A Baby in His Stocking by Laura marie Altom Read Free Book Online

was on the verge of bailing on her impromptu mission, when the door opened and there stood Wyatt. Bare-chested, wearing faded jeans and nothing else.
    â€œThought I heard a car. What’re you doing here?”
    â€œNice to see you, too.” Leaving her umbrella, she brushed past him.
    â€œSorry. I didn’t mean that to come out the way it sounded. Guess I’m surprised to see you. Thought you’d be holed up with my family all day.”
    â€œI was—for most of it, anyway. Then your mother ticked me off, and I just wanted out.”
    â€œWhat’d she do now?”
    â€œI’ll tell you just as soon as you show me where the nearest bathroom is,” she said, her teeth chattering.
    He pointed down a shadowy hall. “First door on your left.”
    Natalie finished with the necessities that her pregnancy had created and took one look in the mirror and cringed. The humidity had transformed her formerly straightened long hair into a frizz ball. Her mascara ran, and her complexion sported a vampire pall. If she’d brought in her purse, she’d have at least had aponytail holder to tame her hair. As it was, she settled for using tissue to fix her face.
    â€œTook you long enough.” Wyatt hadn’t left the entry hall.
    â€œAre you the bathroom police?”
    His white-toothed grin stole her breath. “I’ve seen feral cats look better than you.”
    â€œIf I had the energy, I’d beat you to a pulp.”
    â€œYeah, right.” He helped her remove her coat. “You tried once in fourth grade and failed miserably.”
    â€œOnly because Dallas came to your rescue.”
    â€œThat could be debated.” He tossed her coat onto an antique sideboard. The eclectic mix of furniture was genius. Had he done it himself or had help?
    â€œCome on.” Taking her by her arm, he said, “Let’s get you warmed up.” He led her down a short flight of stairs to a room so awe-inspiring she literally couldn’t think of a single intelligent thing to say. Three walls were composed of floor-to-ceiling glass. Centered on the furthest wall was a river-stone fireplace, glowing with warmth. A mammoth plasma-screen TV hung above the mantel and a custom U-shaped sectional occupied the center of the cathedral-ceilinged space. A sumptuous white area rug covered maple floors. The overall effect was as if they were floating through the forest on a magic carpet.
    â€œI shouldn’t be here.” Natalie nodded to her still damp clothes and specks of mud on her shoes. “I’ll muss something.”
    Kneeling alongside her, he removed one of her black heels, then the other. His knuckles grazed her ankles, shocking her with the unexpected intimacy of his touch. “Next excuse?”
    â€œTh-thanks.” Her teeth still occasionally chattered,but she suspected now more because of her erratic pulse than cold. His actions had been kind. Something Josie might’ve done—only with plenty of teasing and a goofy smile.
    â€œNo problem.” Taking the TV remote from the sofa, he muted a football game. “Coffee? Have a seat and I’ll put on a fresh pot.”
    â€œThanks, but—” she pointed to the bump beneath her billowy blue blouse “—no caffeine for me.”
    â€œRight. I forgot.” Hands in his pockets, he looked to the floor, then met her gaze. “Ironic, isn’t it?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou being pregnant. All the fertility around here is what’s driving me to leave. A wise man wouldn’t have let you in this house.”
    â€œWhat’s that make you?” She couldn’t resist zinging back.
    â€œOuch.” His smile blocked all rational thought. “Guess that makes me not-so-wise, but seriously, it’s nice to see you.”
    â€œLikewise.” They shared an awkward moment of silence, gazes meeting, then breaking, only to meet up again. Unable to cope with her