Holiday Homecoming Read Online Free Page B

for the top, had killed any interest he might have in putting one up for himself.
    Last year, when Jared had been living with him, he and their then six-year-old half sister Hope had gotten one for the parsonage, and Becca and her kids had come over and helped decorate it. His only input had been to insist they put something other than a star on top. He couldn’t see a flashing star atop a tree or anywhere else without seeing Natalie saying, “I’m sorry...” This year, he’d thought he was home free until the women heading up the church’s hospitality and evangelism committees had decided it would be a good idea to have a community-wide open house at the parsonage the weekend before Christmas. All Connor had to do was supply the tree. They’d take care of the food and the rest of the decorating.
    He gripped the saw he’d found hanging in the parsonage garage. He couldn’t tell the women that he didn’t want a Christmas tree in his house. So when Josh had canceled their workday to go into the office, Connor figured he might as well get it over with.
    â€œConnor,” someone called from behind, pulling him out of his morass. Claire Delacroix jogged up beside him, her cheeks turned rosy from the cold, just like Natalie’s always had. “Picking up your Christmas tree?”
    â€œThat and some wreaths and boughs and stuff for the parsonage. The hospitality and evangelism committees are going to decorate for the open house.”
    â€œWant to join us? We’re getting the tree for Mom and Dad’s house.”
    â€œSure,” he said before considering who “we” might include. He hesitated. No, Natalie would be home, wouldn’t she? In case her mother needed help.
    â€œWe’re meeting at the chocolate hut,” Claire said. “That’s what we call the outbuilding where you pay for the trees.”
    His lack of knowledge of the tree farm must have shown on his face.
    â€œYou haven’t been here before.”
    â€œNo.” At their house growing up, the tree had appeared Christmas Eve after they’d gone to bed. When he was older, he’d assumed Mom picked them up at a discount somewhere on her way home after she’d finished her Christmas Eve shift at the diner.
    â€œThey have the best hot chocolate with mint. Free with every tree. Don’t tell Mom and Dad, but that’s really why I got up early on a Saturday morning to come.”
    â€œOkay.” He wasn’t sure what all the excitement about hot chocolate was. His plan had been to get in and out as fast as possible.
    Claire waved as they tromped toward a building the size of a large shed that looked like a miniature log cabin. Both of her parents, along with her brother Paul
and
Natalie, were standing in front.
    â€œYou should probably go ahead without me. I don’t want to horn in on what sounds like a family tradition.”
    â€œSince when?” Claire laughed. “You used to be at the house so much, Mom called you her middle son.”
    â€œThat was back in high school.” He shoved his hands in the pockets of his ski jacket, fighting the old feeling of being an outsider that he’d thought he’d shed when he’d left Paradox Lake for college.
    â€œCome on. It’ll be a lot more fun with us than by yourself.”
    He walked over to the building with her.
Fun
wasn’t exactly what he’d been expecting.
    â€œHey, look who I found in the parking lot,” Claire said.
    Almost in unison, Natalie’s parents and brother gave him an enthusiastic greeting. Even Natalie smiled.
    â€œI’m picking up a tree for the parsonage,” he said.
Lame
. Why else would he be at a Christmas tree farm?
    â€œFor the open house.” Terry nodded. “Where are you putting it? In the living room or the dining room? With the high ceilings at the parsonage, you’ll want a tall tree.”
    Connor hadn’t thought about