by Mary Manners
Wisdom…there was only one place to truly find what he sought. Moonlight spilled through the window, bathing Riley as he opened the drawer of the bedside table and withdrew the Bible Gramps had given him on his eighteenth birthday. It was still there, where he’d placed it when he left Maple Ridge for law school. He didn’t think he’d need it, figured he had all the answers to what he’d been through and what was coming. Now, he wondered how he could have ever been so foolish.
Riley slipped onto the edge of the bed, taking the Book with him. Flipping open the cover, he reread the inscription Gramps had penned long before the Alzheimer’s claimed him. He brushed his fingers over the letters as he read the words.
Dear Riley,
The years have claimed your childhood and formed you into a man ready to sample all the world has to offer. Be selective and use care with those you encounter. Like actions, words can never truly be retracted. This world has its rules and laws, but remember that the only true laws that matter are those assigned from above and that the greatest reference book known to man is the Bible.
In your life, you’ve experienced heartache beyond measure. The Lord never promised we would be without hurt and conflict, only that He would stand with us through the turmoil. Seek His strength and guidance in all you do.
It pains me to know your heart is riddled with resentment and fury. Much as a glass weakened by fissures fails to retain water, your heart is powerless to accept and hold onto the immeasurable love that waits for you. True healing begins with forgiveness, son. Letting go allows us to hold on.
Begin your journey with James 5:16…“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
Know, Riley, that you remain covered in fervent prayer as you step into the world. Allow the Lord to be your Guide and Counselor. Walk with Him and no matter the struggles you may encounter during the course of your journey, you will never be alone.
Godspeed, my son,
Gramps
6
Kaylee eased into line beside Riley and Rosie.
“Did you find everything you need?” he murmured.
Rosie was distracted by the jolly guy in a Santa suit and flanked by cheery elves. Her eyes were round and shiny as silver dollars while they stood three deep in the line. She paid no attention whatsoever to the grownup chatter.
“I did. Thanks for giving me the keys to the Escalade.” Kaylee handed them to him, winking. “I slipped the gifts into the trunk and covered them with the blanket you left there. We should have one very happy little girl come Christmas morning.”
We…the world had skated out. Kaylee wondered if it was a sign of some internal change. Not a day had passed since Riley’s return that he hadn’t come to see her and Rosie. She wondered how long it would take for him to grow tired of Maple Ridge and decide it was time to leave once more. She tried not to think about it—or what losing him again would do to her heart.
“Who knew there were this many kids that wanted to put in a special order with Santa?”
“Saturday afternoon probably wasn’t the best choice to come.” But it was the only day she could get away from her duties at the hospital. “Thank you for waiting with Rosie so I could...” She glanced at Rosie, “…fill a special order or two.”
“It’s been…interesting.”
“Well, Santa has nothing on me.”
“Is that so?” Riley’s lips curved into a grin, making Kaylee wonder what he had up his sleeve. She assumed Rosie had filled his ear with her requests as the two shared chocolate chip cookies while waiting together in line. Riley’s generosity had given Kaylee a chance to snag a few of the toys she knew Rosie wanted, including a doll that cried and drank from a bottle and a couple of board games they could all enjoy together—if Riley remained in Maple Ridge. “We’ve almost made it through the gauntlet. Is your camera ready?”
Kaylee held up her cell phone. “Right here.”
“Good, because it’s show time.”
One spritely elf dropped the velvet rope barrier with a pert nod and a smile, and Rosie skipped through to scamper up to Santa. Without reservation, she climbed into the red-suited man’s ample lap. Kaylee snapped a picture, two, as Rosie leaned over to cup his ear and whisper excitedly. A short, hushed conversation ensued as the man glanced Kaylee’s way. Then, pleased as pie, Rosie offered Kaylee and Riley a little victory wave as she hopped from Santa’s lap and skipped back to grab Riley’s hand. “We can go now, Mom. Santa knows what I want. He promised to bring it, too.”
“And what, exactly, did you ask for?”
