03_The Unexpected Gift by Irene Hannon Read Free Book Online

her impression was verified. The fine lines on his face spoke of compassion and caring, and his hazel eyes radiated warmth and welcome.
    “Hi, Bill,” Grant greeted him. “This is Morgan Williams. Morgan, my brother-in-law, Bill Adams.”
    The man held out his hand. “Welcome, Morgan.”
    She returned his handshake. “Thank you. I enjoyed your sermon this morning, Reverend.”
    “Just make it Bill. We don’t stand on formalities around here. But I appreciate the kind words. Come in, both of you, before you freeze out there.”
    Grant ushered Morgan inside, and a petite, raven-haired woman with lively brown eyes and a warm smile hurried down the hall from the back of the house. “You must be Morgan,” she said, holding out both hands. “I’m Kit. Welcome. I’m glad we persuaded you to join us today. Serenity Point is wonderful, but holidays are meant to be spent with other people.”
    Two older gentlemen joined them from the adjacent living room. They both shared Grant’s vivid blue eyes, but there the resemblance faded. One of the men was tall and spare, though not quite as tall as Grant. He had thinning gray hair and a work-worn face with kind eyes. The other man was a couple of inches shorter and a bit heavier, with a thick head of silver hair and ruddy cheeks.
    Grant drew Morgan toward them, a hand in the small of her back. “Morgan, this is my father, Andrew, and my uncle, Pete.”
    They reached for her hand in turn.
    “Welcome,” Grant’s father said.
    “Thank you, Mr. Kincaid.”
    “Just make it Andrew and Pete,” he told her. “Otherwise, this place will be drowning in Mr. Kincaids. And I’d like to offer my condolences on the loss of your aunt. Jo was a fine lady. We were all real sorry to hear of her passing.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Where are the twins?” Grant asked.
    “Upstairs, trying on their new clothes. Speaking of clothes, let us take your coats.”
    Bill reached for Morgan’s coat as she slipped it off her shoulders, while Grant shrugged out of his and handed it to Kit. She reached up to give him a hug, and Morgan couldn’t help overhearing their brief, muted conversation.
    “Did you stop in to see Christine?” Kit asked.
    “Yes.”
    “Did you give her our love?”
    “Of course.”
    Morgan glanced toward them just in time to see Kit lay her hand on Grant’s shoulder while the brother and sister exchanged a look that Morgan couldn’t even begin to fathom. All she knew was that she felt as if she’d witnessed some very personal exchange. Feeling like an eavesdropper, she turned away and made an innocuous comment to Andrew about the weather.
    When they moved into the living room, Grant excused himself so he could change into more casual clothing. And as Morgan’s gaze followed his retreating form, lingering on his broad shoulders, she couldn’t help wondering: who was Christine?
     
     
    “Okay, Bill, I think we’re ready.”
    As Kit reached for her husband’s hand, the other seven people around the table followed her example. Morgan found her hand taken on one side by Andrew, whose fingers were lean and sinewy, and on the other side by Grant, whose grip was firm, yet gentle—a combination she found very appealing.
    Bill bowed his head. “Lord, we thank You for the gifts of family, friendship and food we enjoy this Christmas Day. We appreciate the many blessings You give us today, and every day. As we reflect on Your humble birth and Your great example of selfless love, let us come to know and live Your message every day of our lives so that others may see, and believe. We ask You to bless all those who are alone and lonely on this day, and to let them feel Your presence in a special way. And finally, we ask You to bless those who can’t be with us today in body, but who are always in our hearts. Amen.”
    Grant released her hand, and Morgan found herself missing the comfort of his warm clasp. Which was odd, considering she’d just met the man. But she didn’t have