Free Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber Page A

cook.”
    “You a good cook?”
    “Good enough. Living alone, I don’t get much practice,” she explained, “but I have my mother’s and grandmother’s Christmas recipes.” She welcomed the excuse to host dinner for Bernie and Cain.
    “You going to serve more of these cookies?”
    “I can make that happen.”
    “Turkey and the fixings?”
    “Whatever you want,” she assured Bernie.
    “Count me in.” He chuckled.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “You being kind to Cain and me reaping the benefits.”
    Julia smiled. “Cain might refuse once he finds out it’s me, you know.”
    “Let him. If the boy wants to turn down a home-cooked Christmas dinner he can, but I’m no fool.”
    Julia glanced at her wrist for the time. She was scheduled to be at the Boys and Girls Club to help with their practice for the holiday program. “Gotta scoot,” she said.
    “Thanks again,” Bernie said, as she collected her purse and bag. “You feel free to stop by anytime.”
    “Will do.”
    “You don’t even need to bring cookies. Your pretty smile is enough to brighten this old man’s day.”
    Julia had taken an instant liking to Bernie. Just like Sharon claimed, he was a real sweetheart. Leaning forward, she kissed his cheek. “I’ll visit again soon.”
    Bernie pressed his hand to his cheek. “Not shaving for a week,” he told her, grinning ear to ear.
    —
    The practice with the kids at the Boys and Girls Club went well. Julia accompanied them on the piano as they rehearsed their songs for the program, which was scheduled for the night of December 23. She’d come to know a number of the children involved and admired the staff. Julia was grateful for the opportunity to volunteer. She liked the work they did with the neighborhood kids and enjoyed making this one small contribution.
    “Really appreciate this,” Jeremy Craig said when the practice was over.
    They’d dated briefly, earlier in the year. Nothing serious. Julia liked him well enough and he seemed to feel the same, but there wasn’t a spark between them, and it was foolish to pretend there was.
    “Glad to do it, you know that.”
    Jeremy hugged her and walked her to the exit. “You walking again?”
    “It’s only a few blocks.”
    “Not sure I’m comfortable with that.”
    “Jeremy, it’s perfectly safe. This is a good neighborhood. I’ve never even had a hint of a problem. The streets are well lit and there are businesses along the way. Nothing’s going to happen.”
    “Okay, okay.”
    “Besides, I’ve taken karate classes.” She had, but that had been a few years back and she’d had to stop after three lessons. The way she figured, when the time came and she needed to defend herself, her training would kick in. She hoped that wouldn’t be necessary, but if it was she would be prepared.
    She hoped.
    On the walk home Julia passed the deli where she often grabbed something quick for dinner. The owners knew her by her first name. Although she wasn’t especially hungry, she went inside.
    Right away Levi acknowledged her with a raised arm. It was past the dinner hour and business had slowed to a few lingering patrons eyeing the variety of selections behind the glass case.
    “What do you have that’s good?” Julia asked, looking through the case herself. Levi made the best salads imaginable, but she had a weakness for his soups, which he cooked daily himself.
    “What I got that’s good?” he repeated in a heavy New York accent. “Everything is good.”
    “True enough.”
    He leaned against the case, his weight on his hands as he waited for her to make her selection.
    “What’s the soup today?”
    “Chicken noodle.”
    Julia’s head came up. Chicken soup was exactly what Cain needed. “Give me a quart of that.”
    “One quart of soup coming up.”
    Julia scanned the salads, but nothing appealed to her.
    “Anything else I can get you?”
    “I’m good.” Julia remained full from lunch. She’d boil herself a couple eggs once she got