by Rachel Hanna
“I think it’s okay to call him whatever you feel comfortable with. He obviously loves you very much.”
“Yeah.”
“Do you call Miss Julie mom?”
“Yeah. She’s the only mom I remember. My first mom didn’t want me.”
“I bet that’s not true. How could anyone not want you?”
“She left me. My first dad told me that. He wouldn’t lie to me.”
“Your dad told you that your mom abandoned you?”
“I don’t know what abandoned means, but he told me she left me behind. She didn’t want me anymore.”
It pained Tina to hear him say something like that. No child should ever think he was unwanted.
“You know, sometimes adults have their own problems. Sometimes they’re sad or they make bad decisions, and they’re really sorry.”
“Do you think my mom was sorry? For leaving me?”
She nodded. “I’m almost sure of it.”
* * *
Julie and Dawson stood next to the Christmas tree, looking around the square for Dylan and Tina. It had been well over an hour since she had last seen them standing beside the ice rink watching other people skate. Dylan wasn’t quite ready for ice skates yet.
It wasn’t like it was a common occurrence to see ice skating in the lowcountry, anyway. But he had wanted to try it. Thankfully, he became a little too scared once he saw just how thin those blades were.
Julie had felt comfortable allowing Tina to take him around the Christmas festival while she and Dawson were busy. In fact, she had been nothing but kind to Dylan since she arrived. If Julie had ever needed a nanny, Tina might have been one of her choices. But she wasn’t busy enough that she didn’t have time to raise her son.
“Where are they?” Julie asked, looking up at Dawson. He could certainly see better from his vantage point as a tall man.
“I don’t see them anywhere. And you told her to meet us here?”
“Actually, she told me. They’re going to be lighting the tree in five minutes, and I don’t know where they went. I hope everything is okay.”
“Does she have a cell phone?”
“If she does, I don’t have the number.”
Julie got more and more concerned. What did she really know about this woman? Even though she had trusted her, maybe there was more to the story she didn’t know. All kinds of scary scenarios were running through her mind.
“Maybe I’ll start walking around and see if I can find them. You wait here,” Dawson said. As she watched him walk away, she continued scanning the crowd.
One of her favorite things to watch on TV were those true crime TV shows. Even though they never ended well, she always found them to be very interesting with all the twists and turns. Now, worrying about where Dylan was, she found herself coming up with every scary proposition imaginable.
“They’re about to light the tree!” Janine said, giddy with excitement, as she ran over. Janine had always loved Christmas, and even as an adult she got just as excited as she had when they were little.
“Have you seen Dylan? Or Tina?”
“No. Why?”
“I let Tina take him to the booths while we were busy, but she was supposed to meet me here before the tree lighting. Now we can’t find her or Dylan, and Dawson has gone to look for them.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. Maybe he’s getting his face painted or they ran to get another hot chocolate.”
“Yeah. Maybe you’re right.”
As she stood there, the mayor walked over to get prepared to light the tree. He made some speech that she didn’t pay attention to because she was still too busy looking around in the darkness. Suddenly, the mayor hit the switch, lit up the tree, and everybody cheered. But Julie didn’t cheer.
She felt her heart rate quicken as it pounded in her chest. Where was her son?
As soon as the tree was lit, Julie made a beeline out of there and started walking up and down the sidewalk looking. She finally ran into Dawson.
“Did you find them?” she asked, her voice shaking.
He shook his head. “I can’t find them anywhere.”
“Oh, my goodness. What do we really know about this woman? She could’ve taken off with our child!”
Dawson put his hands on her arms. “Take a deep breath, Julie. I’m sure everything is fine. There’s just been some kind of misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding? Dylan wanted to see the Christmas tree lighting. He would’ve never missed this on purpose!”
The two of them started walking and eventually met up with Janine, William, Colleen and Tucker. They all fanned out in different directions before finally meeting in the middle of the square again, and none of them had Dylan.
The tree had been lit ten minutes before, and she had no idea where he was.
“I think we need to speak with the police,” Dawson finally said. Hearing him say those words meant that things were serious because Dawson was one of the most levelheaded people she knew.
“Okay, let’s get over to the local precinct…”
Just as they all turned around to head toward their cars, Tina and Dylan appeared at the other end of the sidewalk. She was holding his hand, but he looked fine.
Julie’s anxiety overcame her as she ran ahead of the group, anger welling within her.
“Where did you take my son? We were about to go to the police!”
Tina looked shellshocked. She stopped, her mouth dropping opening and her eyes widening. “The police?”
“He was supposed to see the tree lighting! Were you trying to kidnap him?” Julie reached out and took Dylan’s hand, pulling him close to her.
“She wasn’t trying to kidnap me,” Dylan said, laughing.
“Then why did he miss the tree lighting? Why didn’t you meet us where you said you would?”
“If you would just let me explain,” Tina said, holding up her hands. She looked truly apologetic, but Julie couldn’t think of a good reason she hadn’t met them when and where she said she would. The entire group of them, including Dawson, stood there waiting for an explanation. “I don’t mean to be gross, but Dylan had way too many treats today. And he got a pretty terrible stomachache.”
