by Paige Sleuth
Kat stepped quietly into the room and stood off to the side. This was her mother’s battle, and she planned to stay out of it.
Jonah secured the door before facing Maybelle. “After all the trouble I brought upon you way back when, I didn’t know how you felt about me.”
“I never blamed you,” Maybelle said, her voice softer now.
“But if I’d never gotten you hooked on those drugs, you wouldn’t have lost custody of—” He broke off, shooting Kat a sheepish look.
“That wasn’t your fault. We were both so irresponsible back then. We thought we were invincible.”
Jonah shoved his hands in his pants pockets. “When I saw you at that gas station, I couldn’t believe it. I almost went up to you, but I was shocked speechless. It was like a blast from the past. You haven’t changed a bit.”
Maybelle fingered her hair. “Oh, now you’re just being kind.”
“It’s true.” Jonah gazed into her eyes. “You look exactly like you did when you disappeared all those years ago.”
They stared at each other for a long moment, neither one saying a word. Kat shifted her feet, tempted to excuse herself. She felt as though she were intruding on a private moment.
Finally, Maybelle coughed and looked away. “Why did you address those gifts to K. Harper?” she asked.
“You told that gas station clerk your name was Kelly,” Jonah said. “That’s when I started thinking my eyes were playing tricks on me and maybe you weren’t you after all. So I followed you to your apartment, and after you went inside I searched the call box for your name. When I spotted that entry for K. Harper, I gathered you were going by Kelly now.”
“Why didn’t you just buzz me when you were at the apartment?” Maybelle asked.
“Since you never contacted me after moving back to Cherry Hills, I assumed you were avoiding me on purpose.”
“I didn’t move back. I’m visiting Kat for the holidays. She lives here.”
Jonah rubbed his nose. “And here I thought you were trying to forget me.”
“Oh, Jonah.” Maybelle grabbed his hand. “I could never forget you.”
He smiled at her. “We did have some good times, didn’t we? That year at Apple Blossom Festival was the highlight of my life.”
Maybelle withdrew her hand, a shadow crossing over her face. “But Jonah, we shared some pretty bad times, too.”
“Yes.” He bowed his head. “It were those bad times that made me think you might never want to see me again.” He peeked up at her, pain in his eyes. “I never should have introduced you to the drugs. Once I got clean, I always kicked myself for that.”
“I begged you to let me try it,” Maybelle said. “I was so adventurous back then.”
“We were both too adventurous for our own good.”
“That’s for sure.” Maybelle scrunched up her nose. “But why all the gifts?”
“I couldn’t help myself. After I saw you at that gas station you were constantly on my mind. I kept stumbling across all these things that reminded me of you.” He rocked on his heels. “And, I admit, even though I told myself I wouldn’t pressure you to see me, I was hoping the messages I left reminded you of how much fun we used to have together and spur you to get in touch.”
“You should have signed your name,” Maybelle told him.
“I didn’t mean to worry you. Or your daughter. And I only bought those things because I thought you would like them.”
“I do like them, Jonah. But you know nothing can happen between us. We have too much history. We live in different states.” Maybelle’s lips puckered. “And you were married to one of my best friends!”
“That’s your fault,” Jonah said.
Maybelle reared back. “My fault?”
“Stephanie and I were both devastated when you vanished. Our grief brought us closer together, and one day we mistook it for love.”
Maybelle stared at him. She seemed to be at a loss for words.
He gave her a weak smile. “You probably don’t realize how much I cared for you back then. I had always hoped something romantic would develop between us.”
Maybelle lifted her hand to her heart. “I didn’t know that.”
“I never told you. You were head over heels for Quinn back then.”
“I guess I’m partly at fault.” Maybelle shifted her gaze to Kat. “I’ve been told I tend to flirt too much.”
Jonah grinned. “It’s one of the things I like most about you. You’re not afraid to be bold.”
