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  Cover image © Romantic Couple Winter Outdoor Ice Skating, YinYang; courtesy of istockphoto.com.

  Cover design copyright © 2016 by Covenant Communications, Inc.

  Published by Covenant Communications, Inc.

  American Fork, Utah

  Copyright © 2016 by Marlene Bateman

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any format or in any medium without the written permission of the publisher, Covenant Communications, Inc., P.O. Box 416, American Fork, UT 84003. The views expressed within this work are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Covenant Communications, Inc., or any other entity.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, names, incidents, places, and dialogue are either products of the author’s imagination, and are not to be construed as real, or are used fictitiously.

  ISBN 978-1-52440-194-8

  To my Kenzie

  Acknowledgments

  Many thanks to John Wells, Monica Miles, Jennie Stevens, Leah Hansen, Anna Smith, Holly Horton, Geri Main, and Tammi Nesi, who read the manuscript and gave many helpful suggestions. I also want to thank Holly Horton for her editorial expertise. A special thanks goes to my terrific editor, Stacey Turner. In addition, I owe a debt of gratitude to the great cooks that tested the cookie recipes: Virginia Kendall, Stacey Turner, Monica Miles, and Mariah Goodrich.

  Chapter One

  The road shone like silver as the twin beams of the Camry’s headlights tracked over the wet interstate. As McKenzie Forsberg exited the freeway, butterflies rose in her stomach then crashed and burned. Had she made the right decision? Back at home in Chicago, it had seemed utterly right and sensible, but now all sorts of doubts were creeping in.

  A sign loomed ahead, announcing they were entering the city of Lake Forest, Illinois—population 18,756. Kenzie glanced over at her daughter, Sara. “Still excited about moving here?”

  “I thought we were just visiting.” Sara’s reply was muffled because she had her nose pressed against the window in order to stare at the brightly colored Christmas lights illuminating the houses they passed.

  “Well, yes. We won’t move until after Christmas. You’re not worried, are you?” Moving could be unsettling. Kenzie had moved when she’d been around Sara’s age, and it had been fine. But then, her family had only moved five miles to the outskirts of town to a home that bordered the woods—a home where her parents still lived.

  “Not really. Grandma and Grandpa are here.”

  “And you already have a bunch of friends.” Sociable and outgoing, Sara had made a number of friends during their visits to Lake Forest.

  Turning from the window, Sara pushed the long honey-blonde hair, which was so like her mother’s, away from her face. “Did you have a lot of friends when you lived here? I mean besides that one boy?”

  “Quite a few. Of course, Lake Forest was a lot smaller back then. That made it easier to make friends.” As for the boy, they’d been best friends for two magical years.

  “I haven’t seen Kaylee and Ali since last summer.” There was a complaining note in Sara’s voice. “You’re always too busy to come and visit Grandma and Grandpa.”

  They had been over this too many times for Kenzie to address it now. Besides, they were here now—partially due to the stern lecture her older brother had given her. Tom had pointed out that she hadn’t come for two years and that she had to come this year since neither of their two brothers could make the trip.

  Although Kenzie had hoped to arrive before nightfall, she was now glad they hadn’t since it allowed them to enjoy the Christmas lights as they drove through the quiet residential neighborhood. When Kenzie turned on Oak Leaf Drive and pulled up in front of her brother’s house, a huge smile broke out on her face, and she clasped the steering wheel in delight. She was home—really and truly. She had lived in this spreading old house for the first ten years of her life. She turned off the engine and just sat in satisfaction, eyeing the Christmas tree with twinkling lights, which was framed in the front window.

  “Here it is—the old homestead. I hated to move, but at least we stayed in the same town so I got to keep all my friends.” Kenzie gazed fondly at the reddish-brick house that had always been special to her, with its wrap-around front porch and snow-covered roof.

  “They sure have a lot of lights,” Sara exclaimed in wide-eyed admiration. Clear lights swooped in crescents from the porch railing, while multicolored lights outlined eaves and windows.

  “Now remember, don’t tell Uncle Tom that we’re going to buy his house. I want it to be a special surprise.”

