The Valentine Grinch by Sheila Seabrook Read Free Book Online

nonsense.
I understand Grandma getting married must be difficult for you. You
loved your Grandpa George and never thought he’d be replaced. But
whether you like it or not, the wedding is happening.”
    As Dora stomped out to the kitchen, Amanda’s dad
poked at a piece of ham with his fork. Finally, he sighed, pushed
to his feet and started to gather plates. “A man could starve in
this joint.”

    And like her mom, he stomped out to the kitchen.
    Silence enveloped the dining room, until Amanda
found the nerve to look at Dane. “I’m sorry.” She closed her eyes
because she knew her apologies were worthless. Shoring up her
nerve, she opened her eyes again. “I think it’s wonderful that
Grandma’s marrying your grandpa.”
    Dane folded his arms across his chest,
disappointment radiating from every inch of his big body. “Then
what was that all about?”
    Amanda turned her gaze back to the crumpled note in
her hand.
    How could she tell him about her
grandpa? Hey Dane, Gramps is a ghost and
he wants Morty to die a long, slow, ugly death. So if you don’t
want that to happen, you better help me stop the
wedding.
    He wouldn’t believe her.
    “I’ve got nothing.” She slumped back on the chair,
smoothed the crumpled note against the tabletop and forced cheer
into her voice. “By the way, thanks for the note.”
    With a snort, he pushed back his chair and stood up,
shuttering his gaze with a sweep of his lashes. “I’m leaving. Thank
your mom for supper, will you?”
    Amanda crushed the note in her hand and jumped to
her feet. “But you haven’t even touched your plate.”
    “Like everyone else, I’ve lost my appetite.”
    She followed him into the living room and while he
continued on to the front porch, she kneeled on her dad’s favorite
chair. A bright red Valentine shaped pillow sat on the arm, and she
picked it up and hugged it to her chest.
    Totally ignoring her, Dane pulled on his jacket and
boots.
    Okay, somehow she had to make this right, couldn’t
let him go away mad. What if he never came back?
    In a breath stealing rush, it hit her. She loved
Dane Weatherby. Maybe she’d always loved him. Or maybe it had grown
on her while she’d been pretending to be a love-grinch.
    Could she make Dane love her back?
    Was it worth the risk to their friendship to
discover the truth?
    When he yanked open the front door, she jumped to
her feet. “Please, don’t be mad at me.”
    He ignored her and walked out of the house.
    As the front door clicked shut behind him, her knees
gave out and she slumped down onto the floor. Clutching the pillow
to her chest, she smoothed out the note and silently read the words
Dane had written.
    Dear Mandy. Be my Valentine Grinch
Forever .

 
     
    Chapter Five
     
    The next morning, Amanda rolled out of bed, showered
and dressed, then in an attempt to make herself irresistible, spent
the next half hour fiddling with her hair and makeup.
    Valentine Grinch?
    Forever?
    Was there more behind the message than one friend
teasing another? She intended to find out whether Dane’s cryptic
note had been written in jest or in seriousness. If she didn’t,
she’d always wonder.
    As she skipped down the stairs, she encountered
Grandma Elvira who was still lugging the urn around as though it
had become a permanent attachment. “Morning, Grandma.”
    “It’s about time you got up, girl.” The elderly
woman paused to look her up and down. “You’re kind of spiffed up
for cleaning the car. You do remember it needs to be decorated
today, don’t you?”
    Amanda patted her grandma on the arm. “I’m heading
over to Dane’s right now to get him and then we’ll get the car
decorated.”
    With a stiff nod, Grandma continued on her way down
the hallway. “Make sure you talk to your mother. She has everything
laid out in the garage for you.”
    By the time she entered the kitchen, her mom was
putting the last of the decorative icing on the cake.
    “Honey, I was just about to send your