Island Christmas by Kimberly Rose Johnson Read Free Book Online Page A

down her arms. This was it—she was officially on her own—officially an adult. With a fleeting look toward her retreating parents, she squared her shoulders and marched inside, closing the door firmly behind her.
    “Jason!”
    “I in my room,” he hollered.
    There were three bedrooms in total. Two bedrooms at the rear of the house with a shared bath between them with a third smaller room at the beginning of the hall. Her bedroom was across the hall from Jason’s. One day she’d turn the extra room into a guestroom, but for now it stood empty. The family room and kitchen were at the front with a view of the B&B and trees. It was a shame she couldn’t see the Sound from here, but then she would never have been able to afford the place if there was a view.
    She meandered down the short hall and stood in the doorway to Jason’s room. His red car-shaped toddler bed brightened the otherwise boring room. He sat on the floor building a tower with his blocks. “Look how high it is, Mommy.”
    “It sure is. How do you like your new room?”
    “It’s great!”
    She tried to envision the room from a three-year-old’s perspective and decided he was right. There was plenty of floor space to spread out and play. He didn’t have a dresser, but that was fine since most of his stuff could hang, and she could put the rest in easy-to-reach bins in his closet. This place should do fine.
    The doorbell rang. “Be right back, Jasie.” She rushed to the entryway and pulled open the door. “Zoe! This is a surprise. Come in.”
    Her boss grinned and held out a covered pot. “I thought you might enjoy a meal you didn’t have to prepare yourself. It’s a roast. Stick it in the oven, and it’ll be ready in time for dinner.”
    “Thank you!” She took the pot. “Come in.” She walked to the kitchen and set the oven to pre-heat.
    “I saw your parents leave and wanted to see if you could use any help settling in.” Zoe stood in the living room with a slight frown. “Where is all your furniture?”
    “In the bedrooms.”
    “What about the antiques you bought from the B&B a few years ago?”
    “Long story short. I ended up selling all of it to a dealer who made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
    “Really? I thought for sure that stuff held sentimental value to you.”
    “At first it did, but after Jason was born, he became more important. I used the money to start a college savings for him.”
    Zoe raised a brow. “I’m impressed. Good thinking. Oh, before I forget, Nick and I wanted to invite you and Jason to Thanksgiving dinner at our place. We’ll have it in our apartment downstairs the day before the holiday. It looks like the restaurant will be open on Thanksgiving, and we’ll both be working.”
    Rachel held back a sigh. Life was so much easier when she had built-in babysitters with her parents. Who would babysit on a holiday? “Thank you for the invite. We’d love to come. What can I bring?”
    “I’m glad you asked. I was hoping you’d bring pumpkin pie.”
    “Sure.” They firmed up the time, and she gave Zoe a quick tour. At least the bedrooms were complete.
    As they walked into Jason’s room, he looked up from the floor where he played. “Hi, Zoe. You want to play?”
    “Not today, buddy. But thanks.”
    “We’ll be in the kitchen, Jasie.”
    “Okay.”
    She led the way into the only other place in the house that felt homey. Two bar height chairs sat at the island. A Cookie Monster cookie jar sat on the white Corian countertop beside the pantry, and the white refrigerator hummed softly. “Would you like something to drink?” She slid the roast into the oven.
    “No thanks. I didn’t come over to put you to work. In fact, I’d better head home. Oh, I almost forgot. I removed you from the schedule tonight. I’m sure you and Jason need a night together in your new place for him to feel settled.”
    Rachel tensed. “Are you sure? What about Piper? After what happened the other night, I don’t