Heart of Clay by Shanna Hatfield Read Free Book Online

to talk to as well as friendly, polite, and
funny. From what he observed, she had no idea how attractive she
looked or that her graceful walk drew many interested glances.
Instinctively, he knew she was innocent, sweet, and genuine. On top
of that, every time she looked at him, it made his stomach feel
odd, his heart pound wildly, and gave him the strangest tingling
feeling. He’d definitely never before had that experience with a
girl.
    After seeing Callan eye a trinket at one
booth, he bought it for her, surprised at how grateful she seemed
over the silly thing. When they arrived back at the ice cream booth
to find everyone gone, Clay offered to escort her to her car.
    On the way to her car, he tried to think of
some witty way of asking her out, but nothing came to mind. He felt
like the biggest dolt. He held her car door for her. Callan got in
and agreed to see him tomorrow if he stopped by. Just as he turned
to walk away, he felt her hand on his and it sent tremors all the
way to his toes. He wondered if she felt it, too.
    Callan thanked him again for the trinket
then drove off with his heart.
     

     
    Clay closed the door on his memories as he
pulled into one of the last parking spaces at the mall. He hated
shopping and especially disliked shopping during the busy Christmas
season. Curious how there could be so many people at the mall this
early in the day, he decided suffering through the crowds would be
worth it if he could find a special gift for Callan.
    Although she used to love Christmas, the
past few years had been different. She ran the holidays like
another event instead of a personal celebration. Admittedly, it was
a hard time of year for her.
    Three years ago, they had to have their dog
put down just a few weeks before Christmas. On the heels of that,
Callan’s mother was diagnosed with cancer. Margo barely lasted into
January. Callan and her mom were never close, but he knew it was
tough on her to lose her mother. He assumed that was what started
Callan in her downward spiral. He hoped that she had reached the
bottom and was ready to climb back up to a happier future.
    Clay strolled into the mall, shaking his
head at the hordes of shoppers. He shed his coat and wandered into
a gift shop called On a Lark, owned by Callan’s friend Laken. He
didn’t know it the day he’d first seen Callan, but Laken had been
the girl walking with her across the campus.
    Laken’s infectious laughter rang through the
store from her spot behind the counter where she rang up customers.
When she glanced up, she caught Clay’s eye and gave him a wide
smile. With a raised index finger, she signaled that she’d be with
him in a minute.
    He studied some holiday displays while
waiting for Laken to finish the sale. Before the next customer
stepped up to the counter, she called one of her staff away from
stocking a shelf to take over the register. She hurried up to Clay
and gave his arm a squeeze.
    “To what do I owe this pleasure, Clay?”
Laken asked, smiling up at him. “You wouldn’t be shopping for
Callan, would you?”
    “Possibly.” Clay knew Laken already had a
few things in mind that he should buy.
    “You better put that coat behind the counter
and prepare to whip out your hard-earned money.” Laken tugged the
coat out of his hands, handing it to one of her sales girls to set
behind the counter and headed toward the back of the store.
    A short while later, Clay left his coat and
purchases with Laken. She offered to wrap Callan’s gifts while he
finished his shopping.
    He entered one of the new clothing stores
he’d heard advertised on the radio but wasn’t impressed. When a
young sales girl leaned against him inappropriately not once but
twice, he exited the store, disgusted. He could never understand
why some women assumed all men were interested in short skirts and
tops that were too tight. The only woman who held his interest also
held his heart, just like she had for the last thirteen years.
    Clay made his