Risky Christmas by Jill Sorenson Read Free Book Online Page B

long. In the months before his murder, she’d wantedto tell her mother and her best friend about his gambling habit. Pride and shame held her back. Maybe if she’d been more honest, she could have built a support system. John’s friends and family might have been able to convince him to seek help. Too late, she’d learned an important lesson about addiction: secrets keep people sick.
    She spent most of the morning doing chores. It was New Year’s Eve, and the kids would be going back to school on Monday. She’d return to work, decorating an endless assembly line of frozen cakes.
    When the laundry was done and the dishes were put away, she told the girls that they were going to the pool with Brian. They cheered and danced around the living room before running to don their swimsuits. Leah made cucumber sandwiches and packed a Thermos of lemonade for their picnic lunch.
    Stomach fluttering with anticipation, she searched her closet for her own bathing suit. Although she didn’t swim, she owned a sleek navy one-piece for appearances’ sake. John had often taken her to pool parties at the homes of his wealthy friends. She’d met Mariano Felix at one such occasion.
    The navy suit wasn’t as revealing as a bikini but it didn’t exactly offer full coverage. Spaghetti straps crossed over her back and brief triangles of fabric cupped her breasts. It disguised some of her flaws, like the faint stretch marks on her lower abdomen, but also clung to every dip and curve of her body.
    She didn’t have anything else to swim in, and the style was modest by California standards, so she turned away from the mirror, slipping into a loose tunic and pulling on a pair of cutoff shorts.
    When Brian appeared on the front step, they wereready. Leah hitched her beach bag on one shoulder and went to the door.
    â€œHi, girls,” he said, smiling at Mandy and Alyssa before he greeted Leah. His eyes crinkled at the corners and his teeth flashed white against his sun-dark skin. Something flowered inside her when his gaze met hers. Although they’d only known each other a short time, she felt connected to him in a way that went deeper than physical attraction. He was special, and tempting, and a little dangerous.
    He’d talked her into a swimming lesson with almost no effort. She would have to work very hard to remain aloof.
    â€œYou didn’t change your mind?”
    â€œNot yet,” she said, her cheeks growing warm. Taking Alyssa’s hand, she shuffled out the door, locking it behind her.
    â€œDo you mind if I ride with you?”
    She shook her head, figuring that was best. Her car had the child safety seats and his work truck wouldn’t fit them all. After she secured Alyssa and opened the door for Mandy, she climbed behind the wheel. Brian got in the passenger side, folding his long legs into the cramped space.
    â€œYou can move the seat back,” Leah said.
    He reclined a bit, careful not to crush Alyssa, whose car seat was directly behind him. Even after the adjustment, his knees touched the glove compartment, but he didn’t complain. As she started the engine, Leah noted that he had muscular calves, lightly covered with dark hair. He wore his shorts long, almost over the knee. When he cleared his throat, she realized she’d been caught staring.
    She turned her attention to the road. “Where are we going?”
    He gave her directions to a house near Tourmaline Beach. It was a short drive down the freeway, followed by a twisty path along the coastal cliffs. The girls chattered nonstop and asked Brian about a thousand silly questions.
    â€œIt’s this driveway, on your left,” he said, pointing to a nice house tucked into the hillside. There was a small, shady front yard and a two-car garage. Leah parked in the driveway and they all got out.
    â€œWho lives here?”
    â€œNo one, right now,” he said, taking a set of keys out of his pocket.