Home for Christmas Read online

  “Thanks!” I said.

  “It will be even better when Lauren’s dad and I get out the Christmas decorations,” Mom said. She made an apologetic face at me. “I’m sorry, sweetie. We didn’t have time to decorate just yet this year.”

  Disappointment swept through me. I’d envisioned my friends walking into a Christmas wonderland.

  “It’s okay, Mom,” I said. “I know Dad’s been on a book deadline and you’re busy at work.”

  The front door opened and my dad, Gregg, stepped outside. He was actually my stepdad, since my biological father had died just after I’d been born. But Gregg was the only dad I’d ever known, and we were très close. The weirdest thing? Even though Dad and I weren’t blood related, we both had the exact same color eyes—pale blue. It was one of those cool things that I was glad we shared.

  “Bell!” Dad called, hurrying down the steps and sidewalk. Dad had called me “Bell” or “LaurBell” ever since I could remember. He was in his usual writer clothes—jeans and a sweater, and he’d thrown on a black coat.

  “Dad, hi!” I grabbed him in a huge hug, and he spun me around.

  “Hi, girls,” Dad said, putting me down and smiling at my friends.

  “Hi, Mr. Towers,” everyone said politely.

  “Please, call me Gregg,” Dad said. “That ‘Mr. Towers’ stuff makes me feel old.”

  My friends grinned.

  “Let’s get you girls inside,” Mom said after she kissed Dad’s cheek.

  We grabbed as much luggage as we could carry, and I was the first one to the door.

  “Here it is,” I said. I turned the gold knob, pushed open the door, and gasped.

  My friends momentarily forgotten, I stepped through the doorway. Seasonal smells of pine, cinnamon, clove, and peppermint hit my nose. The living room was covered in Christmas decorations, and in the back of the room near the sliding glass door, a giant tree twinkled with colored lights.

  “Oh, mon Dieu!” I said, turning around. “Mom! Dad! You said you didn’t decorate!”

  Lexa, Clare, Khloe, and Carina peered around me, trying to see inside. Mom and Dad grinned at me over their heads.

  “We didn’t have time to decorate the outside yet,” Mom said. “Of course Dad and I wanted you and your guests to come home to a houseful of Christmas cheer.”

  “Ahhh! C’mon in, guys!”

  We all scurried through the doorway, and I motioned for everyone to put down their bags.

  “Wow, it smells insane in here!” Khloe said.

  Mom tilted her head. “Is that good or bad?”

  Khloe laughed. “It’s very good!”

  We all laughed as we took off our shoes and put them in the closet. Dad took each of our coats and hung them in the same closet.

  “Your dad and I have some work to do,” Mom said. “Please make yourselves at home. The kitchen is full of snacks and drinks, and Lauren will show you around. We’re so happy to have you all!”

  “Thank you so much!” Clare said, her long red waves bouncing around her shoulders. The rest of the girls added their thanks, and my parents disappeared. I knew from an earlier BBM that Becca, my older sister, wasn’t going to be home for a few more hours.

  “Grab your bags and I’ll show you the guest room,” I said. “You can decide where you want to stay.”

  Khloe gave Clare a pretend evil eye. “I refuse to room with Bryant. She snores.”

  Clare punched her best friend on the arm. “Please. You recite lines in your sleep from whatever script you’re studying.”

  Khloe smiled. “I’m a true, dedicated actress, obviously.”

  “Let’s take this discussion this way,” I said, sticking out my tongue at them.

  We climbed the stairs to the second floor. Garland wrapped around the banister, and white lights were nestled in the greenery. I led my friends to the guest room. Ellen, our part-time maid, must have just cleaned, because the room smelled lemon fresh. The white bedside table had a bowl of pinecones covered in red and green glitter. A painting of the New York City skyline hung above the bed on the off-white wall. The bed was made up with a red down-filled comforter and dark-brown sheets. The open blinds let the bleak December sun cast a little light in the room.

  “I was thinking that Khloe and Clare could take the bed in here, since it’s a king,” I said. “Is that okay?”

  Khloe and Clare nodded.

  “Absolutely,” Khloe said.

