Christmas Wishes

by Debbie Macomber

  “Susannah, what are you doing here?” Nate whispered, joining her when she’d reached the teller’s booth.

  “You know what really irritates me about this?” she said, her face bright with embarrassment. “I probably could’ve had you for three thousand, only I panicked and offered every penny I have. Me, the marketing wizard. I’ll never be able to hold my head up again.”

  “You’re not making any sense.”

  “And you are? One moment you’re saying you love me and the next you’re on the auction block, parading around for a bunch of women.”

  “That comes to $6025.12,” the white-haired woman in the teller’s booth told her.

  “I only bid $6010.12,” Susannah protested.

  “The extra money is the price of the ticket. You weren’t supposed to bid without one.”

  “I see.”

  Unzipping her purse and withdrawing her checkbook while balancing Michelle on her hip proved to be difficult.

  “Here, I’ll take her.” Nate reached for Michelle, who surprised them both by protesting loudly.

  “What have you been telling her about me?” Nate teased.

  “The truth.” With considerable ceremony, Susannah wrote out the check and ripped it from her book. Reluctantly she slid it across the counter to the woman collecting the fees.

  “I’ll write you a receipt.”

  “Thank you,” Susannah said absently. “By the way, what exactly am I getting for my hard-earned money?”

  “One evening with this young man.”

  “One evening,” Susannah repeated grimly. “If we go out to dinner does he pay or do I?”

  “I do,” Nate answered for her.

  “It’s a good thing, because I don’t have any money left.”

  “Have you eaten?”

  “No, and I’m starved.”

  “Me, too,” he told her, smiling sheepishly, but the look in his eyes said he wasn’t talking about snacking on crêpes suzette. “I can’t believe you did this.”

  “I can’t, either,” she said, shaking her head in wonder. “I’m still reeling with the shock.” Later, she’d probably start trembling and not be able to stop. Never in her life had she done anything so bold. Love apparently did things like that to a woman. Before she met Nate she’d been a sound, logical, dedicated businesswoman. Six weeks later, she was smelling orange blossoms and thinking about weddings and babies—all because she was head over heels in love!

  “Come on, let’s get out of here,” Nate said, tucking his arm around her waist and leading her toward the theater doors.

  Susannah nodded. The doorman seemed relieved that she was leaving his domain.

  “Susannah,” Nate said, once they were in the parking lot. He turned and placed his hands on her shoulders, then closed his eyes as if gathering his thoughts. “You were the last person I expected to see tonight.”

  “Obviously,” she returned stiffly. “When we’re married, I’m going to have to insist that you keep me informed of your schedule.”

  Nate’s head snapped up. “When we’re married?”

  “You don’t honestly believe I just spent six thousand dollars for one dinner in some fancy restaurant, did you?”

  “But—”

  “And there’ll be children, as well. I figure that two are about all I can handle, but we’ll play that by ear.”

  For the first time since she’d met him, Nate Townsend seemed speechless. His mouth made several movements in an attempt to talk, but nothing came out.

  “I suppose you’re wondering how I plan to manage my career,” she said, before he could ask the question. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet. Since I’m looking at the good side of thirty, I suppose we could delay having children for a few more years.”

  “I’m thirty-three. I want a family soon.”

  Nate’s voice didn’t sound at all like it normally did, and Susannah peered at him carefully, wondering if the shock had been too much for him. It had been for her! And she was going to end up on the eleven-o’clock news. “Fine, we’ll plan on starting our family right away,” she agreed. “But before we do any more talking about babies, I need to ask you something important. Are you willing to change messy diapers?”

  A smile played at the edges of his mouth as he nodded.

  “Good.” Susannah looked at Michelle, who’d laid her head against her aunt’s shoulder and closed her eyes. Apparently the events of the evening had tired her out.

  “What about dinner?” Nate asked, tenderly brushing the silky hair from the baby’s brow. “I don’t think Michelle’s going to last much longer.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll buy something on the way home.” She paused, then gestured weakly with her hand. “Forget that. I…I don’t have any money left.”

