Eggnog and Candy Canes: A Blueberry Springs Christmas Novella Read Online Free PDF Page B

possibly; the jury was still out on whether this new persona was for real or not. Best friend’s ex… Those were just a few things that popped to mind.
    “What does that mean?”
    She faced the fire, arms crossed.
    “Katie?” He slipped his gloved hand into her mittened one.
    “You like things a certain way. Your way.”
    “So do you.”
    “And you are my best friend’s ex.”
    He withdrew his hand. “Right.”
    They sat in silence, the warmth of the fire battling the air’s chill.
    “What happened with you and Will?”
    Katie didn’t answer.
    “Did he finally drive you around the bend?”
    It was a serious question, not meant to offend, but it hit a mark within her. “Excuse me?”
    Nash draped an arm around her, keeping her close. “You are neat, organized, know what you want and won’t let anything stand in your way. Will is a lot like your father—good with numbers, but content to sit back and let you lead. No matter how strong we are, sometimes we all need someone else to pull the wagon for a while.” Nash paused as though collecting his thoughts. “Katie, you need someone by your side who can help kick the hurdles out of your way. Not doing it for you. Not watching you do it. You need a wingman.” He turned her face to him again, eyes meeting hers. “You need me. Wouldn’t you agree?”
    Nash was really laying down the cards. He was cocky. Confident. Sure of himself and so incredibly correct in terms of what she needed in a man. And they would be an amazing team. They’d get stuff done. He’d understand where she was coming from.
    But while he made a good argument, was he really the missing piece?
    She stood. “I’m not sure we can do this.”
    “Is it the long-distance thing?”
    “Best friend thing.”
    “Becoming best friends takes time.”
    “I meant Beth,” Katie snapped.
    “I can talk to her.”
    “No, I can.”
    “She and I are still friends,” he said.
    “Yeah, and so are we.”
    “Are we going to fight over who knows Beth best?”
    “This is my hurdle, Nash.”
    “Then it is all yours.”
    Katie sat, fighting a smile. This? Yeah, okay, this could work. “Fine. But what are we actually doing? What are we asking her?”
    She watched Nash’s expression as he contemplated his answer, loving that she could talk so openly and bluntly with a man.
    But this one? Oh, heavens. What was she thinking? This wouldn’t last one second. And they were moving so fast it was ridiculous. This was what had happened with Beth. He’d come in, told her what she needed to hear and swept her away just like that.
    Well, Katie was smarter than that.
    “Maybe we need to slow down a little,” Nash said quietly, drawing her against him as she sagged in relief.
    They sat in comforting silence, and even though she knew that her family, best friend, and half the town were on the other side of the snowbank protecting them from gossip, it was nice to be held. To be with someone who seemed to be in sync with her.
    Nash tossed another log on the fire and sat back, allowing her to snuggle against him again. “What do you want in life, Katie? Are you happy doing this?”
    There it was again. Happy.
    “Doing what?” she asked, buying time.
    “Nursing. Being the bottom of the totem pole.”
    “I’m head nurse. A source of pride and gloating for my father, seeing as I failed bio the first time around, in tenth grade.” She swung a fist through the air. “I sure showed them, by golly.”
    “There’s more to you, Katie.”
    “Only when I eat a lot.”
    Nash shifted, taking a no-nonsense tone. “You and I are a lot alike, and I’m always wanting more. So? What are you looking for, Katie Reiter? Don’t hide behind humor and topic changes.”
    She reached for her cup of rum and eggnog, teetering on the brink of telling him everything she’d kept inside for years.
    No wonder Beth had crushed on him so badly; the man was a good listener. That was also likely why some folks had thought he might be gay.