A Mom for Christmas by Lorraine Beatty

Author:Lorraine Beatty
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarlequinUKLtd
Published: 2016-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Noah’s office door closed with a sharp click, leaving him in silence to confront things he’d rather avoid. Like the way his emotions were constantly swinging between his need to protect his daughter and his growing feelings for Beth. He should have anticipated Beth stopping by. He should have known she’d want to go together.

He gazed at the wooden church in the display window. He’d been ridiculously pleased that she liked it. And pleasing her had become one of his goals. But alongside that emotion flashed a warning sign, reminding him to maintain a clear distance and protect his heart.

Since she’d come home to Dover, he’d been forced to adjust his opinions of Beth and view the past through a more mature lens. Nothing was as cut-and-dried as it appeared. He shouldn’t have interpreted her sudden departure as a personal rejection. And he should have tried harder to find out the truth. But his ego had been bruised, and he’d made assumptions. He hated to think he’d been that shallow and selfish, but at eighteen he’d thought he understood the world. Now, at thirty-one, he knew better. Though he still wasn’t clear how his confusion over her gift had given her the impression he didn’t care about her.

His cell buzzed, and Chloe’s picture appeared on the screen. “Hey, princess. Everything all right?”

“Daddy, where are you? Gram and I are here, and so is Miss Beth. It’s time to decorate the tree. Hurry up or you’ll miss it.”

Noah rubbed his forehead. How could he spend time with Beth, knowing the constant exposure would only peel away another layer of his heart? Their truce should have made being with her easier. Instead it had only increased his longing to reestablish the friendship they’d once had.

No. He needed to stick to his plan. Steer clear and keep his distance.

“Sorry, but I have to work today. You and Gram have fun, and tell me all about it over supper tonight.”

The disappointment in his daughter’s voice as she said goodbye spilled like hot lead along each of his nerve endings.

After hanging up, he rested his elbows on the desk, hands fisted against his mouth as waves of guilt crashed against his mind. Beth was right. He was doing what Yvonne always did. Putting a job before family. Something he swore he’d never do. And not because he loved work, but because he was afraid.

Shoving away from his desk, he snatched his jacket from the back of his chair, locked up and headed across the courthouse park to the senior center. Warmth and the mouthwatering aroma of fresh popcorn greeted him as he stepped inside. The large tree in front of the window was surrounded by people when he arrived. It looked like his skills wouldn’t be needed after all. Chloe spotted him and dashed across the room full tilt, throwing herself into his arms and knocking him backward. He scooped her up and held her close. At nine she was too big to hold, but he relished the feel of her in his arms, hugging his neck.

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