A Home by the Sea by Christina Skye Read Free Book Online

daughter are going to sleep up there. The temperature is supposed to drop and there have been intermittent power outages, but we’ll be fine. When my father built this house, my mother insisted on having two fireplaces so that we’d be prepared for all kinds of storms. That was another remnant of her tough childhood back in Ukraine. Things are different for her now, but I don’t think you ever forget.”
    It was so tempting to relax. If she stayed, shewould be drawn into all this bustle and warmth and generosity. And then there was Noah himself. Grace was honest enough to admit that he intrigued her. He was calm and casual, but she felt the weight of authority in his words. He handled problems without loud talk or fuss. Something told her he had a great deal of practice taking care of problems.
    What kind, she didn’t know, but she wanted to. She wanted to know everything about him.
    And that kind of curiosity was dangerous. She wasn’t going to get serious about another man until she healed from the first.
    Yet Grace couldn’t ignore the sweet tug of temptation. If she wasn’t careful, she might forget all her good intentions. Here among this loud, close family, it would be so easy to relax.
    She stood up, feeling a desperate need to be away from the warmth and belonging. “That’s very kind of you, but I can’t stay here. Maybe I can find a cab.”
    â€œNo cabs running. Everything is shut down tight. Sorry, Grace, but we’ll make you comfortable here. Plus I know my mom is itching to ask you more about your visits to Eastern Europe. She’s never been back, you see. All her family is gone now.”
    â€œI’m sorry to hear that. But really, Noah, I need to go. I have a project to finish tonight. And I want to call my grandfather. If he hears about the storm, he’ll be worried about me.”
    Wind hissed around the house, rattling the windows.
    The lights flickered, and then the room plunged into darkness as the power went out.

CHAPTER FIVE
    T ATIANA BEGAN CALLING crisp orders from the kitchen. “Reed, please find the flashlight and batteries in the top drawer of the kitchen cabinet. Alex, my love, there are more blankets in the guest room closet. I have hot water already boiled, but we will need the Thermos bottles. I also have marshmallows and chocolate, to make those things you boys loved so much in Boy Scouts. Shores, you called them.”
    â€œS’mores, Mom. And that sounds great.” Noah rubbed his hands together. “The power should go off more often.”
    Reed appeared at the door, holding a flashlight. “So, bro, let’s go get the sticks and marshmallows.”
    â€œYou’re on.”
    Twenty minutes later, Grace was downing her third heavenly mixture of perfectly roasted marshmallow, graham cracker and melted chocolate. She didn’t even have to move. With the kitten on her lap, Noah held up cooked morsels for her to eat from his fingers. She had to admit, the whole experience was more than a little hedonistic. The brush of his hands and rich tastes made her feel wonderfully decadent.
    Noah tucked the blanket around her on the couch. Candles flickered in the kitchen and then footsteps moved away up the stairs. The house grew quiet as the snow swirled outside the window. With the power gone, Grace’s sense of being enclosed in a cocoon was complete. The flicker and snap of the fire lulled her to sleep, along with the warmth of the little kitten curled up on her lap. She yawned and smiled sheepishly. “I think the day has finally caught up with me.”
    â€œGet some rest. I’ll keep an eye on these bad boys. Once the weather settles down in the morning, my dad and I will get you home in the Hummer.”
    â€œI appreciate this generous hospitality.”
    â€œI’m happy you’re here, Grace.” Noah studied her face in the firelight. “I feel calm when I’m around you. I