Sara in Montana - A Christmas Wish

by Morris Fenris

Trent took the phone and raised it to his ear, “Samuel, it’s Trent. What’s up?”

  “Yeah, I meant it. You know you’re always welcome.”

  “Sure. I can do that. When do you think you’ll get here?”

  “That would be great. I know of one young woman who is going to be thrilled.”

  “Great. Send me your itinerary and I’ll make sure someone meets you at the airport.”

  Trent held the phone back out to Sara and just nodded at her questioning look. Sara grinned and happily took the phone back, “Grace, did I understand this right?”

  “Yes! Samuel’s going to bring Daniella and I to you for Christmas. Oh, Sara, I’ve missed you so much, I can’t wait to see you.”

  “Me either. This Christmas is going to be the best one ever.”

  Trent wrapped his arms around Sara, pressing her back against his chest and leaning his chin on her head. Sara relaxed in his hold as she finished speaking with her sister. After disconnecting the call, she looked up at him and with her heart in her eyes told him, “Thank you. You just made Christmas wish number two come true.”

  “Just call me Santa’s little helper,” Trent told her with a twinkle in his eyes.

  Chapter 18

  Two days later…

  “Sara, they’re here,” Trent called to her in the kitchen.

  Wiping her hands on a towel and giving Jane a big grin, Sara skipped down the hall to meet her sister and niece. Trent had just opened the front door for them when Sara came around the corner. Letting out a squeal of delight, both women rushed toward each other and wrapped each other up in a big hug.

  As old pals, Trent and Samuel gave each other a bear hug too but turned around to find the two women still hugging and crying. Finally, Daniella decided she had been ignored long enough and turned to the men and asked, “Can’t you do something about that? Aunt Sara hasn’t even hugged me yet and she’s crying all over mommy.”

  Chuckling, Samuel reached down and tousled the little girl’s hair. She was a precocious child and spending so much time with her the last several days had made him re-evaluate where his life was headed. He discovered that he really wanted to settle down and have a couple of kids. At the age of 39, he figured he should probably make that a priority for the New Year. After all, he wasn’t getting any younger.

  Sara heard her niece and giving her sister one last squeeze, turned and knelt down, holding her arms out. Daniella ran into her arms and threw her arms around Sara’s neck, bestowing kisses upon her cheeks and talking a mile a minute about the adventures she’d had the last several days. The highlight seemed to be Disneyland, coming in second only to the big airplane that had transported them from California to Montana.

  Sara laughed as she tried to follow the child’s conversation and finally gave up. Exchanging grins with her sister, she stood up, bringing the child with her. Daniella finally realized that it had grown quiet and everyone was watching her. She closed her mouth with a snap and buried her face in Sara’s neck.

  “It’s okay, sweetie. You’ll have plenty of time to tell me all about Disneyland and the airplane and all of the other adventures you’ve had. Why don’t I show you and mommy to your room so you can unpack and then you can tell me all about them?”

  The trip had taken its toll on both mother and daughter and Grace looked relieved to hear she was only moments away from being able to take a small rest. She gave Sara a nod of thanks and mouthed that Daniella would be asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

  Sara nodded her head in the direction of the hallway and led the way to the second guest bedroom. Trent had borrowed a small foldaway bed from the local B&B so that Daniella would have her own bed to sleep in. Sara had taken great joy in purchasing linens for it along with a pile of Christmas gifts, which now resided wrapped under the tree.

  Passing the kitchen, Sara stopped and introduced Grace and Daniella to Jane. Grace and Jane seemed to immediately hit it off. Sara was hoping that would be the case. She planned to suggest that Jane stay with Grace when she took her vacation to the beach.

  Jane handed Sara a small tray containing a plate with several of the decorated sugar cookies on it, two glasses, and a small pitcher of milk. She had offered Grace a cup of coffee, but Grace had declined. She had the same aversion to coffee as Sara and much preferred hot tea.

  “I’d be happy to heat some water for tea,” Jane offered.

  “No, really. Milk is fine. To be honest, it’s been a really long day and I think Daniella and I are going to take a small rest.”

  “That’s fine. We want you to feel comfortable here. Please make yourselves comfortable.”

  “We will.”

  Sara led Grace to the guest room and helped her get Daniella settled in. Daniella had eaten the cookies, but had sounded disappointed when she found out that Sara and Jane had decorated all of them.

  “Don’t you worry yourself. We’ll just have to make some more sugar cookies. You can never have too many,” Sara assured her.

  “Goody. That’s my favorite part of Christmas. Well, not counting the presents, and Santa Claus, and…”

  Chuckling, Grace took her daughter’s empty glass and set it back on the tray. “I think we get it. You really like everything about Christmas.”

  Daniella nodded enthusiastically. Yawning, she didn’t even fuss as Grace laid her down on the bed and pulled a blanket up around her shoulders.

