Christmas at the Second Chance Chocolate Shop. Kellie Hailes

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ to amuse you. There are no strip clubs. There are no gambling dens. No women sitting poolside in tiny string bikinis…’ Serena knew she was failing as Ritchie’s lips grinned wider with each of her excuses.

      ‘You know I don’t care for strip clubs, or gambling, and the only woman I like to see in a string bikini is you. So really, at this point in time, I think Rabbits Leap would suit me quite well.’

      ‘But aren’t you meant to be working on your album? You can’t very well do it here.’ Just leave, Ritchie, Serena prayed. It had been easy enough to deal with leaving him when he was thousands of miles away, but to have him in her space? Breathing the same air? Sucking the oxygen from the room, leaving her light-headed and dizzy? She knew she might just succumb to his will.

      She realised he’d paused. His skin had taken on an uneasy pallor. What had she just said? The album. Was something up with the album? ‘Is everything alright with …’ she stopped herself. No. He wasn’t her problem now. It wasn’t her job to save him. If something was wrong he would have to figure it out himself. Preferably from their home. No. His home. In LA

      ‘Everything is fine with the album.’ Ritchie’s gaze shifted to his feet. ‘Dandy in fact. But I think a change of environment will be good for me. All this brisk wintry air will do me well. Get the creative juices flowing good and proper. Now if you don’t mind, I’ll get my bag and head up to bed. All this travelling has left me buggered.’ He strode towards the door, paused, and looked over his shoulder. ‘One thing, Serena. I remember you talking about that cone of silence thingy that you lot have going on here for that rugby player… what’s his name… Harper? To make sure he can holiday without being hassled? I’d like that to be extended to me. I mean we’re still married, which means I’m kind of local.’

      ‘You’ve not once stepped foot in Rabbits Leap, Ritchie. You’re hardly one of us.’ Serena folded her arms and shot him her most scornful look.

      ‘Well I have now. And I am still family. Come on, sweet thing… it’s the least you can do for me after you just upped and left like you did. Please?’ Ritchie wheedled, turning on his megawatt smile that charmed hundreds of thousands all over the world.

      Serena huffed. What harm would it do? He wouldn’t be sticking around for long. Rabbits Leap wasn’t Ritchie’s speed. He’d be bored in no time and out of her hair. ‘Fine. I’ll put the word round that your presence in the village is to be kept quiet.’

      ‘Great. I appreciate it.’ He tipped an imaginary cap, then headed out to the main road.

      To get his bag, Serena realised. So he could sleep in her bed with her.

      Oh. Hell. No.

      She fished her mobile out of her bottle green apron pocket and punched in the digits for The Bullion. ‘Answer, answer, answer,’ she chanted as it rang through.

      ‘You’ve reached The Bullion. How can I help?’ Tony the publican’s cheery voice boomed down the line.

      ‘Tony, thank God. I’m so glad you answered. It’s Serena. Do you have any rooms available? Any at all. Big. Small. I don’t care. I just need a bed.’

      ‘But you already have a bed? Don’t tell me you’ve family coming for Christmas too? Seems everyone’s family’s returning to the Leap this year.’

      ‘Yeah, well, it’s something like that. So, do you?’ Serena’s foot tapped impatiently.

      ‘Sorry, Serena. All booked up.’

      ‘Shit.’

      ‘I’ll give you a beer next time you’re in to say sorry.’

      ‘Sweet of you, Tony, but no beers needed. I’ll figure something else out. Gotta go.’ Serena hung up and began to pace back and forth. Where could Ritchie stay that was far, far away from her? A place that would preferably hasten his desire to leave?

      She stopped, a mix of guilt and delight tugging her heart in two opposing directions. Ritchie didn’t deserve what she was about to suggest, but he had left her no other option.

      ‘Brrrrr.’ The man himself shivered as he dropped his duffel on the floor in the front of her.

      ‘Pick that up.’ Serena ordered. ‘I’ve found a place for you to stay.’

      ‘I’m staying with you.’

      ‘No, you’re not. I won’t have you underfoot while I finish getting this place ready for its grand opening.’ She scooped up her keys and marched towards the back door where she’d parked the pick-up truck her father, against her mother’s wishes, had insisted she use when she left home. ‘Go get into your car. I’ll meet you out front. Follow me. Stay close or you could take a wrong turn and get lost. And be sure to close the latch on the front door when you leave – I don’t need the local kids waltzing in and helping themselves.’

      Ritchie’s brows drew together in confusion. ‘Where are you taking me, Serena?’

      Serena allowed a small smile to flirt about her lips. ‘You’ll see.’

       CHAPTER TWO

      ‘Mum? Dad? You home?’ Serena pushed open the front door, festively decorated with a faux pine wreath, complete with red ribbons and golden bells, and barrelled in, not waiting for an answer.

      Ritchie hung about the doorstep. A rare and disconcerting mix of shyness, uncertainty, and a good dollop of distress, sending little swirls of bile spinning about his stomach. Unlike most sons-in-law he’d spent little time with his wife’s parents. Little time? More like no time at all. Serena had pushed for them to meet at the beginning. She had tried to tell him the longer it took for them to meet after they’d eloped, the harder it would be for them all to get along. But he’d pushed back. He’d used his burgeoning career as not only an excuse not to visit, but also to not have them visit. To not have them remind him of all he’d missed out on. Or worse. All he had experienced.

      ‘What are you waiting for, Ritchie? An invitation?’ Serena turned to face him, her top knot bouncing as she shook her head. ‘You’re family, remember? That’s what you said back at the shop. So I’m bringing you home to meet them. Finally. So, come on.’ She jerked her head towards a door at the end of the hall, then strode towards it.

      ‘Serena?’ Her mother’s voice stopped him in his tracks. He swallowed hard, pushed away the fear that unfurled whenever he was faced with parental authority, and lengthened his strides to catch up with Serena.

      ‘Mum. Look who turned up at on my doorstep just now? Figured it was time you met him.’ Serena’s hand clasped his forearm. One sharp tug and he stumbled forwards into a room. The kitchen, large, with low ceilings, emitted a cosy feel. A solid looking wooden dining table took pride of place in the centre. On one side of it was the kitchen bench, stove, sink, and cupboards painted in a warm cream colour with olive trim. Opposite, a fire roared in the hearth. Burning wood glowed orange as sparks wafted up the chimney.

      ‘I take it this is your Ritchie?’

      Ritchie tore his gaze away from the fire to the man standing at the back door, his feet encased in wellington boots. Dark green overalls sat over a navy blue woollen top. He was tall and impressive, СКАЧАТЬ