Her Festive Baby Bombshell
He’d just reached the head of the path when the rays of his flashlight skimmed over the helipad. As though fate was on his side, there were a couple of downed trees, making the landing zone inaccessible. But luckily it didn’t appear they’d done any permanent damage—at least nothing to make the helipad inoperable.
It was much too dark now, but in the morning he’d have to get the chain saw out here. He imagined it’d be at least a couple of days to get this stuff cleared. It was time that he could use to sort things out with Holly.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
A PAIN TORE through Holly’s side.
The plates holding cold-cut sandwiches clattered onto the table. Holly pressed a hand to her waistline, willing the throbbing to subside. She rubbed the area, surprised by how much she was actually showing. But with twins on board, she figured that was to be expected. Thankfully when they’d visited the big island, she’d picked up some new, roomy clothes. They were all she wore now.
The discomfort ebbed away. Everything would be okay. It had to be. She was in the house alone. Finn had gone to the helipad first thing that morning to clear the debris. He didn’t say exactly how bad it was, but she had a feeling he had a lot of work ahead of him if it was anything like the beach area.
She’d offered to help, but he’d stubbornly refused. So she set about cleaning the patio and washing it down so that it was usable again. All in all, they’d fared really well.
In a minute or so the discomfort passed. Realizing she might have overreacted, she shrugged it off and moved to the deck. She loved that Finn had installed a large bell. It could be rung in the case of an emergency or to call people for lunch, as she was about to do.
She wrapped her fingers around the weathered rope and pulled. The bell rang out.
Clang-clang. Clang-clang.
“Lunch!” She didn’t know if he’d hear her, but hopefully he’d heard the bell.
She turned back to go inside the house to finish setting the table for lunch. She smiled, wondering if this was what it felt like to be a part of a couple. She knew they weren’t a real couple, but they were working together. And she was happy—truly happy for the first time in a long while. She glanced around the island. Wouldn’t it be nice to stay here until the babies were born?
A dreamy sigh escaped her lips. If only that could happen, but the realistic part of her knew it wasn’t a possibility. Soon enough this fantasy would be over and she’d be back in New York, settling into a new job and trying to figure out how to juggle a job and newborns.
One day at a time. I have months until these little ones make their grand entrance.
At last, having the table set, she heard footsteps outside. Finn had heard her. Her heart beat a little faster, knowing she’d get to spend some time with him. Sure it was lunch, but he’d been gone all morning. She’d started to miss him.
Quit being ridiculous. You’re acting like a teenager with a huge crush.
No. It’s even worse. I’m a grown woman who is falling more in love with my babies’ daddy with each passing day.
“I heard the bell. Is it time to eat?” He hustled through the doorway in his stocking feet. “I’m starved.”
She glanced up to find Finn standing there in nothing but his jeans and socks. She had no idea what had happened to his shirt, but she heartily approved of his attire. Her gaze zeroed in on the tanned muscles of his shoulders and then slid down to his well-defined pecs and six-pack abs. Wow! She swallowed hard. Who knew hard work could look so good on a man?
His eyes twinkled when he smiled. “Is something wrong?”
Wrong? Absolutely nothing. Nothing at all.
“Um...no. I...I made up some sandwiches.” Her face felt as though it was on fire. “The food, it’s on the table. If you want to clean up a bit, we can eat.” Realizing that she hadn’t put out any refreshments, she asked, “What would you like to drink?”
“Water is good. Ice cold.”
It did sound particularly good at the moment. “You got it.”
She rushed around, getting a couple of big glasses and filling them with ice. Right about now she just wanted to climb in the freezer to cool off. It wasn’t like he was the first guy she’d seen with his shirt off. Why in the world was she overreacting?