Read Online Linda Ford by Once Upon a Thanksgiving - Free Book Online

could have kissed her.
    “I’ve taken care of it. Sam lent me some. Says he always keeps a few on hand.” He retrieved the rucksack from the bench and pulled out two pairs of skates. “I brought some extra socks in case you needed them.”
    “Those look like mine,” Rosie protested.
    “I didn’t think you’d mind.”
    “I don’t, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask.”
    He grinned at her. “This way I didn’t have to endure any advice.” Or teasing. Or warnings.
    She waved away his remark. “Enjoy yourself while you can.”
    “I intend to.” Her unspoken warning filled him with even more determination to make the most of the day. “Let me.” He knelt before Kathleen, unbuckled her boots and slipped one foot at a time into the skates. He forced himself to act as if it were no different from helping Joey put on a pair of boots, but his chest muscles grew taut, making breathing difficult. Her foot was so small. So dainty. It made him want to protect her. But he was probably the worst threat she’d ever had in her life. He tightened the laces, then sat beside her to do his own. “I warn you, I haven’t been on skates in a couple years.”
    “I haven’t been since last winter.”
    “I suppose you skate like a dancer.”
    She laughed softly. “I’ve had lessons, if that’s what you mean.”
    “Wonderful. You’ll make me look like a clod.”
    She rose and held out a hand to him. “Who’s watching?”
    “I will be,” Rosie said. “And I won’t hesitate to laugh when my brother lands on his bottom.”
    Buck didn’t give her the satisfaction of acknowledging her teasing. Instead he took Kathleen’s hand and led her to the ice.
    Joey saw him and slid over. “You going skating?”
    “With Kathleen. You stay here with Aunt Rosie. Okay?”
    Joey studied him unblinkingly for a moment, then shifted his study to Kathleen. Buck hoped he wouldn’t say something to make her uneasy. But he smiled. “Okay.”
    Buck reached for Kathleen’s hands, holding them so their arms crisscrossed in the usual skating pose. She fit perfectly at his side and matched her strides to his. He hadn’t skated in a while, but discovered he had no trouble keeping on his feet. They circled the cleared area several times. She laughed as he stumbled on a corner. He held her steady when she caught her skate on a lump in the ice. A path had been cleared around the perimeter of the pond. He indicated it. “Shall we?”
    “I’d love to.”
    They skated away from the noise, the fire and into a world where they were alone in the silence. He shifted to hold her hands and skated backward so hecould watch her face. “Are you planning to return to your college in the near future?”
    “I have no definite plans. Mother seems better some days, but then she gets worse again.”
    “What’s wrong with her?”
    “The doctor calls it general malaise. I know she’s worse if anything upsets her, so I do my best to keep things calm in the house.”
    He liked the way she grew thoughtful, full of genuine concern for her mother. “You are a good daughter.”
    “Thank you. I try. After all, I’m their only child.”
    “That sounds like a huge responsibility.”
    She smiled gently.
    Oh, how he’d grown to love her smile. If only he could capture it in his palms, tuck it in his pocket and carry it with him into the future. Then whenever he was discouraged or lonely, he could pull it out and enjoy the memory of this day.
    Unfortunately he knew the memories, although all he’d have, would never suffice.
    “It doesn’t feel like a responsibility when it’s done out of love.”
    He understood she would never choose someone or something over loyalty to her parents. Although he admired the trait in her, it left him feeling lonely. He forgot to move his feet. One skate caught on the ice. He churned his legs trying to keep his balance. The moment he knew it was futile, he pulled Kathleen to his chest to protect her. His feet went up. His back went