AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I see.”
“Mama’s entire family was Catholic. I used to live with them in Canada.” He looked at her with expectation, as if his words conveyed special meaning.
“That’s nice,” she said cautiously.
“Catholics have Christmas, even in Scotland, don’t they?”
“Yes, although the festivities aren’t as big as they are in England and France.”
He blew out an unhappy breath. “But they still give presents and toys, don’t they? And have treats and special cakes and things?”
Nowshe understood. He was afraid his Scottish relatives wouldn’t properly celebrate Christmas. Not like he was used to, anyway.
She leaned in closer, as if imparting a great secret. “Well, I’m going to celebrate Christmas, no matter what. And therewillbe presents. In fact, I’m planning a big Christmas party for my cousin. She’s English and loves Christmas. Would you like to come to our party?”
He wriggled with excitement, almost toppling off the settee. Donella righted him with a swift hand, returning his big smile.
“Really?” he squeaked. “I can come to your party?”
“Miss Haddon is having a party, is she?” came a deep, brogue-laced voice from the door. “I wonder if she’ll give me an invitation.”
* * *
Donella jerked around to stare at him, her cheeks flushing pink. Logan was stunned to find her sitting in his brother’s study, comfortably chatting with Joseph.
His son sighed and rolled his eyes, as if annoyed by the interruption. The lad found his papa something of a pest these days, and he got along better with everyone else in the household, including, it would appear, Donella Haddon.
Logan had poked his head into the study, hoping to play a game of Fox and Geese with his son before dinner. Finding Donella, a woman he’d thought never to see again, was yet another in the string of surprising events of the last few weeks.
And why thehellhadn’t anyone told him she would be here?
“Oh, ah, Mr. Kendrick,” Donella stammered, rising quickly to her feet. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
Her cheeks were now glowing, and she looked more flustered than he’d ever seen her.
Perhaps she’s thinking of the kiss she gave you when she said good-bye.
He’d thought quite a lot about that sweet kiss.
Joseph also came to his feet. “Papaisvery quiet for a big man. Grandda said it’s because he was . . .” He frowned, searching for a word, then nodded with satisfaction. “A hellion. Papa had to learn how to be quiet so he didn’t get caught when he was being bad.”
“Papa had to learn to be quiet when hunting in Canada,” Logan said dryly, “so as to avoid being eaten by a bear.”
Joseph wrinkled his brow. “That’s not what Grandda said.”
By now, Donella was pressing a finger to her lips, obviously holding in laughter.
“And I’ll be having a little chat with Grandda about that.”
In a blink, his son adopted the anxious look that never failed to send Logan’s heart plummeting to the soles of his boots.
“Papa, please don’t get mad at Grandda. He just likes to tell stories about when you and my uncles were little.”
Logan hated that his son no longer trusted him to do the right thing.
“Och, laddie,” he said, mustering a smile. “Your grandda is more likely to get mad atmefor scolding him. He’ll no doubt threaten me with a good paddling.”
Joseph snickered. “You’re much too big for a paddling.”
