WOULD-BE CHRISTMAS WEDDING by Debra Webb Read Free Book Online

you?”
    “It doesn’t bother me much. Winter’s part of life.” Her eyes went wide and she laughed. “I sound like some cheesy book on the self-help clearance rack.”
    “No apology necessary. Without winter we don’t appreciate spring and summer. But a snowblower makes life easier.”
    “Very true.”
    “Is it a challenge?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Watching your married daughter so recently after losing your husband?” He cursed himself. Hadn’t meant to say that. Bringing up an ex was bad enough on a first date, but dredging up her dead husband, a man whom she’d loved deeply by all accounts? He was starting to understand why he didn’t bother with dating. He sucked at it. “You really don’t have to answer that.”
    “It’s okay.” She rested her fork against the small plate. “Losing William was the worst thing I’ve had to deal with.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, worrying her lower lip with her teeth. “Well, you have some idea.”
    “Pardon?”
    “You said you saw the video.”
    “Right. I did. Go on.”
    “Losing a spouse isn’t an easy road, and getting past it doesn’t seem to be something most people understand. This might sound harsh, but I can honestly say I’m comfortable with where I am now and who I want to become.”
    He couldn’t reply. The emotions swirling in her eyes and that quick, nervous nip and release of her lower lip told him more than she wanted to reveal, he was sure. But her voice had been steady. She really was ready to move on with her life.
    It made him feel even more like an ass for deceiving her.
    The online dating thing had been the perfect ploy. The donation only added to the good-guy points he’d been racking up. By tomorrow, when she knew who he really was and why he’d approached her, she’d probably never forgive him.
    Over the rim of her wineglass, she studied him, her expression contemplative.
    To keep from squirming, he chose a successful field-tested tactic and went on the offensive. “Like what you see?”
    “I think you know I do.”
    He leaned forward. “Want to do anything about it?”
    “I believe I do.” She leaned forward, as well. “Let’s start with dinner.”
    They laughed, but there was no mistaking the building sexual tension between them. The conversation continued as if they were old friends rather than potential new adversaries, until the meal was delivered by the manager, who took the opportunity to greet Cecelia and chat briefly about tomorrow’s event.
    When they had the table to themselves again, Holt glanced up from the task of slicing his steak. “Does everyone in town know you?”
    “Only the people who’ve helped with the fundraisers. The manager here donated a romantic dinner package to the silent auction.”
    Holt took a bite and nearly sighed with pleasure. “I may have to make a bid,” he said. “This is worth a second trip.”
    She grinned. “Good plan.”
    Things were going so well Holt almost let down his guard and enjoyed himself. What he’d started as basic recon after that nasty warning message from Isely had turned to a genuine long-distance attraction. He’d been captivated by the depth of personality she expressed in their emails and brief phone calls. She was much more than a beautiful widow with a caring nature balanced by brains and a clever wit.
    In person, all of that was magnified. He was more than a little startled by how much he liked her. Typically, he didn’t like getting to know people—so few were reliable and everyone wanted something—but Cecelia Manning was the exception that made him want to bend his rules about relationships.
    Except this wasn’t a relationship. He had to remember this was the most critical mission of his life. If he botched this, her hurt feelings would be the least of his problems. His boss would lose his sister and their covert team of Specialists would be exposed.
    Holt had enough experience to know you didn’t reach the goal by