Merry Kisses (Riverbend Romance 5) Read Online Free PDF Page A

by the window.
    Sophie traced her fingers along the festive tobogganing scene an artist had rendered on the glass. “Will we have snow for Christmas, Mommy?”
    Kelly flashed Sonya a grin. “I don’t know, Sophie. I hope so. Here, Elena, do you want to cut the doughnut in half? Then Sophie gets to pick first.”
    Elena nodded and grasped the plastic knife. With upper teeth pressed firmly into her lower lip, she carved through the treat and pushed the plate across the table to her sister.
    The halves were remarkably even. Sonya glanced at Kelly. “Now there’s a good trick.”
    “You have to learn a few in this competitive business.” Kelly chuckled as she removed the mugs of hot chocolate from the tray and set them in front of the girls. Then she wrapped her own hands around a steeped tea. “So what have you been up to? I haven’t seen you at church for a while.”
    Sonya hesitated. “I’ll be there this Sunday.”
    Kelly’s eyebrows rose above the steam of her cup. “Great, but sounds like there’s a deeper meaning.”
    “Oh, I was working every weekend at Toy Treehouse, but now I’m looking for a new job.” No need to explain the details.
    “Mom said she saw you in there the other day.”
    “Yeah. My boss and I didn’t see eye to eye on a few things.” Sonya shrugged, hoping she looked casual. “I’m sure something will show up. What have you been up to?”
    “Keeping busy.” She poked her chin toward the girls, now devouring their treat while discussing the mural on the window and all the things they would do once it snowed. “I’m sure you heard I married Ian Tomlinson and acquired a second daughter.”
    “I did hear. Congratulations.”
    “We’ve had some adjustments as you can imagine, but we are doing well. I’m so thankful to the Lord for bringing us together.”
    Sonya nodded. “That’s great. Wonderful.”
    “And now my mission is to help all my friends be as happy as I am.” She leaned forward on her elbows, eyes sparkling. “Seeing anyone?”
    Now why did a tall, dark, and handsome Santa slide through her mind? “Nope, not these days.”
    Kelly waggled her eyebrows. “I just happen to know someone awesome who’s available.”
    Why had Sonya thought it would be fun to join Kelly and the girls? She took a bite of her doughnut to keep from having to reply.
    “He goes to River of Life, so you might have met him already. If I weren’t happily married — and I am — I’d sure be looking twice. Do you know Heath Collins?”
    Sonya inhaled a bite of doughnut, choking hard enough to get the attention of even the small girls. Kelly shoved a napkin into her hand, and Sonya coughed into it until her eyes swam. “Sorry,” she gasped when she could.
    “It hurts when you swallow wrong.” Sophie patted Sonya’s back.
    “Mr. Heath is Santa Claus,” announced Elena. “Mommy told me, and it’s true.”
    “He’s only this Santa Claus.” Sophie pointed at Elena. “There are lots of Santas.”
    Elena rolled her eyes. “I know that.”
    “So tell me about Santa.” Sonya slid her arm across the back of Sophie’s chair. “What do you think of him?”
    “He gives presents to kids at Christmas,” said Elena. “If they’ve been good.”
    There. Didn’t that prove that parents lied to their children and perpetuated the myths? Sonya’s gut soured. Even Kelly and Ian.
    “That’s not what Daddy told us. Remember?” said Sophie. “He said it’s play-acting to remember the real Saint Nicholas who gave presents to poor people.”
    “I know it’s just pretend.” Elena crossed her arms and jammed her elbows to the table. “But I like pretending to be a princess and I like pretending to have a horse and I like pretending about Santa Claus.”
    “It’s Daddy who buys us Christmas gifts.” Sophie wasn’t letting up.
    “And Mommy.” Elena’s face brightened. “Maybe we’ll get twice as many presents this year now that we have both a mommy and a daddy.”
    “Enough out