Journey of the Magi by Barbara Edwards Read Free Book Online Page B

home, but it wasn’t important. Her stomach rolled at the risk Dan had been taking. He was short of cash and still paid for her tires. She had to do this for him. She knew what happened without insurance.
    She pressed the coins into his hands.
    “I’ll pay it.” She gave George a sharp nod. “But you can’t tell him.”

Chapter Five
    By mid-December the snow drifts were higher than Noel’s head. She’d worried about the long drive ahead, but today clear weather was predicted for the next week. Her fingers were unsteady when she locked the café’s front door.
    This was her last night with Dan.
    Noel fought back tears as she braced herself. Dan slowly polished the last of the washed glasses. Cleanup was finished and the tables ready for the morning rush. Ernie would fill in until Dan found another waitress.
    Regret froze her bones while she watched Dan. It hurt that he avoided her gaze.
    “The children are sound asleep and I’m ready to leave. The car’s packed,” she said after she sat at the counter. Her knees refused to hold her.
    “Are you sure?” Dan’s gruff voice sounded hollow.
    “Oh, Dan, I can’t let Holly down.” Noel swallowed welling tears.
    When Dan laid his hand over hers she twined her fingers with his and sighed. He brushed away her tears with a low curse.
    After he turned off the overhead lights, they sat in the back booth. The radio played soft country music. Dan kept his arm around her and Noel savored his closeness.
    “What are you going to do after we leave?” Noel whispered.
    A laugh rumbled deep in his chest before he settled onto the wide seat. “That’s easy. Finish the house. My parents’ farm is in good hands and I don’t need to spend any time there. I want the restaurant business to grow, be successful. Everything takes time and work, but I can picture it five years from now.”
    Noel’s attention wandered to how he felt under her touch as he detailed the changes he’d make, but he drew her back with a question. “How about you?”
    “I want to fix up my farm, make it a good home for Holly and Nicholas. There’s work in the area, so we’ll be fine.”
    His brown eyes reflected the light like polished mahogany as he lifted her hand to his lips. Noel’s breath stopped. Although he’d never said how he felt, she loved him. She prized every moment they spent together. She wanted to have one more memory.
    “We’re not teenagers,” she whispered. “I want you so much.”
    His dark gaze held hers until she reached up to smooth his rumpled hair. He hauled her over the seat and into his embrace.
    A groan rumbled in his chest. He’d hungered to taste her again. His mouth devoured her lips, roaming over her cheeks and throat until her head fell back. His heart thumped and slowed. “I want you too, but it’s not the time.”
    “I know you’re right. The trip takes at least three days,” she whispered sadly. “And I promised.”
    He fumbled in his pocket and withdrew something. “I have this for you.” He held out a small flat box. When she clasped her hands behind her, he pushed it at her. “Take it. It’s for the kids. I don’t want to worry.”
    “Oh, Dan,” she said. “You’ve done so much already.” She opened the box to reveal a disposable cell phone. A sob rattled in her throat.
    “Don’t get all mushy on me. It’s one of those cheap ones, where you pay for the minutes. Use it in an emergency.”
    Noel threw her arms around him. Her heart was torn: a safe home for her children, or this man.
    Dan’s chest heaved before he gathered her into his embrace, and she melted against him.
    His warm breath brushed her ear and he pressed a kiss to her hair. “Oh, Noel, I want to hold you like this forever,” Dan whispered. “Change your mind. Stay.”
    “I can’t,” Noel murmured, blinking back her tears. Her arms resisted when she loosened her hug. Dan’s dark gaze searched her face and he gave a brief nod.
    “Then I’ll be waiting for you,” Dan