Page 10 of The Holiday Gift

“That sounds like the perfect evening,” she said now. “Maybe I’ll join the movie night instead of going to a boring Christmas party with Chase. I can bring the popcorn.”

“You can’t skip the stockgrowers’ party,” Celeste said. “It’s the big social event of the year, isn’t it? Jenna McRaven always caters that gala so you know the food will be fantastic, plus you’ll be going with Chase. How can any party be boring with him around?”

Again, she wanted to blurt out to her sisters how strangely he was acting. She even opened her mouth to do it but before she could force the words out, she heard familiar young voices outside in the hallway just an instant before Barrett and Louisa poked their heads in, followed in short order by Celeste’s stepdaughter, Olivia, and Joey. Liv went straight to Celeste while Joey practically jumped into Hope’s outstretched arms.

It warmed her heart so much to see her sisters being such loving mother figures to children who needed them desperately.

“Joey and Olivia were coming to the house to hang out when I got your text,” Louisa said. “We saw all your cars so decided to stop here to say hi before we walk up to the house from the bus stop.”

“I’m so glad you did,” Faith said.

She hugged them both, her heart aching with love. “Good day?” she asked.

Louisa nodded. “Pretty good. I had a substitute for science and she was way nicer than Mr. Lewis.”

“Guess who got a hundred-ten percent on his math test?” Barrett said with a huge grin “Go on. Guess.”

She made a big show of looking confused and glancing in the other boy’s direction. “You did, Joey? Good job, kid!”

Rafe’s nephew giggled. “I only got a hundred percent. I missed the extra credit but Barrett didn’t.”

Her son preened. “I was the only one in the class who got it right.”

“I’m proud of both of you. What a smart family we have!”

Except for her, the one who couldn’t figure out how to protect the friendship that meant the world to her.

Chapter 3

As he drove up to the Star N ranch house four days after the auction, Chase couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so on edge. He wasn’t nervous—or at least he would never admit to it. He was just unsettled.

So many things seemed to hinge on this night. How was he supposed to make Faith ever view him as more than just her neighbor and best friend? She had to see him for himself, a man who had spent nearly half his life waiting for her.

He didn’t like the way that made him sound weak, like some kind of mongrel hanging on the fringes of her life, content for whatever scraps she threw out the kitchen door at him. It hadn’t been like that. He had genuinely tried to put his unrequited feelings behind him after she and Travis got married. For the most part, he had succeeded.

He had dated a great deal and had genuinely liked several of the women he dated. In the beginning, he had liked Cindy, too. She had been funny and smart and beautiful. He was a man and had been flattered—and susceptible—when she aggressively pursued him.

When she told him she was pregnant, he decided marrying her and making a home for their child was the right thing to do. He really had tried to make their marriage work but he and Cindy were a horrible mismatch from the beginning. He could see now that they would never have suited each other, even if that little dusty corner of his heart hadn’t belonged to the wife of another man.

“This is going to be so fun,” Addie declared beside him. She was just about dancing out of her seat belt with excitement. “Seems like it’s been forever since I’ve had a chance to hang out with Louisa and Olivia. It’s going to be awesome.”

The plan for the evening had changed at the last minute, Faith had told him in a quick, rather awkward conversation earlier that day. Celeste and Flynn decided to move their movie party to the Star N ranch house and the three girls were going to stay overnight after the movie.

If Lou and Olivia were as excited as Addie, Celeste and Mary were in for a night full of giggling girls.

His daughter let out a little shriek when he pulled up and turned off the engine.

“This is going to besofun!” she repeated.

He had to smile as he climbed out and walked around to open the door. He never got tired of seeing the joy his daughter found in the simple things in life.

“Hand me your suitcase.”

“Here. You don’t have to carry everything, though. I can take the rest.”

After pulling her suitcase from behind the seat, she hopped out with her pillow and sleeping bag.

“Careful. It’s icy,” he said as they headed up the sidewalk to the sprawling ranch house.

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