I'll Be Home for Christmas by Fern Michaels Read Free Book Online Page A

Expecting to see the paperboy, he opened the door, his hand in his pants pocket looking for money. “Helen!”
    â€œPeter! I brought breakfast,” she said, dangling a Dunkin’ Donuts bag under his nose, “and the New York Times. I thought we could curl up in front of a fire and spend a lazy day. Together.”
    He wanted to push her through the door, to slap the donut bag out of her hand and scatter the paper all over the lawn. What did he ever see in this heavily made up woman whose eyelashes were so long they couldn’t be real. “I think one of your eyelashes is coming off. Sorry, Helen, I have other plans. I’m going sledding.”
    â€œSledding! At your age!” She made it sound like he was going to hell on a sled.
    â€œYeah,” he drawled. “Your other eyelash is…loose. Well, see you around.”
    â€œPeterrrrr,” she cried as he closed the door.
    He was grinning from ear to ear as he searched the living room, dining room and foyer for his keys. He finally found them on the kitchen counter right where he’d left them last night. She really did wear false eyelashes like Sadie said. He laughed aloud when he remembered the open-toed shoes she had on. “My crazy days,” he muttered as he closed the kitchen door behind him.
    In the car, backing out of the driveway, he realized his heart was pounding. Certainly not because of Helen. He was going to spend the whole day with Andrea Evans doing kid things. He was so excited he pressed the power button on his car phone and then the number one, which was Sadie’s number. When he heard her voice he said, “Want to go sled riding? I’ll pull you up the hill. I’m taking Dr. Evans. You won’t believe this, but she has a Flexible Flyer, too. So, do you want to come?”
    â€œI think I’ll pass and watch a football game. Don’t forget to bring Hannah’s ashes. I don’t want to spend another night without her. I don’t care, Peter, if you think I’m crazy. Be sure you don’t break your neck. Are you aware that it’s snowing outside? I thought people went sled riding when it stopped snowing.”
    â€œI don’t think you’re crazy at all. I know it’s snowing. I think there’s at least three inches of fresh snow. You know how you love a white Christmas. I’ll be sure not to break my neck, and I think you can go sledding whenever you want. Mr. Mortimer said I could pick up the ashes after five this afternoon. I’ll see you sometime this evening.”
    â€œPeter, does this mean you’re…interested in Dr. Evans?”
    â€œShe’s a real person, Sadie. Helen stopped by as I was leaving—I’m talking to you on the car phone—and she had open-toed shoes on, and both her eyelashes were loose at the ends. How could I not have seen those things, Sadie?”
    â€œBecause you weren’t looking, Peter. Do you think Dr. Evans is interested in you?”
    â€œShe agreed to go sledding. She wasn’t even mad about yesterday. I like her, Sadie. A lot.”
    â€œI love June weddings. Six months, Peter. You have to commit by six months or cut her loose. Women her age don’t need some jerk taking up their time if you aren’t serious.”
    â€œHow do you know her age?”
    â€œWell…I don’t, but you said she put herself through vet school and the whole education process took ten years. That should put her around thirty or so.”
    â€œI don’t remember telling you that.”
    â€œThat’s because you were rattled over Helen. It’s all right, Peter, I get forgetful, too, sometimes. Now, go and have a wonderful time.”
    Peter pressed the end and power buttons. He decided his grandmother was defensive sounding because of Hannah. He wished the next eight weeks were over so he could present her with one of Rosie’s pups.
    Peter was so deep in thought he almost missed