“It’s a secret. Only Santa can know.” She skipped down the aisle way, her blonde hair tousled. “But, don’t worry, Mom. Santa promised. And, just like you, he never, ever breaks a promise.”
Great. Kaylee shook her head, feeling the beginnings of a stress headache weaving its way into her brain. She wondered how she would ever manage this one. Just great.
****
“What do you think she asked for?” Riley inquired as Kaylee returned from tucking Rosie into bed. “Did she offer any hints?”
“No.” Kaylee blew a wisp of honey-colored hair from her pretty emerald eyes. “And I have absolutely no idea.”
“I’ll do a little detective work while you’re on your shift at the hospital Monday.”
“How will you manage that with Rosie at school?”
“She told me it’s only a half-day, the last school day before Christmas vacation begins, so I’ll swing by the elementary school and pick her up, take her to lunch.”
“Ah, that’s right.” Kaylee’s lips crooked into a knowing grin. “I planned to knock off work early, too, but if you want to get Rosie, spend a little time, that’s fine. It will give me a chance to run by the novelty shop and pick up her sheep costume for the nativity play.”
“Yes, she mentioned that, as well. I suppose I’ll be by to pick you up about five-thirty on Christmas Eve, and we can head to the church together?” He hadn’t been through the church doors in years, but right now the thought of heading there with Kaylee and Rosie, Gran as well, sounded better than a million dollars. Maybe he was losing his mind, but if this was going insane, he figured there was no one he’d rather head that direction with than Kaylee. “I don’t want to miss it.”
Kaylee crooked an eyebrow at him as she grinned. “She’s got you wrapped around her finger, Riley.”
“There are worse places to be.” He drew the Escalade’s keys from his pocket. “Do you think it’s safe to bring the gifts in?”
“Yes. Rosie was out cold before I left the bedroom. All this excitement…”
“I’ll be right back, then.” He strode through the front door. The air was crisp and cool, ripe with the hint of another round of snow. This just might be the year of the big one, like they’d experienced back in ’93. He’d been just a kid then, and he and Kaylee had spent a good part of the day riding the hills along the east side of the meadow. He’d have to stop by the hardware store, grab a couple of sleds, just in case the clouds dumped enough.
He drew a deep, cleansing breath as he marveled at the turn of events he’d experienced the past few weeks. Rosie was a treat—who knew waiting in line with her to see Santa would be so entertaining? It was almost like being part of a family…almost.
He lifted the SUV’s rear hatch and pulled a large box from the trunk. The label told him the carton contained a dollhouse. Riley sure didn’t know much about dolls and their houses, but with all the intricate parts in the picture, he figured it looked like a two-person construction project. He made a mental note to offer Kaylee help in putting it together.
Next, he withdrew a bag filled with a pair of board games and a doll the size of a real infant. At least Riley thought it was the size of an infant. He’d never seen a newborn in person, up close. Even so, he couldn’t imagine abandoning one. Which brought him ’round to Kaylee again, and reminded him of the le
tter he’d overnighted via certified mail to her brother, Cody, nearly a week ago.
That was one fringe benefit of working for a legal office—connections and the manpower to find people. It didn’t take Riley long at all to locate Cody just where Kaylee said she’d last heard from him—Albuquerque, New Mexico. The letter had solicited a phone call from Cody which lasted nearly half-an-hour, in which Riley gathered necessary information to move things forward. He then quickly followed up by faxing papers. The rest was in God’s hands, but he would do what he could to help Kaylee…and Rosie. Until he was certain of the outcome, he’d keep the details to himself so Kaylee wouldn’t have reason to worry more than she already had, especially this close to Christmas.
Riley secured the hatch with a swing of his hip and returned to the house, where Kaylee waited with a hot cup of coffee and a plate of sugar cookies.
“Rosie’s going to love that doll house.”
“Once it’s put together.” Riley set the box on the floor. “Looks like some project. I’ll gladly volunteer my services.”
