Finding Home Read Online Free Page B

Boston was a “coming-out” cake for her dear friend, Mike. Everyone around him had known for ages, but he’d somehow kept it from his parents until his early thirties. When he’d gotten up the nerve to tell them, a group of his friends had thrown him the biggest bash Jessica had ever attended. And it had been her best cake, too. Triple-layered with kiwi and chocolate sauce.
    Ellie walked by, tsking her tongue and gently moving Jessica out of the doorway so she could get to the kitchen. Jessica wondered if she shouldn’t change her clothes for the dance. Sure, she would just be a caterer, standing at the dessert booth, but Christmas events tended to be black tie. She’d gone shopping in town just the other week at Ellie’s insistence and had picked up a few formal dresses as well as alternate work clothes. Minnesota winters required more than a few duffle bags of clothing.
    “Ellie?” She turned to ask the farmer’s wife about her clothing, but was interrupted by joyous shouts and back clapping. Ben had opened the front door to quite the ruckus, and Jessica turned back around.
    “Man, how have you been?” a tall, blond man asked, punching Ben in the shoulder. “We’ve missed you around here!”
    “Mister Big Business, back for a visit to the old stompin’ ground,” a redhead behind the blond chimed in, edging his way around to give Ben a one-armed hug.
    “Good to see you, guys,” Ben answered, rather somberly for the occasion. It was a homecoming, after all, and everyone seemed happy to see him.
    “Better get changed,” the blond hollered then he looked past Ben and saw Jessica, his eyes widening. “He-llo,” he said, elbowing Ben in the ribs without taking his eyes off her. “Is this why you’re staying home tonight? I have to be honest; we were going to drag your ass out. I didn’t realize you’d brought a model home with you, man.”
    “Not a model,” she said, her voice a little too loud. “Just a farmhand. I’ve been here since August.”
    “And I haven’t seen you? Where have I been?” The man strode over to her. “Hi.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Hal.” He looked at her intently with a gray-green gaze. A very pretty man.
    “Nice to meet you, Hal. I’m Jessica.”
    “Is she yours, Ben?”
    “I can speak for myself,” Jessica bristled. “And no, at least, not that I’m aware of.” She shrugged mentally. She really wasn’t Ben’s. They’d just met, and besides, he could have spent the day getting to know her, helping out in the kitchen, but instead he’d sulked out here. Maybe a little jealousy would do him good—if he would even get jealous. She cursed herself for even thinking that way. It didn’t matter whether or not Ben cared about her. She’d kept herself busy and quiet for a reason. She needed to build up her finances and stand on her own two feet, not lust after some farmer’s hunky son. No, what really mattered was that she would have to start searching for another job, and maybe even another place to live in a different part of the country, now that Ben was back in the picture and would take her farm work from her.
    “Well, then, my lady,” Hal said with a mischievous grin, “would you care to accompany me to our annual Christmas ball this evening?”
    Jessica shot a look at Ben. His mouth was set in a thin line, but he said nothing.
    “Actually, I can’t. I’m set to cater the event with Ellie, so I’ll be busy all evening.”
    “Such a shame,” Hal said loudly. “But that means you will be there. In that case, will you promise me a dance?” He lifted her hand to his lips and brushed a kiss on the back of it.
    Jessica laughed at the comical display of chivalry. “If Ellie lets me have a break, then yes,” she said.
    “Victory is mine!” Hal shouted, giving Ben a cocky smile.
    “So, Ben,” the redhead said, “you coming or what?”
    Ben shrugged his shoulders, letting out a breath. “I guess,” he said. Jessica noticed he didn’t sound