A Home for Christmas Read Free Page B

bulbs twinkled against the dark green bushes.
    Janice's smile told him she was pleased with her effort. “Perfect,” Blake confirmed.
    “Can I do those over there, too?” She pointed to the bushes across the sidewalk.
    “Sure. Use the lights in that pile.”
    She retrieved the lights and primly sat on the steps untangling them as she had before. He shook his head. She'd probably never slumped a day in her life. He left her to it as he concentrated on getting the lights up on the house. Plain white lights in strings around the windows and icicle lights in the eaves. His progress was admittedly slowed by frequent glances in his guest's direction.
    After they'd been working for some time, he noticed that Janice had allowed herself free rein in the placement of the lights. She'd finished the bushes and had started looping some of the strands with large multicolored bulbs around the porch railing. He didn't mind, but wondered if she was putting lights in places she remembered seeing them when she was a kid.
    A car stopped in front the house, and he turned from watching Janice to see who it was. Great . Just what he needed. His brother, Cory. Did the guy have radar or what? He stepped out of his red Mercedes sports coupe, dripping designer clothes and pricey cologne.
    “Hey, big brother. I see the annual day after Thanksgiving hanging of the lights is under way. Who's your charming assistant?”
    Here we go, Blake thought. He backed down the ladder and made the introductions when he reached the bottom. “This is Dr. Janice Thornton. Janice, this is my brother, Cory Ferguson.”
    Cory took Janice's hand and held it entirely too long. “A doctor. Well, now, they sure do make them younger and prettier these days, don't they?”
    Blake watched fascinated as Janice pulled her hand away from Cory's and rubbed her palm down her thigh as if trying to remove the feel of him. Blake smiled. He couldn't remember ever meeting a woman who wasn't affected by his brother's good looks and charm.
    “What are you doing in town, Cory? I thought you were skiing this weekend.”
    “Yes, well, that was the plan.” He eyed Janice like a choice piece of meat at the butcher shop. “Bebe's a little green around the gills and running me ragged fetching things for her. I'm thinking about hiring a nurse.”
    Wife number four was pregnant with his brother's first child. A child was the greatest gift a woman could give a man, but to Cory, it was just an inconvenience.
    “You stop by for a reason, Cory? Or is this just a social call?”
    Janice eyed the two men with open curiosity.
    “Mom and Dad asked me to come by today so we could discuss their Will.” Cory turned to Janice.
    Here it comes, Blake thought. The pronouncement .
    “I'm an attorney.”
    Janice didn't look particularly impressed. Blake's smile widened.
    “So, I was driving by and saw you out here. I just thought I'd stop and say hello.”
    Blake nodded. If Cory was fishing for an invitation to stay, he was doomed to disappointment.
    They all stood looking at each other for an awkward moment.
    “Well,” Cory finally said, “guess I'll get on out to the farm.”
    “Give Mom my best. Remind her I'll be by in the morning to help her with her decorations.”
    “Sure. A pleasure to meet you, Dr. Thornton.”
    Janice nodded, but didn't offer him her hand. Instead she slipped it into her pocket.
    “Later, Bro.”
    Cory slapped him on the shoulder and then turned to stroll back to his car. Janice and Blake watched until he pulled away from the curb.
    “How many siblings do you have?” Janice asked.
    “Five. I'm number three. Cory is number four.”
    “He looks much older than you,” Janice commented.
    He stood a little straighter at hearing her compliment. “There's only thirteen months between us. Mom had us all right together, except for my baby sister. She was a late-life surprise after all us boys.”
    “Your mother must be an exceptional woman.”
    He smiled down into