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

by Cindy Flores Martinez

“Snowboard?” said Jesse. “I wouldn’t know what it’s like. I’ve never done that before.”

  Mia’s eyes widened. “You haven’t?”

  He shook his head. “I’m a city guy, remember? I’m sure I would fall on my face. But I’ve always wanted to try it.”

  They both glanced at Kristi.

  Her mind was somewhere else.

  Jesse walked up the driveway.

  Mia followed.

  “I think I’ll rent this one,” he said. “Do you mind if I rent this one, Kristi?”

  “It’s fine, Uncle Jesse. Anything will do. Really.” She pulled the car door open, jumped inside the car and shut the door. Her body slouched in the seat.

  Jesse’s shoulders slumped. “Was I crazy to think this was a good idea? Maybe my Christmas in Snowflake plan is just wishful thinking.”

  The disappointment in his eyes tore at Mia’s heart. “It’s not wishful thinking. Kristi is just upset. She’ll feel better once she spends time here.”

  The doubt filled his eyes. “I hope so.” He sighed. “I should check the back of the cabin.” He walked toward the backyard.

  Mia walked with him. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”

  He glanced at her.

  “How would you feel if I tried to find someone to take Kristi into their home here in Snowflake?”

  He raised his dark eyebrows.

  “I mean a foster home,” she said.

  His steps slowed.

  “I went to visit June at Home Sweet Home, and she said the foster care system allows it. She gave me the number of the girls’ caseworker, and I met with her.”

  “You did?”

  “She was working at the shelter here in Snowflake. She said someone can request to become Kristi’s foster parent, but the court would have to approve it.”

  “That’s right,” he said. “I’m familiar with the process.”

  “I could ask around to see if anyone could do this. I would ask people I know, those who are trustworthy.”

  “You would do that? I mean go through all that trouble for Kristi?”

  “It wouldn’t be any trouble,” said Mia. “I’ve known you for how long now?”

  “Since the grand opening of Cupcakes on Main.”

  She smiled at the memory. “You remember.”

  “Of course, I remember.”

  “I remember too.” I’ll never forget. “Anyway, I’ve gotten to know you and Kristi since then. I care about what you’re going through. I want to help.”

  Jesse stood there thinking about the offer. “I don’t know what to say. I didn’t mean to make you feel like you had to do something about the things that Kristi and I are going through. I didn’t mean to burden you with our problems.”

  “You haven’t burdened me with anything,” she said. Should she tell him about the wish? Should she keep it a secret the way Charity wanted? No. This was no longer about just granting a wish for someone. It was so much more than that. “It’s like I said. I care.”

  Jesse watched her with a hypnotic gaze. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Just say yes to me helping. To at least trying.”

  He nodded. “Okay then. Yes. Oh, yes.” His face brightened for the first time in days. Hope flickered in his hazel eyes.

  That alone made it worthwhile. Mia had to make this wish happen no matter what.

  Chapter 8

  The printer churned in the office inside Cupcakes on Main. A sheet of paper landed on the printer tray. Mia set her sandwich on a plate, swiped the stack of printouts, and gathered them together.

  “Have a nice day,” said Diane to a customer in the storefront.

  “You too,” said a woman.

  A plastic bag rustled, and the bell on the front door chimed.

  Silence filled the shop.

  “We’ve sold more cupcakes today than yesterday.” Diane’s footsteps resounded from the kitchen. “I knew sales would improve because of the Christmas crowd.” She entered the office.

  “That’s great,” said Mia without glancing up from the pages in her hand. She sorted through them with a furrowed brow.

  “What are those?”

  “These are the requirements for becoming a foster parent.”

  Diane’s eyes widened.

  “It includes a list of requirements for the home where the foster child will live.”

  “Why do you look so worried?”

  “Because I am worried. It’s so much stricter than I imagined. Not only does the potential foster parent need to qualify,” said Mia, “but the house needs to pass an inspection too. Every room has to be up to standard—the floors, the roof. Even the garage.”

  “Seriously?”

