Read Online Colton's Christmas Baby by Karen Whiddon - Free Book Online Page B

town, trying to set Eve up on one blind date after another.
    So far, like the one last night with Gary, the dates had all been embarrassing disasters. Bonnie Gene refused to listen. She wanted grandbabies and would stop at nothing to get them.
    If only she knew…
    Eve rubbed her sore neck. Soon, she’d have her own little family of two. An unwed mother at thirty-nine. She couldn’t help but wonder what her sister Susan would say. Recently engaged to Duke Colton, Susan had asked Eve to be one of her bridesmaids. Eve had agreed, but soon she’d have to ask Susan how she felt about having a pregnant bridesmaid in her wedding.
    Despite her family and the fact that she’d grown up in Honey Creek, Eve had never felt so alone.
    Turning away from the window, Eve turned up the thermostat and thought longingly of Italy’s warm sunshine. She’d gone there alone on an impromptu vacation over the summer, and had met a sensuous Italian named Massimo. A chance encounter had turned into a whirlwind romance. Massimo had loved her for three wonderful, sun-drenched days before vanishing. She supposed she’d always understood a crazy fling like that would never last, that things had been too perfect to be real, but still…his disappearing act had hurt. She’d actually dared to believe that this time she’d found The One.
    Instead, her infatuation had been just that. Starved forattention, deprived of sex, she’d let physical attraction blind her to the fact that Massimo was a player. She’d come back to Honey Creek a little heart-sore, but wiser, completely unaware of the little life growing inside of her.
    Now, nearly four months and three missed periods later, she knew she was pregnant with Massimo’s child. Cupping her slightly rounded stomach, she paced the confines of her shop, marveling at the twist of fate that had brought her to this. She hadn’t yet gotten used to the idea, despite having known for one month.
    Part of her was mortified that, at nearly forty years old, she had gotten knocked up. She knew better and had, in fact, insisted on precautions.
    Another part of her was secretly thrilled. Her own baby! Though the town—already a soap opera of gossip and intrigue with the whole Mark Walsh mess—would flay her alive with their wagging tongues, she was keeping this baby. She’d realized she might never find a man of her own. Who knew if she’d ever get a chance to have another baby? This son or daughter was hers. She’d be her child’s sole parent, since all attempts to reach the man she’d known only by one name—Massimo—had been fruitless.
    She wanted to celebrate, to revel in her pregnancy. Still, she kept it secret, not wanting to take away from Susan’s wedding plans and the holiday. Plus, she wanted to enjoy the knowledge in private for as long as possible before becoming the object of pointing fingers and censuring eyes.
    Her thoughts went to Damien. He’d certainly understand that. Though he’d been sent to prison through no fault of his own, the people of Honey Creek persisted in treating him like a pariah.
    As they no doubt would treat her. Her body was changing. For now, she could hide that with loose clothing, but she wouldn’t be able to hide it much longer.
    She’d reveal her news in her own time. Until then, all of Eve’s energy went toward appearing normal, at least until the holidays were over. Eventually, she’d have no choice but to go public, but for now, no one needed to know. Except…she flushed. Damien Colton. Why she’d revealed her secret to the one man who attracted her above all others, she didn’t know.
    The salon was quiet—too quiet. She’d finished all of her morning appointments and all the afternoon clients had cancelled due to the impending blizzard. Eve knew she should close down the salon and head home, but she couldn’t seem to make herself move.
    Just