I'll Be Home for Christmas

by Lori Wilde

  Tatum’s eyes flicked from Joe to Gabi and back again. “Oh, don’t tell me this is the new girlfriend. You and Little Miss By-the-Book?” Tatum’s melodious laughter sounded like wind chimes.

  Damn the woman. She even laughed pretty.

  “Tatum.” His voice had the warning tone of a rattlesnake’s rattle.

  She pushed out her lips in a pout. “You really have changed, Joey.”

  “Yes, I have.” He held out his hand.

  Tatum rolled her eyes to the ceiling, bobbled her head back and forth, and let out an exaggerated sigh.

  “Okay, spoilsport.” She pulled the chocolate bar from her back pocket and dropped it into Joe’s upturned palm.

  “Thank you,” he said.

  “You look good.” Tatum raked her gaze over him. “Real good.”

  “Where’s Casey?”

  “I dropped her off at the library for story hour. That girl loves books. I have no idea where she got that.” Tatum shook her head.

  Casey’s love of books made Gabi like her already. As a child, books had been both her escape and the glue that held her together during Derrick’s prolonged illness.

  “When can I see her?” Joe asked Tatum, his voice taut.

  “Tonight,” Tatum said. “Come by the house. I’m cooking dinner. Swiss steak. Your favorite.”

  Joe’s jaw tightened. “What time?”

  “Six.” Tatum spun her cart around. “See you then.”

  Gabi stood there not knowing what to say or do. Joe put the chocolate bar back on the shelf and Tatum sauntered away.

  “Wow,” Gabi said. “Just wow. That’s your ex-wife.”

  “Key emphasis on ‘ex.’” He chuffed out a deep breath. “Look, I’ve got something to tell you, but I don’t want to do it in the middle of the snack aisle of Grant’s Grocery.”

  “You sound serious.” A creepy-crawly sensation tickled the back of her neck. “Is it bad?”

  He angled his head in the direction Tatum had disappeared. “It’s about her.”

  “So it is bad.”

  “It’s got nothing to do with us,” he said. “But you deserve to know.”

  “Just tell me.” She held up a hand. “No, wait. Do I even want to know this?”

  “Probably not. I don’t want to know it.”

  His eyes, which were normally so light and lively, turned dark and somber. “That phone call I got this morning when you asked me if I needed a rain check …”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “It was Tatum.”

  “And?”

  “She got thrown out of her apartment in New Mexico. She’s got no place to go.”

  “What about her family?’

  “They’re as big a mess as she is.”

  “What about the aunt you send the money to for Casey?”

  “She’s got health issues.”

  “So you get to take care of her by default?”

  “I’m not taking care of her,” he said adamantly. “I’m providing a safe environment for Casey.”

  “It’s a pity you can’t take in Casey and leave Tatum to her own means.”

  “It’s a bad situation, I agree, but it is Christmas.”

  Gabi’s stomach flip-flopped and her fingertips went icy. “So you’re letting Tatum move in with you?”

  “Oh God no.” He shoved a frustrated hand through his hair. “I’m not insane. I told her she could stay in the rent house until she could make other arrangements. It’s only temporary. Only through the holidays. I want to give Casey the best Christmas ever.”

  “You don’t owe me any explanation.”

  “I’m not any happier about this than you are.”

  “I’m fine,” she said tightly, wishing he hadn’t given her this news in the grocery store. Then again, since she was in the snack aisle, she could drown her sorrows in Oreos. “It really is none of my business, but I thought you just said she needs to learn from her mistakes.”

  He looked sheepish, pressed a palm to the nape of his neck. “I talk a good game—”

  “But when push comes to shove, you’re always there to rescue her.” Part of her admired his loyalty, while another part feared that same loyalty would always trip him up.

  “It’s not like that. It’s about Casey.”

  “Hey.” Gabi shrugged like she couldn’t care less. “It’s your life.”

  “Gabi.” His voice lowered, deepened and his hand moved from her shoulder to her chin, and he tilted her face up to meet his gaze.

