Read Online Christmas at Evergreen Inn by Donna Alward - Free Book Online

before it gets too late and cold.”
    Of course. She reached for her purse and hooked it over her shoulder, then opened the door to the cab. “I never thought of that. Of course you want to check on your own place.” She reached for the bags of goods from the bakery and hefted one of the restaurant boxes.
    He hopped out and came around the front of the truck, carrying the other box. “Thanks for the invite, though,” he said, following her up the walk. “Maybe I’ll take a rain check.”
    At the door she paused. Her keys were in her coat pocket and her hands were full. She put everything down carefully and reached for the key ring, surprised when his strong hand circled her wrist. “I’ll call you,” he said, giving her wrist a squeeze.
    â€œOkay.” The word came out breathless, like she’d been holding her breath and suddenly let it out. Her fingers fumbled with the keys but she finally got the right one in the lock and opened the door. Then she picked up the food and stepped inside, Todd following her in and shutting the door behind him. For a few minutes they were busy taking everything to the kitchen, and all too soon they were back at the front door and she was seeing him off.
    â€œThanks again for the help today. I really appreciate it.”
    â€œIt was no problem. I’d say we’re even.” When her cheeks heated, he smiled, popping a dimple in his cheek. “You make a mean breakfast, Lainey.”
    Lord, he was a tease. He leaned forward and placed a light kiss on her cheek. “I’ll call you,” he repeated. Apparently he wasn’t giving up so easily.
    She nodded, unable to speak. The days’ worth of stubble on his face scraped her cheek, and his lips were soft and warm. She was tempted to turn her head, just a bit, and kiss his lips. But the door was open and guests were around and so she took a step back.
    â€œDrive carefully,” she cautioned.
    â€œI will.”
    He jogged down the steps and walkway to the truck, got in, and started the engine with a rumble. He lifted one hand in a wave and then he was gone.
    She shut the door and turned around to find one of the sisters—Christine, if Lainey remembered right—grinning at her.
    â€œPhew,” Christine said. “A man like that would make a girl want to commit a crime just so he could put her in handcuffs.”
    Lainey burst out laughing, horrified and amused all at once. There was no sense in denying anything, not with that farewell kiss in plain view. “He’s something, all right.” She fanned her hot face. “And he’s also a heartbreaker.”
    â€œA good man and a heartbreaker? That’s a lethal combination.”
    â€œWhich is why I’ve stayed away.”
    â€œUntil now.”
    She laughed. “Oh, nothing’s going to come of it. I’m sure of that.” Todd might have shown some interest in the last twenty-four hours, but he’d avoided her plenty in the decade or so they’d been of dating age. This was probably nothing more than a game to him. A flirtation, to use an old-fashioned term. “Now let’s get dinner on the table. Gino’s cooking is amazing.”
    The evening passed quickly, and by eleven Lainey retired to her quarters again. But this time it was different. Tonight she could see Todd there, sitting on her sofa, kissing her by the fire, the light of the flames flickering in the amber whiskey in his glass.
    She let out a sigh. The stupid thing was that one night was all it took for him to invade her thoughts and fantasies.
    He was right about one thing, though. All through dinner tonight she’d heard the guests talking about their holiday plans, and then they’d gathered in the parlor next to the Christmas tree and watched It’s a Wonderful Life on TV. She’d thought about her little house, naked of all Christmas decorations and cheer. It was lonely. But she still