Mistletoe Magic Read Online Free Page A

make a fresh start. Kind of like you, actually.”
    The people in Sycamore Falls probably knew as much about his “scandal” as they knew about mine, but that wouldn’t stop them from gossiping. I wondered if the poor guy had any idea what he was getting himself into by moving to a small town.
    After exchanging phone numbers, Shellie headed for the checkout while I grabbed what I needed and dodged other friendly faces. It was useless. Pastor Martin caught me in the deli and invited me to church. Lee Ann Patterson, a former classmate, asked if we could meet for dinner one night this week, and Imogene Jordan found me near the bread aisle. She brought tears to my eyes by telling me I was beautiful—just like my mother.
    By the time I made it to the cashier, I was an emotional mess.
    “You’re Grace’s granddaughter. Sarah, I believe.”
    “That’s right. How are you, Mrs. Thomas?”
    “Oh, you remember me,” she said with a smile. My grandmother and Catherine Thomas used to sit together at church every Sunday morning. The woman had to be eighty years old by now. “Are you all settled in?”
    “Getting there. I still have some unpacking to do.”
    She began to scan my items, and I briefly panicked when I realized I didn’t have enough cash. I’d so rarely carried it in Memphis.
    “Are you all right?”
    “I only have a debit card,” I whispered, completely embarrassed and thankful no one was in line behind me.
    “Oh, that’s fine, dear. We accept credit or debit,” Catherine explained, pointing to the little machine attached to her register. “We just have the one phone line, though.”
    I jumped when she yelled at the manager to get off the phone so she could swipe a card. Just then, a teenage boy appeared out of nowhere and bagged my groceries.
    “Grace would be so happy you’ve come home.” Mrs. Thomas handed me the receipt to sign. “She always hoped you would, you know.”
    Emotion bubbled inside of me as I scribbled my name. “No, I didn’t know.”
    “Oh yes, Grace always said a young girl needs to spread her wings, but a young woman needs roots, as well. That’s why she left the house to you in her will. She knew you’d be back someday. She was such a sweet, sweet lady.”
    I thanked her and followed the young man and my groceries to my car.
    “Are you the new teacher?”
    Smiling, I pressed the remote to open the trunk. “I’m one of them, yes. Are you in high school?”
    “Yeah, I’m Matt. I’ll be a senior this year.” He was grinning proudly, like all seniors tend to do. Carefully, he placed my groceries in the car. “So, what will you teach?”
    “English literature.”
    “To seniors?”
    “Yes.”
    He closed my trunk and smiled. “That’s cool. You’re a lot prettier than Mrs. Perry. Maybe I’ll take English lit after all.”
    “I’m afraid you don’t have a choice. It’s required.”
    He frowned. That was something else about seniors. They hated to be reminded about graduation requirements.
    “Enjoy the rest of your summer vacation,” I said with a grin. Matt waved, but he was still sulking as I climbed into my car and drove away.
     
    * * *
     
    After dropping off the groceries at home, I drove across town to Mr. Johnson’s Hardware Store. I was gazing in confusion at all the various paint samples when I heard a friendly voice.
    “Sarah Bray, you’re as pretty as a picture.”
    His hair was now completely gray, but his smile was still sweet.
    “Hi, Mr. Johnson,” I said, grinning at the man. Thanks for taking care of the lawn. I hope you didn’t mow it yourself.”
    He laughed. “I’m too old to mow, Sarah, but I was happy to find someone who could do it. Going to paint that old house of Grace’s?”
    “Well, I’m going to buy the paint. I’m hoping to hire someone to paint it for me. You wouldn’t happen to know—”
    “I know just the person!” Mr. Johnson smiled broadly. “I’ll be right back.”
    Well, that was easy. Of course, I shouldn’t