Merry Humbug Christmas Read Online Free PDF

your three new best friends,”
    Connie drawled. “So we’ll see you Auberjonoises later, alrightie?”
    Joss tossed them a wave over her shoulder, wondering about the
    actual pronunciation of their last name as Connie tugged her along.
    They seemed to have reached their destination when she jingled to a stop in front of Joss and greeted the six other people at their table.
    She did so with such familiarity that it wasn’t until she introduced herself and Joss that it became apparent she hadn’t already met each and every one of them.
    Frank and Doris Henderson, an elderly couple wearing match-
    ing sweaters bearing several versions of Santa heads on the front and down one sleeve, were seated next to the other married couple in
    their late forties. The husband wore an equally hideous Christmas sweater put together like a patchwork quilt, each of the squares displaying an image from “The Twelve Days of Christmas” song.
    “Doug and Caroline Denture,” he said with a nod, and he stood
    up and extended a friendly—albeit clammy—handshake. “From
    Scottsdale.”
    The Dentures? Joss repeated in her head, biting her lip so she wouldn’t laugh out loud. I know a great attorney who can get you a name change for a reasonable price.
    The elderly woman with the kind eyes beside them introduced
    herself as Lilibeth Oakes, Caroline’s mother.
    Caroline Oakes married to become Caroline Denture? That’s just sad on so many levels.
    Lilibeth dressed like a normal human being, as did the woman
    next to her who turned out to be Lilibeth’s best friend. Kathleen Brenneman had a warm yet aristocratic air about her. Despite her
    age, which Joss estimated around seventy, she had emerald eyes that sparkled. Her silver-white hair reached neatly back from her face into a pristine bun, and she wore a tailored green dress that con-trasted her fair skin. When she smiled at Joss, her eyes reflected a Merry Humbug Christmas.indd 32
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    Once Upon a Jingle Bell
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    sort of joy that made her whole face shine. Joss immediately gravitated to the chair next to her, and she sat down.
    “Are you from Scottsdale too?” she asked as she sat down.
    “Yes, we’re—”
    “Oh, that seat is saved,” Lilibeth announced, but Kathleen pressed her hand atop Joss’s and shook her head.
    “Don’t be silly,” she declared in a soft Irish brogue. “My son will be perfectly happy to sit anywhere at our table.”
    Joss’s heart began to pound. It was almost too much to hope for.
    But with that beautiful Irish brogue of hers and the mention of her son—
    “Good evening, Mother. I’m sorry I’m late.”
    It’s him!
    Kathleen’s son turned out to be the gorgeous Irishman Joss had
    met on the dock that afternoon. But one thing was horribly different, and Joss leaned back to take it in.
    The breathtaking man with the dark hazel eyes and dimple at the
    center of his chin wore . . . a dark crimson crew-neck sweater, every inch of it displaying a colorful, nubby manger scene, complete with fluffy sheep and glitter stars in the red night sky.
    He leaned down to kiss his mother’s cheek and, upon spotting
    Joss, he took her hand and kissed it lightly. “We meet again.”
    “Small world.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say.
    “The two of you have met?” Kathleen asked her son.
    “Not officially, no. I’m afraid I mowed her over in my attempt
    to board the ship today.” He rounded Joss’s chair and sat down in the empty one on the other side of her, then he took her hand again.
    “Patrick Brenneman.”
    “Joss Snow.”
    “And this is my sweater,” he offered without missing a beat. “You may call him Beelzebub.”
    Joss popped with laughter and returned his handshake demurely.
    “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” Willing her heartbeat to slow down to a safe rhythm, Joss finally peeled her eyes from his and nodded toward Connie. “This is my new acquaintance, Connie Rudolph.”
    Merry Humbug Christmas.indd