Christmas Holiday Husband Read Online Free Page B

picture my son whizzing and squealing along the slope here—and probably hurtling off the end!”
    Virginia smiled serenely. “He wouldn’t be the first,” she agreed. “The girls haven’t tried it yet, but I’ll bet their father did.”
    They swung around a gracious curve and stepped into the top gallery. The dark oak furniture smelled of beeswax polish. Velvet-red roses glowed from a gleaming brass vase, and a long display of framed family photographs ranged along the wall.
    Virginia stopped and pointed to one. “There are your twins. They’re outside somewhere—I’m surprised they haven’t already come running in to meet you. Carolyn and Antonia. Always knows as Caro and Ants, I’m afraid.”
    Ellie grinned. “My son is Callum, but he answers to nothing but Cal.” She inspected the photograph. The girls looked identical—two little blondes with arresting dark eyes. “I’m going to have fun telling them apart until I know them better.”
    “There’s a trick,” Ginny said. “Red hair ribbon for Caro, blue for Ants. If you think ‘C for caro, C for crimson’ you’ll be fine.” She turned away from the photos. “And it’s rare I’m anything except Ginny,” she continued as she opened the nearest door. “I’ve put you in the Blue Room. Some years ago Robbie arranged en suite bathrooms for each bedroom so you’re quite private.” She led the way in. “They were an extra wedding present for my daughter, Julia,” she added softly.
    Ellie bowed her head, not knowing how to reply. Ginny’s daughter had apparently died quite recently, but it was difficult to express grief for someone she’d never met. “I’m so sorry that I have to be here,” she managed.
    Ginny shot her a very direct look. “Me too, dear, but I hope you’ll enjoy it, and be a help for the twins. I did my bit, nursing Julia, poor girl. Her daughters need a proper teacher now, not just a well-meaning Granny.”
    She looked away, and Ellie saw her mouth tighten before she bent and smoothed a hand over the broad expanse of blue bedcover. Once she’d recovered her composure she asked, “Are you all right bringing your own bags up? Robbie’s still busy outside and I’ve got dinner nearly ready. I’d better get down to the kitchen.”
    Ellie followed a minute or two later and found the five-year-old twins already seated and eager to chat. “I have a son a little bit older that you,” she told them. “Our house burned down so he’s gone to live with his granny while I’m here.”
    “You must bring him out to see the farm sometime soon,” Ginny said over her shoulder.
    Ellie watched her carving the leg of delicious-smelling lamb onto flower rimmed plates, and wondered if she should offer to help.
    “There’s a folding bed in your wardrobe,” Ginny added. “Lots of visiting children have slept on it. Even though he’ll enjoy staying with his grandmother, he’ll miss you.”
    “And I’ll miss him. But this seemed an ideal arrangement all round. You get a teacher and I get accommodation. And it’s only for a few weeks.”
    She pictured Cal’s dark hair and killer eyelashes, and knew her mother would be spoiling him rotten.
    “He could ride my pony when he comes here,” Antonia offered.
    “Thank you,” she said, returning her attention to the twins. “You might have to teach him because he’s never ridden a horse.”
    “Only a pony,” Antonia scoffed. “He could do it. He’s a boy.”
    Ellie grinned. “He’d love to see where I’m staying—and meet you two.”
    They seemed a self sufficient pair, roaming the land around the farmhouse without fear of strangers or traffic. Cal didn’t have that luxury. Right now Ellie knew he couldn’t even ask a friend from school to sleep over; his grandmother’s flat was tiny.
    After dinner the girls scampered off to watch TV and Ellie helped Ginny clear away the dinner things. “They’ll be fun to teach.”
    “They’ll be quite hard work for you, I think.