by Beth Carter
CHAPTER 22
Then it hit her. She had the perfect gift. It was in her freezer. Madison instructed Adam not to turn around, retrieved the item, took it to the laundry room, and set it on top of the warm dryer, hoping it would thaw in time.
He continued to peel potatoes over the trash, rinsed them off, and set them on the cutting board. Eventually, Adam said, “Can I look now?”
“Yes.”
He faced Madison. “Are you still mad at me?”
“I never was mad. Not exactly.”
Adam set down the potato peeler. “Let me rephrase my question. Are you still upset about my sister?”
Madison shrugged. “You can’t help who you’re related to. The coincidence came out of left field and utterly shocked me, that’s all.” She relaxed. “I’m just glad you brought Dr. Fenton instead of your sister today.”
Adam crossed the room and caressed her cheek. “I’d never bring her. Like I said, we’re estranged. I always preferred Bruce over her, anyway. Now I have an excuse to hang out with him.”
Grinning, Madison stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “You’re tall. Has anyone ever told you-”
Adam turned his head in time for a warm, full kiss on the mouth. Afterward, he cupped Madison’s face with both hands. “Thanks for letting us crash your house today. I can’t tell you how excited I am to spend Christmas with you—and Betsy. Usually, I’m in a hotel restaurant. I much prefer this.”
Madison felt giddy. “I have to ask. My shabby home doesn’t bother you?”
“Of course not. It’s cozy and filled with love. Plus, you and Betsy are here.”
The buzzer went off breaking their embrace. Madison walked to the stove. “That buzzer means I need to boil the water for the potatoes and put the casserole in the oven—if it’ll fit beside that big bird.”
“Impressive. You’re organized,” Adam said.
She grabbed the pot holders again. “I have to be since I’m head of the household. I’m Mom and Dad.” Madison moved the turkey up a rack so she could place the casserole underneath.”
Rubbing his belly, Dr. Fenton walked into the already crowded, tiny kitchen. “Man, it smells good in here. Beverly never stepped foot in the kitchen unless it was to drink the coffee I made.”
Adam said, “That sounds like my sister.”
Madison checked the clock on the microwave. “It won’t be much longer. I’ll get the rolls in after the turkey is done. Who wants to make iced tea—or would you rather have coffee?”
“Let’s save coffee for dessert,” Adam said. “I forgot I brought something special to drink. Be right back.”
After he stepped outside, Madison felt a blast of arctic air fill the house. She glanced at Dr. Fenton. “I wonder what he brought.”
Dr. Fenton shrugged. “Not sure.” His face fell as he turned toward her. “Madison, I’m truly sorry about how my ex-wife handled closing the clinic. I know it was abrupt and the timing couldn’t have been worse. I’ve been drowning my sorrows but I’ve thought about you, my other employees, and patients many times over the past two weeks. I’ve barely slept.”
The dentist exhaled loudly. “Beverly and her attorney were total jerks—and that’s being kind—to me, which I can take, but all of you took the brunt of it.” His eyes brimmed with tears. “You and Lisa were special—my very best employees, in fact. I wish I could help you find another job. I’m as heartbroken about your situation as I am about closing my practice.”
Madison studied her former boss who appeared to have aged five years in two weeks. His face was lined and his shoulders drooped. She set the pot holders on the counter and hugged him. “I don’t blame you for the closing, Dr. Fenton. Somehow, I’ll make ends meet. I appreciate your kind words, though.” She sighed. “We’ll all get through this. Let’s think happy thoughts today.”
Reappearing with Betsy on his heels, Adam thrust a bottle of champagne in Madison’s face. “I need to chill this.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “What are we celebrating?”
Betsy chimed in. “Mommy, let’s cel-bwate Santa.”
Winking, Adam said, “Yes, we’ll celebrate Santa.”
Madison swooped her daughter in her arms. “Good idea.” She took the bottle from Adam and placed it in the refrigerator. “Okay, guys. It’s almost ready. I’ll light candles while you get the food out of the oven. Adam, will you do the honors and carve the turkey?”
