Unforgettable Christmas - Gifts of Love (The Unforgettables Book 3)

by Mimi Barbour

  “Umm..” Shelly hesitated, backing away from the door.

  Cara peeked in on Alex. He'd crawled under his Spider-Man blanket and screamed. His legs slammed against the bed, but it was only the mattress. He couldn't hurt himself, but it still made her want to curl up in a ball and cry as well. When her kids hurt, Cara hurt.

  “Was it because of Mike?” Cara lowered her voice, shifting her gaze between Alex and Shelly.

  “No. It's the ferret. I told him if... he came back, that we'd have to give him to the right owner.” Her daughter covered her face with her hands.

  Cara sighed. “You should have let me handle this. If we even see the ferret again.”

  “Sorry,” Shelly whispered and darted away. She closed the door to her room a little too loud.

  “Alex?” Cara asked tentatively. Approach carefully, doctors had warned. If he didn't want to talk, let him be. She tried to take the advice and words to heart, but how can she continue to let him cry like that?

  “Go away!” He threw the blanket off his head and shoved his bedroom door closed. Another loud thump followed. He must have gone back under his blanket.

  Cara leaned against the door, placing a hand against it. She closed her eyes and forced the tears away. She wished she had a better understanding of what to do and tried not to take it personally. Her heart beat accelerated. Breathing became difficult. Cara blew out a breath and kept good thoughts in her head. They'd get through this, as they always had, but she hated these meltdowns! Something about a child's angry cries pierced a place in the heart of a parent. At least this parent. She couldn't say for sure how others reacted.

  “Everything okay?” Lance's concerned voice startled her. Cara whirled around to face him. She'd totally forgotten he was still here. Actually, why was he still here?

  “Meltdown.” She gestured at the door. “I'm trying to respect his wishes. He's not hurting himself or anyone else, but the sound of his cries...” Don't cry in front of this man, don't cry.

  Chapter Four

  Lance should have left once Cara ran to the back of the house instead of following her. Now he wanted to reach out and give her some kind of support. She'd been crying- trying to hold it back. He didn't know a whole lot about Asperger's, but knew it was a form of the autism spectrum. He'd seen Alex in a meltdown phase once and had really felt for the kid. He'd overheard the part about him being upset over Frenzy, and he knew he had to come back and check up on them. It seemed like the right thing to do.

  Now Cara stood at the door as her son cried behind it. She watched Lance, probably wondering why in the world he was standing there gawking at her. Yeah, he must come off as a strange guy to her, and not just because they didn't know one another.

  “How long do these last?” he asked quietly. Temper tantrums were hard to handle sometimes, he knew that from when Tamara went through her 'terrible twos', but for an older child where the emotional overload became too much, these were far worse. Cara seemed on the verge of some kind of parent meltdown, though she was doing her best to hold it in. Lance guessed because he was here.

  “Sometimes only ten minutes. Others... an hour. He'll either calm down as he gets his emotions under control, or he'll fall asleep,” she responded, avoiding his gaze.

  “So, he's attached to Frenzy?”

  “If it's the same ferret we're talking about, I guess so. He'd been begging me to keep him, but I can't keep up with a pet. Alex doesn't understand the ferret is a stray and could have belonged to someone.” Her eyelids lowered, then finally she met his gaze. Tears glistened on her thick eyelashes. He fought hard to keep his hands at his sides and not reach out to brush them away. A crying woman made him want to do something rash- like touch her, provide some sort of comfort. Especially because the reason she wanted to cry was due to her son wanting his daughter's pet.

  If Tamara didn't want Frenzy back so much, he'd say for her to keep him. It didn't matter, because Cara made it clear she didn't want a pet. Still, her son's reaction to Frenzy made this situation a little tricky.

  An idea formed in his mind. Maybe he should find a stuffed ferret for Alex. He could find one and bring it by, offer it up to him, and see what he did with it.

  In the meantime...

  He should leave. Go back to Tamara. But this woman was struggling and he didn't think he could walk away, even though he was unsure what else to do. Cara didn't know him, nor did he know her. But as a widower with a child suffering, he understood her frustration, to a point. Lance stuffed his hands in his pockets, making it harder to reach for her.

