Winter's Magic (Music City Hearts Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

said. “And nobody’s heard about him moving on. If you want my opinion, I think he likes you. I’ve caught him watching you several times this evening.”
    “Coincidence.” There went the roller coaster again. Jenny’s comment shouldn’t make her feel so good, but it had her insides quarreling–common sense and experience versus something she chose not to identify.
    They mingled as a pair for the rest of the evening and Beth tried to ignore the constant gnawing in her stomach. An attentive host, Nick remained busy taking care of his guests or surrounded by a group of friends. A good thing, she kept telling herself.
    Although their eyes met several times, they never actually had an opportunity to speak again. She wished he hadn’t asked her to Mass. She had no intention of actually going, but the invitation had planted a seed in her brain that refused to rest.
    “It’s almost midnight.” Beth stifled back a yawn. “I should check on my parents. They’ve probably been ready to go for the last hour.” Several of the older guests had already left.
    “If you want to stay, I can give you a ride home. Tell them to go on.”
    “I think I’ve had enough holiday cheer for one evening. And I have an early morning tomorrow. But thanks. I’m glad you came.”
    “Give me a call and I’ll come by for lunch.”
    As Jenny headed toward the front door, Beth turned in the opposite direction and strolled down a long hallway leading to the great room she’d seen her parents in earlier.
    She’d heard the fatigue in Jenny’s voice. It had been a long week for both of them. Her own feet hurt and her face felt stiff from the pasted smile she didn’t really feel.
    “You’re not leaving without saying goodbye, are you?”
    Her breath caught at the sound of Nick’s voice. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”
    “I forgot how demanding playing host can be,” he said. “Every time I thought I was getting closer to your crowd I got sucked back into another one.” His voice softened into a low caress. “I’m glad I caught you before you left. Do you have a minute?”
    “I’m not in a hurry.” Wrong . She was in a hurry. In fact, she should be running—as fast as she could.
    “Come with me.” Nick turned and led her back toward the front of the house to a room not open to guests. Stepping inside, she realized they were in his grandfather’s study. She took her time admiring the room, trying to steady her pulse.
    A large mahogany desk sat at the near side of the room with a black leather couch and matching wing chairs facing it. The far side of the study held a conference table. The sound of a grandfather clock filled the air with twelve deep chimes.
    “I wanted to talk to you about Midnight Mass.” Nick motioned for her to sit on the couch. “Let me explain.”
    Beth sat, though she suddenly preferred to end the discussion quickly. She could tell from his awkward stance, he didn’t want to have this conversation any more than she did.
    She had been right about him. Nick may have checked out her legs and caught her eye a few times, but it didn’t mean anything. And he seemed tired. Still incredibly sexy, but his eyes held exhaustion.
    She should give him a break and make this easy. “I understand, Nick. Christmas Eve Mass is really a family affair. Your grandfather may want it to be just the two of you.”
    “No!” He paused. “I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant.”
    “It’s okay. You were just being nice. It’s really no big deal.” She needed to leave. The air was so tight she could barely breathe.
    “Beth.” He met her eyes with a commanding gaze that refused to let her shy away. “Would you go to dinner with me tomorrow night?”
    Wow . Her gut had been way off base.
    Dinner? Translation–real date? His words took a moment to sink in. But when they did, she couldn’t stop her mind from funneling through the numerous events already scrambling her weekend.
    “I can’t. I’m sorry, it’s just