Convince Me (Holton Series #1) Read Online Free Page A

say.  No one had ever been simply
happy to meet her before and she was shocked at how good it felt.
    "I hope I am not overwhelming
you," Julie said cautiously.  "We are all pretty close here but
I don't want to seem pushy."
    "Oh, no, you're not.  Not
at all.  I'm just not used to everyone being so friendly but I like
it."
    "Good," Julie said
picking up the thermos.  "I'm afraid it's decaf.  I had to cut
back on the caffeine because of the baby."
    "Decaf is fine," Anna
replied.  "When are you due?"
    "Not for four more
months."
    Anna was surprised.  She
thought Julie looked further along than that but she was afraid to say anything
in case it showed her ignorance.  Anna didn't know much about babies or
pregnancy.  Julie noted her surprise.
    "I know.  I look bigger
than that but it always happens this way.  I shoot out right at first then
don't gain any more weight until the last six weeks or so.  Don't ask me
why.  I have no idea."
    Anna was delighted.  Julie was
nice and friendly and very easy to talk to.  Anna tended to be a little
shy.  She was happy to talk but needed someone else to begin the
conversation.  Julie seemed just the type.  Anna gave her a
smile.  "You have other children?"
    Julie nodded.  "Two
others.  One boy and one girl. Katie is four and Michael is two. 
Nick, that's my husband, and I love kids but this is going to be the last one.
I am tired of being pregnant."
    Again, Anna felt a twinge of
envy.  She liked her new friend and was happy for her but hearing Julie
talk about her husband and her children made Anna wish for things she had long
ago decided against.  After watching her mother and her father, Anna knew
it would take a very special man to make her change her mind.
    She and Julie talked for about
twenty minutes and Anna learned a lot about Holton and it inhabitants. 
Julie had lived in this town for almost twenty-five years and she knew
everyone.  Julie's family lived in town and she had a lot of interesting
stories.  Anna was laughing at Julie's description of the elementary
school's Christmas play when the door of her office opened again.
    Her laughter died when she looked
up and saw Steven standing in the doorway.  He stood there watching her
with his serious, blue eyes not saying a word.  Anna jumped from her chair
and was followed more slowly by Julie.  She stared at Steven and he
returned her gaze.  Neither one of them said a word but just stood there
staring at each other.
    "Hey, Steve," Julie said,
breaking the silence.  "Were you looking for me?"
    Slowly, Steven took his eyes off of
her and turned to Julie.  Anna took a deep breath and slowed her
heart.  She watched Steven nod once.  She glanced away and took a
moment to collect herself.  Never had any man moved her in such a way. 
It frightened her.
    "Yes," Steven was saying,
"Victoria is on the phone and she wants to talk to you.  Something to
do with the party.  As you left your cell phone on your desk again, she
called the office.  I told her to call back but she insisted on waiting
for you."
    "That sounds like Tori,"
Julie said with a laugh.  "Steve, grab my things please and bring
them when you come.  Anna, I'll talk to you soon."
    Anna watched helplessly as Julie
headed out the door and down the street.  She resisted the urge to call
her back.  Anna turned to see Steven watching her.  He gave her his
slow, gentle smile and Anna found herself responding in kind.  It was a
hard smile to resist.
    "Hi," he said softly.
    "Hi," she answered.
    "How are you settling
in?" he asked as he began gathering up Julie's things.
    "Just fine, thanks," Anna
replied.  Now that her heart was back to normal, Anna was able to think a
little more clearly.  "Look, you don't have to do that.  I'll
straighten up and then bring Julie's basket to her later."
    He gave her a quick glance but
continued cleaning.  Soon everything had been packed away and Anna stood
fidgeting behind her desk.  She didn't know what