A Little Bit of Holiday Magic by Melissa McClone Read Free Book Online Page B

I’ll miss making first tracks in the freshies.”
    Grace gave him a blank stare.
    “Powder,” he clarified. “You don’t ski.”
    “There are ski resorts in Iowa, but skiing wasn’t something Damon and I ever tried.”
    Bill couldn’t tell from her tone whether she was interested in the sport or not. “It’s never too late to learn.”
    “I doubt there’s a ski resort near Astoria.”
    Not interested. Too bad. Bet she would like skiing if she gave it a try. “No, but the mountain will always be here.”
    “Maybe when Liam is older.”
    “He’s old enough now.”
    She stared at her son, who was picking chocolate chips out of his pancakes. “He’s three.”
    Liam raised four fingers. “Almost four.”
    “That’s the age I learned to ski.”
    “But you lived on the mountain.” Grace’s words rushed out. “I bet everyone in Hood Hamlet skis when they’re in preschool.”
    Bill didn’t know if she was trying to convince him or herself. “Many do, but lots of kids who don’t live here learn to ski at a young age. The earlier, the better. That way there’s no fear.”
    She shook her head. “Fear seems healthy, considering you’re speeding down a mountain.”
    “Kids have a lower center of gravity and don’t have as far to fall. Helmets protect them.” Liam had chocolate and maple syrup smeared on his chin. Bill could count the number of family breakfasts he’d had, growing up, with both his mom and dad at the table. That was too bad because this was...nice. “Want me to teach you how to ski, little dude?”
    Liam raised his hands in the air. “Ski...!”
    Grace shook her head. “He doesn’t know what skiing is.”
    “I’ll show him.”
    “Maybe if we were staying—”
    “Look out the window. You’re not going anywhere.”
    “You can’t go to the mountain today. Tomorrow you work.”
    Okay, she had a point. Bill shouldn’t have offered to teach Liam to ski. He shouldn’t have flirted with Grace before breakfast, either. He might find her attractive, but he didn’t want her to think he was romantically interested in her.
    “Just an idea.” A bad one, except... Bill’s dad might be alive, but he’d never been around long enough to show him how to do anything. Liam’s father was dead. The kid was going to need someone to teach him about the outdoors and other guy stuff. “But who knows how long it’ll take them to fix your truck.”
    Grace’s lips parted, a combination of shock and panic. “I thought I could leave today.”
    Maybe Bill should have included denial in the mix. “Not in this weather.”
    “Once the storm passes...”
    Damn. She had no idea about how long bodywork could take. Neither did he, but the vehicle wouldn’t be ready today. “A claims adjustor from your insurance company needs to assess the damage before your truck can be repaired. Sometimes they don’t have to do it in person, but other times they will.”
    Her head dropped slightly. She touched her forehead with both hands, rubbing her temples as if trying to put out a fire.
    He wished she would relax. “Thad Humphreys owns the body shop. He’s a good guy. A great mechanic. Talk to him before you start worrying.”
    Her hands froze. “Who says I’m worrying?”
    She was the epitome of worry. Bill didn’t like that. “No one.”
    Grace lowered her arms to her side. “I have a lot on my mind.”
    “I’m sure you do.” He wanted to help her, but some things he couldn’t do. “I hate to add to your list of things to do, but you should contact your insurance company and file a claim.”
    “I called them after Liam fell asleep last night. I didn’t think you’d mind me using your phone.”
    Not a complete damsel in distress. “I don’t.”
    “I wonder if they’ve towed the truck.”
    “Not yet.”
    Her shoulders slumped.
    He didn’t like seeing her so dejected. “I bet as soon as there’s a break in the weather, they’ll be right out.”
    Her mouth twisted.
    “This isn’t what