A Passion Redeemed by Julie Lessman Read Free Book Online Page B

little more than skin and bones, a tiny Dresden china doll with long, snowy hair fanned across her pillow. Charity stood over her, sponging her pale, translucent cheek with a wet cloth, her voice soft and tender.
    "There you are, Mima, your skin is as glowing as a newborn babe's. How pretty you look! Now just a dab of color . . ." Charity rubbed her finger across her own lips and applied a hint of blush to her great-grandmother's cheeks. She leaned back with hands on her hips. "Goodness, Mima, I'll bet if Great-Grandfather could see you now, he'd fall in love all over again."
    A weak chuckle rasped from Mima's throat, followed by a harsh cough. Charity soothed her with a gentle touch. "Now let's twist your hair into a pretty topknot, all right?"
    Mitch stepped away from the room. He turned and made his way back to the kitchen. Before long, Bridget bounded through the door.
    "Goodness, it's nippy out there, isn't it?" She slipped her shawl on the coatrack, then looked at Mitch and smiled. "Ol' Johnny'll be none the wiser tonight, I can tell you that. The stew will go down well enough. But"-her smile broke into a grin-"not as well as the fried chicken, I'll wager."
    Mitch laughed. "As I recall, there are few who can rival the cooking skills of Bridget Murphy. Although Mrs. O'Connor does come close."
    Bridget chuckled and began to chat until Charity appeared in the doorway, arms firmly around Mima's waist.
    Mitch stood up. He observed Charity, patient and tender as she held the frail woman upright with each fragile step she took. Mima wore a thick chenille robe that swam to her feet. Her hair, pulled back in a knot, emphasized the gaunt curve of her cheeks. The same blue eyes as Bridget and Charity assessed him with a glimmer. "Hello, Mitch," she whispered, allowing her great-granddaughter to settle her into a chair at the head of the table.

    "Mima, it's good to see you again. You're looking well."
    She grunted. "No, I'm not. But it's kind of you to say."
    Charity gently pushed Mima's chair in and leaned to buss her cheek with a kiss. "You do too, Mima, so you might as well face it. You're gorgeous and you know it."
    Mima patted Charity's hand with a faint chuckle. "Such a good girl. And speaking of gorgeous. Wouldn't you say, Mitch?"
    Mitch smiled, but his mouth went dry. "Absolutely."
    Charity giggled. "Mima, you're embarrassing me! Drink your wine."
    The evening proceeded pleasantly enough with Mitch enjoying the meal despite the memories it provoked. They chatted on, catching up on Mitch's job at the Times, Mima's health, Bridget's garden, and Charity's job at Shaw's, among a host of other amiable subjects.
    And then the conversation steered a deadly course.
    "It's hard to believe it's been a year since we've seen you, Mitch, and now it's passed so quickly. Why, Christmas is just around the corner ..." Bridget's voice broke. Her eyes filled with tears, causing Charity to lean and touch her hand.
    "Grandmother, please don't," she whispered, her voice suddenly hoarse.
    Mitch watched the scene, dread crawling inside like a swarm of spiders.
    Bridget straightened in the chair and patted Charity's hand. "I'm sorry, dear, I suppose it's the wine making me a bit melancholy. I'll be all right."
    Mitch sipped his coffee, working hard to sound casual. "Not looking forward to Christmas?"

    Bridget rose to clear dishes from the table, and Charity followed suit. "Oh, I love Christmas. Just not this year."
    "Why not?" he ventured, holding his breath for her answer.
    She and Charity exchanged glances. "Well, you see, Mitch, Charity will be going home."
    He blinked. "Home?"
    "To Boston."
    Without thinking, he grabbed his glass of wine and swallowed a sip. "For Christmas?"
    "For good, I'm afraid."
    He tasted the alcohol on his tongue and scowled, pushing the glass away once again. He turned to Charity, striving for nonchalance. "After all this time and help you've been to your Grandmother and Mima, I just thought you intended to stay."
    She