A baby for Christmas (Season of Romance Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

I’ll find a hotel somewhere.”
    Belle took a deep breath. “I was just
going to say, I have guest rooms that are empty and I’d be happy to let you
stay in one of those until you can get a flight.”
    “Thank you, I’ll take you up on that
offer.” His reply was instant.
    “Okay…would you like to bring your stuff
in? I assume you have a suitcase or something?”
    Ethan nodded. He took his coat from the back
of the chair, shrugging it on before retrieving some keys from his pocket. He
went through to the hallway and she followed him.
    Standing by the staircase, Belle smiled
and let her hand run up and down the banister, caressing the smooth walnut
wood. When she was a child her Gran would slide down first so she could catch
her at the bottom. Belle wished that Gran was still alive so that they could
have shared the months ahead.
    Her friends were her family, but nothing
prepared a woman for being a mum, a single mum.
    The door opened and Ethan walked back
in, his shoulders and blond hair covered in snow. His jaw was darkened by
growth and he looked tired. It was just after seven; Belle’s stomach rumbled
reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since lunch. Normally she tried to get at
least two meals a day. First thing in the mornings she was still feeling a
little off with the morning sickness.
    Belle smiled at Ethan as he climbed the
stairs which curved to the right, narrowing toward the landing. She took him
along the hallway to the left choosing the bedroom furthest away from hers.
    Opening the door, she stepped inside and
switched on the two lamps. All the rooms were large and each had an ensuite.
The new décor had only been redone last year, the finished results were good.
The pale blue with white trim left the room looking fresh. She walked over to
the bathroom door and opened it.
    “There are clean warm towels and the
water is hot if you prefer a bath.” She turned back to him. He’d left his case
on the floor and taken off his coat which he hung on the back of the door.
    Making himself at home, she thought.
    “I wouldn’t mind a shower,” he said
rubbing his jaw “And probably a shave.”
    “You do look tired.” The words came out
before she could stop them.
    He nodded. “Just a little.”
    “Do you want to have a nap, and then
I’ll cook you something to eat later?”
    “Belle, I don’t need you to take care of
me like I’m your guest.”
    “But you are,” she said trying to keep
the conversation as impersonal as she could.
    “No…I’m not and you know it.”
    She sighed, her hands reaching into her
trouser pockets.
    “We have a lot to talk about…I know that
I just thought it would be easier if we kept things on a just friendly basis.”
    He laughed, but it wasn’t a happy sound.
    “I’ll have a shower. I can make myself
something to eat. “He looked at her with another frown. “Have you eaten?”
    “No, not yet.”
    “I’ll do us both something. You should
be resting with your feet up you look as if a gust of wind would knock you
over.”
    “Charming. Thanks for telling me I look
awful.”
    She turned to go but not before he
caught her elbow, turning her around.
    “You look beautiful—” he let his thumb
smooth beneath her eyes “—but tired.”
    “I’m fine, it’s just been a really long
day…I’m not a child, Ethan I can take care of myself, I certainly don’t need
you or anyone else to do it for me.”
    Tugging away from him she walked out the
door. “Dinner will be ready in an hour.” She spoke over her shoulder walking
away from the closeness of his body. Her heartbeat was thumping at a hundred
miles per hour; the hands that were in her pockets were shaking.
    Damn but this man was making it so hard
for her to appear impervious to his ways…his actions and his caring attitude.
Strolling into the kitchen her fingers slipped around the cold cup of tea
sipping it as she stepped towards the French doors gazing out into the darkness
of the early evening.