Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
There it went again. Then it hit me. Oh. My. Goodness. The baby is moving.
Letting out a giggle, I turned to look at Trey, who was lying back as well, with his eyes closed. “Trey?”
“Yep?”
“The baby just moved.”
Sitting up, Trey looked down at me. “What?”
Nodding, I said, “Yep. She’s moved about four times now.”
Standing up, Trey reached down and pulled me up. Lifting me in his arms, he spun me around before setting me back down. “Wait one second. She?”
Giggling, I nodded. “Or he.”
Smiling, Trey placed his hand over my stomach. “I can’t wait to feel him…or her.”
Setting my hand over his, our eyes met. Trey smiled as he took my hand and led me into the cabana, where we made love to the sounds of the ocean waves crashing on the shore.
“Ms. Banks? Are you in need of a blanket?”
Opening my eyes, I shielded them from the sun as I looked up at the bellhop who had brought up my bags the other day. Sitting up, I smiled and shook my head. “No, thank you. I’m about to head back in.”
Nodding, he turned and headed back up toward the hotel. Standing, I brushed the sand from my pants and walked back toward the boardwalk. In the distance I saw a lighthouse. Stopping, I stared at it as I pulled the charm out of my pocket and looked down at it.
Everything happens for a reason.
Closing my eyes, I put the charm back in my pocket and looked over at the lighthouse again. “The Great Point Lighthouse. It’s amazing to see in person.”
Jumping at the sound of a male voice, I spun around to see an older gentleman standing there. It was the same guy I had seen walking in front of me earlier.
Holding up his hands, he laughed. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s okay. I’ll…um, make a note to head over and check it out.”
Nodding, he gave me a polite smile and headed back to the hotel.
Watching him walk up the boardwalk, I couldn’t help but think about the emptiness I’d seen in his eyes when he talked to me. I wondered if that was what people saw when they looked into my eyes.
As the older man walked into the hotel, I let out a sigh and began walking up the boardwalk. Once I was inside, I glanced around and saw nothing but couples and families. Smiling slightly, I made my way into the hotel café.
The hostess smiled. “Table for how many?”
Holding up one finger, I said, “One.”
As she walked me into the restaurant, I saw the older man sitting alone in the corner. At least I wasn’t the only one spending Christmas Day alone.
Chapter 24
Waiting on You
Preston
Standing at the window, I gazed out as the snow slowly fell. Feeling my mother’s hand on my shoulder, I smiled slightly. “Preston, dinner is ready.”
Nodding, I turned and followed her into the formal dining room. Stopping at the table, I looked at the seat Harmony had sat in at Thanksgiving. Uncle John was now occupying it as he talked my father’s ear off about the Patriots’ last game.
Pulling my chair out, I sat down. Staring down at my plate, I felt my sister bump my shoulder. “She’s going to call. She has to. It’s Christmas.”
Attempting to smile, I gave her a quick nod and then looked back down at my plate. My father stood up and hit the side of his wineglass to get everyone’s attention. I didn’t feel like looking at him. I didn’t feel anything. My chest ached where my heart was, my stomach felt sick, and my head was pounding—evidence of how much I’d had to drink at the pub last night. Finn ended up having to come and pick me up.
We’d stopped at Harmony’s and I quickly packed up what I could. I was half drunk out of my mind as I wandered around her condo. When I opened the hall closet to see if my coat was in there, I saw all the presents.
Grabbing my coat, I headed out the door with my bag. There was no way I was planning on going back to that condo. I felt lost and alone without Harmony there.
“Now, let’s all stand and give one hope for the upcoming year,” my father said as he looked around the table.
Tuning everyone out, I sat there in a daze. Where is she? What is she doing? Who is she with? My mind was racing as I kept coming up with all these scenarios. Maybe she’d met someone and was too afraid to tell me.
“Preston, it’s your turn,” Angie whispered.
“Just pass over me,” I said, barely above a whisper.
Clearing his throat, my father’s voice boomed across the room. “Preston James, it’s your turn.”
Looking up at him, I shook my head. “I’m going to pass on the Christmas traditions this year, Dad. I don’t really have much to look forward to in the new year.”