  “I know we don't know each other, and it's probably strange for me to be here, but is there anything I can do for you?” Lance put out the offer. Just as he thought, Cara was surprised. Her lips parted and she stared at him with wide, unsure eyes.

  “I don't even know what I can do. I'm in over my head. Some SuperMom, huh?” She wrapped her arms around herself and dropped her gaze again.

  “I think it makes you more of a SuperMom than anything. Raising a child by yourself is difficult. Raising two, especially with different needs, should be deserving of an award.”

  Alex's cries quieted down and eventually stopped. Cara had relief written all over her face. Putting a finger to her lips, she opened the door carefully and peeked inside. A minute later she closed it. “He's exhausted and fell asleep. Guess I'll have to talk to him about this in the morning.” A long sigh escaped her lips.

  “So he's attached to Frenzy.” He'd already stated this. Why repeat the obvious?

  Cara moved away from his door and walked down the hall. “I guess so. It's not like he sees him every day, but the time was enough to get attached. He's not good with change, especially when he does find something he loves.”

  She didn't say it to accuse, but it really bothered Lance. He understood it because Tamara had asked first thing about Frenzy. He knew all about kids and their attachments. He could easily lie and tell his daughter that Frenzy was gone, but he wouldn't do that. No, he'd have to make sure Tamara got what she needed. It wasn't that he wanted to do something for this family over Tamara's wants, but it would mean Lance had to deal with his feelings about Frenzy. There was no good option here at all. Someone would end up hurt either way.

  He made his silent decision. After leaving here, he'd go to the store and find a nice stuffed ferret. Where would he even find one? Maybe a beanie baby. They always had all sorts of creatures.

  “I'll call you if I see Frenzy,” Cara said. Lance tried to read her body language. Was that a dismissal? Should he just go now and let her deal? Why did he feel the strong need to stick around, anyway?

  Probably because you feel a lot of the distress she does, just for different reasons.

  “Great. Thanks. Hey-” He stood by the door, poised to go. “If you ever need to talk... like about parenting stuff, you know. Feel free to call me then, too.” Whoa. Lance had been thinking it, but never meant to say it out loud. “We're in the same boat. I struggle sometimes, too.” Uh huh, keep opening your mouth. What was up with him?

  “Yeah, sure. Thanks,” Cara stuttered, completely caught off guard. A flush dotted her cheeks. She was pretty. Lance studied her more carefully. Her eyes were almond shaped and the green flecks mixed in with the dark brown really brought out an interesting aspect to them. They were definitely enhanced when on the verge of tears. She wore her hair up in a bun and still had the long, funky colored nails that totally clashed with her red sweater. Remembering that her daughter had done this, Lance smiled. Yeah, this woman was like him in the sense that she'd do whatever she could for her kids, just as he did for Tamara.

  Question was, in the sense of the ferret, how would this play out?

  “Good night, Cara.”

  “Night, Lance.” There went her smile. Only a small one, but it really lit up her face.

  He forced himself out the door and back to the task at hand. After a half hour of putting up a few more fliers, Lance called it a night and headed to his car with
Tamara, Frenzy, and Cara's family on his mind.

  *****

  Cara wasn't looking forward to tonight. She'd have to talk to Alex about the ferret. She'd avoided it all day so that he didn't go to school after a meltdown, but avoiding it forever wouldn't make things better. If they saw Frenzy again, Cara would have to call Lance and let him know. It would crush Alex.

  As she finished up with dinner and debated the best way to do this conversation, the doorbell rang.

  “I'll get it!” Shelly called. Footsteps thundered toward the front. Then, seconds later. “Mom! Someone's here for you!”

  Dropping the dish towel on the counter, Cara headed to the front door. Who would be here for her? “Lance. Hi!” What a surprise! A good one. What brought him by? Maybe he wanted to see if Frenzy showed up. Yeah, that had to be it. Why else would he drop by?

