As she watched, he gently picked up the crawling babe into his arms and kissed the child lovingly on its pudgy cheek. A large hand smoothed over the baby’s dark black hair. The woman soon came into view, and he handed her the baby. Cain hadn’t lost his family at all. They were at this moment playing together. But wait, they were supposed to have been out visiting the in-laws of her diseased husband. Was this just a ploy for more things?
Cain was so poor; perhaps he felt it was the only way to acquire things other than just necessities for his wife and children. With a deceased spouse, and further hardship, they would have been eligible not only for toys and food, but also for a small sum of money as well, money that right now, rested within her purse. They hadn’t needed the ruse; Candy would have helped them out; it was more than apparent they needed it.
That was what Christmas was about to her, taking care of family, any family, all families.
The woman placed the baby back onto the floor. She looked worried, wringing her hands, rocking from foot to foot. She heard through the flimsy window her voiced concern.
“You’re too early, Cain. You weren’t supposed to be here until after ten this morning.”
“I was too excited to wait until ten,” was Cain’s response.
After ten, Candy would have been long gone, the money safely in their pockets, but whose pocket? Perhaps Cain was unaware his wife had sought aid. She could just tell him the gifts were from relatives. She could have hidden the money away; he would never find out about it if she was careful. Something very odd was going on here. Which one was playing a fast one? Or were they both? Candy, a corporate lawyer, a financial wizard, ingenious in dealing with deception and fraud, was not shy; she determined to find out.
With purpose, she squared her shoulders and strode to the door and knocked loudly. She was met by a gaggling hoard of children who dragged her inside enthusiastically. With the children around she realized she would need to be discreet; this was after all, not their fault.
“Mommy, is this the lady who you said was sent by Santa?” A boy of about seven squealed in delight.
“Candy,” Cain said with obvious surprise, but was it guilty surprise? Candy narrowed her eyes; she doubted it. He would have realized the family she was taking gifts to was his own; if he had plotted this escapade; she had explained their circumstances of the deceased father. Why hadn’t he stayed away if he had known? No, he wouldn’t have risked being caught in a charade. He was also a very proud man. Her thoughts focused on the trembling woman before her.
“Hello, Cain,” Candy replied in her best, no-nonsense, legal tone.
“What on earth are you doing here? How did you find me?” he asked.
For a moment he looked pleased, and then Candy noted his eyes were narrowing suspiciously as she held the little doll she had purchased in her arms. The very dolly he had made fun of. A tiny, little girl of perhaps three toddled up to her and put her arms out for the doll she held.
Candy gazed down into the sweet cherub’s face. The girl was blond, like her mother, but Cain’s own green eyes gazed back up at her, and she felt her heart hurt.
“I can explain,” the woman said demurely. She approached Candy hesitantly. “It would appear you two know each other.”
“Apparently not very well,” Candy murmured.
Candy could see Cain watching her, while also assessing the other woman. His look became enlightened. She could see an angry red blush creep up his neck, staining his cheeks. His jaw worked convulsively, and she could tell Cain was furious. But with whom? It became apparent in seconds.
“You didn’t trust me, did you? How could you not trust me?” he snapped to the woman standing before him.
“Cain, please, it isn’t what you think,” she pleaded.
“It’s exactly what I think.”
Cain didn’t give the woman time to explain. For a second his hurt, embarrassed look settled onto Candy. He then grabbed his ratty jacket and escaped the house. Candy turned to the woman who was weeping. Her young son, distressed, went and took her hand.
“Don’t cry, Mommy; please,” he whimpered.
“It’s all right, CJ; Mommy is fine.”
Candy felt another dagger in her heart, CJ, Cain Junior. Feeling as though she would also weep at the betrayal, Candy decided she’d had enough.
“I think I should leave,” she mumbled.
“No, please wait,” the woman begged. “You deserve an explanation. You see, Cain is so stubborn, so proud. Every dime he gets goes to us and our needs. He never buys himself anything, and he needs a new coat, a new truck, he needs to pay his own bills. They already took away his cell phone and cut our cabin’s utilities. Without the power he can’t write, except in long hand. No one will take anything long hand. His writing is all he wants to do that gives him solace; now he doesn’t really have that. I told him we didn’t need anything for Christmas, but I couldn’t disappoint the children either.”
This explains so much.
Candy had wondered why the power hadn’t come back on after the storm had stopped. Cain had shrugged offering no explanation. Candy wondered if he lost his job and they had ended up in this financial mess. She had seen it so often lately. People panic when all they have is taken away piece by earth-shattering piece.
“So you asked for aid without his knowing?”
“What choice did I have?”
Candy was aware of how stubborn Cain was. She was so angry with him, but also impressed he provided for his family as best as he could. Obviously the side job was meant to buy toys for the kids. Off to the side of the little tree was a new rag doll, like the one that had fallen out of his closet, as well as a new red truck with a big blue bow on it. Cain must have been so proud to give his children a Christmas on his own. Candy wouldn’t destroy the family with claims he was an adulterer.
