A Place to Rest My Heart Read Online Free Page B

to me.
    “If not for me then, for Tommy and Molly.” I stopped and slowly turned to look at him. I could tell by the expression on his face that he didn’t feel one bit sorry at using Tommy or Molly to get around me.
    He took a deep breath. “First, I’m sorry. I was way out of line. I had no right to say the things I said. You need to understand something. Last summer, a young woman, pretended to be down on her luck and took them for an emotional roller coaster ride for a couple of months, before she took them for some collateral, a good chunk of it. Said all she needed to get her beauty business up and running was some starting cash. It was all lies and it was hell to watch. I didn’t want to see them go through that again. Tommy and Molly are incredibly generous and I don’t want to see them get hurt again.”
    I shook my head and moved around Sean, but he got right back in my way and let me run into him. I dropped my bag and he grabbed my arms to keep me from moving away from him. “Please understand, I thought you were doing the same thing. Tommy refused to allow me or anyone else to run a check on this girl until it was too late. I couldn’t stand by and watch him and Molly go through that again.”
    I could not help but hear the anguish in his voice at how helpless he had felt for Tommy. Damn it, I didn’t want to hear that. I didn’t want to hear anything he had to say.
    “I didn’t wait to get the rest of the information about you. I’m sorry. I owe so much to Tommy and Molly and all I could think of was how I could protect them. Chase told me about your commendation from the mayor for saving some kids. The same kids who’d done the breaking and entering that you took the blame for.”
    Sean let go of my arms and stepped back. He dropped his hands down to his sides. “You go ahead, take a shot. I’m sure I deserve it.” Damn right he did, I thought, as I stepped up to get in his face. To his credit he didn’t flinch and he didn’t move back.
    “I don’t need a free shot, Ace. I could have put you on the floor any time. You want to know something about me, ask me! I’ve got no call to lie to you, or them.”
    A security guard came up behind Sean. “This man giving you trouble, ma’am?” he asked, hand on his nightstick. I took a long minute to answer, looking Sean in the eyes. “No, everything’s fine.”
    Sean let out the breath he held in as the guard walked away. I’m sure the guard was disappointed he didn’t get to have a tussle. Hell, I was disappointed that there wasn’t going to be one. But I knew just by looking at Sean that one day we’d go to town. It was nice to have something to look forward to.
    I stood there a few minutes looking at Sean and weighing my options, which, as usual, were few. “I need a ride back.”
    Sean wisely just nodded and led the way to his Jeep.
    When we got back to the pub, Tommy met us as we came in the back door. For a guilty moment it felt like “Dad” had just caught us sneaking home past curfew. Tommy looked at us both. “I usually only allow a half hour break, Laney.” And with that he turned around and went back to the bar.
    Sean offered to take my bag back up to the room. Hey, who am I to argue with that, it was heavy. I went to the bar and waited for Tommy to say anything else but he continued talking with Chase. Chase looked at me while he was talking to Tommy. I can’t say as I quite cared for his staring, so I stared right back. He smiled and then turned his complete attention back to Tommy. Sean came up beside me and whispered, “Well?”
    Before I could answer, strong ebony hands descended on both our shoulders. We both turned around to see Jacob holding two aprons out to us. “Dishes,” was all he said. I shrugged and grabbed an apron and put it on. Sean started to protest.
    “You care to explain why she left?” asked Tommy from the bar, not even turning around to look at us. Sean looked back at Tommy and then at the apron