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

“You could take her some of the stew and firewood tonight from here. Is March likely to be in the house?” Mr. Fenton said.


“Well, we could pop around with something for her to eat and to keep her warm?” He shrugged awkwardly,then went to rummage in a cupboard and came out with a stew pot.


“Here. You could put it in this. It has a lid.”


Christy’s eyes widened. Mr. Fenton ladled some stew from the pot on the stove into the dish, put a lid on it and wrapped it in a tea towel. He went outside and came back holding a bag filled with wood, and then put it on the floor. He hesitated a moment and then added some candles, then cleared his throat. “I will come with you and help you carry it.”


“I can. Come. Get yourself together.” He took a small bag from a drawer and put some tea into it, then took the loaf of bread that was sitting on the side, sliced some off and put that in another bag along with some cheese.


Chapter 21