Read Online A Little Bit of Holiday Magic by Melissa McClone - Free Book Online Page A

They sell them, but we used an artificial one.”
    “Then we’re even. I’ve never decorated a fake tree.”
    “I can’t imagine buying a fake tree when your backyard is a forest.”
    “True, but most of the trees outside are too big for in here. I applied for a permit to cut this one down. I do that every year.”
    “Of course you did.” She didn’t hesitate a moment. “You follow the rules.”
    He glanced at Liam, who lay on the floor flying an angel ornament in the air, then back at her. Bill’s mouth curved into an inviting you-know-you-want-me smile. “Depends on the rule.”
    Enough charm and sensuality infused his words to ignite a ball of heat in her belly.
    Not good, Grace. Not good at all.
    Her mouth went dry. Her mind raced, imagining what rules he’d broken, where and how. And with whom.
    She tried hard to be good, to do what was right. Would she ever have the chance to do something...naughty, or was she stuck being nice?
    Liam handed her an angel ornament. “Here, Mommy.”
    “Thanks, sweetie.” Grace focused her attention on the angel with feather wings and a gold pipe-cleaner halo, over the picture of a little girl’s face. “Who is this?”
    “Kendall Bishop-Willingham.” The tender smile on Bill’s face suggested Kendall was someone special. “She’s the daughter of my friends Hannah and Garrett.”
    “Beautiful.”
    Bill nodded. “Each year Kendall and her two younger brothers give me ornaments. Without them I’d have nothing but round balls and bells.”
    Liam ran to the door and jingled the bells. The sound got louder and louder until she couldn’t hear the Christmas carols playing.
    Bill shook his head with a laugh. “I said the magic word.”
    “Bells,” she and Bill shouted at the same time.
    Liam danced. He rang the bells again.
    Her gaze met Bill’s. Something passed between them, the same connection she’d experienced last night.
    She wanted to look away, but couldn’t.
    He seemed in no hurry, either.
    A bell-size lump formed in her throat.
    “More. More.” Liam’s chant broke the spell. “Need to decorate.”
    For the best. Common sense told Grace that, yet a part of her wished the connection could have continued. She inhaled deeply and looked to her son.
    Liam pulled a red ball from the ornament box. “Up. I want to put on this one.”
    “Sure thing, buddy.” Bill raised her son into the air again. “By the time we’re finished with the tree, I won’t need a workout.”
    Bill sounded so content. Nothing seemed to bother him, except not being able to ski. This must be what an always-up-for-a-good-time kind of guy was like.
    What would he think if she told him she hadn’t been to a gym in nearly three years? Or hadn’t eaten a meal with another adult in two months, until last night? Their worlds were so different. She kept forgetting that when she was with him.
    Grace hung the angel on the tree.
    She couldn’t imagine having Bill’s carefree life. She worked hard, paid her bills, cared for her son, cooked and cleaned. After that? No time. No energy. No sleep. Nothing left for her.
    “Look, Mommy.” Liam hung the red ball on the tree. “Shiny and pretty like you.”
    Her affection for him overflowed.
    Liam meant everything to her.
    Unlike Bill’s, her life wasn’t perfect. Her heart was missing a huge chunk. Her faith was battered. Her nights were lonely. But she had her son. He was all she needed. Anything—anyone—else would be a bonus, an indulgence, like whipped cream on ice cream, and a cherry on top.
    Moving away from the tree, Bill brushed her shoulder with his arm. “Sorry.”
    Her pulse skittered. Heat emanated from the point of contact. Grace took a calming breath. It didn’t help.
    Forget bonuses. Whipped cream was full of calories and fat. No need for indulgences. maraschino cherries were sticky, full of chemicals and food coloring.
    She glanced at the handsome firefighter.
    Totally unnecessary. Bad for her.
    And to be avoided at all