Read Online A Hickory Ridge Christmas by Dana Corbit - Free Book Online Page A

long.”
    Bob laughed at his comment as he pulled the glass door behind Todd into place and turned the lock. “Are you at least getting to take the new prototype cars for a spin on the test track?”
    â€œI might eventually, but I haven’t yet. As a test engineer, most of my work is using a computer tomonitor data about things like temperature and voltage as the vehicle is operated under various conditions.”
    â€œWell I hope you get to test-drive one eventually.” Hannah’s father patted Todd on the shoulder of his heavy coat—just a mutual admiration society. She’d stepped outside of reality, Hannah decided. Whatever happened to her father toting a shotgun or whatever dads did to defend their daughters’ honor?
    Finally, Hannah had had enough. “Dad, what are we all doing here?”
    The minister turned back to her, his expression carefully blank. “Todd thought the two of you might have some things to talk about.”
    Hannah shot a venomous look at Todd. “Command appearance, huh?”
    â€œYour father set the time and the place.”
    â€œI guess it wasn’t enough that you hired Harold Lasbury—my boss—as your new accountant on Friday when there are three CPA offices in Milford. Then you moved your membership to Hickory Ridge on Sunday, made an appearance at Faith Singles United on Tuesday and attended Wednesday prayer meeting last night.”
    Todd shrugged without remorse. “Guess not.”
    â€œI can’t imagine what would have been enough.”
    Todd had even asked Harold if Hannah could personally handle his tax return, and he’d managed to somehow be at Breen’s IGA the night she stopped in for milk, eggs and that popping rice cereal Rebecca loved so much.
    It was as if he’d been watching her every move,waiting for a chance to pounce, and now he’d made her father an accomplice in his plans to get under her skin. Well, he was there, and his presence itched.
    â€œBy the way,” he asked, “don’t you ever go to the post office or the video store or the library?”
    He met her frown with an amused expression that had her hands fisted at her sides.
    â€œHow dare you follow me! You’re stalking me! What right do you have to invade my life like that?”
    Todd stretched up and towered over her. “What right do you have to keep me away from my daughter?”
    Hannah’s retort died on her lips at Todd’s announcement, and she turned wide-eyed to face her father. Reverend Bob didn’t wear the compassionate minister’s expression she’d come to expect from him. His was the face of a furious father.
    â€œEnough,” he said in an even voice but with enough finality to strike silence on the other two people in the room. “I need to see both of you in my office immediately.”

Chapter Six
    W ithout another word, Reverend Bob turned and strode to the stairway leading to his second-floor office. The look Todd captured her with had to be as cold as the one Hannah had trained on him, but both looked away quickly and headed in the direction the minister had taken.
    When they reached his office, Hannah’s father was already seated in his executive chair. He gestured to the pair of chairs opposite his desk. Never before this moment had Hannah felt her father’s disappointment in such a profound way, even on that awful day when she’d had to air her humiliation in front of the whole Deacons’ board.
    â€œDad, I’m so sorry—” Hannah began as she stiffly lowered into the chair, but her father raised his hand to stop her.
    â€œI’m sure there’s a lot of blame and guilt andapologies to go around.” He first trapped Todd and then Hannah in his direct gaze.
    Hannah stiffened but couldn’t look away from her father. Would his disappointment spoken aloud be worse than his silent displeasure? Without looking at Todd, she sensed