One Golden Christmas by Lenora Worth

Author:Lenora Worth [Worth, Lenora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary romance, Women's Fiction, Forever Love, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Bachelor, Single Woman, Hearts Desire, clean & wholesome, Life-Changes, Second Chances, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Family & Domestic Life, Christmas Holidays & Celebration, Christmas Time, Holiday Whimsy, Festive Season, Winter Weather, Christmas Miracles, Holiday Pageant Coordinator
Publisher: Love Inspired; Original Edition
Published: 2011-11-15T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Nate had cleaned the kitchen, all right. After they’d eaten dinner, with the children laughing and talking over the loud silence between the two adults, he’d promptly done his part, then stomped off to the barn to “check on Honeyboy and do some work.” That left Leandra with the children. Since tomorrow was Saturday, she’d told them to settle into their pajamas so they could watch a late movie.

Earlier, in the midst of a fit of impulsiveness, she’d promised them hot chocolate and cookies by the fire, to cap off what she had hoped would be a lovely evening. But that had backfired the minute their father had arrived, with a pop every bit as loud as the dry wood now crackling in the fireplace.

Nate did not appreciate any of her efforts.

And to think she’d started out with the best of intentions.

Since they’d had the night off from rehearsals, she’d decided it would be a good time to talk to Nate about mass marketing his birdhouses. Then, suddenly, she’d been up on a ladder stringing Christmas lights—lights that she’d had her brother Richard deliver from his store, along with the poinsettias and candles, and supplies for making dumplings.

“You’re turning into a domestic dynamo,” Richard had teased on the phone. “What else did you need? A chicken and three cans of chicken broth? Leandra, I’m worried about you—if you’re cooking for this man, that means it’s serious, and that also means his health is in serious danger.”

Although her brother had been joking, his words now rang true. She’d not only ruined dinner, but also any chances of furthering things with Nate.

And since when had she decided to further things, anyway? Since that kiss, dummy, she told herself as she poured hot chocolate into mugs on a big tray next to the cookies. She then carried it into the den where the kids sat already watching the movie.

Seeing the three Welby children all curled up with pillows and blankets by the roaring fire only added to Leandra’s misery. She wanted Nate there, too. She wanted to curl up with him by that fire.

But Nate had retreated into his memories and his guilt.

“Does your father work in the barn every night?” she asked Layla now, concern for the girl motivating her question.

“Just about,” Layla replied as she took a mug from Leandra. “He’s always taking on extra work, even though he’s been promoted at his regular job.”

“But surely he spends time with you, right?”

“Only when he’s forced to,” Layla said, her words low so the younger children wouldn’t hear. Then she added, “He’s a good daddy, Miss Lea. He just misses our mama, and I guess you figured out I look just like her.”

Leandra nodded. “You’re just as pretty.”

“That’s why he hates me,” Layla blurted out. Then, clearly mortified, she said, “Don’t tell him I said that.”

Leandra put her cocoa down on a nearby table. “Honey, you’re wrong. Your father loves you. Surely you know that.”

“He loves me because he has to—that’s his duty as a father.

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