A Very Crimson Christmas by Major Michelle

Author:Major, Michelle [Major, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Contemporary, Romance, Holiday Time, Holiday Season, Christmas, Christmas Wishes, Returned, CEO, Crimson Colorado, Family Life, Fiction, Bachelor, Nanny, Live-In Help, Adult, Young Boy, Missing Money, Taking Advantage, Broken Heart, Past History, Single Mother, H.S. Sweetheart, Left Town, Thief, Her Son, Trust
Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition
Published: 2015-11-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

It was almost eleven when Natalie parked her car in front of the farmhouse, cursing the butterflies that flitted across her stomach at the sight of Liam’s big SUV in the driveway.

She’d been asked to take on an extra shift at the senior center and had arranged for Olivia to stay with Austin and Ruth. She hated asking friends for favors, but right before Christmas she needed the money more than her pride. According to Olivia, Logan had gone to Crested Butte overnight, so she’d been happy to keep busy. But now Olivia’s car was gone, so she knew she’d be facing Liam alone.

Natalie half expected him to lay into her for shirking her responsibilities with his former nanny. She couldn’t blame him for not quite trusting her since she hadn’t yet explained her whole situation to him. Guilt ate away at her even though she hadn’t taken the money. Natalie had tried to talk to Ruth about whether she’d paid off Brad. But Ruth continued to act as though she had no memory of Natalie telling her anything about the debt. She wanted to believe Ruth, but, other than speaking to her mother, Brad had left her alone for nearly three months. That was a record and Natalie was almost able to sleep through the night without waking up in a cold sweat, worried about her ex-husband’s next demands on her.

She glanced at the barn’s workshop before walking toward the house. She had to finish up a few bracelets tonight, but first needed to check on Austin and Ruth and figure out why Liam was there instead of Olivia.

The house was quiet as she walked in, peaceful in its silence and shadows. Natalie took a breath and walked into the den, where she could see the light of the television glowing blue in the darkness.

She stopped short in the doorway at the sight of Liam stretched out on the couch, arms crossed over his chest, fast asleep. Her heart sped in rhythm as her body had its annoyingly familiar reaction to him. Stupid body with its heat and flush. She started to clear her throat then stopped, swept up in memories as she watched him.

Asleep and unaware of her presence, he looked softer, younger. More like the boy she’d fallen in love with so many years ago. A lock of dark hair fell over a forehead smooth without lines from worry or anger. Worry about Ruth and anger at Natalie. She deserved it, she knew, for her fear and cowardice. And so much more. But it didn’t seem to matter now. Now that he wasn’t looking at her with so many tangled emotions, she could let go of her own regrets for a moment and just relish being with him.

Because even asleep, Natalie could feel Liam’s energy and the connection between them that didn’t seem to break, no matter how she pushed and stretched it. She inched closer to the couch, glancing at the TV as she did. One of the Marvel Comics movies played, making her smile.

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