Angel Be Good by Kathy Carmichael Read Free Book Online Page A

embarrassed and returned to hide behind his desk. The
chicken.
    "Now for the decorations." She walked around
his office, peering at objects, occasionally hefting them to see if
they were light enough. She selected the pile of paper clips on his
desk, a box of staples. She opened the door to the bar and eyed the
shot glasses, wondering if there was any way to string them on.
    "Don't just sit there moping, Nat ol' boy.
Help me find some ornaments."
    "How about some pens?"
    "What color are they?"
    Nat rifled through his drawer and came up
with several blue, red and black pens. "There aren't many of
them."
    "Just put them in my pile. They'll do." She
leaned forward to peer into his drawer. "What else you got in
there?"
    "Business cards. Lots of business
cards."
    She realized then he wasn't looking in the
drawer. Instead his gaze was fixed on her lips. Instantly she was
filled with self-consciousness, wanting him to look anywhere but at
her. A wave of heat traveled up her face.
    What was it about him that intrigued her so
much? When she'd seen the drama with Constance unfold, she'd hurt
for him. She'd wanted so much to fold him in her arms and kiss away
his pain.
    His charisma must be incredibly strong to
make her so impervious to his flaws. Either that, or she was a
rotten judge of character. However, as a reporter, she'd always
trusted her instincts about people. Until now.
    Maybe it was something chemical, something
in the way he smelled or an aura he gave off. She wasn't sure what
it was, she just sensed the danger of remaining alone with him. It
was important that she keep her mind off him and on the mission at
hand. Otherwise, she couldn't trust herself to stay on track rather
than seeking another of his kisses.
    Grabbing up the few things she'd selected as
ornaments, she headed for the tree. "It's time to get started.
Maybe we'll think of something else to use as we work."
    Nat didn't budge.
    "You are going to help me, aren't you?" she
asked.
    "Not likely. If you want to waste your time
in childish pursuits, go right ahead. I'll watch."
    Great, so now he'd retreated back into his
Scrooge persona. "Thanks bunches, Mr. Bah Humbug. At least you can
occupy yourself finding more ornaments."
    Nat snapped his fingers and grinned. "I'll
be right back."
    "What?"
    "I thought of something." He dashed to the
door. Popping his head back in the room, he added, "Wait and you'll
see."
    Daphne shrugged. His departure removed the
temptation to do something she'd regret. Getting busy, she strung
paper clips together to use as tinsel, then wrapped it through the
leaves and branches. She used additional paper clips with which to
hang the pens and staple rows.
    Standing back, she surveyed her work. It
wasn't very colorful but it did begin to resemble something like a
Christmas tree. If only she had some icicles or lights, anything to
trigger a response from Nat, reminding him of the joy of the
season.
    She heard Nat's voice before he came in the
room. He called out, "Close your eyes."
    "Why?"
    "I've got a surprise."
    She grinned and complied. First came the
sound of his footsteps across the wide expanse of carpet, then she
could hear him moving beside her.
    "Keep those eyes closed."
    She shouldn't trust him but the happiness in
his voice told her he wasn't planning anything she'd dislike. "Tell
me when."
    "When."
    She opened her eyes and saw his face, the
same look of expectancy he'd shown when presenting his father with
Christmas dinner. No matter what his surprise was, no matter how
inadequate it might be, she knew her reaction could mean all the
difference to him. Schooling her face, she looked where he pointed.
Toward the tree.
    "It's beautiful!" Her reaction was without
guile. He'd managed to pepper the tree with thin strips of colored
paper, adding all the color it had lacked before. "You're a genius.
How did you cut the paper so quickly?"
    "I ran colored paper through the paper
shredder." The joy in his voice was now unmistakable and she