by Vivi Holt
It tasted as good as it looked and smelled, and everyone chatted and laughed as the meal progressed. Until finally, they all slumped in their seats with contented looks on happy faces.
“More coffee, anyone?” asked Chris.
He refilled cups around the table, then they all migrated to the den where the children had already begun to push gifts into piles based on Will’s deciphering of the names scrawled onto the tiny cards stuck to each. His younger siblings obediently followed his commands as he read each name out loud, shuffling gifts to this side or that depending on which way his finger pointed as he handed them over.
By the time Kate made it into the den, most of the seats were taken. Chris sat on a small loveseat. When he saw her, he shifted to one side, leaving her a narrow space beside him. Her cheeks flushed with warmth as she sat, pressed up against his side.
She smiled up at him, and his eyes filled with warmth as he laid an arm around her shoulders. She nestled into his side, glad to be able to play the part that she’d begun to realize she wished was real. It might not be a role that would last forever, but she’d be happy to let it linger a while longer. Especially after that kiss.
“You look happy,” he whispered against her hair.
“Hmm…”
“I’m glad. I didn’t get a chance to say it around the breakfast table. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you as well.” Her pulse raced as his hand caressed her shoulder.
“Let’s get started on the gifts,” suggested Sasha, as the children’s excitement reached a crescendo of noise and erupted into a fight over whose name was written on the biggest gift.
Kate couldn’t wipe the smile from her face as the children finally resolved their issue and sat in their designated places, one in each nearby lap.
Gifts were handed around, and everyone began unwrapping at once. The exclamations came next, and the cries of thanks. Kate unwrapped a gift from Diana and Frank first—it was a recipe book filled with traditional Christmas recipes and a picture of a smiling red-headed chef wrapped in a large, white apron on the front cover.
“Wow, thanks so much,” she said.
Diana smiled. “You’re welcome, honey. I hope you get a lot of use out of it. I sure have dog-eared mine.”
Next, she watched as the children tore open the gifts she’d bought them. They broke into the paints immediately, and Sasha grabbed them just before paint spilled all over the Turkish rug.
“Whoa! We’ll keep those for later,” she cried, as she hurried off to hide them away.
“Tell Kate thanks,” encouraged Todd.
“Thank you, Kate,” returned the chorus.
She smiled. “You’re welcome. I can’t wait to see your amazing works of art.”
Chris’s arm around her shoulders squeezed a little tighter, and she glanced up to find him staring down at her, the corner of his mouth turned up. “That was a nice gift.”
Her cheeks flushed with warmth. “Your turn. You should open this one.”
She handed him the one she’d bought, hoping he’d like it. He unwrapped the jacket and held it up so that it fell open in front of him.
“Wow.”
“You like it?”
“It’s very James Dean. I’m not sure I can pull it off.”
She laughed. “Oh, you can pull it off.”
“Really?”
“You’ll look hot in this jacket. Trust me.”
He grinned. “Hot, huh? Okay, you’ve convinced me.” He stood to his feet and slipped one arm into the jacket then the other. He tugged up the collar and struck a pose with one hand fisted beneath his chin and an eyebrow arched. “So, what do you think?”
She laughed, slapping playfully at his leg. “So hot! It’s definitely you.”
He grinned and slumped back onto the loveseat beside her. Then, he kissed her on the cheek, his lips warm and soft against her skin. “Thank you. I love it.”
“Well, you did pay for it…” she whispered.
He laughed, leaned close, and whispered against her hair, “It was worth it.”
She swallowed and drew in a deep breath. Leaving this family behind, leaving Chris behind, was going to be much harder than she’d bargained for.
“I hope you’ll like this,” he said, slipping a small box into her hand.
She frowned. “You got me something?”
“Of course.”
Her heart skipped a beat. She turned the box over between her fingers before she found a crease in the paper and ripped it free. A navy jewelry box fell into her lap. Her eyes widened.