The woman hung her head. “That silly little cabin is all Cain has; he says he can write whatever comes to mind there. It’s so peaceful. I wanted the money to help him, to take away some of the burden. I’m sorry. I know I said I had no one, when I have Cain. Please don’t punish my children because of me, because of my lie. I was wrong, but I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I didn’t mean to hurt Cain, or my little ones.”
“Of course the children need these gifts,” Candy said.
The woman in front of her looked so humbled. Candy plastered on her best fake smile and went to retrieve everything from her car, including the gifts she had bought Cain. She could still say she had planned on giving them to him for aiding her. It wouldn’t raise suspicion with his poor wife.
“Thank you so much,” the woman in front of her said with relief when Candy returned.
The children sat overwhelmed, unsure as to what to play with first. The woman stuck out her hand. And Candy waited for the inevitable. She hoped she could remain calm when she declared Cain to be her husband.
“My name is Emma. How did you and Cain meet?”
Candy wasn’t expecting that and for a moment she was at a loss for words. “He helped me when my car was stuck in a ditch during the storm. If it wasn’t for him, I’m certain I would be dead.” There, now Cain would have nothing to fear.
“That’s just like my big brother, ever helpful.”
Candy almost hit the floor. She blinked hard clearing her thoughts, positive she hadn’t heard her correctly.
“Your big brother?” she squeaked.
“After Calvin, my husband, died, Cain stepped right in to help us. He took over the bills, the rent, everything, so I could concentrate on the kids. Calvin and he had been best friends since early childhood. They had been inseparable. You would have almost thought they were twins. Even their birthdays were on the same day. Cain loved him like a brother.
“It hit him as hard as it did me. He was so terribly devastated; the loss cut him deeply. He still aches so badly, but he would never show it. Oh, I know Cain can be a bit rough around the edges; he was never like that before Calvin died, but his pa
in manifested into a somewhat cynical behavior. He never once wasn’t a strong shoulder for me. I admire him very much; that’s why this was so hard.
“It’s funny though. This morning he acted almost like his old self, so animated and fun-loving. I can’t imagine why the sudden change. Last Christmas was heartbreaking, our first year without Calvin. I just thought this Christmas would be the same.”
“Your brother?” Candy asked again stupidly. That’s why there was such a strong family resemblance. Of course. The poem was about his best friend. Cain was right; she was stupid.
“Are you okay? You seem to have gone pale,” Emma said.
“I’m fine,” she said with a squeak although she thought her legs were about to collapse from sudden relief. Emma had said something in him had changed; could it have been her that caused it? Candy hoped so.
“Hey, I have an idea; why don’t you stay and have Christmas dinner with us? Thanks to you, there’s plenty. In fact you went way overboard. There seems to be enough food for ten people and toys enough for ten children.”
“I wouldn’t want to intrude.” Yes, I very much want to stay.
“When Cain gets back, and he will be back soon, it doesn’t take him long to cool off, I think I might like someone else here. I doubt he’ll voice his anger while you’re here.”
“You may be surprised,” Candy mumbled, but refrained from rolling her eyes.
“I beg your pardon?”
“I said I would love to. As long as you let me help cook dinner.”
“Deal.”
* * * *
Emma was right; Cain returned shortly. He didn’t look at all surprised to see Candy and his sister working side by side in the small kitchen. Candy smiled brightly at him; his lips twitched.
“Here, Uncle Cain.”
Seven-year-old CJ brought him the new leather jacket; another boy of five, Danny, brought his gloves. Three-year-old Ashley brought his new hat, which she sported atop her own head, and last but not least, the crawling baby, Keegan, aka, “Creeper,” dragged over his new scarf. It had to be the most adorable procession Candy had ever witnessed, and she stood there loving every moment. Cain was loved by so many. How lucky he was.
Candy stood watching him as he accepted the gifts with a soft kiss to each child. She admired how well he spoke to the children, with respect. She had come to see him with new eyes before, but something about the scene before her, something about the man before her, captured her heart. How could she leave?
“Well, try them on,” Emma said encouragingly, while the children watched with eager anticipation.
One by one Cain donned the new apparel. Candy had been right; the jacket looked fantastic on him. He looked at her with a glance that spoke volumes. He was so proud. His look told her he wanted the thoughtful gifts because they were from her, but how could he accept them?
“Candy, your generosity is very sweet but…” he trailed off.
“Candy said you saved her life,” CJ’s eyes were wide with pride when he declared this to his uncle. He bounced around with unveiled excitement.
“Did she?” he asked. Candy wished she could read the sudden new expression he had on his face.
“My friend told me if you save someone you’re responsible for them, especially at Christmas, because it’s magic. If she gets into trouble in the cold again, you’ll be able to help her better if you stay warm,” CJ said excitedly. “So you have to keep her gifts and you have to keep her too. She’s yours now, how cool is that?”
“Calvin Junior,” his mother exclaimed, eyes wide. “My goodness the things children come up with.”
“So, Uncle Cain, are you gonna keep her?” CJ asked seriously. “It’s bad luck if you don’t; she might get hurt or something. It would be like breaking a Christmas rule or something.”
“The idea is definitely tempting,” Cain replied.
