Christmas at Candlebark Farm Read Online Free PDF Page B

You need to relax,’ she repeated when he retrieved her toast and set it in front of her. He returned from the pantry with his arms laden with spreads.
    She opened her mouth to protest some more, but suddenly she was ravenously hungry and allowed herself to be sidetracked long enough to slather butter and strawberry jam over one slice of toast. ‘Oh, this is divine,’ she groaned, devouring it and repeating the process with the second slice. When she was finished she leant back in her chair with a sigh. ‘How on earth is it possible to feel so sick just a few short hours ago and now be so hungry?’
    â€˜It’s normal.’
    That was when she remembered what she had to tell him. She had to set him straight. ‘Luke, I’m not some pathetic piece who’s accidentally found herself pregnant and then been dumped by some low-down, lying snake in the grass.’ She could see that was what he thought.
    â€˜It’s none of my business.’ He shot to his feet. ‘Would you like more toast?’
    No, she didn’t want more toast. She didn’t want him making her feel all warm and fuzzy inside either.
    â€˜For the last twelve months I’ve been on an IVF programme.’ She waited to see if her words made any impression on him.
    He bent down to survey the contents of the fridge. ‘What about a piece of fruit or a yoghurt?’
    â€˜Did you hear what I just said? I’ve fallen pregnant deliberately. And I’ve chosen to do it on my own.’
    He stopped fussing at the fridge to turn and stare. ‘What on earth would you go and do something like that for?’
    Now that she had his attention—and, oh my, she certainly had that—she wasn’t sure she wanted it. ‘You…um…might like to close the fridge door. It’s shaping up to be a warm day.’
    â€˜You… But… You’re too young!’
    She blinked. And then she grinned. ‘How old do you think I am? I’m twenty-four—old enough to know my own mind.’
    Luke sat, scratched both hands back through his hair while he stared at her. ‘But you’re still so young. You’re attractive…’
    Her heart did that stupid leaping around thing again.
    â€˜Do you have something against men?’
    â€˜No!’ She stared at him in horror, but she could suddenly see how he’d come to that conclusion. ‘I had an infected ovary removed when I was nineteen. In the last couple of years my remaining ovary has started to develop cysts, and it looks like it will have to go as well. And soon.’
    â€˜So medically…?’
    â€˜If I want a baby, I have to look at doing it now.’
    He sat back, let out a low whistle.
    â€˜I mean, in an ideal world I’d have found the man of my dreams and we’d…’ She trailed off. She wasn’t anti-men, not by any stretch, but she wasn’t sure she believed in the man of her dreams either.
    â€˜That’s a heck of a decision to be faced with—and to do it on your own.’ Luke leaned towards her, his hand clenched and his eyebrows drawing down low over his eyes. ‘Being a single parent—you have no idea how hard it is. You could’ve found a man who’d have been happy to help you out.’ He shook his head. ‘It would’ve spared you the expense of IVF, and going through your pregnancy alone.’
    â€˜And given me a whole new set of problems,’ she pointed out. But her heart burned for him. He and his wife might have already been separated, but her death had obviously wounded him. He’d certainly never expected to become a single father. That much was evident.
    She’d known Luke Hillier for less than twenty-four hours,but last night he’d held her hair back from her face while she’d vomited. She figured that gave her a certain insight into the man. She leant across the table towards him. She wanted to reach across and