Mistletoe & Molly by Jennifer Snow Read Free Book Online

Michael’s Academy for the hearing impaired.”
    “Your nephew is hearing impaired?”
    “Since birth.” Aiden nodded. “He’s such a great kid, and he’s worked so hard to overcome the disadvantages of the disability.” His cell phone beeped with a text message. He recognized the tone as Lynn. “It’s the office.” He read the message. His 12:30 appointment had arrived. So much for lunch. “I have to go, but I’ll see you Saturday? Nine o’clock?”
    “Sure… What about your sandwich?” She held open the door to the café.
    The smell of baked bread and cinnamon rolls escaped the open door, and his stomach grumbled. “Tell Cameron I’ll see her tomorrow.” He walked backward down the street. “Oh, and Molly?”
    “Yeah?” She paused inside the café door.
    “You look beautiful today.” He didn’t wait for a response as he took off down the street.

Chapter Six
    “So you’re the one driving my brother to distraction these days?” Samantha asked Molly as she pulled her minivan out of the school parking lot a few days later.
    “Oh, I wouldn’t say that. We just had a little friendly feuding match.” Molly shrugged and glanced in the rear view mirror as Aiden and his nephew pulled onto the street behind them in his Land Rover. He’d made a valiant effort to be paired with her for the toy pick up, but the limited number of volunteers made it impossible. Riding with his sister was a safer option. She found herself liking the man a little too much, and spending time with him was risky for her heart.
    Samantha eyed her with an amused grin. “Maybe for you, but not Aiden. I know my brother, and you have turned his neat little world upside down.”
    “If you mean the dog then yes, it was a little over the top, but I couldn’t resist.” Molly glanced at the other woman. She looked a lot like her brother.
    The same piercing, knowing blue eyes smiled back at her as she turned onto Main Street. “The dog was the start of it, but I’m starting to think any irritation Aiden may have felt at first has long subsided. I think he’s quite smitten.”
    “Over the dog?”
    “Over you . Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed.”
    Molly hated to admit she had noticed, despite her best efforts. She’d also noticed how her own pulse raced at the sight of him, and how she’d been looking forward to seeing him.
    When Molly didn’t speak, Samantha continued, “I can’t remember the last time he introduced anyone to us. He’s very protective of us. Has been since our parents died fourteen years ago.”
    “I’m sorry. I had no idea.”
    “Aiden doesn’t talk about it much. He was very close to our father, and he took it hard. He put on a strong front, quit school and took care of us.” Samantha checked her blind spot and switched lanes on the busy street.
    “He quit school?”
    “Yes. He worked in a publishing warehouse for three years, and then wrote the exam for his High School diploma. He attended NYU at night.” The pride she felt was evident in her voice.
    Molly felt a pang of guilt. She’d pegged him all wrong. He couldn’t be further from her initial assumption of him. He wasn’t a trust fund baby, but a hardworking, caring man who’d taken a much tougher road to success.
    “I can tell by the look on your face you didn’t know any of this.” Samantha pulled into the driveway of the first donation house.
    “No, but we really aren’t that close.”
    “Well, if I know my brother, it won’t be that way for long.” Samantha opened the door and jumped down from the truck. “You coming?”
    “Yeah.” Molly put on her gloves and opened the door. The cold air blasted her, taking her breath away. Thoughts of Aiden would have to wait.
    ****
    Despite their best efforts, Aiden and Josh were unable to race the women, and arriving at the school two hours later, they found Molly and Samantha sorting toys and drinking hot chocolate. They laughed like old friends. Warmth flowed through him at the