The Christmas Phoenix Read Online Free Page B

around to the north side of the house.
    Hearing a door open, he turned and saw Rory go back inside. He took a deep breath to calm his anger. How had Jess saddled herself with such an irresponsible punk? Grumbling to himself, he pulled the chain and started to trim a fallen tree . He had a dozen or so pieces cut when a pair of gloved hands picked one up. Ah. The kid had finally realized he needed to dress for the weather. He now sported a snowmobile suit and a pair of boots.
    The suit was a few sizes too large for the boy. It must have belonged to his dad. But though it hung loosely, the arms and legs were just the right length for him. Rory apparently had his father's height. Must be the dad’s boots, too. Poor kid.
    He went back to cutting wood.
    Jess came out to join them and by noon, the wood pile had grown to a stack about ten feet long and about four feet high. She and the kid had worked hard. Jake's legs ached, and he knew he'd have to sit down. Time to quit. If Jess needed more, he'd come back. He started walking back to the house.
    Rory came to him, his hands outstretched. "I'll put the saw back in the shed."
    It rankled him that a young kid would need to ease the way for him, but this would save him several steps. And his leg was getting sore. He handed the saw to Rory, and hobbled the rest of the way to the house.
    Jess was in the kitchen, stirring something on a camping stove set up on her counter. She looked up when they came in.
    "I figured we all deserved a hot drink after all that work."
    "Hot chocolate?" The kid’s voice squeaked when he got excited, Jake noticed.
    "Yup. Sound good?"
    Rory nodded, and Jake noticed the kid was less sulky than before. The exercise must have been good for him. He and Rory took off their snowmobile suits an d left them on hooks in the mud room. Their boots were placed on a rubber mat. Rory went into the living room and soon began a phone conversation with one of his friends. Jake stayed on the bench, thankful for the rest. He'd been standing for a long time. Hopefully, he hadn't overdone it.
    He massaged his leg, thankful for the warmth the friction generated. Closing his eyes, he leaned his head back against the wall.
    "Jake? The hot chocolate's ready. Want to join us?" Jess stood in front of him, a worried frown lining her face.
    "Mmm? Sorry. I must have dozed off." Jake pushed against the bench, but his leg wouldn't support him. He flopped back down. "Uhh, would you mind if I drank mine here? My legs aren't quite rested."
    Jess' eyes widened, but she nodded and left. She was back a moment later with a huge mug and a bundle wrapped in a towel.
    "I thought maybe you could use this." She held out a hot water bottle.
    Jake started to shake his head, but realized pride wouldn’t help his leg. He took the rubber bottle and settled it on his aching muscles. The warmth immediately eased the pain. “Thanks.”
    â€œNo problem.” She waited until Jake had the heated bundle where he wanted it, and then extended the mug of steaming cocoa toward him. “Thank you for taking the time to cut all that wood. Did you hurt yourself out there?”
    â€œNo, it's an old injury. Iraq."
    â€œOh. I guess we should have quit earlier."
    "It's no big deal. I need to exercise more to strengthen the leg muscles."
    "You got your exercise today. I forgot to ask. Is Charlie doing better now?"
    â€œHe's not hiding under the pool table any more, but he's still afraid to go outside. And he's not eating much.”
    â€œThat’s awful. He needs to be outdoors. Say, Rory has a way with animals. Maybe he should go over after school tomorrow and help you take care of him .”
    â€œIf he can get that dog to eat and play outside, I’d be in his debt.”
    â€œNo, we’d be even again, after all the wood you cut for us. I’ll find out if he has plans. If not, he should get there around four o’clock tomorrow. The stream is frozen over, so he should be able