Southern Hearts (Southern Love Series) Read Online Free Page A

him what he wanted to hear.
    "I'm in the middle of closing," Farrah started to
say when the restaurant door dinged, letting her know there was another customer.
Looking back at Austin, she said, "You can go in my office and I'll bring
you something after I get this customer situated."
    Austin nodded his head. When he looked back at Farrah, he
noticed that the customer was a suspicious looking man who seemed jittery. He
stood in the hallway, not wanting to leave Farrah alone with the customer.
    He wondered why she should be alone in the restaurant. His
cellphone rang. Picking it up, he answered it but kept his eyes glued to
Farrah.
    "McBride," he answered.
    "Hey, cousin, whatcha up to?"
    His cousin Texas Ranger Shane McBride couldn't call at a
better time. "I'm at Southern Rose Eatery, I need you to get over here as
soon as possible."
    "I know that place. They make the best liver and
onions." Shane whistled.
    "There’s this strange guy who appeared to be casing
the restaurant before I got here," Austin said as he continued to watch
Farrah. He could tell by her body language that she was nervous.
    "I'll be there in five minutes," Shane said and
hung up.
    "Sweetheart," Austin said as he walked back up
front. Farrah looked up at him. "My cousin Ranger McBride wants to pick up
a plate in five minutes. I told him the restaurant is closing, but he said he
can't get enough of your liver and onions with bacon."
    "Goddamn! Let me count my lucky stars. You're Austin
McBride." The man smiled, revealing missing teeth.
    "The one and only." Austin stepped behind Farrah."Were
you going to order something?"
    The man ordered a chocolate chip cookie that cost only
fifty cents and left.
    "Is your cousin still coming for that liver and
onions?"
    "Yes," Austin said as he looked up from his
Blackberry. "Why are you the only one in the restaurant?"
    Farrah could feel Austin's eyes reprimanding her as she
went to lock the front doors. "You can keep an eye out for him."
    "You didn't answer my question."
    "To be honest, I can't really afford it, so I let my
staff go thirty minutes before closing time." Farrah turned her attention
to the beef. Austin watched Farrah attentively until someone knocked on the
front door.
    "Well, if isn't the good old Texas Ranger Shane
McBride," Austin said as he walked to the door and opened it for his
cousin.
    Farrah turned around for a quick second to catch a glimpse
of Shane McBride. Her first thought about Shane McBride was that he was a
Casanova wearing a black cowboy hat. He was the same height as Austin and
medium built. His body was defined.
    "I checked out the guy who just left and let's just
say he has a very extensive criminal record." Shane had a southern accent
that any woman would want to listen to all day and night.
    Austin turned and looked at Farrah. "Did you hear what
Ranger Shane just said?" He nudged her shoulder.
    "I heard Ranger Shane. I will revise the
schedule." Farrah looked at Shane. "Hi, I'm Farrah Rue."
    Shane's eyes roamed over Farrah's face and body.
"Shane McBride. If you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to call
me," he said, placing his card in her hand.
    Austin watched in horror as his cousin flirted with Farrah.
"Don't you have a ticket to write, Ranger Shane?"
    "I didn't know you owned Southern Rose. I try to eat
here every chance I get. I think I will make it my business to eat here every
day just for the view," Shane said, completely ignoring Austin.
    Farrah blushed. "Are you going to eat here? Or do you
want to take it home?"
    "He's a busy man, Farrah. Better make his meal to
go." Austin looked around the kitchen for the carryout trays.
    "I have a few minutes to waste, plus I think I just
found a date for my cousin's wedding."
    "She is catering the wedding," Austin informed
him. "She won't have time to be your date."
    "Why don't you guys go out there and talk and I'll
bring the food out." Farrah needed a break from Shane's flirtatious ways.
    Austin sat across the table from