Miss Kane's Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page B

each neighbor in the cul-de-sac. Meanwhile, Tinsel and Jolly had done a beautiful job stringing strands of garland and white lights through evergreen boughs.
    They’d had the foresight to bring holiday themed place mats and napkins to liven up both the dining and kitchen tables, as well as candlesticks and ornaments to hang from the light fixtures. Carol had seen to setting out an entire ceramic winter village, complete with cotton ball snow drifts, on every available surface in the family room.
    They’d worked into the early morning hours and she’d been grateful for the cheerful company. But when the stockings were hung and the cookies packed away in their tins, she had barely been able to stand watching her three good-natured helpers leave. Not wanting to be alone amidst so much cheer, she’d gone to bed, only to find an envelope on her pillow. She’d immediately recognized her father’s handwriting and torn open the envelope.
    My dear Carol,
    Your mother and I miss you! Your brother is finding it hard to fill your cheerful and capable shoes (he’d never admit it though!). I know you miss us too but take heart because your assistance there is a great gift to all the children who find joy in believing in the story of Santa. Joy is the greatest gift we can give any child, remember that. You’re in my heart, dear daughter, always. See you in Maui on the 27 th !
     
    Love,
    Daddy
     
    “What’s wrong with Miss Kane?” Patrick’s voice sounded as if it were coming through a snow storm.
    “Maybe it’s sugar shock,” Hillary sounded worried.
    Carol shook her head. “I’m fine. I was just daydreaming. Now what were we talking about?”
    “Patrick asked if you did all of the decorating by yourself?” Hillary repeated patiently.
    “Of course, I did,” Carol said. “Who else would have helped me?”
    Hillary shrugged. “We thought maybe Daddy woke up and came downstairs to help you.”
    “No, your father was asleep all evening.” Carol had checked several times but he hadn’t so much as rolled over, fortunately for her. The children had slept the night through as well. Maybe sleeping soundly was a Hanson family trait.
    It was a shame that Ben wasn’t as friendly, open minded, or fun as his children had turned out to be. She knew she should go upstairs to check on him and see if he needed any help but the look on his face last night when he’d ordered her out of his room hadn’t suggested that he was in a particular hurry to see her again.
    “Do you think Daddy is terribly angry still?” Hillary asked.
    Carol shook her head. “Of, course not. I don’t think he was angry at all. I think his arm just hurt and he was grumpy.”
    Both children nodded, satisfied with her answer.
    “What are we going to do today?” Patrick asked.
    Carol couldn’t help but return their bright smiles. She’d never spent much time with children but she could see now that she’d missed out on some serious fun.
    “First I suggest we get our coats and boots on and head outside to make a proper snowman. Then we need to plan how and where to put all the lights we bought yesterday. Are you two any good at climbing trees?”
    “We’re like monkeys,” Patrick assured her.
    “Wonderful, as long you’re talking about the kind of monkeys that can string lights.” She grinned when they giggled. Her father was right, the holiday really was all about children. Or should be. A sudden understanding of what her father wanted her to do dawned on her. Beyond Bah Humbug her left foot. Ben Hanson, however handsome and charming she knew he could be, however sensitive and intelligent he was, had no right to ruin Christmas for an untold number of children with a book full of outright lies.
    Santa did exist. Of course, she couldn’t use her lineage as proof but she’d figure something out.
    “After we’ve got the lights up we can deliver some baked goods to your neighbors.”
    “Why?” Hillary asked. Patrick looked just as curious as