A Family Under the Christmas Tree

by Terri Reed

  “That’s so sad.” Sophie’s voice broke.

  “We were sad. Dad’s heart couldn’t take it. He suffered a heart attack a few months later.”

  Her hand went to her throat. “I’m so sorry. How old were you?”

  “A sophomore in high school. Daniel was already working for the post office by then and he was able to become my guardian even though he was only four years older.”

  Still young. Too young to take on raising a teenager. “I owe Daniel so much for everything he did for me.”

  “You’ve taken in his son,” she said softly.

  “Taking in Troy’s a small price for the years Daniel had sacrificed for me,” he said. “It was Daniel who made sure we had a roof over our heads and food to eat. It was Daniel who pushed me to get good grades and to apply for scholarships.” Guilt swamped him for so many reasons. The sacrifices Daniel had made for him. The time lost between them. “He’d started out as a custodian at the post office and climbed his way up.”

  “He sounds like he was a great guy.”

  He nodded, wishing he’d told Daniel how much he’d appreciated all he’d done, but the drive to succeed had kept David silent. “He was a great guy. When I came west to go to college he followed, taking a job with the city of Bellevue as a carrier. He enjoyed delivering the mail.”

  “It’s a noble profession.”

  “True. Daniel had such a bright outlook on life. He’d taken everything in stride, always believing things would work out. He took solace in his faith and his family, while I found security in my work. That drove us apart in the end.” David’s voice trembled. “I miss my brother.”

  Her arms slid around him. Stunned, he wrapped his arms around her. Her hair smelled like sunshine after a spring rain. He shouldn’t enjoy having her in his embrace as much as he did. And he was helpless to do anything about it. Even if he wanted to.

  CHAPTER

  9

  Now I understand,” Sophie murmured against David’s chest.

  David struggled to comprehend her words. Despite the fact that they were standing on his porch in the cold, he only felt the warmth of holding her in his arms. “Understand what?”

  “Why you have such trouble accepting help. Why you feel obligated to repay any kindness.”

  “I don’t—” Even as he began to protest, he knew what she said was truth. But that was who he was, what made him who he was. He couldn’t change.

  She pulled back and looked into his face. “David, you can’t let your past define who you are.”

  Whoa. He stepped back, letting his arms drop to his sides. “I don’t let the past define me.” A fire ignited deep inside him. “I’m who I am because I fought my way out. I studied hard and won scholarships. Nobody handed me anything.”

  “That’s admirable, but it sounds lonely.”

  “I’m not lonely.” The words rang hollow in the cold night air. He frowned, considering her words. “When I’m at work, I’m surrounded by my employees. And now I have Troy. That’s all I need.”

  He didn’t need anyone else. But looking into her eyes, an empty spot in his heart opened up like a wound. He’d be crazy to think she could fill it. Would want to fill it. She was leaving. She’d made her plan clear. Her life was on the move, wandering the world with her camera. Looking at life through her lens.

  Settling down with a ready-made family wasn’t something she wanted or needed. He’d be setting himself up for regret and heartache if he allowed himself to become too attached to this woman.

  Or to let Troy become too used to having her in their lives. It was imperative that David talk more to Troy tomorrow about Sophie’s temporary status in their lives. This was a nice break from reality for them both, but he didn’t have it in him to fall for Sophie. Not now, while Troy needed him so much. David’s priority had to be on his nephew and his company. There wasn’t room for anyone else. Not even the lovely Sophie.

  “Thank you for explaining. I understand how hard it was for you as a young boy.” She visibly pulled herself together and moved toward the stairs. “Please don’t begrudge Troy the opportunity to be blessed by giving to others.”

  He didn’t like the note of censure in her tone. Or the self-reproach crawling up his throat. He’d been so busy shoring up his defenses against any storm that might hit, he hadn’t taken the time to look outward. To give back to the community. A wave of shame washed over him. He jammed his hands into pockets. “I’m not. I wouldn’t. I think it’s a nice gesture.”

