A Heartwarming Christmas: A Boxed Set of Twelve Sweet Holiday Romances

by Melinda Curtis

  His phone rang from the kitchen table, and he kissed the top of Lizzy’s head. “Good night, sweetheart.”

  He hurried to the kitchen. What he wouldn’t give to hear her say good-night back. The phone stopped ringing just as he picked it up. Colton. What could he want now? Mark had already told him he couldn’t play their venue. He hesitated, then called him back. Colton would keep calling until he reached him. Now was as good a time as any to find out what he wanted. His friend answered on the first ring.

  “Oh, man, thanks for getting back with me so soon.”

  “What do you want, Colton?”

  “You have to help us out. Just one night. That’s all—”

  “I can’t. I have a daughter, responsibilities now.”

  “You have to—we have this record producer from California coming to hear us, and the guitar player didn’t work out. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, man. Just this once, so we can nail a contract.”

  A producer from California? Mark wavered. This was a biggie. If the producer liked the band, this could be their big break. “When is it? And where?”

  “Next Saturday night—the nineteenth, and it’s just fifty miles from Christmas Town. He’s flying in Saturday, just to hear us and then back out again. We rearranged the lineup so that we’re the first act. You can be home by nine o’clock.”

  Mark licked his lips. He hadn’t made plans for that night. “How about practicing together? I can’t leave Lizzy.”

  “Man, you know us inside out. We’re playing all the old stuff that you’re familiar with, but I’ll send you the music so you can work on it. We’ll practice Saturday afternoon. It’ll be great.”

  Colton sounded so hopeful, he couldn’t say no. “Send me directions on where this place is while you’re at it.”

  What would Amy say? The thought hit Mark after he hung up, and he almost called his friend back to cancel. For the same reason he’d said yes in the first place, he didn’t make the call. He’d just have to make her understand the circumstances and that it was only for one time.

  Chapter 6

  Friday afternoon, Amy returned the contract from the university to the white envelope it came in and laid it on her desk. What are you waiting for? Sign it and get on with your life. But what if her life was here, in Christmas Town with Mark and Lizzy?

  Last Saturday night wasn’t the last time he kissed her. And she’d happily informed Teri that she no longer needed a date for the Christmas Eve Pageant. They might even end up under the mistletoe hanging on the arches to the greens, and it wouldn’t be like the last time.

  The white envelope mocked her, and she groaned. Why did he have to come back into her life right now with his kisses and promises? And bring a daughter who needed her?

  Give us a chance. But what if he disappointed her again? He had once. But he didn’t have Lizzy then. Amy didn’t think anything was strong enough to break the bond between Mark and his daughter. Not even the band.

  Teri stuck her head in the office. “Mark and Lizzy are here, and they’re not by themselves. The grandparents are with them.”

  Mark had said they’d returned to Christmas Town last night, and he’d asked them to come and observe a session. They must have taken him up on it. Amy shoved the contract in a drawer and hurried to meet them. She’d wanted to invite Mark and Lizzy for pizza at the farmhouse tomorrow night. But not in front of the Grahams.

  “Hey, you two,” she said to father and daughter, then she held out her hand to the grandparents. “I’m glad you could come. When did you get into town?”

  “Last night,” Connie Graham said. “We can’t believe how happy Lizzy is. Mark said it was because of the pony and the therapy, and we wanted to come see for ourselves.”

  Amy shifted her gaze to Gerald’s impassive face. The couple was not on the same page. Or maybe sour was his normal expression. “Well, let’s get started.”

  As Lizzy and Teri groomed Ginger, Amy explained that Lizzy had bonded with the pony because Ginger accepted Lizzy just the way she was.

  Gerald still didn’t look convinced. “You always make her wear the helmet?”

  “Yes, sir. None of the children get near the horses without a helmet.”

  “Lizzy likes the blue one because it glitters,” Mark added.

  She shot a quick glance at him. He seemed much more relaxed around his former in-laws. Maybe they’d come to an understanding.

