“He’s about to be.”
“Has he been caught?”
“He’s awaiting trial in Indiana.”
“For what?”
“Oh, a number of things. He basically did to another woman what he’d done to you and a few others. He tricked this older woman into marrying him, got his hands on her insurance settlement from her previous husband’s death, and then tried to get into her parents’ pockets and got caught.” “It’s about time.”
“He must be some cad to get women to marry him, although most of the marriages weren’t legal since he didn’t usually bother to get a divorce unless there was money involved.”
“So when I got a letter from him in prison informing me that he’d divorced me, it probably wasn’t legit?”
“He didn’t need to divorce you since you were never married.”
Lena took in a sharp breath. On one hand, it was a relief. On the other hand, she felt so ashamed. What a fool she’d been.
“One of the women he’d scammed was from your church. Did you know a Darla Knight?”
“Yes, I knew her. I found out later that they’d been having an affair while I was still married – or not married – to him. I have to admit I don’t feel too sorry for that woman.”
As Sam continued to read bits and pieces about Daniel’s numerous crimes and female victims, Lena began to feel almost dizzy. It was too much to take in. She felt like she was drowning in Daniel’s cesspool of lies.
Finally she held up her hands. “I – I don’t think I can hear any more of this. It’s making me feel sick. I – I’m sorry.” She buried her head in her hands and sobbed, letting it all out.
She felt Sam’s hand on her shoulder as he held a handkerchief out to her. “I’m the one who should be sorry,” he said gently. “I dumped far too much on you. But you always seem so strong. Really, I’m sorry, Lena. Please forgive me . . . again.”
She took the linen handkerchief and wiped her tears. “It’s just – just a lot to take in.” She sniffed. “And the truth is I’ve repressed so much about Daniel. Over the years it seemed less painful to just pretend it never happened . . . that I never knew the man. Prison was a great distraction. My focus there was survival, avoiding conflict, getting by . . .” She handed his dampened handkerchief back. “Ironically, I’ve thought more about Daniel and what he did to me since getting out of prison than I ever did on the inside.”
“After today, you won’t need to think about him anymore, Lena. I promise you.”
“How is that even possible?”
“Because I’m getting your name cleared of all this nonsense. Your criminal record will be cleared too. As of now, consider it over and done with, Lena. You’re not only free of prison, you’ll be free of ever having to check yes in the ‘convicted felon’ box again. And if you want, you can return to accounting again.” He grinned at her. “Or you can go back to being Mrs. Santa.”
“Really?”
“I took the liberty of phoning Camilla while you were visiting Cassidy. I explained everything, and I’m pretty sure she wants you back . . . that is, if you’d be willing.”
Lena took in a long, slow breath. “I know I should probably look for a more substantial job, but I really did like being Mrs. Santa. I wouldn’t mind doing it for a while longer, especially if Cassidy is well enough to help with it.”
“I’m sure you and Camilla can work that out.”
“I don’t know how to thank you.” She just looked at him, wondering why he was being so kind and generous. Surely it was because of Moira. Bless Moira – a real Mrs. Santa!
“You already have thanked me, Lena.”
“What do you mean?”
“It was refreshing to discover that you really were who you said you were. And then there was the way you befriended my mother and my daughter . . . well, that was nice too.”
“But your mother befriended me.”
He just nodded.
“As soon as I get on my feet, I’ll pay you for your time and – ”
“It’s taken care of.” He put the papers back in the folder.
“But I want to pay you for your work.”
He held up his hands. “Really, Lena. It’s covered. If you have any questions, speak to my mother.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“How about that you’ll have dinner with me tonight?”
“What?”
He shrugged then looked uncomfortable. “It was just an idea.”
She blinked then stared at him. “For the sake of clarity . . . are you asking me out on a date, or just offering me a free meal?”
“I, uh, I was asking you out.”
“Really?” She studied his face – was his expression sheepish or shy?
He held up his hands. “But don’t feel you have to agree just because I’m helping you. I would hate that.”
She considered this. He was asking her out!
“I haven’t dated anyone since my wife passed away almost three years ago. Beth has been bugging me for a while. And maybe . . . maybe it’s time.” He smiled and his dark eyes glowed warmly. “Besides, there’s just something about a woman in a Mrs. Santa suit that gets to me.”