She picked it up and slowly flicked it open. Inside was a thick silver chain-link bracelet.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
She wound it around her wrist then offered it to him to fasten the latch. He did it with a lot of fumbling and apologies, then finally she held it up and watched it sparkle as the light glanced off each shiny link.
“Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I did. You’re my girlfriend. I couldn’t really have my assistant get everyone a gift but you.”
Her heart fell. He meant that she was his fake girlfriend. And his assistant had bought the gift before he’d even met her. That’s what rich businessmen did. They had their assistants purchase gifts for the people in their lives. It wasn’t meant as an insult; rationally she knew that. But for a moment, she’d believed he’d put thought into what he purchased for her. She should’ve known better than to let her heart get carried away by the romance of the moment.
“Well, thank you anyway.”
He quirked an eyebrow. “Are you okay?”
She forced a smile onto her face. “Sure. I’m fine.”
By then every gift had been opened, and Diana was shoving wads of crinkled gift wrap into a trash bag. Kate stood to help her.
“I heard you got Chris out on a horse yesterday?” Diana’s eyes widened as she whispered, then she glanced over her shoulder to where Chris sat.
“I did. We had a nice time.”
“I’m not sure you understand how much of a big deal that was,” continued Diana.
“He told me he didn’t really ride anymore…”
“He hasn’t ridden at all since Mia’s accident. Not once. Wouldn’t even talk about it. I don’t know how you did it, but you keep doing whatever it is you’re doing. You’re good for him, and I think he might just be good for you as well. That’s what love looks like—two people who are better together than they are apart.” Diana winked and hustled off toward the kitchen with the full trash bag.
Kate leaned against the back of a couch, her heart thudding in her chest. Tears threatened, and she swallowed them down.
Chapter 13
Kate and Diana had slaved over the stove all morning to prepare Christmas lunch. Todd and Chris had taken charge of roasting the turkey and were in the dining room arguing over the best way to carve it as Kate pulled the twice-baked potatoes out of the oven and set them on the stovetop.
Everything looked and smelled delicious. Todd and Sasha had taken the children home for a rest. They lived on the same property, just a five-minute drive down the road from the original ranch house in their own, more modern, home. Sasha had told her they built it just after they were married so they’d have a place of their own, even though Diana and Frank had offered to let them live with them until they could save a larger deposit. They’d felt the privacy would be worth it.
Just as Todd, Sasha, and the children burst through the back door into the second mudroom that led to the kitchen, Diana put the finishing touches on a sweet potato casserole. She carried it past them to the dining table.
“Welcome back, my darlings. Wash your hands and grab a seat, it’s time to eat!”
“Phew, it’s cold out there,” said Sasha, rubbing her hands together in front of her sweater.
“How cold?” asked Frank with a twinkle in his eye as he followed her to the dining table.
Sasha giggled.
“So cold, you’ll have to serve me my coffee on a stick after lunch.”
He slapped his thigh and laughed heartily.
Everyone took their seats, and the meal was a merry one. Kate couldn’t remember when she’d eaten so much, but every dish was a pure delight just waiting for her to sample it. There was roast turkey, ham, baked potatoes, and sweet potato casserole. Not to mention the freshly baked bread rolls, green beans, honeyed carrots, and stuffing.
Finally satisfied, Kate scooped up the last of the potato salad then settled back in her chair with a huff.
“Don’t forget there’s still dessert to come,” chortled Diana with a glint in her eye. “And this year, Chris promised me he’d take care of it. I hope you haven’t forgotten, honey.”
He laughed, linking his hands behind his head. He seemed to be enjoying the moment for some reason, and Kate watched him with interest. Seated opposite her, he’d eaten his meal mostly in silence. Every now and then, he’d joined one of the many conversations going on around the table or glanced at her and made eye contact, causing her heart to jitter in her chest. But otherwise he’d kept to himself, as though he had something on his mind.
“Don’t worry, Mom. I’ve got dessert under control, just like I said I would. But first, I have gifts for all the adults. The dessert is part of the surprise.”
