Читать книгу A Forever Christmas - Missy Tippens - Страница 12

T he next morning, Sarah woke and got ready for church. Though she wasn’t on great terms with God, she knew her parents would expect her to go. As she suspected, they didn’t seem at all surprised.

But when they got to the front door of the church, she hesitated. It was different from going in for a rehearsal. No longer a theater, the prospect of entering the sanctuary felt intimidating, suffocating. “I’ll be in in just a minute,” she whispered to her mom, then hurried down the steps to the front sidewalk. Okay, I’m just going to walk around for a moment to catch my breath.

She steeled herself. She could do this. Simply walk in. Sit down in their regular pew. Appreciate the nice music.

She yanked her coat tightly around her and marched right back up the steps. She plowed through the door and walked down the aisle as if she owned the place.

Once seated, she searched to see if any of the Jones men were there yet. Only Harry and Gregory’s younger brother, Richard.

A minute later, it sounded as if a herd of horses had entered the back of the church. Little footsteps stomped down the aisle.

“Hi, Miss Sawah,” Chase called out too loudly. He grinned at her, his bright blue eyes shining so much like his dad’s.

She wiggled her fingers at him.

Then a big hand lighted on his shoulder.

She scanned upward. Gregory, of course. Looking so handsome in khaki slacks and a long-sleeved button-down shirt. No coat. No tie. It wouldn’t be Gregory if he dressed up any more than he had. Of course, he looked amazing no matter what he wore.

Hunter stood behind his dad, but she caught him take a quick peek at her. She waved, and he gave a half-hearted wave back. No smile. No sparkling eyes like his brother.

If she was going to help Gregory and the boys, she was going to need access to Hunter and Chase. And she was afraid she would have to enlist Harry’s help to do so.

Since the man blamed her for hurting his son, he was sure not to trust her.

She had to find a way to persuade him to help.

After lunch at his dad’s, Gregory spent the afternoon in his home office working on billing. Or trying to work on billing. His thoughts kept wandering to Sarah, and how beautiful she looked that morning in her soft, blue sweater. And those pearls—the real thing. Necklace and earrings. He assumed they were the same ones she’d gotten for her sweet sixteenth from her parents.

The boys darted in and out, playing, fighting, trying to get his attention. He needed at least another hour of relative peace to finish up.

He made a note on the calendar to follow up on a delinquent account. As he did so, he saw December 25 circled. Alarmed at how soon it was coming up, he did the math and saw he had only twelve days before the big day.

“Man, I need to make a list and get on it.”

First on the list: buy the trampoline. The boys needed a good outlet for all their energy. Once that was done, he would spend a day putting up the outside lights and decorations.

It was going to be tough. There were only so many hours in a day. He’d have to plan carefully. And he needed to start ASAP.

Using the notes he’d jotted, he marked everything on the calendar showing what he needed to do each day to finish all the preparations in time.

He wanted so badly to do all Lindsay had always done to make the holidays so special. He realized now that he’d taken her for granted. Or maybe it was more a case of just not knowing how much work it was to pull off a big Christmas. But his boys deserved it.

Beyond the gifts Lindsay was sending, he wouldn’t have any help from her. She and Bill were flying to Europe to be with Bill’s brother, Drake, this year. He couldn’t blame them for going. Bill didn’t get to see Drake often since he traveled the world for his photography. He hadn’t even made it home for the wedding.

But the timing couldn’t have been worse.

So not only did he have to pull off Christmas, he had to fill Lindsay’s void as well.

His heart raced, and his chest tightened, a feeling that was getting a little too common lately. Stress-related, he was sure. Nothing to worry about. He just needed to get a grip.

Maybe his dad was right. He needed to date a nice woman. Go out. Have some fun.

But if all he could think about was Sarah, he was better off at home. Focusing on his kids. He could do this. He could be father and mother—and Santa—to his kids.

Yes, the big Santa gifts would definitely take their minds off any disappointment over Lindsay.

Christmas and all the trimmings, coming right up.

He’d give anything to see a smile on Hunter’s face again.

Later Sunday afternoon, Sarah decided to go to Harry’s house to speak with him.

As she pulled in the driveway, she heard a screen door slam. Harry had walked out to the front porch.

She couldn’t blame him for his surprise at seeing her at his house for no apparent reason. But he quickly masked the surprise and waved her over.

She parked, climbed out, then walked up the sidewalk. “Hi, Mr. Jones. Could I speak with you for just a minute?”

“I guess. Come in.”

