A Very Crimson Christmas (Crimson, Colorado 4) by Michelle Major Page A

fragile wrapped around his. How had she aged so much in the couple of years since he’d last visited? He knew the fall had taken a lot out of her. The doctor had told him she was lucky she hadn’t broken any bones.
    A teacher stepped to the front and introduced the third grade class from Crimson Creek Elementary. The kids launched into a rendition of “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” that was more energetic than harmonious, but it didn’t seem to matter. The audience loved the kids’ enthusiasm and many of them sang along with the well-known carols. When one of the boys came forward for a whisper-soft solo of “Silent Night,” Liam saw Ruth wipe a tear from the corner of her eye.
    It made him remember how much she’d always loved the holidays. During the time he’d lived with her, they’d gone into the woods together to cut down a fresh Christmas tree, then decorated it with a mix of homemade and sparkling new ornaments. She’d had him help her bake cookies and string lights, adding more spirit to his holidays than he’d ever had with his parents. His father’s idea of a perfect Christmas was spending the week at an exclusive beach resort. There might be decorations but never of the homey, personal kind he associated with Crimson.
    Looking over at his former nanny’s shining eyes, the kids dressed in various shades of red and green, Liam realized he hadn’t seen one decoration on display at her house. It was only the first week of December, but usually she had her Christmas tree up even before Thanksgiving. He decided at that moment that he’d make up for lost time and give her the best, most festive holiday she’d ever seen. It certainly wouldn’t hurt that Natalie would be a part of it.
    The kids sang several more songs, each greeted with rousing applause from the audience. At the end of the performance, the director of the assisted living center announced a cookies and juice reception in the dining hall next door. As the children followed their teacher from the room, Austin slipped out of the line and ran over to give Ruth a hug. She dropped Liam’s hand to wrap her arms around the boy.
    “You sounded beautiful,” she told him, and his smile widened.
    “I’ll save you a cookie,” he said and joined the back of his class.
    “He really feels connected to you.” Liam stood and offered his arm as he walked her toward the door.
    “He keeps me young,” she answered, patting his hand. It was a slow procession toward the dining hall, especially with Ruth’s cane. “I should be done with this thing in a week, after my next appointment.”
    “Are you sure you won’t come and stay with me if you don’t want to live at Evergreen?” Liam led her around the corner. “There’s a whole suite on the first floor of the house. I can set it up however you want.”
    “I’m not leaving the farm, Liam.”
    “It worries me to have you there by yourself.”
    “I’m not by myself. Natalie and Austin are there.”
    “You know what I mean.”
    She put her hand on the doorway to the dining hall to stop their progress and turned to him. “I’ve lived in that house for over twenty years. Stan and I dreamed of growing old together on the farm. He took his last breath on that property the year before you came to live with me. I made a promise to him that I’d create for myself in Crimson the life we’d imagined together, and I have. I won’t give it up. I may be older and slower, but I’m strong enough to honor his memory.”
    Her eyes shone as she spoke the words. How was Liam supposed to argue? He nodded instead. “If it’s okay with you, I’m going to stay in town through the holidays.”
    “It’s more than okay, sweetie. It would make this the best Christmas I’ve had in a long time.” She inched forward, leaned her cane near the edge of the doorway. “Now help me to the refreshment table. I’m sick of holding that thing.”
    “Are you sure?” He stepped in front of her. “Should we check