by Beth Carter
Mad at herself for ruining her daughter’s holiday, Madison brushed a tear with the back of her hand. “I’m being silly. I do like to decorate—especially with my favorite little girl.”
Reaching for the white angel, Madison said, “We have to be careful with this. It breaks, remember?”
“I ‘member. I broke one in the store. Adam didn’t get mad,” Betsy said.
“No, he didn’t.” Madison held the angel in mid-air, barely able to control her emotions. As she reached for her daughter, the doorbell rang three times.
Betsy’s eyes bulged. “Is that Santa, Mommy?” Then, she ran toward the kitchen. “I need to find cookies and milk. Santa likes cookies and milk.”
Madison called for her. “It’s not Santa. Christmas isn’t until tomorrow. Come back. Let’s put the angel on the tree.”
The doorbell rang again.
“All right. All right. I’m coming.”
CHAPTER 17
Madison peeked through the peephole and gasped. A real-life Santa stood on the porch holding bags of gifts and food.
Betsy ran into the room as Madison threw the door open wide. “It is Santa, Mommy. I told you.”
Immediately, Madison recognized Adam’s twinkling hazel eyes and sheepish smile.
“Better late than never, I hope?” He shifted the protruding bags. “These are heavy. Mind if I come inside?”
Madison swallowed. While this was a nice gesture, she couldn’t take a rollercoaster relationship and definitely didn’t want to get Betsy’s hopes up. Her tone was matter of fact. “Why haven’t you called?”
“It’s a long story,” Adam said.
She leaned against the door. “Usually is.”
He blew out his breath. “I can see you’re upset. I promise I’m not playing games. I have a logical explanation if you’ll just let me in-” One of the bags ripped and a turkey, dressing, and rolls fell onto the porch.
Madison’s eyebrows shot up. “You brought food?”
“Of course. It’s a tradition to have turkey on Christmas,” Adam said.
“Normally, that’s Thanksgiving but I’m not complaining.” She bent down to pick up the big bird. “Come in.”
Betsy carried the rolls and followed them to the kitchen. “Hi Adam. Where have you been? We had to dec-wate without you.”
Adam’s face fell as he peeked around the corner and observed the pink tree. “It’s beautiful. I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”
Setting the rolls on the table, Betsy asked, “Where were you?”
For once, Madison was more than happy to hear her daughter’s incessant, probing questions. She couldn’t wait to hear Adam’s answer.
He sat down and patted his lap. “Have a seat and I’ll tell you.”
Madison couldn’t keep from stiffening as she watched her daughter happily climb onto Adam’s lap. Betsy was more forgiving than she was. She crossed her arms. “I’d like to hear this story, too.”
Adam frowned. “I get it. You’re mad. Hear me out.”
Her jaw set, Madison said, “I’m listening.”
Adam sighed. “Remember that client I told you about. The persnickety one?”
Madison nodded. “Yes, go on.”
“He insisted I fly to London to see a particular building he wants me to emulate.”
Madison raised her eyebrows. “You couldn’t see photos online? Google it?”
Betsy wriggled out of Adam’s lap, obviously already bored with the conversation since it didn’t involve Santa or reindeer. “That’s exactly what I said to him but he insisted I see the building in person.”
Taking a deep breath and wanting to believe his story, Madison asked, “Okay, so you went to London. Don’t they have cell phones in the UK?”
Adam shifted in his chair. “Of course, they have cell phones but I didn’t have one.”
She furrowed her brows. “What do you mean?”
“In my rush from Heathrow Airport to the hotel, I left my phone in the cab. It’s long gone and I couldn’t remember your cell number. If you still worked at the clinic, I could have called there but-”
“But I don’t have a job. Don’t remind me.”
“Sorry. Anyway, I was gone for three days across the pond. I have serious jetlag but couldn’t wait another hour to see you two. I went straight to the grocery store after landing. I haven’t even unpacked.” Adam winked. “You can check my smelly luggage if you want verification.”
Her heart swelled so much, Madison thought it might pop out of her chest. She ran over, put her arms around Adam’s neck, and kissed him. “You had me worried. I thought-”
Adam kissed her. “I’m not that kind of guy. I missed you.” He glanced at Betsy in the living room. “Both of you.”