His gaze roamed over Candy until her breath quickened. She gave him a shy smile, suddenly feeling like a school girl. The idea was indeed very tempting.
* * * *
Candy and Cain walked arm in arm through the cemetery. It had grown dark; a few of the streetlights off to the side flickered, more were simply not working. But Candy could have found her foster parents place of eternal rest in utter blackness even if a shining star hadn’t lit the way. The headstone she bought for them to replace the miniscule, government-purchased one was of sleek black marble.
She had added to it not only their names, but also: Beloved Mother and Father to Five Grateful Children. She placed a large bouquet of red roses onto the stone, touching it lovingly.
“Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad. I miss you.”
Cain squeezed her hand in support. The air was crisp and clean; a gentle breeze stirred her hair. Being near her foster parents brought back so many wonderful memories. Candy reminisced about dinner. It had been fabulous: the food, the laughter, the feeling of belonging. She had been made to feel so welcome, a feeling she hadn’t had since before her family had been split up.
After dinner she had read ’Twas The Night Before Christmas, as the sleepy children sat around her on an old, overstuffed couch. She was aware Cain’s bright eyes had been on her the entire time. His look was thoughtful. She wished she knew what he was thinking.
Later, they began their trek back to Cain’s truck. They remained silent; all that could be heard were their feet crunching through the snow. Candy was happy Cain had received new boots from his sister.
“I got you something, if you’ll take it,” Cain said, breaking the silence as they approached his vehicle.
They stopped walking and he stood in front of her. Candy gazed up into his expressive green eyes. They twinkled brighter than the stars. He was so handsome, so vibrant. Any woman would be lucky to have him in their life.
“I never wanted a wife,” he began. “I mean, what could I give her? A lonely, little cabin in the middle of nowhere, with no money, no security, nothing really. I work when I can find something, at least when I’m not writing. I always felt writing was my only passion. After Calvin died writing became my best friend, my escape.”
“Cain,” she started, but he cut her off.
“Please, let me finish. I realized something today, something I should have realized after being out with you two days ago. All I ever saw of those kinds of needy, desperate people, my kind of people, was all they don’t have, all they lack. You made me see something they do have, what I have always had and was just too stupid to see it. I am lucky enough to have people who need me. I have a family that really loves and cares for me. I have self-worth, respect.
“It isn’t money that makes a man; a man’s actions make him who and what he is. I may not be a rich man, Candy, but I’m wealthy beyond belief.”
“In all the ways that matter. In the only ways that matter to me,” she replied.
“So,” he said, and took a deep breath. He lowered himself to one knee and clasped her hands tightly, as if afraid she might suddenly disappear. “So if you’ll have me, I promise I’d give you all of me, every day, every month, every year, for the rest of my life. Please, stay here with me, with all of us, become one of our family. Marry me, Candy. We can figure everything out together; we can make it work. I’ve fallen in love with you, and I don’t want to see you walk out of my life.”
Candy smiled down at him. “This is crazy you know?”
“But it’s not stupid.”
No not stupid at all.
Cain wore his heart on his sleeve. He didn’t have a ring, but her heart felt wrapped in love. She was making a big decision. She knew she would have to leave her job, start over in this tiny town, but she was certain she could open her own practice, make her own hours. He felt responsible for his sister and her children. He couldn’t uproot them. She wouldn’t want him to. Candy would again be surrounded in family, crazy hectic family. She smiled, thinking how wonderful it would be to be encircled in love, what an amazing gift he was offering. Perhaps Christmas wishes were
n’t just for children after all.
“So, I guess I’ll be needing to trade in my stupid, little car for a van or truck,” she said.
Cain gave a loud whoop and, jumping to his feet, spun her around while she laughed.
“Now, I didn’t say yes just yet,” Candy exclaimed.
Cain settled her onto her feet with a look of concern. “I thought,” he mumbled.
“I will give up some things, but not everything. I know how proud you are and how stubborn you are. I’m still going to be a lawyer. I’ve worked hard on my career. I’m sure I can build my own practice here, or find something else close by,” she began. He nodded. “Your cabin is fine for a retreat, although it could definitely use a woman’s touch. But I still want a nice home, maybe even something big enough for your sister and the kids to live with us until Emma figures out what she wants to do.
“And Cain, it must have an office with a new computer and printer. I want you to write. I have a friend who does some publishing. I’m not promising anything, but she could look at your work; it’s very good.”
“Wow, Candy, are you ever bossy.”
“You’re just now realizing this? Now that’s stupid.”
“I’m growing on you, aren’t I?” he chuckled.
“We need a new bed, preferably one without wheels. I don’t want to go flying down a flight of stairs in your enthusiasm. While I work, you can stay home with the kids while you write. I want at least six children, or possibly seven. Maybe we could even adopt a couple or foster a few.” She would have rattled on, but he stopped her by kissing her hard.
“For God’s sake woman, don’t leave me hanging. Just say yes.”
His eyes were bright with laughter and the love he was feeling for her. Candy smiled at him.
“Yes.”
Once more he captured her lips in a lingering kiss. When they parted, they gazed adoringly at one another.
Candy Cain Page 5
