Page 23 of His Christmas Temptation

“You’ll think of me today.” Her cell phone chimed. “That’s my ride.”

“Cancel it.”

“Thank you for the offer. It means a lot.” Rather than arguing, she walked to the doorway. When she was there, she looked back and blew him a kiss.

Then she was gone, the memory of her trailing behind her.

CHAPTERSIX

“Isee you hiding back there, Maddie! I’m not letting you off the hook.”

She glanced over her shoulder and grinned at Theresa, another of the shelter’s volunteers. “You’ll be fine without me.”

“Nope. Not happening. Everyone’s waiting for you.”

Reluctantly she removed her apron and dropped it into the laundry bag. They’d spent hours preparing and serving an enormous meal, and she’d loved every moment.

After her mother passed, she’d been adrift. One Sunday, Kaylee had invited her to help serve dinner at the shelter. Because she had nothing else to do and was tired of her own company, she agreed.

At the end of the evening, she was tired but also satisfied, as if she were useful once again. She’d connected, heart-to-heart, with some of the clients and had made plenty of friends.

The next week, she’d come back. Eventually it became something she looked forward to. It wasn’t simply something to do; it became part of her healing.

Today they had a large turnout, and not unexpectedly as the director was throwing a massive Christmas party, complete with festivities.

And if the way Theresa folded her arms across her chest was any indication, Maddie would be part of it, whether she wanted to or not.

“They’re waiting for us.”

“I’m ready.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

With a laugh, she followed Theresa to the corner of the room to join the other food service volunteers in front of the tree.

“You know I can’t sing, right?” she warned everyone.

Several people laughed.

The man on her right side offered her a piece of paper with the words on it.

“I thought I was going to have to hum along.”

“Shall we?” Theresa asked.

One person started.“We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas…”

Maddie and her group joined in, almost everyone off-key. By the time they reached the end, even the clients were swaying back and forth, clapping and singing boisterously.

Grinning stupidly she and the people standing next to her bowed before hurrying away.

A group of Irish dancers was up next, and they announced they’d be performing a traditional jig.

Back in the kitchen, Theresa made an announcement. “I could go for a peppermint hot chocolate.”

“So could I!” someone else shouted.

Conversation buzzed around her as she gathered her purse.

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