She couldn’t begrudge Jim the life he’d shared with Charlotte. Yes, he’d hurt her but she’d gone on to find a unique happiness with Dave. She’d raised two amazing sons and now ran a successful business. She had no regrets because there was no way she’d give up any piece of the life she built.
Now she had a second chance with her first love. He’d been through plenty yet was still willing to risk loving her again. For this to work, they’d have to find a way to support the other’s children even if they were at odds.
How would her boys have turned out without her? Jana could barely force herself to consider the idea. Maggie lost her mother at fifteen, a difficult age for any girl. She was an amazing woman, and Jana wouldn’t let anyone make her feel differently.
“I’ve seen a lot in my years in this town,” she said gently. “No one should expect you to compromise your values or allow yourself to be treated like a commodity.”
Maggie bit down on her lower lip. “I hope you’re right. I thought I could make it better, smooth things over with Christian without jeopardizing our chances. Instead, I made him angry and I pushed Griffin away in the process.”
“Griffin cares about you,” Jana said without hesitation.
“He told me he loved me,” Maggie said with a sniff. “Again.”
“He has a funny way of showing it,” Jim muttered and Jana didn’t even take offense. She understood how badly her son had hurt Maggie. She’d once felt the same kind of heartbreak.
“Are you going to give him another chance?” she asked, squeezing Maggie’s hand.
Maggie shook her head. “I told him I couldn’t. I can’t risk being hurt like I was before.”
“Sometimes...” Jana looked toward Jim then back at Maggie “...you have to risk the hurt to find the happiness.”
“Sometimes,” Maggie responded, “the risk is too great.” She swiped at her cheeks then smiled. “I’m happy for the two of you. Really. It’s going to make for some strange family get-togethers, although at this point strange feels like our new normal.”
“I love you, Mags,” Jim whispered and pulled his daughter in for a tight hug. “You deserve so much happiness.”
“I’ll find it eventually,” she answered but Jana could still see the pain enveloping her. “I’m going to grab the clothes and take off.”
“You don’t need to go,” Jana said quickly. “If you want to spend time with your dad—”
Maggie held up a hand. “You two crazy kids continue with...” She waved a hand. “Well, I don’t want to know how you’re going to continue. But I would like to be a fly on the wall when you explain this to Grammy.”
Jana grimaced and Jim let out a laugh. “Your grandmother will just have to deal.”
“Yeah,” Maggie agreed with a wink. “Good luck with that.”
She turned and walked out of the kitchen. Jana slapped her palm to her forehead. “I’m a middle-aged woman, and I’m terrified that your mother won’t approve of me. That’s sad.”
“She’ll approve,” Jim assured her, wrapping his arms around her once again. “Mom respects you, and for good reason. You’re amazing, Jana. The fact that you can comfort Maggie when she tells you she won’t give your son another chance is a testament to your character.”
“They’re adults.” She sighed. “I’m certainly not in a position to judge anyone for the choices they make. I love my son, and I think he truly loves Maggie. I still have hope.” She rested her head against his chest, taking solace in the steady beat of his heart. “I’m not giving up on them getting another chance at happiness.”
“Thank you,” he whispered, kissing the top of her head, “for giving me one.” He pulled back, cradling her face in his big hand. “Is it too soon for me to tell you I love you?”
Her heart seemed to skip a beat; an avalanche of joy tumbled through her. “It’s not too soon.” The truth was she’d never stopped loving this man. She’d buried the emotion to survive without him. But now love that had lain dormant all these years unfolded inside her like the first bloom of the spring pushing through the dry winter earth.
“I love you, Jana.” He kissed her, and she breathed him in, feeling more alive than she had in years.
“I love you too,” she whispered. “I always will.”
Chapter Thirteen
Griffin looked up from the computer as the door to the home office opened and his mother stepped into the room.
“You’re up late,” his mom said, inclining her head. “Still trying to get up to speed before Marcus leaves?”
“Not exactly.” He glanced at the clock on his computer screen then back at her. “You had a late night, as well. Book club gone wild?”
She smiled and shook her head. “I was with Jim Spencer.”
Griffin tried to hide his frown but by the look on his mom’s face, he didn’t succeed. “How long does it take to design a sculpture? I thought you were going with some kind of homage to the seasons.”
“Jim and I are together,” she said by way of an answer. “I’m in love with him, Griffin.”
Talk about an unexpected punch to the gut. “How is that possible? You barely...” Realization dawned like a painfully bright sunrise after an all-nighter. “He’s the guy you dated before Dad?”
She nodded and smoothed a hand over her dark sweater. “It didn’t help your father to feel any friendlier toward the Spencers over the years.”
“Because Jim hurt you.” Griffin pushed back from the desk, folding his arms over his chest. “Dad probably wanted to rip him to pieces.”
“We never discussed it,” she answered. “But that was a long time ago.”
“Who cares how long it’s been, Mom? He treated you badly. How can you say you’re in love with him now?”
