Christmas Al Dente by Hart Jennifer L

Author:Hart, Jennifer L.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romantic suspense, romantic comedy, women sleuths, romantic mystery, humorous mystery
Publisher: Gemma Halliday

CHAPTER FOUR

The pasta shop was closed the next two days for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It had been an executive decision on my part. Yes, we could have used the holiday rush for extra income, but as it was the last year to really do Christmas up right on Grove Street, I felt the need to take the time and be with my family.

I woke at my usual time of the plumber's butt crack of dawn and stumbled out of Jones's bed toward the holy land, a.k.a. the coffee pot. I had a million things to do in the next two days, and needed massive doses of caffeine to kick my brain into high gear.

"Morning." Jones, looking sleep-rumpled and oh, so appealing in only a pair of black boxer shorts, scratched at his morning stubble.

I shivered and pulled my bathrobe cinch even tighter. "Aren't you cold?"

He shook his head. "This is balmy."

I smiled into my coffee cup. This was a familiar conversation. I felt like an ice cube if the temperature dipped below sixty, whereas Jones seemed to be part polar bear and reveled in the chilly weather. Next up, he'd volunteer to keep me warm. I could see the sparkle of intent in his bright blue eyes, and my breath caught as my heart rate picked up speed. I was ready to say the heck with the holidays and spend the next two days in bed, but the doorbell rang.

Roofus, Pops' geriatric beagle I'd inherited when Pops and Aunt Cecily had moved to the assisted living facility, lifted his head and gave a half-hearted woof as I trotted past. He spent most of his day looking for places to sleep where Jones or I would be sure to trip over him, except for meal times when he was as lively as a pup.

"Don't let us interrupt your beauty sleep," I said to the dog on the way to the door. Roofus put his head back down and stared at me with rheumy eyes.

"One masterful guard dog," Jones said. Roofus growled.

"Play nice boys. Jones, go get dressed."

He flashed me a grin. "I love it when you're bossy."

"This is why our relationship works." I smiled at him like an idiot. Donna must have been mistaken. Jones wasn't going to mess everything up by proposing to me now. We'd hit our relationship stride. We had fun and passion—who'd take the wrecking ball of commitment to such a great start?

I waited until I heard the bedroom door shut before I opened the front door. A gust of cold winter wind blew up under my bathrobe, and I shivered even before I recognized our visitor.

"Mavis!" I blinked and shifted back. "What are you—?"

She pushed past me, her face beet red, fists clenched in fury. "How dare you go to my home and lie to my son behind my back!"

"I didn't—" I stopped myself because of course I had. Retrenching, I shut the door and held out my hands in classic hold-up-a minute body language.

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