Read Online Christmas Wishes by Patricia Kiyono - Free Book Online

reached over and gave her sister a hug. “I know it’s hard for you to sit still when you’ve always been active. The teachers in school had a hard time believing I was your sister because we were so different.”
    They shared a laugh.
    “I thought I’d try out my cross-country skis. It looks like a good day to be outside,” Sophie told her.
    “I wish I could join you. Have fun.”
    “Will you be okay if I take off for a while?”
    “Sure. Dave just went in to the office. He said he’d be back before lunch. Joey spent the night at his friend’s house, so you don’t have to worry about him.”
    Sophie finished her breakfast then went up to get her equipment. She was out the door in no time.
    Recent snows had covered the area with a thick blanket of white, and she took some time to simply take in the sight before pushing off on the trail. Soon she was back into a smooth groove, pushing with her poles, gliding with each foot, and she entered the woods.
    This had been her refuge back in her junior high school days. It had been an awkward time in her life when Joanie was the Belle of Zutphen and she was the gangly younger sister. She’d despaired of ever attracting a boy. But the woods had been her friend. Whether it was skiing through them in the winter or hiking through them in the summer, she’d always felt better there. Even during her college years she would often come home on her weekends to unwind among the trees.
    Skiing over the trail in the winter was so much quieter. Smaller, furry creatures were safely tucked into their winter homes, From above, a family of finches welcomed her. The sunlight, peeking between the bare branches, cast a lacy pattern on the forest floor. Yes, driving on ice was a bother, but the artistry of the winter landscape made up for it, in her mind.
    Before she knew it, she had glided her way through the woods and came out on the other side. Into Mitch’s back yard. And the man was outside, practicing his craft. Mitch knelt, his right elbow propped on his knee, his left hand holding the camera to his eye. Sophie took a breath, ready to call a greeting, but paused when she realized what he was shooting.
    Two white-tailed deer stood at the edge of the woods. Sophie knew if she called out, she’d scare them away and Mitch’s shot would be ruined. She stood still until the pair went back into the woods and he rose from his crouch. Curious about the photos he’d taken, she glided toward him. Her poles crunched, and he turned to her with a welcoming smile.
    “Did you get the shot?” she called.
    He stood and nodded. “I think so.” He turn ed the LCD screen on and scrolled through his pictures, showing her. The close-ups showed the gentleness of the beautiful creatures, and the landscape shots were breathtaking.
    “They’re great. These would make great prints for a den.”
    He shrugged. “Maybe. I’ll send one or two to some nature magazines and see if they’re interested.” He looked up at her and frowned. “Did you ski here from Joanie and Dave’s house?”
    “Yes. The trail goes through the woods from their back yard and comes out here. I needed some fresh air, and today was the perfect day to get outside.”
    “Sounds like fun. Can I offer you a cup of coffee and a warm kitchen before you head back?”
    “Sure. Thanks.” She followed him inside after propping her skis by the back door.
    The neatness of the house was the first thing to catch her attention. There was a place for everything, and every surface was spotless. Did he have a housekeeper? She watched as Mitch efficiently fixed a cup of coffee in his single-cup brewer, putting everything away as soon as he used it. No, the man did not need a housekeeper. Every woman’s dream. Frustrated by her train of thought, she realized the house was quiet — too quiet for a home with a little girl.
    “Where’s Angie?”
    “She spent the night at a friend’s. Carley, from her class at school.”
    “Carley