“Hmmm?” she asked, unwilling to open her eyes.
“Will I see you in the morning?”
She nodded. Despite everything she already knew, it would be much too hard for her to stay away.
Chapter Seventeen
With Christmas music playing in the background, Addie slid the last sheet of cookies inside the oven and turned on the timer. She set the oven mitt aside when her phone rang.
As soon as she saw it was Erich, a sense of happiness filled her. She’d taken him breakfast an hour ago, lingering a few minutes while he ate. It’d been a good visit. He’d talked to her a bit more about his relationship with Ashley, opening up to her.
Their talk the night before seemed to have given him a lot to think about.
“I did love Ashley,” he’d admitted. “But there’s something more I didn’t tell you because my pride wouldn’t let me. Ashley didn’t love me at all. She didn’t know what it meant to love one person. She’s the kind of woman who will always seek attention from other men, without ever caring for them. The word faithful isn’t part of her vocabulary.”
She hadn’t wanted to test his newfound openness, so she’d left before wearing out her welcome.
“Hi,” she now greeted him, as she answered the phone.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Baking cookies,” she reminded him. She’d told him her plans for that morning before she left.
This recipe was one her mother had always baked for the holidays. Peanut butter was one of the main ingredients, and then just before the cookies were completely cooked, she added a chocolate kiss to the top and set them back inside the oven. The chocolate didn’t melt completely, but just got gooey and creamy. They’d been her favorite as a kid, and it didn’t seem like Christmas without them.
“Don’t tell me you miss me already.”
“I’ve had lots of family and friends stop by ever since my accident, but the only person I ever really want to see is you.”
“Anyone ever tell you you’re a smooth talker?”
“Will my sweet talk earn me any of those cookies you’re baking?”
“It might.” Addie enjoyed the banter between them. It seemed good that they could have had such a serious discussion only an hour earlier and then could laugh and tease each other now.
“You still plan on attending that potluck?”
“Yes, what makes you ask?”
He paused. “You never said who you’d asked to join you.”
“You’re right, I didn’t.” Mainly because she hadn’t actually invited anyone else. Pride insisted she not admit this fact to Erich. Pride could be a demanding master, she’d come to learn.
Then again, Erich had opened up to her that morning. “If you must know … I didn’t invite anyone else. You’re the only person I wanted to bring with me.”
The line went still and silent. “I called because I was wondering if it was too late to accept your invitation.”
“Because you were jealous?”
“No, because I really do want to come with you … okay, and maybe I was a little jealous, but that’s not my primary reason.”
Addie didn’t care what his excuse was. “Oh Erich, I’m so glad. I’d love to have you with me.”
“You know what? I think I’m actually going to enjoy this. And you’re right. It’s time I put this thing I have about Christmas behind me.”
“That’s great.”
He chuckled. “Do I sound anything like Scrooge on Christmas morning?”
“Not quite, but you’re getting there.”
Several hours later, Addie parked in the school parking lot and hurried around to open the passenger door and help Erich out of her car. He held the plate of cookies in his lap, and she reached for those.
“You didn’t bring the entire batch, did you?” he asked.
“No worries, I set aside a dozen for you,” she promised.
Right there in the middle of the school parking lot, he rewarded her with a lingering kiss. It took every bit of control Addie possessed not to drop the cookies to the ground and wrap her arms around him.
“Hey, hey,” a familiar voice shouted from behind her.
Addie reluctantly broke away from Erich to see Danny walking toward her. At his side was a stylishly dressed woman with a wide-brimmed hat fit for royalty. “Merry Christmas, Danny,” she said, feeling a bit sheepish that she’d been caught kissing Erich.
“Yo, Addie. Meet my mother, Tamika. Mom, this is the girl I was telling you about.”
Addie looked at the woman, amazed that someone so young could be Danny’s mother. “I’m pleased to meet you. Danny’s been doing great. He adds a lot to the class.”
Danny’s eyes beamed with pride. “I told you, Mom. I’m at the head of the class.”
Tamika Jackson nodded shyly and stayed close to her son’s side.
“Erich Simmons,” Erich said, introducing himself. “I’d shake hands, but as you can see it’s difficult at the moment.”
“I heard about you,” Danny said, flashing him a big smile.
“Have you, now?” Erich’s gaze shot to Addie.
“Yeah, Addie told me she’d asked you to our party and you turned her down. Glad you decided to come after all.”
“I am, too. I’ve heard lots about you, too.”
Danny looked happy. He turned his attention to Addie. “What’d you bring?” he said, eyeing the foil-covered plate.
“Cookies. What about you?”
“Mama don’t cook much, and I sure don’t, so we stopped off at the store and I got Twinkies.”
“Well, it looks like we’re going to have plenty of desserts.”
“No worries,” Danny told her. “Andrew’s bringing a pot of chili. His sister made it for him.”
“This should be one interesting potluck,” Erich mumbled, close to Addie’s ear.
“It isn’t about the food,” Addie whispered back.
