Island Christmas Read Online Free Page B

Yep, she looked good. “Thanks for coming for me.” Rachel shot him a look filled with gratitude.
    “I’m happy to help.”
    She swayed slightly.
    He shot his arms out to steady her. “You sure you’re okay?”
    “Just crazy tired. Aside from the day I gave birth to Jason, I think this has been the longest day of my life.”
    “Yeah, I get that.” He kept a hand on her elbow and gently guided her outside to the parking lot. After making sure she was seated, he closed the door and rushed around to the driver’s side of his black Prius. The sooner he delivered her to the B&B the better. She was ready to drop.
    Comfortable silence filled the car as he whisked them to the bed-and-breakfast. He pulled into the driveway and parked in the same spot he’d vacated earlier in the evening. “I have an appointment with a Realtor in the morning. Do you think you could be ready to go by nine?”
    “I’m not sure. How about we play it by ear. If I can’t catch a ride with you, I’ll figure something else out.”
    “Okay.” He slid out and moved around to get her door, but she was already out and heading up the stairs.
    She stopped, her hand resting on the railing. “Thanks for tonight. We’ve just met, yet you were there for me.” She shook her head. “You’re rare, Chris.” She opened the door. A dim light illuminated the stairwell and together they plodded up the stairs. At her room she rested her hand on the doorknob. “Goodnight.”
    “Sleep well, Rachel.” His heart did a little pitter-patter at the look in her eyes. He knew that look. Had felt it himself a few times in his life. Wanted to feel it again, but now was not the time.
    “You too.” She slipped into her room and closed the door softly.
    He moved to the next door and went inside. He couldn’t shake the feeling that his life had been permanently altered tonight. But at thirty-five he was too old for Rachel, he didn’t want the complication of a relationship right now, and then there was his family medical history. Rachel did not need to be subjected to that. She’d already lost one husband—not that he was thinking marriage, he barely knew her. But he had to think about those kinds of things when he was attracted to a woman. Rachel would remain in the friend zone. It was best that way for both of them.

CHAPTER FOUR
     
    Chris sat at the breakfast table across from a family of four. Rachel and her young son had yet to show. He forked a bite of the most wonderful pancakes he’d ever eaten into his mouth. A commotion in the other room drew his attention.
    “I hungry, Mommy. Hurry!”
    He grinned. That was definitely little Jason.
    The boy dragged his mother into the dining room. A scowl covered his face.
    “Good morning, Jason. Rachel.” Chris’s eyes met Rachel’s as she lifted her son onto the chair at the end of the table.
    “Good morning.” She offered a weak smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
    “How are you feeling?” She looked like she could have used a few more hours of sleep based on the dark circles under her eyes.
    “I’m fine. Thanks again for waiting for me last night.”
    “You’re welcome. Hey, Jason, you’ve got to try the pancakes, they are the best ever.”
    The boy’s eyes lit, and his head whipped toward his mother. “I love pancakes,” he said in a stage whisper.
    “That’s right.” She took the plate Chris passed to her and forked a single pancake onto her son’s plate, then poured syrup over the top and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
    “He doesn’t like butter?”
    She shook her head. “Neither of us use butter on our pancakes.”
    He sipped his coffee and took delight in watching Jason devour the pancake his mother had cut up. The family across from them excused themselves, leaving him alone with Rachel and her son. “When do you think you will be ready to go, so I can drop you off at your car?”
    “As soon as we finish eating. In fact, I have an appointment as well this morning, so we should