“It can get me into trouble, too.” Maybelle paused, then added, “I apologize for any grief I caused you.”
Jonah flapped his hand. “It’s all water under the bridge. Our whole gang was young and foolish.” He grimaced. “I might not be young anymore, but I suppose I’m still foolish. I never thought those gifts would scare you.”
“They didn’t scare me, they scared Kat,” Maybelle said. “But why were you following me around in your truck?”
He flushed. “That was a tad impulsive on my part. The first time, after I spotted you at that gas station, I wanted to see if it was really you.”
“And what about Christmas Eve morning?”
“I happened to be out and about shopping for my nephews when I saw that little red car of yours on the road again. My curiosity got the better of me, and I started trailing you.”
Maybelle swatted his forearm. “Well, you shouldn’t have done that.”
“I realize that now. It was just so surreal, seeing you in Cherry Hills again. I had to make sure my mind wasn’t playing tricks on me.”
“Next time pick up the phone if you want to reach me.”
Jonah’s eyes sparkled. “Does that mean I can call?”
“Yes. I’ll give you my number.”
Kat watched as they programmed each other’s contact information into their cell phones. Jonah had a dreamy look on his face, as if Maybelle had just given him everything he’d ever wanted for Christmas. It might not have been the best decision to leave those anonymous gifts, but Kat believed him when he said he hadn’t meant to alarm them.
Maybelle stuffed her phone back into her coat pocket. “Well, Kat and I should take off and let you get on with your Christmas.”
Jonah’s face fell. “You’re leaving so soon?”
“I want to spend some quality time with my daughter today.”
Maybelle’s words swirled around Kat like a balm, soothing the old childhood wounds she had held on to for so long. She might not be completely healed after this visit, but she at least knew now that her mother was doing her best, just as she had all those years ago.
And, really, wasn’t that all anyone could ask for?
Jonah escorted them to the door. Maybelle stopped just past the threshold and reached back to take his hand.
“Nothing romantic will ever happen between us, but you’ll always have a special place in my heart,” she said.
He pulled her into a hug. “As you will in mine, Maybelle. You realize I think of you every time I eat an ear of corn? I had a knot on my head for two weeks after that old Apple Blossom vendor whacked me with that corncob.”
Maybelle threw her head back and laughed. The sound of her happiness filled Kat with a joy that promised to carry her all the way through New Year’s.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The rest of Christmas Day passed in a blur. Maybelle and Kat spent the evening in Kat’s apartment, sometimes chatting, sometimes watching movies, but mostly just enjoying each other’s company. Before she knew it, it was Saturday morning and Maybelle was all packed to leave in an hour.
They were sitting in the living room sipping coffee and hot chocolate when Larry came up to Kat’s apartment. One glimpse at the large box in his arms was all it took for Kat’s beverage to threaten a return appearance.
“That can’t be for K. Harper,” she said.
“Sure is.”
Kat slipped her hand into her pants pocket and fingered her cell phone, debating over whe
ther to call Andrew. She had hoped the gifts would stop now that Maybelle had confronted Jonah, but maybe their visit had only fueled his obsession.
Larry took a step forward. “I’ll bring it in for you.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.” Kat was tempted to tell him to throw it away.
“I insist.”
Before she could protest, Larry barreled past her. Spotting the way his chest puffed out when he saw Maybelle, his ulterior motive for being so helpful became a lot clearer.
Maybelle jumped off the couch and twirled a strand of hair around one finger. “Larry!”
“Hey, Maybelle.” He grinned. “How was your Christmas?”
Maybelle looked at Kat, a soft smile playing on her lips. “It was magical.”
Warmth filled Kat’s insides. She couldn’t think of a better word to describe it.
“Glad to hear it.” Larry set the box on the floor. “Kat here has got herself a late present.”
Maybelle bit her lip, and Kat knew she was also thinking about Jonah.
Larry rubbed his palms together. “Well, as much as I’d like to stay and chat with you gals, one of the first-floor residents says his heater’s been acting up.”
