Jean Gordon: Holiday Homecoming

The Pastor’s Christmas Match

Pastor Connor Donnelly is done with romance. After proposing to his high school sweetheart, Natalie Delacroix, five years ago—and being turned down—he’s putting all his time and energy into his community. He’s determined to make the Christmas pageant he’s directing a success. But family and friends are set on fixing up the good-looking bachelor in time for the holidays. And now that Natalie is back in Paradox Lake—and helping with the pageant—they might just succeed. Because working so closely with Natalie stirs up old feelings…and Connor starts to hope for a second chance with the one who got away.

“You don’t want to work on the pageant?” Connor asked her.

Natalie avoided his gaze. “It’s just… Isn’t it awkward for you? Wouldn’t you rather be working with someone else?”

“We’re both adults. Anything between us ended a long time ago. I agree with your mother that you’re the best qualified person to step in for her.”

“You didn’t answer my question,” she reminded him.

He wasn’t sure he could. “I want the best person we can get for the choir director. You’re good.”

He lifted her chin with his forefinger. “What happened?” he asked suddenly. “Why are you really back?”

Connor was uncertain whether he thought it would help to talk about the elephant in the room.

Her eyes clouded. “This isn’t easy to talk about.”

“You don’t have to. That was just counselor Connor kicking in. You know, all that listening and conflict resolution training I had at seminary.”

“No, you’re right. Talking will help us start over—as friends—so we can work together on the pageant.”

Something in him rebelled at the way she emphasized as friends.

JEAN C. GORDON’s writing is a natural extension of her love of reading. From that day in first grade when she realized t-h-e was the word the, she’s been reading everything she can put her hands on. Jean and her college-sweetheart husband share a 175-year-old farmhouse in Upstate New York with their daughter and her family. Their son lives nearby. Contact Jean at facebook.com/jeancgordon.authoror PO Box 113, Selkirk, NY 12158.

Holiday

Homecoming

Jean C. Gordon

www.millsandboon.co.uk

“For surely I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”

—Jeremiah 29:11

To my family for being the anchor of my life

and putting up with my love of

celebrating holidays, any holiday.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text The Pastor’s Christmas Match Pastor Connor Donnelly is done with romance. After proposing to his high school sweetheart, Natalie Delacroix, five years ago—and being turned down—he’s putting all his time and energy into his community. He’s determined to make the Christmas pageant he’s directing a success. But family and friends are set on fixing up the good-looking bachelor in time for the holidays. And now that Natalie is back in Paradox Lake—and helping with the pageant—they might just succeed. Because working so closely with Natalie stirs up old feelings…and Connor starts to hope for a second chance with the one who got away.

Introduction “You don’t want to work on the pageant?” Connor asked her. Natalie avoided his gaze. “It’s just… Isn’t it awkward for you? Wouldn’t you rather be working with someone else?” “We’re both adults. Anything between us ended a long time ago. I agree with your mother that you’re the best qualified person to step in for her.” “You didn’t answer my question,” she reminded him. He wasn’t sure he could. “I want the best person we can get for the choir director. You’re good.” He lifted her chin with his forefinger. “What happened?” he asked suddenly. “Why are you really back?” Connor was uncertain whether he thought it would help to talk about the elephant in the room. Her eyes clouded. “This isn’t easy to talk about.” “You don’t have to. That was just counselor Connor kicking in. You know, all that listening and conflict resolution training I had at seminary.” “No, you’re right. Talking will help us start over—as friends—so we can work together on the pageant.” Something in him rebelled at the way she emphasized as friends.

About the Author JEAN C. GORDON’s writing is a natural extension of her love of reading. From that day in first grade when she realized t-h-e was the word the, she’s been reading everything she can put her hands on. Jean and her college-sweetheart husband share a 175-year-old farmhouse in Upstate New York with their daughter and her family. Their son lives nearby. Contact Jean at facebook.com/jeancgordon.author or PO Box 113, Selkirk, NY 12158.

Title Page Holiday Homecoming Jean C. Gordon www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse “For surely I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” —Jeremiah 29:11

Dedication To my family for being the anchor of my life and putting up with my love of celebrating holidays, any holiday.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

If one more person tried to play matchmaker with him, Connor Donnelly didn’t know what he’d do, but it might not be pastorlike.

Connor flipped his jacket collar up against the cold night air as he left the parsonage for the Christmas pageant practice he was supposed to be directing. Even his older brother, Jared—the man least likely to marry—had gotten into the matchmaker act since his wedding last summer. Connor shuddered at the memory of last weekend’s blind double date.

Jared and his wife, Becca, had set him up with the younger sister of her college friend, who was in Ticonderoga on business. Becca had failed to tell the woman he was a minister. When it came up at dinner, she’d clammed up and made her exit as quickly as she could without being blatantly rude. It wasn’t that Connor would mind being married. He’d just rather do the choosing and hadn’t found a woman he cared strongly enough about, except...

Pushing that thought from his head, he drove the short distance from Hazardtown Community Church to the Sonrise Camp and Conference Center, where the practice was being held. He had more immediate things to occupy his time than his lame love life, like finding a replacement for Terry Delacroix, his church organist and the music director for the Paradox Lake churches’ annual Christmas Eve pageant and ecumenical service. His church was sponsoring the service this year, making him the production director. Acing the production would help to solidify his standing with the small faction of his congregation who still weren’t convinced Jerry Donnelly’s son was the right pastor for Hazardtown Community.

As he opened the door to the newly built camp auditorium, he caught the end of a conversation between the twelve-year-old Bissette twins, who were standing in the hallway off the entry.

“She deserves a nice Christmas present, especially since Mom says she’s getting her act together now. I think Pastor Connor would be perfect.”

“Ye-e-es!” The second twin fist-bumped her sister.

Terrific, now the kids were getting in on it. He wasn’t even going to speculate who the girls thought he’d make a perfect gift for.