Draw Me Close by Nicole Michaels Read Free Book Online Page A

“True, he did. But that was also after you’d forced him to choose even though he’d previously said he didn’t care many times. And if I recall, he told you his favorite and then once again followed it up with a ‘But do whatever you want, babe. I’m happy when you’re happy.’” Lindsey had lowered her voice while imitating Anne fiancé. She now wanted to imitate a gagging gesture but she refrained. Good thing because Anne smiled, the happy, glowing smile of a woman well loved.
    â€œYou’re right. He’s said that through the whole process. I just keep trying to make him help me. He’ll have to live there too, and I’d like him to tell me what he wants.”
    â€œI think all he wants is you,” Lindsey said. “I’m pretty sure when he says he wants only what you want, you should believe him. Since you can’t decide, how about we put this decision up for vote on the blog?”
    Anne’s eyes lit up. “Yes, let’s do that. Take it out of my hands because I like them all and I just can’t make a choice.”
    Lindsey nodded. “Okay. I’ll post an updated photo of the kitchen and samples of each color. Let’s allow them to vote for two days, see what we get.”
    â€œReaders will love that. Every time we have a vote they get so excited. But not nearly as excited as I am to go out and see the progress made on the house. I haven’t made it out in a couple of weeks. Derek texted when the entryway was done but I told him not to send a picture. I want to see it in person.”
    Lindsey tried not to squirm when her friend mentioned enemy number one. Everything had been going great during the renovation until lately, and then boom, she just kept seeing him. Was that his plan, to just keep showing up and wearing her down? Lindsey wished she could be certain that plan wouldn’t work.
    â€œWhy don’t we head over there this afternoon and see how things are going?” Anne asked, interrupting Lindsey’s daydreams. “We can even take these stain chips and see what they look like in the afternoon light.”
    â€œThat sounds like a good idea.” Lindsey smiled.
    â€œPerfect,” Anne said. She then looked a little … wary. “How about this? I promised Claire we could go sledding for a little while. You could come with us and then we can stop and see it when we’re finished. I’ll even buy you lunch.”
    Lindsey narrowed her eyes, but gave a half smile before speaking. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. You don’t want to take Claire down the hill, do you?”
    Anne sighed. “No. You know I don’t love heights and I’m not quite comfortable letting Claire go by herself yet.”
    Lindsey considered it. It wasn’t that she minded sledding but she didn’t necessarily love heights, either. But how bad could it be? “Okay, that could be fun. Do you have some accessories I could borrow? I left my sledding gear at home.”
    Anne winked and stood up from the kitchen chair. “You’re the best. I’ll go get everything ready.”
    â€œI’m betting it already is if I know you,” Lindsey called over her shoulder.
    Twenty minutes later they were pulling into the parking lot of the elementary school at the edge of town. Lindsey didn’t live in Preston—never had—but even she’d heard about the Hill. The town had cleverly named the long stretch of sloping grass that lined the elementary school property. People from surrounding small towns and even in the Kansas City suburbs drove out just to sled when it snowed, it was that impressive. And now that Lindsey was really looking at it, it was a little steep. A little tall. But she could handle it. Had to because at this point Claire was bouncing beneath her seat belt and there was no way she could let the little girl down.
    Anne pulled into a