Free The Christmas Children by Irene Brand Page A

Carissa was a little surprised at herself.
    Once she’d made up her mind years ago to remain single, she’d never thought about marriage, so why this sudden remorse that she’d remained single? Could it be the children who’d suddenly come intoher life? Or was it Paul who’d triggered her desire for wedded bliss?
    She feared that was the reason. During her youth, she’d missed a father figure in her life. The only close male relative who’d influenced her at all was an uncle. He was kind to her, but he had a houseful of his own kids and didn’t have enough time to take Carissa under his wing.
    But in those youthful days before she’d decided never to marry, she’d envisioned the kind of man she wanted to marry. Carissa had become an introvert through necessity, so she’d wanted a husband who was a friendly person, one who’d smile often, one with a strong, physical body that belied the tenderness that he exhibited so readily. And she’d wanted a man who would love her without reservation, one who would be able to understand her fears, one whose presence would calm her spirits and stir her emotions. Only a few hours in Paul’s presence and she knew he exemplified all the characteristics of her dream man.
    She hadn’t heard a sound, but suddenly she sensed that she was no longer alone, and knew Paul had joined her. How was it possible to become so quickly attuned to this man that she could actually perceive his presence without seeing or hearing him?
    â€œYou couldn’t sleep, either?” she asked.
    Paul moved forward to stand near Carissa. He’d been watching her for several minutes. He hadn’tmade a sound, so he wondered how she could have known he was there.
    â€œNo. I’m still having a problem with jet lag.”
    He wasn’t being exactly truthful, because actually, he’d been thinking about Carissa when he’d heard her come downstairs. After Jennifer Pruett had jilted him twenty years ago, Paul had successfully stifled any interest in women. It wasn’t really difficult, for Jennifer had hurt him so badly that he didn’t want another woman in his life. Since that time, he’d seldom given any woman a second thought. So what attracted him to Carissa?
    Perhaps it was because, in spite of her outward appearance of success, he sensed that Carissa experienced much inner turmoil. Behind her facade of self-assurance, he sensed a little girl’s wistfulness in her remote, and sometimes mysterious, smile. He’d been alone for years because he wanted it that way. Carissa was obviously alone, too, but he suspected that her natural tendency was to want people.
    She was a small, slender woman with a delicate, fragile body. He could easily span her waist with his hands. But remembering the way she’d flinched when he’d touched her on the shoulder, Paul knew it would be a long time, if ever, before he could put his hands around her waist. And why should he want to?
    â€œI don’t even have that excuse,” Carissa commented, turning to face him as he closed the door.
    Paul had been so immersed in his thoughts that,for a moment, he couldn’t remember what they were talking about.
    â€œOh, no jet lag? What’s the problem, then?”
    â€œI can’t get the kids out of my mind. I want to do right by them, but I’m reluctant to take on this responsibility.”
    â€œDon’t you like kids?”
    Carissa laughed shortly. Not like kids when she’d recently signed a $200,000 check to help fund a shelter for abandoned children?
    â€œThat’s hardly the point. I have a soft spot in my heart for children, especially orphaned ones like our three guests, but I’m uncomfortable about bringing them into Naomi’s house. Besides, it seems to be the ethical thing to turn them over to the authorities.”
    â€œWell, Justin is working on that. And I’ll call Naomi today and clear it