Free A Holiday To Remember by Jillian Hart

down, bowed as if by the weight of the world. She’d felt his sadness as surely as if it had been her own.
    He didn’t only intrigue her; he’d drawn her heart to his. She couldn’t say how or why, but the truth was talking with him had come so easily that night. That was something she’d hadn’t encountered in a long time. Not on a personal level, anyway.
    The question was, why and what was this? Debra tried to keep her thoughts on traffic but the questions just kept coming. Did Jonah feel the same way? Was he interested in her? How could he possibly be interested in a woman with as much baggage as she had?
    She could come up with a hundred reasons why she shouldn’t allow herself to hope, but it winked to life within her anyway like a string of twinkle lights on a tree.
    “Mom? Hello? Mo-oom! Your phone is buzzing. Again. ”
    “Would you check the screen and see who it is?”
    “Okay, but if it’s your office, it’s Friday afternoon. Af-ter-noon.” Mia emphasized as she dug a hand into the designer hobo. “You’re supposed to be on vacation.”
    “Yes, but you know me. Work, work, work.” Debra smiled because she really didn’t mind how hard she worked. But as they cruised past the Christian bookstore, there was something about it that tugged at a long-buried wish. She’d always wanted to own a bookstore from the time she was a little girl. It was the reason why she’d majored in business—so she would be well-equipped to run her own shop. Life hadn’t worked out that way.
    It did no good to start wishing for what was impossible now. Wishes were for children, she thought. There was no place in her life for them.
    So, why did her thoughts linger on the bookstore and then shift to the carpentry shop and Jonah?
    Get a grip, Debra, she told herself. This was not like her. To make matters worse, she was going to see him in a few moments and how was she going to handle this strange, budding emotion toward him?
    Play it cool, that’s how, she thought as she pulled into the carpentry shop’s parking lot. She would be sensible, as always. It was best to wait and see.
    “It’s a text message from Uncle Brandon.” Mia bubbled with happiness. “Can I read it?”
    “We’ll give him a call when we get back to the bed-and-breakfast, how’s that?”
    “Even better!” Mia slid the cell back into place. “Oh, I can’t wait to see Jonah. Don’t you think he’s nice, Mom?”
    Nice? No, that word seemed inadequate for the man, although she wasn’t ready to admit that to anyone, not even Mia. “He certainly is nice to make an entire bedroom set for you, and right before Christmas, too.”
    “That’s not what I meant, Mom.” She flipped a lock of hair behind her shoulder and gave a look that was both sweet and disapproving.
    “I know what you meant, kid, and I’m taking the Fifth.” Debra pulled into the first available parking spot. Where did her gaze automatically go to? The window where she had first spotted Jonah. He wasn’t there, but she sighed deep inside as if something in her heart and in her spirit remembered.
    Focus, Debra. You’re going to be sensible, right? She cut the engine. “Keep in mind that Jonah is doing you a favor by fitting your furniture into his schedule.”
    “He said he had time.”
    “Yes, but a carpenter as talented as he is has to be in demand. Go easy on him. Try to keep it simple, okay?”
    “Mo- om. ” Mia sighed. “I get it. I’m not a little kid, you know.”
    “Yes, sweetie. I know. Now, zip your coat before you head out—” the passenger door popped open and Mia was already out in the single-digit windchill “—into the cold.”
    Too late. Mia’s door snapped shut and Debra was left alone. Through the icy streaks on the windshield, she saw the reason why Mia had been in such a hurry. The front door was open and there was Jonah, strong and true, looking manly in his long-sleeved shirt and worn jeans.
    Debra took her time, gathering her things, making