Kate frowned and exchanged a look of surprise with Sasha.
“What are you talkin’ about? You already gave us all gifts,” said Todd, his eyes narrowed.
Chris laughed then waved a hand toward the back door. “I wanted to get us all something special. Everyone bundle up. The gifts are outside, and you’re gonna need to be as warm as you can get.”
Kate buttoned her red jacket over the top of several other layers. The jacket had a faux fur collar which she was very grateful for. With a fleece jacket underneath, a knit cap, gloves, and stockings beneath her jeans, she was about as warm as she was going to get given the contents of her suitcase.
She stepped outside in her boots and shoved her hands into her pockets.
Sasha and Todd were still dressing the children, but Diana and Frank walked ahead of her. When the children were ready, they all walked together toward the barn where they’d seen Chris disappear earlier.
Her brow furrowed, she tried to imagine what he might be up to. Had he bought everyone a horse? That didn’t make much sense. There were already plenty of horses on the ranch.
They walked into the opposite end of the barn where the farm equipment was stored. The tractor she’d ridden on earlier was parked to one side. As she rounded the tractor, she saw them. Six brand-new snowmobiles. They shone in the light of various lanterns set around them. Men and women in white puffy jackets with a “Snazzy Skidoos” logo on one shoulder stood by each snowmobile, their hands linked in front. They smiled at Kate and the others as they approached.
“What…?” Todd’s voice rang out. “Did you buy these?”
Chris was in the center of the ring of machines, his arms crossed over his chest and a broad grin on his face. “Yup. Merry Christmas, everyone.”
Kate’s mouth fell open. She ran a hand over the smooth surface of one of the vehicles. She’d never ridden one before. Excitement buzzed in her gut.
“Uncle Chris, does this mean we get to go out on one of these things?” asked Will, his eyes wide.
“Sure does, buddy.”
The other two children ran circles around them, squealing and shouting with delight.
“I don’t know,” began Diana, her brow furrowed. “I think I’m a bit old for this.”
“That’s why Dominic here is going to drive you,” said Chris, waving a hand at the man standing beside Diana’s snowmobile. Dominic’s lips peeled back to reveal a set of large, white teeth.
After they’d had a chance to look the vehicles over, soon everyone was virtually humming in anticipation.
“Where will we go? Some of the snow down in the pasture isn’t very thick,” Frank spoke up, rubbing his chin with one hand.
“We’re going to visit the old Hillman cabin. We’ll stick to the tree line where the snow is thickest. The crew has already checked out the path, and they’ll just follow the tracks already marked. If you want to drive yourself, stay in single file and shadow the leader.”
Frank nodded, seeming satisfied with Chris’s answer.
“Let’s go then!” called Todd. He’d already climbed onto his snowmobile and cranked the engine.
“Would you like to drive, or would you prefer me to?” asked a young Hispanic woman with a lisp. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail beneath a black plastic helmet.
“I’ll drive. Thank you,” replied Kate, her heart rate accelerating at the thought of what was to come.
The woman nodded and handed her a helmet to wear over her knit cap. She pulled it on and fastened the clip then gunned the engine. It roared to life along with the rest of the snowmobiles. Each child rode ahead of one of the adults, secure between their arms. Everyone was loaded up in no time, and they set off with Dominic and Diana in the lead followed by Chris. Kate brought up the rear.
True to Chris’s word, they hugged the tree line. A path had already been carved into the thick snow, and Kate kept her eyes glued to it and the snowmobile ahead of hers, careful to stay a safe distance behind.
The ride was magnificent. Sunlight glared off the snow, and she was grateful she’d worn sunglasses. Evergreen branches hung toward the ground, snow dragging them downward. Snow coated the highest parts of the trees, and the foothills that surrounded the ranch rose majestic beside them.
A herd of deer pricked their ears, heads held high in surprise, then scattered into the forest, white tails flicking as they ran. And in the distance, longhorns meandered around tall breaks and grazed at bales of hay or lay in clusters chewing their cud.
