A Family by Christmas

by Viv Royce

  “They can’t. They must have known when you came here it wouldn’t be forever.”

  “Does that matter?” Grant laughed softly. “They feel like I’m leaving them behind.”

  So do I. Emma stared at her boots. Her eyes might give her away. This is hard enough for him already. Don’t show your disappointment.

  Grant moved closer to her. “What do you think?” His voice sounded urgent, needing reassurance. “Am I making a mistake?”

  Say yes. This is your chance. He values your opinion. He said so before. That you always give him the right advice. Try and talk him out of it.

  Her heart lit up a moment with the idea she could do this, change everything. All she had to do was point out some disadvantages to him, suggest it might not be the best thing for Casey’s happiness. He would listen to her, believe her and… Then hate you later for taking his dream job away from him, for a selfish reason? Not a chance. “You should do it. If you believe it’s the best thing for the both of you.”

  She took a deep breath to be able to go on. “It can’t have been easy to find a job that fits the requirements you have to be able to raise Casey on your own. It’s great you found something perfect.”

  Isn’t it ironic? I’m applauding his choice, while I’m the last person in the world who wants to see him go. But I can’t keep him here against his will.

  “And I have never been to the Keys, but I heard it’s beautiful there. Dolphins and whales and all the green on the islands. Especially if you can fly out with Casey, it must be amazing. Or go on a boat. I think she’ll love that.”

  “She’ll miss what she had here.”

  Her stomach shrank. He said “had” like it was already over.

  There’s really nothing left to discuss.

  “But children adapt easily. Especially if their family is with them.”

  She faced him. “You are Casey’s closest family, Grant. Not your parents, not Fay and Bob.” Not me, either. “You. She needs you and as long as she has you, it’s okay.”

  “Really?” He leaned closer to her. His eyes darkened. For one dazzling moment she was sure he was going to kiss her. It made no sense at all as she was saying all of this to let him go away from here, away from her, but there it was.

  His face inched closer, his eyes were not just brown but had golden sparkles in them. Like the flame breaking to life in the lanterns on the Christmas fairground they had lit together. And she just knew there would be flames inside if he did kiss her.

  “Grant? Oh, there you are.” Fay’s voice made them jerk apart. “Are you coming in? We’ve got the games all set up and snacks ready.”

  “Snacks?” Grant said. “I’m still stuffed from dinner.” He passed her, brushing her hand with his, and it was like electricity flowed through her veins. This doesn’t change anything about the fact that he’s leaving and you’re staying.

  But it was Christmas. The time of year the impossible happened and wishes came true.

  …

  “I won again!” Casey cried out and threw herself against Grant. He wrapped his arm around her and hugged her close. She rubbed her head across his shoulder and made a satisfied sound. Having his little munchkin with him was the best thing ever and he couldn’t imagine anymore not being home for Christmas.

  He glanced up at Emma on the other side of the table. She looked away to Bob, who wanted to refill her glass. If I had kissed her, would she have liked it?

  Or smacked me in the face?

  She was explaining it was okay to leave town. Go away from her. That doesn’t add up with what I saw in her eyes.

  But nothing added up anymore. He had believed he was climbing toward a new life and suddenly he had been in a completely different place, seeing another perspective. What would it be like to love again, and open his heart?

  But Fay’s intrusion had snatched the moment away, and maybe that was for the best. Kissing her will make it so much harder than it already is. Feel what you want to but don’t act on it.

  Emma nodded at Casey. “Time for the surprise.”

  Casey jumped to her feet. “It’s Emma’s surprise. I hid it.” She ran to the sofa and pulled out a paper bag from behind it, holding it up. “Here it is.” She carried it to his mother with both hands, then leaned against her to see what came out of the bag. A wrapped object. His mother looked at Emma. “You shouldn’t have—”

  She tore at the paper, revealing a teapot in the shape of a cupcake with pink frosting and a cherry on top forming the handle of the lid. Emma said, “I couldn’t find anything chocolate related, so this seemed like a good alternative.”