Adam eyes widened when he saw the big bird. “This’ll be a first. I hope we don’t have a Chevy Chase Christmas Vacation turkey.” He shrugged. “Sure, I’ll give it a shot but fair warning if I butcher it.”
“I have faith in you,” Madison said.
While the turkey rested, she placed rolls in a basket and handed them to Betsy to carry. Madison set the hot casserole on the table and quickly made a green salad with dried cranberries, pecans, pre-chopped red onion, and sliced avocados.
Dr. Fenton added ice and poured tea into glasses while Madison found a big platter for the entrée.
Adam let out a low whistle as he held a carving knife and fork above the bird. “Here goes nothing.”
Everyone gathered around as he carved expert pieces and placed them on the platter.
“It looks as though you’ve done this a hundred times,” Dr. Fenton said. “You could be a surgeon.”
Adam laughed. “And see blood. Never.”
Madison turned up the Christmas music. Amazing Grace played as they took their seats.
Betsy got her own special plate and sat down as she held her red fork in the air.
Staring at the festive table, Madison marveled as Adam served her little girl first. Since the serving dishes were hot, Madison stood and heaped food on everyone’s plate.
“Don’t be shy with the helpings,” Dr. Fenton said.
“Ditto,” Adam said as he licked his lips.
Madison piled the plates high and asked Betsy to say grace.
Her little girl said, “Fank you, God, for this food and for my Mommy.” She paused and bowed her little head again. “And for Santa and Adam. Amen.”
Everyone chuckled, said a chorus of “Amens,” and proceeded to eat.
Obviously famished, everyone devoured the meal within minutes. There was little discussion except for the men who boasted about how delicious the food was and went back for seconds.
Between bites, Betsy asked, “What’s for dessert, Mommy?”
Both men swiveled their heads toward Madison who said, “It’s a surprise.”
CHAPTER 23
After they ate, Dr. Fenton insisted on clearing the dishes and loading the dishwasher. He rolled up his sleeves and said, “It’s the least I can do.”
After opening several cabinets, Adam found the coffee and steered Madison toward the living room. “Go sit. I’ll make more coffee.”
As she picked up pieces of Christmas wrapping, Madison spotted the red velvet dress. “We forgot your dress. Come with me, Betsy.”
With her mother’s help, Betsy changed into her new holiday dress. Madison took several photos of her daughter posing like a toddler model and uploaded them to Facebook and Instagram.
Impatient to get back to the party, Betsy held her hand in front of the lens. “Enough, Mommy.”
“Okay, okay.” Madison kissed her daughter. “You look so beautiful I want all of my friends to see. Grandma’s at another party today, but if she’s on her phone, she’ll see your new Christmas dress.”
“Goody.” Betsy reached for her mother’s hand as they retreated to the living room.
Seeing them in the hallway, Adam’s eyebrows shot up. “Look at that pretty dress. It’s almost as beautiful as you, Betsy.”
The little girl twirled and curtsied.
“What do you say?” Madison asked.
“Fank you.”
When they entered the living room, both Madison and Betsy screeched to a stop when they spotted three more wrapped presents under the tree.
Betsy jumped up and down.
“Mommy, Santa came again.”
Madison glanced at Adam who gave an innocent shrug. Knowing this was her cue, she said, “Hold on. I’ll be right back. Don’t open anything yet.”
After rummaging through several drawers, Madison found white tissue paper and a long red ribbon tucked away on a laundry room shelf. She smoothed the paper and tied the ribbon into a huge bow.
Betsy poked her head around the door. “Whatcha doing, Mommy.”
Madison lowered her voice and said she had a special gift for Adam.
Betsy toddled into the room. “What is it, Mommy? I can keep a sec-wet.”
Madison whispered in her daughter’s ear. Afterward, she said, “Don’t tell anyone, especially Adam.”
“I won’t.”
Holding the gift high, Madison returned to the living room with Betsy on her heels. She set the gift on the coffee table.
“Hmm.” Adam raised his eyebrows. “I wonder who that’s for?”
