Deadly Christmas Read Online Free

“Now you wait just a second … .”
    Whatever she was about to say was cut off by the bell jangling above the front door. Art moved into the display room, his arms full of food bags. Ava wisely took a step back at the appearance of her husband.
    “I got sandwiches from a local deli,” Art said. “Do you like sandwiches, James?”
    “I love them,” James replied, exhaling heavily. Art’s appearance meant that Ava couldn’t play more games. This was the last time he would have to see her so he was thrilled with that realization. “I will say you have great sandwiches out here.”
    “Doesn’t your wife cook?” Art asked.
    James snorted. “My wife can’t cook.”
    “That doesn’t sound like a very good wife,” Ava said.
    Art’s reaction to Ava’s pronouncement was almost comical. “When have you ever cooked? I hired a chef at the house because you can’t cook.”
    “I oversee the chef,” Ava replied primly. “That’s the same as cooking.”
    “Not really,” Art said, turning back to James. “Did you know your wife couldn’t cook when you married her?”
    “My wife has many talents and gifts, but cooking has never been part of the package,” James replied. “I’m fine with it. We order takeout. We grill. We go out a lot. Personally, I prefer going out and ordering takeout because that allows my wife to focus her other considerable … talents … on me without having to worry about providing meals.”
    Art smirked. “I see. It sounds like you and your wife have quite the marriage.”
    “I honestly never thought marriage would be like this,” James admitted. “It was something I never planned on doing – at least not for a really long time. Then I saw her and … I knew all those plans were going to fly right out the window.”
    “That sounds romantic,” Ava said, her face dreamy.
    “It is,” James replied, shaking himself out of his reverie. “She’s my other half. Hell, she’s my better half. I never understood what people meant when they said that. Now I know.”
    “And now I know why you’re so desperate to get back to her,” Art said, his smile genuine. “I hope you and your wife have a fantastic Christmas.”
    “You, too,” James said, projecting a fake smile in Ava’s direction.
    “Oh, it’s definitely going to be a great Christmas for me,” Ava said. “I’m going to buy a boat. Speaking of that, Art, I need the black credit card.”
    Art dramatically sighed but otherwise remained silent as he dug into his wallet. James internally chastised himself for every instance he made fun of Mandy and her shopping habits. Ava gave him unwanted insight into the mind of a woman who really liked to spend money. James was never more thankful for what he had than when forced to spend time with Ava.
    “The security system is set and in place,” James said. “You’re ready to roll and … I’m out of here.”
    “Have a good Christmas, James.”
    “I have every intention of having the best Christmas ever,” James replied. “I just need to get back to my wife to do it.”

Three
    Three flight delays – one for ice on the runway in Detroit – had James seeing red by the time he pulled into his driveway a little after midnight. The house looked quiet and James was annoyed that his fantasy homecoming wasn’t going to happen. Mandy probably fell asleep waiting for him. He was four hours later than he expected, and even though he managed to text her an update, James could practically read the disappointment in the responding text.
    James killed the engine of his Ford Explorer and grabbed his bag out of the back seat. He quietly let himself into the house, dropping his bag on the floor at the bottom of the stairs and locking the door before moving farther into the house.
    It was dark, the only light coming from the Christmas tree in the living room. James frowned. Mandy promised not to decorate without him. She’d been looking forward to doing it as a couple. Had she lost