Rocky Mountain Holiday (To Love Again Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

I have to admit, this one is a great surprise.”
    “Barry told me this morning. He made me swear not to tell you. I was starting to feel desperate earlier when you kept saying no to dinner.”
    “Sorry, I had no idea. Truly, I was so anxious to see him again - I’ve been counting the hours ‘til he gets here.” She lowered her head, feeling more than a little foolish with the confession.
    “That’s awesome, Issy.” Jenny glanced towards the bar. “What do you think of Kip?”
    “He’s hot. Good grief, that accent alone is enough to have girls throwing their panties at him.”
    Jenny laughed, “Not too many girls, I hope.”
    “Seriously though, so charming, and he’s clearly very taken with you.”
    Her friend smiled and blushed slightly. “The feeling’s mutual. But enough about that … you never did tell me what really happened between you and Tray. I mean, what caused the problem before he chased you down at your office that day? He said he was falling for you, and that scared you?”
    Isabel nodded.
    “Okay, I get that. But was that it?”
    Looking down at the floor, Isabel shook her head. “No, not all of it. We were supposed to be having a casual dinner and out of the blue, he told me he wanted more. I felt hijacked …”
    “Okay, but …”
    “I found out he lied to me.”
    “And that reminded you of your marriage?”
    Isabel nodded.
    “What did he lie to you about?” Jenny leaned forward, eyes creased with concern.
    “You know how we thought he was so much younger? Turns out he’s actually in his mid-30’s.”
    “I don’t get it. I thought he said he was in college.”
    “It’s a long story … the point is, he’s really 35, not 28.”
    “Great. That’s a good thing, right? You were concerned his age would keep you from having a serious connection with him. Now it’s not an obstacle.”
    “True, but he still lied to me.”
    “Did he? Or was he just not forthcoming with all the facts?”
    “It’s the same thing,” she said, shaking her head.
    “Not always, Issy. What would have happened that first night if he’d told you that he was really 35?”
    “Nothing, I guess.”
    “Would you have still taken him home?”
    “Probably, yesssss,” she agreed, stretching the word out as the considered her answer.
    “Would you have gone to the mountains with him for the weekend?”
    “Yesssssss.” A slow smile started to tug at Isabel’s lips.
    “Did he say why he didn’t tell you? I mean, was it really such a big deal?”
    “Yes, he told me why. And you’re right. If he didn’t intend to lie, if it wasn’t malicious, then it’s not really the problem.”
    “So we’re back to what? Fear? You didn’t want to risk getting hurt again?”
    “That’s not a small thing, Jenny.”
    “I know, but he doesn’t seem like a bad guy. Certainly Barry thinks the world of him and I’ve known Barry a long time. If he vouches for him, then I think you can at least rule him out as an axe murderer or a player.”
    “He’s definitely not a player,” said Isabel.
    “So,” Jenny leaned in towards her, “are you excited that he surprised you a day early?”
    Grinning widely, she nodded. “Truth? Yes.” Her smile evened out, and she grew serious. “I’ve made some good progress on the book, so, yes, I’m delighted he’s here early.”
    Jenny rose from her seat. “Come on then, let’s go face the music.”
    Isabel laughed and followed her back into the bar. As she crossed the floor, Tray lifted his head and looked straight into her eyes. The bottom fell out of her stomach and her legs turned to liquid. She beamed back at him. His smile lit up his face, his eyes and it seemed like it lit up the whole damn room. The warmth spreading through her, she thought, might not only be excitement, it could actually be something like happiness.
     
    ~~~

     
    When the music stopped, Isabel could barely contain her excitement. She tried to focus on the conversation and kept checking Barry to