A Cold Christmas Read Online Free Page B

said. He would bring them home. Mat had the children? Why did Mat have the children? Her head couldn’t figure that out. She took two Advil and waited. And dozed. And waited. And dozed. And waited.
    When they finally came, it was way past the children’s bedtime. They were overtired, high as launched missiles and wild from excitement. With a disapproving look at the mess in the living room, he said, “See you tomorrow.” Caley only had time to sputter before he was gone.
    â€œDaddy’s taking us ice-skating.” Bonnie danced in circles, joy spilling over. She looked much better.
    Caley caught her and took off her coat. Bonnie no longer felt hot.
    â€œAnd then we’re having lunch and then we’re going to a movie. And I get to pick where we have lunch.”
    â€œYeah!” Adam punched the air, pulled off his gloves, threw them at the ceiling, and flung his coat after them. “I get to pick where we go skating.”
    Zach was quiet, but she could tell he was excited too. “What do you get to pick?” she asked him.
    â€œThe movie.”
    How clever of Mat. He knew Zach would find something the Littles would both accept and that way Mat wouldn’t have a fight on his hands.
    It took her hours to get the Littles in bed. If Mat didn’t show tomorrow, she would personally kill him.
    When she finally got everybody settled, she threw her creaking, achy self into her own bed and dropped into sleep. She kept waking because she couldn’t breathe. Finally, she stacked pillows, propped herself up on the headboard, and dozed. The phone, ringing at six-thirty, jolted her up from the first sleep she’d had all night. The scheduled organist couldn’t make it. Flu. Could she take over the services?
    â€œSure,” she croaked.
    Sitting on the edge of the bed, she held her hands against her throbbing temples. Right. I can do it. A hot shower helped aching bones, but when she left the steamy bathroom, she started shivering. Teeth-chattering, bone-shaking chills. She downed more Advil. I can do this, she told herself. Of course, you can. Get dressed.
    No problem deciding what to wear. She always wore the same clothes, church services, concerts, choir performances, weddings, funerals. Long black skirt and white blouse. No time wasted dithering about what to wear, and lots of clothes weren’t necessary. She always looked either professional or devout, whichever was required. Would she be warm enough? Maybe she should wear long johns under the skirt.
    Wrapped in one of Mat’s old flannel robes, she padded into the kitchen for coffee. Adam slammed in right behind her. If he was awake, the other two were also. He saw to it. Bonnie came next, looking totally recovered. Caley felt her forehead and sighed with relief. She wouldn’t have to tell her daughter she couldn’t go with her father today. Assuming he turned up.
    â€œWhat time is he picking you up?”
    â€œTen. That’s what he said.” Zach was not totally convinced either.
    â€œMommy, I got here first.” Bonnie tussled with Adam.
    â€œI did!” Adam shouted.
    â€œIt’s mine.”
    â€œHey!”
    Bonnie and Adam were in a shoving match about who got to sit in the only chair Caley had gotten around to refinishing. She shrieked at them, sent Adam to one end of the table and Bonnie to the other, and plonked herself in the prized chair. She drank coffee. Bonnie and Adam squabbled over who got the Cheerios first.
    When she left for the church, she told Zach they could watch as much television as they wanted as long as there was no fighting over what to watch. They were to take turns choosing. “Right?”
    â€œRight, Mommy,” Bonnie said.
    â€œAll right, ” Adam said.
    â€œWe’ll be fine, Mom,” Zach said. “Don’t worry.”
    *   *   *
    In the hour between services, Caley dashed home to check on the kids. It was after ten and