The Christmas Key by Lori Wilde

Author:Lori Wilde
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2018-10-22T16:00:00+00:00

They were leaving the North Pole exhibit after Hunter had his picture taken with Santa, and they ran into Terri, dressed as an elf and passing out flyers advertising her Hot Legs Gym and Day Spa.

“Good to see you again,” she told Shepherd.

“You too.” He nodded.

“Naomi,” Terri said. “Just wanted to let you know everything’s straightened out with the caterer for next Saturday night’s dance.”

“Thanks,” Naomi said. “I do appreciate you picking up the slack. I know I haven’t been at the top of my game.”

“Paah.” Terri waved a hand. “My pleasure. Glad I could help.”

“I feel like I’ve let the committee down.”

“Not at all.” Terri glanced at Hunter, who was rubbing his eyes and yawning. “We understand.”

Hunter tugged on Shepherd’s hand. “Up!”

Without even thinking about it, Shepherd didn’t miss a beat. He reached down and hoisted the little boy onto his hip.

Hunter buried his head against Shepherd’s neck, yawned again. The kid smelled of cookies and exhausted little boy.

“Looks like someone is ready for a nap.” Terri smiled at Hunter. A big hug of a grin, full of kindness and Christmas cheer. She switched her gaze to Shepherd. “You’re a natural.”

“Thanks.” He was anxious to get Hunter and Naomi home. She needed a nap as much as the boy. He didn’t know why she’d almost fainted earlier. She seemed fine now, but he was still concerned. She’d been pushing herself far too hard.

“You’re coming to the dance next weekend, right?” Terri said.

Shepherd glanced over at Naomi. “I haven’t been invited.”

“Naomi,” Terri scolded. “You didn’t invite him?”

Naomi flushed, stuttered. “I . . . I didn’t think he’d want to come.” She shifted her gaze to his knee.

He’d left his cane back at the rectory. His knee had been feeling stronger the last couple of days, and he’d come here only intending on dropping off the toys for the toy drive. He hadn’t expected to hang out on the square with Naomi and Hunter.

“You absolutely must come,” Terri invited. “Naomi needs an escort. I want to see her out on that dance floor. She’s been spending far too much time making sure other people have fun and not having enough of her own.”

“I agree with you completely, Mrs. Longoria,” he said.

“Please,” she said. “Call me Terri. I’m so glad you’ve come to Twilight.”

“I’m pretty glad about that too, Terri,” he said, and meant it. The reason he’d come here was a sad one, but the people he’d met were friendly and welcoming.

“And you, Miss Naomi . . .” Terri pointed a finger. “Need to take advantage of the day spa gift card we gave you as a thank-you for heading our committee.”

“I’m sorry, Terri. I just don’t have time for a massage.” Naomi ruffled Hunter’s wind-tousled hair. “I’ve got to chase after this little one.”

“Make time,” Terri said. “It’s like the oxygen mask on the airplane. You have to take care of yourself first before you can help anyone else.”

Naomi shook her head. “I appreciate the gift card, I truly do, but I’m just too busy.

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.