A Merry Little Christmas Read Free Page B

adapt well to a challenging living situation. He was a controller. She saw that right off the bat. And being caught off guard by his sons was not making him happy.
    Tempted to head straight back to her car, she studied Daniel and Benjamin Maddox. Though they shared their father’s square jaw, dark good looks and piercing blue eyes, both boys were softer somehow. Needy? Vulnerable? Something inside Lara wanted to reach out to them.
    “Perhaps I should explain the situation,” she told their father. “Reynolds University lacks enough housing to meet the demand. Even this late in the semester, some of our international students are living in motels or in seriously inadequate apartments.”
    “Why aren’t they in dorms?” Jeremiah asked.
    “Most are older than the traditional dormitory resident. Also, our international scholars tend to be extremely focused on their studies. They hold down part-time employment, and they need their sleep…more sleep than dorm life generally offers. I’m sure you know teenagers tend to keep late hours.” She gave Jeremiah a smile, but he didn’t return it.
    Continuing the spiel she usually gave to prospective hosts, Lara realized that what little goodwill she had felt toward this basketball-playing father was quickly vanishing. “The university provides the International House for socialization experiences,” she told him. “Most of the students in our program live in off-campus housing.”
    “I went by the I-House, Dad,” Daniel spoke up. “It’s great. They’ve got art on the walls from all over the world. They have a tutoring program to help the international students with their classes, because English is a barrier for a lot of them. Some of the I-students will teach classes in their language. Did you know that in Congo the people speak French?”
    “That’s great, Daniel, but listen, I have an important meeting tomorrow.” Jeremiah’s expression went from warm to positively chilly as he turned from his son to Lara. “Maybe you could call me sometime next week to discuss this matter, Dr. Crane. I have a lot of work I need to do tonight, and I’m pretty much tied up the rest of the week.”
    “We’ll show her the guest cottage,” Benjamin volunteered. “It’s got a lot of room.”
    “More than you’d think from the front,” Daniel added. “Dad designed it that way.”
    “Sounds wonderful. I’d love to see it.” Lara focused on the two young men. “This won’t take but a few minutes, Mr. Maddox. I need to know what you’d like to charge for rent. We have a standard agreement form.”
    “Now just a minute—”
    “Come on, Dad.” Daniel’s brow furrowed exactly the way his father’s had. “We have an extra house, and it’s empty.”
    “We can’t say no,” Benjamin chimed in.
    “You’re a couple of con artists,” Jeremiah muttered. “All right. I’ve got the keys. Follow me, Dr. Crane.”
    “One second.” Lara gestured toward her car. “I’d appreciate it if Peter Muraya could see the place, too. Peter and his family.”
    “His what?”
    The slender Kenyan stepped out of the car and beamed at Jeremiah Maddox. “Good evening, sir,” he said as he helped a lovely young woman from the backseat. “May I present to you my wife, Tabitha Muraya?”
    “Good evening, sir.” Tabitha gave a shy smile as she leaned into the car and helped a skinny little boy clamber out. In a moment, Peter took the shoulders of the boy and planted him in front of Jeremiah.
    “This is my son Wisdom who has seven years of age,” he said proudly. Then he placed a second child beside the first. “My son Justice is five years old.”
    Tabitha Muraya emerged one last time with a blanket-wrapped bundle in her arms. She drew aside the corner of the knitted blue cover to expose a round face with cheeks like warm chocolate muffins, a pair of bright brown eyes, and a wide toothless grin.
    “And this,” Peter Muraya said, “is Tobias.”

Chapter Two
    F ive. Jeremiah