Jesse's Brother Read Online Free Page B

Samantha ever met and didn’t ever deserve to be treated like that even though Samantha had never really been friends with the petite blonde. It was as if Samantha and Jackie had lived in some kind of friendship bubble and wouldn’t let anyone else in except when Wiley entered the equation.
Tonya walked by her again, and Samantha waved to stop her. “Hey,” Samantha said softly.
“Yes?” Tonya’s voice had lost its friendliness.
“I’m sorry for being rude to you a minute ago. I really need a coffee and my mom doesn’t believe in it, so I can’t make any there.”
Tonya forced a laugh, which was no surprise. The excuse sounded dumb, even to her. “It’s okay.”
“How are you?” asked Samantha.
“Good. I work over at Tillman’s Bank. You know, same stuff different day.”
“I hear that,” Samantha agreed.
“How are you, anyway? You went off to college, didn’t you?”
“Yes. Do you know where I can get some coffee in this town?”
“Sure do. A bookstore opened down on the south side. I don’t know what it’s called exactly…something like The Bookshack, but they have a coffee shop.”
“Great! Thank you. Maybe we can get together one of these days for lunch,” Samantha said, and meant it.
Tonya scribbled her name and number on a scrap of paper, then handed it to Samantha, who shoved it into her jeans pocket. “It would be great to get together. Call me some time.”
Samantha waved to the cashier, who she’d known from school, and headed out the door to find the coffee shop.
As she drove to the bookstore, Samantha’s cheeks burned at the thought of how she’d treated Tonya. She hadn’t meant to be so rude and she promised herself to call Tonya before going back to the university.
Samantha walked into the bookstore and froze. A man sat at one of the front tables reading a novel while sipping on a coffee. He held a superior air as his face remained serious. His strong features almost made him look like a statue. He didn’t seem to notice anyone around him, not even her. He kept his eyes glued to his book.
His hair was dark blond with lighter highlights. A touch of freckles spackled his cheeks. The fact that he wore his navy suit with comfort suggested he was a man of importance. What color were his eyes? She wished he would glance up so she could take a peek. Were they soft like the sky on a sunny day, or perhaps stormy like the ocean?
She needed to talk to him. He’d fit perfectly in her life once she left Alban again because she would be leaving both the farm and Noah behind. She rushed over to the end of the line for her coffee, hoping to catch a closer look at him. A stack of books sat on a shelf near the register with some other odds and ends for people to purchase. She glanced back at the man, and then the books. She wanted something to read and tapped her foot with impatience.
Couldn’t they move faster? Surely the man in front of her with the briefcase didn’t need the coffee. But maybe he would be quick enough. She scanned the seating area and realized there was
only one table left.
“Hurry up, people,” she mumbled under her breath.
“Excuse me?” asked the suited man in front of her.
“Oh, nothing,” she said, her cheeks heating up. Twirling a curl, she kept an eye on the man at the table, afraid he’d leave before she had her coffee. When it was her turn, she grabbed the first book with an interesting cover. Eyes Upon Us the cover read, below a big eyeball. No need to read the back.
It took even longer for the young clerk to make her iced coffee. Finally, he placed the drink on the counter. Samantha dropped the money into the clerk’s hand and told him to keep the change.
She turned toward the last empty table and almost knocked people over as she rushed to the table.
Opening her book, she pretended to read but couldn’t concentrate on the page. She kept looking up trying to get his attention or see if he noticed her. He didn’t change his facial expression or even glance