Deep Freeze Christmas by Marian P. Merritt Read Free Book Online

why I was crying," Marissa said after a moment.
    Lord, please give me Your words.
    "Only if you want to talk about it. You don't have to tell me anything. We can just sit out here and enjoy this amazing night."
    Every feature of Marissa's face was visible in the stark moonlight. She wiped tears away from her cheeks and turned to Leona. "Thank you for today. I thought making cookies was a dumb thing. You know, domestic and too much like a housewife. Certainly not anything the great Marissa Madison would be caught dead doing. But I realized the only reason I thought that was because I didn't have the warm Christmas memories you, Cameron, and even, Bryan have." She lowered her head. "My mother was a drunk, Leona. We didn't do Christmas."
    "Ever?"
    "Never."
    Compassion flooded Leona's heart and a rush of emotion threatened to choke her. She swallowed the rising lump and tried not to let Marissa see her struggle. She didn't want the actress to think she felt sorry for her. She understood Marissa's battle more now than ever. Hurting people hurt. Plain and simple.
    This woman was here at Christmas with people who adored their Christmas memories. When she should have memories to look back on with fondness, all she had was pain and neglect. She felt certain Marissa had no idea who Jesus was and why Christmas was so important.
    She gave Marissa's hand a gentle squeeze. "You're doing Christmas now, and that's important. We'll make this Christmas the best you've ever had. A true celebration of Jesus's birthday."
    Marissa smiled and cast her gaze toward the mountains. After a while she said, "They certainly are beautiful."
    "They are. God's creation in all its glory."
    Marissa paused and whispered, "God…" She closed her eyes and seemed to drift far away. Had she returned to the non-Christmases with her mother?
    Leona started to say more, but something stopped her. Sensing that the timing was wrong, she shared the remaining moment in silence with Marissa. A prayer for Marissa filled her heart.
    After a while Marissa stirred in her chair and turned to Leona. "I hope you weren't upset with me for talking to Bryan this afternoon."
    Leona didn't understand. "Why would I be upset?"
    "Aren't you interested in him?" Marissa sipped the last of her tea and then pulled the blanket further around her shoulders.
    "In Bryan Golby? No. No way. I wanted to ride a snowmobile, and he offered. That's it. Right now my primary interest is in learning how to manage a restaurant and in making enough money to open my own."
    Marissa smiled. "Really? Your own restaurant?"
    "Yes. It's been my dream since I was a little girl." Leona told her about Leo's and the legacy her grandmother had begun. "What about you? Has acting always been your dream?"
    Marissa creased her brows. "Nah, can't say that is was. It's a means to an end for me. I love the attention and the money. I swore I would never be poor, and acting makes that a reality."
    Leona examined Marissa for a moment and began to comprehend the life the actress had led to bring her where she sat today. She wanted to ask about Cameron but didn't know how.
    Marissa continued, "Even being here was a business decision."
    "Really? I thought you came here with Cameron." Leona tucked her feet under her and made sure the quilt covered her shoulders. As the night progressed, the temperatures dropped and the deck became colder.
    "I did come here with Cameron. His dad is thinking of having me in his next movie project. Cameron would be a good catch, don't you think? With all his connections, he'd be perfect for my career and not too bad to look at. I may have to make many trips down to New Oryleens." She smiled a sly grin. "Who knows? I might be interested in investing in that restaurant of yours."
    Leona's heart dropped. The Marissa she'd gotten a glimpse of earlier this evening had disappeared. She'd started to like that Marissa. She didn't want to partner with this Marissa—one who would use someone like Cameron to