  “I won’t tell,” Sara promised.

  “He’s going to be so excited.” Kenzie smiled. “I’m going to write up a certificate, put it in a big box, wrap it up all pretty with a big bow on top, and give it to him on Christmas.”

  “You mean you’re not going to tell him now?” Sara made it sound like she’d have to keep the secret for an eternity instead of only seventeen days.

  “I probably won’t be able to wait that long,” Kenzie admitted, eyes glowing as she sighed in complete and utter happiness. The house was perfect. All doubts about moving back disappeared. This was right—she could feel it in her bones. She’d spent so much time thinking, praying, and making plans—and now it was all coming together! A bubbly feeling like ginger ale tickled her chest. How awesome to come back and live in her childhood home! She needed this—oh, how she needed this. Two years of wrenching turmoil had left her drained, making this moment extra sweet. She was coming home! Just seeing the house poured balm on Kenzie’s soul.

  Tired of sitting, Sara opened her door. “Come on, Mom!”

  Kenzie pushed a button, popping open the Camry’s trunk. As they went to the trunk, she said, “I hope you won’t be too disappointed when Grandma and Grandpa move.”

  Sara frowned. “I wish they weren’t leaving right when we’re coming here.”

  “They’ve talked about moving to Arizona for years,” Kenzie reminded her, pulling out a sack of presents and shutting the trunk.

  “Why can’t Grandma and Grandpa stay here?” Sara sounded forlorn.

  “Grandma said the house is too big for them.”

  “Maybe when they know we’re moving here, they’ll decide to stay!”

  Some of Kenzie’s excitement evaporated at the thought. But no. She wouldn’t think about her father now. Not when she was so full of excitement and happiness. “I wouldn’t count on it, sweetheart,” Kenzie cautioned. Her parents had always planned on moving to a warmer climate when they got older—even if they hadn’t mentioned moving for some time.

  A few inches of snow covered the lawn, but the sidewalk was clear. On the front porch, Kenzie let Sara ring the bell to announce their arrival, then she opened the door, and they stepped onto a woven rug.

  Mandy hurried in, her smile bright as she wiped her hands on a kitchen towel. Kenzie’s sister-in-law had an abundance of thick dark hair, which curved just above her shoulders. She wore her typical happy expression, and, as always, she was warm and welcoming. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here!”

  When they hugged, Kenzie could feel the slight bulge of the baby Mandy was expecting in five months.

  “It’s so good to see you!” Mandy exclaimed, her friendly face alight as she hugged Sara.

  “Where are your kids?” Kenzie asked, surprised she hadn’t been surrounded yet.

  “At your parents’. Your mom picked them up this afternoon on her way home from the store. She made Brian’s sheep costume and wanted him to try it on one more time in case she needed to make any last-minute alterations.”

  They hung their coats in the closet, and Sara wandered off. Kenzie went with Mandy to the ki
tchen, where she’d been making a fruit salad, most likely for the dinner Kenzie’s parents were hosting that night. Her sister-in-law folded whipped cream into the fruit and stirred while Kenzie licked the cream off the beaters. “I don’t know why you even added fruit. This is great all by itself.”

  As Mandy put away the mixer, the back door opened, and Tom walked in. Kenzie’s brother was a big bear of a man with a square, friendly face and hair he’d cut short when his hairline began receding. Tom smiled in delight and enveloped her in a hug that made it hard to breathe. Kenzie was about to beg for mercy, but Tom loosened his hold in the nick of time. The man didn’t know his own strength.

  “How were the roads?” he asked, going to give his wife a hug and a kiss.

  “Great. It only snowed a little, and it melted as soon as it hit the road.”

  “Good.” Tom slid his arm around Mandy’s waist and asked her, “Did you tell Kenzie about the change of plans?”

  “Not yet. She just got here a few minutes ago.”

  “What’s going on?” Kenzie asked.

  Tom said, “I know you talked Mom into having a family dinner tonight so I’d be there to break the ice with Dad, but you’ll need to do a little chipping without me. The bishop called. Butch is sick, and I need to fill in for him at tithing settlement tonight.”

