Cowboy's Christmas Homecoming (Christmas at the Harvey Ranch Book 3) by Leslie North

Author:Leslie North [North, Leslie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-11-18T00:00:00+00:00

Serena pulled up outside Mrs. Brown’s. She could see the kids’ shoes outside, lined up by the doormat—Julie’s new pink ones, Nathan’s well-loved Nikes. Inside, they’d be playing, maybe watching TV.

What do I tell them? What is there to tell?

She got out her phone and peeked at the screen. Jack had texted back, and not just once.

c’mon hun. we need to talk.

come ON. we’re adults. you can’t doge me forever.

*dodge

ducking autocarrot. CALL ME!!!!

Serena snorted at the autocarrot, but her stomach had gone sour. Bad enough her parents were flying in for Christmas. Now Jack was, as well? She took a deep breath and pecked out her reply: picking up the kids rn. Text you back LATER.

Serena felt queasy. Jack must’ve got dumped. Why else would he come home, now of all times? He’d gloated so hard over his big Christmas in Hawaii, him and his girlfriend at some fancy resort. Sherry must’ve got sick of him, and no surprise—but what had made Jack think he could scurry back home?

“Hiya, Serena!” Mrs. Brown stepped onto her porch, waving enthusiastically. She had oven mitts on, cheery checkered ones, and Serena had to laugh. She tucked her phone away and started up the path.

“Hey, Mrs. Brown. Doing some baking?”

“We made Christmas brownies!” Julie darted out past her, her apron daubed with chocolate. Serena’s smile faded as understanding sank in.

“The ones for your bake sale?”

“Uh-huh.” Julie beamed proudly. “We did your new recipe, with the candy cane frosting.”

Serena wanted to cry. She’d forgotten Julie’s bake sale, forgotten completely. But Julie was bouncing, bursting with pride.

“They smell amazing,” said Serena. She bent to hug Julie, chocolate and all. “But why didn’t you remind me? We could have baked them together.”

“I’m sorry. That’s my fault.” Mrs. Brown’s kind eyes had gone wide and worried. “It’s just, Julie had your recipe, and she seemed so excited. I had the ingredients, so I said, let’s try them.”

“No, no, don’t blame yourself. You were sweet to help out.” Serena blinked hard, willing herself not to cry. This was Julie’s moment, and a triumphant one at that. She couldn’t spoil it just because she’d missed out. She’d dropped the ball, not Julie or Mrs. Brown.

“I thought we could have some for dessert,” said Julie. “Then you won’t have to make any. You can put your feet up.”

“And I’ll do the dishes,” said Nathan, plopping down on the porch to lace up his shoes. “You’ve been working so hard lately, and I’ve been such a brat. You deserve a night off, or at least a dessert.”

Serena’s heart shattered. Had they planned this, Nathan and Julie together? She was the mom—she was supposed to worry about them. This was backwards, all wrong, her kids worrying about her. She cleared her throat harshly so her voice wouldn’t crack.

“That sounds lovely,” she said. “In case I haven’t told you lately, you two are the best.”

“We know,” said Nathan, and he flashed a bright smile. Serena beamed back at him through a film of tears.

“Let me just grab the brownies,” said Mrs.

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