  “It’s more than just foundational things. There can’t be clutter in the house or power tools lying around in the garage.”

  “What?”

  “And there’s a whole other list of requirements that the foster parent has to meet.” She exhaled. “I knew it wasn’t easy, but I never imagined it would be this hard.” Her shoulders slumped.

  “How are you going to find someone who can meet all these requirements in such a short time?”

  Mia shook her head. “I don’t know. It will take a miracle.”

  “I’ll help you think of people.”

  “Thanks.” Mia scooted a sheet of lined paper across her desk. “I’ve already started a list. I’m leaving to go visit Cathy Callahan to ask if she knows anyone who could do this.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot,” said Diane. “Joy called about the Christmas flavored cupcakes that she wants us to make for her dinner party.”

  Mia grasped her forehead. “It slipped my mind. What are we going to do?”

  “Why don’t we buy gingerbread cake mix?”

  “Wouldn’t that be cheating?”

  “We could add a few of our own ingredients to make it different. Either that or I could look for recipes online, but we don’t have the money to spend on experimenting. All of those ingredients would add up to expensive.”

  “You’re right,” said Mia.

  “And I’m too busy right now creating a new plan to promote the shop. I’ve been doing research and sending emails and making phone calls.”

  “I’ll think of something,” said Mia. “I need to see Cathy first.” She reached for her coat on the coatrack.

  MIA’S FOOTSTEPS THUMPED on the hallway floor inside Snowflake Chapel. They intermixed with the footsteps of Pastor Callahan’s wife, Cathy.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t call first,” said Mia. “I decided to take a chance and come here.”

  “Don’t apologize,” said Cathy. “I wish I weren’t so busy today. Otherwise, we could do this in my office.” She glanced at Mia. “So, what’s going on?”

  Mia took a deep breath and gathered her thoughts. “Jesse Quinn’s niece, Kristi, needs a foster home. Home Sweet Home is closing soon.”

  “Oh, that’s right,” said Cathy. “June told me about it on Sunday. It’s so heartbreaking. She’s upset about it, and so are the girls.”

  “Yeah.”

  They stopped at the door that led outside, and Cathy pulled it open.

  Brisk air rushed into the building and swept Mia’s hair back.

  She and Cathy stepped outside and walked to the parking lot.

  “I want to help Kristi,” said Mia. “Do you know anyone who could take her into their home? I mean someone who could become her foster parent.”

  “Oh,” said Cathy. “Let me think.”

  Mia reached into her shoulder bag and retrieved the printout. “I brought a list of requirements. Both the potential foster parent and their home need to qualify.” She handed it to Cathy.

  “Oh, my. That’s a long list.”

  “It explains things that make common sense,” said Mia. “The potential foster parent needs to have a clean record and a steady income, and their home has to be in good condition.”

  Cathy flipped through the pages. Her face tense
d. “It looks a lot more demanding than that.”

  They stopped at Cathy’s car.

  Cathy turned back to page one and skimmed over it.

  “The potential foster parent needs to have time in their schedule for the child,” said Mia, “but Jesse can help with things. He hopes to get full custody of Kristi.”

  “How soon do you need someone?”

  “As soon as possible. Foster Care plans to send her to Denver before Christmas. She’ll lose everything that she has here.”

  Cathy winced. “Okay. I’ll try to think of some people who might want to do this. But I should tell you, my husband and I often try to help people who have lost a job or become displaced. We’ve already asked around to see who has an extra room in their home, and people don’t.”

  “I see.”

  “And as you said, a teenager needs time and attention. People have such busy lives.” Cathy lifted her shoulders in a slight shrug. “But I’ll ask around.”

  Mia clasped her hands together. “I would be so grateful.” She paused. “Oh, and I want to keep it a secret from Kristi. At least until someone is approved.”

  “Sure,” said Cathy and handed Mia the printout. “Let’s pray before I go.” She placed her hand on Mia’s shoulder and bowed her head. “Father God, we ask that You’ll guide Mia in her desire to help Kristi find a foster home. We ask that You’ll accomplish Your will in this situation. Open the doors that are meant to open and close the ones that are meant to be closed.”

