Forever Santa Read Online Free PDF Page B

it. I don’t. But I might enjoy it more if you let me sample one of those chocolate thingeys on the other plate.”
    “Those chocolate thingeys are mini tiramisu cups. Is it the party games you’re not looking forward to or the crowd of people?”
    Jordan leaned his elbows on the table and rested his face in his hands. “I want to crawl into a hole and stay there. Am I being unreasonable?”
    “Just a bit, considering it’s Christmas.”
    Jordan sighed, then stared at Gracie. “What’s wrong with me?”
    Gracie smiled. “Do you really want me to answer that?”
    “No. I might not like the answer.”
    Gracie took a teaspoon out of the cutlery drawer and passed it across to Jordan. He looked up with a question on his face. She nodded toward the tiramisu cups. “Try one. I guarantee you’ll be at your mom’s party to sample more.”
    Jordan didn’t hesitate. His spoon dipped into the soft dessert and he smiled. “I take back everything I said about your cooking abilities. Who cares if you can’t bake cookies? If you make desserts like this one I’ll be your friend for life.”
    Gracie watched him demolish the dessert and lick his spoon clean. “Talking about friends - how are you feeling? You know, about Tracey.”
    “I’m trying not to feel anything.” He sat back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. “Don’t get any funny ideas, Gracie. I’m off women for life.”
    “In that case you can help me.”
    Jordan stared at her. “You’re not planning anything illegal are you?”
    Gracie shook her head.
    “Are you planning another Christmas party?”
    Gracie took pity on him. He looked more depressed with each option his brain came up with. “I don’t know what to buy Trent for Christmas. Have you got any ideas?”
    Jordan leaned forward. “He’s been looking at a few rifle catalogs.”
    Gracie shook her head. “I don’t care how much he enjoys shooting. I’m not buying him a rifle.”
    “Okaaay. What about a reciprocating saw? Every man needs one of those.”
    Gracie didn’t have a clue what a reciprocating saw did, but it sounded a lot better than a rifle. “What do you use it for?”
    “Everything.” Jordan’s face looked animated for the first time in days. “It cuts through anything you want to throw at it. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and indestructible.”
    “Are you sure this isn’t on your Santa list?”
    Jordan’s cheeks flushed bright red. “Not this year. I had other things in mind.”
    She knew Jordan had been intending to propose to Tracey. A saw wouldn’t have come anywhere near his Christmas wish list.
    “Where would I buy a reciprocating saw from?” she asked softly.
    “You could go to Wal-mart, but I’d head across to Jake’s Hardware. If you don’t like the saw, he’s got a big display of other power tools you could look at. Doris is on wrapping duty, so it will come gift wrapped with a bow.”
    Gracie picked up a fruit tart and carried it across to Jordan. “Thank you. Have another dessert. It won’t help you forget what was on your Santa list, but it might make you feel better.”
    “Do you think your sympathy would extend to a slice of pavlova?”
    Gracie laughed and gave him a quick hug. “No, but nice try. You’ll have to come to your mom’s party for that.”
     
    ***
    Trent took a plate of sandwiches into his mom’s dining room. Her house was bursting at the seams with family and friends. Everyone, including his Aunt Dorothy, had made an effort to be here. All of them looked as though they were enjoying themselves, except Jordan. He’d snuck into the kitchen as soon as they arrived, only coming into the living room to pass platters of finger food around.
    “You can’t hide in here forever.”
    Jordan looked up from the magazine he was flicking through. “Wanna bet?”
    “Mom will be back any minute. She knows what you’ve been doing.”
    “I’ve been keeping food in everyone’s hands.”
    “So you say.” Trent looked