Blue Christmas (The Moody Blue Trilogy | Book One) Read Online Free PDF Page B

so.”
    That’s when Laura
gently placed her hand on Hannah’s shoulder and looked kindly into her eyes.
“Would you like some coffee, sweetie?”
    Hannah couldn’t
explain it. The term of endearment, the touch of a mother’s hand on her
shoulder. The hospitality of this kind woman and her family, the palpable love
between the three of them. The surprising ease she felt in Jason’s presence. Hannah
felt like she’d been wrapped in a warm blanket of love, at ease and completely
comfortable here. The nervous butterflies seemed to have vanished.
    She looked deeply
into those compassionate eyes. “Laura?” she whispered. “Thank you.”
    Laura leaned over
to hug her. Hannah blinked away the moisture in her eyes, avoiding the long
familiar eyes she felt upon her. When she finally looked up, she smiled back at
Jason. He ducked his head, absently picking at his pie with his fork. After what
seemed like an eternity, he peeked back at her under his brow and flashed a
quick smile before refocusing on his dessert.
    What was that
all about?
    Beside her sat one
of the most famous celebrities of the music world. The sandy blond hair—characteristically
unruly, of course. The pronounced jaw line and exaggerated dimples, and the
greenest eyes God ever made, set in a perpetual smile. Though she had adored
him for more years than she cared to admit, she had never before met Jason
McKenzie in person. For all she knew, he could have been conceited, arrogant,
and none too happy to find a stranger at the family dinner table tonight. Yet,
here he was, as normal and down to earth as anyone she’d ever met.
    Stealing
glances at me like a shy school boy?
    “Honey, that was
outstanding,” Frank said, interrupting her thoughts. “And to think you did it
all by yourself.”
    “Hey! I still know
how to put a meal together,” she teased. “Just because Jason insists I hire a
little help around this big ol’ house doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten all my old
recipes.”
    “Laura, thank you
so much,” Hannah added. “Thanks for inviting me to join you all tonight. Everything
was so good . They’re right—you’re an amazing cook.”
    Jason snorted and
leaned toward her. “You should see what she does with lima beans. To die for.”
    Laura sighed
audibly. “Jason, would you leave the poor girl alone?”
    “Actually,” his
eyes twinkled with mischief. “I was thinking I’d challenge her to a game of
pool. You like to play, Hannah?”
    “Me? Well, yeah,
but I need to go. It’s been really nice but it’s getting pretty late.”
    Frank stood up,
coffee mug in hand. “I was just thinking about that. It’s almost one o’clock, Hannah. I think you ought to stay over instead of getting out on the road
tonight. Jason could take you home if you’re not comfortable with that. But I’m
a bit uneasy for anyone to be out on the streets this late, especially during
the holidays. Most folks don’t know when to draw the line on their holiday
cheer, if you know what I mean.”
    Laura jumped at
the idea. “Frank’s right. And besides, that way you can spend the day with us
tomorrow if you don’t have any plans.”
    Hannah’s heart
began to pound a little harder. Christmas with Jason McKenzie and his
family? No, no, no. “No, no—that would really be too much,” she said,
begging off as best she could. “I just couldn’t—”
    “Nonsense. Sure you could,”
Jason said. “You’re just afraid I’ll beat you at pool, aren’t you? A little
chicken, are we? That’s it, of course. You’re chicken.” His eyes taunted her. “Bawk
bawk bawk . . .”
    Throwing all her
inner restraint out the window, she took the bait. “You’re on.”
    “Whoa! Sounds to
me like you’ve played a little pool before?”
    “Well now, you’ll
just have to find that out for yourself, won’t you? But weren’t you doing the dishes
for your mother tonight? I wouldn’t want to keep you from your obligations.”
    “Hardly,” Laura
balked. “I