Free A Christmas Homecoming by Kimberly Rose Johnson

top and turned. “I’ve thought of something you could do.”
    “Anything.” Anyone willing to stand up to Mona on her behalf had her loyalty.
    “Make this the best Christmas ever. And let me know what you need. Oh, and if you don’t mind continuing to stay at the house, it would make me feel better knowing this place isn’t empty.”
    “Okay.” She blinked back tears. Based on Stephen’s request, it sounded as if this would in all likelihood be Mona’s last Christmas. She squared her shoulders, determined to fulfill Stephen’s request. This would be a Christmas to remember.
    “ I saw roses in the kitchen.”
    Her stomach knotted. “Yes. Apparently I have a secret admirer.”
    He raised a brow. “Any idea who?”
    “No. Hence the word secret.” She forced a smile. The last thing Stephen needed was to know how weirded-out those flowers made her.
    He nodded. “Well, I need to get moving.”
    “Okay.” She kicked up the pace and soon the kinks had worked out of her body. Tuning out all her worries, she threw her concentration into decorating. She glanced toward the window and realized it was dark. What time was it? She pulled out her cell phone. “Seven!” Where had the time gone? She’d finished the entryway, staircase, and great room, but it’d taken all day. Ready to drop, she kicked off her shoes and sank into the couch. They still needed a Christmas tree. Maybe Stephen could have one delivered. She had a consultation at nine in the morning and then needed to visit one of the job sites along with a plethora of other tasks.
    The doorbell pealed. In the time she had been living here, no one had ever rung the bell. Her mind shot to the flowers—no, her admirer wouldn’t come ringing her employer’s doorbell–unless he’d hoped to catch her alone. It was probably common knowledge by now that Mona had been hospitalized. Enough of this paranoia. She stood and rushed to the door, trying to ignore her protesting muscles.
    Stephen stood there with slightly slumped shoulders.
    Relief washed over her.
    “I wanted to let you know I’m back and see if everything went okay. No more ladder mishaps?”
    She grinned in spite of feeling ready to drop. “Not a one.” She opened the door wider. “I can’t believe it, but I’m about finished with the decorations. Which reminds me. We need a tree. There is a grower-direct lot in Bend, so the trees last a long time. Do you think you could have one delivered sometime this week? I’ll be out all day tomorrow, but if you’re free . . .” She pressed her lips together. “Sorry. I ramble when I’m tired.”
    A soft grin lifted his lips. “I’ll make sure there’s a tree, but I’m not paying someone to deliver one that I didn’t pick out myself. Let’s plan to visit a tree lot this weekend.” He walked into the house. “Do you mind if I see what you did?”
    “Of course not.” She moved aside.
    He stood in the center of the entryway directly below the mistletoe where he had a perfect view of the main floor. She hadn’t tackled upstairs and had no plans to either. “It’s perfect. Mom will love it.”
    “She’d better. I took pictures during the past two Christmases for reference. She does it the same way every year. This is your mother’s design.”
    He really looked at her for the first time since coming to the door, and a twinkle lit his eyes. “You sure get into your work.”
    Her stomach lurched. She glanced in the hall mirror, and her eyes widened. Dust streaked across her nose, and glitter decorated her hair. “I’m a mess.” She was ugly enough, without adding to it. She sighed. Why hadn’t he laughed at her? She’d known a few people who would have. Then again, he wasn’t a cruel person.
    “Come here.”
    She moved toward him, uncertainty causing her to move extra slow.
    He chuckled. “I don’t bite. You look terrified.” He pulled what looked to be a clean hanky from his pocket and wiped the top of her nose. “Much better,”