Sterling's Reasons Read Online Free Page B

steak, potatoes, and gravy. To her delight, her burger had to be cut in half and pressed down to be bite-size. The fries smelled delicious, and she dipped one of them in the side order of hot cheddar cheese she had asked for.
    Oh, she had enjoyed the Salty Dog but she loved this. She groaned in delight as she put a cheese-laden fry in her mouth. “Oh, this is so good. Want a taste?”
    He simply looked at her over his steak so she peeled the burger apart and shook some salt and pepper on it. “I guess not. Some other time, though. You don’t know what you’re missing.” She threw him a smile as she steered the food toward her mouth.
    “How can anyone who enjoys eating so much stay so skinny?”
    It was the first civilized statement he had made since she met him, so she ignored his reference to her body and said, “I walk a lot. Besides, I just refuse to put on weight. Metabolism or something. And I work hard. I don’t get to eat like this as often as I would like. How’s your steak?”
    “It’ll sustain life.”
    “A man ought to enjoy food more than that. Just what do you do for entertainment, Mr. MacDaniels? I didn’t even see a TV in your cottage.”
    “Read. Walk. Swim. I don’t need to be entertained.”
    “Wonderful. Then tomorrow we can swim after breakfast and walk before lunch.”
    He leaned forward over the table toward her. “What’s this we stuff? I suppose we could read before going to bed, too.”

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    Joey Light
    She let that hang in the air. He was baiting her and she was not going to take it. He was using all his policeman brain cells on her. “If it suits you. But I’ll have to take one of your books to my cottage. I didn’t bring any.”
    He sipped his martini and watched her. She ignored him and ate her dinner, looking around and enjoying the atmosphere.
    When she climbed in his Jeep she felt like a cat. She wanted to find a shadowy spot and go to sleep. He headed back toward the cottages.
    “Oh, wait! Look, there’s a doughnut shop. Stop a minute, will you, I want to get a box for the morning. What kind do you like?”
    He wheeled the Jeep in the lot and braked to a sudden halt. He had managed to accomplish absolutely nothing tonight and he wanted his solitude back again.
    Anything to get her to shut up and go home. “Cinnamon twistees.”
    “Okay. I like the ones with the cream in the middle. Pure sugar. And the chocolate ones. Umm.”
    He put his hand on her shoulder and leaned his face close. “Just get the damn things.”
    She was putting a strain on him, and by now she figured that was what she needed to do so that he would put up with her. If she made it too easy, he would simply dismiss her. He didn’t know it yet, but she could get a lot worse.
    Back in the Jeep and heading home, she breathed deeply. “I thought I was full, but after smelling these, I don’t know.”
    The fact that he laughed out loud surprised her; that he shook his head and did it again pleased her. Sterling tilted her head and looked at him. Satisfied, she relaxed in the seat. She could see her plan was working.
    He let her out at her door. “Aren’t we going to walk some of this off?” she challenged.
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    Sterling’s Reasons
    He looked at her and seemed to be making some sort of judgment. “Half an hour, in front of your steps. And, Powell, wear shoes.”
    She wore shoes. Bright yellow hightops. Her skimpy matching green shorts and top let the slightly cooling evening breeze caress her midsection. He was waiting for her when she jogged down the steps.
    “I thought you said walk,” he said irritably as he jogged to catch up and then fell in step beside her.
    “Jog and then walk. So, Mr. MacDaniels, when are you going back?”
    He was silent for a moment and then, without looking at her, he simply answered with another question. “Back to where?”
    “The department. How long did you take off?” It felt good to run, and she turned