All I Want For Christmas by Ann Roth Read Free Book Online Page A

said.
    â€œCan I help?”
    Maggie’s round eyes and eager expression were hard to resist. Tina nodded. “For a little while. Why not?”

    T HE RAKE HANDLE was nearly a foot taller than Maggie, yet she managed to gather a small load of leaves. As she carried them to the pile Tina had started to make, they fluttered away until only a few that had caught on the rake tines remained. Maggie didn’t seem to notice. She shook the rake clean, then glanced anxiously at Tina.
    The afternoon temperature had climbed to a balmy fifty, and the sun and fresh air felt good. Tina smiled. “You did great.”
    Maggie beamed. “Daddy says I’m the best helper ever.”
    â€œI have to agree.” One of Maggie’s pigtails was coming down, and strands of hair kept getting in her eyes. Tina beckoned her close. “Let me fix your hair.”
    The little girl trotted over. Holding still, she let Tina finger comb her hair and refasten the pigtail.
    â€œYour hair smells good,” Tina said, sniffing. “Is that cherry shampoo?”
    â€œUh-huh. Can I smell yours?” Tina bent down and Maggie sniffed. “Coconut.”
    â€œThat’s right.”
    â€œThis is bunches more fun than playing with Daddy.”
    â€œHow so?”
    â€œâ€™Cause we’re both girls.”
    â€œThat we are.”
    With her own rake, Tina swept the remaining leaves into the pile. It was time to scoop them into black plastic trash bags, then put the rakes away until the rest of the leaves fell. But not just yet.
    A crazy idea grabbed her. “When I was your age one of my favorite fall activities was jumping in leaves just like these,” she said. “Have you ever done that?”
    â€œNo.” Maggie giggled.
    â€œWant to try it with me?”
    â€œYes!” Clapping her hands she jumped up and down.
    â€œCome on, then.” Tina moved back ten feet, Maggie following.
    â€œWe’re going to run toward the pile. Just before we reach it, we’ll jump in.” Feeling silly, but ridiculously happy, she took hold of Maggie’s hand. The tiny fingers held hers tightly, and a sweet feeling warmed her. “Ready?”
    â€œSet, go!”
    Laughing, they ran for the leaf pile. Just before they reached it, Tina let go of her hand. Giggling, the little girl jumped in, Tina right behind her.
    They came up sputtering and laughing and covered with leaves.
    â€œThat was fun!” Maggie said. “Can we do it again?”
    Tina glanced up to find Ryan watching them.
    â€œMaggie helped me rake leaves.” She looked at the mess they’d made and laughed. “Looks like I’ll be raking them all over again.”
    His stern expression was not what she expected.
    â€œTime for a rest, Sunshine,” he said, all brusque and hard-faced.
    Tina frowned. “If I’ve somehow offended…”
    â€œLater.” He jerked his chin toward Maggie. “Let’s go home.”
    â€œTonight, then,” Tina said.
    â€œWe can’t make it, after all.”
    â€œBut you said we could come.” The joy drained from Maggie’s expression. “I’m sorry, Daddy.” Her face crumpled.
    Not at all happy at this turn of events, Tina placed her hand on the child’s narrow shoulder and stared Ryan in the eyes. “Your daddy’s way off base, sweetie. You were a big help to me. You didn’t do anything wrong. If anyone’s at fault here, it’s me for not sending you home.”
    Ryan actually grimaced. His eyes revealed uncertainty and confusion. “Tina’s right. You did fine.” He shook his head, as if to clear it. “All right, we’ll come to dinner.”
    Maggie sniffled and nodded.
    â€œWill you wait for me in the front yard?”
    â€œâ€™Kay.”
    He didn’t speak again until his daughter rounded the corner. Then he gestured Tina closer. “We need to talk,” he said.

    W ITH HIS