She laughed. “Please don’t tell me you want me to wear this tonight.”
“So you’ll go out with me?”
“Well, I’m supposed to watch Jemima and – ”
“I know that Beth and Mom will be more than willing.”
“Then . . . I suppose I’ll go out with you.” Lena felt slightly dizzy, wondering if this was really happening or if she was dreaming.
“And no, I don’t expect you to wear your Santa dress tonight. But as your legal counsel, I would like you to say a few words to the press – as Mrs. Santa.”
“Why’s that?”
“I want to straighten out the community about who you really are.” He looked at the clock above the fireplace. It was almost two. “So, if you’re agreeable to this, I tentatively set up a little press conference that should be ready to start any minute now. Are you in, or should I tell them to leave?”
She stood up. “I would enjoy this.”
“I’ll say a few things first.” He picked up what appeared to be notes. “And then you can follow my lead.”
“Okay.” She nodded with a bit of hesitation. Once again this sounded strangely familiar. Almost like something Daniel had once told her in an effort to corner her in a courtroom or while speaking to the DA. Yet she sensed deep inside of her that Sam wasn’t anything like Daniel. She felt certain Sam wouldn’t betray her.
But she also knew that history sometimes repeated itself, and some women made the same mistakes with the wrong kind of men again and again. Lena did not want to be fooled twice. So she assured herself that if something like that happened, if she were being tricked, she would absolutely stand up for herself this time. She would never be hoodwinked again.
Soon the two of them were out on the front porch, and the small town press and media assembled on the lawn quickly drew in closer to them. Lena was not disappointed as Sam told them the truth. With straightforward clarity, he explained his research and his findings about her crooked ex-husband, finally declaring, “Lena Markham’s name will be cleared and she will be completely exonerated. And so, New Haven, I give you back your Mrs. Santa!”
The audience clapped and cheered and then began to pepper Lena with questions. “Will you go back to Harrington’s?”
“I’m open to that,” she said. “We’ll see.”
“And will you remain in New Haven?”
“That’s my plan. I’ve met a lot of kind people here – and, unfortunately, some who were not so kind. But that’s not unlike any other town. Besides, I believe that some of the treatment I received has opened my eyes to the struggles that inmates experience on their release. Maybe as Mrs. Santa I can do something about that.” She chuckled. “Because if people won’t listen to Mrs. Santa, who will they listen to?”
“Santa himse
lf?” someone called out.
“Anything else on your agenda, Mrs. Santa?” a woman asked.
“Yes, I’m going to become a bone marrow donor. And I’m going to encourage everyone who will listen to me to do the same.”
“Why is that?” a young man called.
“Because a dear young friend of mine – a sweet little elf – is waiting for a bone marrow match, and I think if everyone wanted to give the best Christmas present ever, it would be to give the gift of life. After all, isn’t that what the first Christmas was all about?”
“Anything else you’d like to go on record for?”
“I’ll repeat what I told the children in the library today. I said I’d brought them a message from Santa – meant not just for children but for everyone, for all ages, everywhere.”
“What is that?” a man asked.
“I told the children that, although they might want to be very good – especially right before Santa’s big night on Christmas Eve – sometimes they just can’t help themselves, they are naughty, they make mistakes . . . We all do that sometimes, right?”
She got a positive, albeit slightly wary, response.
“But Santa wants us to honor the one whose birthday we’re celebrating by admitting when we do something wrong. He wants us to say we’re sorry if we hurt someone. He wants us to forgive anyone who has hurt us. And if we remember to do that, we can all have a very merry Christmas!”
Someone in the back shouted, “Amen, Mrs. Santa!”
“And that’s what I wish for you all,” she said with a smile. “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good life!”
Melody Carlson is the prolific author of more than two hundred books, including fiction, nonfiction, and gift books for adults, young adults, and children. She is also the author of The Christmas Bus, Irish Christmas, and The Christmas Dog. Her writing has won several awards, including a Gold Medallion for King of the Stable (Crossway, 1998) and a Romance Writers of America Rita Award for Homeward (Multnomah, 1997). She lives with her husband in Sisters, Oregon. Visit her website at www.melodycarlson.com.
Table of Contents
COVER PAGE
TITLE PAGE
COPYRIGHT PAGE
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
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