Read Online Holiday Homecoming by Jillian Hart - Free Book Online

important, but he wasn’t looking forward to the price of it. He loved his mom. He’d do anything for her. But he couldn’t look anywhere without seeing the past. Even the fields where he’dworked long and brutal days in hundred-degree heat bringing in hay for Mr. McKaslin brought memories flooding back. He dreaded the drive back to town, where he would see more of the past, more of the boy he’d been. More of the turmoil and pain he’d worked so hard to leave behind.
    While mother and daughter were still holding on to each other and exchanging greetings, he climbed out and grabbed her computer case and bag.
    â€œWhy, Ryan Sanders, is that you?” Alice McKaslin noticed him trying to slink past.
    He’d wanted to avoid the gooey mess of female emotions if he could, but no such luck. So he faced the teary-eyed females with a man’s courage. “It’s me. It’s good to see you, Mrs. McKaslin. Happy Thanksgiving.”
    â€œWhy, happy Thanksgiving to you! Your mom has been talking of nothing else for weeks. She’s baked every last one of your favorite treats, I hope you know.”
    â€œI figured she would.” He froze, knowing what was next, but he couldn’t do anything to stop it. Mrs. McKaslin released her daughter and came at him next, her arms outstretched, to give him a hug. “What on earth are you two doing together?”
    â€œIt’s a long story. I’m sure you can get Kristin to tell you. I’ve got to get home. Mom’s probably worried about me. I was supposed to come in last night.”
    â€œCome here and let me hug you, young man.”
    â€œOh, I wouldn’t do that if I were you. I haven’t shaved. Showered. Been deloused.”
    â€œOh, you can still make me laugh.” Refusing to backdown, Alice came at him and wrapped him into a kindly hug and, being a self-reliant man, he endured it—okay, it was nice. Alice was like a dear aunt to him when he’d been growing up. He brushed her cheek with a brief kiss as he moved out of her embrace.
    â€œYou’re more handsome up close than in those pictures your mom shows me. You don’t see her enough, young man.”
    Standing behind her mother, Kristin winked at him. “Go easy on him. He’s a busy, important doctor and the only reason I’m here and not snowed in at Boise is because he’s a good guy.”
    â€œYou’re not so bad yourself, Miss McKaslin.” The way both women were looking at him, as if he’d hung the moon and lit the stars, made him itchy.
    He was uncomfortable with looks like that. With anyone getting too close. He’d gotten used to being alone. That was why Francine had returned his ring last September. He didn’t need her at all, she’d said.
    It was time to go. He let Alice lead the way to the front door, ignoring Kristin when she gestured for her bags. He was a lot of things, but he tried to use his manners when he had them. And what Kristin had done for him, in letting him sleep, he appreciated more than she could ever know. She looked as exhausted as he’d felt before getting some shut-eye, and he didn’t mind at all carrying her bags into the house and depositing them at the top of the stairs.
    â€œYou didn’t have to do that.” She looked at him as if she appreciated the gesture. “But thank you.”
    â€œNo problem.” The delicious aroma scenting thehouse—apple and pumpkin pies, frying bacon and the roasting warmth of a baking turkey made his stomach growl loudly. He blushed. “Sorry about that.”
    â€œWould you like to stay? Breakfast is in the works. Eggs and bacon and pancakes and sausage. Real homemade hash browns.”
    â€œI can’t tell you how good that sounds, but Mom would box my ears. I’d best get home. She’s waiting for me, and I’m late. I’m probably in trouble. Wow, I haven’t said that since I was