Read Online Mistletoe in Maine by Ginny Baird - Free Book Online Page A

fact.”
    She bloomed bright red like a Christmas poinsettia.
    “That came out badly,” he said, still furiously chopping.
    She widened her eyes in terror. “Watch it!”
    Paul looked down to see he’d nearly added his index finger to the stew.
    “Wow,” he said, setting down the knife in a sweat. Why was he so darn nervous? Was it the fact that his mom was getting hitched? Possibly hitched? She might even say no, he reminded himself.
    He met Carol’s concerned gaze and understood immediately that his being on edge had much less to do with his mom and a lot more to do with the woman in front of him. Her deep dark eyes were centered on his, her lovely face lined with concern.
    “Where was I?” he asked, feeling as if he’d completely lost his place in the world.
    “Asking me if I was all right.” Her gaze traveled to the knife on the chopping block, then back up to his again. “But maybe the question should be reversed?”
    “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He leaned into the counter, releasing a breath.
    “I’m not totally myself this afternoon. I’ve just had a bit of a surprise, that’s all.” In truth, it was more than a bit . Not only had the news from Zach come as a shock, Paul had just admitted to himself he was attracted, seriously attracted, to one certain single mom from Virginia. He’d been fighting it ever since she got here and totally trashed his new dog sled. He hadn’t put it out in the garbage at all and had said so only to make her feel better. And making Carol Baker feel better was definitely a good thing. While her skiing trip had proved initially harrowing, once she’d lived through it, she’d seemed to perk right up. Totally upbeat and sunny, running all over town exploring things with her cute kids. And when she turned her chocolate-colored eyes on him and smiled, it was all Paul could do to recall theirs was supposed to be a client-innkeeper relationship.
    “What’s the matter?” she asked sincerely.
    “It wouldn’t be professional sharing my personal problems with you.”
    “Then why don’t you think of me as someone else?”
    “Like who?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe a concerned neighbor? Someone who dropped by for a cup of sugar.”
    I could show you some sugar, all right , Paul thought, before mentally slapping himself with a jolt. What was he thinking? That he’d make a move on her, right here and now? It was only four in the afternoon, but you’d think he’d dipped into the eggnog already. Heavy on the bourbon. And here I am worrying about Daniel! Could it be because that apple didn’t fall far from this tree?
    The back of Paul’s neck flashed hot. “You first.”
    “Me?” she asked with surprise.
    “Fair’s fair, Carol. You tell me what’s troubling you, then maybe…just maybe I’ll dish about what’s eating me.”
    She narrowed her eyes, then shook her head. “All right, but you promise not to think I’m silly?”
    “Nothing you could tell me would be silly.”
    “I…” she began, her voice cracking. She pulled a tissue from a box on the counter and dabbed the corner of one eye. “I had a talk with Will…”
    Maybe this was worse than he thought, something he was unprepared to deal with. “And?”
    Carol broke down in a sob. He yanked more tissues from the box and handed them over. “Carol? What is it?”
    She met his gaze, bleary-eyed. “May baby’s growing up!” she cried.
    Paul laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. “There, there. It happens to all of them.”
    “Who?”
    “Kids.”
    She sniffed, balling the tissues in her hand. “It’s true. One minute you’re changing their diapers. The next, they’re chasing you out the door, telling you to get a life.”
    “Have you been talking to Daniel?” Paul asked with alarm.
    She shot him a puzzled look. “Daniel? No, why?”
    “It’s nothing, really,” he said, passing her more tissues. “Carol?”
    “Huh?”
    “You’ve got really great kids.”
    “Thanks.” She gave a