Private North Read Online Free Page B

productive way to spend my break. Besides, there’s snow. It’s almost like a real Christmas.” My last comment silenced her for a second.
    “Fine,” she said bitterly, “but if you change your mind—”
    Professor North trudged out to the car to help with my things. “Happy holidays, Mom. I’ll talk to you later.”
    Professor North always dressed casually, even for class, but he looked even more relaxed and easy-going without the lectern in front of him. “How was the trip up here?” Naturally, it was the first logical question to ask, and I was a clumsy liar.
    “Well, let’s just say I’m glad to finally be here.” I lugged my heavy duffle out of the trunk, and he immediately took hold of it.
    “I’m glad you’re here too. The waffle batter is ready and waiting. I opted for my time-tested recipe of banana and walnut.”
    “I’m not terribly picky when it comes to my waffles and banana walnut sounds delicious.”
    The comfy interior looked just as I’d imagined of a house once lovingly decorated by a woman and kept up these past eight years by a man. The walls of the small entryway were covered in flowery Victorian wallpaper that must have been vivid in color at one time but now had faded to pastels. A dark cherry wood side table covered with a thin layer of dust stood beneath an ornately framed mirror.
    Professor North motioned to a coat rack. “You can hang your coat there. I’ve started a fire in the hearth in the living room, so it’s quite cozy in there. And, please, call me Thomas. There’s no need for academic formality during winter break. Helps me forget about work too.”
    “Fine, but it may take me a few times to remember.” I hung my coat on the brass hook of the coat rack and followed him down a small hallway to the back bedroom.
    He pushed the door open with the end of my duffle bag. The small room was stuffed with oversized furniture, including a very comfortable looking four post bed with lavender pillows and a plush quilt to match. “It’s perfect,” I said.
    “I think you’ll be comfortable here. It doesn’t get used much. My wife’s mother used to stay here when she visited, which is the reason behind all the purple. It was her favorite color.”
    I smiled. “I believe the correct term is lavender.”
    “Yes, my wife used to correct me on that as well.” He walked over to door. “There’s a guest bathroom in here. When you’re ready, join me in the kitchen. I don’t know about you, but I’m starved. I think I heard Ethan’s shower a few minutes ago, and he’ll be ready for breakfast too.”
    “Great. I’ll be right out.” I took off my gloves and realized my hands had just barely stopped trembling from the horrifying moments on the road. I took a deep breath and tried not to think of what could have happened by reminding myself that the guy had not been hit. He was fine and I would never see him again. I needed to put it all behind me. I ran a brush through my hair and tied it back and then followed the mouth watering fragrance down the hallway.
    Everything about the kitchen was what I’d dreamed about in the fantasies of my cozy family holiday at home— but smaller, and with less high-end, stainless steel appliances, and no mom in a pristine designer apron. My dash of homesickness vanished as the fragrance of banana waffles and hot coffee wafted toward me. Red and orange flames lapped at the fan-shaped fireplace screen, warming the kitchen and connecting living room.
    Professor North glanced up from his waffle iron. His casual, at-home attire was nearly the same as his work attire, but he looked entirely different bending over a bowl of waffle batter instead of his lectern. He’d never been one of those stodgy, cold, hard to warm up to professors and I felt completely at ease in his kitchen.
    “The coffee is fresh. Help yourself.”
    I walked over and picked a cup up off the hook and poured some coffee. “How can I help?”
    “Do you like whipped cream