Kentucky Christmas by Sarah Title Read Free Book Online

accident? ” Jack asked.
    â€œNo . . . my mom always worked in retail, so she was really busy. And when she opened her own shop, she got sick of holiday stuff. When she got home, she didn’t want to look at any more sparkly crap.”
    He saw Billie look nervously at the snowman potholders above the stove.
    â€œI mean, I don’t have a problem with it,” he lied quickly. “It’s just, in my family, that always meant more work.”
    â€œWhat about your father? He didn’t dress up as Santa Claus or kiss your mom under the mistletoe?”
    â€œI don’t know. I don’t know my father. He ran off when my mom was pregnant.”
    Billie coughed. “Something you have in common, then,” said Jack.
    Andrew wasn’t sure what he meant, but Billie looked like she wanted to hide under the table, so he let it go.
    â€œAnyway, my mom keeps the store open until midnight on Christmas Eve. If you want to see the worst of humanity, hang out in a store at 11:30 on Christmas Eve.”
    â€œEver have to break up any fights?” Katie asked, chewing on a candy cane.
    â€œThat was more my cousin’s style. Ed is pretty . . . aggressive. I think he likes the rush.”
    â€œSounds manly.”
    â€œAnd now on Christmas day, we go to his house, watch his kids tear open a million presents, and my mom and his wife, Tina, fight over who makes the best gravy, and I drink too much eggnog and get sick.”
    â€œEvery year?”
    â€œIt’s a tradition.”
    â€œYou, my friend, are a bummer,” said Jack. “Billie, help us out. Christmas tradition.”
    â€œWell . . . ” Billie tapped a snowflake cookie on her chin. “Cookies, obviously. And the huge tree in the office. And the pet presents. And we have a photo shoot with Santa in the school auditorium. And, of course, Libby’s Christmas dinner.”
    â€œOooh, Miss Libby’s Christmas dinner,” Katie said, leaning back in her chair. “Same food every year, and it never gets old.”
    â€œThat stuffing.”
    â€œHer mashed potatoes are like clouds.”
    â€œSweet potatoes with marshmallows.”
    â€œPecan pie. Andrew, she puts bourbon in the pecan pie,” Billie said, grabbing his arm. “Bourbon. In the pecan pie.”
    â€œAnd when there’s a white Christmas, forget it,” Katie said. “Even my dad is in a good mood. And he hates everyone.”
    â€œEveryone except Miss Libby,” Jack corrected.
    â€œI remember the first time it snowed on Christmas. Do you remember, Billie?” Katie asked. “We were in first grade. Luke stole trays from the school cafeteria and we went sledding.”
    â€œHe got into so much trouble for that,” Billie said. “I was totally in love with your brother.” Then she added quickly, “I got over it.”
    â€œThe first time I ever had a hot toddy was at Christmas,” Katie said, laughing. “I think I was still in junior high. Your mom gave it to me, Billie. God, I was wasted. Your dad was so pissed . . . ” She stopped, and Andrew felt tension descend on the room.
    Billie gave a half-hearted laugh. “My mom had a way with Christmas. She gave the worst gifts. One year she wrapped up six of my dad’s ties and gave them to him. As if he wouldn’t know.”
    Jack went over and rested his head on top of Billie’s. “Your dad always had really nice ties. Maybe she thought she couldn’t top them.”
    â€œYeah, well.” Billie’s eyes started to tear up.
    â€œTo holiday spirit!” Katie said, and tipped her mug back.
    Andrew looked down at the reindeer cookie he was decorating. All of the sprinkles and sugar and icing, Billie had it all in her kitchen, ready to go at a moment’s notice. He’d never decorated cookies before. He’d never even seen icing in that shade of red before. And he was having a really good time. Her friends