Home to Chestnut Grove by Christy Barritt

Author:Christy Barritt [Barritt, Christy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: River Heights
Published: 2019-09-22T16:00:00+00:00

As the day drew on, Jake found himself loosening up—just a little.

He’d intended on investigating the thefts of Christmas decorations more, but he’d gotten a call about some cows that got out on one side of town and a fender bender on the other side. Those two incidents had taken up most of his day.

He wanted to go back to his office and catch up on paperwork, but instead he decided to patrol the area and maybe clear his head. His dad called and asked to ride along.

Jake pulled to a stop in front of his parents’ home, and his dad climbed into the passenger seat with two cups of coffee in hand. Jake welcomed some caffeine.

“How’s it going today, Son?”

“I can’t complain.”

“Is that true?”

Jake shrugged. “Well, sometimes I want to, but despite how I feel, I know I have a lot to be grateful for.”

“Yes, you do.”

Jake set his coffee into the cupholder and pulled away from the curb, wishing he could just as easily pull away from this conversation. He knew where it was going.

“Mrs. Duvall called yesterday and said this year’s Christmas performance would be a memorial to Jenny.”

Jake’s jaw tightened. “I heard.”

“Why do you sound upset?”

He stole a glance at his father. “Why aren’t you more upset?”

“I think the idea sounds nice.”

Jake did a quick head shake, certain he hadn’t heard his father correctly. “Don’t you think the timing is suspicious?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean Faith apparently bombed out at the show she was supposed to headline. Now she comes here and in some grand gesture of kindness wants to honor Jenny by using all her theatrical experience.”

“Who says that’s not true?”

“I just think Jenny’s sickness and death showed Faith’s true colors. It’s hard for me to move past it.”

His father turned toward him. “Son, do you remember when you were in eighth grade and you decided that your sister embarrassed you?”

His cheeks heated at the memory. “I do.”

“Who was it that taught you that Jenny was a blessing not an embarrassment?”

Jake didn’t want to answer, but he did anyway. “Faith.”

“Faith believed in Jenny when no one else did. She showed you how to be a better man. That takes a special person.”

“She should have come home.”

“You’ve got to learn to forgive. It would have been easy for Jenny not to forgive you for the way you acted at times.”

Jake couldn’t deny his words. “You’re right.”

“I’m just saying maybe you need to find some Christmas spirit.”

Jake remained quiet for a minute before saying, “It’s my job to protect this town. The last thing I want is for Faith to come in here and wreak havoc. Get people upset again. People are trying to recover from all their losses . . . they’re trying to move forward.”

“Are you trying to protect this town or your own heart?”

Jake chomped down. Maybe the correct answer was both, but he wasn’t ready to admit that.

“Would you make an effort to be kind to Faith?” his dad asked. “For me and your mother? Consider it a Christmas gift.

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