A Christmas Homecoming by Kimberly Rose Johnson Read Free Book Online

sorry.”
    She laughed. “I like your family, Stephen. It’s not a hardship.” She grabbed a veggie platter in one hand and fruit platter in the other and left the kitchen.
    An hour later Stephen ambled slowly beside his mom as she shuffled into the dining room with the aid of her walker right as Rick placed the turkey in the center of the table. He had to hand it to Bailey—she’d pulled off an elegant affair right down to the gourmet pies on the side buffet.
    “Happy Thanksgiving, everyone,” Mona said.
    His entire family turned. His niece and nephew’s faces lit.
    Judy, Rick’s wife, jumped up from her seat. “Mona, you look wonderful.” She gave her a side hug. “I’ll get her settled, Stephen.”
    “Okay.” He stepped away. He’d extended the table to seat eight, but there were only seven place settings. Bailey was missing. Had she changed her mind about eating with them? It seemed unlikely, considering she’d seemed genuinely pleased to be spending the holiday with his family. “Excuse me while I find Bailey.” She had to be in the kitchen.
    “She’s gone.” Judy helped his mother to her place at the head of the table.
    “What do you mean, she’s gone? She’s been working in the kitchen all morning.”
    Mom shot him a look that said to zip it, but he was tired of her attitude toward her assistant who was more a part of his family than he’d been of late. He still hadn’t discovered what had happened that caused his mother to turn on the woman she’d groomed for the past two years. Nor had he taken the time to search for her replacement. “Where did she go?”
    “I phoned her a little while ago,” Mom said, “and told her to take the rest of the day off once the meal was ready to serve.” She flicked a pumpkin colored napkin into her lap.
    Judy settled into her seat beside her daughter, Lacy,wearing a smug look. “She said something about meeting friends in Sunriver.”
    “Oh.” Why did Judy look so pleased that Bailey had left? Irritation threatened to dampen his good mood. He was thankful Bailey had friends she could spend the meal with, but felt badly that she’d thought she was eating here and then was sent away.
    He pulled out a high-backed wooden chair and sat next to his nephew, Collin. Bailey probably preferred to spend the holiday with friends or her own family rather than co-workers, anyway. But regardless, the arrangement didn’t sit right with him. She’d been talking all week about what she was planning to make and looked forward to tasting the pies from a bakery that was supposed to be the best in the area. She’d looked forward to the turkey, too.
    Mom’s face glowed even though it still showed the effects of the stroke. “I’m delighted to have all my family under one roof after so long.” She shot a look of approval toward Stephen. “Welcome home, Son. We’ve missed you.”
    Stephen nodded.
    “I’m thankful for each of you. I am a blessed woman and can now die happy.”
    He resisted rolling his eyes. Mom could be so melodramatic. “You’re not allowed to die yet.”
    “I’m not a young woman. You never know.”
    John, his middle brother, cleared his throat. “Seventy-three isn’t that old.”
    “No way!” Collin’s eyes widened. “Grandma, you’re way older than my Sunday school teacher, but she has gray hair. How come you don’t?”
    Stephen chuckled and patted his nephew’s shoulder. “Cool it, dude.”
    Judy’s face reddened, and her eyes shot daggers at her son. “Everyone is old to a seven-year-old.”
    “True enough,” John said. “Let’s pray and eat before everything gets cold.”
    They all paused while Rick prayed a blessing over the food. “Amen.”
    A low hum filled the room as food was passed and plates were filled.
    “How is the search coming along for my new assistant?” Mom asked.
    Rick started choking. His wife patted his back. “What are you talking about? Did Bailey give notice she’s leaving?” He looked between