She couldn’t remember ever being inside Gregory’s childhood home. Their dates had all been on the sly since her parents had been so adamant that he was too old and too wild for her. She’d rebelled for a short while, but when he started talking marriage and about her going to college locally, despite her dreams of an out of state private woman’s college, she told him she couldn’t see him anymore.

Harry eyed her cautiously. “So what did you want to discuss?”

“I came to ask a favor.” She was surprisingly nervous, but she rushed on. “This is about Gregory. I’m worried about him and the boys. I’ve seen a few issues with Hunter, and I’m afraid his sons need more of his time if they’re going to get over Lindsay’s leaving.”

A frown was his only response.

She swallowed and decided to plunge in. “I’d like to help him see that time with his children is more important than making extra money for gifts. And I need your help.”

“And you’d like to do this because…?”

“I, uh…I’ve seen parents of one of my students make a similar mistake.”

“You do realize his working overtime has as much to do with him looking out for his employees as it does with him buying nice gifts?”

“Well, no. I didn’t know that. But either way, the outcome is the same. Hunter misses his dad. He’s sad. Withdrawn.”

Harry rubbed his chin. “Have you talked to Gregory about this?”

She recalled the awkward conversation and the not-so-satisfying result. “Yes. But he ended up angry with me.”

He studied her. “I’m still trying to figure out your motive, here.”

“I guess it’s the teacher in me. I see a problem with a child, and I try to fix it.”

“You know, as long as Gregory thinks you’re trying to fix him, he’s not going to cooperate.”

She had a feeling he wouldn’t cooperate simply because she was Sarah Radcliffe. “I just want to present opportunities for him to spend time with his boys. That’s all he needs. The rest will happen on its own.”

Harry nodded. “Makes sense.” He continued to nod as if assimilating all she’d said. “Okay. I’ll help. As long as you don’t hurt my son.”

“No. Of course not.” She wouldn’t let herself get involved enough for either of them to get hurt.

“Well, what did you have in mind?”

“I was hoping I could pick the boys up at school and day care tomorrow to take them to buy a Christmas tree.”

“How will that involve Gregory?”

“We’ll need him to bring the truck to haul it home. And then he’ll have to help put it up. And decorate it.” Just telling of her plan made a grin twitch at her lips.

One side of Harry’s mouth lifted into a crooked smile. “Leave the details to me.”

The next afternoon, Sarah arrived at the Jolly Time Day Care Center after picking up Hunter from kindergarten. Hunter remained silent as they drove to pick up Chase, but he hadn’t complained.

“Come on, let’s go get your brother.” She held out her hand to him, trying to act as if she wasn’t anxious. After all, she hardly knew these children. And they didn’t really know her.

“What are we going to do?” Hunter asked, ignoring her outstretched hand.

“That’s a surprise. I’ll tell you once we get Chase.”

“Hi, Miss Sawah,” Chase called as soon as they walked in.

“Hi, Chase. I’m here to pick you up today.”

She was relieved to see the day care center was bright, cheery and clean. The children seemed happy and well cared for.

“I’ll get my book bag.” He ran to his cubby while she provided her driver’s license to the worker and signed Chase out.

“So why didn’t Granddad pick us up today?” Hunter asked.

“Well, I asked him if I could take you shopping for a Christmas tree.” She clapped her hands together, hoping they’d get excited.

Chase didn’t disappoint. He hopped up and down, clapping his hands as well. But then he noticed his brother’s lack of reaction.

Hunter stood stock-still. “I thought Dad would take us.”

She hadn’t expected Hunter’s reaction. Had assumed he’d be thrilled. “Well, would you mind if I take you? I thought we’d pick it out, then call your dad to help us take it home and decorate it.”

He shrugged. “He won’t come.”

“Why don’t you let me worry about that part, okay?”

He shrugged again. “Okay.”

She buckled them in the car seats provided by Harry and drove to the tree farm outside of town. She’d always bought trees shipped in from North Carolina, but this was a cut-your-own tree place, her excuse to get Gregory involved. She’d call him to ask him to come help. How could he resist?

“There’s one!” Chase yelled as soon as they walked up.

“That’s tiny,” Hunter said.

“Let’s keep looking and see if we can find one you’ll both like.”

They tromped through row after row of Leyland cypresses and Virginia pines. The boys couldn’t agree on a tree at all. Hunter liked the tall fat ones. Chase liked the short, scrawny ones. As the light started to fade, she looked at her watch. Time to call Gregory.

“Gregory Jones,” he answered, sending her pulse into overdrive.

