Page 2 of The Lie That Stole Christmas

“Have been contacted and will arrive in the morning.”

A silence fell between them, the rushing noises of the city fading in and out around her.She could almost hear Grandma Lily’s soft, elegant voice telling her that forgiveness and Christmas belonged together.

“Miss Ashley,” Mr.Hawthorne said, “Winterridge has missed you.”

Her eyes squeezed shut as her chest tightened.I can’t.Too many ghosts.Literally.

But even though memories of that dreadful day flashed in her mind, the words slipped out.“I’ll be there.”

“Very good.Safe travels.”

The line clicked, leaving her in the middle of the glittering lights of a New York City Christmas, breath misting in the cold air, her pulse thundering with dread, and something or someone else she refused to acknowledge.

So much for forgetting the past.

Chapter two

Ashley

Winterridgestoodtallinthe freshly fallen snow behind black wrought-iron gates that glistened under a thin layer of ice.Icicles hung from the ornate scrollwork, and white powder dusted the reindeer topiaries.Ashley stepped out of the black SUV and waited for the driver to retrieve her bag.

Once her single piece of luggage was in hand, she thanked the driver and made her way to the door.Her legs weighed her down as if they were trying to turn her around and run for the snow-covered hills in the distance.Or maybe she could hide in the stables while she tried to find the courage to take those final steps forward.

There were too many memories in that stable.

“Knowing Clint, there’s probably beer in the stable fridge if you need some liquid courage.”

Ashley closed her eyes at the familiar voice, a slight smile tugging at the corner of her mouth as she turned toward her older brother.Heronlybrother.“Gabe.”

They had always been close growing up, but so much had changed over the years.

“Look at you,” Gabe said, before pulling her into a hug that smelled of expensive cologne and winter air.“Back at Winterridge.Never thought I’d see the day.”

She held on a second longer than she’d meant to, breathing in the comforting scent that belonged to the only person in the family who ever truly understood her, other than Grandma Lily.“Don’t get used to it,” she said as she finally pulled away.“I’m not planning on staying long.”

“Good.”Gabe ran a hand through his thick black hair.“Neither am I.First chance I get, once all is said and done, I’m getting the hell out of here.”

Ashley blinked at him.“This is your first time back since…?”

“Yeah.”His eyes drifted to the house.“I kept thinking I’d come sooner, but every time I tried, I’d get as far as the highway exit and keep driving past it.”

Ashley’s chest tightened.“Me too.”

Gabe exhaled, a visible puff of air expanding outward.“I thought maybe I’d feel different now that he’s gone.”

“Do you?”

“No,” he said matter-of-factly.“So, what will it be?Go raid Clint’s fridge like when we were teenagers, or go inside and get this over with?”

“As much as I would love to drown myself in alcohol and forget the last twenty-four hours, it is ten in the morning, and despite everything, I still have some standards.”

They stood there for a moment, staring at the heavy doors, neither one moving.Finally, Ashley grabbed the handle of the knocker and banged it against the solid wood.

The door swung open, and Mr.Hawthorne appeared decked out in his impeccably ironed suit and white gloves.

“Miss Ashley, Master Gabe, welcome home to Winterridge.”

Winterridge had been like a second home to Ashley, but it had been so long since she’d been back that she didn’t consider it a home anymore, just a shadow of the past.