A Forever Thing: A Contemporary Christian Romance NOVELLA Read Online Free PDF Page B

leave.”
    “Why?” She pulled back to look at him. “Don’t you like us?”
    Kelly stared down at him, the questions hung in her eyes as well.
    “Of course. Of course, I like you. It’s just…” How was he going to explain why he’d left? If he told them the real reason why, what would they say?
    “It was cuz we were gone too long, right, Officer Baker?” Angie asked as she nodded at him all serious like.
    Tate wanted Angie to call him Tate, but Kelly had insisted she call him Officer Baker so she wouldn’t forget who she was dealing with. When it came to Angie, he became a marshmallow in a police uniform. “I thought it best if I left you two alone.” For reasons other than what they thought.
    Angie gazed up at her mom. “Told you that’s why he left.”
    “Yes, you did, baby. Yes you did.” She smiled at Angie, then up at him.
    Angie stepped further into the living room. “Where’s your tree? Don’t you have any decorations?” She planted her mitten-clad hands on her hips. “This place needs a makeover. Don’t you think, Mom?”
    A pink tint of embarrassment crept over Kelly’s face as she put her own mittened-hands on her daughter’s shoulders. “Angie, what Officer Baker does with his house is none of our concern. And where do you get all of this stuff?”
    Angie shrugged. “TV. Friends. You. Especially you. You said he was your friend. Don’t friends help each other?” The challenge in Angie’s tone was clear.
    Kelly looked over at Tate for help, but she wasn’t going to get off that easy.
    He sent her a smirk. “Well, Mrs. Larkin, answer her.”
    “Yeah, Mom. I’m waiting.” Angie crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot. Only this time, not one ounce of rebellion showed up in her stance, only a challenge.
    Tate crossed his arms over his chest and tapped his foot. “We’re waiting.”
    Kelly shook her head, threw her hands up, and laughed. “Okay, okay.” She removed her coat, gloves, hat and scarf and handed them to Tate. “Where are your decorations?”
    His joy dissipated. “I don’t have any.”
    “What? What kind of person doesn’t have Christmas decorations?” Kelly teased.
    “A bachelor who just moved from an apartment into his new home, and one who hasn’t had time to shop.”
    “Oh.” Kelly planted one arm at her stomach and tapped her fingers against her lips with the other as she scanned the room.
    Tate wondered if she liked what she saw even though nothing hung on the walls, and only a new microfiber couch, matching loveseat and recliner, and two end tables were in the large room. The place definitely needed a woman’s touch. His gaze slid to Kelly. But he needed to remember this woman was off limits.
    Seeing the joy on Angie’s face, and not wanting to let her down, he figured it wouldn’t hurt just this once to let them decorate his place. In the meantime, he’d do what he’d always done in the past, keep his feelings for Kelly buried.
    “I have extra decorations at the house. I could run and get them,” Kelly offered.
    “Trust me, Officer Baker, she has tons.” Angie rolled her eyes all dramatic like.
    He laughed. “I’m sure she does. But, I need to get some of my own. What do you ladies say we go shopping Saturday? You can help me pick out a tree and anything else I’ll need to make this place look as festive as yours?” It might end up looking as festive as theirs, but it wouldn’t be nearly as festive without them around.
    “Why Saturday?” Angie asked. “That’s four whole days away.”
    “Because that’s my day off.”
    “Oh.” Her tiny chest rose and fell, and she pursed her lip to one side.
    “How about…”
    “Angie.” Kelly cut her daughter off. “If Tate says he can’t do it until Saturday then we need to respect that.”
    “Okay,” she said on a heavy sigh. “I guess we can wait.”
     
    ♥ ♥ ♥
     
    Kelly wondered what happened to that little girl who had only 24 hours before wanted nothing to do