Jodi Thomas Read Online Free

daily almost made him jealous. “Thank you,” he finally said, “for sharing your sunset with me.”
    “You’re welcome,” she answered, reluctantly turning her horse back to the path toward home.
    As they rode among the shadows, he finally broke the silence. “Why wouldn’t you allow me to help you into the saddle back there? Or on with your coat in the cabin?”
    “I’m not in the habit of having someone help me do anything.”
    Zach took a deep breath and dove into what he had to say. This wasn’t a woman who’d give him a second chance, so he might as well be direct at his one try. “You know how you said your father had rules he followed, like hospitality and a Christmas Eve party?”
    “Yes.” She slowed her horse, intrigued.
    “Well, where I come from, we have a few rules also. My mother was a fine woman, and she’d have had my hide if I didn’t offer to assist a lady on or off a horse, or help a woman into her coat with the proper amount of manners.”
    “I’m not helpless,” Holly started. “I’m able to . . .”
    “Being able has nothing to do with it, Miss McCarter. It’s a matter of custom, nothing more.”
    Holly was silent. No one had reminded her of her manners since her father died. Not Luther or Sam or anyone else around the place. Whatever she said was fact, and no one questioned her. She wasn’t sure she liked this Zachary Hamilton, but she couldn’t help being intrigued by the idea that he wasn’t the least bit intimidated by her.
    “I’ll not be pampered.” She raised her chin and looked straight ahead.
    “I wouldn’t dream of it.” He couldn’t seem to keep the corner of his mouth from lifting slightly. “But would you consider allowing me to pay you the common courtesy when we return, for my dear departed mother’s sake?”
    “I might.” Holly kicked her horse. “If you’re there when I reach the barn.”
    Zach was beside her in a heartbeat as they raced toward the barn’s glowing lanterns.
    Minutes later, Sam’s smile reached all the way to the laugh lines around his eyes as he watched Holly slide from her saddle into Zach’s waiting arms. They only touched for a moment, but Sam felt the earth shift in his world. He slapped Luther on the back, and suddenly decided that he believed in Christmas magic.

4
    Holly watched Zach build the fire in the huge corner fireplace while she warmed milk for hot cocoa. He was not an easy man to read. He seemed to have enough pride for several men, yet he’d answered an ad to be anybody’s husband. Since their ride, conversation had flowed calmly between them, light with laughter and flavored in honesty. He was, and always would be, a stranger she’d met for a few hours, but she felt she could learn from this proper Yankee with his good manners and true stare.
    She didn’t need a Gypsy palm reader to tell her something was wrong with her. She’d known it from the time she’d turned fifteen and Sam had dragged her to a barn raising and dance. Holly had wanted to giggle and whisper with the other girls, but she had had no idea what they were laughing about. If there was a barn to be built, it seemed more practical to grab a hammer and climb. The men at first had been shy around her, but by the time the barn was completed, they’d welcomed her as one of their own. Only, when the dance started, not a one welcomed her as a dance partner.
    As Holly filled the cups with steaming cocoa, she made up her mind. She’d talk with this Zach Hamilton, and learn how she should act. It would be no great embarrassment, for he’d be gone tomorrow morning, and she’d never have to face him again.
    “Thanks,” he said, as he stood and took one of the mugs from her hand. “I don’t remember the last time I had a cup of cocoa.”
    “It’s one of the few things I fix that I don’t burn.” Holly tried to sound relaxed. She curled cross-legged on the floor in front of the fire. The smell of evergreen blended with the aroma of