Second Chance Christmas, page 21
“It’s a heartwarming story, and, well, you’re at the heart of it,” the sheriff replied. “Smile and wave, and I’ll lead the way to your truck.”
The crowd had already surrounded Henry and Jane, pelting them with questions about Kringle and Santa. Ryan snatched up the boy and grabbed Jane’s hand. Together they followed Lamar out of harm’s way.
They rode back to the inn in silence. Ryan drove the Ford into the oversized utility garage and turned off the engine. All three of them sat like statues on the front seat.
“How are you doing there, Huck?” Ryan eventually got the nerve up to ask.
Henry leaned his head back against the seatback. He did that blinking thing his mother always did. Ryan smiled. The boy looked so much like his dad that it was nice to see something of Janey in him, too.
“I knew Kringle—Sparky was special,” he said. “I’m glad he found Santa again.”
Jane brushed her hand over her son’s head.
“You did a terrific job taking care of him,” she said. “Maybe we can think about getting a dog soon.”
Henry shook his head. “Nah. There isn’t another dog like Kringle out there.”
Jane shot Ryan a concerned look over Henry’s head.
Ryan was just about to speak when Emily came bounding into the garage.
“There you are, Henry!” she shouted. “Come see. We are on TV. And you’re famous for finding Santa’s dog. Everyone keeps calling my mom to say what a good job you did.”
She yanked on the door handle on Ryan’s side. Henry suddenly became more animated.
“Really? We’re on TV?”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you!” Emily opened the door. “Come on, everyone!”
Henry looked over at Jane.
“Go see,” she said, shooing him out of the car.
He crawled over Ryan, and both kids sprinted toward the inn.
Silence settled over the front seat of the Ford once again. Jane slid her hand over and threaded her fingers through his.
“How are you doing?” she asked.
“I’d be a lot better if we could bolt that door, and I could spend the rest of the evening right here with you.”
“Mmm.” She squeezed his hand. “We need to talk first.”
He banged his head against the back window. “The most dreaded words in the female arsenal.”
She sighed.
“I hear you.” He squeezed her hand back. “It’s just I’m a man who prefers actions over words.”
That got a grin from her. He opened his mouth to say more, but Henry was back.
“Come on, you guys! We really are on TV.”
The kid dashed back out again.
“We should go in,” she said. “He’s taking it so well. And I’d like that to continue.”
Ryan reluctantly let her pull her hand free from his. She climbed out of the truck and walked around to his side. He took her hand before she could walk away and pulled her in for a kiss filled with raw need.
“Tonight,” he said when he dragged his lips away. “We’ll find a quiet place to talk. Just you and me.”
“You did promise to show me those secret passageways.” She gave him a saucy grin. “I’ll look forward to tonight, then.”
As he watched her stroll out of the garage, a lick of unease shivered up his spine. His gut was screaming at him not to let her walk away, which was ridiculous. She wasn’t going anywhere farther than the inn where they were both staying the night. He shook the feeling off and followed her inside.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
JANE HAD BEEN longing for a festive Christmas Eve, and she certainly got it with the McAlisters. Dinner was a raucous affair with delicious food prepared by Lori and her mother, visiting with her husband and Lori’s autistic stepbrother, Ian. The eight-suite inn was closed to guests through the wedding, the rooms instead filled with family tonight. The small round tables normally used in the main breakfast room had been replaced by one long table adorned with magnolia sprigs, boughs of fresh-cut holly, and red taper candles. Patricia and Lamar were seated at each end.
“Ryan,” Elinor, the youngest McAlister called out from her end of the table. Elle, as she was called by her family, looked the most like her mother with her red hair, gray eyes, and a lithe build. She arrived from New York just in time to see the spectacle that was the end of the Christmas parade. “My editor has already texted me. She wants a full expose on how professional baseball’s biggest Lothario turned into a puppy cuddling, all-American grease-monkey who saved Christmas. Can I get a sit-down with you tonight?”
