Free Kentucky Christmas by Sarah Title Page B

West.
    â€œFine,” Andrew muttered. “The sooner we get this over with, the better.”
    But as he drove, he noticed that some of the land looked familiar. He couldn’t believe that he was actually able to identify different pieces of fence, but he did. Then the fences gave way to inflatable snowmen . . . this was definitely the way back to Hollow Bend.
    â€œLady, what are you trying to do to me?” He picked up the GPS and shook it.
    County Road 23 West, it blinked. In one point five miles, turn left.
    There was no way. In one point five miles, he would be turning back onto Billie’s road.
    â€œDid I program this wrong?” he muttered, checking the destination in the settings. Home, it said.
    Home.
    Screw it. And he kept driving.
    Â 
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    Billie was opening her second Christmas Eve present from her dad. Her first was always a pair of pajamas, and she always ran upstairs to put them on. Then she got to pick out one more present to open. She’d been doing it since she was a little girl, since her mom left. It felt silly now, especially since she and her dad had agreed to treat each other like adults, but she liked traditions. And presents.
    â€œOpen this one,” he said, handing her a small box with a red bow.
    â€œHey, I thought I got to pick,” she said, eyeing a much bigger present under the tree. So much for outgrowing traditions.
    â€œGive your old man a break,” he said, putting the box in her hand.
    As tradition dictated, she sniffed it. Then shook it. It rattled. Probably not jewelry. Hopefully not a glass figurine.
    â€œOpen it,” her dad laughed.
    She ripped off the bow and tore open the box so fast she didn’t even have time to drop it. Inside was . . . her house keys.
    â€œUh, thanks?” she said. She thought she’d lost them, so this was a good present. This was a good present, right?
    â€œI didn’t have enough paper to wrap the whole thing.”
    â€œNo, it’s . . . great. Thanks, I thought I lost them.”
    â€œBillie! Did you think I was giving you your own keys for Christmas?”
    She blinked up at him. She sort of did.
    â€œThe house! I’m giving you the house!”
    â€œWhat?” she whispered.
    â€œWell, since you finally convinced me to retire, I’m going to do what I always talked about. Do you remember?”
    â€œThe RV?”
    â€œYes, the RV. Bud got me a good deal. It’s all worked out. I’m spending New Year’s in Miami with Bob and Doris, then I’m going to the Outer Banks with Carla and her granddaughters.”
    â€œYou’re leaving?”
    â€œYou didn’t think I’d give you the house and expect you to put me up, did you?”
    â€œNo, no. Well, to be honest, I didn’t think any of this.”
    â€œI’ve been planning this for a while, talking it over with people.”
    â€œPeople?”
    â€œI know you love this house, but if you want to sell it, that’s OK, too. It’s yours now, so you can do what you want. But I thought you might like to stay. And your animals are so comfortable here.”
    â€œDad—”
    â€œI knew I was going to leave you the house, but then I thought, why wait until I’m dead?”
    Billie blushed.
    â€œWell, you were right. I have worked hard, and I raised you right, and you’re a beautiful young woman who can take care of herself. And her old man, but you don’t need to do that.”
    â€œDad, if you’re going because of me—”
    â€œNo, honey. Haven’t you been listening? Miami? The beach in winter? This is what I’ve wanted. But I promise I’ll come back to visit. As often as you’ll have me.”
    â€œOh, Dad,” Billie wailed, and launched herself into her father’s arms. “Yes, yes, whenever you want. I’ll always want you to visit.”
    Her father kissed the top of her head.
    â€œI love you, my sweet girl.”
    She