“Thanks. That’s awfully kind of you. Perhaps I’ll keep you on retainer.” She stretched to her tiptoes and leaned across the box in his arms to plant a kiss on his cheek. “It’s a job for Christmas Eve, following the nativity and the candlelight service and after Rosie’s been put to bed. I suppose the holiday wouldn’t be complete without an all-nighter, assembling something annoyingly intricate and impossibly tedious.”
“So I’ve heard. It’s all a part of the parenting package and sounds like fun.”
“Same category of fun as a root canal.”
But Kaylee’s laughter told Riley she was looking as forward to the chaos as he.
“And don’t forget about the wrapping part, after it’s all put together.”
“Duly noted.” Riley’s gifts to Kaylee would prove difficult to wrap, as well, but he’d manage anyway.
“I think the coffee and cookies will have to wait.” He set the packages on the floor and slipped his arms around her waist. “Rosie and I did a little shopping, too, before we got in the line to see Santa.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Look up.”
Kaylee’s little gasp told Riley exactly when she saw the sprig of mistletoe hanging over the mantle. She pressed her cheek to his chest, sighing as flames danced along the hearth. “And just what do you suppose we should do with that?”
“Let me show you…”
7
“I never knew a sheep could be so cute.” Riley helped Rosie scoot from the Escalade and then lifted her into his arms.
The wind whispered through leafless trees that bordered the meadow as he pressed her check to his shoulder. Rosie yawned and twined her arms around his neck, holding tight as they started for the stairs to the guest house.
“Or so sleepy. You did a great job in the nativity tonight, sweetie. I’m so proud,” he said.
“Thank you. It made Mom cry, though.”
“Good tears. Moms do that from time to time.”
“Why?”
“Because they get so full of happy that if they don’t let it out somehow, they’ll burst.”
“Oh.” Rosie patted Riley’s cheek. “Do daddies cry sometimes, too?”
“I suppose they do. I’m not sure, though. I’ve never been one.” And I’ve never had one, either, he wanted to add. “Maybe I’ll find out one day.”
“You could be my daddy, and then you’d know for sure.”
“You already have a daddy.”
“Miss Ruth says God is everybody’s daddy. Is that true?”
“If Gran said so, then it’s true.” The words hit home with Riley. Was that what she and Gramps had been trying to get through his head all these years that he’d spent feeling sorry for himself?
“So, we both have the same daddy.” Rosie tucked her cheek against his shoulder. “God must be pretty busy to keep up with everyone.”
“I suppose he is, but he still manages quite well.” Riley shifted feet to glance at Kaylee. He smiled, wondering how she managed to field so many questions.
“Is Santa on his way, Mom?” Rosie gazed into the moonlit, velvet sky, searching for the elusive gift-giver. “Is his sleigh all loaded with lots and lots of presents?”
“He sure is on his way.” Kaylee stuffed Rosie’s costume beneath her arm as she followed Riley up the stairs. “And I’m positive his sleigh is loaded down. He might even have a thing or two for you. We’d better get you into bed so you’ll be fast asleep when he gets here.”
A thing or two…Riley groaned inside. Despite his expertly honed questioning skills and years of practice, Riley had failed to garner any further information on Rosie’s secret request to Santa. The kid was locked tighter than Fort Knox. He could only hope Kaylee had somehow stumbled upon the gift and it waited in her closet to be wrapped.
“We need to put the cookies out.” Rosie yawned again as dusky lashes fluttered against her cheeks. Her words drifted out on a sigh. “Santa told me he likes chocolate chip best, same as me.”
“I’ll take care of it while your mom tucks you in,” Riley handed Rosie off to Kaylee. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Will you be here when I open my presents?”
“Not then, but I’ll see you when you get to Gran’s house for Christmas turkey.”
“Yummy. Mom’s going to help cook, right?”
“We all are.”
“Like a family?”
“Just like a family.” Her words brought a lump to Riley’s throat. He kissed her forehead and waved while Kaylee carried her away. “Sleep tight, sweetie.”
As Kaylee padded down the hallway, Riley plugged in the Christmas lights and switched on the stereo, adding a Christmas CD so soft music filled the room. He glanced up at the mistletoe and thought, with a note of satisfaction, that he might make use of it again a time or two between the present-wrapping and cookie-nibbling.