  Because Amy explained every aspect of the session, it took longer. She was pleased that Lizzy responded to the verbal commands. She hadn’t expected her to speak, especially with the grandparents there. But it would have been nice.

  She’d like to discuss the accident with the Grahams and what Lizzy had been told about her mother’s death. It was hard to figure out what went on in a five-year-old's mind, but she suspected there was more going on with Lizzy than simple anxiety.

  “I don’t exactly understand this horse therapy stuff,” Gerald said grudgingly, “but it seems to be helping her.”

  Amy and the grandparents had stayed behind when Mark led the pony out of the arena. Even though the grandfather’s tone was gruff, she was glad he saw the change in Lizzy.

  “Do you think Lizzy will be ready for kindergarten in January?” Connie asked.

  Three weeks away—not nearly enough time. But she didn’t want to discourage them. “I believe so. However, unless we have a breakthrough, she probably won’t be talking. At least her anxiety level will be down. I plan to talk with her teacher, and I’ll go with her the first day.”

  She didn’t mention the job in Houston or that she would be leaving. If she took the job. Where did that come from? Of course she was taking the job. The opportunity to work and learned from a doctor and teacher like Dr. Topliff didn’t come along every day. Then, she could better help children who needed her.

  After the Grahams left with a promise to see Lizzy again in the morning, the girl pulled the step stool close to the pony and started brushing.

  “Teri, could you stay a few minutes longer?” Amy said. “I’d like to go over something with Mark.”

  “Sure. Think I’ll give Ginger a few extra oats. She seemed a little draggy tonight.”

  Amy gave her okay and stepped inside her office with Mark on her heels.

  “What’s wrong?” Mark asked. “What did they say?”

  “The Grahams? Nothing. They actually seemed pleased with the program. I wanted to discuss Lizzy’s progress…or lack of it.”

  “But, she’s a lot more relaxed, and she smiles more.”

  “That’s what bothers me. With my other patient, once he trusted me, he at least started talking to the horse. I wonder if something is going on with Lizzy that we haven’t thought about.”

  “Like what?”

  “If I knew, I’d address it. Have you discussed the accident with her? Do you know what the Grahams told her?”

  “No. And, I’ve never known what to say, other than I was sorry.”

  “Maybe you should make sure she knows no one blames her for it.”

  “Why would she think something like that?”

  “She was there when it happened…and who knows what kids can come up with? But it’s worth a try.”

  “I’ll do it tonight, and I’ll ask Connie tomorrow what she was told right after the accident.”

  “Good.”

  He pulled her into his arms, and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Thanks for explaining everything to the Grahams.”

  She gazed into his brown eyes and her heart fluttered. Oh, she was in trouble. “How would you two like to come to dinner early tomorrow evening? Thought I’d make Caesar pizza and afterwards, we could go downtown. The Yuletide Movie Theater is playing It’s a Wonderful Life, or we can join the snowball fight at Reindeer Park and then take Lizzy by Posey’s to hunt for Elmer again.”

  He flinched. And swallowed hard.

  Even though the office was warm, icy fingers gripped her stomach. “Hey, I won’t poison you. Actuall
y, I’m a pretty good cook.”

  “It’s not that.” He released her and walked to the window. “There’s something I’ve been trying to tell you all week.”

  Amy crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t understand. I’ve been here. We’ve talked.”

  He turned around and stepped toward her with a look on his face she’d seen before. The day they broke up. She backed away from him. “You’re going back to the band.”

  The words lay between them like a chasm.

  ~*~

  “It’s not like that,” he said. Why had he waited until today to tell her? Because he’d known how she’d react.

  “Why don’t you tell me how it is, then? But first, how long have you known about this?”

  Her voice was flat, ripping a hole in his heart. “Since Saturday, but it’s only for one night. The—”

  “Mark, you’re lying. Not to just me, but yourself. Playing in the band is like a drug to you. It gives you a high.”

  “No, I promise, I’m not lying. Hear me out.”

