Read Sweet Cinderella (A Christmas Novella) (The Klaus Brothers Book 4) for Free Online

Her voice shook.
    Gregor grabbed her shoulders. “Start talking.”
    “I can’t. I’ll totally incriminate myself. I could be expelled from Glasdorf.”
    “Start talking now, or I’ll have you expelled immediately. I’m not in the mood for any bullshit, Shirley.” A vein bulged in Gregor Klaus’s forehead.
    Uh-oh.
    “Hey. Hey. Back off.” She tried to pull away from his irate face. “It’s not what you think.”
    “I don’t know what to think.
Start. Talking
.”
    “I was just a little girl. Playing around with spells. I got transported to a human child in need. It was an accident! I didn’t mean to do it. But she was cold. And hungry. And she looked so sad. And her aura . . . it was pure sunshine and sweetness.” She turned away from his accusatory glare. “I couldn’t help myself. I gave her my candy cane. I know we’re not supposed to interfere with Suddies and reveal ourselves. I know it’s grounds for immediate expulsion from Glasdorf.” She took a deep breath and continued, “But this girl. I couldn’t just leave her. She was so happy with the candy cane. Her whole face lit up. That was the moment I knew . . .” Her voice trailed off.
    “What? You knew what?” Gregor’s voice had softened. He was now sitting on the edge of his desk and watching Shirley with undisguised curiosity.
    “I knew. Why Glasdorf exists. I knew what Christmas spirit was about. It was about
that
. Her smile. I made a child happy on Christmas. That’s what it’s all about.”
    He nodded. “Not just any child.
Hannah
. Do you still know her?”
    Shirley rolled her eyes. “So sue me. I needed to make sure she was okay. She was cold and hungry. I—I just check on her from time to time.”
    “What the hell. Have you been watching over her all of these years?”
    She tugged nervously on her hair. “Yes. Hannah’s been through a lot. Her childhood was tough. Her dad was in a horrible accident . . . and then her husband died. She’s a trooper. She’s sweet and thoughtful and kind. Kind to everyone. I just check in with her every once in a while. She’s never seen me again. Just that once. I’m sure she doesn’t even remember.”
    Gregor picked up the shoe. “She
is
sweet and thoughtful and kind.” His face clouded with uncertainty. “The perfect match for me. The iceman,” he said sarcastically.
    She took the shoe away from him. The
sternschnuppen
danced around her hand, across the heel, and bounced onto Gregor’s arm. The lights flowed and sang as they raced around his torso.
    “You might be surprised, Mr. Iceman.”
    Gregor arched a brow.
    “I need some information,” he said. “I have to find her.”
    “Holy cannoli. You have the hots for Hannah.”
Oops, I probably shouldn’t have blurted that out loud.
    Gregor did not look amused.
    “It’s just . . . it’s just . . .”
    “Just what, Shirley. Spit it out.”
    “Well, Hannah is super sweet and kind to everyone. And you’re . . .”
    “Not.” Gregor finished her sentence with a snap.
    “Oh. I didn’t exactly mean that. What I meant was . . . she doesn’t seem like your type.”
    Gregor gripped the edge of his desk so hard his knuckles turned white. “You’re wrong.”
    She and Gregor stared at each other for a few tense seconds, and then finally she caved.
    “Okay, whatever you say.” She pulled a sparkly tablet of paper out of her bag and started to write. “Here’s her full name, address, and the names of her family members.”
    Gregor leaned over to peer at the paper. “She told me about her family last night.”
    “So what’s the plan? How are you going to win her over? You do have a plan, right?” She glanced up at Gregor and was surprised to see a flustered expression on his face.
    “Sure,” he answered slowly. “Roses? Perhaps dinner at a trendy new restaurant. Maybe a diamond bracelet . . .”
    She rolled her eyes and flung herself onto his leather chair. “You are joking! Not to be critical or