The Christmas Promise (Heartsong Presents) by Johnson Kimberly Rose

Author:Johnson, Kimberly Rose [Johnson, Kimberly Rose]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-11-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Pete tapped a pen against the file. “Well?” He leaned forward and rested on his forearms.

“Everything’s set. Oh, and I was able to clear your schedule so you can go to that conference in Seattle tomorrow.” Meghan cuddled Molly in her arms as the puppy licked her chin. She tilted her head back and giggled. “That tickles.”

“Great! Now I just need to find a dog sitter.”

Meghan back away. “Don’t look at me.”

“Maybe Keira can help me out.”

“Good thinking. After all, this will give her an idea of what she’s in for. Besides, once you tell her about what you have planned there’s no way she’ll say no.”

“Except it’s a surprise.” Pete grinned, then sobered. What he was trying to do for Keira felt like mountain climbing in a blizzard but it was worth it. He pushed back from his desk and stood. What if she hated his surprise? “Maybe my surprise is a bad idea.”

“No, it isn’t.” Meghan set Molly down. “I don’t want to speak out of turn, but you are one boring man. This is the most life I’ve ever seen in you. Whoever this woman is, she’s good for you. You’re not canceling.”

“Ouch.” He grinned. He wasn’t boring. She just didn’t know him outside of work. He hiked and skied among a plethora of other outdoor activities, although he usually did those things alone.

Meghan bit her lip and shook her head. “Sorry. My mom always says I’m too blunt for my own good.”

“No problem. Will you keep Molly during lunch today?” He took Max out of the kennel, attached the green coat around him and then latched his leash.

“Sure. She’s such a sweet thing, and it’s good for these two to spend time apart. Come Christmas they’re going to miss each other.”

“Yeah.” He’d thought of that several times, but in the back of his mind he hoped to continue meeting Keira in the park and the dogs would see each other then. But maybe that was unrealistic.

With a sigh, he plunged into the cold winter day. Snow swirled around his boots as he walked toward the village park. The clip-clop of horse hooves on the cleared road drew his attention. A large black mare pulled tourists through the village in an open-top carriage decorated for Christmas with a small round wreath and red flowers. He grinned and waved to the driver.

Christmas music piped through nearby speakers and rosy-cheeked shoppers strolled along the sidewalks. Ah, Christmas in Leavenworth couldn’t be beat.

“Mr. Pete!” Cody ran toward him.

Max barked and pulled at his leash.

“Slow down, Cody. Remember never to run toward a dog.”

The child slowed to a walk. “Sorry. I forgot.”

Pete looked for Keira but didn’t see her. “Where’s your mom?”

Cody pointed toward the gazebo. “May I hold Max’s leash?”

“Sure.” Walking beside the boy, he imagined this was what it would’ve felt like if Jack had still been in his life. His shoulders slumped. He missed the child. It’d been a year since he’d seen him, but he still loved him and imagined Jack would always hold a place in his heart.

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