Buffalo Valley by Debbie Macomber Read Free Book Online Page B

joking, right?”
    Hassie laughed delightedly. “I should have known better.”
    â€œJeb, Maddy and the kids are already here.”
    The names flew over Vaughn’s head, but it was apparent that Hassie loved each family.
    â€œMaddy owns the grocery,” Joshua explained as they strolled across the street and entered the park. “She’s married to my son. Best thing that ever happened to him.”
    â€œOh, yes—I saw the grocery,” Vaughn said. “Maddy. I remember. The fantastic reindeer.”
    Joshua grinned widely. “Yup, that’s our Maddy. Loves any excuse to decorate—and does a great job.”
    â€œThey have two of the most precious children you’ll ever want to see,” Hassie added, “with another on the way.”
    â€œThe first pregnancy and this latest one were real surprises.”
    â€œI’ll bet Jeb’s developed a liking for blizzards,” Hassie murmured, and the two older folks burst into laughter.
    â€œYou’d have to know the history of that family to understand what’s so amusing,” Carrie said, joining them.
    â€œHello again,” Vaughn murmured.
    â€œHi.”
    Vaughn had trouble looking away.
    â€œHow about you and Carrie getting me some hot chocolate?” the older woman asked.
    â€œBring some for me, too, while you’re at it,” Joshua said.
    â€œI think we just got our marching orders,” Carrie told him, her eyes smiling. “Is that okay?”
    â€œI don’t mind if you don’t,” Vaughn replied.
    The cold had brought color to her cheeks, and her long blond hair straggled out from under her wool hat. “It’s fine with me. Buffalo Bob and Merrily are serving cocoa and cookies over there,” she said a little breathlessly.
    â€œI’ll be right back,” Vaughn said over his shoulder as he followed Carrie.
    â€œDon’t rush,” Hassie called after him…and then he thought he saw her wink at him.

Chapter 3
    T he Christmas lights strung around the outside of the old house welcomed Vaughn back to his parents’ home. His mother had been born and raised in Grand Forks, but his grandparents had moved to Arizona when he was six. Vaughn had no recollection of visiting the Dakotas, although he was certain they had. His memories centered on the Denver area and his father’s family. Not until Rick was accepted for early retirement did they decide to return to the home that had been in the Lowell family for more than a hundred years.
    The television blared from the living room as Vaughn let himself into the house, entering throughthe door off the kitchen after stomping the snow from his shoes on the back porch. He unzipped his jacket and hung it on a peg, along with his muffler.
    â€œIs that you, Vaughn?” his mother called.
    â€œNo, it’s Santa,” he joked.
    He watched as his mother, still holding her needlepoint, hurried into the kitchen. “You’re not hungry, are you?”
    â€œI filled up on cookies and hot chocolate.”
    His mother studied him as if to gauge how the meeting with Hassie had gone—the real question she wanted to ask, he suspected. “Did you have a…good visit?”
    â€œYes.” He nodded reassuringly. “We talked before dinner, but afterward there was a tree-lighting ceremony in the park.”
    â€œYou attended that?” His mother sounded pleased.
    â€œSure, why not?” His response was flippant, as though this was the very thing he’d normally do. In truth, though, Vaughn couldn’t recall attending anything like it since he was in grade school. The evening had been quite an experience. The whole town had come alive with music and laughter and people enjoying one another’s company. Christmas had neverbeen a big deal to Vaughn—but he’d never seen an entire community join together like this, either. He knew it had made a lasting impression on