Barbourville Christmas Reunion — Carolynn Carey

Author's Note: This story first appeared in the ebook anthology titled Christmas Wishes: Seven Stories of Second Chances published in November 2015. Realizing he's going to be alone for Christmas, successful businessman Allan Weaver decides on a whim to visit Barbourville, the town where he grew up and went to high school. Twenty years have come and gone since then, but something draws him back. Could it be fond memories of Gabby Richards, the girl he crushed on when the two teenagers worked at Travis Tree Farm helping families find their perfect Christmas tree? Gabby has been widowed for years, but she's content in her small hometown with her career as a high school English teacher. She's just begun her annual Christmas break when word reaches her that an old friend is in town -- and he's homeless. Should she risk embarrassing him by visiting him at Sonny's Diner where rumor has it he's staying free of charge in the apartment above the restaurant? But then she learns that help is needed on the tree farm where she and Allan once worked, and she figures out a way to help Allan earn a little extra money. In the meantime, Allan is amazed at the warm welcome he's received in his old hometown, and he's especially thrilled that he and Gabby are reconnecting after all these years. Then he learns that everyone -- including Gabby -- thinks he's homeless and broke. When the truth comes out, can everyone's hopes for a happy Christmas survive?