Read Online The Christmas Vow by Shanna Hatfield - Free Book Online

Adam play with Toby. Crabby supervised from his spot on top of a box Toby had set near the snowman, tail swishing back and forth.
    Tia’s jaw dropped when Adam leaned down and picked up the cat, cradling it on one arm as he brushed a hand along its white back. To her knowledge, no other adult besides her had been able to get close to Crabby.
    Rooted to her spot, she stared in shock as Adam and Toby sauntered across the yard. Fearful of being caught watching them, she hurried to pour milk into a saucepan on the stove. While it heated, she took out a square of baker’s chocolate and finely grated it then added it with a few spoons of sugar and hot water to another saucepan.
    Quickly stirring the melting chocolate, she smiled over her shoulder as Toby and Adam trooped inside, stamping snow from their boots before entering the warmth of the kitchen.
    “Mama! Did you see me and Mr. Adam make a snowman?” Toby asked as he jerked off his hat and tugged on his scarf.
    “I did, sweetheart.” Tia glanced at the cat still cradled on Adam’s arm. “Good afternoon, Adam. I see you’ve made a new friend.”
    “Toby tells me Crabby isn’t too fond of people.” Adam rubbed a hand over the cat’s head. A loud purr filled the kitchen and made Toby laugh.
    “Crabby seems to like you just fine.” Tia raised an eyebrow at her little boy. “Why don’t you take Crabby and go wash your hands, sweetheart. I’m making hot chocolate for you boys and I think there are a few cookies left.”
    “I should be going.” Adam set Crabby down and turned toward the door, but Toby grasped one of his big hands in both of his.
    “Please, Mr. Adam? Won’t you stay and have hot chocolate with me? Mama makes it really good.” Toby looked up at him with pleading eyes.
    Unable to tell the child no, he agreed. “Okay, I’ll stay for a cup of chocolate.” Adam cast a glance at Tia and she nodded her head in agreement. “But then I need to be on my way.”
    “Hooray!” Toby shouted as he whipped off his coat and tried to kick off his boots.
    “Here, little man, let me help.” Adam squatted down and settled Toby on one solid thigh while he helped the boy remove his boots. “There you go.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Adam!” Toby wrapped his arms around Adam’s neck and gave him a tight squeeze before racing off down the hall to the bathroom.
    Tia had hired a crew of workers to add a bathroom soon after she decided to stay in Hardman. She couldn’t bear the thought of using an outhouse after she’d been spoiled with indoor plumbing for so long.
    Adam watched Toby disappear before rising to his feet and removing his coat and gloves.
    In Hardman for less than a week, he’d already grown stir-crazy. He’d shoveled the boardwalks twice, mended a broken pew at the church, fixed a squeaky door at Arlan’s place, and repaired a leak in Filly’s kitchen sink.
    With nothing to do that afternoon, he’d attempted to settle down in Arlan’s parlor and read a book. Both Alex and Arlan recommended The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells.
    Adam read the first chapter with interest. The danger of shipwrecks was all too familiar to him.
    Although he’d not mentioned it to Arlan, he’d survived a brutal shipwreck in the spring. A large scar across his shoulder and down his back along with an occasional stiffness in his left hand reminded him that life was fleeting at best. They hadn’t lost anyone in the wreck, but it had been so close, Adam had nightmares about it for weeks afterward.
    By the third chapter of the book, Adam’s thoughts drifted to Tia and Toby. He’d seen them at church Sunday, but managed to be polite, though aloof. Now, he wished he’d been a little friendlier.
    Picturing Tia all alone in that old house, he questioned whether she had enough wood cut for her fireplace and stove. Did the shingles blow off the roof in storm they’d had yesterday morning?  Had she decided what to do about her father-in-law threatening to take