Escaping Christmas Read Online Free PDF

snow. The wind gusted so strongly she could barely see her cabin, and they were only feet away. The temperature must have dropped twenty degrees. “Zach,” she said over the wind, “don’t leave.”
    His head whipped in her direction.
    Alex rushed to clarify. “The weather is too bad. You can put the snowmobile in that shed, can’t you?”
    “Are you sure?”
    “I’m sure. You can stay in the other bedroom. It’ll only be for a couple of days.”
    The wind swirled around them in gusts that took Alex’s breath away. She struggled to keep her eyes open. The snow, wind, and cold stabbed at her like needles.
    Zach wrapped his arm around her waist and led her to the front door. Under the cover of the porch, she could see again, but what she saw made her gasp in horror. There, attached to a log pillar with a knife, was a portfolio picture of her. Written in black marker across the picture were the words BEWARE: Owen Banks Will Ruin You!
    ****
    “What the hell?” Zach walked with purpose past the picture to the front door and turned the knob to see if it was locked. It was, but that was no guarantee someone wasn’t waiting for her inside. “Give me your key.”
    She complied without argument, tears streaming freely down her face, pulling at his heart strings, but there was no time for that.
    “Stay here,” Zach commanded, focused on the possibility of danger.
    “Maybe we should call the police.”
    He glanced over his shoulder. “The police? Out here? We’ll be popsicles by the time they get here. I’ll be right back.” He jogged to his snowmobile and returned quickly with a flashlight. He wanted no surprises. The cabin was dark and he wasn’t going in there blind.
    “Don’t move and don’t follow me in there,” he warned.
    “Please don’t go.” She grabbed at his coat and their eyes met. He knew if he allowed it, she could make his heart go to putty. But, obviously, there was more to Alexandra Storm than met the eye, and he wasn’t looking to complicate his life. Well, he had his answer to the mysterious Miss Storm. Someone had it out for her.
    Zach went from room to room, checking every closet, every nook and cranny. He could’ve made it home easily, but she didn’t know that. He told himself, when she first asked him to stay, he only wanted to make sure she was safe through the storm. Now, he was truly worried about her safety.
    Who was he kidding? He was here because his caveman hormones had kicked in. Zach slammed the last closet door shut. She was right. He should call the police and then put as much distance between them as possible. But, common sense had left the building.
    Zach peered out the front door to find her leaning against the wall, staring in the direction of the picture. “It’s all clear in here. Why don’t you make us some coffee, and I’ll put the snowmobile in the shed?”
    She only nodded, saying nothing. Zach watched her look around the living room before she crossed the threshold. He closed the door and his mind took off in fast forward.
    Alexandra Storm intrigued him from their first meeting. He wanted to make her forget that other guy when he knew this wasn’t the plan of action to keeping his life simple.
    Who had her so upset on the phone earlier? Why was someone warning her about an Owen Banks? He blew out a long breath, pushing open the shed doors and tucking in the snowmobile. After securing it, he looked to the sky. He knew this would be a bad storm and if he stayed he’d, most likely, be here awhile. He had to make a decision. He chose to stay. So much for simplicity.
    He went around the front and entered quickly, shaking off the snow at the door.
    She was waiting for him. “Let me take that.”
    “Thanks,” he said staring into light green eyes. She was beautiful. Her long, dark hair hung past her shoulders in loose, damp curls. He watched her hang his coat and hat by the door. “Are you okay?”
    “Sure, I’m fine,” she replied hurriedly and then