  Mandy did her best to support Tom, who stayed busy as a counselor in the bishopric even though it put a crimp in family plans. “Of course it would happen on the night of Brian’s school play!”

  “I’ll be there,” Tom reassured her. “The bishop only needs me for an hour.”

  An hour! Kenzie scoffed inwardly. Translated, that meant almost two since it took twenty minutes to drive to the ward house in Gurnee. Then, add a little more time since Tom enjoyed talking and could chat for days. Kenzie hid her disappointment, telling herself not to worry. After all, Mandy and the kids would be there to dispel any tension. Mandy knew all about what had occurred between Kenzie and her father and, being one of her most loyal friends, had stuck by her through the dark days of her divorce. Kenzie had considered asking Mandy if she and Sara could stay at their house during their visit, but she’d discarded the idea, knowing her mother would be hurt—and she’d been hurt enough by this schism between father and daughter. Kenzie would not inflict any more hurt—though staying with Mandy would have made things easier.

  After picking up Sara and swinging her around in his version of a greeting, Tom kissed his wife good-bye. “I’ll be back as soon as I can, but if I get held up, I might have to meet you at the school.” He gave Kenzie another hug before rushing off.

  Mandy stretched plastic wrap over the salad and said, “All set. Let’s go.”

  Since her children would be riding with her to the Christmas play, Mandy would drive her minivan. She locked the front door behind Kenzie and Sara, who both waited on the front porch until the garage door creaked open. Mandy backed out, waving as they went down the steps.

  Suddenly, Kenzie’s breath caught in her throat, and she stopped as her heart gave a great thump. On the front lawn, a blue-and-white realty sign stood among the holiday decorations. When she and Sara arrived, it had been blocked from view by a large inflatable igloo with penguins skating inside. But now the sign—with a big red SOLD plastered across it—was plainly and painfully visible.

  Chapter Two

  Kenzie’s mouth opened, but no words came out. Her eyes were wide and staring. Sara came close, concerned as the taillights of Mandy’s van glimmered red in the darkness.

  “Are you okay, Mom?” She turned in the direction Kenzie was staring and saw the sign. “Does that mean Uncle Tom and Aunt Mandy sold the house?” Sara asked worriedly.

  The profound shock manifested itself as nausea. Crossing her arms over her stomach, Kenzie hoped she wasn’t going to be sick. “Um, I’m not sure,” she said, refusing to accept the evidence of her eyes. Still, how many meanings did sold have? Sold was sold. But it couldn’t be. Her head was spinning so fast it was a miracle it didn’t fly off.

  Mechanically, she got into the car, checked for traffic, and pulled onto the road. Tom couldn’t have sold the home without telling her. He wouldn’t do that to her. But then, Tom didn’t know she wanted to buy it.

  She hit the steering wheel in frustration, causing Sara to jump. Why hadn’t Tom told her he’d sold the house? Or Mandy? They talked frequently and hadn’t said a thing, which meant the sold sticker had to have been put up recently. She tried to remember the last time Mandy or Tom had mentioned the house. Lately, all they’d talked about had been her upcoming visit. Yet Kenzie knew selling the house was very important to Mandy—she and Tom had their eye on buying the Steadman home a few blocks away. It was a large four-bedroom home, which would give them the extra room they needed for their growing family.

  “What’s the matter, Mom? Is it that sold sign?”

  Kenzie’s throat tightened, and she tightly gripped the steering wheel as another wave of nausea hit. “Yes.”

  “Does that mean we aren’t going to buy their house?”

  Something in Kenzie rebelled. It was too much. It was all too much! She was tired of accepting whatever life dished out. A difficult divorce when she and Larry were supposed to live happily ever after. A pervert at work, and a boss who wouldn’t stand up for her. A father who made outrageous accusations. Kenzie had carefully formulated her plans, and then she’d prayed about them. She’d felt a confirming flood of warmth in her chest that she’d made the right decision, for Pete’s sake. This couldn’t be happening. She wouldn’t let it. No, sir. She wasn’t about to take this without a fight. “No, it does not mean we aren’t buying the house.” Kenzie spoke with real determination. “I’ll talk with Tom and get it worked out.”

