Southern Hearts (Southern Love Series) Read Online Free

first no
matter what city or country I'm in. We can live bicoastal. We'll spend six
months in New York City and six months at the ranch."
    "I guess," she said in a tight voice and
continued doing her nightly beauty routine.
    Austin took one last look at Rebecca before heading into
the bathroom. Stripping his clothes off, Austin stepped under the hot water as
Farrah's remark about love came to haunt him. Was this a sign telling him to
leave Rebecca? Maybe Rebecca's attitude was just due to the wedding, he told
himself; sometimes things had to get worse before they got better. Was marrying
this woman a blessing or a curse?
    He pushed the thoughts about his relationship with Rebecca
to the back of his mind. They were easily replaced with Farrah, whom he hadn't
seen or heard from in a few days. Closing his eyes, he tried to concentrate on
Rebecca. Maybe they should take a pre-wedding vacation, so they could get back
to where they used to be.
    Drying off from his hot shower, he put on a pair of
drawstring pants and walked into the bedroom where Rebecca lay in bed.
    "Rebecca, you know I'm throwing a party for the guys
on the ranch. We're going to need fish. I was thinking we could go to Lake
Lewisville and take the boat out like we used to do," he said as he
cuddled next to Rebecca in bed.
    Rebecca moved out of Austin's arms and looked at him.
"I hate fishing, Austin. I don't want to be near any of those stinky
fish." She shuddered.
    "Come on, baby," he said, his voice singsong as
he flipped Rebecca on her back. "I was going to take Farrah, but I think
this getaway would be good for us."
    Rebecca leaned forward and kissed Austin. "I don't
want to go," she said between kisses. "You should take the
chef."
    Austin moved away from Rebecca and lay on his back with one
arm across his face. "I'm convinced you don't want to spend time with
me."
    "Austin, I'm leaving for New York for another dress
fitting. How about going to the Bahamas instead?"
    "Rebecca, you know that I'm going to be in the
studio," he said softly. "Don't worry about it," he said as he
turned the lights off.
    Austin pulled Rebecca close to him to cuddle, but within
twenty minutes, she moved away from him.
    "I can't sleep with you all over me."
    Austin looked at Rebecca's back. Yeah, all the wedding
planning was changing his Rebecca. Or was this what their marriage would be
like? He remembered how his dad used to play the Beatles song "All You
Need Is Love." But it was obvious that he needed more than love. Farrah's
comment about marrying for more than love was beginning to make sense. He
wanted the elements of a strong marriage that his parents had. Communication,
trust, and respect.
    Closing his eyes, Austin tried to go to sleep.

Chapter Four
     
    Austin waited until the last customer had left before he
walked into Southern Rose. He wore sunglasses and his cowboy hat in an attempt
to conceal himself from the people walking on the street. The door chimed as he
walked into the restaurant. Austin wondered if Farrah knew how beautiful she
was even when she just wore blue jeans and a black t-shirt with Southern
Rose printed on it.
    "Welcome to Southern Rose." Farrah looked up at
him and smiled.
    "I would like to order today's special, darling,"
he said as he stood at the counter and read the menu.
    "Austin?" Farrah asked. She was looking closely
at the man standing before her and, when he smiled at her, she knew it was him.
    "Yes, sweetheart."
    "You didn't have to come here to make adjustments to
the menu. You could just call or notify Megan."
    "Why couldn't I just show up here and order some of
your delicious cooking?" Austin took off his hat and smiled.
    "Austin McBride, I'm pretty sure that you have a cook
on that massive ranch of yours," she teased.
    Austin laughed. Farrah was absolutely right, he did have a
cook on the ranch. He didn't come to Southern Rose for food, but to see her and
just talk. He needed someone who was going to be open and honest and not just
tell