  Sara gathered up the tray and let herself out of the room. She would have plenty of time to catch up with her sister. Taking the tray back towards the kitchen, she stopped when she heard Jane talking to someone.

  “How have you been?”

  “Fine.”

  “Are you going to continue to answer me in one word sentences?”

  Jane had the grace to blush. Every time she found herself alone with Samuel, she became tongue-tied and her personality took on the character of a mouse. “No, I can use complete sentences.”

  “Wow! So you can. So tell me, how have you really been? Trent tells me you’re going to treat yourself to a vacation. Anywhere specific you’re thinking of going?”

  Jane looked up at the man standing in the doorway to the kitchen. What would happen if she said she was planning on paying a visit to his house out in California? She hadn’t originally thought of visiting Samuel when her and Sara first discussed her visiting the beach. But ever since that conversation, visiting Samuel had become a priority on Jane’s agenda.

  “I was thinking about leaving between Christmas and New Year’s.”

  Samuel nodded, “Any specific place you’re headed?”

  “California. Sara’s told me so much about the beaches there, I decided I needed to see them for myself.”

  Samuel hid his grin. He lived in a little bungalow with its own private beach. He could just see Jane playing in the surf with his German shepherd, Lucky. With his recent awakening to his advanced age and lack of children, he wasn’t willing to play the cat and mouse games Jane seemed to prefer. He was all or nothing this time.

  “So, if you visit the San Diego area, will you let me take you out and show you the sights?”

  Sara heard Samuel’s opening line and quickly entered the kitchen, pretending she had not just been standing in the hallway listening in on their conversation. “Did I hear someone say something about San Diego?”

  “Yeah, I was just telling Jane that she needed to visit San Diego on her beach vacation so that I could take her around and show her the sights.”

  “Jane, that sounds great. You wouldn’t have to worry about hiring a reputable tour guide because you would have one already. And I bet Grace would let you stay with her. She lives in a three bedroom house and frequently lets vacationers rent out her extra bedroom. I’d be happy to mention it to her when she gets up.”

  “That would be great. Thanks, Sara.”

  “Here’s the tray back. Daniella has requested that we make more sugar cookies so that she can help decorate them. It’s one of her favorite t
raditions,” Sara said, giving Jane a smile. They had spoken at length about family traditions and how important they were to the development of kids.

  “Well, of course we’ll have to make more sugar cookies. In fact, Samuel, you should help yourself so that we can justify having to make some more.”

  Samuel grinned as he selected several of the frosted treats and poured himself a tall glass of milk from the pitcher sitting on the counter. “These are fantastic, as always. Jane, you could easily work in any five-star restaurant.”

  Sara saw the blush that stained Jane’s cheeks and hastily excused herself. There was definitely something going on between Samuel and Jane. She felt out of place in the room and didn’t want to hinder any progress between the two.

  Samuel gave Sara a grin and Jane moved as if to follow her, when Samuel stepped directly in her path and blocked her exit. “Jane, I want to talk to you some more.”

  “Okay,” Jane replied nervously. She had never been able to understand why Samuel made her so nervous. She got that funny sensation in the pit of her stomach and had to hold her hands together to resist the urge to reach out and run her fingers through his curly hair.

  Sara glanced back, and seeing that Jane appeared to be okay with staying, she went in search of Trent. Finding him in the family room, she asked him what Samuel had said about shutting down the drug organization. She was pleased to hear that Trevor Ward and both Quintana brothers had been arrested and the FBI had recover half a million dollars in cocaine. Due to the undercover work of Enrico, neither Sara nor her sister would have to testify in court.

  Sara visibly relaxed and Trent knew she had been worried about this. He was glad that he had been able to give her the good news. Sara could finally move on with her life. Trent just hoped it included him.

  Chapter 19

  December 22nd…

  “Grace, come on, hurry up,” Sara tried to urge her sister along. They had gone into town to do some last minute Christmas shopping and had ended up in front of the church, looking at the nativity scene again.

  Hearing the organist begin to warm up for the children’s choir practice, Sara grabbed Grace’s hand and pulled her along to the church entrance. This was always the highlight of Sara’s visit to the nativity scene. She had figured out the choir’s practice schedule on her second visit and had continued to visit during the practice time. Several other members of the town were regular visitors as well.

  The children’s choir was practicing for the Christmas Eve candlelight service. It had been years since Sara had attended such a service, but here in Castle Peaks, it just seemed right somehow. The town was so close knit and everyone helped everyone else.

  Miriam Mercer had been able to enjoy many pain free days with the help of the acupressure techniques Sara had remembered and had even attended several of the Christmas festivities in her wheelchair. Bill Mercer seemed to have accepted that his time with his wife was very short, and the times Sara had seen him in town with her had been touching. The care and love they had for each other was evident to everyone.