  “But how can you if someone else bought it?”

  The corners of Kenzie’s mouth turned down. “Aye, and there’s the rub.”

  “Is that another quote?” Sara groaned. “You’re always saying weird things that some guy said. I don’t know what you mean.”

  In high school, Kenzie had fallen in love with Shakespeare, a love that had endured despite her major in business administration. “That guy is Shakespeare—and the quote is from Hamlet. It means there’s a problem.” A biiiiig problem. But there had to be something she could do. One of the reasons Kenzie had risen to upper management at Midwest Computers was because of her ability to solve problems. She’d come up with something.

  In a few minutes, Kenzie pulled into her parents’ driveway, which was lined with candy cane lights. Miniature lights sparkled on bushes and trees in the yard. A large pine wreath hung on the door, and icicle lights dripped from the roof. She and Sara grabbed their luggage and wheeled their cases toward the sprawling tan brick house.

  They were no sooner inside than Kenzie’s mother rushed toward them. Elaine bent to hug Sara, kissed her on the cheek, then wrapped her arms around Kenzie.

  When they pulled back, Kenzie stared at her mother in surprise. “When did you get your hair cut?”

  Elaine touched her short steel-gray hair that was cut in a feathery do. “A couple of months ago. I decided I wanted wash-and-wear hair.”

  “I like it!” It fit her mother’s petite features and brought out the blue of her eyes.

  “Me too,” Sara piped up.

  Mandy came over and lifted a few strands of her mother-in-law’s hair. “I told her it made her look ten years younger.”

  Slowly, Kenzie’s muscles softened and relaxed. It was good to be back. The house was spacious, with a large family room showcasing a tall Christmas tree in the corner and an adjoining dining room that opened onto the kitchen. Kenzie flung her coat over the side of the couch just as her father walked in. Tall and lean, Allen Dahlquist liked to wear sweaters such as the tan one he had on now. He wore his gray hair a little long, so he always looked overdue for a haircut. He gave Kenzie an awkward, lopsided hug, leaving a few inches between them. They stood there self-consciously until Sara ran over and threw he
r arms around her grandfather.

  A big smile creased his face. “How’s my girl?”

  “Good.” Then, hearing chatter from her cousins, Sara ran off to join them.

  “How was the drive?” Allen asked. “Were the roads clear?”

  What was it with men and roads? “It was fine. The snow was light and wasn’t sticking.”

  He listened intently as if she were revealing top-secret information. “Good, good.”

  The conversation came to another standstill.

  Her mother rescued them. “We’re so glad you could come!” There was such relief in her voice that Kenzie knew she was thinking about her two sons. As if reading Kenzie’s mind, Elaine went on. “They wanted to come, but it’s Nate and Jocelyn’s year to spend Christmas with her folks, and Randall and Denise can’t travel, not with Denise being eight months pregnant. We were going to be mighty lonely.”

  “Gee, thanks,” Mandy said wryly.

  “Oh! You know what I mean.”

  “Sorry, I had to tease you,” Mandy said. “Unless this place is packed with bodies, you feel let down.”

  “Well, let’s not stand here.” Elaine became brisk. “We’ve got a play to go to tonight. Kenzie, why don’t you take your bags to your room and wash up. Mandy, the children are playing video games in the office. Tell them to turn it off. Dinner’s just about ready.”

  After she’d rolled in the luggage, Kenzie went to the office, where her father was rounding up the children. Fourteen-year-old Adam jumped up to hug her. He was as tall as Kenzie and as lean as his grandfather. Hillary, with her long straight hair, was eleven and had her mother’s friendly smile. Seven-year-old Brian wore a fuzzy white costume and black gloves.

  Full of importance, he announced, “I’m going to be a sheep in the play tonight.”

  “If we make it in time,” his grandfather said gloomily as they went down the hall.

  Elaine overheard and glanced at the clock. “We’ve plenty of time, dear. Now, Brian, take off that costume. The last thing we need is for you to spill gravy on it. ”