Free Santa Reads Romance by Dara Joy

the sack!”
    “What sack?”
    “The sack of gifts I was carrying when I came up here. I forgot all about it. I must have dropped it on the porch.” Hunter released Benny, putting him behind him; then he yanked the material, trying to loosen the large bag from under the snowdrift.
    It came free suddenly, and both Hunter and the sack came hurtling into the room. May giggled.
    Hunter regained his balance and gave her a look.
    “Well, it is funny, Hunter; I mean, you are naked.”
    Shivering, he closed the door. “Not for long— it's c-o-o-l-d.” He snatched up his shorts and T-shirt, putting them on.
    Benny started circling the bag excitedly, yapping his head off.
    “Now what?”
    May found her nightgown scrunched down at the foot of the bed. She was still buttoning it when she came beside him. “What's in there?”
    “Just gifts I was supposed to deliver.” He reached into the bag and pulled out a red package with a big white bow. A small tag dangled from the top.
    Benny barked louder.
    “To Joanna,” Hunter read the tag, “Merry Christmas from Santa Claus.”
    Benny sat up, waving his front paws madly.
    “I think he wants you to open it.”
    Hunter shrugged. “Why not?” He unwrapped the gift. A huge grin filled his face.
    “What is it?” May looked at him inquiringly.
    Hunter reached in the box and held up a plate of candied sweet potatoes.
    May's eyes glazed over. “ Hunter. ”
    “ Woof! ” Benny concurred.
    “That's why he was barking, he could smell the food.”
    “Do you think it's still okay?”
    Hunter dipped his finger in the sauce and licked it off. “Mmmm-hmmm. Natural Maine refrigeration. It's perfect.”
    May rushed over. “Open up the others, quick!”
    Hunter grabbed the next package. “To Alicia, Happy Holidays courtesy of Ingles Delicatessen, where Katya and Rolph say every bite of our food tastes like a little bit of magic.” This one held a scrumptious-looking pecan pie.
    May and Hunter's eyes met above the plate.
    In the next instant they were both diving for the boxes, tearing the wrappings open.
    “To Jennifer… ” May opened a tray of assorted hors d'oeuvres.
    “To Chris… ” Hunter held up a tureen of creamed pearl onions.
    “This one is to Ted… ” May pulled out a pair of bay-berry candles and holders.
    “For Richard, Happy Chanukah… ” A dish of giant potato pancakes. They both licked their lips.
    Next came a box of dog biscuits with “Benny's favorite” taped to the box. Hunter tossed him one, then reached in the bag to get the biggest gift out.
    “To Johnny… ” They both held their breath as he unwrapped it. It was a big Christmas ham.
    May ran into the kitchen to get some plates and silverware. Hunter took the quilt off the bed and spread it before the fire. They were going to have Christmas dinner.
    Soon they were seated before the fire feasting on the riches they had found.
    May looked at the wonderful food before her, the sweet puppy lying contentedly by the fire, chewing on his ham-bone, and the man next to her, who against all expectations had turned into a real-life hero.
    Her eyes filled with moisture. “This is the best Christmas I've ever had, Hunter.”
    He put his fork down to cover her hand with his. “Me, too, May.”
    They came together to kiss.
    “Casper?” She planted a soft kiss next to his dimple.
    “No, honey.”
    May sat back on her haunches. “Then what is it?”
    Hunter grinned at her. “Christopher,” he said nonchalantly.
    “ Christopher? But that's a nice name!” She was indignant.
    He laughed. “I never said it wasn't, Ms. Bea. That was your idea.”
    “No wonder you had on a Santa suit,” she grumbled. “With that name you were a shoo-in. How come you don't use it?”
    “My grandfather's name is also Christopher. It got too confusing at family get-togethers.”
    As simple as that. No wonder he wasn't a writer. A writer would have a much better story than that.
    However, flights of fancy notwithstanding, she