by Beth Carter
CHAPTER 13
Betsy skipped ahead and pointed. “Look, Mommy. Pink decorations.”
“Do you like those?” Adam asked.
Betsy nodded as he piled two boxes of shiny, pink ornaments into the cart. The little girl marched toward a variety of small and large wreaths decorated with traditional red, green, silver, gold, and even a few with pink flowers and ornaments.
Betsy stood beneath a pastel wreath. “Pink.”
“I didn’t realize how much you liked pink,” Madison said.
“Pink, pink, pink,” Betsy shouted.
Madison watched as Adam plucked the pink wreath off the wall and added it to their cart. “Your daughter knows what she likes. I think we have a theme here.”
Madison winked. “And they’ll go nicely with my red and green reindeer theme at home.”
“Perfect.” He took Madison’s hand while Betsy bounced up and down the aisle like a stray basketball.
“Not exactly designer colors like the gorgeous décor at the Redbud,” Madison said.
Adam waved his hand. “No way. We don’t want modern-rustic-Italian. We want girly stuff.”
Betsy tugged on Adam’s pants. “Can we get more?”
“Betsy.” Madison warned.
Adam steered them toward another aisle. “Do you have a tree topper?”
Madison shook her head. “I guess we do need something for the top of the tree. What do you think, Betsy?”
The youngster ran up and down the aisle twice before settling upon a beautiful white angel. Standing on tiptoe, Betsy tried to reach the ornament but knocked it over. The angel fell to the floor and shattered. She started crying. Loudly.
Adam rushed over, picked her up, and slid the glass fragments out of the aisle with his foot. “Don’t worry. It’s okay. Accidents happen. We’ll get another one.”
Betsy sobbed as her shoulders rose up and down. “I’m sorry. It pwabwy costs lots of money.”
“It’s fine. There’s another one just like it. Let me get it for you.” Adam carefully plucked the angel off the hook and handed it to the little girl who carried it like she’d never let go.
Teary-eyed, Madison steered the cart, marveling at how well Adam had handled her upset daughter. As they approached the cashier, she said, “Let me pay for some of this.”
He had already plucked out his Discover card. “This is my treat. It was my idea, remember.”
Betsy tugged on her mother’s green sweater as the cashier rang up the purchases. “Mommy, we’ll have the most beautiful Cwismas tree ever.”
“We sure will. You chose beautiful decorations, sweetie.” Madison bent down and kissed her daughter on the cheek. “Having fun?”
The little girl bobbed her head so hard her blonde curls bounced.
Holding the bags, Adam turned to them. “Speaking of trees, we had better go get one unless you’re hungry now. I thought we could get pizza afterward.”
“Pizza,” Betsy’s eyes widened. “I love pizza.”
After deciding to get the tree first, Adam glanced at his Smart phone. “I Googled tree farms and found one nearby.” He studied the map and motioned with his elbow. “Follow me. It’s about ten minutes that way.”
“You’re always on top of everything.” Madison buckled Betsy in her car seat and slid behind the wheel. Adam waited until they were behind him before pulling out of the lot.
After they arrived at the Christmas tree farm, Madison’s mouth fell open. Seemingly hundreds of pine and evergreen trees filled the lot. Families walked arm in arm or hand in hand as they stepped from row to row to choose the perfect tree. “I never knew this was here.” For once, the holiday season didn’t depress her.
Inhaling the pine fragrance, she felt happy and at peace. As they stopped before small, medium, tall, crooked, and almost-perfect trees, Madison noticed Betsy reached for Adam’s hand. Her heart swelled. Betsy likes him. Her acceptance was all I needed.
Adam pointed to tree after tree, the bigger the better, it seemed. Betsy wove between nearly every tree, touching the branches, and dancing to the Christmas music. Occasionally, she stopped to tie her sneakers but soon acted nonplussed about their tree-finding mission.
Disappointed in her daughter’s lack of enthusiasm, Madison wondered what was wrong. She didn’t want to disappoint Adam on their first outing.
Seemingly reading her mind, Adam whispered, “Give her time. She’ll get excited when she finds the tree she wants.”
“I hope so.”
