Christmas Kisses (Romance on the Ranch Series #5) Read Online Free PDF Page A

another sip and held her glass in both
hands. "Before I bought Dixie's Cuppa Joe and moved here, I worked for
Charity Disbursements in New York. I was the one who wrote asking for a
donation to our Christmas auction raising funds for Loving Arms Adoption Agency.
Before I left New York, your painting arrived." She gave a little chuckle,
"I told my assistant that if I hadn't been ineligible to bid, I would have
paid whatever price to own that painting."
    *
    Connor was shocked, but now remembered her name
as being on the letter. Even then, he'd wondered if she was related to Miles
Brightman. What were the chances of meeting this woman—a billion to one? But
that was neither here nor there. He didn't want his identity made known.
Tapping the fingers of his good hand on his knee, he said, "Like I said, I
would appreciate you keeping my identity a secret. I came here to paint in
privacy. When I'm at home in Denver, I'm bombarded by people and companies
wanting something from me."
    Cecelia frowned.
    He continued, "I usually don't respond to
requests for donations of paintings. I make charitable contributions through a
trust I've set up. But when your letter arrived, I decided to donate because of
the charity you were benefiting. I've supported that organization for years."
    Connor waited for Cecelia's response by leaning
back against the couch cushions.
    "I promise your identity is secure with me."
    He smiled. "Thank you."
    She stood. "I guess I better head back to
the shop. I'll have Justin deliver your coffee and pastry."
    "Are you sure I can't call someone to come and
get you?"
    "Positive." She stepped toward the
door.
    "Oh, let me get that T-shirt for you to
change into."
    "No, it's not necessary. It's only a few
minutes to my home and the shop."
    Leaning heavily on his cane, Connor followed her
outside.
    There was an awkward silence, then she said,
"Well, goodbye, Mr. MacKenzie."
    "Please call me Mac."
    "Goodbye, Mac."
    "Goodbye, Cecelia."

Chapter 6: Sealed Lips
    While Cecelia walked back to the coffee shop,
she berated herself for not accepting Connor MacKenzie's T-shirt. If she had,
she would have had reason to return to his home.
    Entering the coffee shop through the back door,
Julie dropped the sleeve of paper cups she was retrieving and rushed toward
her. She exclaimed, "What on earth happened to you?"
    Justin must have heard because he poked his head
around the corner. "Don't tell me you tripped and fell."
    Cecelia looked sheepish.
    Julie said, "You did! You fell. Oh, you
poor thing. You need to go home. We can cover for the rest of the day."
    Tilly entered from the office and also started
clucking over Cecelia like a mother hen.
    Justin halted all conversation when he said,
"OMG! Who bandaged you?"
    Cecelia bit the inside of her jaw. Justin
exclaimed, "It was him, Mystery Man, wasn't it."
    Again, her expression gave her away.
    The bell tinkled when a customer entered the
shop. Justin said, "Rats," and returned to the front, followed by
Julie.
    Still marveling that she had met Connor MacKenzie,
one of the foremost painters in the world, Cecelia slipped out the back door
and walked the short distance to her house so she could change her clothes.
    After changing, she couldn't resist firing up
her computer to do a little research on Mr. MacKenzie. She finally located the
newspaper article describing his car accident.
     
    Details are sketchy, but
in a head-on car accident near Denver International Airport, a drunk driver
crossed into the lane of artist Connor MacKenzie. His wife, Rose, was pronounced
dead at the scene. Mr. MacKenzie and his two month old son were flown by
helicopter to the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora. The artist's injuries
are believed to be life threatening. His son's injuries are unknown at this
time.
     
    Cecelia wanted to cry. The man had lost his wife.
Of course, she had known that, but meeting him in person brought reality to the
sad event. And what of his son? She read the date of the