1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber

here.”
    Beth straightened and leaned against the counter, too, crossing her own arms. “And what gives you that impression?”
    â€œI saw the way you looked at him just now.”
    â€œReally? And how was that?”
    â€œYou’re jealous.”
    â€œAm I?” Beth asked, striving to sound anything but jealous.
    â€œYou want him back.”
    Beth laughed. “In case you’ve forgotten, I had him for twenty-three years.”
    â€œAnd you miss him.”
    Beth faked a short laugh. “I don’t know what you think you saw, but let me assure you, you’re mistaken.”
    â€œNo, I’m not,” Danielle insisted.
    Beth looked into the other room to make sure Kent and the girls couldn’t overhear this rather unpleasant conversation. “Well, then, let’s agree to disagree,” shesuggested in a low voice, hoping to avoid a pointless exchange.
    â€œYou want him.”
    Beth disregarded the comment, turned her back on Danielle and continued loading the dishwasher.
    â€œYou can deny you’re jealous all you want, but if you listen to only one thing, listen to this,” Danielle said tightly. “He told me about the divorce and how you wanted out of the marriage. You blew it and now you regret it.”
    This was too much. If Danielle thought she was helping… Well, she wasn’t. “Listen,” Beth said, pronouncing each word distinctly. “If you want Kent, he’s all yours. You’re welcome to him.” With that she slammed the dishwasher closed and turned to see Kent standing in the doorway.

Chapter 8
    The scent of cinnamon and allspice filled Peggy Beldon’s kitchen as she arranged the decorated sugar cookies on colorful plates lining the counter.
    The plates of cookies, toffee and hand-rolled chocolates were her and Bob’s gift to their friends each year. Peggy enjoyed baking and never more than at Christmas. She began wrapping the plates in red cellophane and tying the ends with a ribbon. She and Bob delivered the plates on Christmas Eve, usually late in the afternoon.
    Thyme and Tide, their bed-and-breakfast, did fairly well this time of year and she was grateful that despite a weak economy they continued to be busy. They alreadyhad several reservations for the winter months and the summer looked promising.
    Currently they had two guests, who seemed to be a couple, although they had their own rooms. Beth Morehouse’s ex and…Diana? No, Danielle. It wasn’t unusual to have guests over the Christmas holidays, although Peggy would’ve preferred to close, but as Bob said, they couldn’t turn down business. Christmas or not, they had rooms to rent. She could guarantee that the Christmas morning buffet would be something Kent Morehouse and his friend would long remember.
    Humming a Christmas carol to herself, Peggy glanced out the kitchen window and saw her husband pull into the driveway. He’d run a few errands for her. A couple of minutes later, she glanced outside again, wondering why he hadn’t come in.
    Just then the door opened. Bob knocked the snow off his boots as he entered the house, a big grin on his face. By nature her husband was an upbeat, happy person, always sociable, which was one reason their B and B was successful. Peggy tended to remain in the background, creating the meals, while Bob provided the warm welcome and the entertainment.
    â€œWhat took so long?” she asked, pausing to kiss him and take the bags out of his hands.
    â€œYou should see the grocery store. There wasn’t a cart to be had.”
    â€œChristmas Eve…what did you expect?”
    â€œEveryone seems to leave the shopping until the last minute—even my wife.” He kissed her cheek but not before Peggy saw him swipe a cookie.
    Bob reached for a date bar and she returned his sheepish smile with an approving grin. She had plenty to spare and, after his trek to the store, Bob deserved a