by Wilde, Lori
“Thanks.” Suzannah concentrated on stirring the spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove while her mother-in-law sat perched on a barstool at the kitchen counter.
“I mean it, honey. You need to get out more.”
Although Suzannah appreciated her mother-in-law’s offer, she knew it came with strings. Edith had been a fairly hands-offs when Keith had been alive mostly because he’d made sure she didn’t butt in too much. But in the years since his death, Edith had become more and more intrusive in Suzannah’s life.
She’d tried to be patient with her mother-in-law since she knew how hard losing her only child had been for Edith, but her constant hovering stretched Suzannah’s patience. She was afraid if she gave her mother-in-law an inch, she’d take ten miles.
“I don’t mean to criticize, dear,” Edith said. “I know you have so much on your plate, but…”
But? Suzannah mentally counted to ten and slowly exhaled, forced a smile. “Yes?”
“You really should let people help you more. I know you’re proud and that’s an admirable quality, but don’t let it stand in the way of your happiness.”
It was all she could do not to laugh. Yes, okay, she had an independent streak a mile wide, but so did Edith. Her mother-in-law was projecting her flaw on to Suzannah. Understanding that softened her toward her late husband’s mother.
“Thank you for pointing that out.” She nodded. “I’ll work on it.”
“That’s all anyone can ask of us, right? That we work on ourselves.”
“Edith, why don’t you join us for dinner?” Suzannah invited, realizing just how lost her mother-in-law was. “We’re having spaghetti and meatballs, tossed salad and garlic bread.”
“Why so much food?”
“Zach’s coming over.”
“I see.” Edith shook her head, pursed her lips. “That’s nice of you to invite me, but I had a late lunch. I’m not starving.”
Suzannah didn’t need to ask why her mother-in-law had said no. She knew. Zach had been Keith’s best friend through high school and beyond. They were constantly together, and now, even three years after Keith’s death, Edith had trouble being around Zach. Seeing him reminded her of her loss.
Suzannah felt for Edith; she really did. She missed Keith every day, too, but she had Abby to consider and a life to build for her daughter. Besides, Keith’s death had nothing to do with Zach. He hadn’t been riding that motorcycle; Keith had.
“You know, Zach’s a nice guy,” Suzannah said. “He misses Keith, too.”
Edith shrugged, and pulled a hurt face, a motion she made when overwhelmed with emotions about her son.
Suzannah gave her a few moments to collect herself. She didn’t want to cause Edith to cry, but she also wanted the older woman to stop avoiding of Zach. The rancher had been a wonderful friend to her through the years, and Abby adored him. Suzannah shouldn’t have to worry about hurting her mother-in-law’s feelings every time she invited Zach over to the house.
Edith gathered up her purse and sweater and headed toward the door. “Tell Abby I’ll see her tomorrow.”
“She’s just upstairs playing a video game. You can pop up and tell her yourself.”
“I don’t want to bother her.”
“You won’t.”
“My knees aren’t what they used to be. Those stairs…”
“Are you all right, Edith?”
“Just arthritis. Nothing new.” Her mother-in-law paused at the door. “Don’t look so worried. I’m fine. Please don’t fuss. Enjoy your dinner with Zach.” There was a tone to her voice that suggested she really didn’t want Suzannah to enjoy her dinner.
Hmm. Suzannah rubbed her forehead between her eyebrows with the pad of her thumb. She didn’t want to pry, and it allowed Edith to heal at her own rate, but she wished she’d go a little easier on Zach.
As much as Suzannah loved living in Kringle, she debated whether moving would be a smart idea. She would hate to uproot Abby and upset Edith, but sometimes she felt frozen in time. She still felt married to Keith, and the whole town reinforced that feeling. How was she supposed to move forward when she couldn’t overcome the past?
How was she supposed to forget about a man she’d loved from the first moment she’d met him?
The water for the pasta was boiling, and she turned to put the noodles in. It was a combination of a “thank you” and “I’m sorry” dinner. She wanted to thank Zach for posing for the pictures today and apologize for roping him into it.