  “Only a gesture?” She considered him for a long moment. “It’s more blessed to give than to receive,” she said. “I never really understood that verse in Acts but now I think I do.”

  Sophie’s words reverberated inside his head. A blessing to give? “I’ve never thought of giving in that way before.”

  “Kindness to others is an expression of faith in God.” She tugged on Riggs’s leash. “It’s late. I should get back to Grandma.”

  Suddenly he didn’t want her to go. He wanted to explore these new thoughts she’d planted inside his head. But the smart thing to do was let her return home so he could figure out his life on his own. Like always. But she’d given him plenty to chew on. “Good night, Sophie.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She and Riggs walked away.

  He stood on the porch long after they’d gone inside Louise’s house. His mind was mired in turmoil. Why had he told her about his childhood? Why did he feel so . . . empty?

  A cry from inside jolted through him. He hurried to Troy’s room. Light from the hallway slashed across Troy’s bed.

  “Daddy!” Troy sat up, his wild-eyed gaze unfocused as he sobbed.

  David’s heart pitched and he gathered Troy close to his chest. “Shhhh. It’s okay. I’ve got you.”

  “Daddy?” Troy clutched at David’s chest. Then his gaze cleared. “Uncle David.” He threw his arms around his neck. “I had a scary dream.”

  “It was only a dream. You’re safe here.” He eased Troy back to the pillow and brushed aside a lock of hair that had fallen into his eyes. “How about if I lay down with you until you fall back to sleep.”

  Troy scooted over to make room.

  David lay down next to his nephew, the narrow bed barely holding his large frame. The boy curled into his side. Tenderness flooded David. Troy was his priority. His family. His to protect. From all of life’s challenges. Including one gorgeous, generous photographer.

  Sophie and Troy loaded the last few presents they’d finished wrapping today into the back of Sophie’s rental car. It was nearly noon and a drizzle had started. Riggs trailed happily along behind them as they’d transferred the gifts from the house to the car.

  David was due back after lunch, which meant they had an hour to drop off the packages at Grandma’s church and get back before he returned from his office.

  After hearing his story last night, she thought it best to deliver their packages while he was at work. She didn’t want to dredge up any more horrible memories for him. Distress lay heavy within her for the traumatic and hard life he and his family had led. And were still leading, what with his brother and sister-in-law’s tragic deaths.

  Why were some people touched by heartache while others never experienced it?

  She’d never gone through loss the way David and his family had. Sure, she resented the time her parents devoted to their careers rather than to her, and the way her older brothers had not liked having their younger sister dogging their every step. But that was petty and paltry compared to the suffering of the Murphy family.

  She knew God never promised life would be fair. He’d only promised He’d be there for those who believed in Him, through the good and the bad. The knowledge didn’t lessen the heartache but did make it bearable.

  “Okay, kiddo, I think we’re all set.” She closed the back hatch. “Jump into your car seat.”

  She stood next to the car and held the door open as Troy scrambled into the backseat, where she’d secured his
car seat. He strapped himself in and gave her the thumbs-up sign. He looked so cute she couldn’t resist taking his picture.

  She opened the front passenger side door to grab her camera where she’d tucked it on the floor. She snapped off several shots of Troy mugging for the camera. Riggs barked and jumped in the car.

  “Oh no you don’t, boy.” She shooed him out.

  “Come up here with me, Riggs,” Grandma called from where she sat on the porch, out of the rain.

  Sophie grabbed him by the collar. “You need to stay and keep Grams company.”

  Grandma had elected to stay behind while Sophie and Troy dropped off the gifts that would be distributed on Christmas Eve. Sophie led Riggs to the porch.

  Grandma took ahold of his collar. “Have fun.”

  “We’ll be back soon.” Sophie kissed Grandma’s cheek and then hurried to the driver’s seat of the SUV, but before she could put the vehicle in reverse, David’s truck pulled in behind her, blocking the driveway. What was he doing home so soon? She hoped nothing was wrong.

