Almost Summer Read Online Free PDF

heard stories.”
    He walked toward one of the chairs and pulled it back. “I’ve
taken the liberty of choosing our meal. If you’d like to have a seat?”
    She dropped her purse onto the porch and did as he requested.
He poured them each a glass of wine, then settled across from her.
    “I have had a stream of visitors this afternoon,” he told her.
“Your neighbors have checked on me. Simon sent a doctor over to confirm that I’m
no longer contagious.”
    She laughed. “I’m not surprised. The man is crazy when it comes
to his wife.”
    “He loves her and wants to keep her safe. I understand his
concern.”
    The words were quiet—simple and heartfelt. Paige knew he was
thinking about Sara and their baby and how he hadn’t even been in the country
when they’d died. Talk about devastating. But what she wondered was what lesson
he’d learned from the horror. Was it never to give his heart again? To never
risk the pain? Or had he decided instead to make sure the next time he was
there, with his family? Or rather that they were with him?
    But before she could figure out how to ask, he made a joke
about the menu and the moment had passed.
    They enjoyed a delicious salad and then an entrée of mac and
cheese with chicken and asparagus.
    “Not a traditional dish,” Alistair admitted, taking another
helping. “But delicious.”
    “I agree. People in this town can cook.”
    He studied her. “You love it here.”
    “I do.”
    “Is that why you haven’t traveled?” He shrugged. “I don’t mean
to drift into sensitive territory, but you’ve made it fairly clear that you want
to see the world. Yet here you are.”
    She picked up her wineglass and then set it down. “I meant to
go. Sophia told me to. But I didn’t want to leave her by herself. She was older
and getting frail. Then she died.”
    Paige swallowed against the still-painful memory. “It happened
so fast. She turned to me and told me she loved me, then she collapsed. It was a
heart attack. She died immediately. After that, I couldn’t manage to pull it
together. I have a list of places I’d like to visit, but I can’t seem to take
the first step. I’m not sure what’s holding me back.”
    She tried to smile, but had a feeling she failed. “She would be
so disappointed in me.”
    Alistair moved quickly, standing, then walking around the table
and pulling her to her feet. “She would be no such thing. I’m sure your aunt is
very proud of you.”
    “You can’t know that.”
    “I can and I do. You took me in without a second thought.”
    He was holding her hands in his, which was distracting enough,
but there was also how close they were standing and the way his intense blue
eyes held her gaze. Was it just her or was it hot out here?
    “Anyone would have taken you in,” she murmured.
    “We both know that’s not true. You’re lovely and giving and
when you’re ready, you’ll take your journey.”
    “I hope you’re right.”
    “I am. After all, I’m a viscount.”
    She laughed. “Silly me. Of course you must be the knower of all
things. By royal decree, of course.”
    “Of course.”
    The words were the barest of whispers, spoken as he lowered his
head and pressed his mouth to hers.
    The kiss was gentle. A light brush, a teasing touch and then it
was over. She didn’t even have time to catch her breath before he kissed her
again. This time with slightly more pressure.
    Wanting stirred. Her hands fluttered in his as she started to
lean in. But just before things got interesting, Alistair straightened.
    “Our dinner is getting cold.”
    Their what? Oh. Right. Dinner.
    “We wouldn’t want that,” she said, stepping back. Only it was
exactly what she wanted, she thought as she took her seat. After years of
wondering why she couldn’t be like her friends and fall madly in love, she found
herself intrigued by a handsome stranger who would never want to settle down in
one place.
    In theory she wanted to see the world, so they should