  “Under the window, that’s a daybed that my parents got just for you guys.” I nodded to the white-wire bed frame with a mattress covered with a seasonal white comforter with light-blue snowflakes. “Lex, I was thinking that bed could be yours.”

  “It’s so cute!” Lexa exclaimed. She hurried over to the bed and put her luggage beside it. “Taken!”

  I looked at Carina. “My mom said there’s another one of those set up in my room, if you’re okay bunking with me.”

  Carina smiled. “That sounds great, Lauren.”

  I wanted Carina to share my room because I was closer to her than she was with the other girls. Plus, it had been my original intention to only invite her.

  “You guys unpack—feel free to put your stuff in the dressers and closet—and I’m going to take Carina to my room. It’s at the end of the hallway to the right. So come find us when you’re done.”

  “Thanks so much, LT,” Khloe said. “This is a great room.”

  “Agreed,” Clare said.

  “I think Lexa would say the same,” I said, laughing. Lexa had plopped on top of the daybed and was stretched out, her face buried in the pillow. She mumbled something unintelligible.

  Smiling, I left my friends, and Carina followed me to my room.

  “That’s my sister Becca’s room,” I said, pointing. “And this one is Charlotte’s—my oldest sister. My parents’ room is on the first floor.”

  “Are your sisters going to be here?” Carina asked.

  “Yes. Becca’s only two years older than me, so she lives here. She’ll be home later today. Charlotte is at college, but she’s coming home for break. She’s flying home on Tuesday.”

  We reached my room, and I pushed open the half-closed door.

  “Lauren!” Carina said. “Oh, wow!”

  I couldn’t stop the feeling of pride that built in my chest. Only Ana and Brielle had been in my room before. It was a huge relief that at least one of my Canterwood friends liked it.

  We put down our bags and Carina wandered around, looking. “Did you decorate this yourself?” Carina asked.

  “Yep,” I said. “I like soft colors and clean lines. Kind of classic American in my favorite color—pale blue.”

  A floor-length mirror was framed in twisted metal painted ivory. Icy-blue velvet curtains were drawn back from my windows. My bed had one of my favorite comforters—a soft white with flower outlines stitched in blue. A white ladder bookcase rested along one wall next to my desk.

  Along the wall near the bathroom door was the second daybed—this one had the same white metal frame and a micro-fleece lavender comforter and a stack of pillows.

  “This is the closet,” I said, tapping on the door. “Please use it so you’re not living out of a suitcase.” I flipped on a light. “And this is our bathroom.”

  Carina poked her head inside. “It’s so chic! This is totally you, Lauren.”

  “Thanks!”

  The bathroom had alternating white and blue towels hanging off a rack. A plush suede chair was tucked under a low part of the counter, where I usually did my hair and makeup. The shower curtains, ones I’d been thrilled to find, were blue-and-white pinstriped.

  “It’ll be so fun with you in here,” I said. “But if you don’t want to be in this room or if you want to bond with the girls by staying in the guest room, it won’t hurt my feelings.”

  Carina gave me a tiny smile. “Honestly? I was a little intimidated with the idea of staying with the others, since I do know you better. I adore your room and am so happy in here!�
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  “Yay!” I said. “Want to unpack so that’s over?”

  Carina nodded and with that, we unzipped our suitcases and clothes started flying into the closet. We had just finished when Khloe, Lexa, and Clare walked into my room.

  They added how much they liked my style, and before my ego exploded, I suggested we go downstairs for snacks and a tour of the rest of the house. I could barely contain my excitement—this was going way better than I’d hoped! And Ana and Brielle weren’t even here yet.

  4

  CANTERWOOD, MEET BRIAR CREEK

  Sasha

  I WOKE UP WAAAY TOO early the next morning, but I was too excited to sleep! It felt a little strange to wake up at home instead of in the dorm room that I shared with Brit at Canterwood.

  I was taking my friends to Briar Creek this morning. Everyone would get to meet Kim and see my old stable. Nerves stabbed my stomach. All of my friends knew that I’d started at a tiny stable, but they hadn’t seen it. Would they think less of me after we went to BC?

