Read Brenda's Christmas Desire for Free Online

had wrapped the packages in plastic and secured them with an overabundance of tape. Brenda stood on the porch and struggled with the tape. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted movement and a figure, dressed in black, as they walked up her driveway.
    ****
    John grabbed his jacket, locked his car, and walked toward Brenda’s house. She stood on the porch as he walked up the drive. She had a huge grin on her face and was trying to rip the tape off of a small box. “Honey, looks like you need a big, strong man to help you with that package,” he said humorously.
    “John… John… You’re home.”
    Brenda wrapped her free arm around his neck and pressed her body into his. Her lips found his and he never wanted to let go, but she shivered in his arms.
    “Let’s go inside and finish this properly, where it’s warm and we can take our clothes off.”
    “Yeah, I think the temperature’s dropped since I arrived home,” Brenda said as shivers shook her body.
    Once inside, he kissed Brenda on the neck and teasingly shook the box she’d been trying to open, “There’s no label on this box. You don’t have a secret admirer do you?” Brenda wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed.
    “No. My aunt found a box belonging to my parents and she dropped off the box, along with a present for me. We’ve never exchanged gifts in all the years I lived with her, so I can’t wait to see what she bought me,” Brenda said excitedly.
    They both turned and laughed at Daisy’s insistent whimpering.
    “I think we might need to keep our clothes on for a little while longer. Daisy wants to say hello, probably eat, potty, and drink some water, and then play a little. After all that, I want to hear what happened on your trip.”
    John didn’t want to talk about how they apprehended Rebollo. If an informant in Rebollo’s cartel hadn’t given them solid intel, Rebollo would’ve already been back in Mexico by now. It was over. He took a cleansing deep breath, looked around and noticed Christmas decorations on almost every surface of Brenda’s living room.
    “Hey, the house looks great—very festive.”
    “Are you trying to distract me from talking about your work?” Brenda asked.
    “No, sorry. But, there are some details I can’t talk about. I can tell you we got the bad guy and sent him back to prison without anyone else getting hurt. That’s what’s most important.”
    “What’s most important to me is that you didn’t get hurt.”
    “I’m tired, but perfectly fine,” John replied. “But, I worried about you and how you’d handle today—without me.”
    “We’ll, I spent most of the night decorating, which made me feel good. And then my aunt called and I got the impression that she’s getting over the past too. So, I’m tired too, but doing great. Aren’t we the pair?”
    “Yes, we are,” he said as he leaned in for another kiss. Before he reached her lips they heard a rustling sound and Daisy whimpered louder.
    “Do you mind letting Daisy out while I open my box?” Brenda asked him.
    “Sure. Take your time, honey.” He unlatched the carrier door and Daisy shot out like her tail was on fire and raced around the room twice, before collapsing at his feet. He laughed at the puppy’s antics.
    Brenda sat down in a chair and had both boxes on her lap, still wrapped. “What are you going to open first—your parents’ box or your aunt’s gift?” he asked.
    “I can’t decide.”
    He picked up the puppy and sat next to Brenda. Daisy leaned forward and licked Brenda’s aunt’s gift. “I guess Daisy chose for you.”
    After unwrapping the red paper, Brenda reached into a couple layers of tissue and withdrew what looked like a Christmas tree topper.
    “Oh John, look. Isn’t the angel beautiful?”
    “Yes, it is. What does the note say?” He’d noticed Brenda didn’t see the small envelope in the bottom of the box. She unfolded the note and read the words out loud:
    “Dear Brenda, I told a small