Head over Heels for the Holidays by Jennifer Bernard

Author:Jennifer Bernard [Bernard, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781945944659
Publisher: Jennifer Bernard

Chapter 18

Rune’s pulse was still racing when they reached the Sweet Harbor Bakery. Not just from the adrenaline of the rescue, but from the way Maya kept looking at him, with that soft light in her eyes.

It made wild thoughts cartwheel through his brain and lust flood into his veins.

The bakery was located only a few hundred yards from one of Lost Harbor’s most famous beaches. Lanterns in the shape of stars lit the windows of the bakery. The warm lights glowed like a beacon in the dark sleet-filled night. He could see movement inside; people laughing and getting up to help themselves to more food.

Beyond the bakery, the road continued for a short distance and dead-ended at a parking lot at the beach. It made for a great view spot to take in the surf along the shoreline and the majestic mountains in the distance.

He’d gone running along the beach a few times, going as far as he could before the incoming tide met the bluffs and he had to turn back.

He didn’t mind at all when Maya said softly, “Keep going,” as they reached the bakery’s driveway. After the intensity of a rescue—even one with light injuries—he too could use a little time to decompress before facing all the people waiting for them in the bakery. All the questions, the curiosity—he wasn’t ready for any of that.

Long driftwood logs separated the parking lot from the beach. Usually the spaces were filled with the vehicles of dog-walkers, beach-strollers, hikers. Tonight, they were the only ones present to witness the storm riling up the ocean into foaming surf that flung itself onto the shore.

The roar of the waves fought the sound of his engine for dominance—and won as soon as he turned off the car.

For a moment, they sat in silence as they absorbed the spectacle before them. Turbulent gray clouds drove waves of sleet onto the beach. It whipped against the car, which shook with each gust of wind. He hoped that no one was out on the water tonight. It felt almost as if they were on a boat themselves, alone in a tiny bubble sheltered from the forces of nature raging around them.

The only sound from inside the car was that of their breathing. Maya stared out the window, just as riveted by the storm as he was. He remembered a trick he’d heard; if you want someone to connect with you, sync your breathing to theirs. But his and Maya’s breathing were already in tune, as if rising and falling on the same churning surf.

“That was—” he began at the same time she spoke.

“I was so scared it was—”

“Your father. I know. That red Jeep.”

“Everyone loves renting red Jeeps.” She gave a shaky laugh. “I should have figured. Vicki was raised in Bethel, she’s a lifelong Alaskan. She knows how to drive in the snow.” She rubbed her hands down the front of her thighs. Her suede skirt was speckled with darker spots left by the precipitation.

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.