Read Online The Doctor's Christmas by Marta Perry - Free Book Online Page B

for Christmas break anyway, and there’s a retired teacher who’s offered to give him some individual help.”
    She managed to look at Grant, gauging his reaction. He shook his head slowly.
    â€œPoor little guy. I didn’t realize he’d lost his dad so recently.”
    Joey was a poor little guy, but not for the reasons Grant supposed. “It’s been a difficult time.”
    Grant touched her hand. “You’re a good friend to help out this way.” His eyes were as warm as his fingers against her skin. “If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”
    â€œThanks.” She managed a smile. “I can’t think of anything, but thanks.”
    Somehow it had been better when he’d doubted her and criticized her. His sympathy just made her feel worse. And if he ever learned the truth…
    Well, she wouldn’t need to worry about dealing with his sympathy then. He’d have none at all if he ever found out how she’d deceived him.

Chapter Five
    I f guilt were a disease, she’d be flat on her back by now. Maggie beat the cookie batter with a wooden spoon, taking some pleasure in the vigorous activity, as if the batter were to blame for her predicament.
    Unfortunately, she was the only one at fault, and she knew that perfectly well. For the past two days she’d been playing and replaying in her mind that conversation with Grant about the children, trying to find some better way of handling it.
    She hadn’t. She couldn’t tell him the truth, and she couldn’t stomach lying. So somehow, she’d have to learn to live with this uncomfortable feeling.
    â€œIsn’t it ready yet, Maggie?” Tacey propped her chin on the wooden table, her blue eyes huge in her small face.
    â€œAlmost ready.” Maggie sprinkled flour on the table and then began rolling the cookie dough with the heavy wooden rolling pin Aunt Elly had given her.Maybe her piecrust always crumbled to pieces, but she had a good hand with Christmas cookies.
    â€œI want to cut out a wreath.” Tacey clutched a metal cookie cutter in one hand, tapping it against the table. “Can I?”
    Maggie smiled at her, her heart filling. “You sure can, sweetheart.”
    At least she still knew one thing for sure, no matter how many sleepless nights it cost her. These children had to be protected until Nella came back.
    â€œI don’t want to do any old wreath.” Joey scrambled onto a chair. “I’m gonna make a reindeer.”
    Robby reached up to snatch a piece of dough and pop it in his mouth, then looked around as if to be sure no one was watching.
    â€œYou can all make whatever you want,” Maggie said. “They’re your cookies. But remember, it’s only right to share them.”
    Three little heads nodded solemnly. The Bascoms had never had much, but what they did have, they shared.
    That was a sign of how good a mother Nella could be, now that Ted wasn’t around to make her life a misery. As soon as Nella herself realized that—
    Soon, Lord. It will be soon, won’t it? I know Nella needs to come back on her own, so she knows she’s strong enough to do the right thing. But please, let it be soon.
    â€œOkay.” Maggie made a final pass at the dough. “You guys can start cutting out, while I take the last batch out of the oven.”
    She moved to the stove, a blast of heat warming her face as she slid the cookie sheets out. She’d just put the trays on a cooling rack when someone knocked. Wiping her hands on a tea towel, she opened the door.
    Grant stood on her doorstep, holding a sheaf of papers in his hand.
    â€œHi. Have you got a moment?” He glanced past her, obviously noting the children busy at the table. “It looks as if you haven’t.”
    She didn’t want to talk with him, not with the memory of her falsehoods making a heavy ball of guilt in her stomach. But she could hardly say so.