Read A Wife by Christmas for Free Online

Max Colbert she could deal with. Not this Max Colbert who smiled and made her insides go all squishy. She cleared her throat and sat as the preacher began the service.
    Whatever sermon Pastor Graves delivered went completely over Ellie’s head. She fidgeted and squirmed in her seat so much Helen cast her a questioning look. Then she held herself stiffly to keep from leaning against Mr. Colbert’s jacket, and rubbing her cheek against the soft wool. What in heaven’s name was wrong with her? This man was the bane of her existence. Her enemy. He stood for all the things she fought against. She heaved a sigh of relief when the service ended.
    “You will be joining the rest of the congregation for our Annual Christmas Party, will you not, Miss Henderson?” Max looked down at her from his impressive height.
    “Of course,” she snapped, still annoyed with herself for her reaction to his presence.
    Max stepped out of the pew, and moved back to allow her and Helen to exit. The four strolled along with the rest of the crowd, greeting the Pastor as they left the church.

    “If you will excuse me, Mr. Colbert, I need to go to the church kitchen and help set up for the luncheon.” She clamped on Helen’s arm and tugged her forward.
    “Wait, Miss Henderson. I would like you to meet Mr. Clay Forest.” He turned to the man standing alongside him. The rotund man wiped sweat from his forehead, and reeked of cigar smoke. His face held the flush of a regular user of hard spirits. “This is Miss Ellie Henderson, a teacher at Logan County High School.”
    “How do you do, Miss Henderson?” The man stuck his hand out. Ellie took it and gave it a brief shake. She nodded in Helen’s direction. “This is Miss Helen Spencer.” She took a deep breath. “Helen, I’m sure you already know Mr. Colbert.”
    “Indeed I do. How are you, Mr. Colbert?”
    “Just fine, thank you, Miss Spencer.”
    Mr. Forest stepped forward and took Helen’s hand. “I am delighted to meet you, Helen.”
    Helen stiffened at the use of her first name.
    “And you must call me Clay,” he added, extending his arm to Helen to escort her.
    Ellie had a moment of panic when it appeared Mr. Colbert planned to escort her. She tugged again at Helen’s arm. “Sorry, we’re needed in the kitchen. You gentlemen can go on in to the hall.” Without a backward glance, she hurried Helen away.
    Once they reached the kitchen, Helen turned to Ellie. “What is going on?”
    Ellie sighed and grabbed an apron from one of the hooks in the kitchen. “I have no idea. Would you believe Mr. Colbert showed up at the Women’s Rights meeting last week?”
    “Mr. Colbert? At the Women’s Rights meeting? Surely you’re joking.” Helen had her head stuck in the icebox, pulling out bowls and dishes.
    Ellie took them from her hands and placed them on a tray. “I am not kidding. And the funny thing is, he showed up there with some other man I’d never met before.”
    Several other women arrived, chatting noisily, putting an end to their conversation. Mr. Colbert certainly acted strange lately. Not that coming to church made him odd, but sitting right next to her certainly did. She’d never seen him with another person at church before. All of a sudden there he was, smiling at her and dragging along a friend.
    She stopped loading trays. Her jaw dropped and she stiffened. Mr. Colbert was spying on her! That could be the only explanation. The snake thought to get something on her so he could go to the Board and demand she be let go. Of all the vile, mean, underhanded things. She would show him. If he looked for Ellie Henderson to make mistakes, he would be sorely disappointed.
    He’s already found you in a water trough with trousers on. All right, so he caught her with one mistake. From now on, she would be on her guard. She tightened her lips. Oh, that man!
    Max and Clay entered the gaily decorated hall and snagged two seats. The Sunday school children had drawn Christmas