Mia's Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes Series Book 1)

by Cindy Flores Martinez

  Mia raised her eyebrows. “Me? No. I couldn’t.”

  “Why not? I’m sure you would make a great foster parent.”

  “But I’m not married.”

  “You don’t have to be married. There are plenty of unmarried foster parents. All you need is the willingness to care for a child.”

  “I didn’t know that.” Mia waved her hand. “But I still wouldn’t be able to. My life is so busy right now. I have a business to run.”

  “Aha. You do need time in your schedule for the child. You’re required to get them to school every day and take them to their doctor and dentist appointments and everything else they need.”

  “And besides,” said Mia, “I don’t even have a home. I rent a room at the Snowflake Inn.”

  June shook her head. “You wouldn’t qualify then. You need to have a home for the child. They need to have their own bedroom.” She grabbed the plate and held it out. “Would you like to take Kristi the cupcake?”

  “I would be happy to.” Mia took it from her and stopped. “I’m curious, though. If I knew someone here in Snowflake who could take one of the girls from Home Sweet Home into their home, would they be allowed to do that? I mean, does the foster care system permit that?”

  “They sure do,” said June. “But the court would need to approve it and that’s not always easy. I can give you their caseworker’s number, and she can explain it a lot better than I can.”

  “That would be great.”

  June led the way into the hall and stopped at a half-open door.

  Mia stopped and peered into the room where her friend Anne once slept. The memory of their voices and laughter echoed through her mind.

  “Kristi?” said June. “There’s someone here who wants to see you. Can we come in?” She peeked inside the room and pushed the door open wider.

  Kristi sat on one of two twin beds.

  A Snowshoe Siamese lay beside her on the comforter.

  “Mia’s here. She brought you something.”

  “Hi, there.” Mia stepped inside and held out the plate. “For you.”

  Kristi closed her spiral notebook and placed it beside her Bible on her nightstand. She sat up taller and grabbed the plate. “Thanks.”

  June turned to Mia. “I’ll get that number you wanted. I’ll be right back.”

  Mia smiled and gave her a nod.

  June left the room, and her footsteps faded in the hall.

  “What were you writing?” asked Mia.

  “It’s nothing. It’s just my journal.”

  “I didn’t know you kept a journal.”

  Kristi nodded. “My counselor says I have to keep one. She says writing my thoughts will help.”

  “And does it help?”

  Kristi shrugged. “I haven’t decided.”

  Mia leaned over and petted the cat that lay awake. “Hi there. Are you Bella? I’ve heard so much about you.”

  “Bella means beautiful in Spanish,” said Kristi.

  “I know,” said Mia. “I speak some Spanish myself.” She glanced at the cat’s furry white paws and royal blue eyes. “And Bella is the perfect name for her. She’s beautiful.” Mia rubbed the top of Bella’s head and gazed at her adorable face. “You’re beautiful, aren’t you? Yes, you are.”

  Bella’s loud purrs burst through the air like the motor on the electric kitchen mixer.

  A smile colored Mia’s face. She stood taller and glanced around at everything—the colorful curtains, the glittery wall art, and the teenage-style décor. “I love the way your room is decorated. Was it like this when you moved here?”

  “I decorated it myself,” said Kristi. “My Uncle Jesse took me to the store and bought me everything.”

  Mia’s eyes widened. “You did this yourself? You’re good at decorating. Would you like to help me and Diane decorate the shop for Christmas?” She stepped around the room, glancing at everything. “We used to work at a patisserie in Denver and our boss always hired someone to decorate for all the holidays—Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter. This is the first Christmas that Diane and I have owned our own shop, and we have no clue how to make it look festive.”

  Kristi mustered a weak smile. Today, she was far from the talkative, fun-loving girl who always bounded into the cupcake shop or Snowflake Chapel.

  A flowery picture frame on the dresser caught Mia’s attention. “Is that your mom? I recognize her.” She leaned forward to get a closer view. “Your Uncle Jesse has shown me pictures of her, but I’ve never seen this one before.”