  Her heart was pounding so hard she feared it would beat a crater through her chest. “Yes?” she whispered.

  “You’re the one I’m interested in.” His eyes, full of hot intent, drilled straight into her, making her feel desired and admired. “Just you. Got it?”

  How she wanted to wrap those feelings around her and soak up all the good things his words and meaningful stare promised. Dangerous. It was far too dangerous.

  “How about I come by later,” he said.

  “After dinner with Tatum?”

  He winced. “With Casey.”

  “I think you’ve got enough complications in your life,” Gabi said. “You don’t need to add me to the list.”

  “Give me a few days to get this sorted out.”

  Gabi leveled him a cool stare because she didn’t want him to see how unhappy she was about the turn of events. She had no claims on the man. None whatsoever. They’d had a hot night together, but that’s all it was going to be. “There’s no need, Joe. I’m not going to be in town long enough to matter. Concentrate on Casey.”

  “I don’t want to leave things this way.”

  “You’ve got more important things on your plate than a romance with me.” Gabi took a deep breath. “I don’t mean to be presumptuous, but could I give you some advice?”

  “I’d love to hear what you have to say.” He jammed his hands into his front pockets, hunched his shoulders up around his chin.

  “Talk to a lawyer about Casey. I know she isn’t your biological daughter, but maybe there’s a legal loophole that would give you some kind of rights.”

  A fire of hope flickered in his eyes and he dropped his shoulders, pulled his spine up tall. “You think that’s possible?”

  “I don’t know,” she admitted. “But you’ll never know unless you try.”

  It was her own fault.

  Even though she’d told herself that sex with Joe was simply a fling, last night had meant much more to her. And she thought it had meant more to him too. But then she’d talked to Brittany the barista and the other nodding women in the coffee shop.

  And she’d met his candy-bar-shoplifting ex-wife.

  No wonder he was soured on long-term commitment. Who could blame him when he’d been married to someone like Tatum?

  Still, he must have cared for her once and the woman was so beautiful. A lot of guys would overlook her thievery just to get next to that body. And who was she to judge Tatum? She had no idea what the woman had been through. Clearly, she had emotional issues.

  But Tatum had one big draw. She had Casey, and even though Joe wasn’t the girl’s biological dad, whenever he talked about her, it was clear that he adored her.

  Gabi ate half a bag of Oreos and watched people bake prize-winning cakes on the Food Network.

  Would Tatum try to seduce Joe? Would he let her if she did?

  At dusk, she went outside to lock the chicken pen and couldn’t resist a glance over at Joe’s house. It was dark and there were no lights on. But of course, he was having dinner with Tatum and Casey.

  Inside the pen the chickens were on the roost, safe and sound. “You look cozy,” she said. “Birds of a feather and all that.”

  Honey cocked her head and studied Gabi.

  “Maybe I should just go home. I don’t really belong here.” Gabi ran her palms over the tops of her thighs, and the urge to pack her bags and flee was strong. “But that wouldn’t be fair to Katie. Looks like I’m stuck here for the duration.”

>   Honey clucked.

  “Yes, you’re right. I didn’t know about Joe when I came here. I need to remember my purpose in coming. Thanks, Honey, you’ve been a big help.”

  Great. She was officially so lonely she was talking to chickens. But even as lonely as she was feeling right now, it was far less lonely than she used to feel as a child. Especially after Derrick died.

  And her parents still hadn’t noticed she was gone.

  Gabi trailed back into the house. Checked her e-mail and social media. There were a few posts from friends but nothing from her parents. She thought about calling Katie for advice, but remembered how she’d warned Gabi off from getting involved with Joe.

  Well, crap. She could wallow in self-pity or she could do what she came for. Celebrate in a cool town that embraced Christmas. And that’s exactly what she was going to do.

  Determined, she got in the car and drove back to town.

  CHAPTER 17

  Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.

