Loving Tessa (January Cove) by Rachel Hanna Read Free Book Online

the camper said anything about her former life. However, just seeing what she was living in made him cringe. What had she left behind that was worse than this?
     
    The camper was hot inside even though it was still early morning. There was no way he was going to leave the dog locked up in there all day without air conditioning, and he couldn’t imagine how Tessa and Tyler had done it either. He grabbed the dog food bag and Beau’s now empty bowls and started back across the yard, pulling the energetic canine at the same time.
     
    As he walked into the cabin, Tessa was putting their plates on the breakfast table.
     
    “Beau? Aaron, what are you doing?”
     
    “It’s already too hot over there, Tessa. I couldn’t leave him inside that camper.”
     
    “But, Aaron…”
     
    “Look, I don’t have any cabins free right now. It’s the busy season. So, you guys are moving in here with me.”
     
    “Um, no we’re not. I have to draw the line…” she said.
     
    “Look, I’m drawing a line. I own this campground, and I can’t have dogs or people dying of heat exhaustion on my property.”
     
    “I don’t want to be dependent on anyone. I don’t want to be a burden…”
     
    “You’re not a burden, Tessa. Trust me. I could use the company,” he said smiling as he unclipped Beau and let the dog sniff around the place. Tyler started to rouse on the sofa.
     
    “You want the company of a three year old and an unruly boxer?” she asked with her hands on her hips and a smile on her face. “That’s your dream?”
     
    “Yes, as a matter of fact it is. Just the other day, I was thinking to myself how I would love a toddler and a crazy pooch to help me really break this place in,” he said putting his hands on his hips to mimic her.
     
    “Very funny. I am sure something around here will get broken very soon!”
     
    Aaron walked toward her and put his hands on both of her shoulders. “Don’t worry,” he said. She shuttered immediately at his touch. “Damn it, Tessa, what did he do to you?” he asked softly as he searched her eyes. He wanted to know where this guy was so he could beat him to a bloody pulp.
     
    “Breakfast is getting cold,” she said softly as she looked at her feet. “Tyler, you’re up…” Tessa said when she heard a noise from the sofa. Tyler was sitting up getting a full face licking by Beau. Tessa walked over to him and sat down on the sofa, immediately inspecting his wound.
     
    “Ouch!” Tyler yelped as Tessa touched the lump. “That hurts, Mommy! Where are we?”
     
    Tessa looked up at Aaron who was standing in the kitchen doorway. “Well, we are right next door to our camper, but this nice man has allowed us to stay here overnight so you could get some good sleep after your boo boo.” She rubbed his back with her hand as he pet Beau on top of his head.
     
    “Mommy, when can we go back to the beach?” Tyler asked with his bottom lip poked out.
     
    “Honey, I don’t know…”
     
    “Say, Tyler, do you like to build sand castles?” Aaron asked as he walked toward the sofa.
     
    “I love to build sand castles!”
     
    “Well, I am the reigning sand castle champion of January Cove. Do you think you could help me build a masterpiece out there on the beach today?”
     
    Tessa stared at him, and he could tell she was battling within herself as to whether or not she wanted to allow Tyler back on the beach. He wasn’t sure if it was for safety reasons or because she was scared of being found.
     
    “Yes! Yes!” Tyler said jumping up and down. Beau was getting excited right along with him.
     
    “Aaron, I don’t know…” Tessa said as she stood up.
     
    “Tessa, you’re safe with me. I promise.”
     
    “You have no idea,” she said softly.
     
    “Hey, Tyler, why don’t you go eat some breakfast. It’s right there on that red plate,” Aaron said pointing to the table as he and Tessa walked to the other side of the room.
     
    “Listen, this is our life