Her Valentine Family by Renee Andrews Read Free Book Online Page A

the stairs, he noticed the fact and laughed.
    â€œHabit. I never learned to slow down.”
    â€œNot a problem,” she said. “I can still keep up. I’m used to chasing after Nathan.”
    While they continued down the stairs, he said, “Lainey’s only been mobile for about six months, but I feel the same way. And it’s like I need eyes in the back of my head. You should have seen her at Christmas. One minute she was sitting by the tree, sweetest little girl on the planet, then I turned my back for a moment to grab the camera and half of the presents were unwrapped.”
    Jessica laughed. “Nathan did the same thing when he was two. That was a fun Christmas, waiting to see what he was going to get into next.”
    â€œShe’s eighteen months,” he said and opened the door for her to exit the English building.
    A blast of cold air hit them, and she squinted against the chill. “Goodness.”
    â€œYeah, I’m sure you remember that you never know what you’re going to get here, weatherwise. It’s supposed to warm up by the end of the week, if the forecast is right, though it’s hard to imagine that now,” he said. “Let’s get to the coffee shop where it’s warm.”
    â€œWhich way?” she asked, following beside him down the front steps of the building and toward the quad.
    â€œNot far, but more than a walk. We’ll need to drive. You want to follow me?” he asked, moving briskly toward the parking lot.
    â€œSure.” Jessica was reminded again of how long his legs were, but she didn’t mind that they were moving quicker now, since she was anxious to get out of the chilly air. She kept up with him without problem.
    â€œI’m here,” he said, indicating an older-model silver BMW, parked in the row reserved for staff. “Where are you parked?”
    â€œRight there,” she said, moving quickly to her Ford Escort, opening the door and climbing in, before she realized that he hadn’t gotten in his car but had followed her and was attempting to open her door. She nearly knocked him down when she flung the car door open.
    â€œYou’re making it difficult for me to be a gentleman,” he said with a grin.
    She laughed and dropped her stack of books on the passenger seat. “Sorry, I guess I’m used to opening the door for myself now.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t be.” He paused, as if he was going to say more, but then indicated his car. “I’ll lead.”
    Jessica cranked her car, and a frigid blast of air pushed through the vents before she had the wherewithal to turn on the heat and wait for the car to warm up.
    You shouldn’t be.
    Her heart thumped in her chest. She hadn’t even realized how much she’d missed having someone care for her enough to open her door. She hadn’t really realized how much she’d missed having someone like Chad.
    After following him a couple of blocks, she pulled her car into the parking space beside his BMW. She took in the red-and-white striped awning of the coffee shop, the white iron tables that lined the front porch and the checked curtains adorning the windows. Several couples and groups of college-age kids sat throughout the cozy interior, and Jessica immediately knew why Chad had thought of this spot for their meeting. It was casual, yet intimate and a place that would be conducive to old friends getting reacquainted.
    Was this the place where she would tell him about Nathan?
    She closed her eyes. God, if I’m supposed to tell him tonight, help me to find the right words. And if it isn’t the right time, help me to know that, too.
    Her car door opened, and she instantly jumped. Then she turned to find Chad standing there waiting for her to climb out.
    â€œI could get used to this, you know,” she said.
    He guided her toward the entrance of the coffee shop and opened that door, too. “Would that be such a