One Christmas Knight Read Online Free PDF Page A

pick up some crumbs. “Guess your sister and Shelley’s dad are getting on then.”
    “Which is a good thing.”
    His mouth hooked into a patient smile. “You think she’ll tell him tomorrow?”
    “Well, she has to tell him some time. Right?”
    He nodded. “Right.”
    She bit her lip and confessed. “Krystal’s a charmer from way back. Always getting out of things. Once, Santa brought us both a puppy for Christmas. I think she fed and walked him twice.”
    “I know whose bed he slept on though.”
    That was the payoff. Her and Buddy had become inseparable. And she’d simply accepted that her sister always had an excuse. Emma couldn’t count the times Krystal had pleaded with her on a Sunday night to help with already overdue assignments.
    But that was a long time ago, and Shelley was not a puppy or a piece of homework. She was an adorable dependent who needed her mother, and father, if Rick Whoever wanted to man up.
    What father could turn his back on his flesh and blood?
    Emma’s father hadn’t been perfect, but at least he’d been there, even if there were times when Emma had wished he hadn’t been.
    Damon rubbed his hands together, changed the subject. “Dinner. I vote Chinese.”
    “You don’t have to stay,” Emma said, purposefully pushing thoughts of her father, and his temper, out of her head. “Shelley and I will be fine.”
    “I know you will be. But, after today, I thought you and I would classify as friends. Friends get take-out.”
    He looked so sincere. So appealing and physically near irresistible.
    Friends?
    Emma relaxed the muscles locking her shoulders.
    She could do that.
    “I like Chow Mein,” she said.
    “Dumplings do it for me.”
    He pulled out his phone to order as Emma slipped in, “Don’t forget the fortune cookies.”
    “You believe in that stuff?” he asked, putting the cell to his ear.
    “For the fun value.”
    “Fun is good.”
    His sultry smile spread all the way to her heart before a baby’s cry drifted out from the bedroom.
    “Diapers aren’t much fun,” he said.
    Emma sprang to her feet. She wasn’t unhappy Shelley was awake. She’d missed her, even if she were only in the next room.
    But as she left the kitchen, a knock sounded on the front door. Emma froze, tried to think. “Who could that be?”
    “You look after the baby.” Damon had disconnected his call and was on his way down the hallway. “I’ll get the door.”
    As Emma headed for the bedroom and the baby cried louder, she couldn’t quell the sinking feeling in her stomach.
    She thought of her father, of that accident, and sent up a prayer.
    Please keep everyone safe.
     
    Damon found Judd on the porch. The older man’s face fell when he recognized the person who had opened the door. Arching a spidery brow, he peered over Damon’s shoulder, into the house.
    “Hey, Judd.” Damon leaned against the door. “Whatsup?”
    Judd studied Damon’s chest minus its sweater. “Is Emma about?”
    “She’s looking after a surprise guest. I’m helping out.”
    Judd’s pale eyes sharpened at the same time Emma appeared with the wide awake baby in her arms. Judd frowned between the three of them as if he were calculating dates.
    “The baby belongs to my sister, Judd,” Emma said.
    Judd’s slash of a mouth swung to one side then he leaned closer for a better look. A smile spread from ear to ear.
    “She’s a cunnin’ one. Your eyes. Pretty blue.”
    Cunnin ’ was a compliment round these parts.
    Judd straightened his fishing cap. Onto business . “Saw the ‘closed’ sign on the realty office door. Wanted to drop by, make sure you were fine.” Then he spoke to Damon. “I let myself into your place, too. There’s a problem.”
    Damon straightened. “What kind of problem?”
    “House is flooded. I turned off the water but… ayuh .” Judd sucked air in between his dentures. “Hope you got insurance.”
                 
    Arriving at his address ten minutes later, Damon found