“I’m not sure I ever fell out of love,” she admitted. “Which doesn’t change or diminish what your father and I had.” She held up a hand when Griffin would have argued. “I don’t owe you an explanation for the workings of my heart. I love you to pieces and would do anything for you, Griffin. For either you or Trevor, and now Joey too. But this decision belongs to me.”
“Jim hurt you,” he repeated, still remembering the sorrow that had filled his mother’s gaze when she’d talked about her past.
“You hurt Maggie,” she countered.
He sucked in a breath. Jana Stone with a swift uppercut that left him reeling.
“It’s not the same thing.”
“Are you sure?”
“No,” he admitted, swallowing hard. “At this point, I’m not sure of anything except that I love her and I’ve lost her.”
“Oh, Griffin.”
He flicked a hand toward the computer screen. “I’m looking into Christian Milken’s history now. The guy seems like the all-American corporate captain of technology, but he’s shady.”
“Maggie told us about her run-in with him.” His mother stepped forward. “And yours.”
“You would have been proud.” He flashed a quick smile. “I didn’t kill him.”
“I’m proud of you for so many reasons.”
“Brenna called me a coward for not fighting harder to win Maggie back.”
“I’ve always liked that girl.”
“I bet.” He chuckled. “I don’t want to give up on her.”
“Then don’t.”
He rested his elbows on the desk, placing his head in his hands. “I’m so damn scared of failing.”
His mother’s sharp intake of breath reverberated in the quiet of the room. Griffin didn’t look up. He wouldn’t be able to say the things he needed to share if he had to meet her gaze.
“I tried with Dad. Not in the way he wanted, but I tried. And no matter what I did, it was never enough. I learned everything I could about the vineyard. I made his passion my passion, and he still wouldn’t let me in. At some po
int, it became easier to disappoint him. If I made that my goal, at least I could succeed at something. I was never enough for him, and part of me thinks I’ll never be enough for Maggie.”
“You’re enough,” his mother whispered, her voice filled with tears.
“You have to say that. You’re my mom.” He was trying to make a joke because the emotions pouring through him made him anxious, itchy like a junkie craving the needle.
“Maggie loves you,” she said, her tone grave. So much for lightening the mood. His heart threatened to beat out of his chest in response to her words.
“Look at what I did to her,” he said after several long moments. “I’m worried about you with her father because he hurt you in the same way I hurt Maggie. I wish it could be different.”
“You’re living in the past,” she said. “I know because I spent decades there. But you and Maggie still have a chance, Griffin. It’s only too late if you believe it.”
“I need to show her I’m worth the risk.”
“Then show her.”
“Will you help me?”
“Whatever you need.” His mom grabbed a ladder-back chair that sat against the wall and pulled it toward the desk. “Do you know the last time you asked me for help was on your fourth-grade science project?”
He laughed for real this time. “I was an idiot even as a kid.”
“You’re just a slow learner,” she said, ruffling his hair like she used to when he was a boy.
“I can’t live without her,” he whispered and took comfort in his mother’s knowing smile.
“I have a feeling you won’t have to.”
* * *
Maggie approached the town square on Christmas Eve with a heavy heart. She knew the video of her slapping Christian had made the rounds through the community, although no one but Brenna had actually mentioned it to her.
It was never a good sign when the town went radio silent. She didn’t have the nerve to address it herself, hoping beyond hope the damage hadn’t been as bad as she thought.
No one from Christian’s team had returned her calls, although she’d gotten a terse text from Allyson that he would honor his commitment to attend the town’s annual Christmas Eve caroling event. It was scheduled to be the final activity filmed for the competition.
The community always came together en masse for a public reading of “The Night Before Christmas” and a selection of holiday songs led by the high school chamber choir. It had always been one of her family’s favorite traditions. Her mom had loved it especially, and Maggie could still remember that final holiday they’d had together. Her mom had been in a wheelchair, with Ben cradled in her lap. Tears streamed down her face as she sang in her lilting soprano about “little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.”
Both Maggie and her father had been in denial, not willing to admit that they wouldn’t have another Christmas together. Miracles happened all the time in movies and television shows. Why not in their little corner of the world?
But there had been no reprieve from cancer. Instead, her mother had died on a cold, dreary afternoon in late January. The following Christmas had been bittersweet and her father had withdrawn into himself. But her mom had made Maggie promise that she’d keep up the traditions they loved so much for Morgan and Ben. She’d forced her dad out of the house, and with Grammy’s help, they’d bundled up the two little ones and all of them had attended the Christmas Eve event.
It had been a turning point of sorts. Her father had remained steeped in grief, but after that night there were glimmers of hope in the darkness that had engulfed their lives. For Maggie, the festive occasion had taken on special meaning.
Tonight it felt tainted by her anxiety over the situation with LiveSoft. She wasn’t sure how to fix the relationship and still be true to herself. Honestly, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to. If Christian believed he could use his position to take advantage of her, would he also abuse his influence in the community if his company moved to Stonecreek? Maggie didn’t want to give so much potential negativity any hold in her town, but she couldn’t deny the impact headquartering such a growing company would have on the community.
