Read Online The Patricia Kiyono Christmas Collection by Patricia Kiyono - Free Book Online

part of me can’t wait for her to be
born.”
    Sophie reached over and gave her sister a
hug. “I know it’s hard for you to sit still when you’ve always been
active. The teachers in school had a hard time believing I was your
sister because we were so different.”
    They shared a laugh.
    “ I thought I’d try out my
cross-country skis. It looks like a good day to be outside,” Sophie
told her.
    “ I wish I could join you.
Have fun.”
    “ Will you be okay if I take
off for a while?”
    “ Sure. Dave just went in to
the office. He said he’d be back before lunch. Joey spent the night
at his friend’s house, so you don’t have to worry about
him.”
    Sophie finished her breakfast then went up
to get her equipment. She was out the door in no time.
    Recent snows had covered the area with a
thick blanket of white, and she took some time to simply take in
the sight before pushing off on the trail. Soon she was back into a
smooth groove, pushing with her poles, gliding with each foot, and
she entered the woods.
    This had been her refuge back in her junior
high school days. It had been an awkward time in her life when
Joanie was the Belle of Zutphen and she was the gangly younger
sister. She’d despaired of ever attracting a boy. But the woods had
been her friend. Whether it was skiing through them in the winter
or hiking through them in the summer, she’d always felt better
there. Even during her college years she would often come home on
her weekends to unwind among the trees.
    Skiing over the trail in the winter was so
much quieter. Smaller, furry creatures were safely tucked into
their winter homes, From above, a family of finches welcomed her.
The sunlight, peeking between the bare branches, cast a lacy
pattern on the forest floor. Yes, driving on ice was a bother, but
the artistry of the winter landscape made up for it, in her
mind.
    Before she knew it, she had
glided her way through the woods and came out on the other side.
Into Mitch’s back yard. And the man was outside, practicing his
craft. Mitch knelt, his right elbow propped
on his knee, his left hand holding the camera to his eye. Sophie
took a breath, ready to call a greeting, but paused when she
realized what he was shooting.
    Two white-tailed deer stood at the edge of
the woods. Sophie knew if she called out, she’d scare them away and
Mitch’s shot would be ruined. She stood still until the pair went
back into the woods and he rose from his crouch. Curious about the
photos he’d taken, she glided toward him. Her poles crunched, and
he turned to her with a welcoming smile.
    “ Did you get the shot?” she
called.
    He stood and nodded. “I think so.” He turned
the LCD screen on and scrolled through his pictures, showing her.
The close-ups showed the gentleness of the beautiful creatures, and
the landscape shots were breathtaking.
    “ They’re great. These would
make great prints for a den.”
    He shrugged. “Maybe. I’ll send one or two to
some nature magazines and see if they’re interested.” He looked up
at her and frowned. “Did you ski here from Joanie and Dave’s
house?”
    “ Yes. The trail goes
through the woods from their back yard and comes out here. I needed
some fresh air, and today was the perfect day to get
outside.”
    “ Sounds like fun. Can I
offer you a cup of coffee and a warm kitchen before you head
back?”
    “ Sure. Thanks.” She
followed him inside after propping her skis by the back
door.
    The neatness of the house was the first
thing to catch her attention. There was a place for everything, and
every surface was spotless. Did he have a housekeeper? She watched
as Mitch efficiently fixed a cup of coffee in his single-cup
brewer, putting everything away as soon as he used it. No, the man
did not need a housekeeper. Every woman’s dream. Frustrated by her
train of thought, she realized the house was quiet — too quiet for
a home with a little girl.
    “ Where’s Angie?”
    “ She spent the night at