  He held something in his hand. A gift bag? Lance shuffled his feet and sent her a smile. “I brought something for Alex.” He held up the bag.

  “For-?” Cara couldn't finish the sentence. A whole mess of feelings hit her. Surprise, for the fact that this man returned to her house with something for her son, especially after last night. More surprise, that he seemed genuinely excited and even hopeful about whatever it was that he brought. She could kiss him for being this sweet, but yeah, that would be crazy.

  “What did you bring my brother?” Shelly asked, her tone accusing and curious.

  “Why don't we let him come in so we can find out?” Cara said to her. Where did Alex go, anyway? He was quiet. He'd put his plate in the sink after dinner and went off somewhere. “Please come in, Lance.”

  He did and Cara closed the door, keeping the cold out. Lance held the bag out to Cara. “I brought him a stuffed ferret that looks a lot like Frenzy. Kind of a peace offering, seeing as how upset he is over the idea of having to 'give Frenzy back'.” He pulled the item out of the bag to show her.

  “Lance... You did not have to do this! I mean, I'm grateful and touched, but...” Tears choked her voice. Honestly, she'd expected never to see or hear from this guy again, especially since two out of their three encounters he'd seen Alex in his moods. And for him to go out of his way to find something to help Alex cope with giving up the ferret that was never really his anyway, well... she didn't even know what to make of that.

  “I wanted to. Honestly I don't... Never mind,” he finished quickly. Cara put the stuffed animal back in the bag so that Alex could come out here and open it.

  “You don't what?” Curiosity grabbed hold of her. Lance struggled with something, and he apparently didn't want to say it, though he almost had.

  “Lost track of what I was thinking. Sorry,” Lance cleared his throat and turned away. Whatever he was thinking, the man wouldn't budge. Cara didn't press him.

  “Why don't you go get your brother?” she suggested to Shelly, who still stood there watching them curiously.

  “Sure, Mom. Then can I call Penny?”

  “If you've done your homework, I'm fine with it,” she replied. Shelly and Penny would be on the phone all night, or at least until she had to do her Mom part and tell her to hang up.

  “All right.” Shelly bounded off, calling Alex's name.

  “How is your daughter today? Oh, and you're welcome to sit! We don't have to stand here awkwardly.” Cara laughed, gesturing to the couches.

  Lance moved in quick strides. He was over six feet tall. Strong, steady shoulders with well toned muscular arms. He wore a pair of black dress pants and a blue long sleeved button down shirt tucked in. Blue eyes that matched the sky, bright and inquiring. Eyes someone could get lost in. She'd already been thinking about those eyes and this man way too much.

  “She's good. Tamara is eating and talking slowly. It's going to be a long road to full recovery, but every step seems to be in the right direction.”

  “I'm so glad to hear it.” Cara turned around at the sound of footsteps. Alex stood in front of Shelly, looking at Lance with uncertainty. “Hey, buddy.”

  “Hi, Alex,” Lance stood again and approached Alex with caution. “I have a little something for you.” He held out the bag.

  Alex stared at it. He didn't reach out yet.

  “Go ahead, Alex,” Cara prodded, wondering what he'd do.

  He reached in the bag and held up the stuffed animal. “It looks like Simba!” He held it close to his chest.

  “Simba?” Lance asked. Crease lines formed on his forehead.

  “I guess he already named the ferret.” Cara chuckled, feeling worse about this. How did she never realize how much her son had attached himself to a stray animal?

  “He's been watching the Lion King a lot,” Shelly added. “Simba's his favorite character.”

  “Mr...” Cara studied Lance. She had no idea of his last name.

  He smiled. “Just call me Lance.”

  “Lance brought Simba for you, Alex. And if you see the real Simba we have to tell him, because he belongs to Lance's little girl.” Here goes. She hoped for the best.

  Alex's face fell.

  Cara braced for impact.

  “He's somebody's friend already?” Out came the little voice.

  “He can be your friend, too. But Frenzy, or as you know him, Simba, is my little girl's pet,” Lance explained. He pointed to the stuffed ferret. “Do you like your pet Simba there?”

  “Yes!” Alex yelled.