“Come on,” her brother called from the sidewalk across the street. “We’re going to miss the first part. Grammy’s saving us a spot up front.”
Maggie smiled as she jogged across the empty street toward Ben, Morgan and their father. This year Morgan’s boyfriend, Cole, and Jana Stone joined them.
“Let’s hurry then,” she said when she got closer, looping an arm over Ben’s shoulder as they started walking toward the center of the square. “I don’t want you to be late.” It made her heart glad that even at fourteen, her brother hadn’t outgrown attending these types of events.
Even Morgan looked happy to be there, which probably had a lot to do with the tall, nervous-looking boy holding tight to her hand. In the past couple of months, Morgan had finally released her need to rebel, morphing into a friendly, outgoing young woman with a beautiful spirit to match. She’d gotten a job as an after-school babysitter for one of the neighborhood families and spent much of her free time volunteering at the community center.
Maggie’s father looked particularly content as well as he stuck close to Jana’s side. Maggie didn’t dare ask about Griffin and Joey. It was crazy how much she missed both of them even though the decision to break things off had been hers.
Ben wound around the edge of the crowd gathered in front of the stage that had been erected by volunteers early this morning. The night was clear and cold but not unbearably so. The couples and families standing near the front parted to let Maggie and her group through. She could imagine Grammy barking orders about how she was saving the front row.
She sucked in a breath then plastered on a smile as she realized Christian and his loyal assistant were standing next to Vivian. Allyson turned her ever-present phone toward Maggie to record her arrival, and Christian gave her a terse smile.
“Merry Christmas,” Maggie said, hugging her grandma.
“Merry Christmas Eve,” Grammy corrected, as was her way.
“Of course,” Maggie agreed then inclined her head toward Christian. “We hope you enjoy our town’s last official event before Christmas.”
“Timmins hosted a parade in my honor. I’m not sure how you expect to compete with a story and a few songs.”
Maggie opened her mouth to answer, but her father moved to her side, placing a hand on her arm but addressing Christian. “We don’t have to compete,” he said, his tone flinty. “Tonight you’re a guest in our town, and we’re proud of our traditions. We don’t have to go overboard for the camera. No one here owes you anything, young man.” He pointed a finger at Christian. “You’ll do well to remember that.”
“Oh, snap,” Morgan whispered.
With one last glare thrown at Christian, Jim stepped back to stand next to Jana on the far side of Morgan and Cole.
“Delete that part,” Christian muttered to Allyson under his breath.
The young woman gave Maggie an almost sympathetic glance then nodded.
At that point, Chuck O’Malley took the stage. “Welcome everyone,” he said into the microphone. “It’s an exciting evening and we’re glad you took the time out of your busy holiday schedule to join us.” He adjusted the red Santa cap perched on his head. “The town has hosted this Christmas Eve event for the past seventeen years, and I’ve had the honor of reading this special poem each Christmas Eve. I’d like to take a moment to thank the late writer Clement Clarke Moore, who first penned the poem titled, ‘Account of a Visit from Saint Nicholas.’ We know this beloved tale better as ‘The Night Before Christmas.’” There was a round of applause and Chuck made an exaggerated bow.
Then he pulled a pair of wire-rimmed glasses from his shirt pocket and perched them on his nose. “Without further ado,” he said with a win, “let’s get started
. All of you big and little kiddies out there need to hit the hay on time tonight so Santa Claus can make his rounds.” He opened a well-worn book and began to recite the poem.
Maggie had always loved the juxtaposition of the burly bar owner showing a sentimental side with his impassioned recitation of the Christmas classic.
This year was no exception and by the time Chuck got to the last line, everyone joined in on a chorus of “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”
Everyone except Christian, who looked bored out of his mind. The man had somehow morphed into Stonecreek’s own personal Grinch. Chuck didn’t seem to notice as he wiped at the corner of his eye with the edge of one sleeve. “Gets me every time,” he whispered into the microphone. “Before we begin with the caroling portion of the evening, there’s someone special I’d like to invite to the stage. This young man is relatively new to our community, but we hope he’ll be a part of Stonecreek for many years to come.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Maggie saw Christian roll his eyes, clearly not relishing taking any part in the evening. She hated that he was going to take center stage for something so personal to her and that meant so much to the town.
“Please join me in welcoming little Joey Barlow and, with him, Griffin Stone.”
Christian took a step forward then froze and quickly backed up again, his mouth twisting into a brittle frown.
Joey walked up the steps to the stage, holding tight to Griffin’s hand. Chuck ushered Griffin toward the microphone as he patted the boy’s head.
“Hey, everyone,” Griffin said with a tight smile.
“Hey, Griffin,” the crowded shouted back instantly.
His shoulders relaxed ever so slightly. “It’s been a few years since I’ve attended one of these holiday events,” he admitted then grimaced. “In fact, I think the last time I was here for Christmas Eve, I indulged in too much eggnog in the alley behind the bakery.”
A Stonecreek Christmas Reunion Page 16