In the kitchen, he started a pot of coffee and then drew a small plate from the cabinet and filled it with a handful of chocolate chip cookies. As an afterthought, he took a generous bite out of one before setting it atop the pile. A glass of milk, half full, was the perfect accompaniment. He returned to the living room to set the plate on the coffee table. Stepping back, he surveyed the room with a satisfied smile. Everything looked just perfect…from the twinkling tree lights to the small tube he pulled from the pocket of his jacket and tied with a length of ribbon. He was all thumbs when it came to paper and tape, but a ribbon worked just fine. Riley parted two boughs of the Christmas tree and tucked the roll back between the branches where it wouldn’t be easily spotted before morning. He hoped Kaylee would be pleased when she found it there tomorrow.
A flash of headlights through the front window caught Riley’s attention. He stepped to the front door and peered through the curtains. Who would be arriving this time of night? The lights dimmed and the door opened. One look at the driver as he slipped from the seat and Riley’s heart sank.
Cody McKenna, bundled in steel-toed boots and a hooded jacket, started up the stairs.
****
“Here’s the wrapping paper…” Kaylee’s voice lodged in her throat, killing the words as she rounded the doorway and her gaze locked on Cody. She pressed one hand against the doorjamb, propping herself as her legs went weak. “I didn’t expect…”
“Hi, sis.” He shrugged his shoulders and grabbed a cookie from the platter Riley had set on the coffee table. “Sorry to barge in so late, but I finished a job today, drove all the way from Albuquerque to see you. I figured with Christmas and all…” He took a bite of the cookie, reached for the glass of milk. “How’s the kid?”
“Rosie’s good.” Kaylee’s gaze drifted to Riley as a feeling of foreboding welled in the pit of her belly. Suddenly the wood floor turned to eggshells and she tread oh-so-carefully. Riley’s eyes fixed on her, soothing, and the beat of her pulse eased just a bit. “We got in from church a few minutes ago and she’s beat. She was in
a play…”
“Kaylee just tucked her in,” Riley finished. “Rosie’s sleeping.”
“Figured as much, this late. Wouldn’t be right if the kid was still up.” Cody finished off the cookie, grabbed a second. “I’ll bet she’s growing like a weed. She been too much trouble for you, Kay?”
“She’s been just fine.” Kaylee took a tentative step into the living room. Lights twinkled from the tree and the murmur of music drifted. The scene would be just perfect if Cody wasn’t standing smack-dab in the middle of it. And, why couldn’t he call Rosie by name? He’d never, as far as she remembered, used Rosie’s name while speaking to her or about her. Kaylee dropped the wrapping paper on the floor beside the recliner. She forced a smile. “Are you hungry, Cody? Would you like a sandwich? I have some pumpkin pie, eggnog. There’s plenty.”
“No, thanks. These cookies hit the spot.” He cleaned the plate, leaving behind only the one Riley had doctored. “I guess that one’s for the bearded guy.”
“Yes…that one.” Kaylee thought her heart might leap from her chest with the way it pounded against her ribs. “Are you OK, Cody? Do you need something? You’re welcome to stay and share Christmas with us. Riley and I were just getting ready to wrap Rosie’s presents.”
He snatched an ornament from the tree, tinkled the tiny bell. “What did the kid ask for this year?”
“This.” Kaylee showed him the doll house and the board games. “And Riley adopted that kitten for her a few weeks ago.” Princess Fluffy lay nestled in her favorite spot along the tree skirt. “We call her Princess Fluffy.”
“Well, that’s a hoot.” Cody replaced the ornament and then leaned down, scooped the cat into his lap. “She’s a cute little thing. I’ll bet the kid just eats her up.”
“Rosie loves her, yes.”
Suddenly, Cody’s hand stilled along the kitten’s fur and he glanced up, his gaze dark and pointed. “Can I see the kid, Kaylee?” He motioned toward the doorway as his voice rose a notch. “I’d really like to see her.”
