An Angel for Christmas by Heather Graham Read Free Book Online Page A

have this career.”
    â€œBut we’re gone now, Mom. We’re all gone, out of the house, grown up.”
    â€œAnd that means you’re not my children anymore?”
    â€œBut Dad pushed me so hard to make sure that I had a career—” Morwenna began.
    Stacy quickly cut her off. “Your father pushed you, yes, because you needed more. And because the world is changing. Now two people have to work sometimes in order to afford to raise a family. I guess you don’t understand. You have all yoursleek, chic clothing, designer briefcases and all-important meetings. And I concentrate on making sure a roast is edible. But, Morwenna, don’t try to fix me. I like what I am, and I like what I do, and there are ups and downs in life all the time, but I’m happy. Maybe your ex-sister-in-law is the only one who really knows that, since she made sure that the kids came here for Christmas. The only one who appreciates family, it seems, is the one no longer in the family!”
    Morwenna didn’t have a chance to respond; Stacy expertly balanced the four wineglasses and seemed to sail out of the kitchen, her head held regally high.
    â€œI wanted to draw!” she said, aware that her mother couldn’t hear her. “I wanted to draw, and paint, and create things!”
    She hesitated, aware that, supposedly, the job she had taken would allow her to do just that. But she had become a stereotype of corporate America instead.
    â€œI like my clothes!” she told the swinging door.
    She tucked two bottles of beer under her arm,picked up the sodas and followed Stacy back to the dinner table.
    â€œAh, Morwenna is here now. We can say grace,” Stacy said.
    Mike stood and looked around the table. “Thank you, Lord, for the food we are about to eat. Thank you for the safety and lives of our family. Amen.”
    â€œNice,” Gabe commented.
    â€œBetter than the old joke, eh, of just saying ‘ Grace’! ” Bobby teased.
    â€œWe know better than to give the task to you, son,” Mike said, but he was grinning.
    â€œWait!” Genevieve said. “Wait, Gram, please! Can we do that thing that Mommy’s family does?”
    They all looked at her. Genevieve grinned and stood up. She took Bobby’s hand and reached for her brother’s.
    â€œAh, Genevieve, what are you doing?” Connor demanded.
    â€œGive me your hand, Connor. I don’t have any cooties!” Genevieve said.
    Connor shrugged and gave her his hand. “This is just silly. Mom isn’t here.”
    â€œHey, your sister wants to have your mom here—in spirit,” Shayne said. “And let’s all try to make each other happy, huh?”
    Genevieve grinned happily. “Okay, everybody, now, shake a lot of love! ”
    Around the table, they held hands, and on Genevieve’s command, they all shook their hands up and down.
    â€œNow,” Genevieve said complacently, “it’s almost kind of Christmas!”
    â€œThey don’t even really know what day Christmas Day is supposed to be,” Connor said. “Some popes or priests somewhere got together to pick a day.”
    â€œThat’s right, Connor,” Gabe said. “But it doesn’t take away from the fact that the day was chosen, and it’s the day when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. So, it’s the chosen day, and your sister is right—it’s almost here.”
    â€œSo it might have been any day,” Morwenna murmured. Except that she was heard. She looked at Gabe, who was staring at her with amusement.
    â€œWhat? It’s a day for miracles or the like?” she asked him softly.
    â€œMiracles are what we make ourselves,” he said. He looked upward. “Maybe the Lord can lend a hand, but we have to create magic ourselves.”
    She groaned softly. “A do-gooder cop. Great.”
    He just grinned. She did, too.
    And, somehow, the meal went along