Free Christmas Choices by Sharon Coady

grabbed a little dress and laid it on her bed. She started the shower and again wondered what Kellen was doing as she pulled her hair into a ponytail and stepped onto the wet tiles.
    I guess I had better call him in a few days—just to check on the progress at the cafe. Her thoughts turned to the handsome Dante. Maybe she would visit him next week to check out his paintings. It would be nice if he could give her some advice on portraits.
    Showered and dressed, she let her hair down on a whim and walked back into the living room. Dante was hard at work with her easel already set up and a small table placed beside it with brushes and paints.
    He turned when he heard her behind him. Looking her up and down, he met her eyes and said, “Well, you look very lovely, Rhian. What a beautiful dress.”
    “Thank you, Dante. It was my mother’s. Thank you so much for getting everything set up for me. Was I gone that long?” She knew she rambled on again but couldn’t help herself.
    “No, I have set my easel and paints up here many times over the years. I just know what works. I hope you don’t mind.” He shrugged his shoulders and tilted his head, his eyes dancing.
    “Of course I don’t mind. It’s less work for me to have to do.” She walked over to her easel and glanced out the veranda doors. “You are right, this is the perfect spot. Look at how the light filters in. I can’t wait to get to work.”
    “Well, I’ll get out of your way. I’m sure you have more to do to get settled in.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a business card. “Call me if you need anything.”
    She took the card from him and placed it on the little table. “I will. Thank you again for coming over and making me feel so welcome in your home. I hope I will see you again.”
    “You will, Rhian. As often as you like.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Call me soon.”
    She remained in the doorway as he walked to his car, the gravel crunching underneath his feet. He turned and waved at her just before he got in. “Ciao,” he called.
    She stared until his car drove out of sight over a hill.

Chapter Eighteen
    K ellen spent the morning working on the café with Denny, who chitchatted away about all sorts of things. Kellen, however, could do nothing but think about Rhian. He speculated about where she was and what she had been doing these last few weeks. He actually found himself feeling guilty about his romp in the sack with Julie the night before. That pissed him off. He paced back and forth, mumbling under his breath.
    “Mr. Slade, what’s wrong with you?” He backed up.
    Kellen spun. Denny’s eyes were wide, his mouth drawn down. “Shit, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
    Denny looked at him. “You just looked really mad. Did I do something wrong?”
    “No, you didn’t. I think I did. Rhian’s gone and didn’t call me and won’t answer her phone. I haven’t heard from her in a couple of weeks. I gave her space but... Where do you think she went?”
    “I don’t know, someplace in Italy. Are you sure she left? Do you want me to call her? She answered the phone that day I called her when the café caught fire and I found her grandfather.” He rocked back and forth from foot to foot, his eyes wide. “I can try to call her, Mr. Slade.”
    “You would do that for me? That would be awesome.” He smiled and extended his hand to shake Denny’s. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
    Denny looked at him and smiled. He took a hesitant step forward, watching Kellen’s face. When Kellen smiled back, he rushed forward and grabbed his hand pumping it up and down. “Great, that’s just great. I’m so glad you aren’t mad at me. Let me try calling her right now.” He took a phone out of his pocket and flipped it open.
    Kellen shook his head when he saw the out-of-date phone. “I think you are going to have to use my phone to call her. I don’t think yours will reach Italy.” He handed the phone to Denny after