A Fairytale Christmas Read Free Page A

Drew as if the cool flakes were settling him down, so when he said, “Go,” Drew headed back to the kitchen.
    With a deep calming breath of his own, he opened the kitchen door and stepped inside. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”
    Gwen McKenzie slowly raised her gaze to his, her green eyes wary.
    He knew she needed this job. He didn’t have to glance at the now sleeping baby to remember that, but he did, and his heart stuttered in his chest. He’d told Brody he had been colicky, but that had been only half the problem. Neither Drew nor Olivia had had any experience caring for an infant, and they’d had nowhere to turn for help. He knew how loudly a baby could cry, how despondent a parent could feel…how one tiny life really could throw a monkey wrench into the best-laid plans. And his plans to buy Jimmy Lane’s company were precarious at best. Despite the efforts of most of his staff, he knew nothing about the owner of Lane Works except that he was reclusive and demanding. That didn’t give Drew much to go on by way of figuring out how to handle him. So his “plan” was more like a guess.
    “I’m sorry, but you having a baby here doesn’t work for me.”
    Instead of the tears he’d expected, Gwen McKenzie shook her head and said, “No kidding.”
    He gaped at her. Had she just sassed him? Yes, she had. He’d already had a lifetime share of sassing this morning. Sohis voice shivered with barely controlled anger when he said, “Get your things and leave.”
    She rose from the chair. “Fine, but I would think that a guy who can’t get along with his son would like having another parent around for some help and advice.”
    An unexpected laugh escaped him. “You think you’re going to straighten out Brody?”
    “Nope.” She headed for the door. “But I might have some ideas for how you could.”
    He snorted in derision. “Right. You’ve been a parent now…what? All of two months?”
    She turned and smiled. “Three. But I was sixteen only a few years ago. I think I might remember a bit more about what it was like than you do.”
    Drew’s eyes narrowed and Gwen’s stomach shivered. She knew she should probably shut up, but he was in trouble with Brody and that seemed like her only angle to keep this job. Now that he’d shrugged out of the thick parka, she could not only see his expensive blue sweater, she could also see that the body he’d hidden beneath his jacket was incredible. Soft knit hugged his broad shoulders and flat tummy and stopped at trim hips encased in denim. He was handsome, rich, and he held her fate in his hands…
    And she was taunting him? Was she crazy?
    “Are you calling me old?”
    She should be. She should think that a guy in his mid-thirties was way too old for her. She should think he was too grouchy for her. Instead, all she saw was a handsome, sexy guy who needed her help. And, strangely, even with as many problems as she had of her own, she actually thought she could provide it.
    She lifted her chin. Caught his gaze. “No. I’m not calling you old.”
    Their gazes clung. Time seemed to be suspended. She had a feeling she didn’t have to tell him she didn’t think he was old because she found him attractive. It was probably written all over her reddening face.
    “But you do need me.”
    He crossed his arms on his chest as his gaze rippled over her. Suddenly feeling like a downtrodden waif, brought to the castle for the king’s pleasure, Gwen cuddled Claire to her chest.
    “You’re dusty.”
    That wasn’t at all what she’d expected him to say. So nervous her voice shook, she said, “I cleaned the maid’s quarters so Claire would have somewhere to sleep.”
    He said nothing, only narrowed his eyes at her, as if trying to figure out if she was lying. So she hastily added, “I brought my vacuum, cleaning solutions and a bucket and mop from home.”
    “You know how to clean?”
    She frowned. “Of course I know how to clean.” A thought struck her and she