What We've Become (My Kind Of Country Book 2) Read Free Page B

he offered. “I will not sit here and say I can stay home the entire time, but I will be here as much as I can be, and definitely on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.” He nodded as though making a promise to her.
    His words were surprising to Katie, and she’d be lying if she said she believed he would be so accommodating. Jay’s work had always been first and foremost for him, and he made sure that what needed to be done within the walls of his office was done before anything else—family, friends, or time away—could be contemplated.
    “Besides, you’re probably going to want the odd day away from me. You like your space, and I can appreciate that,” he added, grinning ruefully.
    “You’re making it sound like I am always trying to get away from you.”
    “Maybe you’ll want to after three weeks of being here, but at least then we’ll know.” His smile never faltered, and Katie could see the accomplishment written on his face. He knew he had her, and that she was going to agree.
    She sighed, shaking her head. “All right, Jay, here’s the deal. If I can go back to Canada for a few days to get the house set up—you know, stuff like the hot water tank, the water pipes, the heaters, and blah, blah, blah— and if I can convince Ed Johnson down the road to look in on the place while Mason and I are here, and if I can count on you to be here enough that Mason won’t end up feeling like he is just always waiting for you to get home, then I guess it looks like we are all spending Christmas together.”
    Jay let out a holler, slapping his hand down on the counter in triumph. In seconds, he was around the island and holding Katie tightly. She squealed laughingly when her feet left the ground as he spun her around. He had just set her back down on the floor when Katie recognized the sound of Mason’s little footsteps coming down the hallway.
    “Please, just do not let him down, okay?” Katie whispered, locking eyes with Jay. He’d heard Mason coming to see what was going on, too.
    “I promise, Katie. I’ll be here for him this Christmas.” He turned to face Mason’s confused gaze just as the boy rounded the corner into the kitchen.
    “I didn’t know you were home, Dad!”
    “Just getting in the door, I swear. How was your day?” Jay stooped to chat at eye level with his son, ruffling his hair playfully. Immediately, Mason attempted to smooth his unruly hair.
    “Boring. There’s nothing to do here.”
    “Oh, Mase, there is so much to do here! Get your Mom to take you around the city tomorrow and check it all out. You won’t be bored, I guarantee it.” Jay glanced over at Katie, but she held her hands up. She didn’t know what he wanted her to do.
    “I don’t have a clue where to go here. You forget, I’ve never lived here before.”
    “You can take us out tomorrow then, Dad, and show us some stuff!” Mason exclaimed, and Katie saw the anticipation highlighting his eyes.
    “I have got to go to work again tomorrow, pal. I’m sorry.” Jay held up a finger in pause, and Katie knew he was scrambling for a way to make the situation better. She would be as well if Mason were looking at her so dejectedly. “How about we spend tonight showing your Mom how to work that cell phone we got her so she can easily look up all the cool sites that are close by? That way you guys can make a list of them, and then plan to go check them out next time you are bored stiff.” Jay ducked his head to catch a glimpse of Mason’s eyes, seeking confirmation that he had moved beyond his bout of sadness. Sure enough, Mason peeked out at him through his messy bangs, the wheels of mischief and imagination turning once again in his overactive mind.
    “Can we find a zoo?” the little boy asked.
    Jay chuckled. “Go grab a pencil and some paper from your room and we will all sit down and create a list of things we can look for in the area, okay? A zoo can definitely be at the top of the list, my boy.”
    Mason cast a