Her Wish Before Christmas (Holiday Hearts) Read Online Free PDF

have to take a rain check on lunch to finish up some things.” Connor shifted and broke eye contact, nodding toward Jake. “Can he stay with you until I’m through?”
    “Sure thing,”
    “Be a good boy for Ms. Genny, Jake. I’ll pick you up for monster tree shopping in a couple of hours.”
    Unexpected tears pricked the corners of her eyes as she watched him give Jake a hug and kiss good-bye. She breathed a sigh of relief when Connor left the store. His attention confused and thrilled and made a mess of her emotions. She needed a Connor-free moment to process what just happened. She had agreed to nanny for the son of the ex love of her life, and he was making her think the ex part was up for negotiation.
    “Geneva Ridgeway, when were you going to tell us you had a new job lined up?” Lena got her question in as soon as the door shut on Connor’s nicely formed back end.
    “Well, not exactly lined up. I haven’t told him yes yet.” She held a finger to her lips and motioned to Jake, who was munching on more cookie samples and playing with an antique toy soldier that had been stationed on one of the front tables, holding the You Break It, It’s Yours sign. The silence from her three interrogators wouldn’t last long. “Hey, Jake, let me show you where my Nona kept a whole collection of toys to play with.”
    Genny led him to the back room where her grandmother had set up an area with toys and books the little ones could amuse themselves with to keep them from touching the things they weren’t allowed.
    “I’ll be right back, and we’ll plan what kind of cookies we’re going to bake today. Okay?”
    “Cool. Okay.” He pulled a couple cars out of the toy box and began setting up a racetrack. She returned to the others and the conversation that wouldn’t be forgotten.
    “Okay, I needed some space. Connor’s different, and I needed some space. And I don’t have to explain to you.” She spoke before they had a chance to ask any more questions.
    “He’s the one, Genny.”
    Genny heard the wistfulness in Jacqui’s voice.
    “Whatever, Jacqui.” If the others wanted to believe in a happily ever after for her and Connor, it was their wasted time. Genny would not hope for something that wasn’t real.
    “Don’t you feel the connection? He’s the one. You can’t fight destiny. Nona would tell you the same.” Of all of them, Lena trusted in Nona’s gift for fortune telling the most.
    “Christmas Eve is just a couple days away.” Cilla’s voice softened.
    “Your true love will find you on Christmas Eve. Old and new, the love will be.” Lena recited her grandmother’s words.
    “I forgot how annoying it is that you remember every damn thing.” Genny waved her hand at Lena’s raised brow. “Doesn’t matter anyway. I don’t believe in Nona’s fortune anymore. And neither should you. She was simply having fun with us girls.”
    Genny couldn’t keep the protests up in front of them for long. They all had their own wishes. Nona hadn’t told futures often, saying every day was a surprise gift and it was better to not know what you would unwrap. And when she had, they weren’t always clear or what you thought they would be.
    Her grandmother said and did a lot of things that were mysterious. The one time the girls got her to read their love futures, they also wrote down one wish for her to bless. They each put their written wish in a small vial attached to a leather necklace. Nona said their wishes would be granted one day when their fortunes came true. And they believed. Still believed.
    Her gaze flew to the bowl that had been saved the evening before. She pulled it down and counted the necklaces. Only three. Damn, there should be four . She searched around the floor where the contents had spilled. All over Connor. She sat on her heels and handed it up to Cilla who stood with Lena and Jacqui, watching her as if she had lost her mind.
    “Oh…our wishing necklaces.” Cilla’s voice was breathy