Page 32 of Oh My Secret Christmas Baby
Hollis breaks the kiss. “Then don’t,” he tells her. I poke his stomach to tell him to be nice.
“Well, I thought you might want to know that there are two”—Polly holds up two fingers—“state police officers at your door.”
“Shit.” Hollis pulls his phone out from his pocket. “Stay put,” he orders me.
“Why?”
“Please.”
“Okay,” I agree, trusting him.
“Thank you.” He kisses the top of my head before leaving the kitchen. I’m left with Polly.
“I want to apologize. I misread this whole situation.” Polly walks to the other side of the kitchen island. “I thought he might be dating someone and it was new, or he was only telling his mom that.”
“I understand. I mean, he’s very handsome.” Hollis might hate his scars, but they do not take away from how attractive he is. If anything, it makes him all the more interesting.
“His mom, Mary, speaks so highly of him. I’m glad he found his match.” She gives me a warm smile. “And on that note, I want to offer to stay at the bed-and-breakfast and still help with the party, or I can leave you my notes and ideas along with a few contacts.”
“I think I’d like that,” I tell her. “If you wanted to stay, that is, but don’t feel like you have to either.”
“I think I’ll stick around. This town is rather cute.”
“It really is. You have to try the bakery, and there is—” I trail off when I see the two uniformed officers entering the kitchen with Hollis.
“I’m going to head back to the bed-and breakfast for the night. I’ll stop by tomorrow.” Polly says before quickly exiting the room.
“They think I’ve kidnapped you.” Hollis smirks.
“You know, I wouldn’t put it past him.” I laugh. The cops glance at each other. “It was totally a joke.” Tough crowd.
“Ma’am, your fiancé is in a panic?—”
“I’m her fiancé,” Hollis cuts in, and there’s a bite to his words. “And the babies are mine too.” Both of the cops' brows rise.
“All right, that’s a civil matter. We’re here to make sure Gwendolyn is okay.”
“Candy,” Hollis corrects, folding his arms over his chest. He is getting worked up.
“Candy,” the officer keeps going, “and that you’re okay and here of your own free will.”
“I’m the one who came here,” I tell them as I slip off the counter.
“Careful.” Hollis comes over to stand next to me. The man is ridiculous, and I kind of love it.
“I’m here of my own free will, and I don’t have plans to go back to the city till after the holidays,” I let them know.
“When we’ll be picking up her belongings and coming back to New Hope.”
“Listen.” The other cop starts to speak. “I got a bad feeling from Maxwell, but he is a Holmberg, and the Chief of Police wanted us to see if we could find Ms. Snow. I’m a cop and don’t give a shit about the politics of who has a big-shot last name. But I did as I was asked and found Ms. Snow. That part is done, but I’m going to give you a heads-up about this Maxwell. He’s got allmy red flags flying, especially when he told me she was pregnant, and we know better than most the risk to a woman’s safety goes up when pregnant, and he’s saying that baby is his."
"They’re not," Hollis grits out.
"That's a civil matter." The cop holds his hands up, making it clear that's not his area. "But keep a close watch over her. I would tell you to get a restraining order, but you can't get one of those just because I get a bad vibe from him."
"I understand," I tell him. "Thank you."
Hollis takes a deep breath. "Yes, thank you. I already have lawyers on this."
