Read Online Yuletide Hearts by Ruth Logan Herne - Free Book Online Page A

friendly to the skin.”
    Hannah tilted her head, smiled and winked. “You need a little Meredith time.”
    Callie frowned. “Jeff’s sister?”
    â€œJeff’s sister ran a posh spa in Maryland until a month or two ago. Let me set up an appointment for you.”
    Callie shook her head. No way could she justify spending money on a frivolity like that when cash was so tight.
    â€œAnd don’t worry about the money,” Hannah added as if reading her mind. “Meredith’s a sweetheart and she’ll do it just to help her brother’s friend. We can do it at Dana’s place. Or mine.”
    â€œUm…”
    Hannah’s laugh said she realized she’d railroaded Callie and didn’t care. Callie had never met Meredith Brennan, but she knew Hannah. Trusted her. She had a hard time imagining people spending hard-earned money on fancy nails, a true skeptic when it came to anything construed as froufrou.
    Except a great pair of heels. Those she understood.
    The press of committee members pushed her back into meeting mode, a good thing when talking about Matt just made it easier to think about Matt. Better for both of them to keep him out of sight, out of mind.
    And definitely better from a paycheck perspective.
    Â 
    â€œI think the rain will shut down roofing tomorrow,” Matt announced the next evening. He set two bags of groceries on the counter and laughed when Jake zeroed in on the Christmas tree snack cakes.
    â€œI love these!” Jake exclaimed, eyes wide. “Mom, can I—”
    â€œFirst, no, it’s too close to supper. And second, they’re Matt’s, not ours.”
    â€œRule number one,” Matt said. “Any food I buy is up for grabs.”
    â€œSweet.” Jake mimicked Matt’s grin and Matt high-fived him like they’d put one over on her.
    â€œStill, not before dinner. Either of you.”
    Matt sent her a look across the room, a look that said more than words. He gripped Jake’s shoulder and nodded toward the homework table. “If you’ve got homework, I’d be glad to help.”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œHe’s been here two days and already he’s replacing me?” Callie asked Jake, a hand to her heart, feigning hurt.
    â€œThat way you can have some downtime after supper,” Matt advised. “Maybe we can play Yahtzee. Or UNO.” He scanned the game shelf. “But watch out if you take me on in war.” He pumped up his chest and drew his shoulders back. “Me being a soldier and all.”
    â€œMom was a soldier, too,” Jake chattered as he pulled his agenda and binder out of his book bag and laid them on the window table. “So was my dad.”
    Callie kept her wince hidden, but something about Matt’s analytical gaze said he saw too much. He carried the discerning air of a marine, and while that should be a comfort, Callie didn’t need anyone discerning too much. Not now, not ever.
    She lifted the soup pot lid and breathed deep before spearing a carrot. “Almost done, so you guys have about fifteen minutes. Because I’ve been replaced, that is.”
    â€œOnly temporarily.” Matt flashed her a teasing grin, but his words reminded her this was a short-lived setup, not a permanent convenience.
    She’d tried ignoring him for the first twenty-four hours he lived there.
    Fat chance.
    Then she tried treating him like a brother.
    That didn’t even come close to working.
    Friends, she decided that morning. Good friends.
    They’d worked side-by-side all day and now had only two houses left to roof. With Thanksgiving approaching, the guys would need time to be with their families.
    The weather forecast didn’t look great, and each day meant the odds against them were growing. They needed two solid days, maybe three of decent weather.
    God, please, asking you to govern the weather seems a little bossy with all you’ve got going, but