A Ring For Christmas by Josephine Beintema

Author:Josephine Beintema [Beintema, Josephine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: contemporary romance, Women's Fiction, Forever Love, clean & wholesome, Bachelor, Single Woman, Hearts Desire, Life-Changes, Second Chances, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Beautiful & Feisty, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Ramesly Brothers Series, Christmas Holidays & Celebration, Christmas Time, Holiday Whimsy, Festive Season, Winter Weather, Billionaire Father David Ramesly
Publisher: Josephine Beintema
Published: 2018-12-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Noah yawned. It was too early. The sun wasn’t even up yet and here he was, winding an apron around his waist. He wandered into the kitchen. “Where’s Max?”

Elle was putting an egg on toast. She took a bite out of it. “He’s late. I hope this isn’t going to be a trend. I need him here on time.”

Noah frowned. It wasn’t like Max to be late. Despite his easy-going attitude, he was punctual.

“Breakfast?” Elle asked as she crunched through another bite of toast.

“No, I already had mine,” Noah said. “I’ll take a coffee if I could.”

“Help yourself.”

Noah helped himself to a cup of black coffee. Pauly put the last of the delivery of vegetables away then grabbed a cup of coffee for himself. Ramos was already pulling out a couple of flats of eggs in preparation for the customers what were sure to start coming in shortly.

Still, there was no sign of Max. It worried Noah. It wasn’t a big deal, he was only a few minutes late.

“Do you have a phone number for Max?” Noah asked suddenly.

“Yes, I have everyone’s numbers. It’s on the forms I get you to fill out when you start work,” Elle said.

“Could you call him?” Noah asked. He had a weird feeling about this.

“Noah, he’ll be here,” Elle said. “He’s just a little late.”

Noah went to the back door and looked out. He didn’t see anyone. As long as Max came directly from the men’s shelter, he would be going through the side streets. Noah wandered to the corner and had a look.

“Noah, we need to get started. There are customers coming in,” Elle called from the doorway, her breath making a small fog in the air before dissipating.

It was dark in the back alleys and side streets. The street lights were few and far between. Noah didn’t like it. He looked and was just about to give up when he thought he saw someone leaning on a fence. Grabbing his phone, Noah put on the flashlight option and shone it towards the figure.

“Max?” Noah quickened his steps. “What are you doing?”

“Just catching my breath,” Max grimaced. He was holding his side and Noah realized there was blood on his brother’s face.

Noah ran the last few steps. “What happened?”

“Could you not shine that in my face?” Max squinted. “I got jumped by a couple of guys with a baseball bat and steel toed boots.”

Noah swore. “Can you make it to the diner?”

“Sure,” Max said. “Give me a hand, will you?”

Noah carefully brought Max’s arm around his shoulders and brought an arm around to help support him.

“A little lower,” Max’s breath hitched.

Noah complied and Max let out a hiss of pain. “Higher?”

Max nodded.

Noah moved his hand up higher on Max’s ribs. “Break a rib?”

“Cracked a couple, I’m thinking.”

If anyone would know about broken bones, Max would. “How many bones have you broken now? Thirteen?”

Max let out a short laugh as they walked. “You’re behind the times. It’s seventeen broken bones. Four dislocations. Forty-two stitches.

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