Read Online On Strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts - Free Book Online Page B

huh? Well, maybe it will inspire some of the guys who read the article.”
    She narrowed her eyes. “Cute, Bob. I know what you’re up to. If your wife tries to pull anything just sabotage her with an ugly tree, and God knows what else. That’s the plan, isn’t it?”
    Another shrug. “It’s done, isn’t it? And it’s not all that bad. Not how you’d do it maybe, but you abdicated so I’m afraid you have to take what you get.”
    This was like an old I Love Lucy show where Lucy set out to teach Ricky a lesson and Ricky countered with his own strategy. Only this was real life and Joy was not laughing.
    She folded her arms across her chest. “So, this is the best you can do. This is how Christmas will look with Bob in charge? That’s your reputation on the line, your work on display in the paper for everyone in town to see.”
    He eyed the tree. “And I stand by my work,” he said, giving her a playful grin and putting his arms around her. “Come on, hon,” he coaxed, “give up. You know you enjoy doing all this stuff. Why deprive yourself of the fun?”
    â€œYou won’t find doing things by myself and dragging my husband through the holidays listed under fun in my dictionary,” Joy informed him. “I swear, you’ve got Grinch blood running through your veins.”
    â€œMaybe I do, but don’t be surprised when all the men here in Whoville put up a statue in my honor.”
    Joy shook her head at him. “Okay, fine. Be that way. This is war now.”
    He gave her his little-boy-in-trouble look, the one with the downturned mouth and sad puppy eyes that almost always got him off the hook. “I’d rather make love than war. Can’t we sign a peace treaty?”
    â€œNo peace for you this season,” she said sternly. “But I tell you what. We’ll make the bedroom neutral territory. What do you say to that idea?”
    Bob grinned. “God bless us, every one.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “How about a quick trip to the DMZ?”
    The phone rang and Joy picked it up, saying, “Sorry, this could be a call from one of my generals. I’ll have to take it.”
    The look on Bob’s face told her what he thought of her priorities. “Bah, humbug,” he muttered and left for his office, probably to plan some strategy of his own.
    â€œMerry Christmas,” Joy sang into the phone just to irritate him.
    â€œSame to you, sugar,” said Sharon. “I’m not getting you in the middle of anything, am I?”
    In another couple of minutes she would have been. “No. I can talk.”
    â€œI just called to warn you that you’re about to become famous. I hope you don’t mind, but I went ahead and called the newspaper like we talked about doing the other night.”
    â€œActually, the reporter and photographer were just here,” Joy said.
    Sharon let out a low whistle. “They sure didn’t let any grass grow under their feet, did they? How’d it go?”
    â€œLet’s just say that a line has been drawn in the snow,” said Joy.
    â€œThat doesn’t sound good. I guess I should have checked with you first, but, honestly, I was so mad at Pete I couldn’t see straight, and when I’m riled up I just have to do something. Let me tell you, when I meet with that reporter she’s going to get an earful.”
    Oh, dear . “So, how did Pete react? Was he mad?”
    â€œWorse than that. He laughed at me. He was actually glad I’m not doing anything. Let me tell you, that boy is so deep in the doghouse even the fleas can’t find him.”
    â€œWhy are men so difficult?” Joy said with a sigh.
    â€œBecause they’re men, honey.”
    Joy could hear little boys whooping in the background.
    â€œYou boys stop that right now,” Sharon scolded. “Someone’s going to get hurt.”
    Joy heard