“Kiss.”
Christopher smiled. “It’s gonna take a lot more than just a kiss, buddy.”
He gave Robin a final hug and kiss, and tucked him back under the covers.
“Goodnight, Robby.”
“Night Night, Daddy.”
Standing up, Christopher walked silently out of the room and shut the door lightly behind him.
He walked down the hall to Lacey’s room. He knocked gently on the door. When she bid him to enter, he opened it and went in.
“Hi, sweetheart,” he said. “Can I talk to you a minute?”
She nodded and sat up higher in bed.
Christopher walked over and sat down at the foot of her bed.
“Lacey, I know I’m not your favorite person right now, but I want to make sure that you know how much I wanted to be there tonight. And not just that, but how important you are to me. I would never purposefully hurt you.”
“I know,” she murmured. “But I wanted you there, Daddy. I was so nervous, and then when I looked out and saw Mommy, and Robin and even Grandma and Pop Pop and you weren’t there…it made me sad.”
“You’re right, Lacey. My not being there put a damper on your big night. I can’t explain, other than to say that I had a crisis at the farm that couldn’t be avoided. It was my responsibility as the man in charge, and I had to stay there and make sure it got fixed. I realize that it doesn’t help your disappointment, but it was the only reason I wasn’t there, Lacey. I hope in time you can forgive me.”
She was silent for a few moments before she said, “I already forgave you, Dad. I know emergencies come up. I’m over it.”
He scrutinized her closely. That wasn’t a complete truth, but he didn’t press his luck. He moved closer and gathered her in his arms. He kissed the top of her head.
“I love you, Lacey.”
“I love you, too, Dad.”
He tucked her in like he’d done Robin. He was about to leave when he noticed the penguin he’d given her sitting on her window seat. She had brought it upstairs. It made him smile. Turning out the light, Christopher stepped out into the hallway, shutting the door gently behind him. He walked further down the hall, squared his shoulders, and went into his bedroom.
Yvette was lying in bed, using her laptop. She glanced up when he walked into the room and shut the door.
“Hi,” he said, sitting on his side of the bed and facing her.
“Hi,” she replied before shutting her laptop and setting it on the floor.
“I just came from Lacey’s room.”
“Is she okay?”
“Yes. I…I wanted to make sure that she and I were okay before she went to bed. It was important for her to know that I would never intentionally hurt her, or not be there for her.”
“I’m glad,” Yvette told him. “I’m sure that meant a lot to her.”
“Yvie, it wasn’t my intention to let you, or Lacey down tonight.”
“I know, Chris, but I don’t understand what happened. What could possibly have been more important than being here for your family? Whatever incident happened on the farm couldn’t wait until tomorrow to clear up?”
“No, it couldn’t. Yvie, I couldn’t ask the other men to stay and rectify the situation when I wasn’t willing to do the same. That’s not the kind of boss I want to be. I know I disappointed all of you, but…I had to stay until the problems were fixed.”
“What are you even working on?” she asked.
Christopher paused. He didn’t want to lie to her, but he had to. “You know how rickety one of the barns is on the south side of the property. Well, I’m renovating it, and today one of the support beams fell and—”
“Oh my God,” Yvette breathed. “Was anyone hurt?”
“No, everyone was fine, but I didn’t want to leave it like that and risk further damage or someone being hurt. I had to make sure it was fixed.”
She bolted across the bed and into his arms. “Chris, I’m sorry. Why didn’t you just tell me that when you were on the phone earlier? Why all the cloak and dagger? I would’ve understood. We all would have. Your safety and that of the men working on the outbuilding is a priority. We all understand, Chris.”
He hugged her and hated himself for lying, but there was no way to avoid it. His plan was almost completed. Just a few more weeks, and he’d be able to reveal everything to Yvette. He hoped he could keep his true intention a secret long enough.
“I love you, Yvie.” He kissed her passionately.
“I love you, Christopher. So much.”
He released her and then went into the bathroom to take a shower. He would have a talk with Adelaide soon. He hated keeping secrets from his wife, but he needed someone that could help keep Yvette in the dark until he was ready to come clean.
Christopher stepped into the shower. The heated water soothed his tired muscles, and his battered soul. His family was his life, and there was no way he ever wanted to let them down. He had a plan, and he needed to stay the course. If he could pull it off, he’d be the happiest man alive. Just a little while longer, sweetheart. It will be worth it, I promise.
The next morning, the alarm blared into the silence at six o’clock. Yvette groaned and rolled over. She curled into the fetal position and snuggled lower into the covers. Christopher reached his arm out and hit the off button. He took a few more moments to come fully awake. He leaned over and whispered into his wife’s ear.
“I’ve got the kids this morning, sweetheart. You sleep in.”
“You sure?” she murmured.
“Yes. Mom and Dad are coming with breakfast. We’ve got it.”
She muttered something Christopher couldn’t make out before drifting back to sleep. He got up, and padded into the bathroom to splash cold water on his face. The night before coming back to him as the water temperature weaved its way into his conscious and woke him up. Though Yvette had not appeared too angry with him, Christopher knew that she was still disappointed, and that feeling ate at his insides like acid. He wanted to do something nice for her to make it up, but what?
