Christmas Choices Read Online Free Page A

when I’m in the house. I like it loud enough to drown out my own singing. I can’t carry a tune, but I love to sing.” She glanced at him with a huge grin. “Something I will never subject even my worst enemy to.”
    “I love to sing too but not in front of people either.” He relaxed a little as they sat in silence and listened to the song.
    ***
    “S o, where are you from?” Rhian asked when the song ended. She wanted to hear him talk, listen to the rough, deep timbre of his voice. It sent shivers through her body. He had a gruff manner that made him different from the boys she had grown up with.
    “Not really from any one place. I’ve moved around quite a bit.”
    “Do you have any family?” She was curious about him. She hadn’t had much experience with the blue-collar workers of Savannah. Maybe that was the attraction.
    “My folks and a sister. I keep in touch with them off and on. We aren’t close by any means. My sister is about six years older than me.” He shrugged his shoulders. “We never spent any time together. I was just her kid brother and always in the way.”
    “Oh, I wish I'd had a brother or sister growing up. My father always expected so much from me. When my mom died, he expected even more. He’s really strict and never gives me an inch.” She sighed and looked out the window. “I was supposed to go to Italy after the holidays. I wanted to have some time to myself to paint. It’s my passion, but Daddy sees it as a waste of time. I’ve always been in his shadow. Now that I’m an adult, I thought a little soul searching away from his reach might help. I guess that won’t happen now.” She straightened her shoulders and turned back toward him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to say that out loud. I’m so good at embarrassing myself.”
    “Hey, it’s okay. I think sometimes it’s easier to talk to people you don’t know.” He reached over to pat the top of her hand. When he touched her, heat rushed through her and quickened her pulse. She didn’t know whether he sensed that or felt it too; he pulled his hand back quickly and put it on the steering wheel. “So, why is he so strict with you?”
    “I don’t know, probably because I’m all he has left. I get that, but I was never allowed to wear makeup or date boys. He got extremely upset when I told him I wanted to get a job and my own place.” She glanced over at him. “Do you want to hear about this? My life is pretty boring.”
    “Yeah. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders, and I just wondered why he would be so strict.”
    “I think if mom were still around, he wouldn’t be. Even Grandfather is a bit overbearing at times. Not like Daddy, but he thinks it’s his job to keep me safe. When I told them I got a job as an assistant at an art gallery, you would have thought I'd told them I was moving to the moon.”
    Kellen laughed. “I guess you were sheltered as a kid, huh?”
    “Looking back, I guess I was protected. It surprised me Daddy wanted me to take charge of the café project. I don’t know a thing about renovations or whatever you do. I suppose he wanted to prevent me from going to Italy. He saw it as the perfect opportunity to keep me from leaving.” She crossed her arms. “Oh, it just pisses me off!”
    Shaking his head, Kellen replied, “I didn’t think you would say something like that.”
    “Why? Just because he’s stodgy doesn’t mean I am. I do have friends, you know. What about you? Was your family strict?”
    “Nope, my folks couldn’t care less. If I wasn’t home, it was one less mouth to feed. It wasn’t very pleasant around my place, a lot of fighting and drinking.” Shrugging his shoulders, he glanced at her. “Do you mind if we change the subject? I don’t really like talking about my childhood.”
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up any unpleasant memories. Is that why you don’t like Christmas?”
    “Yeah, but hey, no problem. It’s funny to hear you have