  “It’s gorgeous.” His mother turned it around to look at it from all sides. Casey ran her finger across the frosting and pretended to lick it. “So sweet.”

  His mother put the teapot away and hugged Emma. “Thanks so much. It’s a perfect addition to my collection.” She held Emma by the shoulders and looked her over. “I found a great cupcake recipe we can try together.”

  Outside, a car engine hummed. Grant turned his head to listen. Visitors, on Christmas Eve? His father rose and moved away surreptitiously.

  His mother gestured at Casey. “I think it’s time for a present for you.”

  “Me?” Casey perked up. “I thought I could only open them tomorrow morning.” She sounded both confused and eager at her early chance.

  His mother smiled. “We have something very special for you. Something you should see tonight.”

  Grant’s father came back inside, carrying a twined basket in his arms. It was covered with a thin red blanket. A sound came from underneath. A sort of half-baked bark.

  Grant’s muscles tensed.

  Dad, you haven’t.

  His father lowered the basket to the floor. The blanket moved. Casey’s eyes were wide with disbelief. She leaned down and lifted the blanket. A small fluffy head popped up, black and white, with one ear tilted up and the other hanging. Casey squealed as she fell to her knees. “It’s a puppy! It’s a real puppy.”

  She put her hand into the basket and then looked up. “Is it for me?”

  “Sure,” his father said as if the arrival of a puppy had been a done deal. “Pick it up.”

  Grant frowned. How could Dad have done this without asking?

  And Mom—why hadn’t she stopped Dad?

  He had a niggling suspicion they had done it on purpose to keep Casey and him here, where they could have family dinners and play games and raise this puppy. Together. But it wouldn’t work. He had accepted a job offer, and he was leaving town. Every time he reiterated it, the conviction underneath dwindled, and especially now. Just look at the two of them.

  Carefully, her tongue between her lips, Casey lifted the puppy out of the basket. He had icy blue eyes and a long pink tongue that licked at Casey’s face. His daughter put the puppy on her shoulder, as if it was a baby. His throat constricted. He had once carried her like that. A little human being, safely tucked against him, in the crook of his arm. So small, so vulnerable, all his to protect. He’d do anything for her. Anything. Even let her keep the puppy who had wriggled its way into her heart so quickly. The smile on her face was the best Christmas gift he could imagine.

  Or was there an even better one? Surrender to what he knew deep down inside was the only way to find happiness again. Shelter Emma in his arms, listen to her struggles with difficult customers and brush the worry lines from her face. Do fun things together and laugh until their sides hurt. Make memories they would cherish forever. I need her and I love her. I want her to be a part of our family.

  Why be a team of two, if they could also be a team of four? Her, him, Casey, the puppy.

  Everybody was fussing over that little dog. Perfect. He ran up the stairs. In his room, he fished the box with the Christmas tree charm from the drawer where he had buried it. All alarm bells were ringing in the back of his head. This isn’t smart, this isn’t safe. Don’t do it.

  With every step of the stairs, his heartrate increase
d. The box pricked in his palm. All or nothing. He gestured to Emma. She seemed confused, raising a brow, but as he mouthed “come with me” she walked over to him. He drew her into the kitchen. Everything faded, Casey’s squealing, Dad’s deep baritone.

  This is it.

  He clutched the box like a lifeline. “I have to ask you something.”

  …

  Emma clenched her hands by her sides. “The puppy wasn’t my idea.”

  Grant blinked. Then he smiled. “I didn’t want to ask about the puppy.”

  “Oh.” A bit of tension slipped as she answered his smile. “I was worried you thought it was my idea.”

  “No, I can guess it was my parents’ doing. Or Fay’s. She can’t say no to a cute dog. I recognized that face when I saw it. It’s from friends of hers. Their dog had eight puppies a few weeks ago.”