It turned out that an unexpected gift was coming to them by way of his parents.
When they arrived, they had all sorts of goodies with them. Margaret borrowed Yvette’s apron and got to work laying out breakfast. They had a fresh fruit medley, bagels with containers of cream cheese, and muffins, Margaret brought eggs, bacon and sausage and cooked those up while Anthony poured out juice and milk. Christopher made Robin’s breakfast, and then went to wake up Lacey.
Thirty minutes later, the Darcy family was seated around the table enjoying their meal. When Lacey finished, she went upstairs to finish getting ready for camp. The moment she left with her carpool, Margaret looked to her son.
“Chris, your dad and I have a proposition we’d like to discuss with you.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“How about we watch the kids this weekend while you and Yvette have some alone time. Now before you say no, hear me out. Your dad and I know how hard you’ve been working, and all the hours you’ve been putting in at the farm—and while we approve of why, you still need to smooth things over with your wife.”
“Mom, I—”
“We’re not taking no for an answer,” she said, firmly. We’ve booked you and Yvette into a suite at the Umstead. You check in this afternoon. Your dad and I will stay and keep an eye on the kids and Adelaide.”
Christopher was shocked at his parents’ offer. “I don’t know what to say,” he said, humbly.
“Say yes, and whisk that little lady upstairs off for a wonderful getaway,” his father instructed.
“Okay, but—”
“No buts,” his father protested. “We know what you’ve got going, and we can take over if things can’t wait ‘til you get back.”
“I appreciate that, Dad. I think I’ve got the project back on track, so everything should be good for now. I’ll make sure I leave them your cell phone number—just in case.”
Chr
istopher headed upstairs. They’re right. Yvie and I need some time alone to decompress, and the sooner, the better. He had some fences to mend with his wife. He intended to show her just how much he loved her. Starting tonight. With a gleam in his eye, Christopher went to tell Yvette about his parents’ generous offer.
9 CHAPTER NINE
“You wouldn’t believe how relaxed I am,” Yvette gushed as she came into their suite. She sat on the bed and stretched out next to Christopher. He set his laptop down and gazed at her.
“You look it.” He leaned over her and kissed the tip of her nose.
“This place is amazing, Chris. It’s so decadent. I’m going to kiss your parents again when we get home,” she laughed. “This was such a wonderful idea. Why didn’t we think of it? And sooner?”
“I guess when you’re in the trenches every day, it’s hard to see the forest for the trees.”
She nodded. “Still, we have to make sure that we’re taking care of us as a couple, in addition to us as a family.”
He traced a finger down the front of her shirt from her neck to her waist. “I agree wholeheartedly. So, my beautiful wife. What would you like to do now? Anything you want.”
She glanced up at him. “Anything?” she said, seductively.
A fire lit in Christopher’s gaze in reaction to her heated stare. “I’m at your disposal, baby.”
“Good. In that case, I’m in the mood for a bubble bath—with you.”
He was off the bed in an instant, and holding his hand out to help Yvette up. “Whatever my Snow Queen wants, she gets.”
***
Two hours later, they were in the restaurant looking over the menu.
“I don’t have any idea what I want,” Yvette said, in consternation. “Everything looks so good.”
“From where I’m sitting, you’re absolutely right.”
There was a note in his voice that caused Yvette to peek at him from over the top of her menu. “Are we still talking about food?”
He gave her a look that would have melted butter in an ice storm. “If I must.”
“Maybe we should order room service instead,” she said, boldly.
Christopher leaned in closer. “Say the word, and we’re gone.”
Before Yvette could answer, her cell phone rang.
“Let it ring,” he replied.
“I can’t, it’s your mom.”
Yvette answered the phone. “Hi, Margaret.”
“Hi, honey. I’m sorry to interrupt your weekend, but I thought you should know that Robin has a bit of a fever. I’ve given him some Children’s Tylenol, and he’s lying down.”
“Oh my,” Yvette said.
Christopher looked at her with concern. “What?” he mouthed.
“Robin’s sick,” she whispered. “He’s got a fever.”
“You know I wouldn’t think of ruining your evening, but…he wants his mommy.”
“No problem, Margaret. We’ll leave as soon as we can get packed. Tell him Mommy and Daddy are going to be there soon.” Yvette hung up, and gazed across the table at her husband.
“Don’t worry. I just signaled the waiter.”
“Chris, I—”
He reached across the table and took her hand in his. “Sweetheart, it’s fine. I’m happy we got to spend the time alone that we did, but Robby’s sick. There’ll be other weekends.” He winked.
Yvette nodded. “I love you.”
“And I you.”
They packed in record time, and checked out. When they got home, Christopher’s parents were in the family room watching The Wizard of Oz, with Robin lying on Margaret’s lap, but with his grandfather supporting his feet. He was wrapped in his favorite blanket, and though his face was flushed, he was watching the show with avid interest. When he saw his parents, he scooted off the couch and ran to his mother.
“Mommy, up.”
“Hi, sweetie,” Yvette said, picking him up and holding him close.
“I shick, Mommy.”
