Free Merry Kisses (Riverbend Romance 5) by Valerie Comer

probably so neither she nor her brother could pretend some red-suited guy accompanied by a herd of reindeer had brought them. Christmas Day had been for church and turkey dinner.
    Which was the right way to celebrate? Her upbringing battled with Heath’s vision as though both had sharp swords. One thing she knew for sure. The birth of Jesus was worth everything and deserved to be recognized. Without that momentous occasion, there would have been no sermons on hillsides. No parables. No miracles. No death and resurrection that provided salvation to all who believed.
    Sonya crossed to her television and found the Christmas music channel with the hokey crackling fireplace. Strains of Silent Night filled the apartment. She fixed a mug of hot cocoa, picked up her Bible from the coffee table, and curled up to read the age-old story one more time.
    Whether Heath was right or her parents, she could count on the gospel of Luke to keep her foundation solid and sure.

    * * *

    The rich aroma of potato chowder teased Heath awake. A cat sprawled across his chest, reminding him he wasn’t at home. Not that anything he cooked smelled as amazing as that soup. He dragged his fingers down the cat’s back, all that was required to start her motor.
    “Did you have a good nap?”
    Heath angled his head until he could see Sonya, silhouetted in the light from her kitchen. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
    She sauntered toward him, sat on the coffee table, and reached for his hand. “No problem. You looked awfully tired when you stopped by.”
    Right. He’d had a question for her. “What time is it?”
    “Two.”
    Heath shot upright on the sofa, the quilt that had been covering him spilling to the floor. “Seriously? I must’ve slept four hours. You should’ve woke me up. I can’t believe I did this to you.”
    She smiled. “You needed it. How long can you go, burning the candle at both ends?”
    He scrubbed his hands through his hair. “Another three weeks? Until Christmas is over.”
    “You’re going to get sick like Destiny did. And then who will be Santa?”
    “Destiny. That’s what I stopped by to tell you. She’s feeling better, but still coughing a lot. She’s wondering if you can do today and tomorrow, too. Then there are no North Pole hours Monday and Tuesday, and she thinks she can be back for Wednesday. What do you say?”
    Sonya looked at him thoughtfully. “I think I can do that. It’s not like I’m gainfully employed anywhere yet.”
    “Something will show up. Hey, if you know how to drive a Bobcat…?”
    She smiled. “Not in my skill set, but it does look fun. Do those things really do a zero-turn radius?”
    “Pretty much.” A woman of continual surprises. “Now where did you learn that term?”
    “Heard it somewhere.” She shrugged. “I made some soup. Are you hungry?”
    “It smells awesome, and I’m starving.”
    She rested her hand on his knee. “When is the last time you ate? You sound like you need someone to take care of you.”
    Heath captured her hand and leaned closer. “Are you volunteering?” When she didn’t shift away, he stretched a smidge further and brushed his lips against hers. Whoa, that tingle was as good as food. “Because the position might be open.”
    Sonya inhaled sharply and met his gaze before surging upright. “Come on over to the table.”
    He stood and wrapped an arm around her. “Thank you, Sonya. And to answer your question, I had a couple of sandwiches in the cab this morning.” His stomach rumbled. “That was a while ago.”
    She dragged him over to the table and pushed him into a chair before going into the kitchen. A moment later she returned carrying two bowls of chowder.
    Heath caught her hand as she sat down. He bowed his head. “Thank You, Jesus, for coming to Earth as a tiny baby so that we could have forgiveness and eternal life. Thank You for Sonya and for this awesome food she’s prepared. In Your name, amen.” He caressed her fingers.