Journey of the Magi Read Online Free PDF Page B

forehead with the back of his hand. “People need friends. Everyone brings a dish, so it’s potluck.”
    “What can I do to help?” she asked before she tied an apron decorated with dancing elves over her sweater and jeans.
    “Not much, unless you can bake a pie?” His lifted brows and wide brown eyes reminded her of his hopeful stray standing over the empty dish.
    “I do a killer crust,” she exclaimed while mimicking rolling out a pie crust. Dan wasn’t the only one who appreciated the chance to contribute.
    “Got everything for apple, pumpkin or mince,” Dan said before he laughed and waved at the cooler. “Take your pick.”
    “Hey. My grandma taught me how to make those. We have time to do them all.”
    ****
    Forty or fifty people crowded around the buffet while Christmas music blasted over the sound system. The first arrivals had hung evergreens and Christmas decorations from every surface.
    At first Dan had been worried about Noel. Small-town people could be standoffish, and he didn’t want her feelings hurt.
    Now a frown tightened his mouth, and he wanted to throw every unmarried male into the piled snow to cool off. They swarmed around Noel like bees on a fresh blossom.
    A scarlet sweater painted color in Noel’s cheeks and laughter brightened her eyes. She grinned at him as she hefted Nicholas on her hip. His heart ached to hug her close after he returned her cheerful wave.
    Clad as a believable Santa Claus, Ernie arrived to the shouts and cheers of the crowd. He carried a sack of wrapped gifts to a chair near the decorated tree in the corner.
    “Hey, Dan, nice turnout. Seems to be more people than last year.” Ella punched him on the arm before she took another piece of apple pie. Skinny as a board, she was the direct opposite of Molly. “This is great. Who brought it?”
    “Noel can bake,” Dan said with a proud grin. He had no right to take pride in her skill, but he did.
    “And you’re letting her get away?”
    “That’s not up for discussion, Ella.” His stomach twisted with pain at the thought.
    “You’re not getting any younger, Dan. Man needs a wife, family. A home filled with love. I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more.”
    Dan’s face heated. When Noel appeared at his side, he turned to her with the feeling he’d escaped. Nicholas’ head was tucked into the side of her neck. He slept despite the noisy crowd.
    “Joe’s brother found parts for my car. He remembered a junked Nash at the recycling center, and the fender and passenger door fit,” she exclaimed. Her face glowed and his spirits plummeted. Her feet did a little happy dance as she clutched his arm. “My promise to Holly will come true. We’ll be home for Christmas.”
    Dan didn’t expect the painful punch to his chest. His hands fisted while he struggled not to grab her.
    “That’s great. I expected old car parts to be the hardest part of the repair.”
    “C’mon, Mommy,” Holly interrupted, and tugged at Noel’s hand, leading her and Dan to the merry Santa.
    “Hello, Holly,” Santa said before he lifted her to his lap. His sparkling eyes met Noel’s gaze. “And what do you want for Christmas?”
    Noel silently wondered if Santa could bring her a happy resolution. She needed to take her children home, yet she wanted more time to explore her growing feelings for Dan.
    “I want a puppy,” Holly mumbled around her thumb. Before Noel could explain, Santa gave a brief nod.
    “Well, that would be nice, but you’ll have to wait until you’re home. It wouldn’t be fair to a puppy to drive it across country.”
    “That’s okay, then. You can bring it to Con-nec-ti-cut. We’ll be home for Christmas. My mom promised.”
    Noel rocked Nicholas while she listened. Her babies would love the farm as much as she had. Her grandparents had given her a wonderful home after her parents died in a car accident. They’d never complained, although money was scarce.
    “If that’s what you really want,