Read Online It Really IS a Wonderful Life: The Snowflake Falls but Hearts in Love Keep a Home Warm All Year Long by Linda Wood Rondeau - Free Book Online Page B

hall mirror. Since Gabe wore a tie and sports jacket, she was glad she’d dressed the kids in their best. Josh looked handsome in his belted Dockers, although he’d resisted changing out of his Army tee. And Emma would steal anyone’s heart in her pink chiffon dress.
    Gabe probably would take them to a nice place—at least where they served coffee in a regular cup instead of styrofoam. At the worst, the dinner would be a boredom buster.
    “Emma, Josh. Get your coats.”
    Gabe laughed as he pointed at Dorie’s stocking-clad feet. “Better go back upstairs. I’d hate to see you catch a cold.”
    “Although I know a real good doctor.” She retreated upstairs, gasping for breath. How did anyone forget to put shoes on? Flirting demanded too much energy. To flirt effectively, one must be clever, but her reservoir of clever had long been displaced by other skills, like mopping floors and changing diapers. When she came downstairs, the children stood at attention, fitted for winter with coats, mittens, and scarves. A broad grin crossed Gabe’s face.
    “However did you manage this?”
    Gabe winked at Josh. “I threatened to remove their tonsils if they made a peep.”
    Josh opened the door. “Can we go now, Mom? I’m real hungry.”
    Bursting into her fourth round of tears since waking from her too-short nap, Emma squeezed Mr. Bear to her chest. “Mr. Bear will be lonely here all by himself.”
    “Do you mind, Gabe?”
    “I suppose we could at least let him ride in the car with us. I have a blanket in the trunk. While we’re in the restaurant, he can take a nap. Is that okay, Emma?”
    She put her ear to Mr. Bear’s makeshift mouth. “He says that’s a good idea.”
    The four, plus Mr. Bear, piled into Gabe’s Volvo. Dorie pinged her head. “Car seats!”
    Gabe huffed. “I’ll grab them from your backseat.”
    Might be a simple thing to change the car seats around, but she’d forgotten them once before at great inconvenience to get them back. “No. Let’s take my car.”
    “Yours? It’s not too trustworthy from what your father says.”
    Anger rose. He had no right to condemn Devon’s car. “Don’t be so quick to judge a car simply because it’s old.”
    “North Country winters are hard on old batteries.”
    This conversation needed to end. “I don’t feel comfortable moving the car seats around. My parents keep a set in their car.”
    “Guess I’ll have to do the same if this relationship is going anywhere.”
    “Relationship? Wait a minute—”
    Emma giggled. “Mommy, what’s a relationship?”
    Dorie flashed Gabe a be-careful-what-you-say-in-front-of-the-kids frown. “It means two people are friends, sweetie.”
    “Dr. Wellington should be your friend, Mommy. Mr. Bear is my good friend.” Emma gave Mr. Bear a hard squeeze. White stuffing puffed from his leg.
    Gabe led the way to Dorie’s car. Josh and Emma scrambled into their car seats, and Dorie fastened them in. Gabe opened Dorie’s door and started to get in. “I’ll drive.”
    “No, I can handle it.”
    “Suit yourself.” He got in on the passenger side and folded his arms across his chest. Dorie buckled herself in, then pulled out her keys from her purse.
    “Mom, you forgot Boomer,” Josh said. “You always forget him.”
    She unlatched her seatbelt. “I’m sorry, Gabe. I have to bring the dog in. I’ll only be a few seconds.”
    He scowled. Could be he didn’t like dogs.
    Dorie stuffed the keys into her coat pocket and ran into the backyard where Boomer romped in rhythm to her jitters. She shooed him into the house through the back door. She probably should have put him in the cellar, but Gabe had waited long enough. “We won’t be long, Boomer. Behave yourself.”
    He retorted with a whine, then plopped onto his doggy bed in the corner of the kitchen.
    Silence reigned when Dorie returned to the car. The motor sang like a nightingale when she turned the ignition. Was it wrong to feel so self-righteous? “Where am