Everyone around the table laughed. Everyone except Ryan. And Jane. Her heart was aching witnessing how his family misunderstood him. How they didn’t realize the way their teasing made him feel.
He addressed his answer to his plate. “You’ll have to settle with a ‘sit-down’ with the congressmen-elect. I’ve had enough media exposure for a while.”
“Atta boy,” Miles said. “Don’t give in unless she offers you Cosmo’s Bachelor of the Month.”
“Oh, now wait a minute,” Kate added. “There’s only room for one B.O.M. in this family. And Gavin owns it.”
Ginger raised a hand. “But only for another week.”
Everyone was laughing again. Jane glanced over at Ryan. He was stabbing the potatoes au gratin on his plate with a fork. Beside him, Lori’s brother Ian was watching him astutely.
“Dude,” Ian said quietly. “I think they’re already dead.”
Ryan grinned at the young teen before shoveling a forkful in his mouth. Ian imitated him.
“Mmm,” they both said at the same time before following it up with a fist bump.
Jane’s stomach somersaulted. She hated that the people of Chances Inlet and the world only saw Ryan as the womanizing, professional athlete the media portrayed him as. He was so much more. He’d only met Ian an hour ago, and yet the two were already best buddies before dessert was served. And that was just today. Over the past couple of weeks, she’d watched him quietly change the lives of multiple people with his kindness and generosity.
He certainly changed hers.
Her heart ached for a different reason now. They’d both entered into their relationship with eyes wide open. With no expectations for anything past the new year. But somewhere over the past weeks, things had changed. It would hurt when he left. She couldn’t deny it any longer.
She worried about her son, too. Henry stood behind Ryan’s chair, laughing with him and Ian. Ryan rustled Henry’s hair. She was certain Ryan would continue to be a friend to her son. But what would that relationship look like a year from now? Two? She needed to protect Henry from heartache. Especially since she had a feeling it was already too late for her.
“Henry, Henry!” Emily jumped out of her seat between Cassidy and Patricia. “Guess what? Cassidy said we can have a sleepover up in the attic rooms tonight. That way, we can listen for Santa when he lands on the roof.”
Her son wore a pleading look. “Can I, Momma? He might have Kringle with him.”
Kate was also sending her an imploring look. Most likely, she’d paid Cassidy to arrange the “sleepover.” Ryan was watching her carefully, too. His gaze gave nothing away, but he knew if Henry was with Cassidy, they would have an opportunity to speak privately. And more. She inhaled deeply.
“Well then, you should ask Ms. Patricia if she has any carrots because the reindeer won’t like it if Kringle gets all the attention.”
“Yay!” both children chorused as they skipped around the table.
“I want in on this action,” Elle said. “Can I come, too?”
That had both children cheering even louder.
“No takebacks, Cassidy,” Jane said as she lifted her wine glass in a silent salute to Ryan.
The adults laughed. From across the table, Ryan donned his wicked smile. Jane had to look at her lap to hide her blush. She was glad when Patricia announced dessert would be served in the salon.
The dining room was cleared with the precision of a military maneuver. A short time later, they were all gathered in the inn’s elegant salon. A huge Christmas tree stood in front of the tall windows overlooking the ocean, the angel on top just barely clearing the twelve-foot ceiling of the room. A fire burned in the fireplace, behind a row of stockings. The pocket doors to the music room were opened to allow for extra seating.
Jane was stunned when her father-in-law sat down at the piano and began to play carols. Henry and Emily entertained everyone by dancing along while Midas ran between them. Kate sat down beside Jane on the sofa.
“You didn’t tell me Scott’s father was an accomplished pianist.”
“I had no idea,” Jane said with a laugh. “They don’t even have a piano.”
Ellen sat on Jane’s other side. “He practices at the club.” She sighed. “When he was younger and just starting out in surgery, he didn’t have time to play. He never saw the need for a piano in the house. But lately, I’ve caught him playing more and more. It relaxes him, I think.”