The four walked into the building together. Several classmates had already arrived and a table had been set up along one wall, with a paper tablecloth printed with holly and red berries. Addie set down the plate of cookies next to a Crock-Pot full of simmering meatballs. They were covered in what smelled like a hickory-flavored barbecue sauce. Danny proudly opened the box of Twinkies.
The room was soon full. Apparently, Mr. Mills had wanted to make sure he included everyone. Even Elaina, the woman who worked in the cafeteria, was there.
“I have an invitation,” she explained, as she set a large plate of tamales in the center of the table. “Mr. Mills invited me and I asked my supervisor and she said I could come as long as my shift was over. I’m not working.” She spoke directly to the janitor, Jonas Spelling.
“I’m glad you’re here, Elaina,” Mr. Mills said, coming up behind the cafeteria worker and placing his hands on her shoulders.
The tamales were piping hot. “I made them fresh.”
“Wonderful.”
Michelle Heath, who taught the French class down the hall, stopped by with macaroons, though they weren’t anything like the coconut ones Addie knew. These looked as if they were made from two meringue cookies pressed together, with filling in the middle.
Just as Danny had said, Andrew arrived with Tommy, with a large pot of chili.
Another woman who wasn’t a student was one of the last to arrive. It took Addie a moment to place her. It was Celeste from the Hub, the woman who worked at the latte stand. She brought scones, adding to the assortment of desserts.
The desks had been shifted about until they formed a circle. Mr. Mills stood in the center of the room and asked for their attention. “Before we fill our plates, I’d like everyone to go around the room and introduce themselves and their guests.”
They started with Danny, who was generally the first to speak up. “Everyone knows I’m Danny and this is my mama,” he said with pride, as he placed his arm around his mother’s shoulders. “She won’t say much.”
“She
won’t need to, with you doing all the talking for her,” someone called out, and the rest of the class laughed.
The two young high school students went next. Addie had barely spoken to either one and made a mental note to get to know them better after the first of the year.
When it was her turn, she introduced Erich. “Erich and I grew up next door to each other.”
“We weren’t always friendly,” Erich went on to explain. “It’s only been in the last couple weeks that we’ve learned to get along.” He smiled at Addie.
“Now they’re really getting friendly,” Danny announced. “I ran into them making out in the parking lot.”
Everyone laughed and clapped.
When it was the janitor’s turn, he stepped forward. “Jonas Spelling. Most of you won’t recognize me without me holding my broom. I’m here at Mr. Mills’s invitation. I wasn’t sure about him when he first arrived, but he keeps a clean classroom. I take my job as custodian seriously. I have custody of this building. It’s my responsibility.”
Elaina blushed when it was her turn, and she spoke in Spanish until she looked at the confused faces of those around her. “I’m sorry,” she said in English. “I forget to speak English when I’m nervous. I work in the cafeteria, and Mr. Mills invited me, too.”
“I invited the security guard, too, but he was unable to attend,” added Mr. Mills.
“He’s probably cleaning his gun,” muttered Michelle Heath, under her breath. Addie was fairly certain she wasn’t supposed to hear.
“Before we help ourselves to this fine meal,” Mr. Mills said, “I’d like to say what a pleasure it is to have each one of you in the class. You’ve welcomed and encouraged me. Merry Christmas and God bless.”
“Merry Christmas,” the group echoed back.
As they formed a line at the table, Addie thought she caught sight of someone outside the window, attempting to look inside. But when she went to gaze outside, she couldn’t see anyone.
Erich joined her. “What are you looking for?”
“Nothing,” she assured him. “I thought I saw someone.” It was probably her imagination. Anyone who wanted to come into the building was welcome. The doors weren’t locked.
“I understand now why you’ve enjoyed this class so much. They’re cool.”
Addie’s gaze drifted around the room. They’d started out as strangers and had become her friends. “They’re great. I love Danny’s enthusiasm, and I’ve got a soft spot for Andrew.”
“Do you have a soft spot for me?” Erich asked, holding her look.
She offered him an affectionate smile. “Not in the same way. Do you remember what you told me the other day?” she asked, and then elaborated. “What you said about thinking about me all the time and missing me when I wasn’t there?”
“I meant every word.”
“The thing is, I feel the same way about you, Erich. It bothered me that you refused to enjoy Christmas because of an old girlfriend.”
“I think I’m finally getting over it. Remember last night when the power went out?”
Addie wasn’t likely to forget. “Of course.”
“When the tree lights came on and nothing else did, I realized how stupid I’ve been. The thing is …” He hesitated and looked around the room, then lowered his voice. “The thing I realized,” he said, starting again, “is that if Ashley was in my life I would never have had this time with you. I wouldn’t have ever known what an amazing woman you are.”
“Does this mean you’re going to stop complaining and start enjoying the holiday?” she asked.
“Bring on the holiday cheer. This Scrooge has had a change of heart.”
Addie laughed and leaned her head against his shoulder. “What will our mothers think once they’re back from the cruise, I wonder?” she asked.
“I can’t speak for yours … mine is going to be excited.”
