Widowed bookseller Lawrence Fenton has spent a lonely lifetime hiding who he is. He has convinced himself his feelings for his far too young, gorgeous, but troubled assistant Christy Shaw are nothing more than pride in his protégé and concern for his plight.<br><br>Christy’s life involves walking fine lines: one between his mother and his abusive stepfather, one where he must keep his needs hidden, and hardest of all, one where he must keep his feelings for his serious employer to himself.<br><br>Lame since birth, Lawrence cannot imagine anyone wanting him, least of all Christy. But when Christy’s life threatens to spiral out of control, Lawrence steps in. Then Christy’s emotions spill over into a kiss under the mistletoe at Christmas. Will Lawrence be able to face the long-buried truth about himself and keep Christy by his side?

The Mistletoe Kiss

In the early hours of the morning, Christy’s mother lay on the cot in his attic, looking small and old. She had lost the baby she had been carrying. That was apparently what the argument had been about. Marchcouldn’t see why he should deny himself his conjugal rights and ignored the consequences. Well, the consequences were gone now, and the child that might have been his little brother or sister gone before they had chance to draw even the smallest breath. Christy’s eyes stung as he blinked back tears again. His mother didn’t cry. She just lay silent and still, one hand resting on her belly.


Chapter 10