Embattled Christmas Read Online Free Page A

office and work on payroll. Can you handle this for a while?”
    He nodded and watched as she walked away.
    “Hits you in the gut, doesn’t it?”
    Zeke nodded before he turned to Chad and held out a hand. “Good to see you, buddy. W-what’s up?”
    Chad settled onto a chair, chewing gum. “I made the call and had to do some fancy dancing, but Operation Wilde is a go.”
    Zeke let out a whoop and slapped hands with his buddy, but he didn’t even care that most of the patrons in the bar looked his way. This was freaking awesome news. “Everything on this end is s-s-set, too. Food’s arranged and we’ll officially be closed that n-night.”
    “I saw the sign on the door. Ember and her dad don’t mind having the party here?”
    Zeke made a face. “Hell, no. Th-they’re e-ecstatic to do it. Everything will be ready.”
    “Good. If you need help just let me know.”
    “I will.”
    Chad slipped off the chair. “I’m heading home. Lora made chili tonight in celebration of Mercy’s last day of school and I’m running late. See ya, Zeke.”
    Zeke waved and greeted a customer, but his mind was still on the upcoming Christmas party. This was going to be something.

Chapter Four
    ‡
    D uncan huffed out a breath and turned for the door. Everybody would be meeting at the Frog Dog in a couple hours and he needed to head home and get cleaned up. He’d been in the same clothes entirely too long.
    Excitement sped his blood. The party had been in the planning stages for a couple months and he knew the guys were looking forward to blowing off some steam. They’d all been working harder than normal, trying to ease the ever-growing workload.
    Max had integrated into the group as if he’d always been here. When Duncan had hired the former SEAL he hadn’t expected him to settle in as if they’d always been friends, but he had. And the man had done everything Duncan had assigned him. And more. He had quickly become invaluable.
    Duncan hurried through his scalding hot shower, hoping it would ease some of the inflammation in his joints. He dreaded the long night ahead. If he sat as much as possible maybe he could last a little longer. Luckily Chad had volunteered to do most of the work.
    When he pulled up to Frog Dog he allowed himself to park in the handicapped spot without guilt. There were enough spaces for everybody tonight. Glancing up through the windows of the heavy oak door he did a visual of the occupants in the room.
    A Christmas tree glittered in the far corner of the bar and he could see brilliant lights on every available surface. Grif was holding Kendall in his arms, swaying to Christmas music Duncan could hear even outside. Their baby Jameson, swaddled in a blue blanket, seemed to be bundled between them as they danced. Flynn was on the opposite side of the room with his pregnant wife, Willow. Kendall and Willow could not be more different, light to dark, but they both carried their motherhood well. Kendall was tall and lean, model beautiful. Willow was more lush and seemed to be lovelier than the last time Duncan had seen her. Pregnancy agreed with her sturdy frame. Flynn stood attentively at her side, ready for any request, with Maya curled at his feet. Drew, Ember’s little boy, patted her on her side.
    Zeke crossed his line of sight with a handful of beer bottles in his huge hand, giving them away. Roger and his new girlfriend sat at the bar talking to Shannon. Duncan couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen Roger with such a happy expression on his lean face. Shannon smiled at something he said, but she looked pensive too.
    Duncan realized he would be one of the only singles in the room that night. In the past year and a half a significant percentage of the Lost and Found Investigative Service had bitten the love bullet. He couldn’t be jealous though, because the men deserved every bit of happiness they’d ever been denied.
    As he stepped into the cold night and walked toward the warmth of the