The Christmas Vow by Shanna Hatfield Read Free Book Online Page A

left the shovel. He returned to cleaning off the boardwalk and steps around businesses and residences while his thoughts continued to wander.       
    After he helped Arlan and Luke shovel around the bank and school early that morning, he told them he had nothing better to do and didn’t mind the physical exertion. In truth, he needed the cold, bracing air to keep him from going straight to Tia’s house and demanding to know why she’d left him all those years ago.
    A desire to hurt her as much as she’d hurt him surfaced when he unexpectedly ran into her earlier.
    Instantly, he’d lost himself in the green flecks floating in her hazel eyes, accented by the rich color of her luxurious coat.
    She’d styled her tresses in a fashionable updo beneath a wool hat with a jaunty plume. The color of her hair had always put him in mind of the special tea his mother had made at Christmas — glossy brown with hints of red and gold lurking in its depths.
    Although she had a wide, square face, Tia’s prominent high cheekbones and delicately arched brows gave her a decidedly feminine appearance.
    The fact she smelled like rare flowers and decadent spices only encouraged his interest in her.
    Even if she hadn’t completely captivated him, he’d been unable to resist her lovable son. The little boy had a mischievous twinkle in his eye with the smile of an angel. The combination of those two characteristic no doubt got him out of almost as much trouble as he got himself into.
    Adam stopped shoveling and stretched his back. He’d abandoned his hat and coat half an hour earlier as he worked up a sweat.
    While his mind played over how beautiful and appealing he found Tia, he’d cleared the snow away from both sides of the street all the way from Granger House to the school.
    A hungry pang in his stomach assured him it was nearly time for lunch. He picked up the shovel and headed back to Arlan’s house.
    Swiftly washing up and changing out of his sweat-drenched clothes, he shrugged into his coat and hurried out the door. He had plenty of time to catch Arlan and take him to lunch at the town’s only restaurant.
    On his way to the bank, he stopped by the mercantile, interested in finding a little something to give Arlan and Alex as a belated wedding gift.
    “Why, Adam Guthry! It’s been half of forever since we’ve seen you.” Aleta Bruner stepped around the counter and gave him a welcoming hug. “My goodness, but life on the river must agree with you.”
    Adam grinned and smiled at the friendly woman. His skin was perpetually tanned from being outdoors most of the time. He rarely wore a hat while he was on the river, so his dark hair held lightened streaks from the sun.
    Tall and brawny, he cut quite a dashing figure, even in a simple cotton shirt with his navy pea coat.
    “Did you stop by just to say hello or are you looking for something in particular?” Aleta motioned to the aisles of the well-stocked store.
    “I need a pair of work gloves and I want to find a gift for Arlan and Alex, since I missed their wedding.”
    Aleta smiled and led him to a display of work gloves. Adam selected a sturdy pair of leather gloves with smooth palms and tried them on. Pleased with the fit, he removed them and nodded his head. A display of picture frames caught his eye so he strolled over to them.
    “Do you think a picture frame would be a suitable gift?” Adam picked up an ornate silver frame and studied it.
    “It would be a lovely gift. Would you like me to wrap it for you?”
    “That would be great. Thank you.” Adam handed Aleta the frame and the gloves. She hurried back to the counter to wrap the frame while Adam browsed through the store. The air inside the inviting shop smelled of cinnamon and leather with a hint of whatever Aleta had cooking for dinner in the apartment overhead. Adam breathed deeply, savoring the pleasant, familiar aromas.
    On impulse, he picked up a picture book about boats. He envisioned it being