  Nate grinned widely. “I’ll pick up some takeout and meet you back at your place in half an hour.”

  Susannah smiled her appreciation. “Thanks.”

  “No,” Nate whispered, his eyes locked with hers. “Thank you.”

  He kissed her then, slipping his hand behind her neck and tilting her face up to meet his. His touch was so potent Susannah thought her heart would beat itself right out of her chest.

  “Nate.” Her eyes remained shut when his name parted her lips.

  “Hmm?”

  “I really do love you.”

  “Yes, I know. I love you, too. I knew it the night you bought the stroganoff from the Western Avenue Deli and tried to make me think you’d whipped it up yourself.”

  She opened her eyes and raised them to his. “But I didn’t even realize it then. We barely knew each other.”

  He kissed the tip of her nose. “I was aware from the first time we met that my life was never going to be the same.”

  His romantic words stirred her heart and she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I…I’d better take Michelle home,” she said, and sniffled.

  Nate’s thumb stroked the moisture from her cheek before he kissed her again. “I won’t be long,” he promised.

  He wasn’t. Susannah had no sooner got Michelle home and into her sleeper when there was a light knock at the door.

  Hurriedly, she tiptoed across the carpet and opened it. She brought her finger to her lips as she let Nate inside.

  “I got Chinese.”

  She nodded. “Great.”

  She paused on her way into the kitchen and showed him Michelle, who was sleeping soundly on the end of the sofa. Susannah had taken the opposite cushion and braced it against the side so there wasn’t any chance she could fall off.

  “You’re going to be a good mother,” he whispered, kissing her forehead.

  It was silly to get all misty-eyed over Nate’s saying that, but she did. She succeeded in disguising her emotion by walking into the kitchen and getting two plates from the cupboard. Opening the silverware drawer, she took out forks.

  Nate set the large white sack on the table and lifted out five wire-handled boxes. “Garlic chicken, pan-fried noodles, ginger beef and two large egg rolls. Do you think that’ll be enough?”

  “Were you planning on feeding the Seventh Infantry?” she teased.

  “You said you were hungry.” He opened all the boxes but one.

  Susannah filled her plate and sat next to Nate, propping her feet on the chair opposite hers. The food was delicious, and after the first few mouthfuls she decided if Nate could eat with chopsticks she should try it, too. Her efforts had a humbling effect on her.

  Watching her artless movements, Nate laughed, then leaned over and kissed the corner of her mouth.

  “What’s in there?” she asked pointing a chopstick at the fifth box.

  He shrugged. “I forget.”

  Curious, Susannah picked up the container and opened it. Her breath lodged in her throat as she raised her eyes to Nate’s. “It’s a black velvet box.”

  “Oh, yes, now that you mention it I remember the chef saying something about black velvet being the special of the m
onth.” He went on expertly delivering food to his mouth with the chopsticks.

  Susannah continued to stare at the velvet box as if it would leap out and open itself. It was the size of a ring box.

  Nate waved a chopstick in her direction. “You might as well take it out and see what’s inside.”

  Wordlessly she did as he suggested. Once the box was free, she set the carton aside and lifted the lid. She gasped when she saw the size of the diamond. For one wild moment she couldn’t breathe.

  “I picked it up when I was in San Francisco,” Nate told her, with no more emotion than if he’d been discussing the weather.

  The solitary diamond held her gaze as effectively as a magnet. “It’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen.”

  “Me, too. I took one look at it and told the jeweler to wrap it up.”

  He acted so casual, seeming far more interested in eating his ginger beef and noodles than talking about anything as mundane as an engagement ring.

  “I suppose I should tell you that while I was in San Francisco, I made an offer for the Cougars. They’re a professional baseball team, in case you don’t know.”

  “The baseball team? You’re going to own a professional baseball team?” Any news he hit her with, it seemed, was going to be big.