  He took a deep breath. “So…”

  Emma’s stomach tightened. He seemed so serious. Was he gearing up for something? If it wasn’t about the dog…

  Grant said, “I realized—uh—”

  He held out his hand. A present rested on his palm, in seasonal wrapping paper. “When I came to town to ask you to decorate Casey’s tree with us, I bumped into a sign in the street, advertising Christmas presents. On impulse I decided to get you something.”

  “You shouldn’t have.”

  “I bought it and then I…couldn’t come over. Just because…”

  She frowned. What’s going on?

  “See what it is.” He held it out.

  “Okay.” She picked up the present and tore off the paper. Her fingers trembled. A box from a jewelry store. She clicked it open. A silver charm rested on a bit of blue velvet. A Christmas tree with white enamel snow on top.

  “For your bracelet,” he said softly. “Your first Christmas here in Wood Creek.”

  The first charm not bought by herself. A gift for her. A contribution to a project she had started alone. She touched the tree with her fingertip. “That’s sweet.” Her voice wobbled. How could she wear this every day, while he was far away from her?

  “I had it wrapped for you and while waiting, I realized that…it wasn’t just a gift I was buying for a friend. You’ve come to mean much more to me.”

  Emma flinched.

  He feels something, but it can’t be. He’s leaving.

  Ice filled her stomach as it had when her bags were being packed again. And she had waved goodbye through the rear window of the car, goodbye to another house, a family, a time of being together that had come to an end.

  Don’t do this to me, not now, not on the best Christmas Eve I’ve ever had.

  “I understand. You have Florida.” She couldn’t get out more.

  “I took the job in Florida and planned my life with Casey there, because I didn’t want complications to…”

  Complications. His feelings for her were just complications. Roadblocks to the future he had in mind. Make it easy on him.

  “I’m sorry,” she said softly. “You have to believe me when I say that as Casey asked me to make the chocolates to let you fall in love, I never meant to have you fall in love for real.”

  Grant eyed her. “What?” he asked as if he couldn’t believe his ears.

  “I mean, for you to fall in love with anyone. I just wanted to help Casey. She wanted to make you happy and that was just so sweet. I never meant for any of this—” Emma’s hands trembled, and she clutched the box with the charm. “It just happened.”

  Grant kept his eyes on her face. “What happened?”

  Give him an honest answer? What’s the point? He made it clear he doesn’t want to get entangled.

  “I like you,” she said.

  A lopsided smile spread across his face.

  “Just like me?”

  Emma pressed her heels hard on the floor. “It’s not something to tease me about.”

  “Of course not.” His expression sobered. “I’m not teasing. Far from it.”

  Hurt flickered in his eyes. She reached out and put her hand on his arm. “I didn’t mean to make this more difficult. I understand. We met at the wrong time. Had we met earlier, then we might have—but you’re leaving. I—I am happy for you and Casey.”

  She swallowed. “You helped me so much with delivering my orders. Your whole family has been amazing. Me being here tonight is so special. Normally, I would just have been alone. I’m grateful.” It would be a happy memory. She’d make it one.

  Grant reached out and cupped her cheek in his palm. The warmth of his touch invaded her system and stopped her breath. “I don’t want you to ever be alone again,” he said.

  Wait. What?

  She frowned.

  “When I realized I was falling in love with you, I backed away.”

  Falling in love? Her brain caught on the words and refused to process anything more.

  “I had just gotten back on my feet and I didn’t want to feel anything like that again. I had to protect myself and Casey. I tucked away the charm and pretended nothing had happened. I threw myself into getting everything ready for the move, to fight the bad feeling I had about leaving. But I was wrong.” He took a deep breath. “I usually go for what I want, whether it’s conquering a mountain or getting into an isolated place where only small planes can go. I like challenges. And I want to ask you if you’re willing to accept this challenge with me. If you want to be with me.”

  What? Emma stared at him. This had to be a dream. He can’t be saying this.

  “Be with you?” she repeated to make sure.

  He nodded.

  “But…” Her thoughts whirled. “I have the shop. I signed a lease for the building. I can’t leave town for four years.”

