Heart of Clay by Shanna Hatfield Read Free Book Online Page B

the rest of Callan’s presents
here? I don’t want her to accidentally find them.”
    Bobbi nodded as she frosted sugar cookies
shaped like trees and topped them with green and red sprinkles.
“Put them in your old bedroom. You can pick them up when you come
for Christmas Eve dinner.”
    Clay set the gifts in the bedroom then
returned to the kitchen. He emptied his glass of milk, set it in
the sink, and pulled on his coat then kissed Bobbi’s cheek. “See
you tomorrow. Thanks, Mom.”
    “Anytime, Clay.” Bobbi set another sheet of
cookies in the oven. “Love you.”
    “Love you, too, Mom.” Clay grabbed a handful
of cookies to go. “Bye.”
    On the way out to his pickup, as he munched
on cookies, Clay wondered if his parents ever hit any rough patches
in their marriage. They always seemed happy. He supposed to the
casual observer, he and Callan seemed happy as well. He was
determined for them both to get back to being happy.
    He barely made it in the door at home when
his cell phone rang. The ringtone announced it was Callan. Since
she rarely called him, he immediately worried something was wrong.
In an attempt to hide his concern, he dropped his voice to a
seductive growl as he answered her call. “Hi, beautiful.”
    “Hi, yourself.”
    The smile in her voice carried through her
words. She seemed to be in a good mood. After the past months of
enduring her frosty distance, he wasn’t sure what to think.
    “What’s up?” Clay asked as he shrugged out
of his coat and tossed it across the couch, followed by his hat.
He’d pick them up before Callan got home. It always annoyed her to
find his stuff sprawled all over the house.
    “Thank you so much for this morning. I
really appreciated you leaving everything out for breakfast and for
cleaning off my car, and for shoveling and sanding the walk, and
for last night and for…”
    Her rambling meant she wasn’t focused on
work. She hadn’t done that in a very long time. Pleased, he
interrupted her. “Callan, it was my pleasure. Are you sore today?
You’re doing okay?”
    “Oh, I’m fine. Just clumsy.”
    Clay wasn’t convinced she was fine, but
Callan continued with the point of her call. “I wanted to let you
know how much I appreciated everything. Also, I couldn’t remember
if I told you I have an event tonight, so I’ll be home late. This
is the last evening event until New Year’s Eve.”
    “No, you hadn’t mentioned it. I know you’re
really busy this week, though.” Although he was thoroughly
disappointed she wouldn’t be home for dinner, at least she’d called
to thank him for the effort he put forth that morning. If he wasn’t
mistaken, a warm front seemed to be moving in where she was
concerned and he planned to have her all to himself as soon as she
left work. “Where is the event?”
    “It’s here at the center, which makes it
easier on me. I only have to stay until things get rolling, so I
should be out of here by seven or so.” Callan cleared her throat,
sounding a little nervous. “Would you like me to bring something
home for dinner?”
    “No, don’t worry about dinner. I’ll take
care of it,” Clay said, as he began planning a surprise.
    “Are you sure?” Callan sounded wary.
    Clay grinned. She probably envisioned the
newly scrubbed kitchen turning into the disaster area it did
anytime he cooked. She was in for a surprise, though. A big
surprise.
    “Yep, I’ve got it under control.” Clay
rapidly sketched out details for the evening in his mind.
    “Oh, no. Arty’s wandering toward one of the
conference groups. I need to run interference.” Callan’s words
spilled out in a rush. Clipped, hurried footsteps on the tile floor
of the center echoed in the background. “Thanks again, Clay. See
you tonight.”
    Blast Arty. Clay had no doubt he’d have
Callan wound up and back into all business mode in a matter of
minutes.
    He left his phone on his coat and went to
sit in his recliner. There was time for a nap before he