Home for Christmas by Penny Frost McGinnis

Author:Penny Frost McGinnis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Ohio, Christmas story, Contemporary Christmas story, Christmas romance, Island stories
Publisher: Mt. Zion Ridge Press
Published: 2023-12-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Christmas morning, Levi cruised past the cottage where Charlotte and her family celebrated. Last night, after she and her brother returned to the table, they had finished dinner and feasted on the bûche de Noël and angel food cake Charlotte had made. The gifts he'd handed out had been a hit. Lottie squealed when she tore the wrapping paper from the little ponies he gave her. She had climbed on his lap and kissed his cheek. The child tugged on his heart.

Tonight held the promise of more food and fun with leftovers and games. Levi approached Joel and Sadie's home, where Joel helped her descend the porch steps. Levi pulled the squad car along the side of the road and hopped out. "Hey, you two."

Sadie tried to hold her coat closed across her stomach, but it flapped in the wind. "Merry Christmas!" She waddled to the car. "We're on our way to Lucy's. Joel's parents are there. I can't wait to get in her recliner."

Levi opened the car door for her, then patted Joel on the back. "How are you doing this morning?"

He closed the passenger door and looked at Levi. "Better than my wife. I told her we'd stay home, but she said no. She wants to visit with my parents. Her dad is waiting to come until after the baby's born, so this is our celebration. I'm glad it's not a far drive."

Levi gave Joel a puzzled look. "Anywhere on the island isn't a far drive." He'd never seen Joel so rattled. "Have fun and tell them Merry Christmas."

Joel gave a salute. "Will do."

After a few laps around the island and a final check on the dock, Levi drove to the police station to check for alerts on his computer. Thankful for the quiet day, he locked the squad car's doors and went inside.

~~~~~

The silver tree glimmered in the morning light. Multicolored lights glinted off the aluminum branches, and Lottie stretched out on the floor with hands under her chin as she stared at the shimmering ornaments. Peter never dreamed he'd have a beautiful little girl to make memories with. Since he came clean with his family last night after Levi left, a weight was lifted from him. Mom and Dad asked him to stay with them for now, and Charlotte said she'd heard of a music store in town who needed someone to work and teach guitar lessons. Good thing Mom had kept one of his old guitars he'd had in high school.

With the quiet footing of a deer, Charlotte stepped into the room in her bunny slippers and Winnie-the-Pooh pajamas. She slid onto the couch beside Peter and gave him a cup of steaming coffee. "Milk, no sugar."

"You remembered." He took the mug and sipped.

A grin crossed her face. "I used to make it for you before school. Even though I didn't drink it, I loved the smell. Early morning classes in college triggered my need for caffeine."

Peter wrapped both hands around the mug and gave a slight nod.

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