Got Love? Read Online Free

it appeals to her so much she’s scared.”
    ****
    Rubbing absently at the burning arrow tattoo hidden under his left sleeve, Tharin watched Runa run into the shop. Wasn’t she just a helpful little elf? He smiled to himself. Resisting the urge to press his nose into Flora’s scarf and inhale her sweet perfume, he casually tucked the fabric into his pocket.
    Returning to his booth to finish his cooling soup and sandwich, Tharin was well aware he and Flora were the hot topic of murmured conversations being carried on around him. He could care less. Before the month was out, he’d give his new neighbors plenty to talk about.
    “Can I get you anything else?” The waitress slid his cake slice across the table. “Maybe more napkins for your shirt?”
    “It’s almost dry. How about a coffee?” he asked, giving her a reason to leave him alone so he could think of Flora’s auburn hair. Did it feel as soft as it looked under that knit cap she wore? And her eyes, such a unique hazel, a swirling of brown and green with a sunburst of gold flaring from her irises. He had enjoyed the way they widened when their eyes first met. Beautiful, lush lips framed a mouth that wouldn’t quit. He caught himself wondering if she always rambled like that, or if it was nerves doing the talking.
    “So you know Flora?” the cupid asked as the girl carefully sat his coffee in front of him.
    “Sure. She graduated with my older brother. So did Runa and Fia. Biggest graduating class Peabody ever had. She opened A Touch of Wild Flora three years ago. Got a real knack for it, if you ask me. Flowers just seem to bloom under her touch, ya know?”
    With a magic touch like hers, Tharin didn’t doubt it. From the instant Flora touched his chest, trying to dry him, Tharin felt bewitched. It was like she was touching his heart. Tempting it to open just enough for her to find a way under his skin to curl up like she belonged. He’d never had another female, human or fae-kin, make him feel like she did. As much as that thought should worry him, Tharin was long past ready to meet his love. He was ready to share his long life with a counterpart who would complement him and make him whole.
    If two hundred years had taught him anything, it was that you needed a strong partner to stand beside you in life and love.
    “But then, all those Hawthornes are born talented. She’s got some family who own a farm on the outskirts of town. They grow all kinds of stuff out there. Fruits, vegetables, that kind of thing. You ought to check it out.”
    The only one Tharin was interested in checking out was Flora. He wanted to get to know her real well.
    “Maybe I will. What else can you tell me about Flora? Does she eat here often, since you’re right across the street?” He was glad his waitress was such a fount of information.
    “She’s here a couple times a week, always gets her lunch to go. Never settles down. Too busy working. Last year, she opened a lawn care business to go with the floral shop. My cousin had some work done and says they’re great. I see her every now and then at Ma Guinness. That’s a local pub down at the other end of town. They’ve got music every night. She sings sometimes, when Runa and Fia can talk her into it. Pretty good voice. A real earthy tone, mellow and soothing.”
    Tharin made sure to file that information as he tried to come up with a way to see Flora again. He thought of calling for a delivery, but he didn’t want to chance ordering flowers and not have Flora deliver them. Runa had warned him against the usual courting treats, so he was at a loss of what to do next. He could walk across and hire her to do his yardwork, but with all the snow, he wasn’t exactly sure what he was dealing with.
    “You know, when it’s cold, Flora always stops by for a white hot chocolate to go before she heads home. Cook keeps a batch made especially for her.”
    Jackpot . “Is that so? You have been so helpful. How about letting your cook