  “That’s my favorite one of her,” said Kristi. “We went snowboarding that day. We loved snowboarding together.”

  “You did?” said Mia. “I love snowboarding, too. I mean, I used to love it. It’s been so long since I’ve tried it.” Don didn’t like snowboarding.

  “I miss it.” Kristi sighed.

  Mia turned and gave her a sympathetic gaze. She sat on the bed across from hers. “So, I heard Home Sweet Home is shutting down. I was so surprised. I still can’t believe it.”

  Kristi’s face fell. “I don’t want to leave Snowflake. I can’t stand the thought of going to a new school.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “I don’t want to leave my friends. I thought I would stay at Snowflake High until I graduated.” She set the plate on the bed. “I’ve been praying for a miracle, but nothing has changed.”

  I know how that feels. “It might seem like God doesn’t hear your prayers,” said Mia, “but He does. Don’t stop praying. I’ll be praying too.”

  Bella groomed her fluffy fur. She raised her paw in front of her, spread it open and gnawed her nails, scrunching her nose.

  A faint smile rose on Kristi’s face. “Look at Bella.”

  Mia smiled too. “How adorable.”

  “I’ll miss her.” Kristi’s voice wavered. “June said she’s moving away and can’t take Bella with her. She said she might ask the animal shelter to find a new home for her. I’ll never see her again.”

  Mia’s smile faded.

  Kristi glanced at the picture of herself with her mother. “I wish my mom was still here. I wish I could go back in time and change things.” She brushed her fingers over the scar on her arm—the mark of being the only one who survived the tragedy. “I wish I could make it so that the accident never happened.”

  Chapter 6

  I wish I could go back in time and change things. Kristi’s words replayed through Mia’s mind. They were such profound words spoken from the heart of a teenage girl. Kristi had no idea how much they resonated within Mia. I wish I had never met Don.

  Sitting in an office at the Snowflake Homeless Shelter, Mia closed her eyes. “Lord, please help me find a home for Kristi in Snowflake,” she whispered.

  Footsteps interrupted her thoughts.

  A woman dressed in a dark gray pantsuit entered the room. “Mia?”

  “Yes.” Mia stood from her chair.

  The woman reached out and shook her hand. “I’m Constance. I’m so sorry I’m late. I had to meet with some families here, and it went longer than expected.”

  “It’s no problem,” said Mia. “I appreciate you seeing me.”

  “You caught me just in time. I happened to be in Snowflake today. I won’t be back for a while. I travel all over this part of the state.”

  Coincidence or a miracle?

  “I understand you have some questions about becoming a foster parent.”

  “I do,” said Mia, “but they’re not for me. They’re for someone else.”

  “All right then. Let’s have a seat.” Constance walked behind the desk and sat int the office chair.

  Mia sat on the guest chair and waited for Constance to get comfortable. “As I explained over the phone,” she said, “I visited June at Home Sweet Home and she gave me your number.”

  Constance nodded.

  “She mentioned that it might be possible for someone who lives here in Snowflake to become a foster parent to one of the girls at Home Swe
et Home. So, my question is, how would they do that? Can someone request to foster a specific child?”

  “They can try,” said Constance. “They would need to file a petition with the court asking to be named as the child’s foster parent.”

  “I see.”

  “They would have to meet all the mandatory requirements. For instance, they can’t have a criminal record, they need a steady income, their car and home must be in good condition, and the home needs to have a separate room for the child.”

  “Okay.”

  “They can get the forms at the courthouse, but my advice is to have a lawyer handle the paperwork. Someone who has experience with the process.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “There’s no guarantee that the court will grant the request,” said Constance. “But the child’s well-being is always taken into consideration. If placing the child in the home in Snowflake would be better than uprooting the child completely, the chances are much greater that the request will be granted.”

  “That sounds hopeful.”

  “The courts do care about what’s best for a child.”

