Read Online The Christmas Wish by Maggie Marr - Free Book Online Page B

through him. His gloved hands remained at his sides. The desire to touch her, to pull her close, to turn to her and tilt her head toward his so that he might grasp her lips with his became more intense with every hour that passed. She was comfortable and familiar and just easy to be with in a way he’d never experienced. In a way he wanted to continue experiencing.
    They stopped in front of the store window at Curios & Crowns, and Brinn pointed into the window. “See the angels?”
    Tyler nodded.
    “Savannah McGrath does those each Christmas. I had a special one made for Ma. Should be done next week. I love Savannah’s work.”
    “We commissioned one of her pieces last year as a focal point outside one of our new buildings in Denver. People always stop to look.”
    “She makes her work come alive.” Brinn turned from the window, and they continued walking down Main.
    “Look where we are.” Tyler pointed to the door of Bea & Barbara’s Bakery. “Want to go in?”
    Brinn’s mouth squished into a line. She peered inside the front window as though she were looking for someone.
    “Uh, sure.” She pulled open the door before he could and darted inside the bakery. A bell jingled and Brinn muttered something under her breath. They walked toward the counter where a familiar-looking woman with bright pink hair and a leopard-print apron stood helping customers.
    “Hey, you two!”
    Brinn waved. She waited until the pink-haired woman finished with the customers. “Tyler, this is Alison.”
    Alison’s hand jutted out. “I was five years behind you in school. But my cousin was a year ahead of your class. Mathilda Cooper?”
    “Right!” Tyler nodded and smiled. “I remember Mathilda. Whatever happened to her?”
    “Married an Air Force guy. They travel all over the world. Have three kids. We see them sometimes on holidays.”
    Brinn shot Alison a look. What was that about? He couldn’t read what was going on between the two of them. Alison’s eyes widened and she shook her head no. Brinn smiled and her shoulders relaxed.
    “How about a couple of cinnamon coffees and cannoli?” Alison opened the display case and started plopping the sweet confections into a box.
    “No coffee for me. I have to be at the Grande by eight tomorrow.”
    Tyler glanced at his watch. The time was already close to ten. “Brinn, I’m sorry.” He reached for the box of cannoli and tried to give Alison some money, but she wouldn’t take it. “I thought you’d have Saturday off from the Grande, and it’s nearly ten. I should probably get you home.”
    Brinn’s shoulders sagged the tiniest bit at his suggestion. Was he doing a bad job on their date? He thought they were having fun, but when they’d stopped at the bakery, Brinn’s entire demeanor changed. Suddenly he wasn’t certain she wanted to be on a date with him.
    “I’ll drive you home.” Tyler took the box of cannoli and followed Brinn out the front door of the bakery.
    A few minutes later, they climbed into his truck, which was still parked in front of the diner. He drove through town and headed the direction of Brinn’s house. Silence filled the cab. This silence held a heavy feeling, much different than their time at the diner or walking down Main Street. A quiet had built between them since they’d entered the bakery.
    He pulled into her drive. White lights trimmed the edges of Brinn’s windows, and a tree sat on the other side of the front window. What would it be like to start a fire and sit on the couch and kiss Brinn? He’d like to find out.
    “Would you like to come in?”
    “I wouldn’t want to impose.” Tyler stared out the front window of his truck.
    “It’s not an imposition. I would love for you to come in, it’s just”—Brinn brushed her mittened hand across her forehead—“I’m sorry. I don’t feel like I’ve been myself tonight.”
    Her eyes held such sincerity. A vulnerability that he completely understood. This was her first date in a long