The Lodge on Holly Road by Sheila Roberts

Author:Sheila Roberts
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-03-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Happy Holidays

John walked Holland into the lobby, expecting to hear her rave over its old-world charm, the baby grand in the corner, the elaborately carved banister on the staircase, decorated with greens. The big sleigh filled with presents. Instead, she asked, “Who was that woman?”

“What woman?”

She frowned at him as if he were an idiot. “The one you were playing with in the snow.”

“Oh, her.” John had already moved on mentally to being with Holland. He shifted gears. “She brought her kids up here for Christmas. Anyway, I thought we’d start with lunch at Schwangau.”

“You just met her?”

Switching gears again. “Yeah.”

Holland raised an eyebrow.

She couldn’t be jealous of some poor single mom and her kids, could she? “What?”

“You seemed pretty friendly, is all.”

“Hey, I made friends while I was here. What did you want me to do, sit in my room until you got around to coming up?” This wasn’t exactly the way to begin a romantic holiday, but she was ticking him off.

“No,” she said stiffly.

“I’m not interested in her if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Okay, fine. I just thought it was kind of weird. I mean, last night you were begging me to come up when I had to work late, and this morning you’re hanging out with some...woman.”

This had all the makings of a stupid fight, and he didn’t want to fight. He wanted to have fun. “Come on, babe,” he said, wrapping his arms around her. “This isn’t how I want to start our holiday.”

Just then the two older women were coming down the stairs. “Oh, John,” said Vera, the plump one, “I see your sweetie has arrived.”

“You know them, too?” Holland asked under her breath.

“What can I say? I met everybody.”

“You’re a lucky girl,” Jane said, and Vera patted Holland on the shoulder as they walked past.

“Hear that?” John teased. “You’re a lucky girl.”

She just shook her head. “Let’s see the room.”

Thankfully, the room passed inspection. “Wow,” Holland said, looking around. “It’s really charming.” She stood by the window and looked out at the mountains. “Great view.”

“I did good, huh?” he said, coming to stand behind her and slipping his arms around her waist.

She turned to smile at him. “Yeah, you did.” Suddenly something rather like guilt crossed her face.

Of course, now she felt bad that she hadn’t been willing to come up with him the night before. Good.

But he was willing to forgive and forget. “It’s okay,” he said, and kissed the side of her face. “You’re here now, and that’s all that matters. We’re gonna have a great time.”

“John.” She bit her lip.

“What?” Where was the smile? “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. It was sweet of you to plan this.”

“Hey, I know how to have fun,” he told her. “This is going to be a weekend to remember.”

She smiled. “I saw some great shops when I drove through town. Let’s go check them out.”

“We will,” he promised. “But first I have something lined up for us. Something you’ll love, and—”

“John,

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