Read Online Yearning for Love by Alexis Lauren - Free Book Online Page A

I ask.
    “Exactly. I would love to see you get married and start having children, but, if that’s not meant to be, I’ll learn to accept it,” Mom says.
    I take her hand in mine and we sit in silence, thinking. That night, in bed, my mind goes over what she has told me. I know I have a lot to think about. Rolling over, I refuse to allow thoughts of Nate to invade my mind. As my eyes drift shut, I feel a new peace spreading within my heart. I know I’ll find a solution, with or without Nate. This time it’s only 1:30 when I fall asleep. The next day, it’s Friday and the eve of New Year’s Eve. Mom and I stay busy with the house and providing for our guests. I’m checking off the items I ordered from the list the delivery man gave me. As I verify that everything has been delivered as ordered, I put it away. Mom is in the large living room, sweeping up needles from the Christmas tree. She stores the hand vacuum away, and grabs a large jug to fill the Christmas tree holder with fresh water. As she’s walking back out, the doorbell chimes.
    “I’ll get that, Corey! You keep working on the order,” Mom says.
    “Sounds good. You expecting new guests?” I ask her.
    “Not till next week. Oh! Hello, my name is Brenda Temple. How are you today?”
    I hear the low rumble of a male voice in the doorway. I can’t quite make out who it is, but shivers run up and down my spine when what I hear next makes me nearly drop a heavy package of frozen chicken breasts.
    “My name is Nate Drummond. I’m looking for Corey Temple. I believe she’s your daughter?”
    “Yes. Yes, she is. She’s occupied right now. If you’ll just sit, I’ll bring her . . .”
    No, you will not, Mom. I’m finally beginning to get closer to a decision, and I don’t want that process ruined. What in the hell is he doing here anyway when his father’s in the hospital?
    “Actually, if you have a room available, I’d love to rent it. You don’t need to tell Corey I’m here,” Nate says. I can only imagine the charming smile creasing his face.
    “I do have a room available . . . You know, you’ll need to talk to her sooner or later,” says my mother. Gee, thanks . . . Mom. Fueled by anger, I check through the food order quickly and store everything away. Once that’s done, I unload the dishwasher and put the dishes away, trying not to make any noise.
    “Corey, you need to talk to him. Whatever you decide to do is fine with me. You’re an adult now,” says my mom.
    “Where is he?”
    “Upstairs, taking a shower, I believe,” my mom says.
    At that, I get disturbing memories of Nate’s well-toned, fit body. I sigh, trying to deny that the visions in my mind are wreaking havoc with my body.
    “I’m just going to stay busy. I am not talking to him.   He and his company can go take a flying leap from the Taos Gorge,” I mutter to her.
    At least she agrees he’d been less than caring when he got to the hospital. And yes, I know he was really worried about his dad. Still, I let her know I won’t be talking to him, not voluntarily that is, and preferably, not at all.
    A few minutes later, Nate strides in, freshly showered and wearing well-worn, snug jeans and a lightweight long-sleeved sweater. God, he looks good! Remembering my vow, I turn away and begin working on the entree for that night – red enchiladas, beans and Spanish rice. I’m leaving the flan to my mom – hers turns out so much lighter than mine does.
    “Corey?”
    It’s several seconds before I’m able to allow a remote, disinterested, “Hmmm?” to come out of my throat. I stay busy, chopping vegetables and grating a large amount of cheese. We still have eleven guests, twelve counting Nate, to prepare for.
    “Will you come and talk with me?” Nate sounds . . . different.
    “No. I have too much to do,” I tell him coolly. I will not turn around .
    “Please?”
    I turn and the look in my eyes must convince him, because he backs out of the kitchen with both hands