Come Home For Christmas Read Online Free

asking about Krista, but the jerk had never replied and had blocked further contact.
    “We have to stop at the grocery store before we head back, Mabel, so I’m going to steal her away for now.”
    Mabel nodded. “Of course, and you’ve had a long day to boot,” she said patting Krista’s shoulder. “That’s the problem with holidays. I hate traveling to get there, but once I arrive … Ted and I host an Open House on Boxing Day, and we’d love to have you—you, too, Ethan … Will you be coming to the pageant on Christmas Eve?”
    “I’m in it,” Leah said, no doubt deciding it was time she was introduced. “I’m a talking cow named Lulu, but my real name is Leah.”
    “Pleased to meet you, Leah,” Krista offered her hand. “A talking cow? That sounds really interesting.”
    Leah’s eyes glowed as she shook Krista’s hand. “I have six lines—more than anyone else. Dad says you’re my step-cousin. Is that the same as a real cousin because I don’t have any of those either. I’m an ‘only’ and that makes me special. You’re pretty. Did you know my mommy and daddy? I don’t remember them because I was too little when they died. Daddy said your parents died, and you had to go away. Are you an ‘only’ too? Do you have a horse where you live? Where are you going to sleep?”
    The last question had Krista’s face red as a beet, but then she burst out laughing, the action transforming her appearance. Ethan relaxed, grateful for the five-year-old’s curiosity since it had broken the ice.
    “Do you always ask so many questions?” Krista asked, a huge grin splitting her face. “I don’t know what to answer first.”
    “Leah is the undisputed queen of questions, but she usually gives you time to answer,” Ethan said and chuckled, picking up his daughter in his free arm and Krista’s case in the other. “Let’s get out to the truck and maybe she can ask them again—one at a time. We’ll see you Christmas Eve, Mabel, and I’ll let you know about the Open House.”

Chapter Three
     
     
    Krista felt as if she’d pulled an Alice—fallen down a rabbit hole and landed in a completely different world from the one she’d expected. As she watched Ethan buckle Leah into her car seat, she tried to make sense of things. Despite the invitation and the first class ticket, she hadn’t anticipated a warm welcome. In fact, she’d counted on belligerence and barely suppressed frustration at being made to jump through hoops for what was rightfully his.
    Not only did Ethan seem genuinely happy to see her, Mabel had been friendly, and there’d been nothing false about her smile or her invitation. Krista had loved Appleton and its people, and while she knew the rumor mill would have a field day with her back on the ranch, she’d regretted leaving the town almost as much as she had Ethan, even if he hadn’t wanted her after all. It was too bad she’d never gotten the invitation. Theo wouldn’t have let her come, but she could’ve sent a nice letter expressing her regrets.
    After safely tying his precious and precocious daughter into her car seat, Ethan took her case around to the truck’s covered box.
    Screwing up her face and cocking her head to the left, Krista stood back, eyeing the height of the step into the truck with trepidation, not at all sure she was going to manage it with even a semblance of dignity. There was a handle by which to pull herself up, but the step was at least a foot and a half off the ground, and from here, even that handle was beyond her reach. She could try a run and grab, but with this much snow on the ground, she’d likely miss and face plant into the door.
    Ethan came around the truck and hopped up on the step to open the door. “Let me give you a boost,” he said, grabbing her waist and sending a thousand volts of electricity through her as he hoisted her up. “Grab the handle and pull yourself onto the seat. I know it’s kind of high, but it’s the best vehicle