  “I wouldn’t ask you to leave town. I know how many times you had to move and give up everything you loved. Your business is here, and your friends are here. You’re staying. We’ll find a way.”

  She didn’t see how. They couldn’t afford to fly out to each other all the time. A long-distance relationship for four years?

  He leaned in and kissed her. As his lips caressed hers, his arms slipped around her, securing her against him. She closed her eyes and soaked up the tenderness of his touch, the reassurance he was here for her.

  Even if they couldn’t see each other often, they’d make the most of the times when they could. She had something here, in his arms, which she would never have had in the shop alone or with the chocolate creations. This was life at its sweetest and it was all hers.

  Grant lifted his head and looked at her. “I should have done this sooner,” he said, slightly breathless.

  Emma grinned at him. “I wouldn’t have minded.”

  He kissed her again and she reached up and put her hand on his head, burying her fingers in his hair. She let her hand run down his neck to rest on his shoulder, not quite able yet to take in this gorgeous man was now hers.

  “You’re kissing!” a voice yelled, and they broke apart.

  Casey was staring at them from the doorway. “You were kissing,” she said in an almost accusing tone. “Daddy, you said you didn’t like kissing.”

  Emma didn’t dare look at Grant to see how he was going to talk himself out of this one. But before he could speak, Casey said, “I know why you like it now. It was the chocolate. I wanted the chocolate to help and it did.”

  She ran over to Emma and looked up at her. “You’re much better than Miss Evelyn. You helped me to sing.” She beamed again at the memory. “I was so scared, but you said I could do it.”

  Emma brushed her hand across Casey’s head. “I’ll help you with anything you want me to. You can count on it.”

  Casey locked her arms around Grant’s waist. “I can keep the puppy, right? Please? He’s so sweet.”

  Grant crouched to look her in the eye. “Who’s going to take care of him?”

  “I am.”

  “But you will be in school again.”

  “Grandpa can or Grandma or Fay or Bob. Someone.”

 
“But if Daddy finds a job away from here, they won’t be there. What will we do with the puppy while you’re at school?”

  “Then I want to stay here.” Casey crossed her arms over her chest. “You go flying alone.”

  “All alone?” Grant made an exaggerated face of surprise. “You’re not coming with me?”

  “Not if I can’t bring Puppy.” Casey nodded. “You can fly here too. You don’t need to go away.”

  Emma watched the two of them, her heart pounding. It was a child’s response of course, but she could sympathize.

  “You’re right, Casey. I can fly here too. I could look into jobs and…” He rose to his feet and eyed Emma. “I could stay around here. How about that?”

  Emma stared at him. “But you wanted to go and—”

  Grant shook his head. “Casey is right. I’ll need to find a job that leaves me time to raise her, an unruly puppy and…see a whole lot of you.” He leaned over and brushed a kiss on her temple. Her heart skipped and she wanted to throw up her arms and whoop. This was just perfect.

  Casey ran off, shouting that Daddy was staying and they would all be together with Emma.

  “What about Florida?” Emma whispered.

  “We’ll go there someday. On holiday. I can’t wait to show you everything from the air.” Grant wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “But there’s no way I’m moving so far away from you. Not for a job, not for anything.”

  She leaned into him as he led her into the living room.

  Four pairs of eyes were watching her expectantly. Bob seemed puzzled, but Fay beamed and exchanged a quick look with her mother.

  “Welcome to the family.” Mr. Galloway rose and came for her with an outstretched hand. “We’re so happy to have you.”

  “Thanks so much.” Emma shook his hand, her throat tight a moment. “This means the world to me.”

  Casey scooped up Puppy and held him in her arms as she stood in front of the big Christmas tree. The hundreds of glittering lights illuminated her with a fairytale quality, putting an extra sparkle in her eyes.

  Grant smiled down at his daughter, and Emma locked her arms around him and drank in the sight of her little family.

  A family by Christmas was the best gift of all.