A New Tradition Read Online Free Page A

locks around his finger. “I just love it on the east coast and had my realtor looking for a nice, secluded cabin.”
    “What business do you do?” I had to know everything.
    “I’m in financing.” He was illusive. “Want some more wine?”
    “Sure.” I could tell by his tone that he wasn’t comfortable talking about his personal life.
    “What kind of business can’t wait until after Christmas?” He questioned.
    “I own my own design business.” For some reason, I felt comfortable telling him about my life. It felt like I’d known him for years. “I’ve been working on this deal for two years. I’ve been doing a little work here and there for this company, but nothing worth a lot of money. And I finally got a full project from them. Since I own my own business, it will be a big help.”
    “Still, can’t it wait until after Christmas? Because you aren’t going anywhere in this storm. It’s only going to get worse throughout the night.”
    “He insisted it be tomorrow, which is fine because we are using Skype.”
    “Hey, that’s how I see my parents.” He laughed. His smile sent my pulse racing. “Oh, this is my favorite part.”
    Don’t take me home until I’m drunk. Very drunk indeed.
    We watched in silence for the next couple of hours as Holly and Paul played out their romance on screen.

Chapter Four
     
    Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker. Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way.
    I reached over and grabbed my cell off the bedside table.
    “Hello?” I pulled the old quilt up to my chin. It was a little chilly in the cabin.
    “I wanted to see how it was going out there in the middle of nowhere in this storm,” Jenna said from a very static phone line.
    “I’m fine.” More than fine, I recalled the memories from last night. A little sadness filled my soul. When he left, he didn’t ask for a phone number or anything. It was apparent he didn’t feel the tingly sensation I had felt. Besides, there was no way he didn’t have a girlfriend. Men like Wynn are the first to get snatched up. I decided not to tell Jenna about him. There was no reason to. “How was the Rum and Monkey?”
    “What?” Jenna yelled into the phone. “This is a bad nor’easter. I can’t hear you. Merry Christmas.”
    The phone went dead.
    “Are you ready to get up?” I reached over and rubbed down Henry’s fur. His back was cold to the touch. “I’m going to check on the fire. We have thirty minutes until the meeting.”
    I had to put my magical night in the back of my mind and start to focus on Mr. Basssett.
    Pulling back the comfy quilt, chill bumps crept up my legs sending shivers along my spine. The cold wood floor got colder with each step I took. The sunlight shone bright through the windows, reflecting off the snow.
    Henry trotted down the stairs, sitting on the hearth.
    “Merry Christmas.” I said, putting a few logs on the hot coals before picking him up and walking over to the Christmas tree. “I thought I left this lit up.”
    It was a tradition that my mom left the tree lights on all Christmas Eve. The plug was still in the socket. I pulled it out and then replaced it, but the lights didn’t come on.
    “Damn,” I whispered. This was not the time to check every single light bulb, I glanced at my clock on the fire place mantle. I had twenty-five minutes until my meeting. “It’s going to have to wait.”
    I rushed up the steps and threw on the silk blouse but leaving my Hello Kitty pajamas pants on. Mr. Bassett was only going to see me from the chest up, so as long as I looked professional in the little Skype window, I was good.
    Running a brush through my long hair and slapping on some bright red lipstick, I checked my watch. I had twenty minutes to go over the files one more time.
    “Gosh, I wish I had some coffee.” I proceed downstairs to grab a little something to eat so my stomach wouldn’t be empty. Opening my laptop so it would be ready, I pushed the power button and waited for