Baby On The Run. Kate Little

village was decorated beautifully, with wreaths on shop windows and garlands strung across Main Street.

      Ben pulled up to a huge, Victorian mansion that faced the village green. A wooden sign in front read Greenbriar Inn in gold lettering. The three-story building was painted a muted rose color with burgundy, forest-green and golden-yellow trim.

      The first floor was circled by a wide, columned porch and the second floor had a large balcony in front. The porch was draped with pine garlands and wreaths hung in all the windows on the first and second floor, each with long satin bows. A huge pine wreath decorated the front entranceway, double doors arched on top.

      All in all, Carey could rarely remember ever seeing such an amazing old building.

      “Here we are.” Ben parked and turned off the engine.

      “Wow. It’s fantastic.” She turned to him. “Did you grow up in there?”

      He nodded slowly. “I always wished we lived in a ‘real’ house. Though I certainly found a lot of ways to get in trouble living in a hotel while other kids never had the opportunity.”

      “I’d never take you for the mischievous type, Ben,” she said honestly.

      He smiled and pocketed his keys. “You don’t know me very well. Yet.”

      His words held a promise. Or was it a dare? One she’d like to take him up on. She did want to know him better. But that wasn’t going to happen. Carey sighed and gathered her belongings.

      She had to stay in town a few days for her car, but it would probably be best to avoid seeing much more of him. She already knew she was amazingly attracted and could easily have feelings for him. Very easily, she thought.

      Ben got out and started to unload the car. There were bags of gifts for his family and Carey’s luggage. They managed to get everything up on the porch and then, into the hotel foyer. Carey couldn’t help gazing around at the decor, as Ben did most of the heavy lifting.

      The hotel lobby was not large, with several sitting areas, but elegantly decorated. A registration desk stood at one end of the room. A woman rushed out from a doorway behind the desk. It appeared to lead to a small office.

      Her expression brightened at the sight of Carey and Lindsay and Carey could tell immediately she was Ben’s mother. Her bright blue eyes were a giveaway. Her dark hair was threaded with silver, pulled back in a neat upswept hairstyle. She wore pearl earrings, a cream-colored scoop-neck sweater and a black velvet skirt that came down below her knees. She smiled as she walked out from behind the desk.

      “Merry Christmas. You must be Carey and Lindsay.”

      Carey nodded. “That’s us.”

      “I’m Ben’s mother, Thea.” She stuck out her hand and Carey shook it. “Ben told me about your accident. How frightening for you. It was so lucky that you and the baby weren’t hurt.”

      “Yes, we were lucky.”

      Ben came back inside with more gift bags, the last of them. “Merry Christmas, Mom.” He leaned over and kissed his mother on the cheek.

      “Merry Christmas, Ben.”

      “I see you’ve met Carey. I can bring her things up if her room is ready.”

      “That would be a help. We’re very shorthanded today. I gave the staff the day off, of course.” She started walking across the lobby and Carey followed. Ben picked up Carey’s bags and also followed.

      “I’ve put you in a nice room on the second floor. It’s really a double, with room for the baby. It has a lovely view of the green.”

      They climbed a stairway up two short flights and came out in a wide hall. Thea led them to a nearby door and opened it with a key she had in her pocket. The door seemed to stick for a moment and she pulled it toward her and wiggled the knob.

      “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?”