Vulnerable (Morgans of Nashville) Read Online Free Page A

thrown through her mother’s front window and she was harassed and chased several times. Some distrusted her. Some pitied her. But everyone, good or bad, had weighed in with an opinion about Amber Ryder. Finally, forced to drop out of high school, she homeschooled herself until a Good Samaritan offered her a scholarship to the University of Texas and she left Nashville for good.
    “How did you find me?” Georgia asked.
    “I called the station. They said you were singing tonight.”
    She wondered who had given out her location to a stranger. Wondered who would get an earful.
    “You said you’re reopening the case.”
    Georgia rose off her barstool. “That’s right. We’re going to be treating the case as a homicide now.”
    “You found the bodies?”
    “Not yet.”
    Amber nodded toward an empty booth. “Can we sit in one of the booths? I’m starving and could use a meal.”
    “Yeah, sure.” Amber had done more than change her black hair to blond. Gone were the thick bangs and heavy eye makeup that made her pale skin look sallow, the multiple piercings in her left ear, and the half dozen rings on her fingers. Now, natural gold-blond hair and faint traces of mascara accentuated vivid blue eyes and a peaches-and-cream complexion as smooth as a stone.
    Georgia caught KC’s gaze and noted the raised eyebrow. He was curious as well. Sights set on an empty booth, she led Amber to it and stood waiting until the woman lowered into the seat.
    This unexpected meeting had Georgia thumbing through all the questions she wanted to ask Amber. Instead, she raised her hand toward Carrie. “Can I get two menus? Starving.”
    Carrie grabbed a couple of menus and came toward the table. “Don’t you want the regular?”
    Burgers, fries, and more soda. She ordered the same thing every single time she ate at Rudy’s. “Sure. Amber?”
    Amber settled her backpack in the corner of the booth. “I’ll have the same.”
    “Carrie, bring one check,” Georgia said.
    Amber smiled. “Thanks. Been a day or so since I had a decent meal. I didn’t stop much on the drive up from Dallas.”
    Georgia watched Carrie walk away, noting the bruise on the back of her arm.
    Amber tapped her finger on the table. “Who’s hitting her?”
    Georgia turned back to Amber, feeling protective of Carrie’s privacy ignored the question.
    “I’m betting a boyfriend or husband. It bothers you.”
    “This conversation isn’t about Carrie.”
    “You’re right. Sorry.”
    Georgia sat back in her booth and waited until Carrie arrived with their drinks and a basket of rolls. “Thanks, Carrie.”
    Amber smiled up at her. “Thanks.”
    “KC says to drink and eat up, ladies. He said you both are too skinny.”
    As Carrie walked away, Amber unwrapped her straw and placed it carefully in her soda. She reached for a warm roll. She took a bite, her eyes closing for a second as she enjoyed the pure pleasure. “That really hits the spot.”
    “Good.”
    Georgia grabbed a piece of roll, tore off a section and bit into it. Soft and warm, it tasted good and filled some of the emptiness in her belly. She’d not really eaten since breakfast. “So you came from Dallas. You been there since you left Nashville.”
    “Yeah. Earned my degree last summer.”
    “In four years.”
    “Summer school helped. I wanted to be done so I could move on and get a real job. No more waiting tables.” Amber glanced toward KC and locked gazes with him. She smiled and then looked away. “He’s a cop.”
    “How can you tell?”
    “I talked to enough of them.”
    “He’s retired.”
    Nodding, she said, “I met a lot of cops during the investigation. I don’t remember him.”
    “He’s homicide. The case was classified as missing persons.”
    Frowning, she shook her head. “I spoke to a homicide detective.”
    Georgia had read in the case files that it had been her father who’d interviewed Amber. “You dealt with Buddy Morgan.”
    Recognition flickered. “Once, I