“Hi, Gregory. This is Sarah.”

After a two-second pause, he said, “What’s up?” He sounded wary.

“Well, I have your boys with me, and—”

“What? Why do you have my boys with you?”

Her pulse continued to race. Only this time it wasn’t due to the familiar sound of his voice. Now she feared she’d made a mistake. “I asked your dad if I could bring them to get a Christmas tree. But they can’t seem to make up their minds. And now I’ve realized it won’t fit in my car trunk, so—”

“Hold up a second. I’m still trying to figure out how you got my kids out of school.”

“Your dad gave permission for me to pick them up. I showed my driver’s license.”

“And took them tree shopping.”

“Yes.”

He sighed. “So now they’ve picked out a tree?”

“Well…no. Not exactly. They can’t seem to agree. Hunter likes tall and fat. Chase like short and skinny. So, what do you say you come with your truck, help pick one out, and then haul it home?” She smiled, because she was doing a great job of sounding cheerful. Maybe he would get in the spirit.

“But I have an appointment in…forty-five minutes and need to make a quick shopping trip on the way. Just get them to strap it to the top of your car.”

Chase started jumping up and down, excited that his dad might be coming. Hunter fidgeted as he tried to listen to the phone call. Of course, they hadn’t heard Gregory’s response.

Hunter tugged her arm down to move the cell phone closer. “Hey, Dad!” he yelled.

“Hey, Dad!” Chase echoed.

She put the phone back to her ear. “The boys really want you to come help pick it out. I know it would mean a lot to them.”

He sighed—an angry sigh. “I had set aside a day this week to go get the tree. It’s on my calendar.”

Her heart pounded. What if she’d gone too far? What if he wouldn’t come? “We’re here already. Come on over and help. It’ll be fun.”

“Pleeease,” Hunter yelled. And of course, Chase echoed. She almost said the same, but instead prepared to watch her plan crash and burn.

“Okay. But make them pick one before I get there. I won’t have time to shop.”

She smiled and gave the boys a thumbs-up. They whooped and danced around the trees while she gave Gregory directions to the farm.

After the celebration, they walked two more rows of trees. Still no consensus.

“Okay, you two. I have a solution. One wants tall and fat. One likes short and skinny. So how about we get a tall, skinny tree.”

Hunter looked at Chase. Chase looked at Hunter. Both smiled. Then Hunter held up his hand for a high five from his brother. Success.

A good while later, way back on the property, about as far as they could go from the parking lot, the boys found their tree. Most of the surrounding trees had been cut, and there stood their perfect tree. Well, perfect in their eyes anyway. Sarah tried not to laugh.

It was tall.

It was skinny.

It was pitifully scraggly.

“That’s kinda holey,” Hunter said as he shook his head, a gesture so like his dad that it made her heart lurch. “But it looks lonely. Can we take it home, please?”

Lonely? Her heart hurt once again. Hunter…so sweet, so tender, so…lonely.

“Pwease,” Chase added, sealing the deal.

She pushed aside the ache for Gregory’s children and grabbed the saw. “Let’s get started.” She made the boys stand back as she attempted a couple of passes of the saw. Not easy work. Maybe she would wait for Gregory to—

“Need some help?” he asked from behind her, his deep voice a rumble she could feel as if it were wrapping around her, enveloping her.

Chase squealed, and Hunter actually smiled, both excited that their dad was taking part in getting the tree. Once he’d patted their heads, he rubbed his hands together and reached to take the saw from her.

He’d always been the opposite of the men of her childhood dreams. Way back then, she’d imagined her perfect husband in a suit and tie like her dad—a slick businessman. But here he was in his boots, khaki work pants and polo shirt embroidered with the Jones logo, his auburn hair a little too long, his face scruffy with a five o’clock shadow. And so very appealing.

Before sawing, he stood back and really looked at the tree. He shook his head, just like Hunter had done.

Please brag on it. Please don’t say anything negative.

“Why on earth did you pick out a Charlie Brown tree?” he asked.

“A Charlie Brown tree?” Hunter asked. “What’s that?”

He gave Sarah a look. “I guess if you’ve already started cutting, we have to buy that one.”

“It’s perfect. And it needs love,” she said, daring him to say another word.

“A tree needs love?” he said quietly for her ears only.

His whisper rustled the hair by her ear and caused chill bumps to travel down her arm. A hint of clean, crisp, manly fragrance teased her nose, and she breathed in deeply. She couldn’t quite bring herself to move away. So she leaned in closer.