Patricia sat in one of the side chairs. “Well, he is welcome to come and entertain our guests any time he’d like.” She glanced over toward the children before leaning in toward Jane. “Bernice just called,” she said as quietly as she could. “She’s been getting lots of calls from people offering to find a puppy for Henry for Christmas. It seems half the town knows about Ryan’s Santa promise.”
“Alden was halfway to the shelter when Santa left with Kringle,” Kate added. “He didn’t want Henry waking up without a puppy tomorrow.”
Jane suddenly felt as if she might float up to scrape the ceiling with the angel. Once again, the people of Chances Inlet wanted to come through for one of their own. The knowledge made her both happy and sad. She wouldn’t find this kind of community in the suburbs of a city.
Ellen patted Jane’s thigh. “Stephen felt the same way. He wanted to offer Santa money for his cute little dog.”
Jane looked askance at her mother-in-law. Patricia smiled broadly. Kate draped an arm over Jane’s shoulders and gave her a hug.
“Told you, girlfriend,” she said. “You and your precious little boy are loved in this town. And we always help each other out.” She looked back over at the kids who were now singing along to Jingle Bells with Stephen. “Although, I don’t think Henry seems too broken up about Kringle.”
No, he wasn’t. It might be the fifteen minutes of fame he felt because Kringle belonged to Santa. Hopefully, that wouldn’t wear off for a while.
She looked across the room to where Ryan was playing checkers with Ian. Miles and Lori’s stepfather were looking on, interjecting strategy where they saw fit.
“Yeah, I think he’s taking it harder,” Kate said, following her gaze.
“Ryan is only home for another week. He couldn’t have taken the poor dog back to New York with him anyhow,” Patricia said. “He’s on the road half the time. And the city is no place for a dog. Especially in January. Not that I would have minded having Kringle here. Ryan might have come back more than once a year to visit then.”
Jane’s mouth felt like sandpaper all of a sudden. One week. Ryan was leaving in seven days. And given his track record for the past several years, he’d be gone until next Christmas. Just like Santa Claus.
She wanted to console his mother. But Jane could relate to some of Patricia’s sadness right now. As much as she’d tried to shield her heart, it hurt knowing Ryan wouldn’t be an everyday fixture in her life after New Year’s. Without her even being aware, he’d managed to fit into her and Henry’s life with ease. As if he’d always belonged there. She’d come to rely on his ready smile, to look forward to a stolen kiss, and to cherish the way Henry idolized him. Her stomach was in knots just thinking about life without him.
Gavin saved her from going down that particular rabbit hole by tapping a spoon against his coffee mug.
“Can I have everyone’s attention,” he said.
“Oooh, here it comes,” Kate whispered.
“I have a little announcement I’d like to make,” he continued.
Midas rushed over to sit beside him as if he, too, had something to say. Gavin reached over and tugged Ginger up from her seat.
“Before the frenzy that is Christmas morning in this family and then the weddings, we just wanted to share with you all privately that by this time next year, we’ll have not one,” he gestured to a smug Kate, “but two new McAlister babies to spoil.”
The room erupted, and everyone wanted to hug and congratulate the happy couple at once. Patricia dabbed at her eyes while Emily squealed.
“Oh my gosh,” she cried. “Now you get to be in the club, too, Uncle Gavin!”
Something smashed on the wood floor of the music room. The melee in the salon quieted as everyone turned to see what had happened.
“Henry!” Stephen’s tone was cross. “You should be more careful.”
One of the nutcrackers was in pieces on the floor. Jane stared at her son, his face red and swollen with tears. Something about his look told her it hadn’t been an accident.
“I’m sorry, Henry,” Emily whispered. “I didn’t mean to mention the club.”
Henry stomped his foot and ran from the room. Ellen chased after him.
“Emily, what club are you referring to?” Kate was using her hospital administrator tone again.
Her daughter’s lip began to quiver. “It’s a club that some of the kids formed at school.”
Alden crouched down beside her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Go on.”
