Heartbreaker Read Free Page B

swallowed hard as agony, which she could usually hold at bay, rushed over her.
    â€œThere are other things in life besides dancing,”he said softly, his fingers gliding along her forearm as if to soothe the troubling emotion.
    She recoiled from any possible pity he might feel toward her. “Not for me,” she stated, staring him straight in the eye.
    He shrugged and rose. “It’s your life. But my offer still stands.” He walked off.

Two
    S unday morning, Michael arrived at the country club with fifteen minutes to spare before tee time. He grabbed his golf bag and joined Flynt Carson and Tyler Murdoch in front of the pro shop.
    â€œSpence can’t make it,” Flynt informed the other two. “He’s tied up on a case.”
    â€œThe Carl Bridges case, I assume,” Tyler muttered.
    Michael didn’t know Tyler all that well, but he liked and respected what he’d seen of him. The man was an engineer of some kind for the military. There was a darkness about him, a fierceness that could be intimidating in his hawklike glance. He played one hell of a game of golf and had the lowest handicap of any of them.
    â€œI would guess so. Matt is going to join us,” Flynt continued. “If he can tear himself away.”
    Michael grinned along with the other two men. He wondered what it was about newlywed bliss that mellowed out men. Both Flynt and Matt showed signs of going soft in the head since their marriages.It wasn’t something he and Tyler were apt to experience. They were dedicated career men.
    â€œI heard Michael here isn’t a possible father to Lena,” Tyler continued. “I finally grabbed a minute and went over to the clinic for the test. We’ll know in a few days if I’m a match.” He snorted in obvious disbelief.
    Flynt checked his watch, then peered down the road with a frown. Matt was late. Michael glanced at the clock behind the desk where the golf pro looked over some papers. They had two minutes until they were supposed to tee off.
    Tyler yawned and stretched. “I’ll give you ten to one that the unknown daddy is ol’ Luke.”
    â€œYou think?” Flynt questioned affably.
    â€œDamn right,” Tyler affirmed. “He’s probably off with some gal at a tropical island getaway right this moment. The P.I. we hired will have a time following Luke’s path among women the world over.”
    â€œI admit Luke disappears pretty regularly. The only thing predictable about his comings and goings is that they are totally unpredictable,” Flynt explained to Michael.
    Michael knew of Luke’s reputation as an international playboy. The multimillionaire could afford the lifestyle.
    â€œAnybody going to take my bet?” Tyler demanded. “A hundred dollars on Luke is my offer.”
    â€œNot me,” Flynt said.
    â€œNor me,” Michael echoed. “It’s time to go. Do we give up our slot and wait, or head out?”
    â€œWe’ll start,” Flynt decided. “Matt can catch up.”
    The three claimed their golf cart and headed for the first tee. Running footsteps warned them of Matt’s arrival a few seconds later. “Sorry,” he puffed, tossing his bag into the back of the cart. “Rose was sick this morning.”
    Michael nodded. “It’s common with preg—” He broke off, worried that Matt might not want to discuss his bride’s condition.
    â€œPregnant women,” Matt finished. “I know, but I’ve never been around one before. It’s alarming.”
    While Flynt and Matt discussed pregnancy and its symptoms with great earnestness, Tyler rolled his eyes and winked at Michael, who chuckled as he walked up to the tee and hit his first ball of the day.
    All in all, a satisfying game, he thought later, heading for the Yellow Rose Café and lunch after coming in second, right behind Tyler. Sunshine. Golf. Friends. The good life.
    Matt