The Christmas Inn Read Online Free PDF Page B

smile reached into
an untapped part of her heart, creating a sense of longing so unfamiliar it
stole her breath, followed by the sensation that they’d met before. But they
hadn’t. She would have remembered a man who looked this good.
    Trying to regain her composure, she focused her attention on
the little boy. “He’s so cute,” she said, groaning inwardly at her use of such a
cliché, but surely she could be forgiven for being so predictable. The man was
beyond handsome. Sure, there were lots of movie stars who looked good—thanks to
special lighting and camera work—but this man was every woman’s dream
personified. He was tall, taller than any of her brothers, and he appeared very
at ease with himself. His jet-black hair and sea-green eyes—haunted
eyes—completed the package.
    Get a grip! He’s got a son. And he’s
probably married.
    But Marnie couldn’t help marveling at her luck. First, the most
beautiful place she’d ever seen was to be her home for the next few days, and
now this…
    “Can I help you?” the man asked, giving her the full benefit of
his sexy smile as he hoisted his son onto his shoulders, much to the delight of
the child, who promptly clutched his father’s forehead and grinned down at
Marnie.
    “I’m expected. I have a reservation.”
    His eyes darkened, and the smile faded from his face as he
glanced at her car and back at her. “You have a reservation here?”
    “Yes.” She held out her brother’s email, with her confirmation
number scribbled along the bottom. “I have a reservation for The Mirabel Inn,
starting tonight and checking out on the twenty-fourth.”
    “Is your…husband, I mean your spouse…partner…here?”
Consternation knit his brows together.
    Marnie didn’t know how to respond to such an outrageous
question. All she wanted was to check in and relax before dinner. “Do you have
to have a husband to stay here?” she asked in her you’ve-got-to-be-kidding
tone.
    Hesitating, he gently tugged on his son’s legs. “No. No, of
course not. At least most of the time you don’t. But as of tomorrow night, the
inn will be filled with couples. It’s our Christmas Getaway event and it’s meant
for couples wanting to enjoy the romantic holiday away from all the stress of
Christmas preparations. I’m sure the person doing the reservation would’ve told
you that.”
    She couldn’t stay here because she was single? Was this covered
in the Constitution? It had to be. She had a valid reservation because her
brother wouldn’t make that kind of mistake. But why was she wasting time talking
to someone who was clearly a lot more handsome than he was gracious?
    “Look, I drove all the way up here. I have a reservation and
I’m going to check in.” With that, she opened the door and strode into the
lobby. Immediately, Henry jumped up and ambled in behind her, his nails clicking
on the hardwood flooring.
    Under different circumstances she would’ve stopped to admire
the fabulous Christmas tree filling the main hall with the scent of balsam and
outdoors, but she had to determine if her brother had made a mistake. If there’d
been some mistake with the reservation, she’d be forced to return to Boston. If
that was the case, surely they could help her find a place to stay somewhere in
the vicinity as she was too tired to drive any farther. She walked to the desk
off along one wall and rang the antique bell resting on the gleaming
mahogany.
    A woman appeared, dressed in a classy black dress, a smile
warming her angular features. “How may I help you?” she asked.
    “I’m here to check in. My name is Marnie McLaughlan, and I have
a reservation.”
    A frown knitted the woman’s perfectly tweezed eyebrows as she
scanned a printout. “Could you wait just a minute?” she asked before
disappearing into an office down the hall.
    The man she’d met outside came in with his son, his expression
neutral as he edged past her and went into the same office. Henry