“A stomachache?” Julie said.
“I ate a bunch of stuff,” Dylan lamented, holding his stomach.
“Anyway, all the shops around here are closed. I thought about trying to find your mother to see if she could let us in to the bakery, but I never did figure out where she went. So we walked down to the gas station so Dylan could use the restroom. It’s a pretty long walk…”
“You mean he just had a stomachache and had to go to the bathroom?” Julie said, feeling kind of stupid.
“I’m really sorry that we worried you. I don’t have a cell phone so…”
Julie shook her head, hanging it in embarrassment. “I’m so sorry for lashing out at you like that. When you didn’t meet us, and then we couldn’t find either of you, I just assumed the worst.”
“I totally understand. I should have come and told you what was happening, but it seemed like time wasted of the essence. In fact, we barely made it.”
“No apologies necessary, Tina. Thank you for taking care of him,” Dawson said.
As everybody walked away, Julie was left standing with Tina. Dawson put Dylan on his shoulders and headed back over to show him the Christmas tree.
“I’m so sorry again. I should’ve given you a chance to explain, but I was just so terrified that something happened to him.”
“I understand. You don’t really know me. I mean, we’re not really friends or family or anything like that.”
“But we are,” Julie said. “I think of you as a friend. And I just should’ve trusted that you wouldn’t hurt my child. It’s just, I don’t really know a whole lot about his past. I don’t know if a long lost aunt or cousin could come here to try to take him from us.”
“I’m really sorry that I made you worry. I have to get a phone so I c
an be in communication with people. I would’ve let you know, but I didn’t want him to have an accident.”
“You did just the right thing. Thanks for making sure he was taken care of. Do you want to go look at the tree?”
Tina smiled and nodded. “That would be great. I’ve been looking forward to seeing it.”
* * *
Harry stood in the foyer, looking at his daughter. It was time for Carrie to leave, even though it was early on Christmas morning. She had other friends and family to see before the day was over, so she had an early flight to catch. They had done all of their Christmas celebrations on Christmas Eve just so she would have time to catch her flight.
“I can’t believe you’re already leaving,” Harry said, holding her hands.
“Me either. But now that I see where you live and I’ve met your wife, I feel so much better about leaving you here.”
“I’m a big boy, Carrie. I can take care of myself. But I’m going to miss my daughter.”
“And I’m going to miss my dad. You better do the video chat now that I’ve shown you how.”
He laughed. “I promise. Video chats every Thursday night. And texts at least three times a week.”
“The first person who breaks either of those rules has to buy the other one a fifty-dollar gift card to our favorite coffee shop.”
“You have yourself a deal!” Harry said, hugging her tightly. As he backed up, Dixie stepped forward.
“I’m so happy that we finally got to meet, Carrie. I feel like I have a brand new daughter.”
Carrie smiled. “I know we started off kind of rocky,” she said, quietly. “But I truly believe you’re the best thing that has ever happened to my dad, and I know you’ll take good care of him.”
“I promise you I will.” Dixie gave her a long hug. “Did you grab a couple of those fruitcakes?”
“I did! But I will not eat any if I plan to drive because I swear you loaded them down with rum!”
Dixie laughed. “That’s the best part of it!”
As they watched Carrie walk out the door and down to her rental car, Dixie couldn’t help but feel a little melancholy. Even though Carrie wasn’t her daughter by blood, the two of them had become very close while she was visiting, and Dixie hoped that would continue. They had already made plans to fly out to California in a couple of months and spend some time getting to know the area where Carrie lived.
They waved goodbye, and she drove down the road out of sight.
“Well, what would you like to do for Christmas?” Dixie asked as Harry put his arm around her.
“How about we just have a very quiet day here at home?”
She smiled. “How did you know that was exactly what I wanted for Christmas?”
Chapter Eleven
It was Christmas morning, Julie’s favorite day of the year. She was so excited she could hardly wait for Dylan to wake up. The sun was just starting to rise, and she knew as soon as he saw those first glimmers coming through the blinds in his bedroom, he would hightail it downstairs to see what Santa Claus had brought him.
“Good morning,” Dawson said, sliding his arms around her as she poured her first cup of coffee.
The house was pretty quiet. Lucy had gone home to see relatives a couple of days before, and Tina hadn’t come downstairs yet either.
“Good morning, my handsome husband,” she said, running her fingers through the wavy locks of hair around his ears. She loved when he let his hair grow just a bit longer than normal.
“Are you ready to see your present today?”
“Yes! I am more than ready to find out about this big surprise you’ve got hiding out in the barn. Shall we go right now?”
“No! Not until Tina and Dylan can go with us. I want them to see just how talented I am!”
She laughed. “I know you’re joking, but you are so talented.”
“No need to flatter me. I already made your present.”
“Care for a cup of coffee?”
“Of course. I’ll pour it.”
They each got a cup of coffee in the large stoneware mugs she had found at the local thrift shop, and they sat down at the table.
