The Prodigal's Christmas Reunion. Kathryn Springer
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Название: The Prodigal's Christmas Reunion
Автор: Kathryn Springer
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Современные любовные романы
isbn: 9781408968338
isbn:
And right now, no matter how conflicted her feelings for Lucas Clayton might be, the “good” in front of her was Max.
As Erin leaned down to tuck a corner of the blanket more snuggly around his thin shoulders, she heard a soft knock on the front door.
By the time she reached the doorframe, Lucas already stood in the front hallway. And once again, her traitorous heart stalled at the sight of him.
Lucas had always been good-looking, but the last seven years had wrought subtle changes. At six foot two, he still towered above her, but he was no longer the lanky teenager that Erin remembered. The sun had permanently stained his skin a golden-bronze, a striking contrast to those incredible blue eyes. Clayton blue, Erin had heard someone call them once.
Erin remembered Lucas rolling his eyes when she’d repeated the comment.
“First we get a town named after us and now a color. What’s next? A mountain range? A national monument?”
“There’s nothing wrong with the name Clayton.” Erin had given him a playful swat on the arm.
Lucas had smiled that slow smile that never failed to melt her heart like butter in a hot skillet. “I’m glad you feel that way.”
Erin had been afraid to read too much into the statement. Until Lucas had leaned forward and kissed her.
Her first kiss…
Don’t. Look. Back.
Erin silently repeated the words. Lucas Clayton happened to be part of her past and, thanks to George Sr.’s will, an unexpected part of her present. But he was definitely not a part of her future.
That’s what she needed to remember.
“Lucas.” She flashed a polite smile—the same one that every cowboy who came into the café received with a cup of coffee.
He drove a hand through his hair and snowflakes drifted down like bits of silver confetti. “I’m sorry it’s so late. Is Max ready to leave?”
“He’s sound asleep.”
“Right.” Lucas sighed. “He usually takes a nap around this time. I’ll carry him out to the truck.”
Something in the weary slump of his shoulders tugged at her conscience.
“Would you like to thaw out with a cup of coffee first?” Erin couldn’t believe she’d said the words. Out loud.
And Lucas hesitated just long enough to make her wish she could take back the invitation.
Chapter Five
“Sure.” The husky rumble of Lucas’s voice scraped away another layer from her defenses. “I appreciate it.”
No problem.
Erin wanted to say the words but they got stuck in her throat. She was all too aware of Lucas as he followed her into the kitchen.
He let out a low whistle. “Max must have slept a long time.”
“What makes you say that?”
One eyebrow lifted. “The ten dozen Christmas cookies on your counter?”
“It’s only five dozen.” Erin reached for a clean coffee mug in the dish drainer. “And Max wasn’t sleeping. He helped me.”
“Max helped you?” Lucas repeated in disbelief.
“Technically, we divided the work. I baked the cookies and Max decorated them.”
Lucas’s lips twitched. “I guess the three-eyed snowmen should have given it away.”
Erin filled the mug, trying to keep her wits about her. Which wasn’t easy with Lucas three feet away. Close enough for her to breathe in the scent of leather, crisp mountain air and the hint of soap that was uniquely his.
You can do this. Just pretend you’re at the café and he’s a customer, remember? “Do you take cream or sugar?”
“Just black.”
So far, so good. “How did it go out at the McKinney place?”
Instead of taking a drink, Lucas folded his hands around the steaming mug, as if trying to absorb its warmth. “Ten stitches.”
“Ouch.” Erin winced.
“Don’t feel too bad for the steer,” Lucas said drily. “He only ended up with six of them.”
“Then who…” For the first time, Erin noticed the gauze bandage peeking out from the cuff of Lucas’s sleeve. “You got the other four?”
“That’s why I’m late. Arabella called my cell when I was on my way back and I happened to mention the injury. I’ll know better next time. Jonathan Turner was waiting in the driveway when I got back to the clinic,” Lucas said, his expression rueful. “I heard she was dating a doctor but I didn’t think I’d meet the guy while he was stitching up my hand.”
“What happened?” Erin was almost afraid to ask.
“Apparently he didn’t like my bedside manner—the steer, not Mr. McKinney.” Lucas shrugged. “It comes with the job, you know.”
“I’ll have to take your word for that.”
An awkward silence filled the space between them. Was Lucas remembering how she’d once dreamed of being a veterinarian?
Their eyes met across the table and Lucas set the cup down.
“I should go. Thanks again for keeping an eye on Max.”
Just like that.
Erin’s throat tightened. Apparently Lucas found it no more difficult to walk away from her now than he had all those years ago. Further proof that his feelings hadn’t been as deep as hers.
You weren’t enough to keep him here…
Vincent’s mocking words cycled through her mind and she turned away so Lucas wouldn’t see her expression. In her heart of hearts, Erin might wish for Lucas to still feel something for her, but she didn’t want it to be pity.
Poor Erin Fields. Still hung up on her first crush.
She needed to pray that God would help her let go of the past, too.
“I’ll pack up some cookies for you to take home.” Erin reached for a decorative tin on the second shelf and began to pack it with three-eyed snowmen and pink reindeer, hoping Lucas wouldn’t notice that her hands were shaking.
Which wouldn’t have been as obvious if he’d remained sitting at the table. But СКАЧАТЬ