  By the time the conversation ended, Mia’s hope soared.

  She floated through the rest of the day.

  “How much would it cost?” asked Diane from inside the office at Cupcakes on Main.

  “Constance gave me the names of some lawyers who only charge five-hundred dollars to fill out the legal documents.”

  “That’s it? That’s a great price.” Diane reached for her tote bag. “What would you do with the rest of the money?”

  “I would use it to pay for any other costs involved.” Mia reached for her shoulder bag.

  “Are you going to tell Jesse about your plans?”

  “I should,” said Mia, “since he has visitation rights, and he wants full custody of Kristi.”

  Diane reached for her gloves. “But then it wouldn’t be a secret like Charity wanted.”

  “It will be a secret from Kristi. If I find a home for her, I won’t tell her how it happened.”

  They both exited the office and walked to the storefront.

  “Now I just have to find someone who can take her into their home—and fast,” said Mia.

  “I wish I could help, but I probably wouldn’t qualify since I don’t have an extra room in my apartment.” Diane waved her hand. “Besides, I’m no good at taking care of things. Remember the potted poinsettia that I bought the day after Thanksgiving?”

  “Yeah.”

  “It’s already wilted.”

  “What?”

  “It’s true. I’ve done it again. I’ve killed another plant.”

  Mia grinned and shook her head.

  They stepped outside into the chilly afternoon air.

  Diane paused on the sidewalk with her keys in hand. “Is that Sheila?”

  Mia glanced across the street.

  Sheila stood outside her chocolate shop greeting customers.

  “What is she wearing?” said Diane.

  “It looks like a Mrs. Claus outfit.”

  “Aren’t her legs cold?”

  Mia glanced down at them. Her bare skin peeked out beneath her red skirt. “Maybe she’s lost all feeling in them.”

  “How can she walk in those heels?” said Diane.

  “I don’t think she can,” said Mia. “That’s probably why she’s just standing there.”

  Diane snorted and locked the door.

  A familiar face emerged through the crowd. Mia’s eyes widened. “Jesse?”

  “Hey, Mia,” he said. “Hey, Diane.”

  “What a surprise,” said Diane. “I hope you didn’t come all this way to get a cupcake. We just closed for the day.”

  “No,” he said. “I was at the rental office.” He motioned to Snowflake Vacation Rentals a few shops away. “I met with the owner.”

  “Ah,” said Diane. “So, that’s why you were passing by here.” She gave Mia a knowing grin.

  Despite the chill in the air, Mia’s face warmed. She rushed to change the subject before Jesse caught on. “I thought you were in California.”

  “I was,” he said. “But I had a change of plans. So, here I am.” He flashed a sheepish grin.

  “Okay,” said Diane. “Well, I need to go.”

  Mia turned. “Aren’t we going shopping for Christmas decorations?”

  “I just remembered,” said Diane, “I have to uh... water my poinsettia. You go ahead.” She snapped her fingers. “Hey, why don’t you ask Jesse to go with you?” Her eyes twinkled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “But—”

  Diane turned away and hurried across the sidewalk.

  Mia watched her with a bewildered gaze.

  “Oh,” said Jesse, “I forgot to thank you for the cupcake. The one you added in the bag for me at the shop. It was the best chocolate cupcake I’ve ever tasted.”

  Mia’s heart fluttered. “I’m glad you liked it. I created the recipe myself. It’s a new flavor.”

  “You really know how to make things taste good. All of your cupcakes are delicious.” He gazed at her.

  Mia couldn’t tell if the look in his eyes was because of the cupcakes or...or what? “Thanks.” She fidgeted. “So, you were at the vacation rental office, huh?”

  “Yeah,” he said. “I got these brochures.” He grabbed a stack of brochures from his jacket pocket. “They’re cabins. I plan to rent one of them.”

  “Really?”