  No, I told myself, rolling over on my side. Callie was sound asleep on an air mattress, the blankets kicked off, revealing candy-cane-covered pj’s. I loved having my friends here. Although it had been a little, okay, a lot scary showing Jacob my room yesterday. But he seemed to like my shelf of Breyer model horses, bookcase stuffed with horse books, and the bulletin board that was filled with photos of my friends and Charm.

  I slipped out of bed and threw a bubble-gum-pink robe over my purple plaid pajamas. I eased open my door and peered down the hallway. The door to the boys’ room was still shut, and the den where Brit, Alison, Paige, and Heather were sleeping was dark. I tiptoed down the hall and to the bathroom to wash my face and start to get ready for Briar Creek.

  I rubbed my eyes, turned the corner, and—“Ahhh!” I shrieked.

  Jacob’s green eyes stared into mine. He steadied me with his hands on my elbows.

  “Sorry!” I said, giggling. “Are you okay?”

  His hair was sticking up and his eyes were sleepy. “You did bodycheck me at eight in the morning.” He grinned. “But I think I’ll survive.”

  The second Jacob said “morning” I realized that I was in pajamas. And so was Jacob! I couldn’t stop myself from checking out his flannel blue-and-gray-striped pants and long-sleeve shirt. I pulled my eyes to his face, simultaneously yanking my robe tighter across my body.

  “Um, well, I—I’ve got to get ready!” I said, hurrying around him. I couldn’t even think about what a morning mess I had to look like.

  “Cute pj’s, Sash!” Jacob called playfully.

  With a squeak, I darted into the bathroom. Okay, I told myself. No more leaving the bedroom in the morning unless I’m fully dressed and at least semi-presentable.

  I flipped on the light and squeezed my eyes shut when I got in front of the mirror. Slowly, I opened one eye and then the other.

  “Omigod! Are you kidding me?! Omigod!” I grasped the counter and stared at my reflection.

  Last night Callie and I had done Bioré blackhead strips on our noses. Apparently, I had fallen asleep with mine on! The stiff white strip made me look like I was recovering from a nose job.

  “Ugggh!” I groaned, ripping off the strip and leaving a Rudolph red nose behind. Of course I’d run into my boyfriend with that stuck to my face. Obvi, I had a lot to learn about having temporary guy roomies.

  A couple of hours later, everyone had dressed and eaten eggs and pancakes that Mom had made, and Dad was at the wheel of the SUV, slowing as we pulled into Briar Creek’s driveway.

  Heather had claimed shotgun, and she leaned forward, peering through the windshield. It was a gray December day, but there wasn’t a threat of snow. I took a Lip Smackers from my coat pocket and smoothed on the holiday pomegranate-flavored gloss.

  “This is it,” I said, my voice small.

  Kim had done a lot of renovation since I’d left. The stable had attracted more students after I, and then Lauren Towers, had trained here and been accepted to Canterwood. The pastures on either side of the driveway had freshly painted fences. The old orange round pens that had rusted at the hinges were gone. In their place—a new arena. The stable, once sporting chipped paint, was now a glossy gray.

  Dad eased the Ford to a stop at the stable entrance. “Call me when you’re ready to come home,” he said to me.

  “Okay, thanks, Dad,” I said.

  Heather got out, and I hopped to the ground, followed by Brit, Paige, Callie, Jacob, Alison, and Eric.

  I shoved my hands in my pockets, almost unable to breathe as I waited for the verdict from my friends.

  “Briar Creek is so great,” Alison said, her eyes roaming over the grounds. “It feels so intimate. I love that.”

  I grinned. “Thanks, Alison.”

  “It really looks like a good place to train,” Heather said. She held up her hands in a what gives? gesture to me. “You made it sound like we were coming to a place with rusty barbed-wire fences and overflowing muck piles. What’s that about?”

  Everyone looked at me. “I don’t know,” I said, shrugging. “I guess I didn’t want you guys to expect something like Canterwood and be disappointed. This place is really important to me, and I wanted my friends to like it as much as I do.”

  “Well, I think it’s fab,” Brit said, looping her arm through mine. “I want to meet the horses!”

  “Yeah, I want to see the stable!” Callie said. “Come on, Tour Guide.”

  Laughing, I led them inside. The stable was empty, as it usually was during Christmas break. I was glad to have the place to myself to give my friends a private tour. I’d texted Kim to tell her we were coming, and I couldn’t wait to introduce her to everyone.

