Sweet Blessings (Love Inspired) Read Online Free Page B

was simply there, between theman and her sister. Protective anger made her feel ten feet tall. “Get out of here. Now.”
    â€œHey, that’s no way to talk. I just wanted to give you girls a chance to make back your five bucks. Maybe even earn a tip.” The strong scent of hard liquor wafted from him.
    She wasn’t afraid; she was mad. “That’s a horrible thing to say. Shame on you. You get back in your truck and leave us alone, or I’ll—”
    â€œYeah, what are you gonna do, pretty lady?” he mocked, and then the smirk faded from his shadowed face.
    For out of the black curtain of rain emerged another man. One who stood alone.
    Maybe it was the glaze of light snaking across the sky behind him. Or the way his dark hair lashed in the wind, but he looked like a warrior legend come to life. There was no mistaking the sheer masculine steel of the man as his presence seemed to silence the thunder.
    He didn’t utter a word. He didn’t need to. The look of him—iron-strong and defensive—made the troublemaker shrink back as if he’d been struck. The ruffian cast one hard look at Amy—she saw the glint of malice before he leaped into the cab and slammed the door. The truck shot through the downpour, roaring out of sight.
    Amy realized she was trembling from the inside out, now that the threat was gone. She swiped the rainfrom her eyes. She didn’t know why some people behaved the way they did. As long as Rachel was safe. They were both safe. She remembered to send a note of thanks heavenward.
    And her loner—her protector—waited, his back to them, his feet braced wide, his fists on his hips looking as invincible as stone as he watched in the direction of the road, as if making sure those troublemakers weren’t doubling back.
    â€œOh, I can’t believe those men! If you can call them men.” Rachel walked on wobbly legs toward her car. “I’ve got to sit down.”
    â€œThey scared me, too.” Amy opened her sister’s car door and took the keys from her trembling hand. She sorted through them for the ignition key as Rachel collapsed onto the seat.
    â€œAre you all right?”
    Amy turned at the sound of his voice, rough like the thunder and as elemental as the wind.
    He was simply a man, not legend or myth, but with the way he looked unbowed by the rain and lashed by the storm, he gave the presence of more.
    When he spoke, it was as if the world silenced. “He didn’t hurt you, did he? I came across the parking lot as fast as I could.”
    But from where? Amy wondered. He could have come out of the very night, for he seemed forged out of the clouds and dark. She swiped a hand across her brow, trying to get the rain out of her eyes and sawthe faint glaze of lightning reflecting in the windows far down the alley. The town’s only motel. That’s where her loner had come from.
    â€œYou arrived just in time,” she assured him, standing to block the rain for her sister. “We’re all right.”
    â€œThanks to you. Again.” Rachel was still clutching the briefcase to her chest.
    Amy knew what she was thinking. Rachel had their day’s take tucked in her leather case. It was a lot to lose, had the men been interested in money only.
    â€œYou ladies want me to call the sheriff?” The loner kept his stance and his distance like a protective wolf standing on the edge of a forest, ready to slip back in.
    â€œNo, it looks like the phone lines are down, too. I’ll stop by and see the deputy. I drive right by his place on my way home—”
    Lightning flashed like stadium floodlights, eerily illuminating the parking lot and the three of them drenched with rain. Thunder exploded instantly and a tree limb on the other side of the alley crashed to the ground, smoking.
    The rain increased so she had to shout to be heard. “This is dangerous. Get inside. I’ll—”
    She