Journey of the Magi Read Online Free PDF

pursed her lips with personal questions.
    “He’s running an errand. Do I need to pay for those?” She nodded before refilling Molly’s empty cup.
    “Oh, no. The eggs are barter for rent. Works out for all of us. Ella will be dropping off milk tomorrow. She’s keepin’ her herd in his dairy barn.”
    Noel’s eyes widened. “Must be a big place.”
    “One of the biggest in the county before his parents passed. Dan claimed he wasn’t a farmer, when he made the barter agreement with us. Bought this bankrupt café and turned it around despite the town’s downturn.”
    The kitchen door slammed, cutting off Molly’s chatter. Dan paused to hang his heavy coat on the hook.
    “Hey Dan,” Molly called as she pushed off the stool. “Nice new waitress. Hope she stays for a while.”
    Dan set a brown paper sack on the counter before he grinned at both women. “Noel’s going home for Christmas.”
    “Too bad,” Molly mumbled through the scarf she wrapped over her chin. “See ya in a couple days.”
    “She put the eggs in the cooler since I didn’t know where they should go. No other customers.” Noel returned Molly’s wave before she carried the used cup to the sink, avoiding Dan’s gaze.
    Ernie poked his head around the corner. “I got the Santa suit out of the shed. It needs to be cleaned before the party.”
    “Want coffee?” Dan waved at the pot.
    “Naw.” His blue eyes twinkled as he nodded at Noel and then disappeared.
    “I bet Molly talked your ear off,” Dan mumbled while he poured himself coffee. His eyes slid sideways at Noel as if waiting for her reaction before he leaned against the counter.
    “She talked about eggs and hens mostly.”
    Although curiosity chewed on her like a hungry mosquito, no man appreciated being gossiped about. “What’s in the bag?”
    “Locks.” He dumped two door locks on the counter. “I figured you’d feel safer with me sleeping here if I gave you the keys from new locks.”
    “I-I-I—” Noel stammered, while her pulse did a rumba. “I didn’t know you stayed here.”
    Her mind filled with his broad shoulders propped on her pillow, the blanket barely covering what lay below his narrow waist.
    “I’m sure Molly told you that big old farmhouse is full. I bed down in the back, behind the playroom. It helps to be close, since I open early.”
    Noel glanced toward the hall before her heart gave another weird thump. “I didn’t realize.”
    “Well, consider it a reminder that you need to be careful.” He grabbed the packages and preceded her upstairs.
    After checking that both children were napping, Noel watched Dan change the lock. Her skin heated as his fingers moved over the various pieces. She nervously nibbled at her lower lip while she hovered over his shoulder. Dan might install a lock on the door, but he’d managed to free her long suppressed feelings, and that worried her.

Chapter Four
    Noel found Dan’s routine to be easy to follow, but after two days she was glad the café was closed. She planned to sleep in.
    Thanksgiving dawned with the bang and clatter of roasting pans. Noel followed the sound of Dan swearing downstairs. It was barely five and both children slept through the racket.
    “I thought you were closed today,” she said. The dawn light glinted highlights off his dark brown hair. Her lips twitched when his heavy brows snapped together.
    “We are. I’m cooking turkey for a few friends. It’s kind of a tradition.” Her mouth dropped open when he lined up six turkeys on the counter and proceeded to fill each one with a different stuffing. Her teeth clicked when she closed her jaw.
    “You must have been up for hours,” she said. “That’s enough for a crowd.”
    Her heart swelled with admiration for his sharing. She wanted to grab him in a big hug. Her grandparents had invited friends over, too. It was a tradition she planned to continue when she returned home.
    “I’m not sure how many. It’s gotten bigger.” He wiped his