  The muscle in her jaw worked furiously. Suddenly, her shoulders sagged and she held up her hand. “I don’t have to hear you out. The boys need me. It’s only for one time.” She lifted her eyebrows. “Is that what you were going to say?”

  “Yes. But you make it sound like it’s not true. It is for just one time. It’s their big chance—there’s a record producer coming to hear them tomorrow night, and they don’t have bass guitar player. I’ll be home by nine o’clock.”

  “If that’s all there is to it, why didn’t you tell me Monday when you were kissing me?”

  Mark scrubbed his face. “I wanted to tell you, even wanted you to come and stay with Lizzy until I got home, but I knew you’d react this way.”

  He’d really counted on her to stay with Lizzy since his mom had left for her Christmas weekend with his sister. Now he was left with the Grahams. “Come on, Amy. Try to understand.”

  She splayed her hands. “Just go.”

  Anger flared in his chest. Amy was being unreasonable. Just like before, she refused to talk it out. Fine. If that was the way she wanted it, so be it. He turned on his heel and marched out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

  He ignored the questioning look Teri shot his way. “You ready, Lizzy?”

  She frowned at his gruff voice and shook her head, then went back to brushing Ginger. Mark took a couple of deep breaths to relax and flexed his fingers. “One more minute, then we have to go.”

  She shook her head, stubbornness etched in the thin line of her lips.

  “Liz-zy.” He was not about to let a five-year-old be in charge.

  “No!” She threw her arms around Ginger and buried her face in the pony’s neck.

  His mouth gaped, and he stared at Teri. She’d spoken. With his heart jumping out of his skin, he knelt beside her and smoothed her hair. “Honey, what did you say?”

  She shook her head.

  Mark looked helplessly at Teri, and she motioned him to step back. He swallowed the lump in his throat and moved away from his daughter. She hated him.

  Gently, Teri lifted Lizzy’s face. “We need to let Ginger rest. She’s not feeling well. Okay?”

  Sniffling, Lizzy nodded, and her arms dropped. Terri shot him a questioning glance and said, “Let’s let your daddy put her in her stall while you give Miss Amy a hug good-bye.”

  Lizzy refused to look at him as the two walked past him to the office. Had she heard them arguing? Probably. It was evident Teri had. He rubbed his forehead. This parenting stuff was hard, and he wasn’t sure he could pull it off.

  Through the window, Lizzy clung to Amy, making him feel like a chicken-killing dog. What if he never got it right? Maybe Lizzy would be better off with the Grahams.

  Chapter 7

  As soon as the door closed behind Mark, Amy took out the contract and scribbled her name at the bottom and put it in a new envelope and sealed it. It was time to get on with her life, and it didn’t include Mark Bradford or Christmas Town.

  Her shoulders straight, she walked the contract to the mail basket near the door. Teri could take it when she took the rest of the mail to the Post Office.

  Whatever made her think Mark had changed? The band would always come first with him. She’d been a fool to think they had a chance of starting over.

  The door to the office opened, and Lizzy flew to Amy’s side and wrapped her arms around Amy’s waist. She questioned Teri with her eyes.

  “She’s not happy with her dad.”

  That made two of them. Amy glared at Mark, standing in the doorway, and then she knelt beside the child. “What’s wrong, honey?”

  Teri answered for Lizzy. “She didn’t want to leave Ginger. She even told Mark no.”

  Amy jerked her head up, and Teri’s broad smile answered the unasked question. Lizzy had spoken! Only one word, but still. She knuckled the girl’s chin. “Honey, you have to do what Daddy says, but what if I come and get you tomorrow and let you spend time with Ginger?”

  Lizzy nodded then shot an anxious glance toward her dad.

  “That sounds like a plan,” he said. “But only if Miss Amy is sure.”

  With a dark look up at him, Amy said, “I’m sure. What time should I pick her up?”

  “Two? The Grahams are picking her up at eight for an hour or so.”

  She turned back to Lizzy. “I’ll see you then.”