“According to your son, the tree is lonely,” she whispered. “So watch yourself.”

Gregory couldn’t look away from Sarah. Her nearness. Watching her with his kids. Seeing her protect Hunter. It was overwhelming. So he tried to focus on the tree. He was not at all surprised the tree looked lonely. It had been left behind for a reason.

Forcing thoughts of Sarah from his mind, he made quick work of cutting the trunk, then carried it to where he’d parked his truck. Once he had paid, he said, “I’ve got to go. I’ll bring the tree home with me tonight.”

“Ah, man. I wanted to decorate it now,” Hunter said.

“Can we, Dad, pwease?”

He’d already had to move buying the trampoline back one day. They could decorate the tree later. “I’m sorry, boys. I have some shopping I have to do before my meeting. And I’m probably going to be late as it is.”

“Stupid job,” Hunter mumbled as he kicked at the truck tire.

“Gregory, do you think you could help us just get the tree in the house? You could decorate it another day.”

Hunter looked at him, a hopeful expression on his face. Sometimes it took so little to satisfy them.

He glanced at his watch. “I guess I could do that. But we’ll have to hurry.” And he could forget shopping.

The boys hopped in the back seat of his king cab truck to ride with him.

“Sowwy, Miss Sawah. You have to wide all alone.”

“That’s okay, Chase. I don’t mind,” she said as she buckled him in.

“We’ve gotta go.” Gregory turned and leaned over the seat. “Sarah, can you follow us home, then take them to my dad’s?”

“Of course. See you there.”

He wanted to rush home, sling the tree into a bucket of water, then zip to the toy store, all in about five minutes. But he drove safely, making sure Sarah stayed behind him, safe as well. When they got home, he suggested the bucket of water.

Hunter leaped over the seat of the truck and tumbled into the front. “But Dad, we’ve got to take it in the house so we can decorate it later.”

“We won’t be able to do it for a couple of days.” He tried to remember which day he’d set aside to do the tree. “I think I planned for us to do it Wednesday.”

“Let’s do it tomowwo,” Chase said as he carefully tried to tumble where his brother had just done so effortlessly. Instead, he ended up stranded, hanging on the seatback.

Gregory gave him a tug to pull him the rest of the way. “Okay, guys. We’ll take it inside now, put it in the stand, then decorate tomorrow.”

Sarah stepped up beside the truck. “Do you have a tree stand?”

How come she had to keep popping up? It was as if she was trying to torment him—drawing him to her with her silky hair, sparkling eyes and sweet nature. She reminded him of the good parts of their past. When in reality it was a past that was best forgotten.

He sucked in a breath as a thought hit him.

Would Winston Radcliffe expect him to honor their agreement even after all these years?

“Gregory? A tree stand?”

“Oh, uh, check the attic. Pull down ladder’s in the hallway.” He handed her the house key.

It had been over fifteen years ago that he’d made the stupidest bargain of his life. Surely Sarah’s father wouldn’t hold him to it, now.

While Sarah went on a mission to find the tree stand, he trimmed off the lowest branches as Hunter and Chase looked on. By the time they got the tree up and tried to find one decent side, it was six o’clock and time for him to be at his new customer’s office.

“I’ve got to go. You three can try to find a side that doesn’t have too many gaps in the branches.”

He rubbed Hunter’s head. And started to rub Chase’s. But Chase launched into his arms and gave him a quick hug and sloppy kiss.

He started to thank Sarah. But for what? Throwing his whole schedule off and making him late? “I appreciate you taking the boys to Dad’s for me,” he said.

“No problem. Thanks for coming to help get the tree.” She gave him a big smile.

Did she feel it too? Or were his feelings one-sided. “Hey boys, you two run outside and get your bookbags out of Sarah’s car so you don’t forget them.”

Both obeyed and headed out the front door.

“I hope you don’t see Hunter and Chase as some sort of mission project,” he said voicing the fear that had been nagging him for the past few hours.

She looked surprised. “Oh. No, of course not.” But she seemed uncomfortable, as if he’d hit at least on some bit of the truth.

“So why’d you want to spend time with them?”

“They’re in the play. I wanted to get to know them.”

“And you’re going to get together with each of the children in the play?”

She didn’t say anything.

It made him sick to think her kindness to his boys was nothing more than feeling sorry for them. “My kids aren’t neglected. They’re not needy. I do a perfectly fine job providing for them.” He paced across the living room, wishing his house were bigger so he had decent room to work off the aggravation.