Oregon Outback Read Online Free Page B

him.”
    If only God had answered her prayers for direction then.
    “Obviously, that didn’t happen. But did you try to elope?”
    “Jonas turned me down. I think he’d been sitting under my father’s counsel. At least that’s what I heard much later. In the end, Jonas left town.”
    Julie gasped. “Without even saying good-bye?”
    “That hurt me the most.” Darcy saw that clearly now, despite Mrs. Olson’s suggestion that God had given them a second chance.
    “But, you still love him, don’t you?”
    Finally, it was five o’clock. “Some people you never get over.”
    “That’s too bad.”
    Darcy sighed, her last words ringing in her ears. Was that how she really felt about Jonas? “I think you’re good to go, Julie. I’ll close out the register and clean up.”
    Though Julie’s eyes remained concerned, her smile brightened. “You sure?”
    “I’m sure. Have you got a date tonight?”
    “Yes. I appreciate you sharing your story with me. I’m sorry that you’ve had to endure the town gossip. That has to be tough.”
    After Julie left, Darcy opened a few boxes, a shipment she’d received earlier that week. She hadn’t told Julie the rest of the story. Over time she’d fallen back into the routine of life. She’d forgiven her father, but felt like he owed her something. Last week’s funeral brought her full circle. She’d given up the love of her life to do the right thing because she loved her father. Yet, he’d not given her the one thing she needed—his approval.
    Though she was in the back, she heard the doorbell, the telltale signal she had another customer. With her distracted thoughts, she’d forgotten to lock the front door after Julie left. Darcy made her way through the back room and into the main shop. “I’m sorry, but we’re—”
    The subject of her thoughts today, and her conversation with Julie, stood in the center of the store amid the art and junk. Lean, rugged, and tougher than when she’d known him before, the expression on his gorgeous face was hard, except for the torment behind his eyes.
    The walls closed in around her.
    Escape was impossible.

    “What are you doing here?”
    Did she really have to ask?
    Dark and accusing, her hazel eyes stared at him like he’d committed a crime. Her thick hair was pulled behind her head again, a few strands hanging free, framing her pretty face and accenting her healthy complexion.
    She looked good. But he already knew that.
    Memories of running his fingers through her lush mane clawed at him. A decade ago and he could still remember. He scraped his hand across his freshly shaven jaw.
    He’d wanted her to be his wife, he should be able to talk to her. But he’d been young then. Too young.
    “Well?” She stepped over to the cash register.
    How did she scramble his brains in less than fifteen seconds? He couldn’t think to answer. Nor was she going to make this easy on him.
    All he wanted was to make progress.
    She opened the register and started the process of closing it out, counting the cash, as though Jonas didn’t mean a thing to her. Never had. They’d spent a decade apart—could he still read her?
    Yes. With the realization, he grinned.
    In her eyes he recognized what he’d been looking for.
    I need you to know why I left. That I’ve changed
. “I’m sorry for disturbing you. I just …”
    Lucas had coached him to approach her as an old friend. Start at the bottom. But with their history, would that work? “I wanted to know how you’re doing.”
    “I’m doing well. As you can see, I’ve got my own business here.” She barely glanced his way.
    “I was sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. Thought we could talk.” He was floundering.
    Darcy slammed the register drawer and yelped, yanking her fingers back.
    Jonas rushed around the counter. “Let me see that.”
    He took her hand in his and examined her red finger. He resisted the urge to kiss it. Like that would make it feel better.
    Her soft skin sent