An Angel for Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page B

likes to give presents, huh—is that why there are so many here?”
    â€œGram has always loved to make everyone a stocking,” Bobby said, “including Gramps. But I wouldn’t worry—you’ll get presents.”
    â€œYes!” Genevieve said. She had a little lisp. Her front tooth was loose. “Santa Claus will come here, right?”
    Shayne knew that Connor didn’t believe in Santa Claus, so he brought a finger to his lips and winked.
    â€œThat’s right. And Santa Claus can find any house,” he assured Genevieve.
    Connor rolled his eyes. “Yeah, sure.”
    Shayne poked his head in the doorway. “Hey,Bobby, thanks. Want to take over in my room for a minute?”
    â€œSure. Take over what?”
    â€œWatching our—guest. The guy we picked up—Gabe—is freezing. The snow soaked through his clothing. I’ve got him in my room, but I need you to stand by the door while I dig in my closet for something for him to wear.”
    â€œI can find him something—” Bobby said.
    â€œNo, that’s cool, I still have you by an inch or so in the shoulder and chest region, and the guy looks like he’s about my size. I just don’t want to leave him standing there. Connor, you can watch your sister for a minute, huh?”
    â€œYeah, sure, Dad,” Connor said. He made a face. “Bobby still has scissors from when he was in grade school. Can you believe that Gram keeps stuff that long?” he asked with a laugh. “I’ll watch her, but I don’t think Genevieve can hurt herself.”
    â€œI can cut paper!” Genevieve announced proudly.
    Shayne walked over to ruffle his son’s hair. “Thanks,” he said. “And, of course you know howto cut paper, Genevieve. You’re a very bright little girl.”
    â€œMommy taught me,” she said.
    â€œYell if you need me,” Bobby said, rising quickly to follow his brother out to the hall and to Shayne’s room. Shayne’s room. None of them lived there anymore; actually, they’d never lived there. Well, Mom had, and they had often spent summer months and spring and Christmas breaks there. This place evoked a lot of good memories. His parents were in Philadelphia, Shayne was in Pittsburgh and Morwenna was in New York. Not that far, as the world went. But this was where they had always gathered.
    Where it seemed their mother had created a memorial to the past, when they’d actually been a family.
    Bobby was suddenly ashamed of his thoughts. They were a family.
    The bathroom door was ajar.
    â€œHe took a serious crack on the head,” Shayne said when Bobby crooked a brow at him. “He could fall—he could need help. Look, none of us are in high school football anymore. Just hang around outside the door and be ready to rush in ifyou hear him slip or scream or rip out the shower curtain, huh?”
    â€œFine, I’ll be ready,” Bobby said. He leaned against the wall by the door that was an inch or so open. The water started to spray.
    He heard his brother fumbling around in the closet. Shayne emerged. “I’m just going down to toss this stuff in the dryer—freshen it up. I’ll be right back.”
    â€œBig bro, you’re the M.D. Don’t be gone long,” Bobby said.
    â€œTwo minutes. Just going to toss the stuff around because it’s been in a closet,” Shayne said. Two minutes? Hell! What if something happened? What if the guy did fall? Shayne was right—they weren’t accustomed to showering in a mass steam room of sweat anymore.
    Awkward.
    He could hear the shower spray, and nothing else.
    He tapped lightly on the door. “You all right in there?” he asked.
    â€œYep, fine, thanks.”
    â€œYell, if—”
    â€œThanks!”
    Bobby was startled when the shower stopped. He backed into the foot of his brother’s bed and sat with a plop.
    Gabe Lange came out from