He’d been a real champ and taken the worse of the wear. The pets and the children had climbed over him like he was a jungle gym. More than once, an overly excited pet dribbled in Zach’s lap.
He’d handled it all with his usual humor, smiling and laughing as dogs noisily licked his face and children planted smacking kisses on his cheeks. More than once, he’d looked at her and winked.
Zach Delaney was one heck of a nice guy and lately…well, she’d been having a few unexpected thoughts about her friend. Especially, when he smiled at her in that way that made his dark eyes sparkle, as if they were sharing a great secret.
“Would you like to go to the movies with Abby and me on Saturday night?” Suzannah invited to smooth things over with her mother-in-law. “My treat.”
“Oh, that would be quite nice. I’ve been wanting to see that new Tom Hanks movie.”
Suzannah knew that, it’s why she’d invited her. Edith had the biggest crush on Tom Hanks.
“It’s a date,” she said.
“I can wear my new dress that I got from Stitch Fix.”
“Do that. Please drive safely going home.”
Edith looked a little happier than she had just a few minutes before and she surprised Suzannah by coming back across the room to envelope her in a quick hug before turning and scurrying out the door.
It touched Suzannah’s heart. Her mother-in-law could be a pill sometimes, but she was a good person at heart. She just had too much time on her hands, and no one but Suzannah and Abby to shower with her love.
* * *
“So, what do you want for Christmas?” Suzannah asked her daughter as soon as the three of them settled around the table for dinner. She spread a linen napkin in her lap.
Suzannah was ecology conscious and didn’t use paper napkins or towels. It was one of the many things Zach liked about her.
He was sitting next to Suzannah, with Abby directly across from her. No one sat at the head or foot of the table. Zach made a point to never sit in the chair that used to be Keith’s. He didn’t want anyone to think he was trying to take his best friend’s place.
“I noticed you didn’t tell Santa and Mrs. Claus what you wanted for Christmas today, so what’s on your list? I’m dying to know.” Suzannah passed the plate with garlic toast on it across the table to Abby.
Abby loved bread, and she took two slices of the garlic toast. “That’s because Zach and you are Santa and Mrs. Claus.”
“So, your wish is a secret? If you don’t tell us what it is, how can we get you what you want?” her mother asked.
“I’m not sure what I want.” After passing the bread plate to Zach, Abby tipped her head and tapped her chin. “Let me think on it.”
“You haven’t already been thinking about it?” Suzannah sounded surprised.
“Well, the list is kinda long. I was prioritizing.”
Zach suppressed a grin and took the salad bowl Suzannah passed him. He loved how she and Abby ate family style whenever he came over, rather than buffet style like most folks would have. It created a sense of unity in their little group and he’d appreciated the invitations to dinner.
Today had been a long, loud, boisterous day. He had no idea how Suzannah had the energy to cook after all they’d been through. He was just glad to be away from barking dogs and howling cats for a while. The pets hadn’t enjoyed having their pictures taken nearly as well as the pet parents expected.
He looked at Abby, who was making a big production of deciding wh
at she wanted for Christmas. Rubbing her chin and rolling her eyes toward the ceiling. Twice she’d peeked at him, then studied her mom, then looked at Zach again.
Why was she stalling? What was she up to? Normally, Abby started dropping not-so-subtle hints around Halloween about what she wanted for Christmas, but this year, she hadn’t.
“I’m getting worried,” Zach said, cutting a meatball with the side of his fork. “About what you’re cooking up in that crafty brain of yours.”
Abby frowned and stared at him again.
“What?” he asked, feeling a little self-conscious.
The girl crinkled her nose. “Who are you dating right now, Zach?”
Huh?
The question sounded more like an accusation the way Abby asked it. Zach resisted the impulse to ask her who she’d been talking to. He barely stopped himself from glancing at Suzannah. Abby knew good and well that he rarely dated, and when he did, he didn’t talk about it with Suzannah and Abby. Somehow, that just didn’t feel right.
“Don’t be rude, Abs,” her mother said. “If Zach wants to talk about who he’s dating, he will. If he doesn’t, he won’t. Don’t put people on the spot like that.”
