Free Gift Wrapped for Christmas: A Contemporary Romance by Mona Ingram Page B

as long
as Brent could remember. They lived comfortably in a suite over the garage,
content to take care of ‘the boys.’
    Brent hung up his jacket,
followed Annie into the kitchen and sniffed appreciatively. “Hannah my love,
are you sure you won’t marry me?” He gave her an affectionate kiss on the
cheek. “You’re too good for that scoundrel you’re married to.”
    “One of these days I’m going to
say yes, then where will you be?” The housekeeper’s eyes flashed in amusement.
    Brent put a hand over his heart.
“Then I’ll be in heaven.”
    “Go on now.” She darted a look
toward the sunken living room. “Miss Cynthia is here. She’s having a drink with
your brother.”
    Brent stifled a groan. “I’d
forgotten until I saw her car. We’re supposed to meet some people later.” He
snatched at a piece of chicken, and Hannah swatted at his hand. “I wonder if I
can get out of it.”
    He took a deep breath, pasted a
smile on his face and sauntered into the living room. Cynthia was curled up in
a chair by the fireplace, her straight blonde hair gleaming in the light of the
fire.
    “Hello, darling.” She glanced at
her watch, and a slight frown furrowed her brow. “I hope you haven’t forgotten
that we’re meeting the gang at the club tonight.”
    “Actually, I had forgotten.”
    Her pale green eyes darkened
angrily.
    “But I couldn’t have gone anyway.
I have to head out first thing in the morning. Sorry.” He didn’t sound sorry,
and he knew it, but he was tired of pretending. He had no idea why he’d ever
allowed himself to become involved with Cynthia Fairbairn. He raked his fingers
through his hair and sat down as far away from her as he could. Standing beside
Chase’s chair, Annie watched the exchange with interest, and he gave her a
broad wink.
    Actually, he did know why he’d
become involved with Cynthia. It had made sense at the time, but looking back
now, his reasoning had been completely irrational. At the rate Chase was going,
he was never going to get married, and it had seemed to Brent that someone
needed to give Annie a stable home life. Why he had thought Cynthia would be
the one to do that, he didn’t know. He couldn’t have made a worse choice if
he’d tried. Thank goodness they hadn’t actually announced an engagement.
Cynthia had been pressing for some time for a ring, but he supposed that deep
down he’d known it was a mistake. A mistake that he needed to rectify, and
soon. He was leaving tomorrow, but he’d sort things out with her as soon as he
got back.
    “...and this is one of Uncle
Brent and Maddie.” Annie had dragged her backpack into the room and was showing
Chase the pictures. “Don’t they look happy?”
    Cynthia unfolded her long,
elegant legs and walked over to stand behind Chase’s chair. “And who is
Maddie?” she asked, casting a quick glance at the display on the back of the
camera. Her words were like ice crystals. “You look very chummy.”
    Chase glanced up quickly, then
returned his attention to the picture. “She’s rented the shop in the lobby of
the building.” He gave Annie a quick hug. “She and Annie have become good friends.”
    Annie nodded and ran over to
Brent. “Have a look. You didn’t get to see it properly on the way home.”
    Brent examined the picture. It
had felt so right sitting there beside Maddie, watching the children. He’d
never felt a hint of the same contentment with Cynthia...not that she would
ever bundle up and sit outside on a cold step. He looked up as she moved to
return to her chair and caught her foot in the strap of Annie’s backpack.
    “For heaven’s sake, child. Put
your things away!”
    Annie pulled back, and Brent
surged out of his chair, hands clenched at his sides. Harsh words were on the
tip of his tongue; words he’d wanted to say for some time. Fortunately, Hannah
chose that moment to announce that dinner was on the table, and he reined
himself in.
    “You can put your things away
after