A Holiday Proposal Read Online Free PDF

give Matthew the benefit of the doubt. After all, he’d always been nothing but kind to her.

Chapter 4
    M atthew cradled a sleeping Ava against his chest and followed his sister up the steps to his house. He’d tossed out sand to keep everyone from falling. There’d been too much of that already.
    April unlocked and opened the door. “Put her on my bed.”
    Matthew walked into the guest room and stopped short. The normally neat and organized room had taken on a new appearance. Sheets were strewn across the disheveled bed, and the floor was littered with toys. He remembered remarking about how much stuff she’d brought, but wow. This gave a whole new meaning to cluttered . It looked as though his sister had had a rough morning.
    He scooted toys aside with his foot as he walked cautiously to the center of the large room, placed Ava on the queen-size bed, then he turned the monitor on and closed the door behind him.
    In the family room, April sat in a recliner with her legs raised. “Did she wake up?”
    He shook his head and turned on the monitor’s receiver. “She’s out. I guess the past two days have caught up to her.”
    “Probably, but this is a late nap. I didn’t think of that when I agreed to lunch this afternoon.” She worried her bottom lip. “We shouldn’t let her sleep too long, otherwise I won’t get her settled down tonight.”
    Ever since April had arrived on Friday it seemed he hadn’t had a moment’s peace. This was the first opportunity he’d had to just be with his sister. The quiet of the house felt so good after all the craziness of having an active three-year-old in residence. “Ava didn’t take a nap yesterday.”
    “I know. That was a mistake. I had a hard time getting her moving this morning and then all she wanted to do was play with her toys.” She winced. “I’m not usually such a slob.”
    “I know. Don’t stress about it.” He looked at his watch, then wadded old newspaper and tossed them into the fireplace. “I need to head over to the bakery soon. Is there anything I can pick up for you while I’m out?” He placed kindling over the paper then added a dry log. Striking a match he lit the paper and watched the flames begin to dance before putting the screen in place and facing his sister from his position on the floor.
    “No, thanks. You sure spend a lot of time at the bakery.”
    Matthew didn’t hear condemnation in her voice, just curiosity. “Yes, I have to get up early and bake, then run the place most of the day. While you and Ava are visiting I’ve arranged for help, or I’d never have any time to spend with you. Until you arrived I barely escaped the confines of the bakery.”
    “Don’t you find all work and no play makes life boring?”
    He frowned. “Not yet. I’ve only been open six months. I’m trying to get my business off to a successful start, and it’s important that I be there to greet and serve my customers.” He chuckled drily. “Actually, now that you mention it, my life has been anything but boring. I’ve been so busy, I haven’t had time to come up for air. Let’s just say your timing is perfect—I could probably use a little time off before I overdo and burn out.”
    “Well, then, I’m extra glad we’re here. By the way, I like your church, but why don’t you go to the one we went to as kids?”
    “It’s not there anymore.” He missed the church they’d grown up attending, but as they say, time doesn’t stand still.
    “Really? How sad. At least you found another great place to attend, which reminds me.” She waggled her brows and a silly grin covered her face.
    “What?” He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.
    “You and Holly?”
    “What about us?”
    “I noticed all the looks you sent her way over lunch and that you followed her into the kitchen later.” April tilted her head. “As I recall, you had quite a crush on her in high school.”
    Matthew stilled. “How did you know?”
    “You used to