A Christmas Homecoming Read Online Free

Sarah will be here. I’d love to have you come too if anything changes.”
    “Okay, thanks. Wish me luck.”
    “You don’t need luck, but I’ll pray. I put your clothes into a bag and set it by the door.”
    “Got it. Thanks again.” She fingered the bag and raced to her car. The house she was going to was only a few minutes up the road so she’d only be ten minutes late. She almost wished she hadn’t agreed to spend Thanksgiving at the Belafontes’, but she wasn’t one to back out of commitments. She’d love to spend the holiday with Nicole and her fiancé Mark. Sarah was really nice too. She didn’t know Spencer, Mark’s friend on the Sunriver police force, as well as she knew the others, but he was a nice enough man.
    A short time later, she pulled up to the client’s home. A delivery van took up the driveway. Was that Mona’s Buick parked beside it? She frowned and set the brake. There was no way Mona would be here.
    The door to the home swung open, and Stephen walked out holding a clipboard. “Glad you made it. I had everything moved into the garage and checked the invoice. It looks like it’s all here.”
    “Sorry I was delayed.” Why was he here? Wasn’t he supposed to be sleeping?
    The homeowner peered around Stephen’s arm. “Bailey! You look lovely.”
    Stephen looked up, and his eyes widened.
    “Thank you, Mrs. Gladstone.” Bailey hoisted her purse onto her shoulder and stepped up the stairs. No one had ever told her she looked lovely—especially a high-and-mighty kind of person like her client. She breezed past Stephen, catching a whiff of his Obsession cologne. “Shall we get to work?” Her heart kicked into double time, as if it could beat any faster. What was Stephen doing here? He should be at home resting.
     

     
    Stephen held back the grin that threatened to escape. He hadn’t intended to throw Bailey off, but it became clear the moment shock registered on her face he should have called to let her know Mona demanded he supervise. Well, maybe she didn’t need to know that part. He didn’t want to offend her. After all, she had come to his aid after his accident, plus he was depending on her to do her job.
    She cleaned up well. Who would have thought such a beauty was hiding behind the messy state he’d seen her in earlier. No wonder Mother hired her. She was beautiful in an understated kind of way.
    Thoughts of his mom unsettled him. He had no idea what had come over her. She used to be such a fun loving person, but the CNA informed him that Mom was normally grouchy. She had always leaned toward temperamental; perhaps her health issues were getting the best of her. Whatever the problem, he was here to make sure everyone stayed happy. Even if that meant putting his wishes aside for a short time.
    He followed after the women to the great room. Bailey had a layout of the room pulled up on her laptop. Good. This shouldn’t take too long. He was sore and jetlagged, and his body said it was well past time to be in bed. He imagined it would take a few days to adjust to Pacific Time.
    Bailey raised her chin. “Mrs. Gladstone, I hate to kick you out, but I would love to surprise you with the finished room in two hours—maybe less.”
    The older woman plastered on a stiff smile. “Okay. I will be upstairs if you need me, but I’ll be back in exactly two hours.” She plodded up the stairs and disappeared out of sight.
    Bailey whirled around, worry etched in her face. “Where’s my muscle? Bob and Jacob were supposed to meet me here.”
    “Rick needed them at the jobsite in Bend.” His oldest brother had called the house a short time ago, and since he was going to be on site anyway, it wasn’t a problem. “That’s what I’m here for. Together, we can get everything in place.” Plus working with Bailey would give him a chance to better assess her on the job skills.
    She looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. “Good thing I told her two hours. We’ll need it.”
    He