  He nodded. “I haven’t heard back yet, but if that doesn’t work out, I might be able to interest the owner of the New York Wolves in selling.”

  He made it all sound as if he were buying a car instead of something that cost millions of dollars.

  “But whatever happens, we’ll make Seattle our home.”

  Susannah nodded, although she wasn’t sure why.

  “Here.” He set his plate aside and took the ring box from her limp hand. “I suppose the thing to do would be to place this on your finger.”

  Once again, Susannah nodded. Her meal was sitting like a ton of lead in the pit of her stomach. From habit, she held out her right hand. He grinned and reached for her left one.

  “I had to guess the size,” he said, deftly removing the diamond from its lush bed. “I had the jeweler make it a size five, because your fingers are dainty.” The ring slipped on easily, the fit perfect.

  Susannah couldn’t stop staring at it. Never in all her life had she dreamed she’d ever have anything so beautiful. “I…don’t dare go near the water with this,” she whispered, looking down at her hand. Lowering her eyes helped cover her sudden welling up of tears. The catch in her voice was telltale enough.

  “Not go near the water…why?”

  “If I accidentally fell in,” she said, managing a light laugh, “I’d sink from the weight of the diamond.”

  “Is it too big?”

  Quickly she shook her head. “It’s perfect.”

  Catching her unawares, Nate pressed his mouth to her trembling lips, kissing what breath she had completely away. “I planned to ask you to marry me the night I came back from the trip. We were going out for dinner, remember?”

  Susannah nodded. That had been shortly after she’d read the article in Business Monthly about Nate. The day it felt as though her whole world was rocking beneath her feet.

  “I know we talked briefly about your career, but I have something else I need to tell you.”

  Susannah nodded, because commenting at this point was becoming increasingly impossible.

  “What would it take to lure you away from H&J Lima?”

  The diamond on her ring finger seemed incentive enough, but she wasn’t going to let him know that quite yet. “Why?”

  “Because I’m starting a kite company. Actually, it’s going to be a nationwide franchise. I’ve got plans to open ten stores in strategic cities around the country to see how it flies.” He stopped to laugh at his pun. “But from the testing we’re doing, this is going to be big. However—” he drew in a deep breath “—I’m lacking one important member of my team. I need a marketing expert, and was wondering if you’d like to apply for the job.”

  “I suppose,” she said, deciding to play his game. “But I’d want top salary, generous bonuses, a four-day week, a health and retirement plan and adequate maternity leave.”

  “The job’s yours.”

  “I don’t know, Nate, there could be problems,” she said, cocking her head to one side, implying that she was already having second thoughts. “People are going to talk.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I intend to sleep with the boss. And some old fuddy-duddy’s bound to think that’s how I got the job.”

  “Let them.” He laughed, reaching for her and pulling her into his lap. “Have I told you I’m crazy about you?”

  Smiling into his eyes, she nodded. “There’s one thing I want cleared up before we go any further, Nate Townsend. No more secrets. Understand?”

  “I promise.” He spit on the end of his fingertips and used the same fingers to cross his heart. “I used to do that when I was a kid. It meant I was serious.”

  “Well,” Susannah murmured, “since you seem to be in a pledging mood, there are a few other items I’d like to have you swear to.”

  “Such as?”

  “Such as…” she whispered, and lowered her mouth to a scant inch above his. Whatever thoughts had been in her mind scattered like autumn leaves in a brisk wind. Her tongue outlined his lips, teasing and taunting him as he’d taught her to do.

  “Susannah…”

  Whatever he meant to say was interrupted by the door. Susannah lifted her head. It took a moment to clear her muddled thoughts before she realized it must be her sister and brother-in-law returning from their celebration dinner with Robert’s boss.

  She tried to move from Nate’s lap, but he groaned in protest and tightened his arms around her. “Whoever it is will go away,” he said close to her ear.

  “Nate—”

  “Go back to doing what you were just doing and forget whoever’s at the door.”

