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

DAUGHTER in the front yard, this wasn’t the ideal time to say what needed to be said, but that didn’t matter. Ryan’s job was to protect Maggie, and he would set Tina straight.
    â€œWhy are you so upset?” she asked, her arms hugging her waist.
    Fresh air, laughter and irritation with him had put a pink blush on her cheeks. Several leaves clung to her hair and her coat.
    Resisting the urge to brush them away, Ryan stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets and tried to explain. “Maggie’s been disappointed a lot.”
    â€œAll we did was rake leaves and have fun. She needs to laugh, Ryan.”
    As if he didn’t know that. “But she doesn’t need to get hurt.”
    Two tiny lines appeared between Tina’s eyebrows. “I’d never hurt her.”
    She stared straight into his eyes. Hers were big and blue-gray, with sooty lashes—beyond beautiful. For a moment, Ryan lost himself in them. From out of nowhere the urge to kiss her took hold of him, so strong it stunned him.
    Her pupils enlarged and he knew she, too, felt something. At the same time, they backed away from each other.
    â€œIf she gets too attached to you, she will,” he said in a gruff voice.
    â€œWill…?” She looked confused, as if she’d forgotten what they were talking about.
    â€œGet hurt.”
    Tina nodded. “Don’t worry. She knows I’m only here through Thanksgiving. We talked about it.”
    â€œThat doesn’t mean she won’t be upset when you go.” Leaving him to pick up the pieces. No, he would not allow his daughter to suffer.
    â€œBut I’ll be back at Christmas.”
    Which was more than he could say for any of the other females in Maggie’s life. Ryan let out a cynical laugh. “That’s something, I guess.”
    â€œMay I ask you a question?”
    Ryan shrugged. “Shoot.”
    â€œI know about your wife. But what happened with your fiancée and the nanny?”
    â€œYou heard about that, did you?”
    There weren’t many secrets in a small town, but Ryan was clueless as to how she’d found out something he rarely mentioned. He didn’t want to explain, but she’d asked…
    â€œChristy—my ex-fiancée—decided she’d rather take a job promotion and move to Texas than get married. Mrs. Miumi—that’s the nanny—has a daughter with a drug problem. She moved to Virginia to raise her grandson. She’d been with us since Maggie was a few weeks old.”
    Either Tina looked relieved by this information, or Ryan was blind. Why was anybody’s guess.
    â€œI’m so sorry.” She laid her hand on his forearm.
    Even through his denim sleeve he felt her warmth. It burned into him. “I don’t want your pity,” he said, removing her hand. “I just want to protect my daughter.”
    â€œAnd she wants to protect you.”
    Uncertain he’d heard right, he squinted. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    â€œMaggie feels responsible for your happiness. At least, that’s what she said.”
    This shocked him. And cut deep. Ryan swore. “What the hell am I supposed to do about that?”
    â€œWell, you…” Tina glanced past him. Her eyes widened. “Hello, Maggie.”
    How much had she heard? Ryan spun toward her, his gaze combing her face. “What is it, Sunshine?”
    â€œI’m tired of waiting, Daddy.”
    He saw no sign that she’d heard or understood. Relief poured through him. It was time to take his daughter home. Even if this conversation with Tina wasn’t over.
    â€œWhy don’t we talk more tonight?” she said.
    He nodded. “Tonight.”

Chapter Four
    After a not-so-relaxed dinner, Ryan helped Tina clean up the kitchen. They didn’t talk much, which was okay by him and not all that different from their meal.
    Tina had tried to keep the conversation going, when she