorry, but you’re not in charge here, Spencer Lang.” She took a long drink of her beer to prove her point. “Talk or don’t talk. It’s up to you, but I’m not going anywhere.”
    The nameless bartender wandered by and plunked down two plastic baskets, each containing a cheeseburger and a huge pile of sweet potato fries. He pulled a couple of forks and knives out of the pocket in the stained apron he wore tied around his waist. “Here.”
    Spence leaned back in the seat to glare up at their host. But when he didn’t say anything, Melanie spoke up. “I’m sorry, but we didn’t order those.”
    The bartender didn’t even glance in her direction as he concentrated all of his attention on Spence. “Eat them anyway.”
    Spence finally joined the conversation. “I’m not hungry.”
    Their host put his hands on the end of the table and leaned in close. “I didn’t ask if you were, but you’re eating them. I’m cutting you off until you do. Got that, soldier?”
    Finally, Spence nodded and pulled one of the burger baskets closer to him and ate some fries. Melanie did the same in the hope that would encourage Spence to continue eating.
    The bartender nodded in approval. “The nice lady is worried about you, so try not to be too much of an asshole. Let me know when you’re ready for another round.”
    When he finally met Melanie’s gaze, his stern expression softened just a bit. “Like I said before, if you need anything, come get me. The name’s Liam Grainger.”
    She smiled, grateful for his support. “Thank you, Liam Grainger, I’ll do that. I’m Melanie Wolfe, and he’s Spence Lang.”
    Liam’s eyebrows shot up, but she didn’t know which name had surprised him. He didn’t explain and she didn’t ask. When someone across the room hollered