A Proposal for Christmas: State Secrets | Five Days of Christmas by Linda Lael Miller & Lindsay McKenna

Author:Linda Lael Miller & Lindsay McKenna [Miller, Linda Lael & McKenna, Lindsay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN
Published: 2013-09-23T22:00:00+00:00

13

The circular building towered over Riverfront Park. Holding Toby’s model Cessna in both hands, Holly gazed up at it.

“Are we going to visit David?” Toby demanded eagerly, tugging at the sleeve of her pink Windbreaker. “Are we, Mom?”

The bright, springlike shine of that late January day caused a painful catch in Holly’s heart, as did Toby’s question. It had been a full week since she and David had parted at the airport, agreeing to start over again. He had called just once in that time, and that had only been to pass on his new telephone number and address; he hadn’t suggested they get together. Holly’s feelings about that were mixed.

Toby tugged at her sleeve again, more forcefully this time. “Mom?” he prompted. “Couldn’t we? Please?”

She looked down at the little boy and smiled. “Okay. We’ll ask if he wants to come down here and fly the plane with us.”

“And ride the carousel!” Toby beamed. “Don’t forget, you promised that we could ride the carousel!”

They walked across the rolling, snow-patched lawns of the park, Toby straining to rush ahead, Holly holding back a little, wondering if it was wise to approach David. After all, they had an agreement, and she still had contradictory feelings toward him, stemming from the way they’d met.

“Toby, maybe we shouldn’t...” She hesitated when they reached the main door of the exclusive building. There was a doorman on duty, perhaps he wouldn’t even let them pass.

“Come on, Mom,” Toby insisted, dragging her up to the entrance.

As the doorman looked her over, Holly was painfully conscious of her battered blue jeans, her T-shirt and Windbreaker, her breeze-tumbled hair.

“May I help you?” asked the sentinel, his deep, rumbling voice ringing with genteel authority.

“My name is Holly Llewellyn and this is—”

The doorman’s round face broke into a smile. “Go right up, Ms. Llewellyn. I can’t say whether or not Mr. Goddard is at home, but I have orders to admit you at any time.”

Holly was relieved; inwardly, she realized, she had been expecting to be turned away. Things were shaky between her and David, and there was always the possibility that he had decided their relationship wasn’t worth the trouble.

She and Toby crossed the sumptuous, plant-filled lobby. There were two sets of elevators.

“What floor does David live on?” Toby queried when they were inside one of the elevators, his hand poised to punch the proper button.

“Seven,” Holly answered immediately, then bit her lower lip. Her eagerness was showing, and she had to get it under control. Letting David Goddard see how easily he could sway her would be foolish.

They arrived on the seventh floor in a whisk and stepped out into a spacious entryway, decorated, like the lobby, with plants.

David’s condominium apparently took up the entire floor, for there was only one door in sight. Holly’s hand trembled a little as she reached out to ring the bell. She drew a deep breath and summoned up a brave smile just as the door swung open.

A lovely woman wearing a colorful robe answered the door.

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