Operation Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page A

shucked a glove, stuck it under his other arm and held out his hand. Warmth enveloped and dwarfed her cold hand. “And you’re Madeleine. We went to Lincoln High together, but I apologize. I don’t remember your married name.”
    “Reynolds.” She noted his furrowed brow and sympathetic eyes but wasn’t sure he knew about Danny’s death. She gulped back a wave of emotion. No sense bringing up something she didn’t care to explain or he would fully understand.
    His face brightened. “Once we unload the tins, would you like to stay and share the stollen with us? I just brewed a fresh pot of coffee.”
    Madeleine made a polite refusal. This had been an unusual delivery, to say the least, but she did wonder about the tree in the lobby and the large amount of cookie tins for what seemed a small business. Since her job wasn’t about sharing baked goods over cups of coffee, or asking a lot of questions, she retrieved a clipboard from the front seat of the van for his signature.
    Jess removed his other glove and took a step forward. Madeleine tried not to blink as she placed the clipboard into his outstretched artificial hand, he using his good hand to grab the pen she pointed his direction. Unable to divert her eyes, she saw the telltale signs of silky scarring only severe burns could create in such a distinctive manner. Their eyes met over the clipboard. Her brown eyes locked into his steady blue gaze intent on discerning her discomfort level. High , she wanted to tell him, but not in a grossed out manner. How sad her generation would see such an injury and immediately think, war vet.
    She managed to wobble out a smile. “Thank you. I’m sure your employees will enjoy the cookies.”
    His eyes softened. “I’ve another small delivery due in a few weeks for the company Christmas party. I imagine Stan will be back on the job by then.”
    “Should be.”
    “Too bad,” he said in a low tone.
    Crystal came forward with a circular piece of construction paper filled with glitter; an ornament from the tree in the front lobby. “Do you want to send a tin of cookies to someone stationed in Afghanistan? It’s a twenty-dollar donation. Jess here supplements the rest and handles the shipping. That’s why we’re here today. To ship cookies.”
    “ Crystal. We don’t arm wrestle our suppliers.”
    Crystal dug in and lifted her chin. “How’s she to know about it if I don’t tell her?” She held her brother’s hard stare. “There’s still names on the tree, Jess.”
    “How many names?” Madeleine spoke up.
    “I don’t know. Twenty, twenty-five. Not sure.”
    “ Enough , Crystal. You know I’ll send to everyone not sponsored.” Jess turned to Madeleine. “Forgive my sister. She means well but this wasn’t the time or place to solicit a donation. Go Crystal. You and Ella need to start making labels.” He took hold of Crystal’s shoulder to give her a gentle shove in the direction of a large shipping table where a computer sat. “I’ll bring you guys stollen.”
    “Wait!” Madeleine stumbled forward. “I want to donate. I’ll take ten names, but I don’t have that much money on me. Can I bring back a check or cash Monday after work?”
    “Sure.” Crystal straightened with a triumphant smile. “We know you’re good for the money. Right, Jess?”
    “ Go. Now! ” He pointed the way with his artificial hand. The two teens skipped away to their work-station when Madeleine noticed Jess’s red face, his jaw clenching in a rhythmic twitch. “Sorry about that. I’ll have to be sure Crystal goes into sales after college.”
    “She’s excited for a good cause. How could I know these cookies were going to guys overseas unless she told me? I want to donate.” However, she did have the sneaky suspicion her parents knew where the cookies were headed and purposely didn’t tell her.
    He reluctantly handed her the ornament. “Let’s make it this one. You can mail me a check. Thanks.”
    “But I want to