Read Online Tug of Attraction by Ashlyn Chase - Free Book Online Page B

It’s a very cheerful and comfortable place...for two.”
    Silence on the other end made her wonder if she was right back where she’d started.
    “Fine. I’ll think about it some more. Do you have cats, by the way?”
    “No. Just one dog, Goldie.”
    The dog heard her name, barked, and pushed her way into the bedroom, wagging her tail. Brigit sat up and reached over to give her a morning pat and scratch.
    “Oh.”
    “Why did you ask about cats?”
    “I did some research and read where cats can carry some kind of illness to pregnant women. Something called Toxoplasmosis that can cause birth defects. You might have to quit your job.”
    Brigit sighed. “I know about toxoplasmosis, but pregnant women have cats as pets and they manage just fine. You shouldn’t handle their feces. That’s all.”
    “So how do pregnant women with cats change the litter? Oh, that’s right. They probably have husbands or live in boyfriends who’ll do it for them.”
    She smiled slyly. “You were hoping I had a cat?”
    “No. I was concerned about the baby. That’s who would suffer.”
    Brigit felt about two inches tall. Ethan wasn’t like most men. He wasn’t trying to get into her pants or into her wallet. He was honestly just concerned about her long-range goal. “You know what?”
    “What?”
    “You’re a pretty special guy. Can I bring you a picnic lunch today?”
    “You don’t have to work?”
    “No. They give me days off for good behavior.”
    “Okay. That would be nice.” She swore she could hear the smile in his voice. “I still have to stay close to the harbor. Maybe there’s a section of town that’s not haunted and we can have a nice quiet lunch together.”
    “We can hope.”
    “Do you want to meet in Market Square? Say at one o’clock?”
    “Sure. I’ll be the one with the pink cashmere sweater, holding a picnic basket.”
    He chuckled. “I’d know you if you were wearing nothing but the basket.”
    They rang off and Brigit hopped out of bed. For some reason, even though he hadn’t agreed to her terms, she felt like they were getting closer. They were certainly growing closer as friends. She found herself thinking about him in spicier terms too...and liking it.
    * * * *
    A t exactly one o’clock Ethan strolled into Market Square. Brigit sat on one of the benches chatting to a woman with a covered stroller.
    Every time he looked at her she was always beautiful, but today she showed a sad kind of beauty he hadn’t noticed lately. Maybe it was just the wistful way she watched the stroller glide back and forth as the woman was lulling the child.
    He tucked his hands in his pockets and approached slowly.
    The mother spotted him first. “Oh, this must be your friend.”
    “Yes.” Brigit gave him a welcoming smile. “Well, it was nice chatting with you.” She rose and gave Ethan a kiss on the cheek. “Hi, you.”
    “Hi yourself. Are you ready to go exploring?”
    She picked up the basket and said, “Lead the way.”
    He placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her down the street. They walked in silence toward a small marina.
    Glancing over at her he asked, “So far, so good?”
    “All clear of spirit entities.”
    “Good. There are benches with chess tables built in over here. Do you play?”
    “No, but I remember how to play checkers—I think.”
    “Been a while?”
    “Yeah. I used to play against my grandfather. I rarely won. I hope you didn’t come with chess pieces in your pocket.”
    He laughed. “I’m prepared for a lot, but not everything.”
    “This is a pretty spot. Any chance you’d be comfortable sitting on the dock itself, dangling our feet over the water?”
    He smirked at her. “Really?”
    She laughed. “Oh yeah. Look who I’m talking to—a tug boat captain.”
    He held her hand and guided her to the dock and let her set out the spread she’d brought. She went all out. Checkered table cloth, club sandwiches, deviled eggs, two bags of chips, a pitcher of