Baby On The Run

“Oh, dear. Ben, you’ll have to fix this when you come next time.” She glanced at her son as the door finally swung open.

“Just put it on the list.” His tone was quiet and resigned.

Carey didn’t realize he helped out here, but it did make sense when she thought about it.

Ben stepped aside and let his mother and Carey walk in first. The sticky lock was soon forgotten.

The room was large and tastefully decorated with blue-and-white-striped drapes over sheers and a matching satin bed set. More of a suite, Carey noticed, with a separate sitting area. Thea opened a large wooden armoire that contained a TV and small refrigerator.

“It’s lovely,” Carey said. She stepped over to the window and pulled the curtain aside. Long French doors led to a balcony and framed a view of the snow-covered village green.

Ben came in and set down the luggage. “Very nice. I’ve always liked this view.”

Thea smiled at him in an amused way. “Glad you approve. I found a portable crib for the baby. It’s down in the office. Ben can bring it up for you later,” she said to Carey. “We’ll let you unpack and freshen up. Come down to the party anytime you’re ready. Ben will save a place for you.”

The party? Did she mean their family party? Carey didn’t plan on joining Ben and his family today. For one thing, she didn’t want to intrude and be even more trouble. For another, it was far easier for her to keep to herself and not be forced to answer a lot of questions…and tell a lot of lies.

His mother seemed to read her thoughts easily. Was her expression so transparent?

Thea took a step closer and rested her hand lightly on Carey’s arm. “Of course you’ll join us. You must. We aren’t serving any food in the restaurant today, for one thing. Nothing in town is open, either. You have to come down and eat. And we’d love to have you. That’s what Christmas is all about.”

Carey smiled at her, but didn’t seem convinced. Thea glanced at her son, looking for some help.

“I always feel out of sync at these things and you can keep me company.” He stared down into her eyes, his blue eyes working their special magic, melting her willpower.

He’d changed from his snow-shoveling, pancake-making clothes before they’d left the house and looked very handsome in a slim-fitting black pullover and a dark gray sport jacket.

“My mother is only trying to scare you about the food. If you really don’t want to come down, I’ll bring something up for you.”

There was definitely safety in numbers, Carey decided. No telling what would happen if she stayed up here with Ben providing room service.

“Of course I’ll come. Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Martin.”

“It’s Thea…and you’re very welcome.” She smiled slightly, then glanced over at Ben. “We’re still on the appetizers. No rush. I’ll see you two downstairs.”

Thea closed the door behind her but Ben stayed, Carey noticed. “Don’t you need to go down and see your family? I won’t be very long,” she told him.

“I can wait. I’m afraid if I leave you up here, you might be tempted to hide out all day.”

His suspicions were correct. The way he’d read her mind made her smile.

“Is that a law around here? No one can be alone on Christmas?”

“It might be,” he teased her back. “You don’t want to end up in the lockup after all. Not when you’ve just landed in such a cushy spot.”

“You’re right. That wouldn’t be very smart.” She opened her bag, took out some clothes and put them in a drawer. “Your mother is very nice. Very…hospitable.”

“She’s a natural at making people feel welcome. Maybe that’s what keeps this place in business after all.”

“Is there some problem?”

Ben shrugged. He picked up a stuffed dog, then waved it at Lindsay, who was lying on the bed. “The inn hasn’t been doing that well since my father died. She’s had to let a lot of the help go. It’s hard for her. I try to help, with repairs and the outdoor work when I can and my sister works here, too. She does all the food service. But it’s still a lot of responsibility for one person. Sometimes she talks about selling it. But I’d hate to see that happen,” he said honestly.

Carey didn’t know what to say. She’d heard there were always complications and tensions when a family ran a business together. She guessed Ben’s family was not immune, though he seemed very easygoing.

It didn’t seem the time to talk about these private matters. Carey didn’t want to seem as if she was prying, either. Lindsay soon got bored with the stuffed toy and Ben picked her up, talking softly to her while she patted his head with her hands.

Carey liked the way he handled the baby. His strong but gentle touch touched her heart. That was just the way she’d imagined a good stepfather would treat her little girl. If she ever found a good stepfather for Lindsay…which right now seemed highly unlikely.

Carey found a lipstick and swiped on a fresh coat, then fluffed up her hair with her fingers and put on a pair of silver hoop earrings she’d found in her makeup bag.

She definitely wasn’t dressed for a party. This morning, she’d pulled on a blue velour hooded top with a cream-colored camisole underneath, jeans and boots. She wondered if she should at least change to a dressy blouse and put on some jewelry.

Ben stood near the door, watching her. “Don’t worry, Carey. You look…perfect.”

She glanced at him, then looked away. “No, I don’t, but thanks,” she said, smiling at him.

Perfect? She knew it was just a word. Something anyone might say. He didn’t really mean anything by it. Still, the tone of his voice and the way he looked at her made her feel something positively electric between them, like a bolt of heat lightning. “Let’s go. I don’t want to keep your family waiting for us.” She scooped up her bag, suddenly eager to join the party downstairs.

Hanging around a hotel room with this man was not a great idea. Lindsay was not much of a chaperone.

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