Love to Believe: Fireflies ~ Book 2 Read Online Free

a good time. We can talk all this out later.”
    “Fine.”
    Rebecca reached for his hand but he drew away, and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Instead, she plastered on a bolstering smile and opened the door. She walked into the foyer of the Kinkaid home, greeted by the delicious scents of baked goods and roasted meats comingling with pine and bayberry. The formal living room to the right boasted a stone fireplace that swallowed the better part of one wall and glowed with crackling logs. Candles flickered on the mantle. A Christmas tree stood in the corner, themed with angels and elves, and miles of curling red and silver ribbons.
    Sean’s mother, Edie, met her at the door with a warm embrace. “Welcome!” Edie took Rebecca by the shoulders and delivered both a broad smile and a critical once over. “Bless your heart, sweetie, Sean wasn’t kidding. You’re soaked. I’d give you a big smooch hello, but I don’t see a dry spot anywhere. And you’re shivering. Well, c’mon now, let me have that wet coat. Brenna!” She called to her daughter, “Take this sweet thing upstairs and find her some dry clothes. And stand her up in a hot shower so she can warm up.”
    “I really don’t need--”
    “Of course you do, honey. You’ll agree with me the second you take a look in the mirror. Trust me.” Edie winked and patted Rebecca’s shoulder. “Brenna!”
    “Here, right here.” The always-gorgeous Brenna Kinkaid, her sleek hair as black as Sean’s and eyes the same shade of blue, hurried from the kitchen and down the hall, her enviable curves on display in a red cashmere sweater and snug jeans. She smiled a greeting at Rebecca and held out a steaming mug. “Mulled wine, my own recipe.”
    “Thanks.” Rebecca curled her icy fingers around the warm mug and sniffed the contents. “This smells like heaven.”
    “Tastes like it, too, if I do say so myself. It’s similar to the holiday cider I brew for the L&G,” Brenna said, referring to the coffee bar she owned and operated in town, the Lump & Grind. “But this recipe for home packs a punch, so watch out.”
    Rebecca sipped, let the mulled spices tingle her tongue, and then took a good swig to revel in the hot brew sliding down her throat to warm her. “Is there whiskey in here along with the wine?”
    Brenna smiled. “I told you it packs a punch. C’mon upstairs. Let’s get you dried off and warmed up. Mama’s right. A hot shower will fix you right up.”
    “Where is everybody?”
    “The ladies are in the kitchen, and the men have gravitated downstairs to Daddy’s man cave. Except your grandfather. He’s in the kitchen eating cookies, getting buzzed on mulled wine, and flirting with me like the construction jock he used to be. I wish I knew him when he was forty years younger,” Brenna said. “C’mon. I’ll find you a change of clothes and then you can hunt down your brother and sister-in-law to-be.”
    Rebecca took a second to pull off her wet boots and socks, which she left on the mat by the door next to Sean’s soaked shoes. She hoisted her purse over her shoulder, took a couple big swigs of her mulled wine, and followed Brenna up the stairs in her bare feet, enjoying the relaxing and warming effects of the beverage. They met Sean on the second floor landing. His wet hair gleamed like black ice, and he’d traded his dripping business attire for jeans and a ragged NYU sweatshirt.
    Sean winked at Rebecca and his lips curved in a slow smile. “Call me if you need any help.”
    “You’re a moron,” Brenna said, but Sean just laughed and proceeded down the stairs. “My brother is an idiot,” she said to Rebecca, but the words came through an indulgent smile and her words carried no bite.
    “A charming idiot.” Rebecca hoped her tone sounded as light as she intended.
    “Yeah, but don’t tell him I said that.” Brenna led Rebecca to the left and flipped on the bathroom light. “Towels are in this closet. Soap, shampoo,