Escaping Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page B

changed the subject. “I don’t have any dry clothes for you,” she said apologetically.
    Zach held up his backpack. “I always carry some with me. I never know when I’ll need them. Living in the mountains,” he added as an afterthought. “Do you have any idea who would have done that?” No sense beating around the bush.
    “I’m in the public eye. It could have been anyone.”
    Her attempt to pass off the incident as an everyday occurrence wasn’t sitting well with him. “Well, just the same, I wouldn’t open the door unless you know who’s on the other side.” He could only make the suggestion. He had no rights to her.
    Alex nodded. “Well, make yourself at home. You can have the guest room.” A small smile crossed her face.
    “What?” he returned her smile.
    “I guess telling you to make yourself at home is stupid. This is your home.” She hugged herself. “The coffee’s ready. I’ll start something to eat while you put your things away and warm up.”
    Zach followed her into the kitchen, ignoring her suggestion. She grabbed hamburger from the refrigerator and emptied the cupboards for, he guessed, the staples of chili. Alex turned and ran into him. He steadied her, but failed to let go. “Can I help you?” he asked with double meaning. Her eyes drifted upwards until they met his. She was rattled. The question was, why?
    ****
    Face first into a muscular chest, Alex faltered. “I, uh, was going to make chili. Do you like chili?” Her words echoed back to her. She sounded like an idiot. She couldn’t stop shaking. The image of a knife through her face rushed through her mind. She was one step from hysterical. Who could have put that picture there? The earlier phone call from Owen disturbed her even more now. What was he up to that someone would warn her? The internal battle continued until Zach interrupted.
    “Love it. Let me help. After all, you’re giving me a place to stay.”
    What was he talking about? Right, the chili…and his cabin. “Zach, this is your place, remember? And don’t think for a moment I don’t know why you’re here.”
    “And what exactly is your theory, Alexandra? Because, I don’t know exactly why the hell I’m here.”
    The way her name rolled off his tongue gave her pause. “You think I need a protector.” She swallowed the nervous jitter, grabbing the back of the kitchen chair for support. “From the snowstorm and a crazed fan.”
    “So, does that kind of thing happen often?” He avoided the concession to her protection.
    “No, but there’s always a first time.” Alex didn’t know what to think. Owen’s face flashed in her mind.
    “My thanks, anyway, for the hospitality. You’re paying the rent. Besides, the sooner we get this cooking, the sooner we eat. I’m starved!”
    Zach grabbed the pan and started frying the hamburger. Alex chopped the onions. In no time they had the concoction bubbling on the stove.
    “I’m going to change,” he announced, breaking the silence.
    She stirred the chili, glancing up with an, “Okay.” Her thoughts kept going back to the picture. She wondered what Zach had done with it and the knife. At this point, she didn’t want to know. She never wanted to see it again.
    He emerged minutes later in pajama pants and a t-shirt. Alex wasn’t prepared for the sight before her. Who would have imagined what was under all that winter clothing? For the first time she had a view of his biceps. Whew! She attempted to keep her eyes on the chili pot.
    “Let’s eat and watch one of those Christmas movies. How about ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’?”
    She had to get a grip on her emotions. He would be here for two or three days. She didn’t want to make a fool of herself every time she opened her mouth. “Sure, that would be good.” Okay. She needed some practice.
    “You don’t sound like that’s one of your favorites. We could watch something else.”
    “It’s not that. I’m not much for Christmas,” she admitted,