Christmas Wishes...Special Delivery by Mary Manners Read Free Book Online Page A

a sibling. Kaylee’s relationship track record spoke volumes in that department.
    Rosie leaned and squirmed toward the right. “A little more this way, Mr. Riley.”
    “Gotcha.” Riley followed her lead. “Tell me when.”
    “When.” Rosie stretched to plop the hat on the snowman’s bald, white head as Moose circled around, his tail brushing the snow this way and that. “Oh, look at him.”
    “He’s so handsome.” Flakes wafted up to kiss Kaylee’s cheeks.
    She smiled, her heart softening slightly at the attention Riley offered Rosie. He seemed to genuinely enjoy the time he spent with her. That mattered; Rosie lacked a male influence in her life. Maybe, despite his differences with Kaylee, Riley could help with that— if he stuck around long enough. “Just perfect.”
    “Here’s his mittens—I mean hands. I’m using my ’magination.” Rosie tugged a pair of powder-blue cotton gardening gloves from the pocket of her jacket. “Can you help me put them on him, Mr. Riley?”
    “Let’s take a look. I think we can do the first one together.” Riley set Rosie back on the ground and then took one of the gloves she offered. Carefully, he guided Rosie’s hands to attach the glove snugly to one of the sticks. “You hang the second one, now. You can do it, sweetie.”
    “Are you sure?” Rosie tugged her lower lip between her teeth as she stepped around to the other side of the snowman. She glanced up at Riley, then Kaylee and Moose, and suddenly Kaylee’s hard-fought resolve to keep her distance from Riley melted into a messy puddle.
    At this rate, she’d never be able to stay annoyed at him. And she knew, sure as she stood in snow, that allowing herself to be anything but annoyed was dangerous.
    “I’m sure.” Riley nodded. “Give it a try.”
    “OK.” Rosie grasped the branch and carefully slipped the glove into place. When it held, the breath rushed out of her to swirl in the chilled air. “Wow! I did it.”
    “Good job, sweetie. Herman sure looks fine.” Riley nodded to Rosie as he reached for Kaylee’s hand, gave her fingers a quick little squeeze. “Don’t you think so, Kaylee?”
    “Yes.” What remained of Kaylee’s resolve burned to ashes in an instant. Riley’s touch, his gentle and genuine smile, chased the chill from her bones. She grinned as Moose brushed against her legs and then lumbered toward Rosie. “I believe you’re right.”
    “Looks like a celebration is in order, don’t you think?”
    “I do.” Kaylee tapped Herman’s carrot nose. “What did you have in mind?”
    Riley turned to Rosie. “How’d you and your mom like to take a drive into town?”
    “What for?”
    “Tree hunting.”
    “Tree hunting?” Rosie puffed out her pinked cheeks. “Will we need to bring a map?”
    “No.” Riley’s laughter echoed over the meadow. “No maps, just my Escalade and some persistent detective skills.”
    “Can Moose come, too?”
    “I suppose so. If I remember correctly, he likes to ride in the car.”
    “Can we leave now?” Rosie let out a squeal as she hopped up and down like a human pogo stick, clapping her mittened hands with glee. The packed snow crunched beneath her feet and Moose darted in short, clipped circles at her side, barking. “Right now?”
    “First things first.” Riley crouched to Rosie’s level, eye to eye, burying his knee in the snow. “Would you mind to run into the house for a few minutes, check on Princess Fluffy before we leave? I have to talk to your mom.”
    Rosie’s nose scrunched as her lips dipped to a frown. “Is this private grown-up stuff?”
    “Yep, it is.” Riley smoothed wisps of hair from Rosie’s flushed cheek. “Real important, too.”
    “Yuck. OK. Come on, Moose.” Rosie patted her leg for Moose to follow, and wasted no time making her getaway. She raced toward the steps with Moose at her heels, most likely would have scaled them two-at-a-time were her legs long enough. When she reached the porch, she paused just