All Wrapped Up A Collection of Christmas Short Stories by Jenna Jaxon

Author:Jenna Jaxon
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781466145771
Publisher: Jenna Jaxon

Back to Top

The Kissing Tree

Laughter rang through the crisp, wintry air as Charlie steered his brand new toboggan down the snow-covered hill. They were heading into the woods at the edge of his family’s property. Seated behind him, his friend Henrietta grasped his middle, hanging on for dear life, laughing just as hard as he. The sled sped into the tree line, and Charlie fought for control, trying to avoid the looming oaks that threatened annihilation. Almost deafened by a loud squeal from Hen, he tugged too sharply on the guide rope, causing them to fetch up against a solid tree trunk and tumble out into the deep snow.

“Oh, Charlie! What a grand run!” Hen sat up, wiping her plump red cheeks with the back of her mitten.

“We can do even better next time. Now the snow’s packed down we’ll go twice as fast!” Charlie jumped up, hitting at the clumps of white that clung to his brown corduroy britches. He grabbed Hen’s wrist and hauled her to her feet. “Well, you’re a mess!” His hand shot out to beat at her snow-covered skirt.

“It’s all right. I don’t care!” She helped him swipe at the patches before they could melt and soak her clothes.

“Are you ready to go again?” Charlie strode over to the toboggan and righted it.

Henrietta nodded then cocked her head. “What’s that?”

“What’s what?”

“That noise. Do you hear it?”

Charlie paused, sled in hand. “Yes. It’s voices, coming from over there.” He pointed to a thick stand of trees to their right.

“Oooh, let’s go see what it is!” Henrietta turned and dashed toward the mysterious sound.

“Wait, Hen!” Charlie dropped the sled and caught up to her in three strides. He grabbed the long chestnut braid down her back, pulling her to a halt. “Let me go first.”

“Ouch! Stop it, Charlie! Why do you always get to go first?”

“’Cause I’m the boy, and I’m two years older than you, that’s why!”

“Just because you’re ten you think you know so much!” Henrietta pouted, folding her arms over her chest. “I’m going to be ten one of these days, and then you’ll have to let me go first.”

Charlie grinned. Henrietta might be a girl, but she was fun. “And when you’re ten, I’ll be twelve, you widget. I’ll always be older than you.” He grabbed her hand. “Come on, if you’re coming.”

Towing the reluctant girl behind him, Charlie wove his way through the dense stand of oak. All at once the trees thinned and he slowed his steps. The voices were louder and he could understand the words now.

“Awww, come on Sal. Quit teasin’ a fellow!” These words were followed by a woman’s high-pitched laugh.

“Serve you right, Josh Logan, if I left you high and dry!”

Charlie ducked behind a massive tree trunk, pulling Hen close behind him. He put a finger to his lips and shook his head, then pointed to the far side of the tree. Hen crept over there, hunched like a gnome, cautiously peeking around. Turning back to his

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.