  “What would you do if he was lost? What if you were sick or hurt, and wanted your friend and pet with you?”

  Cara watched as her son seemed to ponder the thought. Alex didn't always have an understanding of cause and effect or other people's feelings. He didn't know that the lost pet would make someone else cry. Lance was really good with him. Patient and understanding.

  “I wouldn't like it if I lost him,” Alex finally said.

  “See, that's what my little girl feels. She's very hurt and needs her friend back. So, if you see him, please tell me so I can make her feel better. Do we have a deal?” Lance crouched down in front of Alex.

  He took a step back, but didn't cry or yell. “Okay. I tell you if I see him.”

  “Thanks, bud. I appreciate it. I hope you enjoy your new friend. I went all around town looking for one and hoped you'd like him.”

  “I wuv him!” Her little boy hugged the stuffed toy close to his chest and smiled so big.

  Cara watched them in awe. The gesture itself had been a sweet one. The fact that Alex responded so well to it gave the whole thing more meaning. He could have done so many things, and this reaction was the one she'd least expected. Pride filled her heart at Alex's good moment. This was big.

  “I'll take him to my room now.” Alex stepped back a little more.

  “What do you say to Lance?” Cara prompted.

  “Thank you.” With that, her son darted off to his room. Shelly smiled and went down the hall as well. Cara didn't dread the conversation any longer, thanks to Lance and his gesture.

  Chapter Five

  “I can't thank you enough, even though it wasn't necessary.” Cara stood beside Lance, who hadn't moved yet. He brushed off his pants and faced her. Like last night, his urge to touch her lingered, but tonight it came on strong. His pulse quickened when her thankful smile reached her eyes. If he was a brave man, he'd lean in, touch his lips to hers, and get lost in her fruity scent. Some type of body spray maybe? The smell teased his nose, only amplifying his need to draw her to him and kiss her. He wouldn't do it. Cara seemed to be in a fragile place, and he sensed his presence confused her. It didn't go as far as uncomfortable, but she definitely had her guard up. He pegged her as shy. If only he could read her mind. Maybe she struggled with her thoughts, too. Cara avoided looking at him at random times, and he couldn't figure out why.

  “I know it wasn't. I don't like seeing a kid sad, so I hoped it would help.”

  Cara nearly bristled. “I'm doing the best I can!”

  Whoops. Without realizing it, he'd offended her. Sensitive subject, apparently. Not that h
e could really figure out why, but there must have been more to the story. “Whoa, hey. I know that. That's not how I meant it at all.” Lance gave in to temptation and reached out for her. He thought Cara would pull away. Surprise took over when she didn't, and every part of him was well aware of this woman. Tingles ran up his arm from the contact, and all he did was gently brush his hand across her hand. One more move and he could curl his fingers over hers, but that might be too much. “I'm in the same boat you are. Struggling, unsure... making the best of what we get. I didn't mean to imply you weren't doing the same.”

  She blew out a breath, cheeks reddening. She still didn't move away from him. Should he let go of her now? Probably, but his brain and hand had opposing views. What he really wanted was to inch closer and- No. Stop it.

  He needed to focus. There was no time to get himself all wrapped up in a woman. Not after Lauren's betrayal. Not when Tamara needed all of his attention, and not when Cara already had enough on her plate as well. Complications, he didn't need them.

  “Sorry. I'm a little sensitive, especially when it comes to Alex. I feel like I'm not enough. He has a different view of the world, and I don't know what I can do to ease those changes.”

  His heart went out to her. It wasn't easy dealing inner struggles, especially when it came to your kids. “Yeah, I get that. If it's any consolation, I think you're doing an amazing job. SuperMom, remember?” He squeezed her hand gently. Bad move. Lance's eyes were on her lips, and he quickly glanced away, trying to retrain his thoughts. Ha! Not working so much.

  She laughed. “I don't know about that, but I do what I can. I had to finally accept that Alex can't stay in regular school. I fought so hard for him to be a regular kid, but when it comes down to it, he's not. He needs a different setting, and it's something I haven't been handling well.”