A Holiday Proposal Read Online Free Page B

she celebrating with the rest of her family? He cast a quick glance at Todd, who seemed nonplussed by the excitement around him. What was the deal with this guy, anyway? Didn’t he see how uncomfortable Holly was? The least he could do was shoot her a sympathetic look, but he was oblivious to his girlfriend’s distress.
    Mr. Miller stood and disengaged his wife from the couple. “Have a seat, dear. We don’t want to upset the baby.”
    Mrs. Miller blanched. “Oh, no. I didn’t hurt you, did I?” She rested a hand on her daughter’s abdomen.
    Jessica laughed and patted her mother’s shoulder before sitting. “I’m fine, and the baby is, too.”
    Mrs. Miller sent a pointed look in Holly’s direction. “Isn’t this exciting? You’re going to be an aunt. You need to hurry up and get married and start making grandbabies, too, so the cousins will be close in age.” She clapped her hands together. “Imagine this house filled with grandkids.”
    Holly’s face reddened. She looked everywhere but to Matthew’s side of the table. If anyone asked him , she’d be better off without the arrogant man sitting to his right. But no one was interested in his opinion.
    Holly pushed back from the table. “Congratulations!” She flashed a forced smile. “Will you find out what you’re having?”
    “We haven’t decided yet.” Jessica’s face glowed.
    “That’s okay. You have time to decide. Well, Todd needs to head out. He has an appointment. I’m going to walk him to his car.”
    “That’s right.” Todd stood. “Thanks for keeping track of the time for me.” He thanked the Millers for the meal and slid into his jacket.
    Holly walked outside with him as everyone else pushed back from the table. The women cleared the dishes, which left him, Mr. Miller and Jessica’s husband to watch football. The Seattle Seahawks game had started at one and was in the middle of the second quarter.
    Matthew strolled into the living room and looked out the window. He pulled back when Holly looked over her shoulder and spotted him. Great, she probably thought he was spying on her.
    Well, maybe he was. She looked out of sorts, and he was concerned for her. He glanced out the window again and saw Todd drape his arm across her shoulders. He quickly turned away, unable to watch the girl he’d once had a crush on in the arms of another man.
    * * *
    Holly walked beside Todd to his car with his arm draped across her shoulders. “Did you see how happy my mother was with Jessica’s announcement? No matter how hard I try, Mom is never that happy about anything I do. I think the only way she will ever be proud of me is if I get married and start a family.” But she could never have a family of her own. Well, there was no medical reason she couldn’t, but what if the baby died? She closed her eyes on the memory of that day so long ago—the day that changed the course of her life.
    “I thought you were focused on nursing and didn’t want to settle down with a husband and kids.” Todd leaned against his car and faced her. He grasped her hands and warmed them between his. “Don’t worry about your mom. She’s just excited. Things will calm down and everyone will go back to normal.”
    She took comfort from his touch. “I hope you’re right. I wish my mom understood I don’t desire that life. You heard her. I was so humiliated. What must Matthew think?” She ducked her head and rested her forehead against his chest.
    Todd circled an arm around her and tipped her chin up, forcing her to look at him. “Who cares what he thinks? He’s nobody.” Todd ran his thumb across her cheek. “You, however, are somebody special. Don’t let your mother or anyone tell you differently.” He lowered his head and closed his eyes. His lips brushed hers ever so slightly.
    Holly took a step back and broke free of his arms. “What was that for?” She shouldn’t have invited him to lunch. But Todd had never acted as if he was interested in her in