Operation Christmas Read Online Free PDF

send ten.”
    “You got blindsided. No.”
    His ramrod back pulled him to full height. Determination infused his vivid blue eyes. She knew Jess wouldn’t back down and she was in no mood to stand up to his strong presence of authority. Then it was probably his height. Everyone in her family was of medium build, including Danny. She couldn’t place Jess from high school, but she would definitely figure it out once before a computer.
    Not willing to fight over a donation, she snatched the round scrap of paper. Glitter drifted to the floor. “You won’t empty that tree with a Scrooge attitude.” Madeleine saw him bite down a smile and move the toe of his boot in the pixy dust settled there. “You do this because you were in the military?”
    “I served.”
    Madeleine wouldn’t have noticed his gaze flick toward the prosthetic hand had she not been on full alert. I served said a lot but she was more interested in knowing what branch Jess served. Was he Army too? Did he serve with Danny? They were from the same small town. But it became obvious this subject wasn’t up for discussion and probably for the same reason she’d left out Danny’s Humvee bombing.
    At least Jess came home from overseas with only losing a hand. Although, only a stupid, uncaring person would think disfigurement wouldn’t be a hardship of major magnitude and a sorrow to him and his family.
    In an unconscious act of compassion, she laid a gentle hand on his upper forearm and tried not to flinch. God have mercy. He’d lost an undetermined amount of arm not just a hand. “Thank you for serving your country, Jess. Believe me when I say I don’t take my freedom for granted. I want to send cookies. It’s the least I can do.”
    Releasing the hold she knew he couldn’t feel anywhere other than his emotions, her eyes misted against her will. She turned away and scurried behind the wheel of the truck to grip the steering wheel.
    “Madeleine.” She turned her head his direction unable to speak. Jess’s eyes clouded as he seemed to consider the words he wanted to say. “Don’t feel sorry for me. I’d have given my life to save one man.”
    “I don’t feel sorry for you, Jess. I feel sorry for me.”
    Regret ricocheted through her body she unable to pull back the selfish words. And now she knew Jess didn’t know about Danny’s death, judging by the pained expression that contorted his handsome features. How cruel of her to make light of his injury. Hadn’t she mentally berated others who might find his injuries minor moments ago? She shook her head and put the van in gear. The van jerked forward when a missed gear ground in loud complaint. Cursing under her breath she worried she’d wrecked something far more substantial than a mixer full of dough.
    Madeleine saw Jess wince in her side mirror. Once in Drive, she moved the van away from the dock in a smooth escape. She swiped aside tears angry at her callous stupidity.
    How could a simple bakery delivery turn into a disaster? Jess stood in the center of the open dock door with his arms hanging loose at his sides. Somehow she had managed to spread her lousy misery over his good deed and mood just as she did over her life.
    The incident left her wondering why Stan had taken ill on the very day this delivery needed to be made. Or did her dad knowingly send her to Arrow Tool and Die intent on showing her others found ways to cope with life’s injustices? No matter the situation, her behavior mimicked that of an immature teen not a grown adult. That pained her most.
    Emotions back under control, Madeleine replayed the scene in her mind. On a bright note, wait until she told Grams the beautiful angel tins were going to servicemen overseas. There might not have been an angel to save Danny, but she wasn’t heartless. Maybe somehow, as silly as it sounded, this year some soldiers would have protection. The colorful hammered scene featured a large angel hovering over the manger. Belmar Bakery vowed it