Madison ignored his question. “Who goes first?”
Grinning, Adam said, “Betsy, of course.”
The little girl clapped her hands. “I get more pweasants?”
“Uh huh. I guess you’ve been such a good girl Santa thought you deserved one more.” Adam handed her a badly wrapped rectangular box. Instead of holiday paper, the wrapping featured birthday candles.
Madison chuckled under her breath but Betsy didn’t seem to notice the candles.
Grabbing the gift with her tiny hands, Betsy tore into the paper. When she saw the box, she squealed. “Twaining wheels! Now I can wide my bike.”
Madison’s mouth fell open. She turned toward Adam. “How did you know?”
He put his finger to his lips.
Betsy chimed in, “Adam didn’t know; Santa did.”
“That’s right. Santa knows everything.” Adam placed Betsy’s bike on its side. “Want me to put them on?”
“Yes, pweaze.”
“I’ll need a wrench.” Adam hesitated. “Shouldn’t your mom and Bruce open their gifts first?”
Bobbing her head so fast her curls bounced, Betsy said, “I can wait.”
Adam handed Madison another badly wrapped box covered in birthday paper.
She laughed. “You amaze me.”
“You don’t even know what it is.” Adam leaned forward. “I didn’t exactly know your sizes, so this is sort of a one-size-fits-all type of gift.”
Madison ripped the paper and removed the outer lid. She noticed three boxes nestled inside a large container. Unwrapping the first box, she grinned when she saw three tickets for the Redbud Canyon Movie Theater. She stared at Adam. “Three tickets?”
“I had hoped you’d invite me to go with you and Betsy.” He motioned toward the other two gifts. “Keep going.”
Madison removed the paper from the next box which revealed a day spa gift card including a massage, mani-pedi, facial, and a hair styling session. Her eyes bulged. “I’ve never done anything this extravagant.” She reread the folded brochure. “This is for a whole day of beauty? I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.”
“Just enjoy being pampered,” Adam said.
She continued, “This is too much.”
“No, it isn’t. You’re a hard-working single mom. You deserve it. Keep going. There’s one more gift.”
Madison’s heart pounded as she opened the last gift. Inside was yet another gift card. Her mouth fell open when she read the amount hand written on the card. It was a five hundred dollar gift card for the local grocery store. Her eyes filled with tears. “I can’t accept this. It’s way too much.”
“Not if you invite me over for dinner after you buy all of those groceries.” He winked. “I’ll help cook and clean up.”
Madison jumped up and hugged him. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. Your gifts were perfect and extremely generous.” Her face fell. “Now I don’t want you to open yours.”
He reached for her hand. “If it’s from you, I’ll love it. You didn’t have to get me anything. But I want Bruce to go next. I think you’ll like his gift, too. In fact, I know you will.” He handed Bruce a tiny wrapped box.
The dentist scratched his head. “I didn’t know we were exchanging presents. I don’t have anything for any of you.” He hung his head. “I’m only thinking of my sorry self these days.”
Waving his hand as though he were swatting a fly, Adam said, “’Tis the season for giving. Enjoy, my friend.”
Turning the box over and over and rattling it like a kid, Bruce finally—and very carefully—peeled the tape off. He painstakingly removed the paper and lid. Then, he placed his hand over his heart and gasped.
CHAPTER 24
Madison rushed over and placed her hand on her former boss’s pale forehead. He felt clammy. “Are you okay, Dr. Fenton? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” She craned her neck and peeked inside the box, which contained a simple gold key.
Bruce blew out his breath, glanced toward the ceiling, and beamed as he held the key in mid-air. “Is this the key I think it is?”
“Yep.” Adam slapped his former brother-in-law on the back. “You’re back in business.”
Madison stood with her mouth agape. “What do you mean?”
After a couple of whoops, Bruce punched the air with both fists and jumped around the living room.
Betsy joined in, oblivious to the reason why she and Dr. Fenton were dancing around the room, but a celebration was a celebration.
Bruce kissed the key and shoved it deep in his pocket. “How did you accomplish this feat?”
