Read Online Pennyroyal Christmas (A Ruthorford Holiday Story Book 1) by Shanon Grey - Free Book Online Page B

by Sunday night, the lights are turned on. They work in teams and work all night long. From Abbott Bed and Breakfast, which feeds the hordes, to every business on Main Street, as well as the houses along it, including some on the side streets—more and more of the residents are getting into the act—no surface goes untransformed. Currier and Ives would be proud of this town.”
    The truck began to move out past Merc’s. Even it shined in finery.
    “Well, I’m impressed.” She turned back around and stifled a yawn.
    “You’re tired. Let me get you home.”
    “I am a bit. The movers should be here in the morning and I really want to get things unloaded so I can get back to work. I’m very excited about my studio.”
    “Well, Teresa dropped off something for dinner. I put it in your refrigerator.”
    Kat leaned back against the headrest. “That’s the best news I’ve had in a while.”
    They pulled up in front of the cabin. Rowe opened the back door of the truck and Tramp bolted into the darkness. He helped Kat down and got her luggage out of the back, stopping beside her as she looked at the porch. Tiny lights twinkled across the porch roofline. Garland surrounded the door and a huge wreath hung in the center.
    She turned to Rowe. “You did this?”
    “I had some help,” he admitted and led the way to the door.
    She opened the door and stepped inside, letting the coziness hug her. The smell of fresh pine assailed her senses. The mantel was covered in fresh garland with big red candles positioned on either end. Even her dining table had a basket of greens and colored ornaments in the center.
    “Oh, Rowe…,” she sighed, walking through, letting the sights warm her.
    Rowe set her luggage down in the hall leading to the bedroom and started for the front door.
    “Wait!” she called.
    He held the door open as Tramp paraded in, passed both of them and went to his bowl to sniff.
    Rowe closed the door. “I was just letting Tramp in.”
    Kat closed her eyes, embarrassed.
    She felt his hands ease up her arms, caress her neck, and then coach her chin up just a little. She opened her eyes and looked into obsidian orbs. His breath played against her lips, like a warm feather, as he spoke. “You know what I want more than anything?”
    “Yes,” she breathed back at him.
    His mouth descended on hers, seeking. She felt the heat course through her body and she moved into the circle of his arms. The kiss deepened and their tongues explored. She could feel his heart pound against hers.
    He lifted his head and looked at her. “I feel we need to talk. There is so much between us and yet so much unspoken.”
    She bit down on her lower lip and nodded. “You mean about what happened.”
    He stepped back. “Yes.”
    “Rowe, it was a lifetime ago.”
    “Kat, for you. For me it was like yesterday. You disappeared. I heard them yelling. Mostly him, actually. I’ve never heard anyone so angry.” He turned and walked into the kitchen, took a couple of bottles out of the refrigerator, removed the caps and handed her one.
    She let the carbonation burn down her throat. “Rowe. I don’t know much about what happened. I’ve had to live with the fact that they sent me away with no explanation and I never saw them again. I adjusted. Obviously, so did you.” Her voice hardened. “I am thrilled to see you again. I really am. I expected you to be married and settled down with kids. The fact that you aren’t excites me and scares me at the same time.”
    “I took me a long time but, eventually, I moved forward. I need some time to go through my mother’s things. What little remains.” She shook her head, walked over to the counter and slammed the drink bottle down.
    She spun back to face him resting her hands against the counter. “What happened up there so pisses me off. It was pure meanness. Had they known those pieces were one of a kind and valuable, I doubt they would have destroyed them. But, they did. My small