When they passed a short, scrawny tree, Betsy stood in front of it and pointed. “This twee. I wuv this Cwismas twee.”
Madison and Adam exchanged glances. “Are you sure?” Madison asked. “It’s kind of scrawny. We have room for a bigger tree.”
“It’s perfect,” Adam said. “I love it.”
“Me too. Those pink decorations will be pwetty,” Betsy said.
An ax-wielding employee sauntered over and frowned. He regarded Madison and Adam. “We have much nicer trees.”
Adam shook his head and pointed toward the insignificant tree. “This is the one we want.”
The employee shrugged, chopped it down, and wrapped it in netting before loading it inside Madison’s trunk. Thankfully, she had remembered to hide the Christmas toys and bike the week before. Even though the tree was small, the trunk wouldn’t close, so the employee used twine to fasten the trunk lid to the latch.
Adam checked to make sure the tree was secure and paid the guy. He turned toward Betsy. “Who’s ready for pizza?”
“Me, me, me,” Betsy yelled.
“Sounds good.” Madison stood on tiptoes and kissed Adam. “Thanks for everything. You’re amazing.” She whispered, “If I didn’t believe in Santa before, I do now.”
“Mommy, you’re kissing.”
“It’s okay, honey. We’ve been dating. Adam is a wonderful man. I want you to get to know him.”
Adam bent down to speak to Betsy. “How do you feel about that?”
Betsy shrugged. “It’s okay. You’re nice. Can we eat now?”
Adam and Madison both laughed. Madison rubbed her belly. “I’m famished. Where are we going?”
“I know the best pizza place in town. Follow me.” Adam waited until they got behind him in traffic and drove to Roco’s Pizza.
CHAPTER 14
After they entered the restaurant, Madison’s mouth watered from the tell-tale odor of garlic and herbs. “If the food is as good as it smells, this place is a winner.”
“I think you’ll like it. I know the owner.” Adam motioned toward a corner booth.
Betsy slid beside them, taking a seat in the middle. She studied Adam. “What kind of pizza do you like?”
“Sausage or mushroom,” he said.
Betsy wrinkled her nose. “Eww. Mushwooms are gross. I like pepperoni or cheese.”
“That’s what I meant to say.” Adam winked at Madison as a server appeared. He ordered a large pepperoni pizza and soft drinks.
The server returned with crayons and a sheet containing the outline of a huge pizza slice. Betsy colored the toppings with a pink crayon.
“I see pink is the color of the day,” Adam said.
Madison grinned. “It might change tomorrow.”
His eyes widened. “That would mean all new decorations. Keep those receipts.”
Madison waved her hands. “I’m joking.”
Betsy chimed in. “I wuv pink.”
Soon, the server placed the pizza in the middle of the table. Adam served Madison and Betsy. While they ate, they discussed the huge amount of trees at the Christmas tree farm.
“I like our twee best,” Betsy said.
“Me, too.” Adam took a big bite of his pizza.
Madison leaned her head against the booth. “I think I’m too tired to decorate tonight. Do you mind if we do this tomorrow night?”
“No,” Betsy said. Her voice rose. “We have the twee, Mommy. You promised.”
“Young lady-” Madiso
n gave her daughter her best stern look, even though she found it difficult each time she saw her daughter’s cherubic face. “It’s close to your bedtime. We’ll have just as much fun decorating tomorrow night.” She swiveled toward Adam. “That is—if you’re free?”
“Sure. Whatever you think is best. Let me help you unload the tree, though. We can put it in some water and then I’ll leave so Betsy can go to bed.”
Betsy’s eyes filled with tears. “I want to put the twee up tonight.”
Adam glanced at Madison in an obvious attempt for some indication of what they should do.
Madison shook her head.
He turned to the little girl. “I’m sleepy, too, Betsy. I have a big day at work tomorrow. Let’s decorate tomorrow night. We’ll play Christmas music and maybe watch a movie afterward if your mom says it’s okay.”
Betsy immediately stopped pouting, sniffed, and said, “O-kay.”
Madison marveled at how well Betsy obeyed Adam. She knew her daughter was hungry for a father figure and mouthed “Thank you” to him.
