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

with the conversation pleasant instead of strained, with the family asking questions instead of throwing out accusations, and her father actually asked Bobby to bring out his guitar when they got to the bread pudding.
    He played Christmas carols and the family chimed in, except for Morwenna.
    Gabe looked at her. “Are you really that ‘bah, humbug’?” he asked her.
    â€œNo. I sound like a wounded hyena when I sing,” she told him.
    â€œBut these are Christmas carols. Everyone sings Christmas carols.” He looked upward again. “He doesn’t care what you sound like.”
    Morwenna laughed. “I think I’ll pick up the plates.”
    She was surprised when he caught her hand. “‘O Little Town of Bethlehem,’” he said. “I know you know it. I’ll help with the plates. One song, huh?”
    With an exaggerated sigh, she sat again. She sang along with the family, watching Gabe. “See?”
    â€œI thought you were great.”
    She drew back, looking at him suspiciously. “Do you actually have a family?” she asked him.
    â€œI do. I have a wonderful family,” he assured her.
    â€œWhy aren’t you going crazy, trying to find a working phone?” she demanded. “You’re not with them.”
    â€œBecause I’m not the kind to beat my head against the wall when something can’t work,” he told her.
    She wanted to argue the point, but she really couldn’t. The storm had done nothing but grow stronger in the hours since she had arrived, and it did seem that they had lost all phone connections. Were the satellites all snowbound as well?
    â€œNo television for the kiddies,” she murmured. “No computer games.”
    â€œBobby, play ‘Silent Night’ for me, please?” Stacy asked.
    Bobby looked over at his mother. “Sure, Mom. I thought you didn’t care for the song on a guitar that much. You always like it on piano.”
    â€œAnd one of these days, I’m going to get one here,” she assured him. “But, please, play it for me.”
    â€œNothing like a rock version of ‘Silent Night,’” Mike said.
    Of course, Bobby heard him.
    â€œI’d love to hear it, too,” Morwenna said. “Scrooge can go into the kitchen!”
    They all managed to laugh at that, even Mike. And Bobby played. Gabe sang the song alone this time with a clear, smooth, fluid tenor voice that was absolutely beautiful. When the song was over, everyone at the table just stared at him.
    â€œWow,” Bobby said.
    â€œThat was all you. You can really play,” Gabe said.
    Fearful that a fight would begin over Bobby’smusic versus his college education, Morwenna quickly rose. “Let’s get the plates into the kitchen,” she said.
    â€œReally, kids, I’m fine,” Stacy said.
    Morwenna looked at her mother. “Mom, please let us help. Remember, you don’t get all of us that often and we want to be with you—if we help, we’re with you.”
    Stacy nodded, but looked at Connor and Genevieve. “Shayne, maybe you could read the kids a story. I’m afraid that we have no internet and we’re not getting television reception, either.”
    â€œNo cable?” Connor asked, horrified.
    â€œYes, but that’s okay. We can do other things to have fun!” Stacy said.
    Shayne looked blankly back at his mother. Morwenna felt her heart contract. Shayne was too much like her; they both worked so much they didn’t really know how to have fun.
    Just as that thought struck her, Bobby piped up. “I know what we’ll do! Auntie Morwenna will draw up a Christmas creature, and we’ll make up a story about it as we go along.”
    â€œDoesn’t anyone have an iPad?” Connor asked hopefully.
    Yes, actually, she did, Morwenna thought.
    But Bobby was looking at her hopefully. She smiled. She really loved her little brother.