Abby looked only a slightly bit contrite. “Sorry,” she muttered, but her tone made it clear she really wasn’t.
“That’s okay,” Zach said, not sure where this conversation was leading. “I’m not really dating anyone right now.” He gave Abby a serious look. “How about you? Are you seeing anyone or are you keeping your options open?”
His teasing broke the tension. Both Abby and Suzannah laughed.
“I’m not dating,” Abby said. “That’s just silly. I’m only ten.”
They returned to their dinner, and he thought they had put the subject to rest, but a few minutes later Abby said, “Mom isn’t dating anyone either.”
“Abby!” Her mother gave her a stern look.
But Abby kept going. “She said you fixed her up with Dad when you were in high school. Do you think you could find someone for her now? I can help. I have several ideas.”
Silence fell over the dinner table.
Zach felt like a boulder had dropped on them. Where in the world had that request come from? Since when was Abby interested in finding dates for her mother?
He looked at Suzannah. She seemed as stunned as he felt. He could tell from her expression that dating hadn’t crossed her mind.
“I’m not interested in dating,” she said, her tone clear that she wanted to drop the topic “Don’t fix me up.”
“It’s been three years. Daddy would want you to find someone else. He wouldn’t want you to be alone. And before you know it, I’ll be off to college and then vet school. You need to date now so you can find someone by then.”
Suzannah sighed and leaned back in her chair. “Why are you bringing this up now?”
Abby shrugged. “I guess because Stephie’s mom got remarried last month. She met her husband through one of those dating apps.”
Abby’s best friend was Stephie Jones, and her mother had remarried last month. But Stephie’s parents divorced; her mother wasn’t a widow, and even though Abby might not see the difference, Zach knew Suzannah sure did.
“Stephie’s mom wanted to date and get remarried. I don’t.” Suzannah pushed spaghetti around on her plate.
Zach hated how uncomfortable the conversation was making Suzannah. Time for a new topic.
“So, enough stalling,” Zach said. “You never told us what you want for Christmas.”
“Um, I don’t know what I want.” Abby squirmed in her chair.
“There must be something,” Zach said. “A video game? Some sort of computer gadget? A new bike?”
Abby shook her head. “No. Nothing like that. But…”
“But what?” Suzannah prodded.
“Um…I can’t believe how cute all the rescue dogs from Kringle Kritters Rescue were today. I hope they all get homes soon.”
Zach knew a ploy when he saw one. He looked at Suzannah and cocked one eyebrow. She had to spot the not-so-subtle hint that her daughter wanted to adopt a dog. But if he was an expert at spotting Abby’s manipulation, her mother had superpowers. Zach didn’t miss the twinkle in her eyes when she looked at him. She knew good and well what her daughter was up to.
“I’m sure all the animals will find nice homes by Christmas,” Suzannah said firmly.
“I hope so.” Abby sighed loudly. “I’d hate to think of those great dogs left all alone during the holidays.”
Zach was fairly certain Abby was going to be a politician later in life. This entire conversation seemed choreographed to get a dog. He could tell Suzannah was glad the whole “who are you dating” mess was behind them that she’d agree to most anything.
Which she did.
“I don’t see why you can’t have a dog. You’re old enough and responsible enough to care for one now,” Suzannah said. “And you’ve gotten straight As this entire semester.”
“Oh, Mom, really?”
“If you’re still determined on being a vet, it’s time for you to have a dog.”
“I am, I am.” Abby squealed, jumped out her chair and raced over to hug her mother.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“You’re welcome.” Suzannah laughed and shot a smile at Zach over her daughter’s head.
Zach chuckled. She’d played Suzannah like a fiddle, but he knew that she knew it. One of the many things he liked about Suzannah was how much she loved her daughter. Being a single parent hadn’t been easy for her, but she always put her daughter’s needs first. Just like she was doing now. Despite working at a veterinarian clinic, Suzannah had never owned a dog or cat. This was a big step for her and Abby both.
