I'll Be Yours for Christmas by Samantha Hunter Read Free Book Online Page B

had a wedding planned soon?”
    She groaned and nodded. “Two days before Christmas.”
    â€œAnd that is the blushing bride,” he stated more than asked.
    â€œYes.” Abby sighed. “I don’t blame her for being upset, but I didn’t expect her to come out here and go nuts…. Still, I can imagine it’s a mess for her, too.”
    Reece nodded. “She’s obviously missing the point that you lost a lot more than she did last night,” he said in a hard tone, peering over to where Sandra stood, arms crossed, watching them.
    Abby didn’t say anything, but took another sip of the strong coffee so the heat would scorch away the tightening in her throat. He was sticking up for her again, just like he did when the mean boy had picked on her about her braces.
    â€œThanks, but I have to find some way to compensateher. Now is as good a time as any. Then I have to find out what our exact losses are and call my parents. That is going to be so awful…” she said, and didn’t dare meet his eyes, lest his sympathy weaken her resolve not to cry again.
    Normally Abby never cried, not even during sappy movies, but she was overwrought and exhausted. Right now, she needed to concentrate on business.
    â€œI have an idea,” Reece said.
    â€œIf we try to lock her in the barn, I don’t think anyone will believe that she’s a runaway bride,” Abby tried to joke, but it fell flat.
    Reece smiled slightly. He tipped her chin up with his fingers, making her meet his eyes, which were sympathetic, but not in a bad way. In a silvery, soft way that made her remember his kiss.
    â€œWhat?” she asked, almost panicked that amid everything, she could still lust for Reece.
    â€œUse Winston wineries for the wedding, and for any other events you have this month. You can move your wines down to our room, and we’ll feature both vineyards, if you don’t mind—yours and ours. I need to clear out inventory before we sell, so it could work out for all of us.”
    Abby stared. Had he just offered for her to use his winery?
    â€œBut…you’re selling,” she said blankly. What if the place sold quickly? She’d only become reaquainted with Reece two days ago—could she trust him? She couldn’t make promises that she’d break again later on.
    â€œDon’t worry about that. I can work it out so that whoever buys us, they don’t close until after the wedding, atleast. If it takes longer, we can figure it out as we go, but in the meanwhile, you’re welcome to run your business out of our front rooms.”
    Abby was stunned and unsure what to say, but she couldn’t think of one good reason to say no, except what had happened between them the night before. What had almost happened. If she and Reece were going into business together, even temporarily, she couldn’t let that happen again.
    â€œI don’t know what to say…it’s so generous of you,” she admitted. “It would save me so much, not having to refund the deposit on this wedding. And all you want me to do is sell your wines, too?”
    That wouldn’t be hard; the Winstons made spectacular wines, and she had lost several barrels in the fire, so this could be the perfect solution.
    As long as they could keep their hands—and wonderful, muscular thighs—to themselves, she thought silently.
    â€œI thought you said your Realtor wanted you keeping the property empty, neutral? I’d have to decorate, and there would be people around all the time….”
    Reece didn’t look concerned. “I know. I’m sure he can work around it. The place is just sitting there. I already sent the staff home and was going to run the main room myself for a few weeks, but you obviously could use it.”
    Her heart lightened as she considered, and she felt hopeful for the first time all morning. This could save her, in more ways than