  “This is probably going to sound crazy, but I was in California this morning, and I was right in the middle of the audit we’re doing at a company, and I couldn’t focus on my work. All those numbers became a blur. All I could think about was everything that’s going on with Kristi and the group home.”

  “I’m sorry,” said Mia.

  “So, I talked to my boss and asked for a few days off. I’m spending the week here in Snowflake. And I’m going to stay in one of these cabins.” He glanced at the brochures. “I want to help create Christmas for my niece—for the both of us—before she leaves.”

  Mia placed her hand over her chest. “That’s so sweet, Jesse.”

  “She and my sister always had such perfect Christmases together. I loved it when I visited. I hope to capture some of that.”

  Mia’s heart melted.

  “But,” he said, “I can’t decide which cabin to rent. What do you think?”

  Mia glanced at the rustic style homes surrounded by pines on the brochures. “They’re all lovely.”

  “Do you want to come with me and Kristi to look at them from the outside?”

  Mia glanced up at him. Was he really asking her to go with them? Did the surprise show on her face?

  “Jesse!” Sheila’s voice echoed from across the street.

  They turned.

  Sheila waved at him.

  “Hey, Sheila,” he said aloud and glanced at her outfit. “I mean, Mrs. Claus.”

  Sheila walked to the edge of the sidewalk in her stiletto heels. Her ankles wobbled. “I thought you were in California!”

  “I was,” he said. “But I’m back. At least for the week.”

  “Why don’t you come and see my window display?” she said. “I added a few more decorations! And I’ll give you a sample of our new chocolate flavor. It’s chocolate and pine.”

  Jesse gave her a funny look. “I’m sorry, did you say pine—as in pine tree?”

  “That’s right. The chocolate has a dash of pine tree oil in it. It’s delicious.”

  His face tensed. “Oh, um, I can’t right now. I have to go.”

  “How about later?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  Sheila’s face lit up like a Christmas tree.

  “I’ll see you,” said Jesse. “Come on, Mia.” He turned and walked toward the parking lot.

  Mia smiled and followed.

  Chapter 7

  Being with Jesse and Kristi in Jesse’s warm rental car with Christmas music playing brought a smile to Mia’s face.r />
  Jesse glanced up at a street sign. “This is it. Bristlecone Lane.” He turned onto the quiet, snowplowed road. The car crawled past the homes. “Which one is it? I can’t see the addresses.”

  Mia squinted. “I can’t, either, but that house over there looks like the one in the picture.”

  The car rolled to a stop in front of a rustic style home.

  “There’s the address,” he said. “This is it.”

  The engine died, and Jesse pushed the door open and stepped out on the street.

  Mia climbed out of the passenger’s side, but Kristi didn’t move from where she sat in the back seat.

  Mia stopped and inhaled the delightful fragrance of the pines, which was stronger here than on Main Street. The noise of the crowd several blocks away didn’t exist here. The only sound was the whisper of the wind sweeping through the scattered statuesque trees.

  “It’s beautiful,” said Mia.

  “I agree.” Jesse’s gaze traveled around the front of the cabin. He turned. “Kristi, come out here and help me decide.”

  Silence filled the air.

  “Come on,” he said.

  The back door opened, and Kristi stepped outside at a snail’s pace.

  “What do you think?” asked Jesse.

  She shrugged.

  “Look at all the windows. I can tell from the brochure that there’s a nice view from inside the living room.”

  Kristi crossed her arms across her chest and gazed at the cabin next door, which was a good distance away.

  “If you ask me,” said Mia, “this one is my favorite. It’s like you said, the view from inside seems like the best. Can you imagine how stunning it looks at night?”

  “No kidding,” he said.

  Mia crouched and ran her gloved fingers through the powdery snow. It coated her gloves. “You could build a nice snowman here.”

  “A snowman?” said Jesse. “That sounds like fun. Right, Kristi?”

  She didn’t answer.

  Mia stood up and brushed her hands together. “I’ll bet there’s even a hill within walking distance where you can snowboard.”