The server boxed up the remaining two slices. As they left, Betsy held hands with her mom.
“This time, I’ll follow you,” Adam said.
Madison and Betsy buckled up. She drove slowly out of the lot, dreading the moment Adam set eyes on her house. As she approached her neighborhood, she broke out in a sweat thinking about her dingy duplex. So far, she and Adam had met at restaurants or the Redbud Canyon Hotel since Adam often worked late.
The closer she got to her house her heart raced, afraid he’d change his mind about her after seeing her run-down living conditions. After all, he obviously had money, success, and would likely prefer someone more his equal.
Oblivious to her concerns, Betsy sang to the radio. When Jingle Bells ended, she said, “I like Adam, Mommy. Can he be my daddy?”
Madison stiffened. “Please do not say that in front of him. Please.”
The little girl bounced in her seat. “Why? He’s nice.”
Knowing she couldn’t explain the complications of adult relationships and blended families to her five-year-old, Madison settled for, “You might scare him away.”
Betsy fidgeted with her shoelace. “I won’t scare him, Mommy.”
Madison decided to drop the issue and braced herself as she approached her oil-stained, cracked driveway. As if on cue, the neighbor’s yapping Pug bounded into the yard.
CHAPTER 15
“We’re home, sweetie.” She unbuckled her seatbelt and lifted Betsy onto the pavement. “Remember, we’re only going to put the tree in water. Then, you’re heading to bed and so am I.”
While Adam parked on the street, Madison unlocked the trunk and found a pair of rusty scissors in the garage.
Adam sauntered up the drive. “Let me help you with that.” After cutting the twine, he easily hauled the tree out and held it while Madison opened the creaky, front door.
She noticed Adam glanced around without being obvious. She could almost see his wheels turning. I wish I knew what he was thinking.
“Where do you want the tree?” he asked.
Madison pointed to a corner of the living room beside a threadbare tan recliner. A mismatched floral couch and a plaid chair competed against one another for the Ugliest Furniture Contest against the wall. She bent to straighten the fringe on a round rug that hid a stain beneath the coffee table.
Deciding to break the ice, Madison spread her arms. “Home sweet home.” She managed a small smile. “This is all I could afford.”
Still propping the tree up, Adam said, “It’s homey. I’m proud of you for what you’ve achieved on one income. You should be proud of yourself, too. You’ve raised an adorable daughter and put a good roof over her head. Not everyone can say that.”
Madison’s eyes filled with tears. “Thanks. Someday we’ll have a better house and nice furniture.”
He grinned as he balanced the tree against the wall. “I’m sure of it.”
Madison wondered what he meant but didn’t press. “Let me get the tree stand. I should have set that up earlier. Be right back.”
When she returned, Betsy was on Adam’s shoulders hooting and hollering. “Look how tall I am, Mommy. I’m a giant like Jack and the Beanstalk.”
“You sure are. Adam might not want your old shoes on his nice shirt.”
“This old thing?” Adam sat down on the couch and gingerly held Betsy’s legs so she wouldn’t fall. “Slide off and we’ll get that tree in the stand.”
Madison placed the tree holder in a corner near the television and held the bottom as Adam secured the tiny tree.
The threesome huddled around their purchase to admire Betsy’s selection. Madison noticed it didn’t look so shabby in her house. In fact, it was perfect.
Adam patted Betsy on her head. “Great job, Betsy. I think you chose the most beautiful tree on the lot.”
“What do you say to Adam for getting us this nice tree?”
Betsy twirled as she said, “Fank you.”
Madison steered her daughter toward the hallway. “Now, go brush your teeth and I’ll tuck you in bed soon.”
As Betsy skipped down the short hallway to the bathroom, Madison leaned against Adam’s shoulder. “You’re a good man. You know that?”
“It’s easy with a wonderful woman.”
Madison hopped up to straighten one of the tree’s limbs and faced her date. “You surprise me. You’re a natural with kids. Betsy’s already crazy about you.”
Adam’s mouth formed a crooked smile. “You think so?”
Madison bobbed her head. “Oh, yeah. I can tell.”
