Free Christmas Wishes...Special Delivery by Mary Manners Page B

and the board games. “And Riley adopted that kitten for her a few weeks ago.” Princess Fluffy lay nestled in her favorite spot along the tree skirt. “We call her Princess Fluffy.”
    “Well, that’s a hoot.” Cody replaced the ornament and then leaned down, scooped the cat into his lap. “She’s a cute little thing. I’ll bet the kid just eats her up.”
    “Rosie loves her, yes.”
    Suddenly, Cody’s hand stilled along the kitten’s fur and he glanced up, his gaze dark and pointed. “Can I see the kid, Kaylee?” He motioned toward the doorway as his voice rose a notch. “I’d really like to see her.”
    “She’s sleeping. It’s late. But in the morning—”
    “I can’t stay.” He resumed stroking Fluffy’s back with fingers callused from manual labor. His skin was more wrinkled than Kaylee remembered and ruddy from the wind; his sandy-blond hair needed a trim and a comb. Kaylee wondered how long it had been since he’d filled his belly with a home-cooked meal. While her heart ached for her brother, her senses remained on full alert. “I’m due at a job in Raleigh come Monday. Should last a couple months this time, maybe longer, if all goes well. I’d really like to see her before I hit the road again.”
    “Well…” Kaylee twined her fingers together to keep them from trembling. “If you don’t mind that she’s sleeping, I suppose it won’t hurt for you to take a look.”
    “I don’t mind. Just a little look, that’s all. I promise I won’t wake her.”
    “Come with me, then. Rosie’s bedroom is down the hall.”
    Cody set Fluffy back on the floor and the kitten scampered to the tree, wasted no time curling up along the skirt once again. “You’ve got a nice place.”
    “Ruth has been very generous. Rosie and I like it here.”
    “That’s good.” Cody met her at the doorway. “You look good, sis…happy.”
    “I am.”
    “Life’s been treating you pretty good these days?”
    “Yes, but what about you, Cody? How are you?”
    “I’m managing.” He scratched the stubble along his chin. “Can’t complain. But it would still be an awful hard struggle, with the kid tagging along.”
    “I don’t mind her staying here with me. Really, Cody.”
    “That’s what Riley said when I talked to him on the phone last week, after I got his letter. I was hoping…Well, I’d like you to keep her, then, if you could.” He paused, a step shy of bumping into Kaylee as the words stilled her. The doorway to Rosie’s room beckoned and Kaylee stepped back to allow him access. “The jobs keep me busy, and the road is no place for a kid. Could you do that for me…keep her?”
    “I…of course I will.”
    “I brought you something…” Cody dug into the jacket of his pocket. “I figured you’d need them if you’re going to keep the kid.”
    Kaylee unfolded the papers he stuffed into her hands. Tears pooled in her eyes as she scanned the legalese, found his notarized signature and that of Rosie’s mother, as well. She swiped her eyes as she looked up at him. “But, where did these come from? How?”
    “Riley faxed them to me after we talked. And I figured since I was heading through I’d just drop them by tonight. They’d get here faster than the post office could deliver, anyway. I hope that’s OK.”
    “It’s…perfect.”
    “You’re a lifesaver, Kaylee.” Cody jammed his hands into his pockets as he paused at Rosie’s doorway. “Like I said, a construction site is no place for a kid, and with my long work hours…” His voice broke with a little hitch. “Will you just tell her that I love her? Make sure she knows, OK?”
    “Of course I will.” Kaylee touched his shoulder. “I’ll take good care of her, Cody. I promise.”
    “I know you will. And it looks like Riley will be hanging around to help. A guy can tell that kind of thing. I’m glad for you. After all this time…everything that’s happened…you deserve a little happiness.” Cody nodded and leaned