Christmas Kisses by Judith Keim

Author:Judith Keim [Keim, Judith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wild Quail Publishing

The next morning, Hailey joined her sisters and Nan in her mother’s suite. Mom had placed a number of gifts under the tree, including a bag of them Hailey had given her to hand out. Each year, Hailey spent a long time choosing a present for each of her sisters, Nan, and Mom. Though she kept it to the family rule of a maximum of fifty dollars, Hailey was a bargain hunter who found her gifts throughout the previous year.

This year, she’d chosen a special, different book for each family member, along with a soft cashmere wrap she’d found on sale online. Pleased with the idea of giving them hours of pleasure with cozy reading, she could hardly wait to see their reactions.

Her thoughts flew back to the first Christmas they’d shared and how she’d carefully chosen gifts for her sisters. She remembered how excited they’d all been and decided not to let her quarrel with Nick ruin the spirit of the day.

As they gathered around the special little Christmas tree in the room, Mom handed each of them a package. “Go ahead, girls. Open them up.”

“Wonder what this is,” teased Stevie.

“Let’s see, we’ve recently had snowmen, angels, and reindeer in a variety of colors,” said Jo. She glanced at her mother with a roguish smile. “I’m waiting for leopard pajamas.”

Everyone laughed.

“I’m guessing stripes,” Hailey said, ripping open her package. “Yes!” She held up the green striped pajamas trimmed in red.

Laughing, she and the other girls changed into their pajamas for their annual photos.

“It doesn’t seem the same without Alissa,” Jo said with a note of sadness.

“Guess it’s always going to be different from now on,” Hailey said. “It’s Alissa this year. Who’s going to be next?”

It wasn’t until later that Hailey realized no one ever answered or looked her in the eye.

“I’ve ordered brunch to be delivered to my suite,” said Mom. “I thought we’d have more privacy here. The food should be coming soon.”

“Good idea,” said Jo. “I have plans later, but this time with the family is important to me.”

“Me, too,” said Hailey, keeping her plans with Nick private. Who knew if he would even want to see her?

While they were exchanging gifts, the room service wait staff came into the suite and set up their meal buffet style on the dining room table in Mom’s huge Presidential Suite.

After they left, Mom announced it was time to help themselves.

Hailey eagerly selected a number of food items, including scrambled eggs, bacon, and a warm biscuit with blueberry jam made from locally grown blueberries.

Later, sipping coffee, she relaxed on the couch and listened to the chatter of her sisters. She’d been quiet as a child and was still content to sit by as others talked.

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.