A Cozy Country Christmas Anthology Read Online Free Page B

the wizened
little woman opened Ellen's gift; a shimmering pink silk slip, and
let out a squeal of pleasure. The back of Ellen's hand brushed
Tim's as they tried to coordinate their clapping.
    Ellen's perfume blended with the scent of the
evergreen branches. She was so precious—and he had no claim on her
except for the thin metal circles which temporarily linked
them.
    Suddenly, Tim felt like an outsider, doomed
to be forever shut out of the warmth of family life. He bit his
lip, murmuring an inward prayer for strength.
    Turning to Tim with a smile, Ellen said, “I
think we 'd better go so you can get on with whatever you were
doing when we kidnapped you.”
    Their coats lay across their laps. Because of
the handcuffs, they each had been forced to leave an arm in one
sleeve. With the ease of long familiarity, Tim reached over to help
Ellen pull her coat up and around her shoulders.
    In the doorway, Ellen turned. “'Merry
Christmas, everybody!”
    “Mom!” Charlie pointed upward, his eyes
sparkling. “You're standing under the mistletoe!”
    Tim knew his duty. “So we are,” he said
promptly and bent to place a tender kiss on Ellen's mouth.
    He wanted to prolong the intimacy. The kiss
must have betrayed his feelings—when they parted, Ellen gazed up at
him in surprise. A delicate flush mounted in her cheeks.
    Both adults were silent in
the elevator, with Charlie yawning and heavy-eyed. As they walked
toward the bus stop, the boy's feet dragged.
    “Come here, sweetie,” Ellen said. “I'll carry
you.
    “Let me.” Tim boosted the child into his
arms.
    Charlie snuggled his head against Tim's
shoulder in a gesture of complete trust. Above, the stars gleamed
in competition with the street lights. Tim walked slower,
pretending his lagging pace was due to his burden, but he didn't
want the trip to end. This is sheer lunacy, he thought, his heart
swelling, but I love it!
    Ellen's home was in a modest neighborhood
where houses were decorated with Santas, snowmen, and multiple
strings of lights. Snow frosted the bushes; a wooly white cap
covered each roof.
    “Let's get Sleepyhead tucked in and then look
for the key,” Ellen suggested as she unlocked the front door. “'I
hope it's still in the box where Charlie found the handcuffs.”
    Tim nodded, looking at the evergreen standing
in the corner with its popcorn chains, the candle in the window,
and a nativity scene, all evidence that Ellen had tried to make
this a normal Christmas.
    “Are you happy, Mom?” Charlie asked drowsily
as his mother tucked him into bed.
    “Yes, munchkin.” Ellen bent to kiss him.
    Tim admired a close-up view of the sweep of
dark hair falling away from the delicate nape of her neck.
    “I knew he was the right one 'cause he smiled
at the kids sleddin' in the window. I asked God to get you a really
good present,” the boy murmured obscurely and fell asleep.
    Ellen closed the bedroom door behind them.
“What was he mumbling about?”
    Tim indicated their metal bond. “Me, I
think.”
    She stared up at him, her lips parted.
    “He sees how much you're hurting without
David,” Tim explained.
    “When he saw us together, he must have
decided I was just what you needed for Christmas. I guess he thinks
I'm an answer to his prayers.”
    Ellen's free hand flew to her throat. “And
are you?" she asked, her voice a mere whisper, her gaze
downcast.
    Tim cupped her chin with his free hand,
gently compelling her to look at him. Somewhere downstairs, a clock
struck midnight. By unspoken consent they kissed. Breathless, they
reluctantly pulled apart.
    “I'm glad God had Charlie bring us together,”
Tim whispered, smoothing back Ellen's hair. “I feel reborn. It's a
miracle wrought by a very small Christmas angel named Charlie.
    Tonight I met a woman whose loveliness of
spirit makes me long to know her better. If someone handed me the
key to these handcuffs, I'd throw it away.”
    “Christmas is the time for miracles. Grandma
says so, and she's