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

I’m happy to help out. I’m so sorry that Roger is still in the hospital. I hope he’s released soon.”
    “Me, too.” Dina’s voice was hoarse.
    The poor woman had four children at home, all under the age of eight. Her husband was sick and unemployed. Hannah was worried about her.
    She passed her a shopping bag. “I have a hearty dinner for you and the kids—a lasagna you can freeze and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.”
    Dina trembled as she hugged Hannah. “You are the best. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
    “It’s nothing. Any time you need help, just stop by. Promise?”
    Dina nodded. “I promise. The kids will love these cookies. Thank you so much.”
    Hannah shut the door and trudged back to the kitchen to finish the dishes. She heard the buzzer again and assumed it was Andi. Her sister had sent a cryptic text last night saying she was leaving the event early. A few minutes later she heard the boys talking and then . . . a very deep voice. She rushed into the living room and stopped in shock.
    Standing in her doorway was Gregor Klaus. With a bouquet of amaryllis flowers and a look she knew well.
    Ice. Cold.

    She looked like a teenager with her hair in a ponytail, no make-up, and an old college T-shirt. Young and fresh-faced and innocent. But pale. She obviously wasn’t expecting to see him again.
    Well, too bad. He was here. And he wasn’t going anywhere.
    He always played to win.
    Hannah glared at him. “What are you doing here? Anthony, why did you let a stranger into our house?”
    Anthony shrugged. “He said he was your date last night and you left something behind.”
    Gregor held up her green satin pump. “Missing this?”
    Hannah blushed. “Oh, for goodness sake . . .” She marched over to him and snatched the shoe from his hand. “I . . . ugh. This is embarrassing.”
    “Mom? How’d you get home with just one shoe?” Anthony asked.
    “You must have looked funny, Mom.” Another little boy giggled.
    “Actually, your mother did not look funny. She looked absolutely stunning.” Gregor enjoyed her blush.
    “We know. She looked like a princess, didn’t she?” The second boy nodded in solidarity. “I’m Matteo. Who are you?”
    Gregor held out his hand. “Gregor Klaus, at your service.”
    Matteo shook his hand and laughed.
    Anthony crossed his arms belligerently. He would be harder to win over. “Did you dance with her?”
    Gregor nodded. “I did.”
    Anthony frowned. “Did you drink cham—champagne?”
    Gregor tried not to laugh at his disgruntled expression. “She prefers eggnog. She told me you boys like it, too.”
    Matteo jumped onto the sofa. “We do! It’s our favorite Christmas drink.”
    “Well, that and hot chocolate. Those are our two favorite Christmas drinks,” Anthony said.
    “Yeah, but you have to put a lot of whipped cream on top, or it’s not any good,” Matteo chimed in.
    Hannah put her arm around Anthony’s shoulders. “Okay, boys. That’s enough. I’m sure Mr. Klaus has to go—”
    “Actually, no. I don’t need to go.” Gregor quirked a brow.
    “We weren’t really expecting any visitors today.”
    “That’s okay. I’m sure you’re all up for a spontaneous bit of fun, right?”
    Hannah narrowed her eyes. “What are you talking about?”
    He took a step closer to her, and she bit her lip. God, he wanted to nibble that lip. Badly.
    “These are for you. I figured you would like some holiday flowers since you love Christmas so much.” He handed her the bouquet of amaryllis. Shirley had assured him these were Hannah’s favorite holiday blooms.
    Hannah’s expression softened immediately and she cradled the flowers in her arms. “Thank you,” she whispered. “They’re beautiful. We don’t splurge on flowers a lot.”
    He knew that. He knew everything about her, thanks to Shirley’s intel. The quirky little elf had been a goldmine of information. And Gregor wasn’t above using it to get what he wanted.
    He