Her Last Love (Small Town Hearts Trilogy #1) Read Free Page B

home.” 

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    2
     
     
    Lynn didn’t hug him, or slam the door in his face. Nor did she respond with genuine pleasure or cool politeness. In fact, all she could do was stand there, hold the door open, and stare, as her heart pounded and her palms sweat.
    It was déjà vu, the way he was standing on her doorstep. Lynn couldn’t help but to remember other times when he’d dropped in out of nowhere and surprised her. She also remembered the times he'd shown up to take her out, how happy she'd be to see him. 
    She wasn’t sure what emotions moved through her, looking at him now. Pleasure, yes. With trepidation thrown in for good measure. Maybe a dash of leftover lust. He was still very attractive. More so than when they were together. He’d clearly been working out; she’d never seen him quite this ripped. His thin navy tee shirt was snug across his shoulders and biceps, and his faded jeans hugged his muscular thighs. His dark brown hair was still short, still trying to form into the curls she used to run her fingers through for hours at a time. There were new lines around bright blue eyes she remembered so well, but given the time passed, that was to be expected.
    Damn it, he was still as handsome as ever. Life just wasn't fair. 
    “Carter.” Lynn cleared her throat, and tried to find her voice. “What are you doing here?” 
    “Well,” he said, shuffling his feet. “I came to see you.” 
    “Yes, but…how did you know I was home? I just got in yesterday.” This was too surreal. 
    “I saw you at Dixie's last night. I was doing my grocery shopping, looked up and there you were. Thought for a minute I was seeing things.”
    Lynn studied him a moment before crossing her arms and leaning against the doorframe. She didn’t particularly care if the gesture came across as rude. She struggled with emotions – pleasure, anger, confusion – as she tried to figure out why he was there.
    “So you decided to show up on my doorstep like old times? A welcome home, a charming smile, and all is forgotten?” 
    “No, I – “ 
    “Because it doesn’t work that way. If you ever knew me, you should understand that. And what does your wife think of you being here? Should I expect some nasty phone calls next?” 
    “Estranged wife. We’re separated, have been for about six months. And no, there’s isn’t any need for her to call you.” 
    “Well, there was no need before, but that didn’t stop her now, did it?” Lynn hugged herself a little tighter as if trying to defend herself from the upset and anger of past unpleasant encounters with the woman that was Carter’s wife. 
    Carter shoved his hands in his pockets as he looked down between his feet and rocked back on his heels. He’d known, hadn’t he, that this wouldn’t go well? Looks like he got what he expected. He studied Lynn, a face that somehow was both familiar and foreign to him. He took a deep breath before he spoke again. 
    “Lynn…I’m not here to cause trouble or upset you. I saw you last night, and I had time on my hands today so I thought I’d come by to say welcome home. See if you might be up for grabbing a cup of coffee so we can talk and clear the air before your leave is up and you have to head back to your duty station. That’s all.” 
    Lynn still leaned on the doorframe, rubbing her upper arms as she continued to study him. Once upon a time, she’d been very good at reading him, his moods, sometimes even his thoughts. She may have been out of practice in that area, but he seemed sincere enough. Heaven knew he was as uncomfortable in this situation as she was, if not more. Still, she hesitated. 
    "I’m not sure, Carter. You were the last person I expected to see today, and I'm woman enough to admit I'm thrown off balance by seeing you again." 
    "I know, and I'm sorry if it seems like an ambush." Carter shoved his hands deep into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. "That was not my