Be Mine at Christmas Read Online Free

as he made his way toward them. Matt followed, seeming much more reluctant.
    “Hello,” Angela said warmly and stood. A lot depended on her acting ability. She wasn’t about to raise suspicion by revealing how shaken she felt. She’d wanted to figure out what kind of man Matt had become before bringing Kayla into direct contact with him. But it was too late; she had to improvise.
    “Hey!” Lewis swept her into a hug as if they’d been good friends in high school instead of mere acquaintances. “What brings you back to Virginia City?”
    “I’m here for the holidays.”
    “Where are you staying?”
    “We just got into town, so we don’t have a room yet. But we’ll probably end up at the Gold Hill Hotel.” That was the hotel owned by Danielle’s parents, but neither man brought up her name when Angela mentioned it, so she still didn’t know if Matt had ended up marrying the girl he’d dated for so long.
    “They’ve made some improvements, but the new Silver Queen is closer,” Lewis said.
    Angela kept her smile firmly in place, even though she was acutely aware of Matt and his steady gaze. “We’ll have to stop by and take a look.”
    Lewis waved a hand toward Matt, who seemed perfectly satisfied to stand in the background. “You remember Matt, don’t you? Or maybe you don’t. He went out with Danielle all through school.”
    Did that mean he wasn’t with her now? Angela knew they’d reconciled after the incident at the party, but if their relationship hadn’t progressed beyond high school, Stephanie was probably a large part of the reason.
    “Hi, Matt.” She held out her hand because he made no move to hug her as his friend had.
    He shook hands with a definite lack of enthusiasm. “Good to see you again.”
    I can tell you’re thrilled about it, Angela thought sarcastically. But she could understand that. Because of Stephanie, she couldn’t possibly evoke pleasant memories for him.
    She put a hand on Kayla’s shoulder. “This is my daughter, Kayla.”
    If Kayla was surprised at being introduced like that, she didn’t let on. Nodding shyly, she slipped an arm around Angela’s waist, acting more relieved than shocked. Angela knew her real mother was an embarrassment to her.
    “She’s beautiful,” Lewis said. “Like her mother.”
    “Thanks.”
    “How long will you be staying?”
    “A couple of weeks.”
    He shifted to make room for Matt, but Matt didn’t come any closer. “Are you here to see anyone in particular?”
    “No, I just wanted to show Kayla the town.”
    “Where do you live now?”
    “In Denver. I’m in real estate.” She glanced conspicuously at their uniforms and badges. “And you’re both firefighters, I see.”
    “That’s right. Matt here’s the chief. Unless he moves to Arizona.” He tossed his friend a meaningful grin. “Then I’m taking over.”
    “Now you’ll never get rid of me,” Matt grumbled.
    Angela tried not to notice that Matt was even better-looking up close. He’d always been attractive; that, and his popularity, was why Stephanie had wanted him so badly. But the past thirteen years had added a few finishing touches.
    “So…is your husband stuck at home, working over the holidays?” Lewis asked.
    She shook her head. “I’m not married. You?”
    “Tied the knot nine years ago, already got three kids.”
    “That’s wonderful,” she said. “And…what about you, Matt?”
    “No.” He didn’t elaborate, but Lewis quickly filled in.
    “He’s asked quite a few women, but the poor guy can’t get anyone to take him.”
    Lewis wore such a falsely pitying expression, that Kayla laughed out loud and Angela laughed with her.
    “How’s your friend?” Lewis asked. “What was her name… Stephanie?”
    Kayla’s arm tightened around her, and Matt’s mouth turned grim. “She’s fine.”
    “Where’s she living now?”
    Angela had no idea. Stephanie partied with one person or another, then drifted on. “In…Colorado.”
    “What