  Chapter 9

  1 teaspoon ginger, 1 cup flour. Mia scribbled on a sheet of paper in the kitchen inside Cupcakes on Main.

  She set her pen on the table and approached the baker’s rack. Leaning over, she sorted through the spices, clinking the glass containers. A bottle of molasses came into view. Yes! She seized it, twisted the lid, pulled it off and peered inside the bottle. The rich fragrance tantalized her nose.

  The Christmas bells that hung on the front door of the shop—thanks to Diane—chimed.

  “Mia, you have visitors,” said Diane.

  Mia stopped and listened to the familiar voices. “I’ll be right there!” She screwed the lid back on the bottle, set it on the table with a thud, and strolled to the storefront. Her heart skipped a beat.

  Jesse stood at the counter clad in winter clothes. His hazel eyes met hers. “Hi again.”

  “Hello, there.”

  Kristi and Amy glanced up from the cupcake display case.

  “Hi, Mia,” said Kristi.

  Amy echoed the greeting with the same enthusiasm.

  “Hello there, girls,” said Mia.

  “Uncle Jesse,” said Kristi, “can Amy and I have two cupcakes each? We can’t decide between the chocolate ganache and cinnamon roll flavors. We won’t eat them all at once.”

  “Two?” said Jesse. “Sure, why not.”

  Kristi’s demeanor was much brighter today, and her voice wasn’t as glum as when Mia last saw her.

  “All right,” said Mia, “four cupcakes coming right up.” She grabbed two pastry boxes and set them behind the cupcake display case. “So, how was everyone’s day?”

  Kristi shrugged. “School was just, you know, school.”

  “Yeah,” said Amy. “For me too.”

  “Guess what happened to me today?” said Jesse. He held up a silver key chain and jingled a pair of keys that hung on it. “The cabin is mine for the month.”

  Mia’s eyes widened.

  “Do you want to see the inside of it? What time are you finishing here today?”

  Mia glanced up at the clock on the wall. “In a few minutes.”

  “We’re going shopping for a Christmas tree after this and then we’re taking it to the cabin. Why don’t you come with us?”

  Yes. Oh, yes.

  THE TEMPERATURE ON Main Street must have been twenty degrees colder than inside the cupcake shop but Mia didn’t feel it. Being with Jesse, Kristi, and Amy warmed her. They strolled toward the Christmas tree lot amid the afternoon crowd.

  Mia glanced at the red bows on the antique lampposts, the white lights on the trees, and the decorations in the shop windows. The memory of being here with Don flashed through her mind.

  “Don’t you just love Christmastime in Snowflake?” said Jesse.

  Mia swallowed hard. Should she tell him she was thinking of leaving the town for good? “Yeah,” she said. “I like it but—”

  Jesse turned.

  Maybe now wasn’t the time. “It’s just cold.”

  “No kidding,” he said. “When my sister first moved here, I couldn’t handle the weather when I visited during the winter, but I’ve gotten used to it. At least a little.” He gazed at their surroundings. “We don’t have Christmases like this where I live. Not in the city.”

  They stopped at the Christmas tree lot.

  Mia gazed at Jesse. The excitement in his eyes was so contagious. Don’s memory faded. She closed her eyes and inhaled the fresh scent of the trees that permeated the air. “I love the fragrance of pine.”

  “It reminds me of Mom,” said Kristi.

  They all turned.

  “We always came here together.” The sadness clouded her face.

  “I’m sorry, sweetie.” Mia placed her hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay? Are you sure you want to do this?”

  Kristi nodded. “I just miss her.”

  “I miss her too,” said Jesse. “I can’t believe she’s really gone.” His voice wavered. The pain reflected in their eyes.

  Silence hung in the air.

  What could Mia say to make it better?

  “We should celebrate Christmas the way she always did,” said Jesse. “Your mom enjoyed the holidays more than anyone I know.”

