Read Online Christmas at Purgatory (Thalia Extra #1) by Jennifer Bene - Free Book Online

Christmas
Day Eight months after the
auction

Thalia lifted the large pot off the stove and almost dropped it. It
was incredibly heavy, and half full of boiled potatoes that Maggie
was going to help her turn into mashed potatoes.

“Ye got it, just pour them into that colander!” Maggie turned back
to the oven and yanked the door open, “Oh, shite! Hurry up, I need
ye to clear some counter space.” Thalia nodded and carefully tilted
the pot over the colander in the sink. Steam rose up in a cloud,
Maggie was cursing to herself about the turkey, and music was
blaring from the speakers in the living room. It was chaos, utter
chaos, and Thalia loved it. She’d never had big holidays at home,
especially not after her mom died and her father spent most
holidays awkwardly trying to ask her questions during commercial
breaks of whatever was on TV. She had spent most of her Christmases
in an undecorated house unless she was able to escape to a
friend’s. But that was even weirder, because their family just
stared at her and felt sorry for her.

This was the Christmas Thalia had always imagined.

Loud, crazy, and full of laughter and people who loved each other.
Maggie and Kalen had wound garland up the stairs, around the
fireplace, and they had a giant tree lit up with lights. There was
a wreath on the door, a pile of presents under the tree, and a
mountain of food that Maggie had insisted Thalia help with. She was
supposed to be learning how to cook from Maggie, but if she was
honest she was really just a glorified assistant.

“Where do you want to put the turkey, Maggie?” Thalia left the
potatoes in the colander and set the empty pot in the other half of
the sink.

“Over here, cover the carrots and move them somewhere!” Maggie was
flushed. The kitchen was really hot, but since it was freezing
outside it wasn’t too bad. Thalia rushed to move the carrots and
Maggie hauled the turkey out of the oven and replaced the space
with it. It was golden, and smelled amazing. Her stomach rumbled in
anticipation.

They were moving around each other with ease in the big kitchen,
Maggie was laughing and half telling her to do things, and half
doing them for her. If Maggie had let Thalia do everything, dinner
would never be ready by the time Kalen got back from his evening
visit to the few holiday residents of Purgatory. She and James were
personal guests this time so they were staying with them at their
home and not in the Dormitory.

“Ladies, it smells amazing in here. Are you sure I can’t help?”
James leaned in the doorway and Maggie shoo’ed him with her
hands.

“If I needed your help James Hawkins, I would ask for it. This is
my kitchen, now out. Out!” Maggie was insistent but laughing as she
said it, and James lingered long enough to smile at Thalia and
shrug before he turned away.

“I think the potatoes are done?” Thalia put down the masher and
shook out her arm. Maybe Kalen should incorporate cooking into the
sub training, because she was pretty sure she had just completed an
arm workout. Maggie swept over, tasted them and let out a
cheer.

“Yes! Brilliant!” With a heavy breath Maggie turned to survey the
kitchen. It was a wreck, it would take hours to clean, but they’d
done it. They’d made Christmas dinner, serving dishes and
containers were stacked everywhere. A feeling of accomplishment
washed over Thalia, she’d never made a dinner like this and the
chaos of pots and pans were her trophies.”I’m glad you two were
able to come, Thalia.” Maggie smiled at her as they started
separating out the various dishes into two serving sets - one for
the Dormitory and one for Kalen and Maggie’s table.

“I am too. Honestly, I’m grateful we ended up coming to Purgatory.
The original plan was for me to meet James’ parents and...” Thalia
bit her cheek as she trailed off, focusing on sealing one of the
dishes.

“Not ready for that yet?” Maggie asked, looking over her shoulder
at her.

“Ladies!