“Good. She’s a doll and so full of life. I enjoy being around her. Her curiosity and playfulness could do wonders for my stressful job.” Adam hugged Madison. “I’ve got an early morning conference call with a difficult client. I’ll call you tomorrow so we can discuss what time to decorate.” He gave her a tight hug, quick kiss, and left.
Madison’s mouth went dry. That was a quick exit. Maybe I shouldn’t have introduced him to Betsy so soon. Maybe my house put him off. Maybe he isn’t attracted to me after all.
CHAPTER 16
The next day passed like a slow-leaking faucet. Madison would have much preferred a rushing fire hydrant. She paced the house, drank coffee, and watched mind-bending, ridiculous television shows. But Adam didn’t call about decorating.
Rubbing her tense shoulders, she told herself to give him the benefit of the doubt, remembering something he said about a picky client. Maybe he—or she—had demanded non-stop meetings all day.
Tired of being pushed around by her ex, her boss’s wife, and life in general, she wasn’t about to call Adam. She was too proud. Maybe he was too good to be true. She had given her all to her previous, crappy boyfriend and look where that got her. If their relationship was going to end before it even began, so be it. Opening the old laptop her neighbor, Mrs. Stapp, had given her, Madison prayed it would work long enough for her to find a full-time job.
As night fell, Madison went through the motions and prepared macaroni and cheese and sloppy joes for dinner.
“Mommy, why are you so quiet?”
“Just tired, sweetheart.” Madison picked at her food.
When Adam didn’t call the following day or the day after, Madison assumed it was over, glared at the bare tree, avoided Betsy’s probing questions, and called her friend, Lisa.
“Morning. Any news on the job front?”
Lisa sighed into the phone. “Nothing. I don’t understand it. With all of the holiday hullabaloo, you’d think stores would need extra employees.”
Madison’s eyes filled with tears as she glanced at a growing stack of bills on the table. “I’m sure they filled the positions months ago. I wonder how Dr. Fenton is faring with his ex and the now-defunct dental practice.”
Lisa groaned into the phone. “That witch. Don’t get me started. Have you ever met her?”
Attempting to sort the bills from highest to l
owest priority while she talked, Madison said, “Nope. Never set eyes on her and I hope I never do.”
“Consider yourself lucky. I don’t know what Dr. Fenton ever saw in her. She must come from a real piece of work family to treat people like this.”
Madison laid the rent bill on top of the mail with the utility bill underneath. At the very least, she and Betsy had to have shelter and utilities. “I guess his ex-wife doesn’t matter now.” She sighed. “I feel for our patients, though. Not only were we blindsided, so were our clients. I bet Dr. Fenton has fielded a gazillion calls about toothaches, crowns, braces, broken teeth, and who knows what else.”
Lisa laughed. “I’m sure he has. I hope he forwarded every single one of those calls to his ex-wife, especially the patients who called in the middle of the night.”
Giggling, Madison said, “I can always count on you to cheer me up.” She heard a sound coming from her daughter’s bedroom. “Betsy’s up. Gotta run. I’ll talk to you soon.”
Betsy padded into the room, tugged on her mother’s shirt, and pointed toward the stacked boxes containing pink ornaments. “When are we going to dec-wate, Mommy?”
Madison fumed. I knew he was too good to be true. I knew he’d bail once he saw my decrepit house. Or maybe he decided a built-in family was too much for him.
Betsy yawned. Still wearing her Dora pajamas, she asked, “Where’s Adam, Mommy?”
“I-I don’t know.” She peered at the bulging bags of ornaments from Target. “We’re going to decorate right now, Betsy.” Madison moved the bags from underneath the tree and placed the angel on the coffee table.
Tears streaked Madison’s face as they hung pink balls on the lower part of the tree, which was as high as Betsy could reach. Backing up to view their decorations, Madison managed a small smile when she realized the tree reminded her of a tutu with the pink ornaments hung along the bottom. Ordinarily, she played Christmas music and made fudge when they decorated but was no longer in the mood.
Obviously picking up on her mother’s quiet distress, Betsy asked, “Why are you crying, Mommy? I thought you liked to dec-wate.”
