Twelve Days

By Cheri Chesley

Workaholic Joe thought that he'd provided a good life for his wife and young daughter, until the night of his daughter's Christmas Concert when his wife whispered that she wants a divorce. Joe revives an old holiday tradition with the hope of changing her mind, but it's his heart that changes most.

**Also includes bonus content**

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chesley Books
• Release date: Dec 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781516333318

Cheri Chesley

Cheri Chesley believes in miracles and the magic of books in everyday life. When not writing, she can be found reading the dictionary for fun or devouring any of the many books in her home library. She lives with her husband, children, and four-legged taskmasters in Waurika, OK. Look for updates on her latest works at www.cheri-chesley.com.

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Acknowledgements

No book or e-book can come together without the collaborative efforts of many. Thank you to the incomparably talented Deirdra Eden of Eden Literary for yet another fantastic cover. Thank you to Tristi the Peerless for her intuitive and spot-on editing. Thank you to my family for your continued support and patience. And thank you to my readers. Without you I’d just be a nut who talks to herself.

Merry Christmas!

I think I’m pregnant. And I want a divorce.

The last words Joe’s wife spoke to him replayed in his mind, twisting his gut and sending sharp daggers of anger into his heart. He glanced at Hannah from the corner of his eye as she sat calmly in her red holiday sweater and stared at the stage where their daughter was about to sing her solo. Ungrateful. That’s what sprang to his mind when he looked at Hannah. After everything he’d sacrificed so she could live in comfort, as hard as he worked so she could be a stay-at-home mother, this was how she repaid him?

Was the child even his? Was that why she wanted to leave him—to go be with another man? He’d be damned if he’d let her take their daughter from him. He’d file for full custody, and he had the money to pay the best lawyers to make certain he got it.

Hannah shifted slightly on the hard metal chair, and he noticed how tightly she gripped the front of her coat. She was nervous. Good. Probably expected him to explode right in the auditorium of their daughter’s school. Well, he’d show her. He’d keep his cool—for now.

The children’s choir of Crescent Nook Elementary finished their rendition of White Christmas’ and the room erupted into applause. Joe didn’t bother to glance around at all the proud, beaming parents. A glance at his program when he’d first sat down told him all he needed to know. Next, his little Madeline would sing.

She stepped to the front of the choir and stood before the microphone as the applause died down. The pianist began the intro to O Holy Night, and the purity of Madeline’s seven-year-old voice poured over the crowd.

Hannah leaned forward in her seat to get a better view of her daughter. Joe had no trouble seeing over the heads of the few people in front of him. For a moment, he closed his eyes and let Madeline’s sweet voice flow over him. All too soon, her voice was joined by the rest of the choir, and she retreated to her original position.

Why didn’t they give her a whole solo? Her voice was likely the best the school choir had. Stupid school, stupid parents—always insisting everyone get a turn. In his mind, it was the best way to encourage mediocrity.

Quite suddenly, the room became stifling and Joe knew he had to get out. He leaned over to Hannah and said, Don’t wait for me. I’m going to get some air.

He could feel the censure in the shake of her head, but didn’t let it bother