Harlequin Holiday Collection - Four Classic Seasonal Novellas

“I’ll be too busy getting the cottage fixed up.”
    She’d have to work quickly if she wanted to get the place on the market soon. At least she had her priorities straight now: sell the cottage so she’d have a nest egg; get Kristie through her next surgery; start the new job in Atlanta that would make her and her daughter independent. That left no time in her schedule for something as frivolous as a dolphin tour.
    “I guess you’ll want the cottage in shape for a real sea-island Christmas. Maybe I can give you a hand.”
    “I can take care of it myself.” She stood, brushing sand from her slacks. “Time to go now, Kristie.”
    David picked up the wheelchair. “Let me.”
    She snatched it from him. “I don’t need any help, thanks.”
    No help, no one to depend on. She’d learned that the hard way. From now on she would be tough and practical, and she’d depend only on herself.
    “If that’s the way you want it.” A hint of sadness showed in David’s eyes.
    “It is.”
    He shrugged. “See you around, then.”
    No, she wouldn’t see him. She’d been rude enough that David wouldn’t come back again, and that was for the best.
    So why did she feel as if she’d just lost something important?

Chapter Three
    “Are you sure she won’t come over to supper?” David’s mother turned from the stove to give him a perplexed frown. “There’s plenty, and we’d love to have them.”
    He couldn’t help but smile. There was always plenty to eat at the Dolphin Inn, even when there were no guests checked in. His mother and his gran were used to cooking for a horde of Caldwells.
    “Not today, Momma. Maybe later.” Maybe not at all, judging by the way his angel-girl had brushed him off.
    Gran, her blue eyes wise behind her wire-rimmed glasses, handed him a cookie tin. “You take these cookies for the little girl, then. She won’t turn down something for her child.”
    He kissed her firm cheek. “What makes you so smart?”
    “A lot of livin’.” She swatted him gently on the arm. “You remember, boy. Whatever’s wrong there, Christmas works wonders on the heart.”

    Gran’s words lingered in his mind as he drove down the lane to Allison’s cottage. Christmas works wonders. Would even Christmas be enough to bring back the friendship he’d cherished?
    He pulled into the drive, turned off the engine, and hesitated, recognizing the tightness in his belly for what it was. When had he ever been nervous about seeing Allison?
    Something’s hurt her bad, Father, he prayed silently. Something even worse than the child’s problems. Show me what I can do.
    He went to the back door.
    “David.” Allison clearly hadn’t expected to see him. “I’m rather busy.”
    “This won’t take a minute.” He edged past her into the kitchen. The child sat at the round oak table, looking at him warily. “I brought something.” He held up the tin.
    Allison stiffened. “I don’t need—”
    “It’s not for you.” He handed the tin to Kristie. “My gran was baking Christmas cookies. Thought you might like some.”
    “For me?” Her cheeks grew pink when she lifted the lid and saw the iced bells and reindeer. “May I, Mommy? Please?”
    Allison’s shell seemed to melt when she looked at her daughter. “Just one now. I’m making supper.” She glanced at the elderly gas range. “If I can get that monster lit, anyway.”
    He’d learned his lesson when he’d picked up that wheelchair without permission. “May I?” he asked.
    She studied his face before she nodded. “Okay.”
    She watched him as he got the burners going, her attitude that of someone looking at a museum piece. “Are you sure it’s safe?” Her glance toward Kristie was fiercely protective.
    “Seems okay. But you’d best not use the oven until I can check it out.”
    Her face tightened. “I can hire someone to do that.”
    “Sure you can. But why should you?” He leaned against the stove. “Way I see it, you’ve got a lot to do to get this place ready for Christmas. I’m not busy just now. I’d like to give you a hand.”
    There. He’d said it. He held his breath, waiting for the rejection he was sure would come.

Chapter Four
    David’s offer of help hung in the air between them. Instinct told Allison to reject both his help and his friendship.
    He reminded her too much of the girl she used to be—the dreamer who’d expected promises would last forever.
    But she already felt overwhelmed by the amount of work that had