“I bet in about five minutes we’re going to hear very excited feet running down the stairs toward the Christmas tree. I can’t believe how late we were up last night getting everything ready.”
Dawson laughed. “I imagine it’s been a long time since you had to stuff Christmas stockings and put out presents from Santa.”
“And it was your first time. How did you like it?”
He smiled and nodded. “I could get really used to that.”
“You know, as the years go on, the presents get more expensive. And smaller. Before long, you’ll look under that tree and think you haven’t bought anything, but you’ll have spent twice as much!”
“Let’s not think about Dylan being a teenager just yet. We have a few good years where our son is still going to want toys and fun things.”
As if on cue, they heard Dylan running down the stairs and then squealing with delight when he saw all of his presents lined up under the tree. Tina was right behind him, but obviously trying to stay out of his way.
Like a Tasmanian devil, he ran around the Christmas tree, picking things up, yelling with delight and ripping open every cardboard box. Within a few minutes, it looked like a tornado had gone through the living room, packaging material and tissue paper covering up any of the visible pieces of the floor.
“I guess you like your gifts?” Dawson finally said.
Dylan ran over and hugged him and Julie. “I love them! But I love what Santa gave me most of all!”
That was one of the worst parts of being a parent, Julie thought. Not getting any of the credit for all of those presents that Santa Claus brought.
They sat together, Dawson and Julie drinking coffee while Tina enjoyed an herbal tea. They watched as Dylan enjoyed his first Christmas as a Lancaster. He dumped his stocking on the floor and started munching on candy, with Tina reminding him that stomach aches are not fun.
“I guess I should give Dawson his Christmas present,” Julie said, smiling.
Dawson rubbed his hands together. “Oh yeah? Is it a new Ferrari? A trip to Hawaii?”
She tilted her head to the side. “I don’t think you’ve looked at our bank account lately.”
“I try not to look,” Dawson joked.
A few moments later, she walked over and handed him a box. “I hope you like it.”
He opened the box and got very excited. “This is that new toolbox I said I wanted!”
“How that thing was so expensive I will never understand,” Julie whispered to Tina.
“Thanks, honey!”
“You’re welcome. I expect you to build many more things using that toolbox.”
“You know I will!” Dawson said, laughing.
“And, I didn’t forget you, Tina,” Julie said, walking over to the Christmas tree and picking up a gift bag.
“What? I didn’t expect you to get me anything. And I didn’t get you anything…”
She handed it to her. “I didn’t want you to get me anything. But we wanted to do something nice for you this holiday season.”
“You guys have been more than nice to me. In fact, no one has ever done what you have done for me. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
“You’re not asking. Now, open it.”
Julie sat down and waited for her to dig down into the gift bag.
Tina pulled a box out of the bag and opened it to find a beautiful silver charm bracelet. On it, Julie had added three charms. One was a cross for Tina’s Christian faith. Another was a starfish to remember her time in Seagrove. The third one was a little Christmas wreath to say thank you for her help at the festival. Julie explained what each charm meant.
“Wow. This is the most beautiful bracelet I’ve ever seen. Thank you so much!”
Julie stood up and hugged her. “You’re very welcome. I hope it will always rem
ind you of the time that you spent here with us. We consider you a lifelong friend, and we expect you to come back and visit sometime.”
Tina stood there quietly for a moment, a couple of tears escaping her eyes. “Thank you. Truly.”
“Well, ladies, it is now time for the unveiling of the most amazing and wonderful Christmas gift ever given to anyone!” Dawson said, standing up dramatically. He puffed out his chest and held one arm in the air like he was about to give a stirring speech.
Julie playfully hit him in the stomach with the back of her hand. “Did you have to ruin such a beautiful moment with your crazy antics?”
“Actually, I did because I’m about to go nuts to get to show you my gift.”
* * *
Dawson took Julie’s hand and led her out the back door with Tina and Dylan following. They walked across the lawn toward the big barn where Dylan had first stayed at their house.
“Now, you need to close your eyes when I open the door. All of you,” Dawson instructed.
Once they all closed their eyes, Dylan probably peeking, Dawson unlocked the barn and pushed open the two big doors. He had never been so excited to show someone something in his life.
When he was growing up, his father had taught him a lot about carpentry. He’d also been really close to the shop teacher at his high school who showed him many building techniques. He remembered building his first piece of furniture, a little end table for his grandmother, which still sat in the living room.
“Are you ready?” he asked Julie as he helped her step into the barn without tripping over anything. He caught Dylan sneaking a peek, but sent him a warning glance. Dylan quickly closed his eyes again.
“I am more than ready!”
“Okay, open your eyes!”
When Julie opened her eyes, she was staring at the large walnut dining table that Dawson had made for her. Long and wide, it would take up most of the dining room, but it would help to house not only their family but any guests that were staying at the inn. Plus, they could use the existing chairs they had until Dawson could build some custom ones to match.
Not only had he made the table, but he had put a long section of blue glittery resin down the center that was covered with polyurethane. It gave the feeling of the ocean waves right in the middle of the table. On one corner, he had carved their name, “Lancaster”.