  —Eric Sevareid

  That morning, when Joe had returned to the yurt after seeing Gramps in the hospital, his mother had called to tell him Tatum had shown up at their house looking for a place to stay. Resolved not to let anything ruin his time with Gabi, he’d put Tatum out of his mind.

  But eventually, he’d had to address the situation.

  After he left Gabi’s, he had called his mother back. “Where is she?”

  “Sitting at my breakfast table having hot chocolate and blueberry muffins,” his mother said, her voice low.

  “Casey or Tatum?”

  “Both.”

  Twin emotions grabbed hold of him at once. Frustration with Tatum mixed with the joyous thought of seeing Casey again.

  “Joe,” his mother said. “They can stay here with us.”

  “No,” he said. “Tatum is a user. Do not open that door.”

  “It’s Christmas,” his mother said.

  “I’m not going to let her impose on you and Dad.”

  “We don’t mind.”

  “I do.” Tatum was his mess. It was his job to clean it up. He’d caused his parents enough grief during his misspent youth.

  “She can’t stay with you.” His mother’s voice turned stern. “Tatum will try to get back in your good graces.”

  “Believe me, I know that.”

  “Maybe Jenny and Dean have room at the Merry Cherub.”

  “You know they’re booked solid this time of year and even if they weren’t I wouldn’t take revenue from them by asking them to put Tatum up.”

  “Do you want me to ask her if she’ll let Casey stay with us while she finds accommodations for herself?” his mother whispered.

  “Thanks for volunteering, but this is my problem, not yours.”

  “Joe, we’re here to help. That’s what family is for. Just like you zoomed home to take over the farm for Gramps.”

  “I know, Mom. I do appreciate the offer, but I’ll deal with it.”

  “All right, dear. Just know that you don’t have to go this alone.”

  Joe blew out a long-held breath. “Could you give her the spare key to my rent house? Since it’s furnished, she can move right in. I’d do it, but I’m committed to judging the Christmas car show competition at ten.”

  “If you get her in there, no telling when you’ll get her out.”

  “I know, but at least Casey will have a solid roof over her head and be close by so we all can keep an eye on her.”

  “Good point. If you’re sure …” Her voice trailed off.

  Joe unclenched his jaw and forced himself to say, “I’m sure.”

  “All right. I’ll take her over there now.”

  “Thanks, Mom. I owe you.”

  “Never,” she said. “All in the parental job description.”

  “Um …”

  “Is there something else, son?”

  “I invited Katie’s houseguest to our Christmas party. I hope that’s okay.”

  “Of course it is. You know my motto, the more the merrier. I’ve been meaning to come around to meet her but this year has been extra crazy busy with your grandfather in the hospital.” His mom started rattling off all the things on her to-do list.

  “Let me know what I can do to help,” he said, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

  “Don’t worry,” she said. “I will. It’s fifteen to ten. You better scoot to the car show.”

  “Bye, and thanks again.” Feeling a mix of things, he’d hung up.

  He was feeling a similar mix of emotions now as he walked up the sidewalk to the modest Craftsman house he’d bought as a rental investment, his heart in his throat—anger and frustration at Tatum, happiness over seeing Casey again. But nervous too. Damn nervous.

  Would he recognize her? Would she remember him? What would he say to her? Would it be awkward? Should he hug her? Make jokes?

  There was also a tinge of hope. Hope that maybe this time Tatum would stay put in Twilight so he could watch Casey grow up. And if she didn’t stay put, hope spurred by Gabi’s suggestion to see a lawyer and see if he had any kind of rights. It was a long shot. But Casey was worth taking that step.

  He remembered the last time he had seen her—six years old, gap-toothed, pigtails, sharp brown eyes the color of his own—and his pulse quickened along with his steps.

  Joe saw the mini-blinds move and two brown eyes peep through the slates and suddenly excitement stole his breath. Casey was here, in his house. It made him feel important and fatherly, somehow. His girl was back where she belonged.

  Home.

  The sun was long gone and the Christmas lights on the houses in the neighborhood had started to come on. Somewhere, someone was baking cookies, the scent rode the air.