  “Ooh, a Morgan just like Black Jack!” Callie said. She broke free of our cluster and headed for a stall up ahead. The black horse had his head over the stall door, his muzzle stretching toward Callie. “Aww! He’s so sweet! You’d like my horse, Jack,” Callie told the Morgan.

  Kim had added on stalls and more space at the back of the stable. I’d seen photos that she’d sent me when the construction was finished. Now there were about thirty stalls.

  I gave everyone a tour, showing them the tack room, Kim’s office—empty but with the desk light on—and the feed room, and we leisurely started down the main aisle to look at the horses.

  “I did ask Kim if we could borrow stable horses to trail ride whenever we have free time,” I said. “She said yes and sent me a list of the horses that were going to be available to us.”

  “Awesome,” Eric said. “I’ll miss Luna, but I’m glad I get to ride.”

  Luna was the sweet gray Canterwood mare that Eric rode. When Eric and I had dated, Luna had acted as if she had a crush on Charm. The two horses were still good friends. Just like Eric and me.

  I turned to Jacob. “Kim’s got a very quiet, easygoing horse picked out for you,” I said. I nodded at Paige. “Same for you. You guys don’t have to ride, though. If you don’t want to, I’ll stay back with you and we can hang out.”

  Jacob smiled and threaded his fingers through mine. He wasn’t an equestrian, but he had basic knowledge of riding. His teacher had been none other than Eric, my ex-boyfriend, who had so generously taught Jacob in secret so he and I could ride together.

  Paige’s experience around horses was limited too, and she’d never had lessons.

  “I trust that you chose the right horse for me,” Jacob said. “You know what I can handle. Plus, I want to spend time with you, and this entire break is about horses. I want to ride.”

  I squeezed his hand. “You’re the best!” I gave him a quick kiss and bounced on my toes.

  Jacob wrinkled his nose. “I have to say, I’m pretty good at guessing most of your lip-glossy things—flavors. But what is that?”

  Laughing, I told him.

  “Let me try it again,” he said.

  I kissed him, and we smiled at each other.

  “I’ll remember that one now,”
Jacob said.

  “Okay!” I said, suddenly aware that everyone was watching us with grins on their faces. “Paige, what would you like to do?”

  “Ride, obvi!” Paige said. “I want to. You gave me a riding lesson once, and I think I’ve done enough of the basic stuff with you to ride.”

  “Let me take you to the horses that we’ll be riding. They’re at the end of the stable.” I worked hard to keep my steps even and not turn around and spill secret news I’d been holding inside for weeks.

  5

  JUST CALL ME SANTA

  Sasha

  MY FRIENDS FOLLOWED ME, AND I walked up to a stall and clicked my tongue against the roof of my mouth to get the horse’s attention. The palomino gelding started toward me and put his beautiful Arabian head over the door.

  I turned to the group, and Alison gasped. Her eyes were as round as peppermint candies.

  “Alison,” I said. “You’ll be riding this strange horse named . . . Sunstruck. I think that’s his name. Is that okay?”

  “Omigod! Baby!” Alison ran forward toward her horse and peppered his muzzle and cheeks with kisses.

  “How did you—? When did—?” Alison sputtered at me.

  Eric, Callie, Brit, and Heather all shared the same look: hope. Hope that their horses were here and not at Canterwood.

  “They’re all here!” I said. “I coordinated the travel with Mr. Conner, and he worked with your parents and Kim. They’ll be staying at Briar Creek until we go back to school.”

  Eric looked at his boots for a split second. “Luna’s here too,” I assured him. “Mr. Conner knows you love her like she’s yours.”

  That made him grin.

  “Go find your horses,” I said. “They’re all in the last few stalls.”

  Callie, Eric, Brit, Heather, and Alison hurried down the aisle, not even glancing at the Briar Creek horses.

  “If it’s okay, I’d like to say hi to Charm and then introduce you to your horses,” I said to Jacob and Paige.

  They nodded.

  “That was an amazing surprise, Sash,” Paige said.

  “I wanted the horses to be home for Christmas too,” I said. “Home for them is wherever we are.”