The Giving Season Read Online Free Page B

She raised her head and took a deep, ragged breath. “It’s just a cold.”
    “Yeah, that’s what they said about the plague,” Michael said and smiled again. He kept his hand on her shoulder, absently massaging it, and suddenly he seemed too close, too intimate. Rationally, she knew he meant nothing by the touch, but memories of Charlie’s rejection still burned bright and hot. As casually as she could she stepped away from Michael, keeping her eyes downcast.
    “Tomorrow’s Thanksgiving,” Michael said quietly. “Where are you going to be?”
    Jessy stopped at the bathroom door, clutching the armful of clothes even closer to her chest. Ever since her parents died, the holidays had just been ordeals to endure. Amelia had tried her best to keep the traditions she had known with her parents, but it could never be the same. Every year, Jessy found herself missing her mother and father more and more. She missed having that sense of belonging, of family. The holidays had always been the most painful time of the year for her—and this year would be even harder. This year she wouldn’t even have Amelia.
    “I haven’t really thought about it.” Jessy finally said, half-turning back to face him again. “And to tell you the truth—I don’t know.”
    “This is no time to be by yourself,” he said quietly.
    Jessy couldn’t look away from him, trying to figure out his angle, what he might want from her. Another thing Charlie had taught her: Men always want something.
    “Listen,” she said, “Thanks for the advice, but—”
    “Why don’t you come home with me.”
    Jessy stared at him for a moment, stunned into silence. “Excuse me, but what?”
    “Come home with me,” Michael repeated. He slowly smiled, as if warming to the idea. “Spend Christmas with me and my family.”
    “Christmas is a month away.”
    Michael shrugged. “So?”
    “ So I can’t just—” Jessy’s voice trailed away as she shook her head. “This is crazy.”
    “What’s so crazy about it?” Michael’s smile faltered. “You don’t have any place to go, and I’ve got more than enough room at my house—”
    “But you don’t even know me.”
    Michael rolled his eyes. “What does that have to do with anything? For Pete’s sake, Jessy, it’s Christmas time. If you can’t do something nice for somebody now, then what’s the use?”
    Jessy silently studied him for a few moments. Part of her wanted to say yes, to allow herself to follow her instincts and trust him— but she couldn’t. What kind of person asks a total stranger into their home for Christmas? His offer was generous, but the holidays were a time for families. And that was one thing she didn’t have anymore.
    “Thanks for the invitation,” she managed to whisper, “but I can’t—”
    Before Michael could say anything more, Jessy ducked into the bathroom, closing the door before he could see her tears.

CHAPTER THREE

    What the hell am I doing? Michael stretched out across the bed, willing his cramped muscles to unkink, and closed his eyes as he listened to the sound of running water. Apparently he’d finally lost his mind—inviting a total stranger to come home with him! No wonder Jessy had looked at him like he was crazy. It was crazy.
    But he’d wanted more than anything for her to say yes. He didn’t know why—he just knew he didn’t want her to be alone for Christmas.
    Michael groaned under his breath and covered his face with his hands. Maybe he’d been alone for too long since the divorce. Maybe he wasn’t thinking clearly enough. Or maybe he was just plain crazy. Whatever the reason, he couldn’t stop thinking about Jessy Monroe—and he couldn’t figure out why.
    It wasn’t even like she was his type—not that he’d had a “type” since Ann left. He usually liked long, cool blondes—not short, feverish brunettes. But there was something about Jessy—something gentle and kind and almost impossible for him to define. She didn’t want