Home for the Holidays Read Online Free PDF Page B

reason for him to be disappointed. Cait felt foolish now for even trying to explain this fiasco. Paul was so oblivious about her feelings that there was nothing she could say or do to make him understand.
    â€œI just wanted you to know,” she repeated, “in case you heard the rumors and were wondering if there was anything between me and Joseph Rockwell. I wanted to assure you there isn’t.”
    â€œI see,” he said again. “Don’t worry about it, Cait. What happened between you and Rockwell isn’t going to affect your job.”
    She stood up to leave, praying she’d detect a suggestion of jealousy. A hint of rivalry. Anything to show he cared. There was nothing, so she tried again. “I agreed to have dinner with him, though.”
    Paul had returned his attention to the papers he’d been reading when she’d interrupted him.
    â€œFor old times’ sake,” she said in a reassuring voice—to fend off any violent display of resentment, she told herself. “I certainly don’t have any intention of dating him on a regular basis.”
    Paul grinned. “Have a good time.”
    â€œYes, I will, thanks.” Her heart felt as heavy as a sinking battleship. Without knowingwhere she was headed or who she’d talk to, Cait wandered out of Paul’s office, forgetting for a second that she had no office of her own. The area where her desk once sat was cluttered with wire reels, ladders and men. Joe must have left, a fact for which Cait was grateful.
    She walked into Lindy’s small office across the hall. Her friend glanced up. “So?” she murmured. “Did you talk to Paul?”
    Cait nodded.
    â€œHow’d it go?”
    â€œFine, I guess.” She perched on the corner of Lindy’s desk, crossing her arms around her waist as her left leg swung rhythmically, keeping time with her discouraged heart. She should be accustomed to disappointment when it came to Paul, but somehow each rejection inflicted a fresh wound on her already battered ego. “I was hoping Paul might be jealous.”
    â€œAnd he wasn’t?”
    â€œNot that I could tell.”
    â€œIt isn’t as though you and Joe have anything to do with each other now,” Lindy sensibly pointed out. “Marrying him was a childhood prank. It isn’t likely to concern Paul.”
    â€œI even mentioned that I was going out to dinner with Joe,” Cait said morosely.
    â€œYou are? When?” Lindy asked, her eyes lighting up. “Where?”
    If only Paul had revealed half as much interest. “Tonight. And I don’t know where.”
    â€œYou are going, aren’t you?”
    â€œI guess. I can’t see any way of avoiding it. Otherwise he’d pester me until I gave in. If I ever marry and have daughters, Lindy, I’m going to warn them about boys from the time they’re old enough to understand.”
    â€œDon’t you think you should follow your own advice?” Lindy asked, glancing pointedly in the direction of Paul’s office.
    â€œNot if I were to have Paul’s children,” Cait said, eager to defend her boss. “Our daughter would be so intelligent and perceptive she wouldn’t need to be warned.”
    Lindy’s smile was distracted. “Listen, I’ve got a few things to finish up here. Why don’t you go over to the deli and grab us a table. I’ll meet you there in fifteen minutes.”
    â€œSure,” Cait said. “Do you want me to order for you?”
    â€œNo. I don’t know what I want yet.”
    â€œOkay, I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
    They often ate at the deli across the street from their office complex. The food was good, the service fast, and generally by three in the afternoon, Cait was famished.
    She was so wrapped up in her thoughts, which were muddled and gloomy after her talk with Paul, that she didn’t notice how late Lindy was. Her