Read Online A Family for Christmas (Contemporary Romance Novella) by Helen Scott Taylor - Free Book Online Page A

e-mail address handwritten on the back. She'd given Polly her contact details, but she hadn't given them to him. For a shameful moment he was jealous of his own daughter.
    "E-mail her and ask her, Daddy."
    "I can't ask her to marry me by e-mail." Then he realized what he'd said. "I can't ask her to marry me at all. We've only just met!" But he would very much like to spend time with Eve and get to know her better. Tom examined the business card. Eve was a tax specialist. He could do with some advice on tax planning.
    ***
    Eve checked her watch and knocked on her brother's front door. She didn't expect Connor to answer. It was lunchtime and he would be at work. She'd come to see his wife, Lilly.
    After her time with Tom and Polly, Eve had thought a lot about families. How they supported each other, or didn't. When her parents died, she'd leaned heavily on Connor and expected him to be there for her. She was ashamed to admit this must have put a huge strain on his relationship with his new bride. Eve could hardly blame Lilly for being less than friendly.
    The door opened and Eve smiled as her sister-in-law waddled out. She was only five two and her pregnant belly was already huge. Her fluffy blonde hair curled around her face and her blue eyes widened at the sight of Eve.
    "Connor's not here," she said and moved to close the door.
    "I haven't come to see Connor."
    "What?" Lilly paused, confusion crossing her face.
    "I'm here to see you."
    "Me?"
    Guilt flashed through Eve as she realized this was the first time she had ever visited her sister-in-law when Connor wasn't here. Eve held up the shiny bag in her hand. "I come bearing gifts."
    "Oh. Well you'd better come in then." Lilly didn't sound overjoyed to see her, but she backed up to let Eve past her protruding belly. Eve slipped in and they headed to the kitchen. "Would you like a drink?" Lilly asked.
    "Let me get us one. You sit down and rest."
    "Okay." Lilly watched in bemusement as Eve filled the coffeemaker. Finally her sister-in-law broke the awkward silence. "So, are you busy at work?"
    "Usual mad rush before Christmas with people sending their tax stuff in late. They send their records in halfway through December and expect us to have the tax returns completed and filed in January." Eve rolled her eyes and Lilly laughed.
    "I think I might be like that if I had to fill out a tax return," Lilly said.
    "Be thankful you don't have to."
    Eve set the mugs on the table and sat beside Lilly. She turned the mug between her hands, wondering how to say what she'd come to say. In the end she went for the honest, straightforward approach. "I'm here to apologize."
    "What for?" The wary tone was back in the other woman's voice.
    "For hijacking your husband. I'm sorry I demanded so much of his time after Mum and Dad's accident. It must have been hard for you."
    Lilly twisted her rings around her fingers. "A little."
    "I know it's a bit late, but can we start again? I want you and Connor to be happy. I hate to think I've caused the two of you any problems."
    "I know your parents' dying hit you hard. It was a difficult time for us all. I'm happy to start afresh if you are."
    "Great!" Eve lifted the gift bag onto the table. She extracted Connor's present, then passed the bag to Lilly. "For you."
    "Thank you, Eve. I'd better put it under the tree."
    "No, open it now. It's only two days until Christmas."
    Lilly smiled. "Okay." She pulled out the selection of luxury toiletries Eve had chosen and laid them on the table. "This is my favorite brand!"
    "I know. I checked with Con."
    "Thank you so much." Lilly leaned towards Eve, and they hugged awkwardly around Lilly's belly.
    "You should take it easy and pamper yourself. Con said your blood pressure's high."
    They chatted for a while about Lilly's visits to the hospital and her frustration that the doctors always sent her home without explaining why her blood pressure was so erratic.
    Eve checked her watch. "Sorry to love you and leave you, but