Maybelle walked over and hugged him. “It was good seeing you again.”
“You too, Maybelle. We oughta get together before you leave town.”
Maybelle pouted as she pulled back from their embrace. “Unfortunately, I’m heading out in an hour.”
Larry nodded. “Next time you’re in Cherry Hills, then.”
“I’d love that.”
Larry saluted Kat on his way out. She waved before shutting the door and turning her attention to the box.
“Think it’s from him?” she asked Maybelle.
Maybelle shook her head. “Look.”
The tension drained from Kat’s muscles when she followed the direction of Maybelle’s finger to the shipping label she had missed earlier. “It must be that cat tree I ordered.”
“Cat tree?” Maybelle’s eyes drifted toward Matty and Tom snoozing under the Christmas tree.
“A real cat tree.” Kat kneeled on the carpet and started opening the package.
The cats’ ears pricked when they heard the sound of tape tearing away from cardboard. They wandered over to see what was going on.
“You’ll have to wait until I get it assembled,” Kat told them, folding back the box flaps.
Maybelle sat down on the coffee table. “I’ll help.”
“You don’t have to.”
“It’s the least I can do for ignoring you when Stephanie was here the other day.”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” Kat said, keeping her gaze focused on the box, “and maybe I overreacted. It’s only natural that you wanted to see your old friends while you were here.”
“No, I owe you an apology.” Maybelle set her hand on Kat’s, forcing her to stop what she was doing. “You want to know the real reason why I kept inviting Stephanie to join us?”
“Because she used to babysit me?”
“Well, yes, there is that, but that’s not the only reason. The truth is, the thought of spending time alone with you made me nervous.”
Kat dared to meet her mother’s eyes. “Nervous?”
“I hadn’t seen you in so long, and I still have all this guilt over how I left things between us all those years ago. I try to mask it by being extra cheerful, but it’s still there, deep down inside of me. And I know you’re not happy with me for leaving back then either. How could you be? You grew up in foster care because of me.”
Kat’s vision blurred as she stared at her mother’s hand on top of hers. Maybelle’s words had unleashed a jumble of emotions within her.
Maybelle drew in a breath. “I thought if there was another person around you’d be less likely to give me the dressing down I deserved for abandoning you all those years ago. Stephanie was kind of like . . . I don’t know. A buffer, I guess.”
“A buffer,” Kat repeated, remembering how she had wanted Andrew present three days ago for that exact same reason.
“I know it’s silly.”
Kat smiled as she blinked away her tears. “It’s not silly.”
They didn’t speak, too busy gazing at each other. Kat was vaguely aware of Matty and Tom orbiting around them as the cats attempted to peek inside the box, but mostly she was just savoring this moment with her mother.
The spell was broken when Matty crawled up Kat’s shirt and prepared to use her shoulder as a springboard into the box.
“We should get to work before the cats die of curiosity,” Kat said, easing Matty off of her.
Maybelle reached into the box and extracted a carpet-covered perch. “Sounds like a plan.”
Kat and Maybelle focused their attention on unpacking. Every time they set a new part on the floor, Matty and Tom moved in to make sure it met their standards. That involved sitting on each piece to verify sturdiness, spot-checking the scratching surfaces, and sniffing out subpar materials.
Just when everything was finally spread out and Kat was ready to begin assembly, Tom decided he needed a break and laid down on the instruction sheet.
“Tom, scoot,” Kat said. She turned toward Matty, who was batting at the included Allen wrench with her paw. “Matty, you’re not helping.”
Maybelle laughed. “I can see why you enjoy having animals around.”
Kat raised her eyebrows. “Don’t tell me you’re turning into a cat person.”
“Nah.” Maybelle reached over and petted Tom. “But I am growing rather fond of these two.”
Kat supposed that was more than she could ask for.
Maybelle scanned the sea of parts surrounding them. “So where do we start?”