  She hopped out and met him at the back end of her car. He popped open an umbrella and held it over them. She appreciated his thoughtfulness. He wore a black suit today, with a light green shirt and a coordinating tie. So handsome. The thrill of attraction flared bright, warming her from the inside out.

  It didn’t matter if he were dressed to impress or relaxed in jeans and unshaven, she could get used to seeing him in all his different versions of attire. Formal, casual . . . or muddy.

  Giving herself a mental shake, she said, “You’re home early. Is everything okay?”

  “Yes.” His gaze went to the cargo area of the SUV. His jaw worked. He rolled his shoulders and met her gaze. “I’d like to come with you and Troy when you drop off the presents. If that’s okay?”

  Delighted and confused by the request, she said, “Of course. We’re going to the church. The gifts won’t be distributed until Christmas Eve.”

  Relief crossed his face. “Give me five minutes to park and change clothes, okay?”

  Puzzling over this turn of events, she nodded. “Sure.”

  He pushed the umbrella into her hands and then hurried back to his truck. While she waited for him, she opened Troy’s door. “Your uncle’s coming with us.”

  “Yay!” Troy’s cheer gladdened her heart.

  “Sophie?” Grandma called from the porch. No doubt she was curious about David’s unscheduled return.

  It was perplexing. Sophie had assumed from David’s reaction yesterday that he wouldn’t want anything to do with today’s mission. What had changed his mind? Why the change of heart? Had her words last night affected him? If so, she was pleased. Either way she was proud of him, because she knew this would cost him emotionally.

  Sophie closed Troy’s door and went to Grandma. She’d confided in her about David’s upbringing this morning over coffee. “David wants to come with us.”

  “Good for him,” Grandma said. “That pleases me.”

  “Me, too.” And it really did.

  She was pleased he’d left work early to be a part of something that meant so much to Troy. And she couldn’t help but be thrilled at spending a bit more time with both of the Murphy boys. Though there was nothing boyish about David.

  He was 100 percent man and her female senses tingled with alertness every time he was near. It was a pleasant feeling—but definitely a dangerous one.

  Just because she was attracted to him didn’t mean she could let her heart get all mushy about him. That would only make it hurt when the time came to leave. It was going to be hard enough saying good-bye to Troy and Grandma as it was. But Sophie and Grandma would Skype and email like they usually did. Maybe she could send postcards to Troy.

  “Invite David and Troy to dinner tonight,” Grandma instructed. “I’d like Simon to meet David. I think that would be a good thing.”

  Sophie wouldn’t mind having more company to offset the awkwardness of meeting the man interested in her grandmother. “I will,” she assured Grandma. “Here he comes. We’ll be back in an hour and then we can start cooking.”

  “I’ll get things prepped while you’re out.”

  They would be cooking all afternoon in preparation for the dinner with Simon. And Grandma had promised to show Sophie how to perfect the persimmon cookies recipe. “Don’t do too much. I want to help.”

  “Then I’ll go through my closet and decide what to wear tonight,” Grandma declared.

  “Something in blue to bring out your eyes,” Sophie suggested.

  Grandma grinned. “Quite right. Gotta play up the only asset I have left.”

  “Grams, that’s not true,” Sophie chided. “You’re beautiful and intelligent and full of life. Any man worth his salt would be blessed to find himself in your company.”

  Grandma’s face turned pink and her eyes sparkled. “Oh, you.”

  Sophie laughed and kissed Grandma on the cheek once again before joining David and Troy in the car. “Off we go,” she said and put the SUV into reverse.

  The drive to the church Grandma attended took ten minutes. Traffic was relatively light as they passed through the heart of the city, but she knew by the time they made the trek back it would be congested with the lunchtime rush and holiday shoppers coming to buy their gifts at the city’s sprawling shopping center in the middle of town.

  The streets and outer windows of the stores and restaurants were decorated with snowflake-shaped lights and green garlands. Though she’d already shopped online and had gifts sent to her parents and siblings, she needed to do some more Christmas shopping so that Grandma had other gifts beside the fuchsia-colored silk scarf she’d bought on Gran Canaria Island.

