Read Online Merry's Christmas: A Love Story by Susan Rohrer - Free Book Online

receptively
cordial, light years out of her league according to Arthur and yet, it was his
affectionately signed card she prized in her pocket.
    As Daniel counted out Merry’s cash
advance, she took in his darkly handsome features with freshly stirred
interest. He had a very strong jaw and the tiniest bit of gray just at the top
of his sideburns. She enjoyed the sound of his voice.
    “Everything appears to be in order,”
Daniel said, maintaining his professional air. Then, studying her demeanor, he
added, “You all right today?”
    Merry smiled demurely. “Fine, it’s just,
I got your note and I...I was kind of surprised. Good surprised. Guess I’m not
used to hearing—er—I should say reading that kind of thing. And I know
I’m like six shades of red,” she added, failing to fight the blush rising to
her cheeks.
    Daniel took on an engagingly familiar
tone. He leaned across the desk and lowered his voice to a confidential level.
“To tell the truth, I did a little soul-searching after you left last night
and—I didn’t mean to embarrass you, but it’s what I was honestly feeling. And I
signed it the way I did because, well...I was hoping you’d start calling me
Daniel.”
    Merry smiled warmly, interpreting what
Daniel spoke in light of his note. His words did nothing but confirm the
unimaginable. He really is interested in me , she thought. “It actually
meant a lot that you signed it like that. I guess we’re both kind of seeing how
it goes, but...I’m starting to think... Let’s just say that I could get used to
calling you Daniel.”
    “Good, then,” Daniel replied as he handed
Merry the cash and the receipt book. He watched as she signed for both.
    “And I’ll do better today, on the job,”
Merry promised.
    “You did well yesterday,” Daniel
reassured. “I guess for some reason I just didn’t see it at first.”
    “Well, you know what they say,” Merry
replied, remembering Kiki’s words. “That’s why God made women. To see stuff.”
    Out of the corner of her eye, Merry
noticed as Catherine emerged from the elevator and headed toward them. “Daniel.
There you are,” Catherine called.
    “Boss’s daughter again. Time to get back
to business,” Daniel whispered as Catherine neared. Quickly, he handed a folded
piece of paper to Merry. “My Christmas list. Most of it. Can’t think what to
get for Catherine. Or Mother for that matter. Let me know if she drops a hint.”
    Catherine glided to a graceful stop at
the edge of Daniel’s desk.   Both Daniel
and Merry rose immediately.   Catherine
smiled ever so cordially. “Good morning. Merry, wasn’t it?”
    Merry steeled herself. “Yes. I was just—”
    Catherine went on, not waiting for Merry
to finish her sentence. “Daniel...a moment?” Daniel acquiesced, allowing
Catherine to lead him away. As Merry perused Daniel’s list, a puzzled
expression grew on her face.
    By the time Merry walked out of the bank,
she was already on her cell with Kiki. Checking behind herself to be sure she
wasn’t being overheard, Merry confided. “So, the daughter of the president of
the whole bank, she works there, and she’s suddenly on his Christmas list. He
signed this really sweet note to me “ Love, Daniel ” and it sure sounds
like he’s interested in me, so why is he asking me to buy her a gift?”
    “Maybe he’s a player.”
    Merry shook the thought off quickly.
She’d fended off those types at the restaurant before and this felt completely
different. “He just doesn’t seem that way. I guess it’s possible that I’m
reading too much into what he said to me. Or maybe it’s just a business gift he
wants for her. I don’t know.”
    “What kind of gift did he tell you to
get?” Kiki asked. “That’d tip you.”
    “He didn’t say,” Merry responded. “I’m
supposed to help him come up with ideas.”
    “So, how about you float out something
romantic for her as a possibility. Fish around,” Kiki advised.
    “And if he