Read Online A Nantucket Christmas by Nancy Thayer - Free Book Online

was young?”
    “Sure, honey, but I don’t think there are any maternity shops on the island.”
    “I don’t need maternity clothes, silly daddy,” Kennedy laughed. “I’m thinking some nice winter boots, maybe a purse … and I can always use jewelry, of course.”
    “Kennedy, you little minx,” James teased, “why don’t you wait and see what you get for Christmas?”
    “Because I want to be with my daddy,” Kennedy cooed.
    “Get some clothes on, princess,” Sebastian said. “I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
    Kennedy threw her arms around Sebastian. “Oh, thank you, Daddy. And will you take me out to lunch, too? Just you and me?”
    Sebastian gave his winsome daughter a doting glance. “Of course. Where do you want to eat?”
    “Oh, I don’t care,” Kennedy told him. “Any place where the food is hot and plentiful.” Clumsily, she rose from her chair and shuffled into her bedroom to dress.
    In a low voice, Sebastian asked James, “Do you mind that I’m going off for a private lunch with Kennedy?”
    “Are you kidding? This will give me a chance to spend some time alone with Maddox. Besides,” James winked, “I’m kind of
persona non grata
with Kennedy right now.”
    “You are? Why?”
    “Because she’s pregnant and I’m not.”
    The two men shared a conspiratorial chuckle.
    Nicole busied herself at the sink, forcing back a gulp of self-pity. Everyone in the house had intimate knowledge of pregnancy and birth. James had, and was sharing it with Kennedy. Sebastian had shared it with Katya. Nicole had never been pregnant. As a nurse, she’d seen babies come into the world, but she’d never had her own.
    “Thanks, Nicole.” James brought his empty plate and silverware to the sink. “That was a treat.”
    His friendliness flashed over her like warmth. He headed through the mudroom to the back door. “Maddox!” he called. “Hey, Mad Man! Guess what?”
    Nicole watched out the window as James squatted down to peer inside the fort. A moment later, Sebastian’s arms circled her waist. His breath stirred her hair.
    “You don’t mind, do you?” he whispered. “I think Kennedy will be more receptive to you once she sees you haven’t come between us.”
    “Of course I don’t mind,” Nicole lied. She wanted to burst into tears. She wanted to stamp her food like a child, crying,
Everyone’s leaving me out!
Turning in his arms, she snuggled against him, soaking in the steadiness of his love.
    “Daddy, I’m ready!” Kennedy entered the kitchen, chic in her camel-hair coat and tasseled wool hat.
    “I’ll get my coat,” Sebastian said, going into the front hall.
    “I’ll go out back and tell Maddox and James goodbye,” Kennedy said. “Meet you outside.”
    Kennedy walked right past Nicole and out the door without saying a word, as if Nicole didn’t even exist.

13
    Kennedy linked her arm through her father’s as they strolled down India Street toward town. Her heart swelled with triumph. A light snow was just beginning to fall, its flakes as white and soft as down, making the day even more magical.
    “I love being here with you, Daddy.” She leaned her head against his arm for a moment.
    “I’m glad, Kabey.”
    “Let’s look at the windows on Main Street,” Kennedy suggested. “The merchants are always so clever.” She was subtly steering her father toward lower Main Street and the Jewel of the Isle. Truly, she deserved a diamond for Christmas, and she knew she wasn’t getting one from James because she’d had a secret shuffle through his desk and discovered he was giving her a new Mercedes SUV. Nice, but of course he was being more practical than romantic. He wanted his precious children to ride in safety.
    “Oh.” Kennedy gripped her father’s arm. “Stop a minute.”
    Concerned, Sebastian inquired, “Are you having a contraction?”
    “Yes. Don’t worry. They’re just Braxton Hicks. I went into the hospital three times with Maddox, thinking I was