Read Operation Christmas for Free Online

“These are notes for each guy.”
    His jaw went slack. A more thorough look at the check saw two-hundred dollars not twenty written there. “How did you get those names? Crystal didn’t—” He pushed to his feet.
    “No, no. Sit. Nothing like that. I stopped by on my way to work this morning and picked nine more off the tree. I was in and out before anyone could catch me.” She gave him a shy grin. “I did the cards yesterday at home and then added the names this morning.”
    “But—”
    “No buts, Jess. I decide what I donate not you. Sorry to be so blunt.” She lowered her eyes.
    Here was a pleasant surprise. He suspected Madeline’s quiet demeanor by no means covered a wimpy woman. It made him crave to learn about every surprise that lurked beneath her calm exterior. Open them like presents on Christmas morning. Since he stood behind his desk, looming tall and threatening, he decided to be gracious and sit as she had suggested. “Thank you. That’s very kind of you.”
    “It’s the least I can do. My husband served in Iraq.”
    “I know.” He held her steady gaze.
    “Danny was killed.”
    “I know.” Jess broke their eye contact to flick a glance at her suddenly parted lips. Well, there you have it. She was surprised he knew about Danny’s death and thought it would shock him but it backfired. Emotion closed her throat as she lowered her eyes to stare into her lap. He swallowed the lump in his own throat, recognizing he and Madeleine weren’t a whole lot different. Each tried to flush out the other’s insecurities and, on his part, any squeamish disgust she might harbor toward his missing arm. “I’m sorry.”
    “Me too.”
    Jess’s mind raced. Was this how survivors of war managed foreplay? By challenging the other with their baggage before they got brave enough to take a chance. Share a cup of coffee or a simple lunch. In his case, it seemed to be working. He not only wanted a date, he wanted to kiss her and hold her close to comfort her. Protect her from the harsh realities of life.
    His gaze fell to the full bottom lip she bit down hard on to keep the tremble at bay. Danny had been gone almost two years yet she still hadn’t accepted the loss. His old demons made a smothering swoop and rattled his confidence. Would one arm hold her close enough to erase her pain when all her memories involved two?
    She cleared her throat. “I should go.”
    So much for a fresh start. He nodded. Enough damage had volleyed between them. He rose when she stood and gave him a weak smile. “I remember you now, Jess. You were two years ahead of me. I looked you up on the computer last night on Lincoln High’s alumni site,” she confessed then turned to leave.
    “Madeleine. Hold up.” Jess rushed around his desk into the main office almost emptied for lunch. Nancy, the receptionist leaving at the end of the year, still remained. Madeline’s hands were on the front door by the time he made it into the cramped lobby. She turned to face him square. No screamed from every inch of her pale face before he could even ask his question. He forged on not knowing what drove him headlong into rejection. “I’m involved in a support group for injured vets. We’re having a Christmas party Saturday night. Would you like to go with me?”
    Pink bloomed across her colorless cheeks as her jaw dropped. It made him wish he could pull it back. Obviously, he’d misjudged her. His first instincts were accurate. He represented everything she tried to forget. He had trapped her, but he’d be damned if he would feel regret for a sincere invite made in a moment of impulse.
    “I’ve not really dated since...well, you know.”
    Yeah. He knew. Since the day you stopped feeling whole. He’d talked to many a war widow but this one carried her love tight to her heart with a roll of barbed wire around it, unwilling to chance further hurt. “Think about it. I’ll give you a call. Tomorrow?”
    “That won’t be necessary. I