Holiday Homecoming Read Online Free PDF Page A

the best place to put it. He just wanted to get the job out of way. “Last year, Jared and Becca put the tree in the living room.”
    â€œThat’s probably best,” she said. “You’ll have the buffet set up in the dining room.”
    The ladies will have the buffet set up
. He was trying to stay as much out of the event as he could, putting his efforts where they belonged—on his Christmas church services and the pageant.
    â€œThe girls can help you.” Terry’s eyes twinkled with mischief, just as Natalie’s used to. “They’re both almost as good at picking out the right tree as I am. I’m going to wait here.” She tapped her walker. “No hiking the hills for the perfect tree for me.”
    â€œI’ll stay and keep you company,” Natalie said. “Four people are enough to cut two trees.”
    Even though he’d been looking for an out minutes ago, hearing Natalie say the same thing sharpened already painful memories.
    â€œAnd miss the fun? No way. Go ahead,” Terry urged. “I’m fine here with my hot chocolate.”
    Natalie opened her mouth and closed it.
    â€œThe taller trees are in the back,” Natalie’s father, John, said. “That’s where we’re headed.”
    Connor fell in step with Natalie’s brother at the opposite side of their little group. “How’s it going, Paul?”
    â€œNot bad.” Paul glanced at his father, who was talking with the girls. “I talked Dad into getting in on the deal supplying milk for the new yogurt plant. Andie’s husband, Rob, is in, too.”
    â€œGreat.” Connor knew how much Paul was working on making his partnership with his dad more of a partnership.
    â€œAnd with Natalie here and Marc and his family coming Christmas Eve, we’ll all be home except Renee.”
    Connor caught a note of sadness when Paul said his twin’s name. “Are you going to be able to use Skype to talk with her?”
    â€œYep, we’re planning to Christmas morning.”
    â€œHere we are. Take your pick,” John said when they’d reached the far end of the farm.
    â€œNatalie, why don’t you help Connor? It’ll give you two time to catch up,” Claire said. “I’ll make sure these two guys don’t go overboard on tall.” She motioned to her dad and brother.
    Connor glanced at Natalie. She quickly turned the grimace her sister’s words had caused into a facsimile of a smile. He crushed an ice ball from one of the trees that had fallen in his path. Her stifled displeasure affected him far more than it should. What did he care if she didn’t want to come with him? She had no hold on him. He was over her, had been for years.
    * * *
    â€œSorry about that,” Natalie said as soon as her family was out of hearing range. From his expression, Connor might be even less happy about her family throwing them together than she was apprehensive about it. Not that she blamed him.
    â€œI’m used to it,” he said. “People are always trying to match me up with single women.”
    And that’s all she was, one more potential match pushed at him. She shivered despite having bundled up for the weather. Had any of those matches worked? She hadn’t heard he was seeing anyone. Unjustified jealousy shot through her. She shook it off. Any chance she’d had of being anything to Connor, even friends, had died five years ago when she’d chosen her career over his proposal. They’d been so young. She felt decades older and knew now that it hadn’t had to be an either/or.
    â€œWhat kind of tree are you looking for, long or short needle?” she asked.
    â€œYou’re the expert.”
    The lopsided grin that had replaced his frown went straight to her heart. How many times had she succumbed to that grin and agreed to watch the movie he wanted to see or eat out at his favorite restaurant or