A Forever Christmas

“You don’t sound excited about it.”

Hunter shook his head. “I wish Dad could pick us up.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Huwwy up,” Chase called from the front door before he disappeared inside.

A few seconds later, Harry appeared on the front porch. But he jerked back a step when he saw her. “Sarah?”

She tensed and forced her leaded feet forward. “Hello, Mr. Jones. I’m helping Donna Rae with the pageant, and she wasn’t feeling well. She asked me to bring Hunter and Chase by.”

“I appreciate it.” He didn’t look too thrilled, but he was the consummate Southern gentleman.

Not only had her parents objected to Gregory and her dating in high school, but Harry had also discouraged it. He had told Gregory from the beginning not to fall for Sarah, that he would be setting himself up to get hurt.

The relationship hadn’t stood a chance.

“Well, I should go.” She handed Chase’s seat over, then squatted down to Hunter’s eye level. “I’ll see you at the next rehearsal, okay?”

He shuffled his feet. “I guess.”

Chase ran out the door and hugged her neck. “’Bye.”

“’Bye.” The pressure in her chest sent her quickly toward her car. She needed to back off a little. Getting involved with Gregory’s kids was not a good idea. Her heart couldn’t take it.

After dropping the boys off, Sarah walked into her parents’ home. She could almost still feel Chase’s tiny arms around her neck from where he’d hugged her goodbye—a gesture so sweet it was almost painful.

Harry had been polite, if a bit cool. But she couldn’t blame a protective father.

“I’m home,” she called, then located her mother and father in the family room, sitting by the fireplace reading. Even with the fire, the room had never felt warm to her. The huge old house had always seemed drafty and a little empty.

“That took a while. What did Donna Rae need?” her mom asked.

She plunked down in an oversized leather chair, her favorite spot to curl up and read whenever she came home. “She’s had a complication with her pregnancy and will probably be put on bed rest.”

“I hope the baby’s okay,” her dad said.

“Yes. But she recruited me to take over the Christmas pageant.”

Her mother put her book face down on her lap and appeared distressed. “Oh, sweetie, can you handle that right now, so soon after Peter’s death?”

As long as she remained strong where Gregory’s boys were concerned. “I’m going to give it a try.”

“Well, I think it’ll be good for you.” Her dad folded the newspaper. “It’ll get you out of the house. Take your mind off the boy. You need to get over him.”

As if she could just snap her fingers and be all better. “There’s a little boy at church who reminds me of Peter.” She steeled herself. Her parents wouldn’t want her near anyone connected to Gregory.

“Who?” her mother asked.

“Hunter Jones.”

As expected, her dad scowled. “You don’t need to be around that man or his family. Call Donna Rae and decline.”

“Winston, she’s already agreed to help,” Katherine said. Then she turned back to Sarah. “Just be careful, dear. Gregory always did seem to hold some special power over you, and you’re still so vulnerable.”

Sarah looked at her dad. “That was years ago. We’ve both moved on. It sounds like he’s been very busy. I guess his business has been doing well?”

He rose, set the paper aside with a slap. “I don’t keep tabs on Gregory Jones.” He walked out of the room.

She looked at her mom with a raised brow.

“There’s no love lost between the two of them.”

“Dad never has forgiven him for hurting me.”

Katherine stood and patted Sarah’s cheek. “Neither of us could ever stand to see you in pain. So be careful.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Well, keep your distance. Simply put the play together, and then back away. You’ll be back in Nashville soon enough.”

Yes, Sarah decided. She could do that. She could direct the pageant and return to her normal life. But she doubted the look on Hunter’s face would ever leave her.

Chapter Two

A t nine o’clock that night, Gregory headed toward home. He parked in his driveway, then made his way across the street to his dad’s. He slipped quietly into the house.

His father was snoozing in the recliner with the television turned down low. Gregory touched his shoulder. “Dad. I’m here.”

Harry jumped. Then he rubbed his hand over his face, brushing against whiskers. “Chase cried for his Aunt Lindsay again tonight. And then for you right before he fell asleep.”

“I’m sorry to put you through that again.”

“You need to be home at night, son. No need to work yourself to death.”

“I don’t want to miss out on a potential new customer. I’m trying my best to keep my seasonal workers busy through the winter. Or at least through Christmas.” And he needed to grow his business to be able to buy a bigger house before the boys were grown and walking all over each other. And so each could have his own bedroom.

And then there was the fact that he wanted to provide a perfect Christmas so maybe Hunter and Chase wouldn’t be so upset by Lindsay’s absence this year. “It’s just hard right now because they still miss Lindsay. They’ll adjust.”

“You know, son, it’s past time to move on and start dating. Molly Patton seems to be interested, and those boys need a mother.”

“Dad…”

He waved and headed toward his room. “Think about it.”

Gregory slipped into his old bedroom and found Hunter and Chase huddled in the bed, Hunter on his side in the fetal position, Chase plastered up against Hunter’s back as if he’d snuggled there for comfort.

That certainly didn’t help with the guilt.