Kate smiled, her soul filled with joy. It was so beautiful. She was surrounded by such grandeur. Her life in Atlanta was so full of busyness, she didn’t make enough time to get out into nature and enjoy God’s creation. This was just what she’d needed, without her even realizing it. Already she could feel her soul being refilled and replenished after a long and draining year. More than a year really. She’d been on her own, struggling and fighting just to survive, for so many years now, she didn’t remember what it felt like to do anything more than that.
The snowmobile dipped into a hollow then whizzed over a piece of uneven ground. She gasped then hollered, “Yahoo!”
Soon, she heard the rest of the group reply, some in deep voices, others in high-pitched childish squeals. “Woohoo! Weee! Yeehaw!”
She threw her head back and laughed as her vehicle skimmed across a thick patch of flat ground. Then, she spun it in a circle and set off after the group again, accelerating hard to catch up.
A small, dark cabin came into view up ahead. It was nestled into the edge of the tree line and looked out over the valley with two square, glass-paned eyes.
Kate pulled to a stop alongside the rest of the group and climbed off, her pulse still racing. Her helmet strung onto one of the handlebars, she set her hands on her hips and surveyed the view. Then, with a deep breath, she spun on her heel and followed the others into the cabin.
As she stepped over the threshold, her breath caught in her throat. The cabin was small, just a single main room, with what was likely a bedroom and bathroom off to one side through a narrow doorway. The entire room had been lit by candles that were balanced on every available surface—light from tall, short, fat, and thin candles flickered and danced across the timber slat walls.
A hearty fire roared in the hearth. Mistletoe, gold decorations, and red garlands were strung all over the room. A long table had been set up in the center, and desserts of every kind ran down the middle of it. Bowls and plates, along with shining silverware and sparkling crystal glasses, adorned each place setting.
Kate’s smile widened. She’d never seen anything like it.
More staff like the ones who�
�d helped with the snowmobiles now stood around the outside of the room dressed in black button-down shirts and black pants. They smiled and showed everyone to their seats then poured eggnog, sweet tea, sparkling water, or coffee as the guests requested.
Kate took a seat, and a woman with a blonde bob laid a napkin in her lap.
“Can I get you a drink?” she asked.
“Yes, eggnog please.”
The woman filled her glass with the thick, pale yellow liquid, and Kate licked her lips while she waited. Then she took a swig and groaned with delight. It was perfect.
Chris took a seat beside her and offered her a grin. “It’s not too much, is it?”
She shook her head. “It’s amazing. I can’t believe you did all this. When did you have time to organize it?”
He laughed. “You took so long with your Christmas shopping, it gave me the perfect opportunity to whip up a surprise for everyone. So, thank you.”
She laughed, reaching for a piece of cheesecake. Chris watched as she slipped a slice onto her plate. She felt his eyes following her every move. When she glanced up, he looked away. Her eyes narrowed, and she studied him.
“Thank you for the gift earlier. It’s a beautiful bracelet.” She held it up and jangled it.
He met her gaze. “I’m sorry I didn’t pick it out myself. I hadn’t met you yet…”
“It’s fine.”
“If I had met you, I would’ve selected something in gold. Gold would suit you better.”
Her face warmed. “Really?”
He nodded. “Definitely gold.”
After dessert, Kate stood to her feet and stretched her arms over her head with a yawn. The heat from the fireplace, her overfilled stomach, and the exhilarating ride through the snow had left her feeling happy and sleepy all at once.
Chris followed her lead and offered her his hand. She took it, one eyebrow quirked. He was being much more affectionate and she couldn’t help enjoying it. Even if it wouldn’t last, it’d been a long time since someone had shown her so much attention.
Her ex-fiancé had never treated her as though she were someone worth spoiling. He hadn’t bought her gifts or showered her with affection. Yet, for some reason, she had believed him when he told her he loved her.
