A Fairytale Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page A

of online games. He’s fine. This is none of your business.”
    Because he had her on that, she answered honestly. “Maybe not. But I’m the one walking around the house, bumping into him, seeing how bored he is, and you’re the one sitting back here so engrossed in your work that I’ll bet you don’t even know what time it is.”
    As if to confirm her suspicion, Drew’s gaze fell to the clock on his desk. His face registered shock, but his voice was calm when he said, “Since it troubles you so much, you’ll be glad to know I talked with Max, the farm’s caretaker, this morning. I want to open up the Christmas tree farm, and he tells me that with a little help he could probably be ready Saturday after next. Once Max gets here this afternoon Brody’s going to have plenty to do.”
    Her mouth fell open in dismay. She didn’t know which part of his plan to address first. “You’re going to make him work on the Christmas tree farm?”
    Drew glanced up lazily. “I take it you have a problem with that, too?”
    Embarrassment suffused her. Was she an idiot? Arguing with the man who literally held her future in his hands? The salary from this job would make it possible for her to finish her education, and once she finished her education she could get a teaching job to support herself and Claire. They wouldn’t live in the lap of luxury, but they’d be fine. Especially since she and Gill had inherited her mom’s house in Towering Pines. Gill didn’t want it, but to Gwen it was home. Not having to pay rent meant she really could live comfortably.
    If she got her degree.
    Suddenly Claire’s cry roared through the baby monitor in her sweatshirt pocket. Drew about jumped out of his seat. “What was that?”
    She pulled the monitor from her pocket. “Baby monitor. Claire’s awake.” Without another word, she headed out of the office.
    He stopped her. “I’m going to need an hour or two to review some new information I just got. It would be great if you could clean the kitchen.”
    “Okay.” Great. That kept her and Claire out of his way, and gave her something to do—but not Brody. Of course, if he strolled into the kitchen again she could ask him to help her, but by now she was feeling like his taskmaster. Brody had already volunteered more than the normal sixteen-year-old. What he needed was something fun to do. Like snowboarding or skiing.
    After changing and feeding Claire, Gwen set up the baby swing in the kitchen and started cleaning. Either Drew or Brody had cleaned enough that they could use the stove, sink, countertops and table. So she dusted the walls, wiped down the cabinets and scrubbed the floor.
    When Drew arrived in the kitchen two hours later he looked around in amazement. “Wow. This place is actually nice.”
    Glad that he wasn’t angry with her for her interference about Brody that morning, she panted in a breath and straightened up from the mop. “Cleaning doesn’t have to take long.”
    “Yeah, but I don’t think I could have made it look this good this quickly.”
    His unexpected praise filled her with warmth. But she reminded herself that he was her boss and he was supposed to praise good work. He hadn’t told her she was pretty or sweet. He appreciated the work she was doing in his house. There was nothing more to the compliment than that. Besides, she probably looked like something the cat brought in after sweating over the dirty walls and cabinets.
    “I’m making a sandwich for lunch. Care to join me?”
    “Sure.” She glanced at Claire, who had tired herself out in her swing and was ready to nod off. “But first I need to take Claire back to the bedroom for a nap.”
    She warmed a bottle while Drew gathered cold cuts and condiments from the refrigerator. When the bottle was ready, she slid Claire out of the swing and headed for the bedroom. Claire ate greedily and immediately fell asleep. Gwen returned to the kitchen and found Drew sitting alone at the