  Samuel and Jane had decided to quit hiding their feelings for one another and Jane was making plans to return to San Diego with Samuel, Grace and Daniella. She would be staying with Grace and Daniella, and exploring a relationship with Samuel at the same time. Trent had expressed his desire for Jane to find someone to share her life with, and that he hoped she and Samuel would try to work things out. They complimented each other in so many ways. Even a stranger could see they were made for each other.

  Trent and Sara, on the other hand, had allowed their relationship to flourish and grow. Sara hadn’t told Trent her true feelings yet, but was planning on doing so after the Christmas Pageant tonight.

  Entering the sanctuary and finding a seat in the back row, Sara settled in and closed her eyes, the better to enjoy the soothing voices and beautiful music being made upon the platform. Grace settled in as well, and gave a sigh as the musical creation flowed around them. This was Christmas in its purest form. The voices of children lifted in joyful celebration.

  “They’re so good, aren’t they?” Sara asked her sister quietly. Grace was a professional vocal coach at a performing arts center in San Diego. If anyone would be able to critique the children’s choir, it was her.

  “They’re angelic. It’s very few times I’ve ever heard music like this from children.”

  “The first time I heard them it brought tears to my eyes.”

  Grace nodded, too caught up in the music to speak.

  As the song ended, Sara stood up and prepared to leave. “Let’s get home. Daniella probably has Jane worn out by now.”

  Grace giggled, “Trent as well. Jane mentioned that he was planning on coming home early to help Daniella build a snowman. I told her I wanted pictures. You never know when pictures will come in handy.”

  Sara laughed at the mercenary look on her sister’s face. Grace had no doubt in her mind that Trent and Sara were going to end up getting married. Trent had spoken to her last night about Sara’s favorite flower and colors. When she had questioned him, he said he was going to ask her to marry him at their Christmas Eve get together and wanted it to be perfect. Grace had offered to help him in any way she could.

  “We better get home and rescue them both. Do we have enough wrapping paper left?”

  Grace nodded as they reached the jeep. Trent had been worried about them driving Sara’s car in the snow, so had insisted they take his jeep for their shopping excursion. Sara had teased him that he just wanted to get out of having to shop with them and carry their packages.

  ****

  “Wasn’t the Pageant neat? What part of it did you like best, Daniella?” Sara asked as Trent drove them all home.

  “I liked the sugar plum fairies best. Could I be a sugar plum fairy, momma?”

  Grace chuckled, “Well, you’re already pretty sweet. How about you just pretend to be a sugar plum fairy?”

  “Okay,” replied Daniella around a huge yawn. Someone was worn out. She and Trent had built a snowman in the front yard and even decorated it with a scarf, a carrot nose, rocks for eyes, and M&M’s for a mouth. Grace and Sara had been impressed upon their return from shopping.

  “Mr. Trent?”

  “Yeah, sugar?”

  “Could we make another snow people tomorrow?”

  “Snow people?” Sara asked. She had definitely missed something. “You mean snowman?”

  “No, snow people. It wouldn’t be fair if only men got to be made. There’s got to be a momma snow people and kids snow peoples as well.”

  Trent laughed. “Believe me, we’ve already had this conversation. Miss Priss there informed me that only making snowmen was sexist.” Catching Sara’s eyes in the rearview mirror, he saw her try to hide her grin. Looking at Grace, he noticed her blush and looked quickly down. “Now, where does a four year old learn about what’s sexist?”

  “Mommy told it to me, silly. She tells me all kinds of things.” The child had no notion of what a normal four year old should know or say. Kindergarten was going to be fun for someone.

  “Well, I can’t help it if I don’t have anyone else to talk to. I’ve been talking to her like an adult since she was born. Most of the time, she doesn’t repeat the things we talk about. Guess I’m going to have to be more careful, huh?”

  “Maybe a little. It was cute though.” Trent chuckled and turned his attention back to his driving.

  Grace leaned over and whispered to Sara. Trent couldn’t make out what was being said, but Sara blushed as red as cherries and quickly shook her head. Very interesting, he thought.

  Pulling up to the house, Trent carried the now sleeping Daniella into the house and laid her upon the rollaway bed in the guest room. Bidding Grace goodnight, he returned to the family room to see Sara standing next to the tree staring at the lights.

  Coming up behind her, he turned her into his arms and hugged her close for a moment. Looking down at her, he could see that she was thinking har
d about something. “What’s going on in that mind of yours?”

  Sara swallowed and took a deep breath before she replied. “Trent, the last several weeks have been awesome and some of the best in my adult life.”

  “I feel the same way, sweetheart.”

  “Well, I’ve wanted to tell you something, but it’s never seemed like the right time.”

  “What’s wrong with right now? I’m all yours.” Trent guided her over to the couch and sat down, pulling her into his lap in the process.

  “Oh, well…”

  “Just relax. Now, tell me what you’ve been trying to work the nerve up to say. It can’t be that bad.”

  “It’s not bad at all,” Sara protested.

  “Well, I wouldn’t know about that, since you haven’t told me what it is.”