Read Online Silver Christmas by Helen Scott Taylor - Free Book Online Page A

toilet break and
then shrugged on his coat. "Go and hop in the car, Chloe. We'll be
right out."
    Jennifer wandered back into the kitchen,
wearing her jeans and the oversized old sweater he'd loaned her.
She'd bought some new clothes, so he had no idea why she was still
wearing his old sweater.
    "Do you want your cup of tea before we
go?"
    Jennifer picked up her cup and took a sip.
"You two go without me."
    "Why don't you want to come with us?"
    She shrugged. "The kittens might need
me."
    "The kittens are fine, and you've just
checked them, anyway." He didn't understand her. They'd been
getting along so well, and now she was pulling away from him. If
she hurt Chloe, he'd be furious.
    "Your daughter is waiting in the car for
you." He couldn't keep the reprimand out of his voice.
    Her gaze darted to his, lines on her
forehead. "Buying a Christmas tree is something for you and Chloe
to do together. I don't want to hijack your father-daughter
time."
    Owen blew out a breath. "We've had ten years
of father-daughter time. It's about time we had some family time
where she gets to shop for a Christmas tree with both her
parents. Don't let her down, Jennifer."
    Her cheeks flushed and she set down her
teacup. "I was trying to be considerate."
    "Well, don't. Be a mother." He knew he
sounded harsh, but he was fed up with worrying about what would
happen next. He just wanted Jennifer to be a proper mother to
Chloe. And he wanted Jennifer to feel the same way about him as he
did about her.
    So, why don't you tell her how you
feel? the little voice inside his head whispered.
    • • •
    Either Owen was a very good actor, or he really
didn't mind having her along on his shopping trip with Chloe. As
they turned into the garden center car park, between two tall
Christmas trees blinking with colored lights, Jennifer cast him a
curious sideways glance.
    Why was he being so understanding? She hadn't
expected this.
    "Here we are." Owen halted the vehicle in a
parking space and cut the engine.
    Chloe let out a whoop and Paddy jumped around
on the backseat at Chloe's side, picking up on her excitement.
    Owen climbed out and rounded the car, helping
Chloe down from the high vehicle before passing the end of Paddy's
leash to her. "Hold him tight. There are lots of cars around."
    "I know, Dad. I have eyes."
    "That's enough back talk from you, young
lady." He tugged playfully on her ponytail.
    Jennifer pushed open the passenger door and
Owen stepped in front of her, smiling. "Let me help you down." He
settled a hand on either side of her waist.
    She had no choice but to rest her palms on
his shoulders as he lifted her from the high vehicle. Once he set
her on her feet, his firm grip lingered on her waist, the corners
of his eyes crinkling, a roguish twinkle in their brown depths.
    Sensation pinged beneath her skin, stealing
her breath. She'd been so certain of what she wanted when she came
back to Rosemoor—to get to know her daughter. She'd had no desire
to resurrect her long-dead relationship with Owen. Yet she couldn't
deny the effect he had on her. The chemistry between them was still
there.
    Was he flirting with her out of habit, or did
that twinkle in his eyes mean something? As she lost herself in the
pleasure of being close to him, she found it difficult to remember
the bitterness and anger she'd hung on to for so many years.
    "Come on, Mum and Dad. Hurry up."
    Chloe's words snapped Jennifer out of her
dreamy thoughts, and she remembered why she was here. She had to be
careful around Owen. When he turned on the charm, she forgot
everyone else.
    They headed inside the foyer of the huge
wooden building that looked like a massive alpine chalet, with a
model Santa on a sleigh pulled by a string of reindeer high on the
shingled roof.
    Paddy towed Chloe between the displays of
potted plants and garden furniture, following his nose towards the
pet section.
    "Oh no, you don't, Paddy Paws. We're not
going to that part today." Owen took over the leash and