Almost Summer Read Online Free PDF Page B

be the
perfect match. Only, so far, all her dreams of travel had turned out to be cheap
talk. Hardly the kind of character to inspire the interest of a man who actually
did what he said.

Chapter Five
    The Fool’s Gold Spring Festival lived up to its
reputation, Alistair realized as he and Paige strolled through the crowded
streets. There were booths selling everything from jewelry to meditation CDs.
Food was everywhere. Although it was only ten in the morning, tourists munched
on hot dogs and cotton candy. Paige had promised him the best funnel cake this
side of the Rockies. He wasn’t sure what to expect as, from what he’d seen, the
treat was neither funnel-shaped, nor especially cakelike. But he was willing to
trust his hostess.
    “We have to get in position for the parade,” she said, grabbing
his hand and pulling him toward the center square.
    “There’s a parade?”
    “Of course. It’s fairly unorganized. Kids on bikes and people
sitting in the back of convertibles. One of the fire trucks gets decorated with
ribbons and flowers.” She grinned. “My friend Charlie is a firefighter. She
hates events like this. As she puts it, every holiday is a chance for people to
be stupid. But she loves telling kids about fire safety and enjoys showing them
the equipment.”
    Alistair frowned. “So she’s both happy and frustrated?”
    “Charlie is a bit of a contradiction.”
    “It appears so.”
    “Did I mention the goats?” she asked.
    He stared at her, wanting to get lost in her hazel eyes. He had
to force himself to pay attention to the conversation. “No. I would have
recalled goats. Are they part of the festival?”
    “They’re in the parade. My friend Heidi owns them. She’s the
one you flashed. She makes cheese and soap.”
    “Is that what’s in my shower?”
    “It is. Goat soap. It’s very mild and useful for several skin
conditions.”
    “I did not know that.” Information he might be able to use when
he traveled. Another way to help his patients.
    “You do now.” She tugged him along. “Hurry or all the best
spots will be taken.”
    He allowed her to pull him behind her. Her long hair fluttered
in the slight breeze. She’d traded in jeans for a summery dress that left her
shoulders and legs bare. Temptation, he thought, wondering how wrong it would be
for him to give in to the steady pulsing desire.
    Since Sara’s death, there had been women. Casual relationships
that had more to do with biology than emotion. He’d assumed that he wouldn’t
find anyone to engage his heart again. Losing his family had been
devastating.
    But with Paige, the stirring went deeper than simple lust.
While he would admit to wanting her in his bed, he had fantasies that had
nothing to do with her body and everything to do with her mind…and her
heart.
    He liked talking to her. She was endlessly curious. She
appeared to be accepting, without judgment, and she was always ready to laugh.
When she’d looked at the pictures of some of his patients on his phone, she’d
reminded him that he was fortunate to change lives with what he did. She’d
reminded him to be grateful for his training and skill.
    They came to a stop by several shops. The crowd was only a few
people deep in this part of town. In the distance he heard what he would swear
was a marching band.
    Baskets of flowers hung from streetlights. Banners and ribbons
fluttered in the breeze. The sky was blue and the temperature perfect in the
seventies. But what caught his attention were the people. He saw a group of
parade-watchers part to allow a family with small children room to go to the
front. Once there, the stroller was positioned on the street, right by the curb.
The mother sat down next to her baby, while a toddler was lifted onto his
father’s shoulders.
    There wasn’t any pushing or shoving, nothing but laughter and
smiles. Two teenagers giggled as they texted friends. An older couple whispered
to each other.
    This was normal, Alistair thought.