My Kind of Christmas by Robyn Carr

Author:Robyn Carr
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, Adult, Azizex666, Contemporary
ISBN: 9781459244375
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-10-23T04:00:00+00:00

Nine

When Angie entered the bar in the morning, it was empty. She went behind the bar, helped herself to a cup of coffee, then went back around to sit up on one of the stools. It was only a couple of minutes before Jack came from the kitchen.

“Hi,” she said. “Mel said you wanted to have a cup of coffee with me.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

He got out his own mug and filled it. She couldn’t miss the fact that he wore a troubled frown, that he was contemplative.

“Ange, I went out to the cabin last night. I got off a little early and since I hadn’t seen you all day I wanted to surprise you with some takeout and a nice bottle of wine.”

“Aww. How sweet.”

“Well, obviously I didn’t make it inside. I thought it might be awkward, what with the lights out and Patrick’s Jeep there.” He looked at her pointedly.

“He surprised me. When I got home from the clinic he was there. Did you see the lights? He put up Christmas lights and a wreath. I’m thinking about a small Christmas tree, but I don’t have ornaments. I could string popcorn or something. We used to do that—”

“Ange, Patrick was there. It was nine-thirty.”

She looked at her watch. “He was there at eight-thirty this morning, too.”

Jack groaned, leaned on the bar and put his head in his hand. “Angie, Angie, Angie.”

But she held firm, looking him straight in the eyes. “I like him. He’s a great guy.”

Jack lifted his head. “He’s a Navy pilot from Charleston.”

“I know this. On leave until the twenty-third. Then back to the base…and probably the ship.”

“So you know it has no potential? That it won’t last? That you’re having a little…?”

She leaned toward him. “Jack, he spent the night. I have very high standards, especially since that last boyfriend dumped me before I even remembered who he was. Paddy is a perfect gentleman. Uncle Jack, I’m twenty-three. I’m not a child, and I’m certainly not a nun.”

“You seem so young to your poor old uncle Jack....”

She shook her head sadly. “Emma’s going to have a hard time with you. My mother was engaged at twenty-three.”

“Your mother was engaged twice,” he corrected.

Angie sat back. “Really? I didn’t know that!”

“The first one was a mistake. Angie, I worry about Patrick. There are things bothering him.”

“His best friend was killed right in front of him! Recently. You’re right—of course it bothers him.”

“I think he has PTSD stuff going on.”

She laughed. “Jack, I have PTSD!” To his shocked expression she said, “Oh, I get it, you thought PTSD was reserved for the military. Most of my issues are very different from Paddy’s, but it’s amazing how much we have in common. PTSD is something you have to work through—it doesn’t mean you’re permanently damaged goods. And you know what? I thought I dreaded everyone knowing, but I’m glad it’s out—now maybe we can get dinner here or order takeout or be seen together. I’m kind of tired of all this sneaking around.

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