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

awareness of his size, and how easy it was to recall every detail of their kiss, she struggled to remember her reason for being at his home. “I, um, brought you a book, but left it in the bathroom.” Hitching her thumb that way, she said, “I’ll go get it.”
    â€œLet me,” he said, already halfway there. “You have a seat.”
    She did, but mostly because of her rubbery knees than because he’d asked.
    â€œThis is great,” he called from the hall. Entering the living room, he flipped through the glossy pages.“I ordered one online, but it hasn’t come. Where’d you find it?”
    â€œYard sale. It was only a quarter, but I thought you might enjoy thumbing through.”
    â€œI will. Thanks. Ethiopia doesn’t get a lot of coverage on travel sites.”
    â€œAre you afraid of violence?”
    â€œI’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. I’ll be working with a major oil player, though, so there will be security.” He sat on the opposite end of the sofa to her, still leafing through his gift. “The poverty aspect is tough, too. It bothers me that we’ll have the latest in gadgetry and freeze-dried gourmet when the locals are barely scraping by. But then on the flip side, our base camp is set up at a safari resort. Up until researching this trip, I never would’ve thought anyone went to Ethiopia on vacation. Turns out it’s a beautiful country.”
    â€œHmm…” Reflective, with her hand over her tummy, Natalie said, “All in all, it still sounds like a wonderful adventure, which is why I’m so miffed with your mom. She called you horrible and selfish for leaving.”
    His only reaction was to shrug. “She’s told me her opinion to my face. At first, it stung. Now, I’m over it.”
    â€œStill… Have you considered letting her in on your reasons for leaving?”
    â€œNext topic.” He added a couple logs to the fire. “In general, how was the party?”
    â€œThe usual. Over-the-top food, decorations and conversation. When I left, Daisy was counting how many times she’d seen contractor ‘cracks’ at her new house. They had to tear down the new north wing and start over.”
    He winced. “Makes me doubly glad I missed it.”
    â€œIf you don’t mind my asking,” she said, “why didn’t you at least want to spend time with your brothers?”
    Stretching out his legs and crossing them at the ankles, he took his sweet time to answer. “Suffice to say it’s complicated.”
    â€œI do have my master’s in counseling.”
    He snorted. “That your not-so-subtle way of comparing my brainpower to that of a third grader?”
    â€œWyatt, I’m serious.” Though the rain outside fell harder, his complexion appeared red and overheated. “I get that your issues must be like a slow death inside, but you can’t run forever—well, you could, but you’d miss out on a lot.”
    â€œMaster’s or not,” he said, “feel free to drop it. You’re making me wish I’d never told you.”
    â€œSorry.”
    â€œAre you?” he snapped. “You sit there judging me when you already have the one gift I never will. Think about it.”
    Throat tight, Natalie sighed. She slipped on her shoes and coat and made it all the way to the door without him saying a word.
    She’d just stepped back out in the rain when Wyatt called, “Hey, Nat?”
    â€œYes?” Was it wrong for her to hope he’d repair the gaping hole now between them?
    â€œThanks again for the book, but it’s probably best you don’t come around anymore.”

Chapter Four
    â€œLook how big you’re getting.”
    Thanksgiving morning, Wyatt glanced over his shoulder as he crouched in front of his mother’s fireplace. Josie patted Natalie’s growing baby bump and for whatever reason, the