Come Home For Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page B

he asked, trying hard not to laugh at her. It was the look of fear on Leah’s face that kept her from making a nasty comment.
    “I’m fine. Leah, thank you for getting help.” She bent down and smiled at the child who dissolved into tears. Krista looked at Ethan, who appeared to be as confused as she felt.
    “This is probably my fault. I’m Liz Standish, one of the Educational Assistants in Leah’s class. We had a lesson in safety at school last week about not playing in freezers and refrigerators as well as snow banks, although I never anticipated a shopper would go in head first,” she said and chuckled. The woman bent down and pulled the crying child into her arms. “It’s okay, Leah. Your friend wasn’t in any danger. There’s no top on the freezer.”
    “But she was stuck,” the child said through her sobs.
    “Yes, but your daddy rescued her, and she’s fine, see?” The woman turned Leah to look at her and Ethan.
    “I’m good, sweetie,” Krista said bending down to her level. “Your daddy saved me, and we got the biggest turkey in the store. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m all shopped out, hungry, and ready to go home. Who wants a Hawaiian pizza?”
    “I do,” Leah said and hiccupped, before throwing herself into Krista’s arms.
    If Ethan hadn’t been standing right there, his body moving quickly to support her, they’d have ended up on the floor. Whatever embarrassment she’d suffered in the freezer had been overshadowed by the child’s concern for her safety. Leah Terrance had found her way into Krista’s heart, and no matter what happened in five days’ time, she’d never forget her. Maybe, if she and Ethan worked things out, she could consider coming back to visit again someday.
    But if Leah gets her new mommy, will that ever happen?

Chapter Four
     
     
    Ethan exhaled, easing his grip on the steering wheel, and pulling into the carport at the back of the house near the barns. Never had he been happier to see the ranch house lights. The twenty minute ride from Appleton had taken almost an hour. At first, Leah had been animated and talkative, telling Krista all about the upcoming Nativity play as church, but it didn’t take her long to realize she needed to be quiet. The truck had fishtailed more than once, and Krista had maintained a death grip on her seat belt and a silent attentiveness to the road.
    “Well, looks like we made it in one piece,” he said, trying to lighten the mood.
    Krista’s face was paler than it had been and her eyes were huge, the fear she’d felt still in them.
    “Leah, why don’t you take Krista out to say hello to Princess while I empty the truck?” He hoped seeing her horse would comfort and calm her. He wasn’t prepared for the stunned look she gave him.
    “Princess? My Princess?”
    The shock on her face tore at Ethan’s heart.
    “Yup,” Leah answered before he could. “Didn’t you know Daddy’s been taking care of her for you?”
    Krista’s eyes were bright with unshed tears.
    “No. I thought Uncle Charles would’ve sold her,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.
    “Couldn’t sell what wasn’t his,” Ethan answered, sotto voiced, knowing full well the old bastard had tried to do it more than once. Princess had been kept at the Anderson’s until a few months ago when the stroke had incapacitated his father, and he’d brought her back to the ranch.
    Ethan helped Leah out of the truck and turned to help Krista.
    “Thank you,” she said looking into his face as he lifted her down.
    “You should be able to ride her a few times while you’re here, and once you get settled, I’ll ship her out to you.”
    She nodded and swiped at a tear crawling down her cheek.
    “Welcome home.” He still held her around the waist and felt the overwhelming need to kiss her. He’d only done it a few times before he’d left for Vancouver. He’d planned on asking her to be his girl when he returned. He’d wanted to ask her years ago,