“You’re sick? Oh my. Are you ready for bed?”
He nodded and lay his head on her shoulder. “I go night-night.”
“Hey, little man.” Christopher rubbed his son’s back.
Robin leaned across and his father picked him up. “I’ll take him up. Leave the bags; I’ll get them after I put him down.”
“I’ll get him some juice, and meet you upstairs,” she told him.
She turned to her in-laws after Christopher left. “Thank you both so much, we had such a great time.”
“We’re just sorry you had to cut it short,” Margaret replied.
“Oh no, it’s was fine. We promised that we would do it again—soon. We appreciate you both for giving us the nudge we needed, and for springing for such a wonderful surprise.”
“Our pleasure,” Anthony replied. “We’d better get going.”
“You two must be wiped out. How was Lacey?”
“She was just fine, and a big help with Robby. Adelaide’s gone to bed already, and we’ve made reservations at our favorite hotel again, so don’t you worry about us,” Margaret added. “Tony and I had a great time holding the fort down.”
Yvette hugged them. “I love you both.”
“We love you, too, honey. Adelaide said she’s going to be leaving soon. I told her that she can give us a holler if she needs anything, and we’ll be there in a flash. She said she may come up to Winter Wishes to visit soon.”
“I’m so glad you two are friends,” Yvette said, warmly.
“Me, too,” Margaret smiled looking over at her husband. “We take turns beating Tony in Bid Whist.”
Anthony rolled his eyes. “What they don’t know is I let them win.”
Yvette traded places with Christopher so that he could see his parents out. When he got back inside, he locked up, and doused the lights. Next, he went to check on Lacey. She and Adelaide were sound asleep. He kissed his daughter’s forehead, and quietly left the room.
When he went into his room, he was surprised to see Yvette alone. He came over and sat next to her on the bed. “I thought Robin would be in here with you.”
“He fell asleep the moment I laid him in his bed.”
“Good. He needs the rest. You wanna take the Lacey or Robin shift?”
Yvette laughed. “I’ll take Robby if he gets up.”
They always traded off on duties, so when a child was sick, one would take care of them if they were needed in the night, and the other would take care of the morning responsibilities.
“Okay.”
Later, when they were curled up in bed, Christopher leaned over and whispered into her ear, “Thanks for the great weekend, sweetheart. Especially the bubble bath.”
“Oh you liked that, did you? I think we’ll definitely have to…take a bubble bath more often.”
They shared a laugh at that, and eventually drifted off into a sound sleep.
***
For every one step forward, I feel like we’ve taken one step back. Yvette glanced at the clock on the wall. Ten o’clock, and Christopher still wasn’t home—again.
His hectic work schedule was starting to really wear on her nerves. He’d missed dinner and spending time with the family three times during the week. She was exhausted from having to pull double duty with the kids. Lacey had been a big help, but even so, Christopher’s presence was definitely missed.
To make matters worse, when she had spoken with Margaret that night, she said she hadn’t seen Christopher since early that afternoon. If he was there, how could she miss him? Granted, it was a huge farm, but still. When he was there late, he usually ate with them, and let them know before he headed home, but Margaret had said that Christopher didn’t eat dinner with them. At that point, she had lamented to Margaret how much Christopher’s hectic work schedule was disrupting their family life.
“We told Chris a while ago that all he had to do was say the word and we’d hire someone to take more of the load, but he wasn’t having it. He is as stubborn a
s his father when he wants to be.”
“Hey,” Anthony said loudly in the background.
Yvette was upset, but she had to laugh at the indignant tone in his voice.
She glanced at the clock again. Where was he? She was about to phone him again, when she heard the garage door go up. Finally.
She got up and went downstairs. When she reached the kitchen, Christopher had his head in the refrigerator. He straightened and closed the door. Two things occurred after that. The first was that Yvette could tell immediately that he was angry, and the second was it was directed at her.
“I would’ve thought you’d be sleep by now,” he said, flatly.
“Why would you think that? When do I ever go to bed before you make it home safe?”
“Yeah, I get that you’re worried about me. Trust me, I get it.”
She frowned. “What does that even mean, and why do you have an attitude with me? You’re the one that’s been missing in action lately.”
“That’s true, and something that you just had to go drag my mother into a discussion that you should’ve had with me,” he accused.
She stared at him. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh come on. Really, Yvie? You complained to my mother about my work schedule. So much so, that she and Dad are ready to hire someone to be my partner in running the place. Sound familiar now?”
Yvette blanched. She was just venting to Margaret. She had no idea that she would press Christopher about it.
“Oh, now you’ve got nothing to say?”
She sighed heavily. “I was just…I didn’t know your mother would mention our conversation to you, Chris. I was merely voicing my frustration. Nothing more.”
“Was that even necessary? I’m at work, Yvie,” he said, tiredly. “I realize that it’s been a tremendous burden on you this week, but—”
“It’s not just this week, Christopher. This has been going on for some time. How long do you think you can continue commuting like this? You’re spending more time on the highway than with your family.”
“Look, I’m tired, and I really don’t want to argue anymore. I’m going to bed.”
Two Hearts for Christmast Page 5
