Jillian Hart by Sara's Gift (A Christmas Novella) Read Free Book Online Page B

chocolate after a long winter's day.
    His hand settled at her shoulder, holding the heavy wool garment so she could slip out of it. Even though they did not touch, she could feel his body's heat, radiant and substantial like the man. He smelled of fresh snow and sharp cedar and faintly of soap. She could see the dark indigo flecks in his eyes, true blue and focused on her face. A small smile tugged dimples into his cheeks.
    She stepped away, breathless, as if she'd run three miles. Still, his gaze did not leave hers and she turned away, tugging at her muffler to keep her hands busy. "I appreciate how you had those men leave. I'm not staying, and I'm just not...not looking for a reason to stay in Moose Creek."
    "That's too bad." He took the ragged scarf from her fingers, slim and so beautiful. He hung the length of wool on a peg near her cloak. "Moose Creek is not a bad place to live. Friendly. Safe. Besides, we're here—Mary and me."
    "Yes." How breathless she sounded, how magical. He hadn't realized quite how much he missed a woman in his life, not until he'd seen her walking home, snow clinging to her scarf and those wispy curls over her brow. Her laughter, low and pleasant, still rumbled through his memory and her sheer concern that he'd hurt himself on the ice.
    His heart clenched. How long it had been since a woman, so beautiful and fine, had shown concern for him.
    "Here's my dress, Sara." Mary bounded into the room, her velvet red dress scrunched in her arms. "Can you do the cuffs too?"
    "Sure I can. It will take no time at all." Sara settled down on the sofa, her soft skirts shivering around her. "I bet I could have this done today."
    "Truly?" Mary's adoration shone. "You must be a really good sewer."
    "I'm not bad." Pleasure pinkened Sara's face, and he could read her affection for this child as surely as if she'd said the words. She had a kind heart and was fond of children.
    Gabe shrugged off his coat. Mary had been a great comfort after Ann's passing. How much harder had it been for Sara, who had no daughter of her own?
    "Come over and have supper with us." The words tumbled out before he could call them back, before he lost his nerve.
    "Yeah, Sara. Come have supper!" Mary hopped up and down.
    Sara's dark-as-a-storm gaze flicked from the girl up to him. "I thought you said you couldn't cook."
    "No, but I can make a tolerable stew. If you'd care to risk it." Gabe strode forward, encouraged at not hearing an instant no. After all, she hadn't screamed and bolted from the room at his invitation. That had to be a good sign. "We'd like to have you, Sara. In appreciation for sewing on Mary's dress. You're my sister's guest. You didn't have to agree to do this."
    "It's no trouble at all. But a pleasure."
    "I don't see how." He sat on the chair near her, unable to stop noticing she was a woman, all curves, slim but firm. "When Connie has to mend something, she curses and swears she's never done such tedious work in all her life."
    "I don't find it tedious." Sara placed the lace collar at the dress's neckline. "I enjoy sewing. It beats scrubbing clothes in a laundry for a living."
    "Ooh, it's so pretty!" Mary bent over Sara's knees. "Can you make it look that good?"
    "Better. You just wait until I have the cuffs on it. You know, we have a bit extra of that matching ribbon you picked out. I could lay it here, over the cuffs, so that the trim at the sleeve matches the trim on the hem."
    "Could you, Sara?"
    "You bet I can."
    "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Mary hopped to her feet and charged back into the kitchen. "Aunt Connie, Aunt Connie, guess what Sara's gonna do?" The door swung shut, snapping off her words and Connie's answer.
    "You made her happy." Gabe touched the dress laid out on her lap, his fingertips brushing the snowy-white collar. "You never agreed to come."
    "To supper?" She could hardly think past the drum of her heart, chugging away like a train uphill. He did this to her, impressive and handsome,