Read Online An Aussie Christmas Angel by Clare Revell - Free Book Online Page A

home.”
    Pip came into the hall and hugged her. “How are you?”
    “I’m fine. Weekend was fine. How are you?”
    “I’m good. You got mail.”
    Jo hung her coat on the hook. “I did?”
    “From England.”
    Jo took the envelope and her heart leapt as she recognized the writing. The postmark was just over two weeks old. He’d written it the day of the phone call. She caught her breath and ran upstairs into the bathroom, locking the door firmly behind her. She pressed the letter to her face. It smelt faintly of the aftershave he wore. Her hands trembled as she slit the envelope.
    Unfolding the letter, heart racing, blood pumping, she read it. Nine words leapt out at her.
    Would you like to start a long distance relationship?
    Jo screamed. She clutched the letter to her chest and closed her eyes. Was she seeing things?
    She risked a peek.
    Yes, she read it correctly.
    She screamed again. Unlocking the door, she ran down the stairs, letter grasped tightly in her hand. “Pip! Look…” She held out the letter. “Does it say what I think it does?”
    She watched Pip’s face, then beamed as Pip first nodded, then hugged her.
    “Wow. What are you going to do?”
    “Call him. Going to do it now.”
    “What will you say?”
    Jo winked. “Need to tell him first.” She pushed a hand through her hair. “Get that kettle on.” She crossed to the phone and dialed the number of his mobile phone. It was switched off. He’d probably done a Pip and left it behind. So she tried his parent’s landline.
    It rang four times and the answerphone picked up. No! Where are you? She glanced at her watch. John was in church. She left a short message. “John. Ring me as soon as you get in.” And hung up.
     
     
     
     

6
     
    John opened the door and went into the hall. Still buoyed from the blessing he’d received in church, he stood to one side and let Dorrie, her husband and the kids in. His parents followed them, and he shut the door against the cold. Minus five and only lunchtime. He didn’t hold out much hope for the temperature getting above freezing all day. He busied himself with hanging up his thick overcoat and then took the kids coats from his sister.
    In the corner of his eye, he saw the answerphone was flashing. That reminded him. His mobile phone was by his bed and switched off. He headed towards the stairs to retrieve it and change out of his suit as his mum pushed the button on the answerphone.
    “You have one new message,” the phone intoned.
    “John. Ring me as soon as you get in.”
    He stood stock still. She must have gotten his letter. What had he done? He should never have sent it. But he had and besides this was what he’d been waiting for, right? He’d know one way or the other. It was time to man up and hear her answer. Before he could chivvy everyone out of the hall, they all began to chip in with advice.
    “Call her,” Mum said. “You’ve got time before dinner.”
    He looked at his watch. He wasn’t putting it off, but he didn’t want an audience. Not even one behind closed doors. “She’ll be going to bed about now.”
    Dorrie looked at him. “She said to call her as soon as you arrived home. If it’s that important, she’ll stay up. I know I would.” She shooed everyone into the kitchen and lounge and winked at him. “Go on, John. Do what the woman says. Ring. Now. I’ll even go and put loud music on Dad’s stereo so we can’t overhear you.”
    He poked his tongue out at her and picked up the phone. He looked at the keypad, his stomach churning so hard he put the phone down.
    Then taking a deep breath, he picked up the receiver and dialed.
    Jo answered on the second ring. “Hello.” Despite the late hour she didn’t sound at all tired. She didn’t sound upset or strained either.
    “Hi, it’s John. You…you asked me to ring.” He braced himself for the no he was sure to hear. Just like every other time he’d asked a girl out. But Jo was so much more than ‘some