A tear rolled down the little girl’s cheek. “It’s for kids who are going to be big brothers or sisters.”
Kate groaned. Everyone else in the room seemed to be holding their breath. Jane wanted to go to Henry, but she needed to get the facts first.
“It’s okay, Emily,” she reassured her. “Please tell us why Henry got so angry. That way, we can fix it.”
Alden nodded his encouragement.
Emily gulped a sob. “Henry gets mad because he doesn’t have a daddy, so he can’t ever be in the club.”
Stephen slammed the piano lid down and began picking up the pieces to the nutcracker.
“I need some glue,” he demanded gruffly.
Patricia started to say something, but Lamar quieted her with a touch to the shoulder.
“There’s some in the study,” he said to Stephen. “I’ll give you a hand.”
Jane wanted to run away from the prying eyes of everyone in the room, but her legs seemed to have gone numb. Dropping back down onto the sofa, she buried her face in her hands. She sensed movement all around her and hushed conversation, but she ignored it. She sat there for several minutes, trying to gather her composure so she could go up and speak with Henry. If only she knew what to say.
“Here. Drink this.”
Jane moved her hands away just as Kate sat down beside her, holding out a glass filled with whiskey.
“Doctor’s orders.”
“You do know I’ve aged out of your sphere of expertise?” Jane took the glass from her friend and gave it a sniff before downing it.
Kate chuckled. “That’s what everyone thinks, but most people never fully grow up. I can give you three examples right here in this house.”
Jane sagged against the back of the sofa and stared up at the pattern the Christmas lights made on the ceiling. “I saw Mrs. Proctor at the parade today. She said Henry was back to his usual self in the classroom. Not a single issue for the last week. I thought maybe you were right, and he was just going through a phase.”
“I hate to break it to you, but I am right. It is just a phase.”
“But—”
“He had something besides the silly club to focus on these past few weeks, Janey,” Kate said. “He had Kringle.”
Oh. Part of her was relieved to know what was bothering her son, but the other part hated that Kate was right. Henry’s behavior wasn’t a result of her poor parenting. Here she thought that living her life with Henry at its focus would be the best thing for him. But maybe she had it all wrong. She’d done her best, and her son was still unhappy.
Maybe if you are happy, that’s the best thing for Henry.
She glanced around the room, but Ryan was gone. He’d been right, too. She had her priorities all jumbled up.
“Tell me what I am supposed to do,” Jane whispered.
“I’ll tell you what you’re not going to do, and that’s make this about you. Because this isn’t a result of bad mothering no matter what your in-laws imply. Millions of only children go through this phase. Millions more kids with single moms do, too. I’ve got some good books to recommend for you.” Kate wrapped Jane’s hand in hers. “I’ve told you this many times before. Henry is a great kid. You’re a good mom. Things like this are something he’ll be able to deal with more easily when he is older.”
Jane nodded. “I should go to him.”
“He’s already bounced back. In fact, he offered my mom a beautiful apology that you would have been proud of. Alden is reading The Polar Express to both kids.” Kate sighed reverently. “My husband does a mean Tom Hanks if I do say so myself.”
“But—”
“No more ‘buts.’ Consider it a Christmas miracle we’ve now solved the mystery of why Henry was acting up. It will work itself out over the next few weeks with a little momma love and redirection. Alden and I will guide you.” Kate stood up and held out her hand to Jane. “It’s been an emotional Christmas Eve. Come on. Make me jealous by drinking some of my mom’s famous eggnog. I want you to enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Jane stood and wrapped her arms around her friend. “Thank you.” She was still concerned about her son, but she felt a little lighter knowing Kate would always have her back.
“Phew. I was worried you might hate me for talking you into staying in Chances Inlet for Christmas. I’m sure this wasn’t how you expected this day to go.”
“No, but it’s certainly been one to remember. And it’s worth it if only for the eggnog. I’m just going to go up and check out your husband’s sexy impersonation of Tom Hanks, and I’ll be right back.”
