Read Home in Time for Christmas for Free Online

water to your temperature liking. Stand beneath the spray. Use soap. Rinse off. Dry with towel—put on clothing. Okay?”
    â€œAmazing,” he said.
    â€œOh, God! It’s a hot shower. Get in and get out. And come downstairs when you’re done. No gaping. We have a stove and a television and—”
    â€œTelevision?”
    â€œTelevision. You see moving images on it. Fiction, and nonfiction. The news, the weather.” She made a face. “Reality shows for entertainment.”
    â€œReality as entertainment?” he inquired.
    â€œPrecisely.”
    â€œBut a television…”
    She let out an oath of absolute impatience and hurried on out, closing the door.
    In the family room, she found her father. He had been seated in one of the wing-back chairs by the fire, but he stood when he saw her, a tall lean man with a cap of snow-white hair. Cleo had been happily curled just behind his neck and she mewed a protest at his movement. Her father absently patted the cat, then came to Melody. He folded her into his arms. “Melody! I was getting worried about you coming today, the news about all the accidents on the roads has been terrible.”
    She gave him a fierce hug in return, and they parted. “So, what’s up, Dad? How’s it all going?”
    â€œBeautifully,” he assured her. “I like being retired.”
    Her mother breezed into the room, carrying a tray laden with cups of cocoa and fresh-baked cookies. “He nearly blew up his study last week,” Mona said.
    Her father shrugged, a tolerant smile for his wife on his face. “I did nothing of the kind. I had a little spark and a tiny fire going, and that was it. I keep a fire extinguisher on hand at all times, and I was never in any danger of losing the study.”
    â€œHumph,” Mona said, rolling her eyes. She sat. “So, my dear, I don’t remember you mentioning this Jake fellow. Is he related to Mark? He resembles him quite a bit.”
    â€œNo, no, they’re not related at all.”
    â€œYou’re kidding,” Mona said. “I thought he’d be a cousin or something…even a brother. Wait till you see him, George,” she marveled to her husband.
    â€œAnd when is the man of the hour coming up?” her father asked, a sparkle in his eyes. “I’m referring to Mark, of course.”
    â€œMom, Dad, Mark isn’t the man of the hour,” she said seriously.
    â€œBut…you were dating him, and you seemed to like him so much!” Mona protested. “He’s such a gentleman, always opening doors for you, trying to get you to sit and relax…he’s a lovely man, really. What happened?”
    â€œHe’s still a lovely man, Mom,” she said. “Nothing happened.”
    â€œOh, my Lord, he hasn’t been mean or rude to you, has he?” Mona asked indignantly. “I’ve asked him here for the holidays!”
    â€œHe hasn’t been mean or rude, and I hope he enjoys the holidays, and I hope we can remain friends,” Melody said.
    â€œMark is such a nice young man,” her mother said sorrowfully.
    â€œMom—”
    â€œI see. You’re not as fond of the fellow as he is of you,” her father said, nodding as he sat back more deeply into his chair.
    â€œMelody,” her mother said sternly, “you haven’tbrought your other friend—this Jake—to…I don’t know, to upset Mark, have you?”
    â€œMom, I brought him because…he really had nothing else to do,” she said.
    â€œIs there a romance there?” her father asked, laughter in his eyes again.
    â€œGood God, no,” Melody said. “Please, no match-making with Mark, Mom, Dad. And none with Jake. Got it?”
    â€œI wouldn’t dream of it,” her mother said. “You’ve got to live your own life.”
    â€œNever,” her father promised.
    â€œSo, I’m confused. Aren’t