  Lizzy threw her arms around Amy’s neck, and she cradled the small girl against her heart. Seconds passed with the mingled scent of strawberry shampoo and pony imprinting on Amy’s brain. Seconds that she would hold in her memory forever. And then Lizzy was gone, leaving Amy with arms as empty as the day she left the hospital after the miscarriage.

  ~*~

  Later that night, Mark sat on the side of Lizzy’s bed. He’d said the regular prayers, but he wanted to try something else, something he’d thought of when Amy mentioned the accident.

  He tucked the pony in his daughter’s arms. After taking a deep breath, he said, “I’m sorry I wasn’t there when the accident happened. And I’m sorry about your mom.”

  Her pupils grew larger, then she looked down at the pony.

  He smoothed her forehead. “Lizzy, honey…I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours, but if there’s any chance at all that you believe it might be your fault that your mom left…I want you to know that’s not true. What happened was an accident. The roads were slippery, and your mom just didn’t see that curve. I’m just so thankful that you weren’t hurt and that we’ve had a chance to be together.”

  Her eyes darted back to his and she held his gaze captive, her blue eyes searching his face. Was it possible she thought he didn’t want her? He pressed his lips together, wishing he could read her mind. “You are my little girl, and I love you. I don’t know why your mom didn’t tell me about you. Maybe she wanted to keep you all to herself. And I don’t blame her. But I want you to know, I would have been at the hospital the day you were born if I could have.”

  He leaned over and kissed her forehead. His heart almost stopped when her arms circled his neck and she pressed her cheek against his.

  “I love you, Elizabeth Anne Bradford, and I’m here forever.”

  ~*~

  At midnight, Amy’s eyes hadn’t closed in sleep once. Finally, she flung back the quilt her mom had made her and slipped into her terry-cloth robe and house shoes before she padded to the kitchen. From the window, pristine snow covered the ground. She would miss this view in Texas.

  Sometimes she had to remind herself why she was moving across the country. She loved Maine…and Christmas Town and doubted she’d be making snow angels in Houston.

  Amy set the teakettle on the stove and took down the chamomile tea. She wouldn’t be seeing Kevin and his happy family, either. And she wouldn’t see pity in the eyes of people she met.

  You’re running away.

  Where did that thought come from? She brushed it away. But it wouldn’t sta
y away.

  Because you can’t have children doesn’t make you less of a woman. Amy shook her head. Was she in some Scrooge-like dream? Run away to Texas, if you want, but you’ll take yourself with you.

  A chuckle rumbled in her chest. It wasn’t a dream. It was her mother’s voice in her head. Words she’d spoken at the hospital when Amy had been having her own private pity party, and again when she’d told her mom that she planned to apply to the university in Houston.

  Going to Houston was more than getting away from her past. It was about making a better future. Maybe she couldn’t have children of her own, but she could make a difference in the lives of those who came to her for help.

  But what about Mark and Lizzy?

  Steam whistled through the teakettle, and she poured hot water over the chamomile leaves. Cupping the mug in her hands, she settled in the bay window. She wished she had a “nothing box” to park her mind in. Or at least an idle button. Instead it whirled like a ballerina on steroids.

  Suddenly the moon broke through the clouds casting the countryside in hues of pale blue. Her mind stilled on one thought.

  She did not want to move to Texas.

  Chapter 8

  Mark opened his front door and checked his watch. “You’re early.”

  Before Amy could answer, Lizzy squeezed past him and threw herself against the woman he’d planned to marry. But judging by the cold shoulder she gave him, that wasn’t happening.

  “The Yuletide Theater is having a one o’clock showing of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Amy tugged on Lizzy’s braid. “What do you think about going to see it? And then we’ll go check on Ginger.”

  His daughter’s instant smile sent a stab of envy through Mark. Maybe he could buy the pony.

  “She was too excited to eat, so you may have to feed her,” he said. “Before I go, let me show you where I keep a few things.”

  He led the way to the kitchen where he took a metal box from the highest cabinet. “This is where I keep cough syrup, children’s pain reliever, that sort of thing.”