Among the Tulips Read Online Free PDF Page B

a man she didn’t evenknow, she glanced away. “Why is it that you can’t see me staying there?”
    â€œI don’t know. You seem more of a woman who would be happier at home surrounded by friends. Maybe one on one.”
    Well he’d certainly pegged her there. “You’re very astute,” she replied quietly.
    This road wasn’t as bumpy, and Annie found herself again relaxing into the thick luxurious seat, though increasingly aware of his presence.
    She didn’t dare turn and look at Victor. Good heavens. Was she making a mistake staying with him? What had happened to her simple sense of propriety? She wasn’t supposed to be attracted to a man. She was a widow!
    â€œYou said something about your friends sending you here?”
    â€œNo. Yes. Well, no. I mean, I wanted to come. I’m just…well…” She sighed. Still not herself, she probably admitted to more than she should when she elaborated. “I lost my husband four years ago. We’d been married eighteen years when he died. And they thought, for my birthday, they’d give me a trip as a gift. They thought it’d be great for me to get out and see the world before going back to work.” She still felt really fuzzy from all the medication. Sleep really sounded nice right now.
    â€œAh.” Victor’s voice sounded like an invitation to continue. He leaned back and resumed his regular seat.
    Dreamily she said, “It was easier to give in and besides, I think I was actually excited. I already had a passport. And so, a week later I was on the plane.”
    â€œOn your birthday,” he said.
    â€œI told you that?” Annie asked, surprised. Turning her head slowly, she met the caring stare of the man next to her.
    â€œHappy birthday,” he murmured and then offered her a slight smile. “You told me quite a bit.”
    Her cheeks flared with color as she realized she wasn’t sure exactly what she’d said. “Oh, dear.”
    He grinned a large wide grin that lit his eyes, causing them to sparkle with humor. “I’ll leave you guessing as to what you told me.”
    â€œA gentleman wouldn’t do that,” Annie said nervously though her eyes drifted half closed. This car was wonderfully comfortable, she thought.
    His grin actually widened a bit more. “Now who said I was a gentleman?” And then he laughed. It was a baritone, a deep-throated chuckle.
    Not the least bit sexy, but it had the devastating affect of pulling her into the joke and making her want to hear it again.
    They passed out of the city and turned east. Sherolled her head toward the window to look out. “The countryside is beautiful. These homes remind me of Heidi.”
    â€œExcept we don’t have mountains. We’re below sea level here.”
    â€œI remember the story of the boy with his finger in the dike,” she said, a languid amusement slipping into her voice.
    Small houses sat on parcels of land, and sheep wandered the lush green landscape. “This is beautiful.”
    â€œI’m glad you like it. So, do you still want to go home?”
    She hesitated. Pulling her gaze from the window, she allowed her vision to travel over to him. “I shouldn’t have come in the first place, but the thought of leaving right now…”
    He reached out and took her hand in a gentle squeeze. His larger hand engulfed her smaller one. “You’re tired and sore. I imagine in the next hour or two the pain medication will be wearing off. This hasn’t been the best welcome to our land, but I hope you’ll take a day or two and rest before you decide. Then, if you’d like to leave, I’ll see you get to the airport.”
    They turned onto a long drive and Victor glanced out the window. “Here we are,” he said.
    Annie followed his gaze. She noted the gate thatprotected his property. Large with solid round black bars, it kept intruders