Read Online A Love of Her Own by Bettye Griffin - Free Book Online

gone. “Sure,” she said.
    “ How’d you make out with your car?”
    “ It made me glad I bought a policy to cover repairs,” she replied with a smile. Her mechanic had called first thing that morning and informed her that the transmission on her car was shot. It had always been a bit jerky at times, so she was careful to have it serviced at the recommended intervals so the insurance people couldn’t refuse to pay the claim if it gave out. They told her it would be ready on Friday, since they were taking a few days off for the holiday. “I’m using a rental. The insurance pays for that, too.”
    “ Was it the transmission?”
    “ You got it.” She smiled at him. “Thanks for coming by, Hilton. Again, I’m sorry I forgot.”
    “ No problem.”
    “ If I don’t see you, you have a safe trip.”
    “ Thanks. And Merry Christmas.”
    Hilton leaned in just a tad as he spoke, and Ava ’s spine automatically straightened. Afraid she would forget herself and step into his arms, she wanted to keep the distance between them intact…and impersonal. What she didn’t realize was that in her defiance she raised her chin, as if she expected to be kissed.
    Her shoulders sagged in disappointment when he turned to leave. “The same to you,” she called after him. She stood in the doorway watching as he walked down the short walk in front of her house, retreating before he walked around to the driver’s side and could see her standing there wearing an expression of what she knew was unabashed hunger. Hilton White pressed all her buttons and set her pulse racing. The mere sight of him was all she needed to think about was how he’d kissed her senseless two nights ago…and how she longed for more of the same.
    “ That was Hilton,” she announced when she joined the others.
    “ The mystery man,” Vicky said. “I heard from Kendall. I wanted to come out to look, but I didn’t want to be too obvious.”
    “ Unlike some people I know,” Ava said, with a meaningful glance Kendall’s way.
    “ Don’t get salty, Ava. All I did was invite him to our tree-trimming.”
    “ So why didn’t he stay?” Vicky asked. “We’ve got plenty to eat.”
    “ Don’t take this personal, but it was because you guys are here.”
    “ Why didn’t you tell us?” Kendall demanded, practically shrieking. “We’d’ve left!”
    “ It’s not that big a deal.” Ava explained about the estimate and that they planned to discuss it after he returned to town.
    “ So he’s a carpenter, huh?” Vicky commented. “I’ll bet he’s handy to have around the house.”
    “Yes, he owns his own business , carpentry and general household projects.”
    “He’s like Spencer in that respect,” Kendall remarked. “He came to this area with a plan to work for himself.”
    Vicky looked at Kendall curiously. “How do you feel about him being a blue-collar man?”
    “It’s fine with me. You know I’m not like that, Vicky. It’s not like I’ve only dated plastic surgeons or something.”
    “ Not that dating a plastic surgeon would be a bad thing,” Kendall said. “After all, you wouldn’t want to be a snob just because a man has a few bucks and the ability to do away with your love handles.”
    “ Kendall said he mentioned going up to Augusta for Christmas. Is that where he’s from?” Vicky asked.
    “ I don’t know, Vicky,” Ava replied shortly. Instantly she realized how she sounded. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bite your head off.”
    Vicky and Kendall exchanged glances. “It’s all right, Ava,” Vicky said. “We know you’re frustrated because you don’t know yourself.”
    Ava couldn ’t argue. “I can’t explain it. I barely know the man, and yet I find myself wanting to know all about him.” Especially one thing…
    “ Don’t worry, you will,” Kendall said. “I’ve always hated it when people tell you all about themselves the first time you meet them. Where they were born, where they went to school, what