Romancing the Holiday by Jaci Burton, Helenkay Dimon, Christi Barth Read Free Book Online Page A

coming to the diner since he learned to walk and ordering his own food since he could talk. He’d memorized the offerings long ago and they never changed. The one time the a new chef switched out the menu and added fancy specials the townsfolk acted like he was strangling puppies in the middle of the elementary school playground. The old menu reappeared within a week.
    “I’m the real Austin.”
    Spence lowered the menu to shoot Austin a warning glare. “If we could not mention that incident while we eat, I’d be grateful.”
    Lila rolled her eyes as she shimmied out of her coat. “Incident? That’s the word you went with?”
    Reaching over, he helped her free her arms from her bulky winter coat then shrugged his own off. “You know what I mean.”
    “I think your apologizing skills need work.”
    No way was he going back to that conversation, not with Austin as a witness. “Noted.”
    “You’d never know from the way he handles women, but Spence here is a pretty intelligent guy. Or so the tests say. I’ve always been skeptical of those results,” Austin said.
    She looked between both men. “He is?”
    “Thanks for the vote of confidence on my intelligence.”
    Austin laughed. “See, that’s what I’m saying. It’s totally undiscoverable on the surface. Very well hidden.”
    Spence thought the surprise in her voice was a bit much and he seriously considered shoving his brother out of the booth. “You two are hysterical. Can we find another topic now?”
    She ignored Spence and smiled at Austin. “I’m sorry to worm my way into your dinner.”
    “I’m happy you’re here. I’m guessing you’re better company than Spence.”
    “Again, shut up.” Spence snatched Austin’s water and drank most of it.
    When conversations restarted at the surrounding tables, Lila leaned back in the booth with her shoulder touching Spence’s. “Where is your wife, Austin?”
    “Washington, D.C.”
    “Visiting someone?”
    “Working.” Without missing a beat in the discussion, Austin slipped another menu out of the stand that held the ketchup and mustard and handed it to Lila. “She’s at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. She works a week from home here and then three there, so I match my schedule to hers so we can be together, with a few extra days here per month on local jobs.”
    It always stunned Spence to hear Austin talk about his living arrangements as if they had been the easiest thing to accomplish. In reality, Carrie’s job and Austin’s boneheadedness over it had nearly ripped them apart. Dating since high school hadn’t guaranteed them a lifetime together. They’d broken up many times and spent months living apart until Austin chased Carrie down and refused to give up. The relationship only settled down last Christmas and Austin had rushed her to the altar as soon as possible after that.
    Rather than share the sordid story, Spence hit the highlight for Lila’s benefit. “He’s pathetic when Carrie is gone.”
    Lila’s smile grew even bigger. “That’s sweet.”
    Women . “Not really,” Spence said, not trying to hide the grumbling in his tone.
    “Carrie’s brother, Mitch, is our business manager. He’s visiting Carrie with his girlfriend, Cassidy,” Austin said, falling into his usual easy banter and charm. “We’ll all go to this big party at Carrie’s work, sell some Christmas trees at a lot we have set up in the city near our place there and then Carrie and I will head back here for a cozy family Christmas after we tuck Spence in for the night so he doesn’t scare Santa.”
    “What about Mitch and Cassidy and their Christmas?” Lila asked.
    “I’m impressed you followed all of that.” Spence needed a scorecard to keep up with all the moving around lately.
    “They’re spending some time in the city but will be home right before Christmas, which is almost mandatory around here.” Austin glanced at Spence before turning back to Lila. “Speaking of which, where will