Mistletoe and Magic by Carolyn Hughey, Gina Ardito Page A

mind. Yes, she was doing what her heart told her to because trying to resist him made her want him all the more. His kiss deepened and sent her back into a world of ecstasy with a man who had literally swept her off her feet.

 
     
    CHAPTER THIRTEEN
     
     
    “I love you, Mallory,” AJ said as she was leaving. She didn’t respond. “You’re afraid to say it, aren’t you?”
    “Please believe me when I say it has nothing to do with you. I need to think about this.” She kissed him. “I just don’t know.”
    “Okay,” he jerked back and threw up his hands. “I’m a patient man. You’re worth waiting for.”
    “Thank you.” She smiled. “I needed to hear you say that.”
    “When you’re ready to say it, I will cherish every day of our lives together, and shower you with more love than you’ve ever known.” After helping her into her car, he waited for her to pull away. Contented and happy, he walked back inside the house, the smell of her cologne still lingering in his nose. He wasn’t sure what her hang up was, but he had a sneaky suspicion it had something to do with Jenny.
     
    ~~~
     
    Mallory’s eyes filled with tears as she pulled away from the curb. She was falling in love with a man who would most likely run in the opposite direction when Jenny sensed something was going on. The one thing she did know was that writing in her journal tonight would be filled with wonderful memories of a day she’d never forget.
    Driving down the street, she noticed every light was lit in her house. She saw Dina walk by the window and wondered if she’d be upset that Mallory was later than she’d intended. Mallory parked the car inside the garage and cut the engine. Dina had a huge smile on her face when Mallory walked into the kitchen. “Ohmigod,” she said, a joyful ring to her tone. With her hands firmly planted on her hips, she continued, “You’ve got the glow.”
    Mallory feigned ignorance. “What glow?”
    “The you did it glow.” She giggled. “It’s written all over your face.”
    Mallory gave a nonchalant wave. “Seriously, Dina, you really need to start writing romance novels. You have such an imagination.”
    “Okay, we’ll play the game your way. You know I’m going to find out sooner or later anyway, so if you have anything you want to tell me, now would be the time.”
    “There’s nothing to tell. It’s cold outside.”
    “But you weren’t outside, other than to walk to the house and back to your car.”
    “How were the girls?” Mallory said, changing the subject. She had no intentions of sharing any of their intimate moments with her sister.
    “The girls were delightful. They’re both doing homework.”
    “Jenny was good too?”
    “She seemed a little uptight when she found out you weren’t going to be home.”
    “Then I’d better go say hello.” She headed for the hallway when Dina reached out and stopped her.
    “Mal, I don’t mean to butt into how you raise your kids, but seriously, you don’t need to apologize for wanting to have a life.”
    “I know.”
    “No, I don’t think you do. It’s been two years since Mitch is gone. I know the girls will never get over losing their father, but you don’t need to pay for that. Mitch does and the sooner Jenny finds out the truth, the quicker you can all get back to a life.”
    “We’re working on it, Dina. We’ve had one visit with Dr. Bean.”
    Mallory pointed toward the bedrooms. “Let me say hello to the girls first so we can finish this conversation later.”
    Dina nodded in agreement and walked with Mallory to the bedrooms. Mallory knocked on Jenny’s door.
    “Go away and leave me alone,” Jenny shouted out. Mallory opened the door anyway and rushed in. Jenny’s journal was open, facing down, her hands covering it and she was sobbing.
    “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Mallory asked and reached out to hug her daughter, but Jenny pushed her mother away. Mallory jerked back in shock, a sickened feeling