“I swear I’ll feed and bathe and walk the dog. You won’t have to do anything,” Abby promised. “If you’re right, it will be great practice for me when I become a vet. This dog will be the best Christmas present ever!” Abby hopped from foot to foot. “The very best.”
Suzannah shook her head. “No. Not a Christmas present. It’s a living creature who is joining our family. I don’t want to consider him or her a gift. We are adopting a pet.”
Abby seemed confused. “Huh?”
“Yes, you may adopt a dog, but it isn’t your Christmas present. It’s a serious decision, much more serious than a game or toy you’ll play with a few times and then forget about.”
“Your mom wants you to give this serious thought. There’s so much more to it than just adopting the first dog who catches your fancy. You need to pick out a dog that will fit well into your family,” Zach explained.
Abby nodded. “In that case, I should get the dog. Since it’s not a Christmas present, I should get it before Christmas. It can become part of the family and celebrate the holiday with us. I can adopt one at Kringle Kritters Rescue.”
Zach couldn’t help smiling. Abby seemed genuinely thrilled by the prospect of adopting a dog, and he could tell from Suzannah’s expression that she was happy that her daughter was happy. It was a miracle actually, that since Suzannah worked at the vet clinic that Dr. Chloe hadn’t already twisted her arm about getting a pet. Most of the people who worked at the clinic had taken in many rescued animals. It was most likely because Chloe was respectful of Suzannah’s widowhood and hadn’t wanted to push her into something that required as much time and attention as adding a pet to the family.
Suzannah had been a stay-at-home mom until Keith died and Chloe had given her a job to help her make ends meet. Keith had left a modest insurance policy and Abby got survivor benefits, but to afford extras, like Abby’s braces, Suzannah needed a job with health insurance.
“What kind of dog shall we get?” Abby asked.
“Maybe not a big dog.” Suzannah waved Abby back down to finish her dinner. “Since we’re first time pet owners, we need a dog we can handle.”
Abby perched on the edge of her chair and twirled her spaghetti on her fork. “How about a Border Collie
like Zach has?”
“Border Collies have way too much energy. They need a job like herding sheep on a ranch,” Zach pointed out. “You’ve seen Trip and Trap herd my stock. They’re intense.”
“Yes,” Suzannah said. “We need a chill dog.”
Abby giggled at that. “So not a puppy?”
Suzannah looked at Zach. “What do you think?”
“Unless you want to do through housebreaking, an older dog might be your best bet,” he said.
“I wish Dad were here,” Abby said, sadness coming into her eyes. “He’d know exactly the right dog to pick.”
At the mention of Abby’s father, they all fell silent. During such times like this, he always felt bad for what had happened to Keith. His best friend had been a good guy. He’d deserved better than what life had given him. It wasn’t fair that Keith wasn’t here with his wife and daughter, making plans to adopt a dog. But life was what it was. No, Keith wasn’t here, but Zach was.
“How about we just wait and see which dog catches your eye at the shelter?” Suzannah said. “I have a feeling that the right dog will find us.”
“Do you need any help to pick one out?” Zach asked.
In unison, mother and daughter turned toward him. They looked so similar with their light blonde hair and sky-blue eyes. Abby had inherited her mother’s good looks.
“Since you’ve owned dogs, it would be great if you came along to the rescue organization and helped us pick one,” Suzannah said. “Thank you.”
Abby let out a small squeal and bounced in her seat. “You can take me tomorrow,” she announced. “Mom, Zach could take me tomorrow. You’ve gotta work, but he’s free.” She turned and looked at him, her blue eyes pleading. “Right?”
For a split second, Zach almost said he wasn’t free. He really was busy right now on the ranch, but Abby’s pleading expression was too much for him.
“Sure,” he said. “But shouldn’t your mother have a say in your choice?”
Suzannah shook her head. “I want the choice to be Abby’s. The dog will be hers, and she needs to find the one she likes.”
Knowing he’d lost this battle, he agreed. “Sure. I’ll take you. But you and your mom talk through what types of dogs will work. It’s difficult to choose one once you’re there, and they are all looking at you with those take-me-home eyes.”
