Mistletoe Bachelors Read Online Free PDF

decorations and get to work. Ho Ho Ho .” Cole grabbed a set of lights.
Madison remained seated as the young girls ran to join the others. She studied the scene
before her, and her heart swelled. Pajama clad children laughed and danced around the tree as
Santa teased and tickled them. Sadness filled her heart at the thought that this was most likely the
only tree these children would see this year. The prospect of going home for most was slim.
Bringing Christmas to them was their only option. Tears sprang to Madison’s eyes at the goodhearted nature of the Thompson family. The Melissa Thompson Foundation generated cancer
research funds in the millions every year, but Scott still felt it wasn’t enough. His girls may be
privileged, but they were far from spoiled. Their kindness and generosity proved overwhelming.
Her eyes met Cole’s, and she swallowed the lump in her throat. He smiled and gestured for
her to join them.
Madison hesitated. The assignment requirements were to observe, nothing more. Decorating
a tree had not been in her holiday plans. Too many memories.
She bit her lip. Maybe it was time to make some new memories. After all, these children
were making the best of their sad situation. Her problems paled in comparison . She grabbed a set
of silver bulbs and joined the group by the tree. “Okay Santa, where should I start?” Her eyes
met Cole’s, and her pulse raced at the kindness she saw. She had to give him credit. It took a
special kind of person to don a Santa suit. Maybe Cole Harris wasn’t so bad after all. Even more
reason to keep her distance.
* * * *
    Cole folded the Santa suit and placed it into a duffel bag. He slid into his jeans and buttoned
the top. Grabbing a hand towel, he dried the sweat from the back of his neck and bare chest. Man
that suit was hot . He pulled his sweater over his head and raked a hand through his hair. Every
year he said he wouldn’t do it, and every year Scott talked him into it. In truth, it wasn’t hard. He
would do anything to honor his sister’s memory, and the foundation was a huge contributor to
the children’s hospital.
    He grinned as he caught sight of his reflection in the bathroom mirror. The Santa beard still
hung from his chin. He tugged it off and tossed it inside the bag. He gathered his coat and
camera bag and headed back toward the cafeteria.
    From the doorway he could see Madison and the girls cleaning up the remainder of the loose
decorations and ribbons. She laughed at something Emma said, and warmth flowed through him
at the sight and sound. He’d suspected her tough exterior was only an inch thick. Underneath the
cynicism was a kind-hearted, warm person. Something —or more likely someone —had ruined the
holiday season for her. He suspected it was her ex-husband. Looking at her, you couldn’t tell.
She hummed Christmas carols as she worked.
    He set up the tripod and positioned the camera. His job as Santa was done, now for the real
work. Extended projects and magazine photo-shoots were the next step in his career. This
assignment hadn’t been a dream come true. But his portfolio would benefit from a spread in one
of New York’s most popular women’s magazines. He snapped a few shots and smiled.
    “We are about ready to head out.” Scott said a moment later, hiding a yawn behind a hand.
“The girls may still be going strong,” he laughed, watching them twirl until they were dizzy, “but
I’m exhausted.”
    “Okay, I’ll just grab a couple more, and then pack up.” Cole nodded, focusing the lens for
another shot.
Scott glanced in the direction the camera pointed and grinned. “Did you take any of me?”
“Nope.” Cole laughed. His brother-in-law knew him too well. He punched his shoulder.
“I can’t say I blame you this time. She is beautiful and the girls love her.”
Their eyes landed on Madison, where she sat reading a Christmas story to a group of sleepy
toddlers.
“From what I’ve gathered so