Last Bridge Home by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online

snowed in for days if the storm they’re predicting turns into a blizzard.”
    “I told you that your baby would be safe.”
    “I know, but …” Elizabeth looked out the window at the white slopes glittering against the slate-gray of the gathering clouds. There was no use worrying about problems that might never occur. She still had time and, for some reason, she had a strong faith in Jon’s ability to assure her son’s survival. She suddenly chuckled. “Well, I hope you have a book on midwifery at the lodge. It might come in handy.”
    “You’ll find the library as well stocked as the cupboards. The lodge is very comfortable. A fireplace in every room, and it has its own power generator. There’s no telephone or television but we have a short-wave radio in case of emergencies.”
    “That’s a relief,” Elizabeth said. “Though I hope we won’t have to use it.”
    “I thought you’d feel better knowing we hadsome method of communicating with the out side world.” He nodded to the left. “The lodge is up ahead.”
    The redwood chalet was larger than she had thought it would be. A two-story ultramodern structure composed of more glass than red wood. The interior was modern as well, she discovered a few minutes later. Bright-colored rugs covered gleaming parquet floors. The con temporary furniture was upholstered with fabric in tones of warm brown and beige, and the abstract paintings she glimpsed were cheerful splashes of color against the pine-paneled walls of the foyer.
    “I hope you like yellow,” Gunner said as he preceded them up the carpeted stairs to the second floor. “Whoever decorated your room appeared to be overly fond of the color. Yellow drapes, yellow bedspread, yellow chair. The master bedroom looks like a daffodil in full bloom, but I thought you’d be more comfort able there than in one of the smaller bed rooms. At least the carpet is a nice calm beige.” He threw open the second door at the head of the stairs and strolled into a large, airy room. “The master bath has both a shower stall and a tub. By the way, I installed those safety bars in the shower yesterday, Jon.”
    “Good.” Jon stood in the doorway, his gaze on Elizabeth as she followed Gunner intothe bedroom. She looked tired and rumpled and … wonderful. He had a sudden impulse to pick her up, hold her, cradle her. He forced himself to look away from her to the floor-to-ceiling windows occupying the entire north wall. Tenderness at last. Poignant, intense tenderness. It was going to be all right. If he could only hold on to the tenderness, it would dilute the hunger.
    “I think you’ll find everything you need.” Gunner slid back the doors of the walk-in closet to reveal a multitude of clothing of every description. “Last week I found a very cooperative sales lady in one of the local shops, who assured me this is a maternity wardrobe par excellence.”
    Elizabeth had an idea there would always be cooperative ladies at Gunner’s beck and call. A tiny smile curved her lips as she crossed the room to stand beside him in front of the clothing. “I’m sure she was delighted to accommodate you, but you went a little overboard. I’d have trouble wearing all these clothes in two months, and I only have three weeks.”
    The smile suddenly faded from her face. He said he had purchased all these clothes last week. She had not known either of these men existed a week ago and yet they had already been making plans that involved her, she realized.Buying clothes, installing safety bars, watching her cottage.
    “What size are they?” she asked numbly.
    “Eight,” Jon said. Gunner gestured to the shoe rack on the floor. “And size seven shoes. Right?”
    “Right.” She couldn’t take her eyes off the pink cable-knit sweater on the hanger directly in front of her. Panic was swirling through her and her heart was pounding so hard she thought it would burst through her breast. An drew moved uneasily, jerking her to her