The Best Christmas Ever Read Online Free Page A

Bill, obviously you know something I don’t. Why don’t you try telling me.”
    “I don’t know all the particulars. Just that she’s no longer engaged.”
    “Is that all?”
    “No. As a matter of fact, it’s not. She no longer works for her fiancé’s family, either, as of a very short time ago. Nor does she live in her old apartment.”
    Justin sighed impatiently. “I know the latter—that’s why I called you. Do you know where she lives?”
    “Yes.”
    Restlessly, Justin ran a hand through his hair. Why was Bill acting as if Sarah’s address and phone number were a national secret? Okay, so Bill felt sorry for Sarah. She had broken off with her fiancé and quit her job. Justin was sorry for her, too, but that might just work out to his best. Maybe he could hire Sarah for a week or two until she found a better job…unless she already had one. But first he had to locate her. This was all too much to take in at once. Just what did he really know about Sarah? Very little, he suddenly realized.
    “So where is she?” he demanded, quickly reaching the end of his rope.
    There was a hesitation, then a sigh. “Look, Justin, maybe since she didn’t tell you—”
    “Where, Bill?” he demanded.
    “Okay, okay! But if she’s mad at me—”
    “Bill!”
    “She’s living at a homeless shelter downtown near Second Street.”
    Justin’s legs collapsed underneath him and he sank to the bed, stunned. “Homeless shelter?” he whispered, unable to believe what he was hearing.
    “Yeah. Evidently, when she lost her job, she didn’t have enough money to pay her rent. She had to move out but had nowhere to go and wouldn’t let me help since I’m so newly married. She refuses to collect unemployment—”
    “She was fired!” Justin shouted.
    “As I said,” Bill continued without answering Justin’s question, “she comes in twice a week, looking for a job. The law office, it seems, was overstaffed and had to get rid of a secretary.”
    “What’s the shelter’s name and number?”
    “Why?”
    “Because I’m going to call and leave a message for Sarah to expect me.”
    “Sorry, bud, the shelter closes its doors at eight. Which also means no phone calls, either.”
    “What do you mean, it closes its doors at eight?”
    “Just what I said. Haven’t you ever been around shelters? In the morning the people are fed, then put out for the day. At the end of the day the shelters reopen and the occupants are allowed back in for supper. At eight this particular one closes its doors and no one else is allowed in. The place is usually full by six or so anyway.”
    A sick feeling curled in Justin’s stomach. “What about Sarah?”
    “What about her?”
    “What if she’s late getting back? Would they let her in? I mean, if she had a good explanation?”
    “Sarah’s staying at a very good shelter, Justin. Try not to worry. She’s been there a couple of weeks now. They’ve treated her well. They won’t turn her out.”
    Cold fear filled Justin’s heart. “You’re not answering my question. If Sarah was late, would they let her in?”
    “Sarah knows the rules. She wouldn’t have been late.”
    Justin had his answer. “Thanks, Bill.”
    “You okay?”
    How could Justin answer that truthfully? “Yeah,” he lied.
    Sarah, his sister-in-law, who had been here only thirty minutes ago, was living in a shelter. His sister-in-law, for pity sakes! Why hadn’t she come to him?
    In a flash of insight he realized she had. Today. And he’d snipped at her from the time he’d opened the door, never giving her a chance to state her true purpose in coming.
    Anger replaced the guilt. Oh, he’d asked, but she’d refused to tell Justin what was going on. It’d always been that way. Amy had been heartsick when Sarah had closed herself off from her only sister because Amy had married him. Of course Sarah had had a good reason for not speaking to him.
    His anger deflated. They were both at fault. But why hadn’t she