  “It’s Emily and Robert.”

  Nate moaned and released her.

  Susannah had no sooner unlocked the door than Emily flew in as though she were being pursued by a banshee. She marched into the living room and stopped suddenly. Robert followed her, looking nearly as frenzied as his wife. Sane sensible Robert!

  “What’s wrong?” Susannah asked, her heart leaping with concern.

  “You’re asking us that?” Robert flared.

  “Now, Robert,” Emily said, gently placing her hand on her husband’s forearm. “There’s no need to be so angry. Stay calm.”

  “Me? Angry?” he cried, facing his wife. “In the middle of our after-dinner drink you let out a shriek that scared me out of ten years of my life and now you’re telling me not to be angry?”

  “Emily,” Susannah tried again, “what’s wrong?”

  “Where’s Nate?” Robert shouted. One corner of her brother-in-law’s mouth curved down in a snarl. He raised his clenched fist. “I’d like ten minutes alone with that man. Give me ten minutes.”

  “Robert!” Emily and Susannah cried simultaneously.

  “Did someone say my name?” Nate asked, as he strolled out of the kitchen.

  Emily threw herself in front of her husband, patting his heaving chest with her hands. “Now, honey, settle down. There’s no need to get so upset.”

  Susannah was completely confused. She’d never heard her brother-in-law raise his voice before. Whatever had happened had clearly unsettled him to the point of violence.

  “He’s not getting away with this,” Robert shouted, straining against his wife’s restricting hands.

  “Away with what?” Nate said with a calm that seemed to inflame Robert even more.

  “Taking my daughter away from me!”

  “What?” Susannah cried. It astonished her that Michelle could be sleeping through all this commotion. But fortunately the baby seemed oblivious to what was happening.

  “You’d better start at the beginning,” Susannah said, leading everyone into the kitchen. “There’s obviously been some kin
d of misunderstanding. Now sit down and I’ll put on some decaffeinated coffee and we can sort this out in a reasonable manner.”

  Her brother-in-law pulled out a chair and put his elbows on the table, supporting his head in his hands.

  “Why don’t you start?” Susannah said, looking at her sister.

  “Well,” Emily began, taking in a deep breath, “as I told you, we were having dinner with Robert’s boss and—”

  “They know all that,” Robert interrupted. “Tell them about the part when we were having a drink in the cocktail lounge.”

  “Yes,” Emily said, heaving a great sigh. “That does seem to be where the problem started, doesn’t it?”

  Susannah shared a look with Nate, wondering if he was as lost as she was. Neither Emily nor Robert was making any sense.

  “Go on,” Susannah encouraged.

  “As I explained, we were all sitting in the cocktail lounge having a drink. There was a television set in the corner of the room. I hadn’t been paying much attention to it, but I looked up and I saw you and Michelle on the screen.”

  “Then she gave a scream that was loud enough to curdle a Bloody Mary,” Robert explained. “I got everyone to be quiet while the announcer came on. He said you’d taken my daughter to this…this bachelor auction. They showed Michelle pointing her finger at Nate and calling him Da-da.”

  “That was when Robert let out a fierce yell,” Emily said.

  “Oh, no.” Susannah slumped into a chair, wanting to find a hole to crawl into and hibernate for the next ten years. Maybe by then Seattle would have forgotten how she’d disgraced herself.

  “Did they say anything else?” Nate wanted to know, doing a poor job of disguising his amusement.

  “Only that the details would follow at eleven.”

  “I demand an explanation!” Robert said, frowning at Nate.

  “It’s all very simple,” Susannah rushed to explain. “See…Nate’s wearing a suit that’s very similar to yours. Same shade of brown. From the distance, Michelle obviously mistook him for you.”

  “She did?” Robert muttered.

  “Of course,” Susannah went on. “Besides, Da-da is the only word she can say….” Her voice trailed off.

  “Michelle knows who her daddy is,” Nate said matter-of-factly. “You don’t need to worry that—”