Rubbing his hands together, Adam grinned and leaned forward. “Trust me, it wasn’t easy. Negotiations lasted into the wee hours this morning.” He yawned as if to accentuate the fact he hadn’t slept.
“They—Beverly and her attorney—wanted to put the sale off until after New Year’s Eve but I insisted we had to finalize the deal before Christmas. We went back and forth all night long but it was worth not getting any sleep. Beverly’s a tough negotiator but I didn’t back down.” He glanced at Madison. “I couldn’t.”
Betsy interrupted. “Mommy, what’s Adam talking about?”
Madison shushed her daughter. “Let him finish, sweetie. I’ll explain later.” She moved to the foot stool in front of Adam. “Go on.”
“The bottom line is I bought the clinic from my sister. She didn’t have any use for it.” He shook his head. “Beverly only wanted to hurt you, Bruce, and she didn’t give a damn about the employees nor the patients.” He stood and high fived Dr. Fenton. “The clinic’s all yours again. Merry Christmas.”
Bruce shook Adam’s hand and embraced him in a huge bear hug. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you isn’t nearly enough. You’re the best former brother-in-law a guy could have. Hell, you’re the best brother a guy could have. I could kiss you right now.”
Laughing, Adam said, “Let’s don’t get carried away.”
Madison swiveled her head from Adam to Dr. Fenton. Her eyes widened as the momentous occasion hung in the air like the most dazzling, precious ornament on a tree. When she found her voice, she asked, “We’re opening the clinic again?”
Dr. Fenton grinned like he had won the lottery, which he basically had. “You bet we are. You’re rehired, Madison. That is, if you still want your job.”
“Are you kidding?” Madison wasn’t sure whether to hug the dentist or Adam, so she settled on embracing both of them simultaneously. “I’m calling Lisa later tonight.” She paused. “That is, if she’s hired, too.”
Dr. Fenton nodded. “Absolutely. I want all of my employees back. Sure, call her any time you want. I imagine the news will spread quickly once it leaves this house.” He grinned. “I’m going to have a lot of happy patients and a very full schedule in a few days. Enjoy your downtime now, Madison.”
“Now you see why I brought champagne.” Adam headed toward the kitchen. “Where are your champagne glasses?”
Madison followed him. “I don’t have any. Wine glasses will have
to do.”
Adam swept her in a tight embrace. “Never apologize for being you. I love everything about you—but I’m growing a long list of things to get you next Christmas.” He kissed her. “This day is going on record as the best Christmas of my life.”
“Are you kidding? You just bought a dental clinic. You’ve made everyone’s Christmas better. I still can’t believe we met in the layaway department.”
Madison went from being giddy to crestfallen. She stared at her shoes. “I hate for you to open my silly gift. I’m embarrassed to give it to you after your extravagant presents.”
Adam stroked her hair. “I’m sure it’s from your heart and I’ll love it.”
“I hope so.” She opened the refrigerator door and said, “By the way, how did you know to buy training wheels? I didn’t even think of them.”
Adam glanced over his shoulder obviously to make sure Betsy wasn’t listening. “That was pure luck. Yesterday, I saw the neighbor’s son riding his bike. He looks about the same age as Betsy and I noticed he used training wheels, so I made a mad dash for Target.”
“You surprise me more every day.” Madison held the glasses while Adam popped the cork and poured.
After they returned with the bubbly, everyone toasted and sipped their drinks while Betsy played with her toys.
Dr. Fenton rubbed his hands together. “I can’t wait to reopen the clinic. I think it needs a makeover. Beverly picked out the current color scheme. Adam, I’d like to hire you to handle the renovations and come up with new colors. Are you available?”
Adam poised his glass in the air. “Name the date and I’m there. I’d be honored.”
Dr. Fenton downed his champagne and returned the empty glass to the kitchen. After he stepped back into the living room, he shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’ve missed my practice so much. I want to go there this minute, sit in my office, and daydream while the snow falls. Hopefully, I’ll get snowed in there.”
