Read Online A Chesapeake Shores Christmas by Sherryl Woods - Free Book Online

for very simple bouquets that you might like. Maybe I’ll make them up, so you can get a better idea if they’re closer to what you pictured.”
    “Would you mind?” Megan asked, pleased.
    “Of course not. If we’re not swamped on Friday with all of those Christmas sale shoppers wandering around town, I’ll do it then,” Bree promised. “Stop by sometime in the afternoon.”
    “Would you like an extra pair of hands in the morning in case it is busy?” Megan asked. “You shouldn’t be on your feet too much.”
    “I have it covered,” Bree assured her. She met Megan’s gaze. “Mom, in case I didn’t make it clear when you and Dad announced your plans, I am really happy for you. I’m especially glad you’ll be here when the baby comes.”
    Her eyes misty, Megan pulled her daughter into an embrace. “Me, too, sweetie. Me, too.”
    In fact, that was just one of the many reasons she could hardly wait to come home again.

    Mick walked into the bank right after he saw Megan leave. He acknowledged Mariah, but walked straight past her and into Lawrence’s office. The banker regarded him with amusement.
    “I wondered how long it would take before you showed up,” he said. “You’ve never been able to leave well enough alone when it comes to your family.”
    “Have you?” Mick retorted, thinking of Lawrence’s efforts to coerce Trace into taking over the bank, even though Trace’s sister, Laila, was the member of the family who truly loved banking.
    “Guilty,” Lawrence admitted. “I assume you’re here to say you’ll back this loan of Megan’s as long as she doesn’t find out about it.”
    Mick nodded. “Draw up whatever paperwork you want. I’ll sign it. Give her whatever she asked for.”
    Lawrence chuckled. “That’s pretty much what I expected from you, Mick. Would it surprise you to know that I was going to recommend approval based solely on Megan’s business plan?”
    Mick didn’t even try to hide his shock. “Really? The plan’s solid?”
    “You haven’t seen it?”
    “She wouldn’t show it to me,” he said, more disgruntled by that than ever. “Said she had to do this on her own.”
    “Good for her,” Lawrence said approvingly. “I think you should let her.” He gave Mick a knowing look. “And as a favor to you, I’ll keep this little meeting just between us. Consider it a wedding present.”
    Feeling foolish, Mick nodded. “I appreciate that,” he said. “I don’t suppose you’d let me see that business plan, would you?”
    “You probably should ask Megan for a glimpse of it,” Lawrence responded. “But considering our long history and knowing how this secrecy must be killing you, I’ll let you see it.” He handed it across the desk. “I need to run an errand. Those papers don’t leave this room, understood?”
    “Of course,” Mick said, pulling out the annoying but necessary pair of reading glasses he kept tucked in his pocket these days.
    Already absorbed, he barely noticed when Lawrence left the room. He’d only just made it through Megan’s overview of the gallery’s potential and taken his first glance at her financial estimates, when the door to Lawrence’s office opened and Trace stepped in.
    “I heard you were in here,” his son-in-law said. He glanced at the papers in Mick’s hand and added, “I assume that’s Megan’s business plan and her loan application.”
    Mick nodded guiltily. “Don’t you dare say one word about this,” he ordered Trace.
    “That must mean you’ve gone behind Megan’s back and are trying to interfere,” Trace said knowingly.
    “I’m looking out for her, that’s all.”
    “Would she see it that way?”
    Mick sighed. “Probably not, which is why this stays between the two of us.”
    “So, how much of a loan are you secretly guaranteeing?” Trace asked.
    “None,” Mick said. “Your father seems to think she doesn’t need my backing.”
    At his disgruntled tone, Trace’s grin spread. “That must have