Christmas Runaway Read Online Free PDF Page A

melt.
    Amy, much cheerier now, answered. “Are there lots of activities? I’ve always been involved in sports. I play soccer and ice hockey.”
    “You do? Dope! I play hockey too. What position?”
    “Goalie.”
    “No way! Me, too. The net’s the place to be.”
    “Yeah? I know what you mean.” Amy had lost all her reticence. Now relaxed in the chair, her finger twirling her long strands of curls, her face alive with interest, she looked much different from the unhappy girl Sara had met earlier.
    Sara hated to interrupt, but she really wanted to know how Kai had fared with his hosts and the trip. She moved to lean over Amy whose green eyes sparkled up at her alive and full of glee.
    “Kai, I hate to interrupt, but I want to know the telephone number to the hotel and the number to your room in case I have to get in touch with you.”
    “Sure mom. I’ll e-mail you all that stuff right after I finish talking with Amy.” The no nonsense tone to his voice made her understand that her son was growing up and putting down an ultimatum.
    Wisely, she backed off. “Awesome!” She grinned while he groaned. “Merry Christmas, my guy. I’ll talk with you tomorrow. Have fun there and be good.” She blew him a kiss.
    “Backatcha Mom. You be good too, and Merry Christmas.” His innocent look didn’t fool her at all. There was a message meant for her from the cheeky devil.
    Jack, waiting in the background, fluffed his daughter’s hair as he passed. “A few more minutes, Brat, then say goodbye. Right?”
    “Sure, Dad.”
    Knowing the kitchen needed to be cleared, Sara turned to go back into the room only to stop dead in her tracks. “You’ve put away the dishes? Are you for real?”
    His self-conscious grin warmed her insides. “Amy’s mom left us years ago. I do these chores at home. Amy helps sometimes but she's classic in getting out of having to work in the kitchen. Considering she’s only thirteen, you wouldn’t believe her excuses.”
    “I bet Kai’s are more imaginative. An allergy to soap and we have a dishwasher.”
    “The stoneware is too heavy. She can’t carry more than one plate at a time.”
    “Why do we have to wash everything, every night when it’s just getting used again tomorrow? Couldn’t we just wipe things off with our napkins and leave them on the table.”
    “Okay, that’s just plain lazy.”
    “Ya think? He’ll spend an hour or more polishing his ATV’s hubcaps but…?” Her shrug spoke a thousand words.
    Jack shrugged. “Gotta admit, in the big scheme, hubcaps are important...”
    Her glare stopped him. “It’s a man thing.”
    By this time, they each had a full glass of wine and were sitting together on the living room couch in front of the fire. She tapped her glass against his and shyly smiled. His searching look threw her until he smiled in return. He placed his arm around the back of the sofa and breathed deeply. “This is a wonderful room. You must love sitting here in the evening.”
    “I do. Except most times, I’m alone.” As soon as the truthful words left her lips, she realized she’d spoken honestly and not with her usual reserve. Bloody hell!
    Her face felt hot. Whatever possessed her to be so open with a virtual stranger? She’d never admitted these feelings to anyone before.
    Embarrassment, and a huge amount of self-pride had kept the secret locked inside. She was a lonely soul and hated anyone to feel sorry for her. She snuck a peek at the man sitting next her.
    He nodded as their eyes met. “I know what you mean. An empty room is still empty no matter how fancy the surroundings or decorations. It’s most likely why I spend most of my evenings working in my home office.”
    Jack picked up her hand, his so much bigger and stronger, hers so dainty next to his. His thumb rubbed her skin before he tightened his hold to draw her attention.
    Understanding his aim to get her to look at him, she lifted her heavy eyelids and let him see her honest yearnings. It