A Holiday Proposal Read Online Free PDF Page B

say her name with reverence, and your eyes got all dreamylike when you’d ask Jessica about her sister.” She shrugged. “I’m surprised Holly never knew. Or did she?”
    He shook his head. “I asked her to prom, but she barely noticed I was alive.”
    “Seems she’s noticed you now.”
    “She has a boyfriend.” He didn’t want to be unkind, but Holly had horrible taste in men, which made him feel a little better since she’d rejected him as a teen.
    “Who? That weasel at lunch? No way.” She clamped her lips together, and her eyes sparkled. “Sorry. That wasn’t nice. I’m working on only speaking if I have something kind to say. Guess I need to keep at it.”
    Matthew chuckled. “I think there’s an exception to the rule when you’re right.”
    His sister laughed. “Not true, but I wish it was.” She sighed. “This is nice. And for the record, I think you’re wrong about Holly. I didn’t see any sign that she’s a woman in love.”
    A jolt of hopefulness surged through him. Could his sister be correct?
    * * *
    After returning home from the disastrous meal at her parents’, Holly held the phone to her ear and rested her head back on the chaise. “Hi, Keira.”
    “What’s wrong, Holly?”
    “What makes you think something’s wrong?”
    “Your voice. Is everything okay at the candy shop?”
    “I don’t know. I’m in my apartment. Do you want me to go downstairs and check?”
    “Of course not. I just assumed... Never mind. What’s going on?”
    “Nothing much. I had lunch at my parents’ today, and Jessica announced she’s expecting.”
    “How wonderful! I imagine everyone is very excited, but that’s not why you called, is it?”
    “Not exactly. I could use some girl time.”
    “Pete and Cody are picking the last of the apples. You want to meet me at the ice cream shop? I could be there in twenty minutes.”
    Holly pursed her lips. Todd loved that place, and they often went there together while on lunch. What if he was there? She really needed to figure out what was going on between them before she saw him again. “Would you mind just coming over here? I don’t want to go out.”
    “Hmm, this is more serious than I thought. I’ll pick up ice cream on the way and be there in a little bit. Call Susan to join us?”
    “Good idea. Thanks, and, Keira?”
    “Hmm.”
    “Get chocolate.”
    “You got it.”
    The phone clicked, and a dial tone sliced down the line. Holly called Susan, who promised to be right over, then placed the phone on the coffee table, curled her legs up and gazed out the window onto Front Street. The quaint village buzzed with activity, even on this early-November Sunday afternoon. People scurried back and forth across the street, and one of the town’s two horse carriages was parked across the way waiting for the next paying customer.
    The colors of fall warmed the ground with a blanket of leaves, creating a cozy feeling even though the temperature outside was freezing. She choked on a laugh. Why was it that no matter how cold it was outside, chocolate ice cream always made everything better?
    A short time later a knock drew her to the door. “Who is it?”
    “Keira and Susan.”
    Her breath came out in a whoosh, and she flung the door open. “Thanks for coming.” She drew her friends inside. “I’ve made a mess of things.”
    Susan held up a hand. “Not until we each have a heaping bowl of my chocolate Sunday surprise.”
    “What’s that?” Holly stepped into the kitchen and pulled down three bowls and the ice cream scoop.
    “It’s a surprise.” Susan gently nudged Holly out of the kitchen.
    Keira followed and sat beside Holly at the breakfast bar. “I’m glad you called. The three of us haven’t gotten together since my wedding and Susan’s elopement.”
    “How’s married life treating you, Keira?” Holly asked as Susan plopped two large scoops of ice cream into each bowl then drizzled chocolate syrup over the top and finished with a