Holiday in Your Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

Maribeth was, those womanly curves and dazzling green eyes could get a guy into trouble quicker than using a grinder without wearing protective goggles. All he should be wanting from the flirtatious redhead was information about his ex and his kid, something that might help him decide how best to approach them.
    He dried himself on a questionable-looking towel and made a mental note to buy a couple of cheap towels for the shop. After dressing in the jeans and pullover he’d worn to work, Mo tugged a comb through his hair. For the first time in a long while, he wished for a razor to get rid of his five o’clock shadow.
    He made sure the shop doors were locked, turned off the lights, and rejoined Maribeth. She sure did brighten up the messy office.
    She rose, picked up her coat, held it out to him, and turned her back.
    He had to grin. The woman had expectations, and no thought that he wouldn’t meet them. He stepped closer, opening the coat so she could slide her arms into the sleeves. Even in those heeled boots, she was several inches shorter than his five feet eleven. Such a feminine package. He tugged the coat up around her neck and shoulders and couldn’t resist breathing her in, a scent with a hint of spice like an exotic flower. He wanted to bury his face in her hair so that its softness tickled his nose and brushed his cheeks. To immerse himself in her sensual femininity.
    Instead, he forced himself to step back as she buttoned her coat and took red gloves from a big purse patterned with black and white flowers.
    He did up his own well-worn jacket, opened the door for her, and clicked off the office light as she stepped outside. He followed her into the darkness of a November late afternoon, locking the door and checking that it fastened securely. It blew him away that Hank Hennessey had trusted him to hold down the fort and to lock up, especially on his first day of work. It was probably a testament to what Mo’s old boss in Regina had said when Hank phoned him that morning.
    â€œWhere should we go?” Mo asked Maribeth. “Is there a place, uh . . .” He searched for the right words to suggest an out-of-the-way coffee shop or bar. He doubted there’d be many people in Caribou Crossing who would recognize him after all this time, but still he didn’t want word of his arrival reaching Brooke or Evan before he’d decided how to approach them. While he was deliberating, a dog emerged from the dark lot where several vehicles were parked. It approached them, but stopped several feet away.
    â€œYou again,” Mo said. It was Caruso.
    â€œThat dog was here when I came,” Maribeth said. “Is it yours?”
    â€œNo, he’s from the animal shelter. Apparently he keeps escaping.”
    â€œPoor guy.” Maribeth squatted down and held out her gloved hand. “Hey there, buddy. You’re just looking for a good home, aren’t you?”
    The dog studied her, but maintained his distance.
    â€œHis name’s Caruso,” Mo said. “He sings, or some such thing.”
    Maribeth tilted her head up to him. “He what?”
    Mo shrugged. “That’s what the girl from the shelter said.” He took a couple of slow steps toward the animal. “If I can catch him, I’ll take him back there. It’s too cold for him to be spending the night outside.”
    The dog plunked down on his ass, lifted his head, and let out a warbling kind of howl.
    â€œHe’s singing to you,” Maribeth said, sounding charmed. “Why don’t you adopt him?”
    â€œLast thing I need’s a dog.” Mo held out his bare hand toward Caruso, who eyed it warily. “Why don’t you take him, Maribeth?”
    â€œI work long hours. I own my own business, a thrift shop.”
    â€œIf it’s your business, you could take him to work with you.” For some reason, Mo wanted to find this dog a good home.
    â€œToo many people have