Oblivious to her distraught-now-thrilled mother, Betsy tapped on the window. “Look. It’s snowing.” She bounced up and down, pointed with her tiny finger, and began dancing. “Snow, snow, snow.”
Adam and Madison raced toward the window. Soft, fluffy flakes had already carpeted the ground. Adam’s eyes lit up. “That’s coming down fast. I hope I don’t get snowed in here tonight.”
As her daughter tugged on her arm, Madison cocked her head. “That would be a real shame.”
“Can we go outside, Mommy? Pweaze.”
Adam tugged on her other arm. “Yes, Mommy, pweaze. This is the first snowfall of the season. Let’s go outside and enjoy it.”
Adam crouched beside Betsy with their smiling faces pressed against the chilly window.
Madison said, “I’ll get your coat and gloves, Betsy.”
“How about if Betsy shows me where her coat is and you make some coffee before I completely collapse from jetlag? Or . . . I’ll make the coffee. Just point me in either direction.”
Madison groaned. “Where are my manners? I should have offered you coffee earlier. Betsy, show Adam where your coat and gloves are while I brew coffee and put the groceries away.” Her eyes filled with happy tears when she noticed her kindergartner reach for Adam’s hand.
After the coffee brewed, she placed it in two hot thermoses and handed the largest one to Adam.
Bundled up in a purple coat with teal gloves and white knee boots, Betsy bounced around the room like a Super Ball. Madison laughed. “Hold on.” She secured her daughter’s hood and kissed her cheek. “There. Go ahead. I’ll be right out.”
Grateful as she observed Adam assist Betsy along the slippery walkway, Madison rushed to find warm clothes and decent outerwear. She decided on a reindeer antler sweatshirt and tan corduroy jeans. Then, added two pairs of socks for good measure and pulled on knee boots. Wrapping a wool red scarf around her neck, she donned a red knit cap and her warmest coat. Feeling like an overstuffed astronaut, she finally joined the group outside.
Betsy and Adam were both sticking their tongues out to catch snowflakes.
“Mommy, Mommy. The snow melts in your mouth. Try it.”
Madison stuck her tongue out and caught cold flake after flake. She giggled and realized she hadn’t played in a long time, especially not after losing her job.
“Have you guys ever had snow ice cream?” Madison asked.
Betsy’s eyes widened. “Ice cweam from snow?”
“That would be a negative but I’d love to try it. How do you make it?” Adam asked.
Madison stared at the light gray sky. “As long as it keeps falling like this, we’ll have enough snow for ice cream. I think it’s just a few ingredients. I have a recipe inside. Let me see if I have everything I need to make it. Be right back.”
Soon, she returned with a big mixing bowl. “We’re having snow ice cream. I’ve got the three ingredients—snow, vanilla, and a can of sweetened condensed milk.”
Bending over, Adam said, “Excellent. I can’t wait to try it.”
Madison placed the big mixing bowl on the porch. Betsy grabbed snow with both hands and headed toward the bowl. “Not that snow, honey. We stepped on it. It’s dirty.”
Betsy studied
her little hands and the half-brown snow. “Oh.” She dropped the white mounds onto the ground and dusted her gloves.
Madison walked around the side of the house and pointed toward the pristine, white ground. “Get clean snow over here where we haven’t walked.”
Betsy ran and slipped but recovered. She motioned for her mother and Adam to join her. “Over here, guys.”
Adam grabbed the bowl and the three of them filled it to the brim.
“I’ll get this started. Want to come inside and warm up?”
“No,” Betsy said.
Adam laughed. “I’ll stay with her while you make it.”
Madison balanced the cold, metal bowl on her hip as she opened the door. “I’ll work fast before it melts.” Once inside, she set the bowl on the coffee table, dusted the snow off her boots, and placed them near the front door. She hung her coat and gloves over a kitchen chair and went to work adding a teaspoon of vanilla and stirring in the canned milk. When she got the consistency she wanted, she poured the ice cream into a slightly chipped green bowl and set it inside the freezer.
