Read Online Mistletoe Magic by Melissa McClone - Free Book Online Page A

author and a DVD starring her current
man-crush—needed to be under the tree. “I thought you said you
weren’t putting one up this year.”
    “ I voted against a tree since we’ll be in Idaho Falls.” Jay let
go of his son. “But I was overruled.”
    “ I like the tree.” Justin was a mini version of his dad, cute
with the same smile, a goofy grin that had lit up their classroom
years ago at Marietta Elementary School. “Do you like trees, Miss
Caitlin?”
    “ I do.” The ornaments hanging on this one looked sturdy and
unbreakable, a lesson learned after Justin climbed last year’s
tree. The thing toppled over and he ended up with four stitches on
his forehead. “You have a pretty one.”
    “ Carson Tree Farms.” Jen, a bursting-with-energy
twenty-six-year old who volunteered at the preschool, entered the
living room with a bag hanging from her left shoulder and
eighteen-month-old Jasmine held against her right hip. The little
girl wore a pink snowsuit and matching boots. “Getting a tree there
is tradition. Doesn’t matter where we spend Christmas. We also
picked up that gingerbread house kit there. The kids had lots of
fun decorating.”
    “ The kids had fun eating the leftover candy.” Jay nodded toward
the dining room. “Take a peek at Jen’s handiwork on the
table.”
    Caitlin did.
An elaborate gingerbread house, with white scalloped icing on the
roof and colorful candy pieces symmetrically placed, sat in the
center of the washed pine table. “Wow. That looks amazing.
Incredible job.”
    “ Thank you.” Jen beamed, shifting Jasmine against her other
hip. “The secret’s the pre-packed icing tubes.”
    Jay shook his
head, but he couldn’t mask the pride in his gaze. “Jen’s found a
new calling thanks to Rachel Murphy.”
    “ Rachel.” Caitlin had heard the name mentioned around town and
by a few parents at the preschool. “She’s Ty’s sister. The baker
from Arizona?”
    Jay nodded.
“We bought a dozen of her gingerbread cookies, but they didn’t last
long.”
    Justin rubbed
his stomach. “Yummy for my tummy.”
    Jasmine
pointed toward the back window. “Ki-iy.”
    Hurt flashed
across Jen’s face.
    Caitlin
reached out to her friend.
    “ Miss Kitty ran away, honey.” Jen’s voice cracked. “I know you
miss her. We all do.”
    Including
Caitlin.
    When she
babysat, Miss Kitty would curl next to her after the kids went to
bed. The cat loved to be brushed and purred like a snowmobile.
She’d escaped through an open door in September. No signs or reward
offers or going door-to-door turned up any clues, even though the
cat had been micro-chipped.
    Justin pressed
against his father’s legs. “Maybe Santa will find her.”
    “ I don’t know, little man. It’s been three months,” Jay said.
“Miss Kitty might have found another home.”
    “ Remember, Christmas is a time for magic. For miracles.” Jen
stroked Jasmine’s hair. “Anything is possible.”
    Caitlin hoped
so. She glanced at a clock on the wall. “You’d better hit the road
if you want to arrive by dinnertime.”
    “ You’re right.” Jen headed to the door. “You know where
everything is. Clean sheets are on the bed and fresh towels in the
bathroom.”
    “ Wait.” Jay stopped reaching for the suitcases. “I forgot to
bring in the garbage can.”
    Caitlin shooed
them toward the front door. “No worries. I’ll get it.”
    “ Sure?” Jay asked.
    “ Positive.” She gave each a hug. “You have a four-hour drive
ahead of you. Go.”
    “ Call if you need anything,” Jen said.
    “ I will.” Caitlin watched them put the suitcases into the back
and load the kids into the small SUV. “Have a safe drive and Merry
Christmas.”
    Jay waved.
“You, too.”
    A feeling of
contentment settled over her. She had a feeling this was going to
be a very Merry Christmas.
    For her
friends, and for her.
     

     
    “ Is that… ?” Dr. Noah Sullivan took a second look at the
greenery tied with a red satin bow and