Read Online A Family This Christmas by Sue MacKay - Free Book Online Page A

to fall into his life to help out. ‘Does she look after the boys in the school holidays, too?’
    ‘No. They go to my parents on the farm. They love it out there so much it’s always a battle to bring them home at the start of term.’
    Parents.
Parents.
She missed her mum and dad. They understood what she was doing and why. Didn’t they?
    Cam stood up. ‘Time I headed to Blenheim. Anything you want before I go?’
    ‘No, I’m fine, thanks.’
Oh, for pity’s sake, it won’t hurt to ask a favour of him.
Swallow. ‘Um, you couldn’t get my tablet for me, could you?’
    ‘Of course.’ He looked puzzled that she had to ask. ‘Where is it?’
    ‘At the bottom of my bag.’ Which meant he’d have to dig through all her clothes, including her underwear. If he even found her slightly attractive he’d only have to remember the boring, plain white knickers and bras he’d find there and he’d sober up fast.
    Within minutes Cam had placed a bottle of iced water, some fruit and her tablet on the table beside her. He added a notepad with his email address at the top. ‘In case you need anything.’
    A hug wouldn’t go astray. Gulp. What? A hug? Why?
    Because she felt a wee bit lonely right now. Being forced to stay put so wasn’t helping her cause. Instead she was doing stupid things, like considering emailing Mum and Dad and telling them where she was and how she’d managed to end up here when usually she only said enough for them to know she was still alive and kicking.
    A deep breath and her shoulders went back. ‘Hopefully, I won’t be annoying you. Have a good afternoon, and I’ll see you later.’
    A finger lifted her chin and knowing brown eyes locked with hers. ‘Believe me, an hour after we get home you’ll be wishing for the peace and quiet again. School doesn’t tire my boys. Instead, it winds them up even more.’
    ‘They’re like those battery bunnies from the TV ads.’
    ‘Sometimes I wish I could just take out their batteries.’ Cam’s thumb slid across her chin before he dropped his hand to his side.
    If she hadn’t known better she’d have said it had been a caress. But she did know better. Cam had enough on his plate to deal with, without having the time or the need to be caressing her. ‘Cam?’ When she had his complete attention again she said, ‘I really appreciate all you’ve done for me. Don’t say you have to either, because you don’t.’
    ‘My lips are sealed.’
    Her
lips tipped up into a smile. ‘Why did you bring me into your home?’
    ‘My lips are sealed.’
    Lips. Cam’s lips. What would they feel like on hers? She watched as he stepped off the deck and headed for the front of the house without a backward glance. This whole scenario was alien to her, and yet it was tugging her in, wrapping around her, making her feel comfortable for brief moments of time. She tapped the tablet into life.

    Hi Mum and Dad. That’s great news about your trip to Sydney in the New Year.

    This was where she’d normally sign off. But her fingers kept tapping the keys.

    I am currently in Havelock. It’s a quaint little town on the Pelorus Sound, famous for the green-lipped mussels grown in the sounds and packaged here at a small factory.

    She stared out across the lawn to the hills beyond the Sound. According to her hiking book there were some walking tracks over there. Not that she’d been planning on doing any of those as she hadn’t intended stopping here for longer than it took to eat lunch. But now she’d love the opportunity.

    Mum, Dad, don’t panic but I’ve broken my ankle. A silly little accident that has rendered me next to useless for a few days. The local doctor has kindly put me up until I’m ready to move on.

    She chuckled. That made Cam sound old and avuncular.

    He has two boys he’s bringing up on his own. They’re just adorable. Sigh. That’s about it this time. Love you both heaps, Jenny.

    She didn’t hesitate, touched Send, and the longest email