Kat lifted up Tom’s tail to look at the diagram. “There should be a flat platform somewhere that will serve as the base. It has the number one stamped on the bottom.”
Maybelle checked two different pieces before holding one up. “Got it.”
“Now we have to find the sisal post.”
As if she understood, Matty ran over to the post in question and dug her claws into it.
“Matty, that’s going to conk you on the head if you’re not careful,” Kat said, easing it from the tortoiseshell’s grasp.
Kat somehow managed to screw the post to the base without the cats interfering.
“Here’s part number three,” Maybelle said, handing Kat a triangular hut just large enough to conceal a medium-sized house cat.
“Great.” Kat took it from her and secured it to what they had so far.
Matty’s patience expired as soon as Kat tightened the last screw. She positioned her front paws on the hut’s entryway and pulled herself inside.
“Matty, you’re in the way,” Kat told her.
Tom abandoned his station on the assembly diagram when he spotted Matty’s tail hanging out of the hut. He took a swing at it, sending Matty into a frenzy as she scrambled to turn herself around.
Maybelle leaned back on her hands. “Maybe we could leave it like this. It looks like they’re enjoying it just the way it is.”
“That would certainly be easier than trying to work around them,” Kat agreed. “But then I’d be left with a bunch of cat tree pieces scattered across my living room floor.”
“In that case, let’s get back to work.”
Thirty minutes later, after much shooing, nudging, and cajoling, the cat tree was fully assembled. Maybelle and Kat stood back to examine their handiwork.
“It looks pretty good, doesn’t it?” Maybelle said.
“I don’t know,” Kat replied. “I think it needs one more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“A little flavoring.” Kat picked up the container of catnip that Maybelle had given her yesterday.
Matty and Tom watched, transfixed, as catnip rained down on their new tree. When Kat was finished, Tom threw himself at the dusting on the bottom level and rolled around as if he had been transported to
kitty heaven.
“He likes it,” Maybelle said.
Kat’s heart swelled as she took in how happy Matty and Tom looked. “Thank you for my Christmas gift.” She paused, then added, “I’m sorry I didn’t get you anything.”
“Seeing you again is the best gift ever.”
Kat smiled. Despite their rocky start and a few rough patches along the way, their Christmas had turned out pretty well after all.
Maybelle checked the time on her cell phone. “I should head out before it gets too dark.”
“I’ll walk you downstairs,” Kat said, trying to ignore the ache that blossomed in her chest.
Maybelle slipped on her coat and shoes. “You stay here where it’s warm. I know the way.”
“Okay.”
They stood there for an awkward moment, neither one seeming to know how to end this visit. Then they moved forward at the same time. As their arms snaked around each other, Kat felt as if they were finally in sync.
“I’m so, so glad I got to reconnect with you after all these years,” Maybelle murmured in Kat’s ear.
Tears welled in Kat’s eyes. “I’m glad, too . . . Mom.”
Maybelle pulled back, her mouth dropping open. When she reached for Kat again, her second hug was twice as fierce.
“I wish I could stay longer,” Maybelle whispered, and Kat could tell from the way her voice wavered that she was struggling not to cry.
“You’re always welcome to visit,” Kat told her.
“Thank you. And you ought to come down to Estacada one of these days.”
“I just might do that.”
Maybelle stepped back. Her eyes were moist, and she dabbed at the underside of her eyelids with one finger. “Well, it’s time for me to hit the road.”
“I’ll get the door.”
Kat opened the door while Maybelle grabbed her luggage. Maybelle stopped to squeeze Kat’s shoulder before she stepped into the corridor.
“Bye, baby.”
“Bye, Mom.”
Maybelle kept glancing back as she walked down the hallway. When she boarded the elevator, she gave Kat one final departing wave. Kat returned the gesture before heading back inside.
She shut the door and rested her head against it. The ache in her chest was still there, but her heart felt light.
