Christmas in Eternity Springs Read Free Page B

peripheral vision, he turned his head to see the redhead approach. She stepped into a beam of sunshine and the fire in her hair glistened. It was as if the sunset walked right out of the sky and up to the edge of the mineral springs pool where he sat. “Excuse me,” she said. “There’s a water world war going on in the other pools. Mind if I share your little Switzerland?”
    He smiled. “Not at all. Mi Switzerland es tu Switzerland. ”
    â€œThanks.” She kicked off her sandals, then swiftly unbuttoned her cover-up—no wedding ring on her left hand, he noticed—and pulled it off to reveal a modest black swimsuit. Since her curves were as appealing as her legs, Jax had to force himself to look away.
    He heard the splash and then a feminine cough. “Mercy. This is my first time to visit the mineral springs. I hadn’t realized exactly how bad they smell.”
    â€œYou’ll get accustomed to it after a couple of minutes. Now, you might not smell anything else for two days afterward, but your sense of smell will return.”
    â€œI’ll take your word for it. Soaking in a mineral spring is supposed to have health benefits, right? Like soothing sore muscles?”
    Jax nodded. “Yes, although I don’t know how effective it is. Still, mineral springs have attracted people all across the world throughout history, so on that basis alone, I think there must be something to it. Personally, I like it here because I find this relaxing.”
    â€œAnd I’m interrupting your peace with my chatter. I apologize.”
    â€œNo need. I’m always happy to…” Jax bit back the words “share my tub with a beautiful lady” and settled for something that sounded less like a come-on. “Meet new people. I’m Jax Lancaster.”
    â€œClaire Branham. I’ve recently moved to Eternity Springs and opened a business, which is keeping me busy and is why I haven’t visited these pools before tonight. Are you a guest at Angel’s Rest, Jax?”
    â€œI am. I’m here for a couple of days to pick up my son from the Rocking L summer camp.”
    â€œOh.” The note of sympathy and understanding she managed to insert into the tone of that one short word revealed that she knew the Rocking L wasn’t an ordinary camp. “The Rocking L program is fabulous. I know the children who get to attend are thrilled with the experience. How old is your son?”
    â€œNicholas is eight.” Jax hesitated, then because he was curious to get another perspective on the Rocking L program, he added, “He’s been having a rough time of it. He was with his mother when she died a year and a half ago, and it damaged him. I’m hoping the weeks he’s spent at camp will kick-start his recovery.”
    â€œI’m so sorry for your loss.”
    â€œHis loss, not mine,” Jax clarified. Then he winced. “That sounds terrible, doesn’t it? That’s not what I intended. We were divorced. His mother and I were divorced. Acrimoniously. Ugly custody battle. I’ve been in the navy and they don’t always just let you quit when you want, so Nicholas has been living with her parents and I’m babbling. Sorry. Too much traveling through too many time zones and I’m punch-drunk and nervous about picking him up tomorrow.”
    â€œDon’t worry about it. I’ve been known to babble, myself. Frequently. So where did you begin your travels?”
    The specific information was classified. Jax picked a point in the middle. “Seventy-two hours ago I was in Dubai.”
    â€œWhoa. I’ll bet the jet lag is brutal.”
    His mouth twisted in a rueful grin. “I don’t ordinarily spill my guts to strangers. I’ve embarrassed myself. I’ll shut up now.”
    â€œOh, don’t be embarrassed. Sometimes sharing a burden makes it easier to carry. And doing so with a stranger instead of a