Secret Santa (novella) Read Online Free Page A

like a twenty-five year old and presided over the family like a queen.
    ‘I think she’s heading this way,’ Jenn murmured.
    ‘Shit.’ He opened his eyes and spun around. Grabbing Jenn’s hand, he tugged her in Trud’s direction. The damn woman only ever wore sky-high heels and those did not mesh well with the spongy grass. ‘C’mon, before she hits the lawn in those suicide shoes she always wears.’
    He raced them over the remaining distance to the paved driveway. The shortcut across the yard didn’t seem so smart now. But then he hadn’t expected to stop in the middle. They were only a few feet away when his grandmother started talking.
    ‘Morgan, why are you skulking around out here like a common thief? Bring your guest inside like a proper gentleman.’ Trud clicked her tongue and shook her head. ‘You’d think I never taught you any manners.’
    Before she could reprimand him further, he made the introductions. ‘Trud, this is Jennifer Browne, the manager at Morgan’s. Jenn, this is my grandmother, Trud.’
    ‘Oh, it’s nice to meet you Mrs…’ Jenn stuck out her hand as she stumbled over what to call Trud.
    ‘None of that nonsense. No Mrs for me. Everyone’ — she waved one bony hand at Morgan — ‘and I mean everyone, calls me Trud. You will too.’ Trud gripped Jenn’s hand and spun on one spike before dragging Morgan’s guest towards the house.
    ‘Trud, go easy. Jenn’s not used to bossy old women.’ Morgan jogged to catch up. For an old woman, she moved damn fast. Then again, Morgan couldn’t remember a time when she hadn’t gone at warp speed.
    Morgan beat them to the door and held it open.
    ‘Ah, there they are,’ Trud said.
    He looked into the foyer but didn’t see anyone. ‘Who?’
    Trud patted his forearm. ‘Your manners. I knew they were around here somewhere.’
    Jenn chuckled and Morgan rolled his eyes. ‘Very funny. Is everyone in the family room?’
    ‘Yes, dear. We were just waiting for you to come inside so we could start opening the presents.’ Trud let go of Jenn’s hand and led the way through the foyer to the hall beyond the stairs.
    ‘Oh, perhaps I should—’
    ‘Nonsense.’ Trud waved her hand in the air. ‘There’s a present beneath the tree for everyone.’
    Morgan bent forward to whisper in Jenn’s ear. ‘Don’t worry. Your real Secret Santa gift is beneath our family tree.’
    ‘But I didn’t bring anything.’ Her eyes were wide with worry.
    ‘I kept my present from last night.’ He realised his mistake as soon as the words left his mouth.
    ‘How did you know I drew your…wait. Did you rig the envelopes?’
    Morgan could see her mind ticking. ‘I’ll explain later.’
    She glared at him through narrowed eyes.
    ‘Now, now, children, let’s not fight in front of the adults.’ Morgan had forgotten his grandmother was near.
    ‘Who’s fighting?’ he asked, trying denial as a defence.
    Trud laughed. ‘Oh you might not be there quite yet, but I’ve seen that look plenty of times in my seventy-five years. You, my dear boy, are about to be blasted by an angry woman.’
    Morgan glanced back at Jenn and hated to admit it, but his grandmother was probably right. Hoping to deflect Jenn’s wrath, he pointed out the tree in the far corner of the room as they entered, knowing the huge fresh-cut pine would capture her attention and possibly give him time to come up with the words to explain what he’d done without making her any madder.
    ‘Welcome to the Campbell family Christmas lunacy.’ Morgan swept his arm out to indicate the room full of people and the tree that loomed over all of them.
    ‘Oh my.’ Jenn brought her hand up to cover her throat. ‘That’s the biggest tree I’ve ever seen.’
    She headed across the timber floor and every occupant of the room stopped what they were doing to stare. Morgan knew her appeal; he couldn’t help but admire the sway of her hips or the gentle slope of her waist or the ripple of muscles as they