Come Home For Christmas by Susanne Matthews

bought fourteen karat gold earrings in the shape of tiny horseshoes for Leah, and a pocket watch and fob for Ethan—and while her bank account was almost empty, she hadn’t had to cut her hair to pay for them. Glancing at her watch, a parting gift from the Gladiators’ management, she saw she had enough time to get a rawhide chew toy for Rascal, wrapping paper, and an ornament for the top of the second tree. She slipped into the back of the church with three minutes to spare and sat down next to Ethan.
    “Get what you wanted?” he asked.
    “Yes.”
    “You pulled a fast one on me, Krista. I can’t let you do that.”
    “You can and you will. I don’t want to talk or argue about my decision, especially not here and now.”
    “Agreed, but we will talk tonight.”
    “No, we won’t,” she said with more backbone than she’d exhibited in years. “I’ve made up my mind. Please, let me do this.”
    He stared at her, and she knew he wanted to argue, but he nodded.
    “I’ll let it go … for now.”
    Leah came running over to them, stopping her from commenting.
    “Is it time to skate, Daddy?”
    “Not yet, honey,” Ethan answered. “We’re going to the Rec Center where they’ve got games set up for you and Santa’s shop. Did you bring your money?”
    She pulled two loonies out of her mitten. “I did.” Turning to her, Leah asked, “Did they have a Santa’s store when you were little? It’s a place the elves have so kids can buy presents for their parents.”
    “I’m not sure I remember something like that. We had games, candy canes, sang songs and skated, but I don’t remember shopping. I did drink hot chocolate though.”
    Ethan chuckled. “I used to take Krista shopping for her Christmas presents,” he said. “She was a very fussy shopper—even worse than you can be.”
    “Are you going to skate with us?”
    “Not this year, sweetie. I don’t have any skates.”
    “Yes, you do,” Ethan said, picking up a bag off the floor. “I brought them into Mr. Cooper last week. They’re all clean and sharpened and ready to go.”
    He held up a pair of skates, the bells she’d put on the laces at the toe as shiny as they’d been the last Christmas she’d lived here.
    “Thank you,” she choked out, overwhelmed by his gesture.
    “They may not be the latest style, but you wore them the last time we skated around that tree together. I figured you could wear them now. You mentioned your broken ankle, so as soon as it hurts, let me know, and we’ll take a break.”
    Tears brimmed her eyes. Unable to stop herself, she kissed his cheek. “This Christmas has been the best one in a long time. First Princess, then the nutcrackers and Mom’s rings, and now this. Ethan Terrance, you’re my hero.” She turned to Leah who was looking at them strangely, and grinned from ear to ear. “Thanks to your daddy, it looks like I’ll be able to skate after all.”
    Several hours later, her cheeks pink from the exhilaration of the moment and the cold, Krista followed Ethan into the house. The chili supper, another Appleton tradition, had been delicious, and a great way to allow everyone to visit before the tree lighting and skating party began. All of the houses and stores around the park had been decorated with lights as had the trees and fences, making the area look like a magical winter village, and when Papa Schneider turned on the tree, a collective gasp went up at its beauty.
    Seeing her old friends, feeling the warmth of the welcome, tinged with more than a touch of curiosity, had been wonderful. No one had asked her why she’d left and not returned until now. Many had expressed their joy at having her back in Appleton, and hoping she was planning to stay. If she’d realized the welcome waiting for her here, she might’ve come back earlier despite her uncle.
    The best part of the evening had been gliding hand in hand with Ethan the way they’d done so many years ago. Leah had been just in front of them,