Read Online Coming Home for Christmas by Fern Michaels - Free Book Online

the twins on the sled. I think our old sleds are still in the attic. You could use Ben’s if you don’t have one.”
    â€œSounds like fun. I’m game. But not until I get the house set up for Christmas. You any good at setting up a tree?” She twinkled.
    â€œThe best tree-setter-upper there is. Takes two people, though. Ben and I always did it. It’s the lights that are a killer. The tinsel can drive you nuts. Ben always insisted on hanging one strand at a time. It took all night.”
    â€œReally? Mom and Dad always did it after I went to bed.
    When I woke up, there was this magnificent tree all lit up, with all the junk I made through my school years. We didn’t have any fancy heirloom ornaments. How wonderful for you,” she said sadly.
    â€œI didn’t know that, Mandy. What did you do for a tree in California?” Hank asked.
    Amy bit down on her lip. “Flo wasn’t big on cleaning up pine needles in July. She said that’s how long it took to get them out of the house. We always had an artificial tree, and it glittered with shiny ornaments and white lights. The wreath on the door was artificial, too. It got a new red bow every year. We used to go swimming on Christmas Day and have a turkey. I did my best to sleep through the whole season.”
    â€œI upset you, didn’t I? I’m sorry, Mandy. That wasn’t my intention.” Hank stretched out a hand to pat her arm.
    Amy blinked away tears. “Well, we’ve arrived. Does Karen Powell still own OK Florist?”
    â€œYep. She expanded a few years back, added a nursery, and sells outdoor plants as well. Even trees. The parking lot is always full in the spring and summer.”
    A bell tinkled over the door when Amy opened it. She looked around. It was just the way she remembered. New merchandise, but the old beams were still there, with greenery and decorations dangling downward. “It looks like a Wonderland with all the trees. It’s so festive, with all the greenery and red and white Santas. My gosh, I don’t know what to buy. I want a little of everything.”
    â€œThen let’s get a little of everything,” Hank said happily. Damn, he was getting a large dose of Christmas spirit all of a sudden.
    â€œOkay, but first I want to order the flowers for Mr. Carpenter so they can deliver them today. How about if I order a large arrangement and put your, Ben’s, and my name on the card?”
    â€œSure. Sounds great. Oh, and will you include Ben’s wife, Alice? Just tell me how much our share is.”
    â€œNo problem.”
    Amy walked over to the counter and spoke to the girl behind the computer. She explained what she wanted, signed a card, and handed her a credit card. “I’m going to want a dozen or so of your poinsettias. All red. Shall I pick them out and put them by the door?” The frazzled clerk nodded as she punched in the order.
    Amy and Hank spent the next hour picking out just-right poinsettias, knickknacks, and whatever pleased Amy. The clerk rang everything up while a young boy loaded the cargo hold of the Range Rover. She ripped off a tape and slapped it down on the counter in front of Hank along with Amy’s credit card. “Sign on the X.”
    â€œNo, that’s not my card,” Hank said, picking up the credit card. “Hold on, I’ll get my friend to come in and sign the slip.”
    Hank walked over to the door and tapped on it. Amy turned around and smiled. He held up her credit card and motioned her to come inside. Without meaning to, he looked down at the platinum card in his hand and saw the name Amy Lee. He frowned. Who the hell was Amy Lee? What was Mandy Leigh doing with someone else’s credit card?
    Hank’s stomach crunched into a knot as he stared at his old childhood friend as she walked toward him, a smile on her face. He realized at that moment he didn’t know a thing about Mandy Leigh. All he