“Mine, too,” Addie assured him. “I realize that in a few weeks everything will be different. The casts will be off and you obviously won’t be dependent on me or anyone else anymore.”
“My feelings for you aren’t going to change.”
“You can’t be sure of that,” she said. “I understand, I mean …”
“Addie.” He turned her around and held her look prisoner. “The only thing that’s going to change is that I’ll return to my own condo. I assumed after Ashley that I’d never be able to feel this deeply about another woman again. You proved me wrong. In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m really crazy about you.”
Addie swore her heart swelled to twice its normal size just hearing those words. “I’ve fallen pretty hard for you, too.”
A slow, easy smile slid into place. “Where’s the mistletoe when you need it?” Erich complained.
“I don’t think we need mistletoe,” she whispered.
His gaze held hers for the longest moment, and it felt as if she could melt into a puddle. Falling for Erich was the biggest surprise of her life. She wasn’t sure where it would lead or if it would last. One thing she did know: This was bound to be one of the best Christmases of her life.
Epilogue
“That was a lovely party,” Celeste said, after everyone had cleared the classroom and only the two of them remained.
Harry agreed. “I think Addie and Erich have had a breakthrough.”
“I do as well,” Celeste agreed. “You helped quite a bit, with her and with Erich.”
Harry murmured noncommittally.
“I know about the Christmas tree lights, Harry.”
“You do?” He knew he was skirting the edge of what was acceptable, since they’d really been designed to help Erich over his hurdle. But they’d been for Addie, too, and therefore could be justified. He waited for Celeste to reprimand him, but she didn’t.
“I believe Addie has started down the right path now. She’s happier than she’s been in a good long while. It took courage for her to pack up her life and return home. It meant admitting she was wrong and doing an abrupt about-face. Before she could grow as a person, she needed to learn to temper her stubbornness, and she has.”
“Yes, she really did it. She has plans to continue with classes, and she wants to get into the medical field.”
“Like her father,” Harry murmured. “That’s fitting, isn’t it?”
“She will shine when it comes to dealing with patients.”
“Again, like her father, right?” Harry asked.
“Yes. Only recently has she come to recognize how alike they are.”
Harry agreed as he started to straighten the desks, using that as a distraction so he wouldn’t have to look at Celeste as he said, “I hope you didn’t mind that I invited Michelle.” Celeste had certainly given him enough warnings when it came to a relationship with the French teacher, and he assumed his mentor would be annoyed that he’d invited her.
“Not at all,” she surprised him by answering. “You need friends on the faculty, Harry.”
“I’ll be careful not to allow matters to progress beyond friendship.”
Celeste nodded. “That would be wise.” She walked over to the far side of the room near the windows. “I don’t suppose you noticed Dr. Conceito.”
Harry stiffened with alarm. “He stopped by?”
“Not exactly.”
Frowning, Harry asked, “What does that mean?”
“He was outside, peeking in the window.”
“Dr. Conceito?”
“No worries. I can promise you that all he saw was you teaching class just as you would any other day.”
“But—”
“Brady Whitall told him about the potluck. You probably aren’t aware that holding functions such as this potluck is strictly against school policy.”
“The handbook doesn’t say anything about—”
“It’s in the small print. It’s one of Dr. Conceito’s little tricks,” Celeste informed him.
“Why peek in the window when he could have walked right into t
he classroom?”
“He didn’t want to do that.”
“Why not?”
“Dr. Conceito wanted to see who was attending the party before he raised a fuss. He didn’t want to offend an ally.”
“You mean someone like Jonas?” It’d surprised and gladdened Harry’s heart that the custodian had shown up.
“Exactly.”
“But regardless, when Dr. Conceito looked …”
“There was no party,” Celeste assured him.
Harry’s shoulders sagged with relief.
“I wonder if you picked up on something else going on at the party.”
Plenty of sharing and laughter had taken place, but Harry wasn’t sure what Celeste meant. “What?”
His mentor looked rather pleased with herself. “Jonas and Elaina.”
“What about them?” Harry had done his best to spend time with each of his students and exchange greetings with their guests. Preoccupied as he was, he didn’t get a chance to notice anything else.
“Jonas helped himself to a second tamale and complimented Elaina. You should have seen her blush. Then they got to talking. I think you might find him more of an ally than an adversary in the upcoming weeks.”
“Really?” This was an interesting development.
“What are your feelings about Danny?” Celeste asked.
Harry had given plenty of thought to the young parolee. “Danny’s got a good heart. All we need to do is keep him on track. He has tremendous potential.”
“I agree,” Celeste concurred. “You’ve done well, Harry. You’ve adjusted to human emotions and have come to love these humans just as God intended.”
His heart raced as he asked, “Does this mean I’ll be able to continue with my work here on Earth?”
“I believe there’s a very good possibility that you will.”
This was the best news Harry could have gotten. Oh yes, just as Addie had thought. This was going to be the best Christmas ever.
To Bill Abbott
in appreciation for his confidence
and faith in me
and in memory of Tommy
who really was Man’s Best Friend
Mr. Miracle Page 15
