1225 Christmas Tree Lane Read Free Page A

outside, but before I go, I need you to tell me what’s going on with your father.” From the girls’ startled expressions Beth realized she shouldhave led into the conversation with a bit more finesse. But subtlety wasn’t exactly her strong suit and she was short on time.
    â€œDad wanted to come for Christmas,” Bailey answered, as if that was all the explanation required.
    â€œDid he give you any particular reason?” she asked suspiciously.
    Sophie shook her head. “None that he mentioned.”
    That wasn’t too helpful; still, Beth persisted. “But why this year?”
    Bailey shrugged. “Don’t know. All I can tell you is that he said he missed us and asked if he could join us for Christmas. We couldn’t say no. You wouldn’t want us to, would you, Mom?”
    â€œOf course not.” Beth looked from one daughter to the other. “He didn’t say anything more than that? You’re sure?”
    â€œPositive.” Both girls widened their eyes, expressions innocent as could be.
    Convinced there was more to this sudden desire to be with them—and remembering Grace’s suggestion that the girls might be more involved than they were letting on—Beth hesitated. She wanted to probe deeper but really needed to get to work. As it was, she’d lingered with her daughters well into Jeff’s lunch hour.
    â€œYou’ll be okay without me?” Beth asked, abandoning all inquiries for the moment.
    â€œMom, it isn’t like we’re six years old!”
    â€œI know, I know, it’s just that I hate leaving you so soon after you got here.”
    â€œGo,” Bailey said, ushering her toward the door. “We’ll be fine. We’ll unpack our suitcases and put It’s a Wonderful Life in the DVD player.”
    â€œI want to watch it, too,” Beth protested. It was their favorite Christmas movie.
    â€œOkay, we’ll hold off until tonight. Now go.”
    Walking out the door, Beth blew them a kiss, the same way she had every time she left for work when they were youngsters.
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    The second the door closed, Bailey turned to her sister. “Do you think Mom suspects anything?”
    â€œI’m not sure….”
    â€œI told you we needed to get our story straight before we saw her!”
    â€œI didn’t think she’d drill us with questions the instant we walked in the door. Just remember, this whole idea was yours,” Sophie reminded her.
    â€œBut you agreed! Dad’s miserable without Mom, andMom needs Dad whether she’s willing to admit it or not.”
    â€œWell, she’s not willing to admit it, not yet,” Sophie said. She rinsed out the soup pan and placed it in the dishwasher. “I never really understood why they got divorced,” she mused.
    â€œYeah.” Bailey was wiping off the kitchen counter. “It didn’t make any sense.”
    â€œWhen they told us I thought they were joking. Some joke, huh?”
    â€œCould there be anyone else involved?” Bailey asked, growing introspective. “Mom mentioned that vet again. Ted something.”
    â€œTed Reynolds. She hasn’t dated in ages, but she seems to like him. He could be trouble.”
    Bailey frowned. “The problem with Mom is that she’s living inside an…an emotional cocoon.” She nodded, pleased with that description. “She’s consumed by this tree farm so she doesn’t have to think about Dad or the divorce or anything else.”
    â€œWho made you the expert?” Sophie muttered.
    Bailey ignored the sarcasm. “I took this really great psychology class, and I recognized what Mom’s been doing for the past few years. We’ve got to shake her up, make her realize the divorce was a terrible mistake.”
    â€œIt’s not just the tree farm, it’s those darn puppies,” Sophie lamented. “With puppies constantly showing up on