Stay For Christmas: A Place to Belong\A Son Is Given\Angels in the Snow by Judith Stacy

Author:Judith Stacy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2006-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

“Kath! You look wonderful!”

Hilda Dixon had been the twelfth person to arrive at the parsonage for the annual Christmas party and the tenth to compliment Kath’s appearance. Instead of the gray gown she had planned to wear to the decorating party, she had chosen a red crinoline with a velvet bodice and matching trim.

The choice had been inspired by a wakeful dream. With the sun streaming into the bedroom, she’d thought about the red tulips she’d planted in front of the parsonage the year Alex was born. If she left, she wouldn’t see them bloom.

If…

Where had that come from? Baffled, she hugged Hilda. “Thank you. I’m feeling better.”

“Must be the holidays,” her friend said. “It’s either that, or William’s charmed his way into your good graces.”

Hilda meant well, but the mention of William made Kath yearn for the somber gray. Two nights ago he hadn’t come home for supper. Alone in her bed, she had heard the front door open and had listened for his steps in the kitchen. As much as she resented him these days, she didn’t want him to go to bed hungry. She’d been on the verge of offering him a late supper when he’d left again.

She’d shivered in the dark and told herself that she didn’t care where he went. If he wanted a drink, it was none of her business. But she’d still felt the panic.

Kath forced herself to smile at Hilda. “Actually, William and I have a bit of news.”

Hilda clasped her hand. “Are you—”

Expecting. Kath interrupted before her friend could finish. “No. Nothing like that.” She tried to sound cheerful. “It’s about time Alex met her grandparents. I’m taking her to Philadelphia for a visit.”

“Oh, Kath.” Hilda had seen right through her.

A knock on the door gave Kath an excuse to walk away. As she passed the little tree, she told herself again she was doing the right thing. William had joined them for supper last night, but he’d gone out after midnight. This morning his eyes had been red with exhaustion, but she hadn’t smelled anything but shaving soap. In fact, he’d been so charming that she’d smiled at him.

After smoothing her skirt, she opened the door and saw the Bodine sisters. Betty was Kath’s age and a dedicated spinster. Her younger sister, Deidre, was dressed in a blue gown that matched her eyes and showed too much cleavage for an afternoon gathering. The women were new arrivals from Atlanta, a city torn apart by war. Kath liked Betty a lot, but Deidre tried her patience.

“Hello, Katherine,” the blonde said in a Southern drawl. “I hope you don’t mind. Betty and I brought something for the party.”

Smiling her thanks, Kath took the cloth bag, peeked inside and saw a sprig of mistletoe. In the past, Kath had put it up in every room and enjoyed the playful teasing it inspired, not to mention being caught under it by her husband. This year she had ignored the tradition.

Forcing a smile, she

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