CHAPTER 18
Donning her cold, wet clothes, she went back outside and giggled when she spotted Adam and Betsy on their backs. They moved their arms up and down by their sides to make snow angels. He’s a natural with her. “Hey, guys. Want to order pizza while we wait for the ice cream?”
“Pizza and snow ice cream? You’re a woman after my heart.” Adam scrambled to his feet and helped Betsy up. “Let’s go in. Your nose is red.”
“I don’t care,” Betsy said.
“Betsy, Santa won’t come tomorrow unless you’re a good girl.” She attempted a harsh face which she found nearly impossible around her jovial daughter. “Come inside.”
“Okay, Mommy.” Betsy brushed snow off her pants and behind. “Can we watch a movie later, too?”
Madison said “We’ll see. You’re having a big day. I bet you’d fall asleep halfway through the movie.”
After the threesome walked up the steps, Adam opened the creaky door. “Remind me to get some WD40.”
Madison rubbed her hands together to warm them. “You fix things, too. Are you perfect?”
He winked. “Almost.” He ushered Betsy inside and reached for his new cell phone. “Roco’s Pizza again? Pepperoni?”
“Cheese,” Betsy shouted.
“My vote is pepperoni,” Madison said.
“Half cheese and half pepperoni it is.”
While they waited for the delivery, Madison noticed the angel tree topper on the coffee table. “We forgot to put the angel on the tree.”
“Let Adam do it, Mommy. We did the west.”
Adam picked Betsy up. “Only if you’ll help me.”
Feeling her heart melt all over again, Madison retrieved her cell to take a photo of Adam and Betsy placing the angel atop the tree. Her eyes glistened as she sorted through her Christmas music CDs.
After Adam admired Betsy’s handiwork, he noticed her reindeer hand prints and compared his hands to hers.
Betsy giggled. “You’re big.”
Soon, the doorbell rang, and the delivery guy handed them a large pizza. Madison ran to the door to pay but Adam had already handed the guy a twenty and told him to keep the change.
She returned to the kitchen, set the pizza on the counter, and reached for her best plates.
The trio sat around her small, wooden table with chairs she had found at two different flea markets. Adam never acted as though he noticed her shabby home. He designed incredible hotels and buildings with attention to every luxurious detail, yet here he sat, seemingly content, in her simple duplex.
Madison found it nearly impossible to believe this high-powered executive would find her interesting and desirable. But it seemed as though he did and the feeling was definitely mutual.
After they devoured the pizza, Madison made hot chocolate and retrieved the snow ice cream from the freezer. Adam hopped up to help her fill the bowls with the treat.
When they returned to the table, a wriggling, albeit patient Betsy, giggled as Madison instructed everyone to hold their spoons in mid-air. Then, she said, “Ready, set, dig in.”
After many “Mmm’s,” she noticed Adam and Betsy had both scraped their bowls clean.
“Snow ice cweam is good, Mommy.”
Adam licked his spoon. “This should be on the Redbud’s winter menu. I think I’ll tell the chef. It’s delicious.”
Madison beamed. “I’m glad you both approve. Who wants to watch a movie?”
“I do. I do,” Betsy said.
“Help me clear the dishes first.” The mother and daughter carried the plates and bowls to the kitchen while Adam rinsed and set them in the dishwasher.
After they finished, Betsy jumped up and down. “Can we watch the Grinch? Pweaze?”
Madison chuckled. “She loves that movie. The Grinch and A Charlie Brown Christmas are her favorites. Quite the duo, right?”
Settling on the couch, Adam said, “My face hurts from smiling so much. I haven’t had this much fun on Christmas Eve since . . . forever. I want to see the Grinch, too.”
Sorting through her movies, Madison eventually unearthed How the Grinch Stole Christmas and sat beside Adam on the couch. A wriggling Betsy moved to the floor.
Since she had seen the movie dozens of times, Madison stole glances at Adam who seemed as engrossed in the movie as her daughter. She noticed Betsy yawned a few times but knew her kindergartner wasn’t about to give in to exhaustion.
As the credits rolled, Madison refilled Adam’s hot chocolate. “Time for bed, Betsy.”
Betsy stretched, yawned, and flung herself against Adam’s knees. “Today was fun.”
He tousled her curly hair. “Thanks for showing me how to make snow angels.”