  Kristi mustered a smile. “It was her favorite time of year.”

  “I want to always keep her memory alive.”

  “Me too,” said Kristi.

  Jesse turned and gazed at the evergreen trees. “Which tree would she have chosen? Do you remember what the tree was like that you had last year?”

  “I’ll never forget.” Kristi glanced at the collection. “I’ll go look around.” She and Amy strolled inside the lot.

  Jesse clutched his chest and let out an exhale.

  “You did great,” said Mia.

  “Did I? I thought I was going to fall apart.”

  “You’re a wonderful uncle, Jesse.”

  “Am I? It doesn’t feel like it. To be honest, I don’t know what I’m doing half the time.”

  “Believe me,” said Mia, “all of this that you’re doing is special. Not everyone would care the way you do.”

  He turned and gazed into her eyes. “I appreciate that.”

  She gazed into his eyes. “If you need my help, just say the word. I may not have experience with raising a teenager or even decorating for Christmas, but I can try.”

  “Thanks.”

  Smiled and nodded. “I didn’t want to say this in front of the girls, but I asked Cathy Callahan if she knew anyone who could take Kristi into their home here in Snowflake.”

  “What did she say?”

  “She said she’ll ask people she knows. But June and Constance weren’t exaggerating. The rules are strict.”

  “Yeah,” he said. “I’ve seen them.”

  “But I’m believing for a miracle.”

  He nodded. “Me too. And I plan to ask a few people myself. I don’t know enough people here well enough, but there are some that I trust. Especially some of Karen’s old friends.”

  Kristi and Amy turned a corner and fell out of sight.

  “We should find the girls,” he said.

  Mia and Jesse walked further inside the Christmas tree lot.

  “I made a list of friends who might be ideal foster parents,” said Mia. “I’m going to visit a couple of them tomorrow.”

  “Do you want me to go with you? I’ll be here the rest of the week.”

  Mia’s steps slowed. “I would love that.”

  “Uncle Je
sse!” Kristi’s voice rang out. “Come and see this tree.”

  They followed her voice and walked around a cluster of trees.

  Kristi and Amy stood beside the most perfect tree.

  “This is it,” said Kristi. “It’s just like the one Mom and I had last year.”

  “You’re right,” said Jesse. “I remember.”

  Mia gazed at the tall pine, thick with branches. And the fragrance? Heavenly. “It’s stunning.”

  Jesse reached for the price tag and glanced at the numbers. He walked around the tree studying it from every angle. “Are you sure it’s big enough?”

  “It’s the perfect size,” said Kristi. “Mom always bought the kind of trees that were just big enough so that they could stand up in the living room without cutting off the top.”

  “That makes sense,” he said.

  Kristi ran her fingers through the soft needles. “And she liked branches that were dense but not so much that we couldn’t hang the ornaments on them.”

  “That makes sense, too,” he said. “Your mom was a smart lady.”

  “She was the smartest person I knew,” said Kristi.

  Jesse gave the tree a final once-over. “If you’re sure this is the one, let’s take it.”

  “I’m sure,” said Kristi.

  “I’ll get the attendant.” He glanced around the lot. “Where did he go? I saw him a moment ago.” He stepped away.

  Mia stayed with Kristi and Amy and gazed at the tree. “It really is an ideal tree. Your mom knew how to choose them. I wouldn’t have had a clue which one to pick.”

  A nostalgic smile spread across Kristi’s face. “My mom was good at a lot of things. I wish you could have met her.”

  Mia’s heart warmed. “Me too.”

  “I’m glad I knew her,” said Amy. “She was so nice and fun to be with.”

  Jesse returned with the lot attendant. It took a few minutes for him to pay for the tree, bring the rental car to the front of the lot, and for two attendants to strap the tree, which they had netted, on the roof. It took a few more minutes for Jesse to maneuver through traffic on Main Street toward the cabin.

  Christmas songs and the chatter of the teenagers filled the rental car. They talked about school, friends, and boys.