Angels in the Snow by Rexanne Becnel Read Free Book Online Page A

himself down on the seat.
    â€œC’mon, cheeseball. Let’s start this stupid game.” His words were directed at his sister, but his sullen gaze was focused on his father.
    â€œThis is all your fault, butthead!” Jennifer’s words were a low hiss, but her tone was no less vehement.
    Charles whirled, ready to shout again. But the sight of his children—miserably hunched, flanking a worn gameboard and scattered plastic pieces—suddenly left him defeated. What was the point? They hadn’t been here three hours, and already Judith was avoiding him and the children hated him. How had he screwed up so badly?
    Disheartened, Charles made his way back to the kitchen. A shiver coursed through him and he decided to make a cup of hot chocolate. Then he spied the wall phone and changed direction.
    A few quick jabs of his finger, four short rings, and a familiar voice answered the phone.
    â€œDoug! It’s Charles again. How did things go with Garrington?”
    â€œCharles. I didn’t expect to hear from you tonight. What number are you calling from?”
    â€œThe reception’s rotten, so I’m using the landline. And it’s pretty quiet around here. Makes me a little antsy.”
    â€œYou gotta learn to relax, guy.”
    â€œYeah, yeah. And I will. It’ll just take a couple of days. So, did you get to Garrington?” Charles asked, settling himself on a chrome-and-leather kitchen stool.
    â€œActually, I found out he and his wife are going to the Odyssey Christmas Ball tonight. Cora had bought tickets, although we weren’t going to attend. You’re a lot better at that social stuff than I am. But we’re going after all. Cora’s friend Beverly—that’s Richard Beasley’s wife—she’s going to introduce Cora to Garrington’s wife while I hobnob with the man himself. So . . .”
    â€œSounds like you have it all under control.”
    â€œI’ll know in a couple of hours. Look, I gotta go finish getting dressed. How about I call you in the morning?”
    â€œSure, sounds fine. Good luck, guy.”
    â€œHey, like you always say, you make your own luck with guts and perseverance.”
    â€œWith balls and belligerence.” Charles laughed.
    When he hung up the phone, he felt better. At least business was good. A muffled expletive brought him back to the moment.
    â€œYou’re a dork!” Jennifer’s shrill cry came. “I hate you!”
    Before Alex’s retort could come—before Charles could force himself to deal with his children again—the unexpected chime of the doorbell echoed through the house.
    The doorbell? Charles glanced out the kitchen window to the thick snow striking silently against the triple-insulated glass. Who in their right mind would be out in such weather?
    â€œDad! Somebody’s here!”
    â€œDon’t open the door!” Charles yelled as he hurried through the house. From the corner of his eye he saw Judith coming down the stairs, drawn by the still reverberating chime.
    He flipped on the outside light, opened the sleek inlaid front door, and stopped before the double glass storm doors. Outside, huddled on the front landing with the wind and snow whipping at them, were a group of heavily bundled people. A family, Charles realized when he recognized a child in the tallest figure’s arms. Two more children and a woman hugged one another for warmth behind the man.
    â€œOh, my goodness.” Judith hurried up behind him and tried to open the doors.
    â€œWait a minute, Jude.” Charles pulled her back.
    â€œWe can’t leave them out there—”
    â€œI know. I know. But you need a key for the storm doors. Here.” He fished around in his pocket for the key ring Rogers had given him. In a moment he had the doors opened and the pitiful group stumbled into the small foyer.
    â€œCome in. Come in,” Judith said as Charles forced the