  The front door flew open and a blur of thin young legs encased in pink sweatpants raced toward him. “Daddy Joe! Daddy Joe!”

  A lump of love rose in his throat, so big and bright he feared it might choke him. He dropped to his knees on the chilly paver stones, threw his arms wide, and grabbed on tight as Casey flung herself against him.

  He wrapped his arms around her as tightly as she wrapped her small arms around him and they both were laughing and he was trembling a little. Hell, a lot. He had not expected a welcome like this.

  She smelled the way his nieces and nephews smelled, like endless energy and sunshine. She was taller and leaner and she wore her hair shorter, cut to her chin in a style that swung loose when she moved.

  “I missed you so much, Daddy Joe!” Casey breathed against his neck and hugged him again.

  “I didn’t know if you’d remember me,” he confessed, his chest tight as a drum, wallowing in the moment.

  Casey pulled back to eye him. “I ’member you in my prayers every night.”

  “You still say your prayers?”

  She nodded and pressed her palms together. “Just like you taught me.”

  “I thought you would have forgotten by now.”

  She slanted her head and gave him a sideways glance that made her look all grown-up. “I didn’t forget anything you taught me. See.” She stuck her fingers in her mouth and let loose with an eardrum-piercing whistle.

  “Casey,” Tatum scolded from the doorstep, where she stood huddled in an oversized sweat and slouch socks. “Knock that off.”

  Casey turned back to Joe, rolled her eyes, and whispered, “She hates it when I do any of the things you taught.” With an impish gleam in her eyes, she added, “So I do them all.”

  “That’s not the way to get along with your mother,” he said, touched by her loyalty to him, but concerned by the way she disrespected Tatum. That was not a good situation.

  “There is no way to get along with her.” Casey’s face looked so woefully worldly, it tore at his heart. Only eight years old and wise beyond her years.

  “I’m freezing.” Tatum shivered on the porch, looking painfully alone. �
�I’m going inside. Come in if you’re coming.”

  Because of the little girl clinging to his hand, Joe did the one thing he did not want to do. He went to have dinner with his ex-wife.

  After dinner, he stayed and watched Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer because Casey begged. When it was over, he told Casey good night and headed for the door.

  Tatum followed after him. “Thanks,” she said. “For letting us stay here.”

  “Casey needs a roof over her head,” he said. “Don’t read anything more into it than that.”

  Tatum leaned against the door frame, eyed him with a melancholy gaze. “That woman I saw you with at Grant’s … you serious about her?”

  “Yes,” Joe said simply. “I am.”

  “So you and me?” her voice went up on a hopeful note.

  “I closed the chapter of that book a long time ago.”

  Tatum nodded. “I blew it. I know.”

  “More than once,” he said without emotion. He wasn’t angry anymore.

  “You’re good with her,” Tatum murmured, and nodded toward the couch where Casey was sitting. “Better than I am.”

  “Try harder, Tatum. She needs a mother she can respect.”

  Tatum’s head bobbed.

  “The way you’re living your life …” He cleared his throat. “It’s not fair to her. Moving from pillar to post, yanking her out of school, men coming in and out of your life. Sound familiar?”

  “My mother all over again. History repeating itself.”

  “Stop the cycle,” he said. “Get yourself together.”

  “I’m working on it. Why do you think I came back to Twilight?”

  “Good. I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Are you really, Joe? Are you really?”

  “Yes,” he said. Because Twilight was good for Tatum and whatever was good for Tatum was good for Casey, but he couldn’t help thinking that her being here was putting a damper on his relationship with Gabi.

  Gabi.

  All the way back to the farm, he thought of Gabi. The closer he got, the stronger his heart pumped, increasing in tempo until it was pounding in his ears. Last night had been magical, this morning even more so. There was such chemistry between them. Christ, he could almost taste her.

  As he turned down their road, it was all he could do not to pull into her driveway, but he knew he needed to give her time and space to think about things. Maybe she’d change her mind. He parked the pickup in front of his house and got out.