  And something more for Troy and a gift for David as well. Though what she could possibly get for David was beyond her. A tie, maybe?

  “Uncle David, that’s where you used to live!” Troy exclaimed from the backseat.

  David leaned forward and craned his neck to look upward through the front windshield. “Yep.” He sat back and looked at her. “I had the corner unit on the sixteenth floor.”

  At the stoplight, Sophie dipped her head to stare up at the towering, modern apartment building. Winter sun gleamed off the windows. “You had a good view.”

  “We could see Lake Samish,” Troy said.

  David chuckled. “That’s right. Lake Sammamish.”

  Sophie recognized the name and remembered summers going to the freshwater lake only eight miles away from Grandma’s house. “Nice. Do you miss it?”

  David seemed to consider her words. “Not really. I’m where I’m supposed to be.”

  It thrilled and pleased her to hear him say that. She admired and respected his commitment to his nephew. And to his company. She was really proud of him for giving his staff some paid time off when he could easily have not.

  He twisted around to say to Troy, “What’s your favorite Christmas song?”

  “ ‘Rudolph’!” came Troy’s enthusiastic answer.

  David and Troy sang Christmas songs, their voices filling the SUV. Sophie tapped a finger in rhythm on the steering wheel, marveling how different David was today. Relaxed and buoyant.

  Sophie had a hard time reconciling this man with the one from yesterday who’d been tense and terse. But maybe sharing his past with her had lifted some of the stress from his shoulders?

  She hoped so. For his and Troy’s sake. They deserved to be happy. She wanted them to be happy. And though she was leaving soon, David and Troy would still live next to Grandma. It would be good for all of them to have each other.

  “Hey,” Sophie broke into the boys’ rendition of “Jingle Bells” as Grandma’s request popped into her mind.

  David stopped singing and winced. “That bad, huh?”

  “What?” Oh, he thought she didn’t like his singing. “Quite the contrary. You have a very pleasant voice.” She looked in the rearview mirror and smiled at Troy. “Both of you do. Must be a Murphy thing.”

>   “A Murphy thing!” Troy cheered.

  “I like that,” David said.

  “I aim to please,” she quipped, and then blushed as he dipped his chin and arched an eyebrow. “How do you even know those songs?”

  “Sitting around the fireplace with the family belting out silly Christmas songs didn’t cost anything,” he said quietly.

  She met his steel gray gaze and had no response. The concept of her family gathered around the fireplace and singing together was such a foreign concept. His childhood was so much richer than hers in ways she’d never imagined. He had a depth to him she hadn’t expected. She liked that he felt so comfortable and confident in sharing his voice with her and Troy.

  “Grandma wanted me to ask you and Troy to dinner tonight. She’s invited a friend.” She dropped the volume of her voice to add, “A male friend.”

  “Really?” David shifted in the seat to face her. “Way to go, Grandma.”

  Sophie chuckled. “My thoughts exactly. Only Grams is a little nervous about the whole thing.”

  “So we’d be a nice buffer in case it’s awkward,” he said.

  She gave him a startled glance. “I was thinking the same thing.”

  He grinned and wagged his eyebrows at her. “We’re in sync.”

  She swallowed, though her tongue felt glued to the roof of her mouth and she had to force herself to look straight ahead.

  “We’re in sync.” The words bounced through her, shredding her up inside. She couldn’t be in sync with him. That would be bad. Wouldn’t it?

  She pulled into the parking lot of the church and drove around to the back as Grandma had told her to do. She parked near the back door of the A-frame church building nestled among a lush evergreen landscape. “I’ll go in and see where we’re supposed to take everything.”

  David winked. “We’ll be waiting.”

  Taken aback by his playful mood, she wasn’t sure how to respond, so she didn’t. She hurried inside and asked the church secretary for directions. Armed with instructions, Sophie returned to the car to find David and Troy already unloading packages onto a rolling cart.