A Christmas for Hope Read Online Free PDF Page B

talk about?”
     
    “I wouldn’t know where to begin.”
     
    Lucas pulled into the tented tree lot. Workers were still pulling trees from the back of a truck. He put the car in park and turned in his seat. He ran his fingers along the back of her hand where she’d placed it on the console.
     
    “Look, I’m sorry about my grandmother.”
     
    “I’m not concerned about Giselle. She’s an old woman with your best interests at heart.” Hope arched a brow.
     
    “Okay, I’m lost. Why are you upset?”
     
    “I’m not upset.” She sniffed.
     
    “Uh-huh. Then what is on your mind?”
     
    “The brunette, the one that kept fawning over you…”
     
    “Yes?”
     
    The tap on the driver’s side window made them both jump. Lucas gritted his teeth. Just when he was making headway with Hope. He grunted while rolling down the window and peered into the rheumy blue eyes of an elderly man.
     
    “Yes, sir?” Lucas spoke through clenched teeth and pasted a smile on his face.
     
    “Do you need help, son?”
     
    “We’re here to pick out a pine tree.”
     
    Hope snorted in the background.
     
    Lucas ignored her. “Are you open?”
     
    “Not officially open for business yet but you’re in luck. It’s my lot.” The old man straightened and stepped back.
     
    Lucas pulled the lever releasing his door and stepped out. He walked round the back of his car to open Hope’s door. He helped her out of the automobile and turned to face the man while she stretched. He took in the lot attendant’s appearance. Lucas was reminded of a greeting card he’d seen once of Santa Clause on vacation. The guy wasn’t a large man and he had a pot belly. The word jovial came to mind, and the shockingly white hair that covered his head and face only enhanced the image of the big man on vacation. That coupled with the red tank he wore over black jeans and work boots, made Lucas chuckle while debating if the attendant was an old hippie or a Santa Claus impersonator or maybe both.
     
    “What’s so funny?” Hope stepped in line next to him.
     
    “I was just thinking that the old man there was Santa on retreat.”
     
    He watched as Hope stared at the man and chewed her bottom lip. A habit he was learning she did when she was deep in thought. Absently she rolled her hand around her belly. “I could see how you would get that impression.”
     
    The owner pulled a red baseball cap from his pocket and slipped it on his head. When he glanced over his shoulder at them, a wide smile split his lips. “Oh, you’re expecting.” He lifted his head to meet Lucas’s gaze. “So when’s the baby due?”
     
    “January fifteenth.” Lucas answered as he took Hope’s hand to tug her along, following the elderly man.
     
    Hanging behind a few feet they trailed after the pseudo-Santa through the growing maze of trees. The smell of pine was ripe in the air. Hope would pause for a few moments to study a particular tree. He watched as she took the tree’s limbs in hand and caressed the needles. The thought of those soft palms on his shaft made his dick harden. Lucas grazed a hand over his jeans to discreetly adjust himself.
     
    She glanced back and her smile shone through her eyes. The evergreens surrounded her and his heartbeat slowed, then stopped before resuming with such a hard thud he knew she had to have heard it. There was no denying the fact that he wanted her with a ferocity that he had nothing to actually compare too. Lucas wiped a palm down his face at the unusualness of the situation.
     
    “Do you like that one?” His voice was soft; he had to clear his throat.
     
    “I do.” She shifted trying to see around it.
     
    “Are you still angry with me?” Lucas stepped forward and pulled the tree upright.
     
    “I think it’s wiser to forget the entire episode.”
     
    “Will you answer one question then?”
     
    “Do you really want to continue our conversation on this particular subject?” She lifted her chin and