Somebody Like You Read Online Free Page A

actually nervous and wiped her palms on her pant legs. She really wanted this place. Wanted her first home.
    “Should suit you well then.”
    “We sure do appreciate this, Dottie.”
    “No problem at all, sweetheart.” She pinched his cheek, and Annelise watched the blush creep up Cash’s neck to his face. Priceless.
    Mrs. Willis nodded toward the Harley. “That’s a mighty big bike.”
    Annelise grinned. “I like it. Lots of power, and I’m in control.”
    She caught Cash studying her and could have kicked herself. Far too much insight flashed in his eyes, almost as if he knew her secret.
    Mrs. Willis, who’d moved ahead of them, was nearly at the top of the stairs.
    He bumped her shoulder. “What are you running away from?”
    She fought for cocky. “What makes you think I’m running away? The question might be what am I running to.”
    He considered that. “Well, if that’s the case, I’m glad you came running in my direction.”
    “And my name is Annelise,” she muttered.
    Waiting for them on the landing, Mrs. Willis asked, “How are your mama and daddy doing, Cash?”
    “They’re great, Mrs. Willis. They decided to fly in from Paris tomorrow so they can be home in plenty of time for the big barbecue on the Fourth. You’ll be there, won’t you?”
    “Couldn’t beat me off with a stick.” She dug a key from the pocket of her pink-flowered housedress.
    The dress suited her perfectly, Annelise thought. This woman, the stereotypical grandma, could have played the role for any movie, any ad. Around five-three, she carried a few extra pounds and had the softest looking blue-gray curls. Pink-framed glasses dangled from a chain around Dottie’s neck, and no-nonsense tie-up shoes along with bright pink ankle socks covered her feet.
    She chatted a mile a minute as she showed them around the small one-bedroom rental. It looked even drearier in person than it had in the ad photos and was as homely as they came. But it had potential, and that was enough for Annelise.
    “You still want it now that you’ve had a look around?” Dottie asked.
    She nodded.
    “Well, then, welcome to Maverick Junction and your new home.” Mrs. Willis gave her a quick hug, then headed downstairs to bake chocolate chip cookies for the church bazaar, leaving her alone with her new boss.
    A new home. A new boss. Oh, boy. She was really doing this. Annelise felt almost dizzy.
    Cash ripped a paper towel from a roll he found in the kitchen and sketched a rough map to his ranch. He scrawled his phone number on the bottom. “See you in the morning—if you’re still sure you want to give this a shot.”
    “I do.”
    Her stomach fluttering with nerves and excitement, Annelise walked him to the door, then stood at the window to watch as Cash and his ugly dog drove away.
    Biting her bottom lip, she tabbed through her phone contacts. Time to call her cousin.
    She answered on the first ring. “Annelise? Where in the world are you? Your mom and dad have been hounding me. They’re sure I’m hiding you out here in Chicago. What’s going on?”
    Annelise sighed. “Long story, Sophie. One I really don’t want to get into right now. Can I ask a huge favor?”
    “Anything.”
    “Would you call my dad? Tell him not to worry. I’m safe, I left on my own, and I’ll be back soon. No need to send the cavalry. I talked to Mom, but by the time she tells him what we said, it’s going to be all screwed up. Ask Dad to pass the message on to Grandpa.” She hesitated. “I’m sorry they’ve been giving you a hard time.”
    “I can deal with them.”
    “I know you can. I really don’t want them worrying, any of them, though, or siccing the police or FBI on me, either.”
    “You know, cuz, to them, you’re still their little girl. It doesn’t matter that you’re twenty-six.”
    “I know.”
    “So, really,” her cousin persisted. “Where are you?”
    “I can’t tell you, Sophie. That way, when my parents’ goons torture you, you