Read Miss Kane's Christmas for Free Online

his sister.
    “Because it’s Christmas time, because it’s the neighborly thing to do. And,” Carol paused, trying to decide just how much to tell the children about her plans. Oh, for the love of fir trees, if she couldn’t trust two innocent children, she couldn’t trust anyone. “I was thinking we could invite the neighbors over for a…gathering.”
    “A gathering?” Patrick asked.
    “A party,” Hillary told him before looking at Carol with wonder in her eyes. “You mean a Christmas party here at the house? With the neighbors?”
    “Well, yes, of course we can invite the neighbors but we don’t have to stop there. What about your father’s work friends? We can invite everyone from his office too.”
    “But we don’t know their names,” Patrick objected.
    “Does your father have an address book?”
    “Couldn’t we use his contact list from his tablet?”
    “Tablet, of course,” Carol hadn’t thought of that. She’d wrapped plenty of them but didn’t quite know how they worked. “Do you think you could figure out how to get the names?”
    Hillary managed to stop just short of scoffing at her. “Yeah, I’m eight. Of course I can.”
    Carol nodded. “Good. Now I’m going to need lots of help to make this the best party ever. Are you sure you like the idea?”
    Their ensuing squeals of delight assured her they did. She lifted a hand to request permission to speak. Once granted she asked them the question that had been weighing on her mind, choosing her words extra carefully. “The whole point of throwing this party is to help your father get into the holiday spirit. So, do you think he might enjoy the party a bit more if we included him in the planning or if it were a total surprise?”
    Neither child needed much time to think.
    “Let’s surprise him,” Hillary said, her eyes wide.
    “Definitely,” Patrick agreed, nodding solemnly.
    Exactly the answer Carol wanted to hear.
    * * *
    Ben stood at the top of the staircase and surveyed the damage to his home. As best he could tell a yule bomb had exploded while he’d been asleep. And he knew just who had detonated it.
    “Miss Kane,” he called out as he made his way down the stairs. His shoulder ached but it was nothing compared to the throbbing in his head.
    He found her in the foyer, she was busy bundling the children into their coats.
    She turned to smile at him. “Good morning. I trust you slept well?” Without waiting for an answer she turned back to Hillary and helped her fasten her tutu over her snow pants.
    He opened his mouth to point out the ridiculousness of wearing a tutu outdoors but stopped himself. He watched the children pull their mittens on. Their eyes were shining. Shining. He couldn’t remember ever seeing them look so happy.
    “Do you want to come outside with us, Daddy?” Hillary asked.
    “After I have some coffee, honey, I will.”
    “Don’t forget to eat your breakfast,” Patrick piped up. “We had some delicious-”
    But just what his son had for breakfast was to remain a mystery because Hillary’s right hand clamped firmly over her brother’s mouth. Ben had an idea that they’d sweet talked Carol into substituting the bran cereal he preferred they eat with frosted flakes or something equally unhealthy.
    Carol stood. “We’ll just be outside if you need anything.” She opened the front door. “There’s a pot of tea on the stove and fresh coffee in the coffee maker. I wasn’t sure which you preferred.”
    “Wait just a moment, Miss Kane. I need to speak with you.”
    “And I need to supervise the children outside.” She shrugged. “But I’m sure we can fit in a talk sometime today.”
    Nice try. “No. Now is better.” He turned to his children. “You two may play right in the front area outside the kitchen window. Miss Kane and I will both have an eye on you and we’ll be out shortly.”
    They hastily agreed to his terms and scrambled out the door, doubtless wanting to get out before he