Christmas in Mistletoe Square by Cara Putman & Cara Putman & Janine Rosche & Teresa Tysinger

Author:Cara Putman & Cara Putman & Janine Rosche & Teresa Tysinger
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cara Putman

Chapter Eleven

There was such a lost look on Avery’s face, in the way her shoulders slumped, that Hunter wanted to pull her into a hug and shelter her from whatever was going on between Candice and Paul. While he edged closer to the doorway that held her up, he hesitated from reaching out as Paul glared at him. Then something hardened in Avery’s eyes, and he wished the lost girl would come back.

“Yes.” The woman seemed to shrink in front of them as she focused on Avery.

“You told me my dad died.”

“It was easier than the truth that he didn’t care.”

Paul bristled and stood taller, as if that would make him more intimidating. “I had to go back to college.”

“Leaving me here.”

“You could have joined me.”

“And live in a tiny studio apartment—away from my family, my friends, doing nothing—while you had all the fun.” Candice straightened her shoulders. “We were better off here.”

“I’m twenty-eight. I deserve to know the truth.” Avery rubbed her forehead as if pressing back tension. The action didn’t bring any color back to her cheeks, and Hunter prepared to brace her if necessary.

He was proud of the way she didn’t fall apart. Didn’t walk away. What were her parents thinking to have this argument in front of her?

“The truth is this man didn’t care enough to see you . . . to be a part of our lives . . . to give any substantive support. He walked away and never looked back.” Candice’s lips flattened as a vein pulsed at her temple. “I should have known you were at Fine Press. I’d have stopped spending my money there. Why bother coming now? What’s in it for you?”

“Maybe I’ve seen the error of my ways.”

“More likely you need something from us.”

Avery lifted her hands, then turned to Paul. “Stop, please. Can we come back to why you thought Elaine was your daughter?”

“Her voice in the blog posts—it sounded like your mother’s writing.”

“I haven’t written in years. I had to raise a child by myself. Keeping a bookstore alive sucked everything from me.”

“I need you to stop.” Avery held her hands in front of her as if that would stop the flow of vitriol from her mother. “How does his coming—” She pointed at Paul. “—connect to Elaine’s sudden departure?”

“He ran her off.” Her voice sliced through the air as she turned toward Paul. “There’s a reason Elaine was hiding here. But if you’re not her dad, then someone else is and she’s running from him. I think.”

Paul studied Avery as if he hadn’t heard what was said about Elaine. “She has my mom’s eyes.”

“And your straight nose.” Candice might have acknowledged a family resemblance, but it didn’t look like she’d give an inch on anything else.

“I can’t process this right now.” Avery’s fingers fidgeted along the edges of her dress, and she turned to Hunter. “Can we leave?”

“Absolutely. Paul, you and Candice need to figure this out.” He approached Avery, noting her over-bright eyes, and offered his arm.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.