“Welcome.” Betsy reached for her mother’s hand. They padded down the hallway toward the bathroom where Betsy brushed her teeth.
After she put her pajamas on, Madison kissed her daughter and tucked her in. “Nite, baby girl. Get some sleep. Tomorrow’s Christmas.”
“Nite, Mommy.” Betsy rolled over and Madison turned out the light.
When Madison returned to the living room, she said, “I bet she’s already asleep.”
“Betsy’s fun. I love viewing life through her innocent, youthful eyes. It really puts everything into perspective.” Adam reached for the CD case. “I enjoyed the movie, too.”
Madison stared at the Grinch’s green face. “That movie reminds me of my job.”
“Your job? Why?” Adam asked.
“My boss—make that former boss—Dr. Fenton calls his ex the Grinch because she got his practice in the settlement and fired all of us.”
Adam sucked in his breath and leaned back. “Wait. That’s where you worked? The Fenton Dental Clinic?”
“Yeah, why?” Madison noticed Adam’s face paled.
“I can’t believe your boss’s name never came up.” He stood and paced. “Do you have any Kahlua or Bailey’s so we can spike this hot chocolate?”
“I’m not sure I want to hear this but hold that thought.” She strode to the kitchen, opened a cabinet high above the refrigerator where she’d placed the alcohol far out of Betsy’s reach, and scooted a few dusty bottles around until she found a bottle of Bailey’s. Madison’s mind raced as she reheated their hot chocolate. What could he possibly know about Dr. Fenton and do I want to hear this?
CHAPTER 19
After she topped off their hot chocolate and added a healthy splash of Bailey’s, Madison stirred the concoction and returned to the couch. “Go on.”
Adam blew on his hot drink and stared at his Italian leather shoes, obviously avoiding her gaze. “Since we never discussed the dentist’s name . . . ” He blew out his breath. “Don’t get mad. Hear me out.”
Madison stiffened and subconsciously moved slightly away from him. “What? Just tell me.”
Adam leaned forward and locked eyes with Madison. “Your boss’s ex-wife, Beverly
Fenton, is my sister.”
Madison’s eyes bulged. “I can’t believe this. Your sister is the reason I lost my job. Your sister is the reason my best friend, Lisa, lost her job. Your sister is the reason Dr. Fenton is heartbroken and drinking. Your sister-”
Adam held up his hand in an obvious effort to stop Madison’s rant. “My sister is a witch. Bruce Fenton is right about calling her The Grinch.” He reached for Madison’s hand. “Beverly and I are estranged. We have been for years. I’m not anything like her. She’s money hungry, power hungry, and doesn’t give a hoot about anyone but herself. Obviously.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry. I hope you won’t hold this against me.”
Madison put her feet on the couch and wrapped her arms around her knees. She peered out the window. Pointy icicles had formed along the eaves of the house. The snow appeared to be over a foot deep, and now, her boss’s evil ex-wife shared the same blood as the guy she was falling for.
Tears filled her eyes. She couldn’t speak. One tear after another snaked down her cheek.
“Listen, I’ll make this right. Somehow, I’ll fix it. I’ve had to cover for her many times over the years after she pulled crappy stunts like this.”
Sniffling, Madison said, “You can’t fix this. She owns the clinic. We’ve all lost our jobs. Patients have gone elsewhere.” She blew her nose. “Betsy really likes you. So do I. In fact, I’m falling hard for you and now this.” She shook her head. “I knew I should have waited longer to introduce you to my daughter.” She picked at a piece of lint. “I knew something would happen.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “I didn’t think we’d have issues so soon.”
Adam stood. “I’ll show myself out.” As he crossed the room, he stood by the door. “Don’t give up on me, Madison. Don’t give up on us.”
Madison’s shoulders dropped. “You can’t leave in this snow.”
As he opened the door, a gust of frigid wind blew inside. Adam zipped his jacket. “I’ll be fine. Merry Christmas Eve.”
Between sniffles, Madison said, “You, too.” She locked the door behind him and watched as he slipped and slid to his car. After several wriggling attempts, Adam managed to dislodge his frozen door handle and backed out of the drive. His tracks were the only ones on the road.
