Soul Taker Read Free Page B

Harrison may not
know how to commit but he was a considerate man. She strode over to
her anxious friend.
    Johanna Threshold was a tall, gangly woman
with an upturned nose, brown eyes that were too close together, and
she harbored an overbite, that four years of braces hadn't
corrected. Most men passed her over without a second thought, which
really was unfair. Isabella wished they could see Johanna as she
did, with all the colors of her aura, all those warm welcoming
colorful hues radiating from her. She was one of the good ones, a
pure soul.
    Isabella tilted her head to the side,
realizing how Johanna's aura seemed to glow brighter tonight. "You
look like you've just won the lottery."
    Johanna grabbed a hold of her arm, her smile
broadening. "Izzie, I think I've found Mr. Right ."
    "Really? Who is he? Where did you meet him,
and does he have a brother?"
    Johanna giggled at their standard joke.
"Sorry, I believe he said he was an only child. He breezed into the
flower shop, right before closing to buy a bouquet for an ailing
friend. We hit it off so wonderfully. We ended up at Siren's Call.
You know the Karaoke bar. I even sang."
    "You?" Isabella's brows rose in surprise.
    "I know, I know. It was so fun, too. And God,
Izzie, this guy is so cute. Can you believe it? A gorgeous looking
man likes me."
    "Why wouldn't he? Johanna, you're wonderful."
She gave her a warm hug. "I hope he knows how lucky he is to have
you. When do I get to meet this mysterious man of yours?"
    Johanna's smile slipped for a fraction of a
second before she flitted away from her, pretending to be
interested in the evening's dinner specials posted on the
chalkboard in front of the cashier desk. "Soon, I promise. I just
don't want—" She looked at Isabella as if she didn't know what to
say. "I don't want to jinx it. Okay?"
    Isabella nodded, sensing she was holding
something back, but she didn't push. "You let me know. You can
bring him here for dinner—on the house."
    "I will, Izzie. I will." She turned to
leave.
    "Be careful," Isabella called, causing her
friend to look back at her with a smile.
    "I've been careful all my life," Johanna
said. "I think it's about time I'm a little reckless. He makes me
feel pretty." Her cheeks turned a bright crimson. She shrugged her
embarrassment away. "I don't want the feeling to end."
    Isabella wanted to tell her not to be rash,
to take it slow and make sure he was worthy of her heart, but she
knew Johanna wouldn't listen to her.
    Isabella walked over to the door and watched
Johanna race across the street. A whisper of unease teased her
senses and she frowned, wondering why she was worried. Her friend
radiated with happiness. Surely this meant the man she dated was
treating her right. Just to be safe, she said a silent prayer,
urging Johanna's guardian angel to watch over her.
    ****
    Harrison watched the exchange with interest.
Isabella's brows furrowed and she chewed on her lower lip.
Curiosity got the better of him. He'd heard snippets of the
conversation. Keen hearing made eavesdropping easy. "Does Johanna
have a hot date?" Funny, how the thought of another man touching
her disturbed him, but he pushed the thought away. Johanna wasn't
his type. He was worried about her… like a big brother. He cleared
his throat. His carnal thoughts proved how that was a lie.
    Isabella looked at him. "How do you know
Johanna?" She walked back over to his table.
    He chuckled. "She's in here almost as much as
I am. We've exchanged words a few times." He shrugged. "She seems
so unsure of herself." He didn't mention how she stuttered and
blushed every time he tried to start a conversation with her.
    Isabella sighed. "She doesn't know." His
right brow lifted and Isabella hurried to explain. "She doesn't
know how special she is."
    "No, she doesn't," Harrison agreed.
Isabella's pensive expression reminded him of her mother. Louisa
Lucci would have been about Isabella's age the last time he saw
her. He often wished he'd kept in touch with