The Santa Accident

by Gemma Brocato

  “I spend all the off-season here. I have a place in Bayfield.” Braden scooted around his mom and reached out to hug her.

  Harper took another two quick steps backward, tightening her grip on Kai, who’d stopped crying. He struggled against her hold, determined to see who had his mama’s attention.

  Evelyn’s stare bore into Kai’s back, her lips slack in alarm, wariness flickering in her eyes. “Braden, we shouldn’t keep Harper from her business.”

  He waved his hand, dismissing his mother’s words. “Ma, I haven’t seen her in years. No rush.” He turned his lethal, player grin on Harper. “Are you here seeing your mom? How’s she doing?”

  “She passed a few months ago. I’m only in town to settle her estate.” Knowing Braden was here at the same time rocked her in so many ways. None good. Well, if she were truthful, some were okay…stellar, even.

  She’d always imagined their first face-to-face meeting after breaking up. She’d never forgotten what he looked like. Each season she’d watched him play center field for the Rockies, his dream come true. His quicksilver smile, those damned dimples, his thick dark hair and athletic body made him a fan favorite. Dating a different girl each month ensured his place in the player hall of fame—just not the baseball version.

  Before each game, he still performed the somersault routine they’d worked on in his backyard. She’d taught him how to launch his body into the air, tuck his head and shoulders into a roll passing over the right field line, then bounce to his feet.

  Running into him, exhausted from a three-day car trip and looking like something a cat wouldn’t drag in wasn’t how she’d ever envisioned their first face-to-face in five years. She rubbed her hand down Kai’s back, allowing the touch to soothe her.

  “I’m so sorry for your loss.” Sympathy made the copper-penny flecks in Braden’s eyes warm and dance.

  “She’d been sick for a while.” That’s it, Harper, keep it casual, impersonal.

  “So, you won’t be staying long?” Evelyn demanded, her tone edgy as a kitchen knife.

  Braden looked at his mother, his brows pinched together at her rudeness.

  “Mama,” Kai’s loud whisper tickled her cheek. “Who are they?” He defeated her hold on his head and swiveled his neck, staring curiously at the Morningstars.

  “Mama?” Braden looked from Harper to Kai.

  She ignored Braden. “Just some old friends, baby. From when I was younger.” She lowered him to stand next to her, a death grip on his tiny hand. With her free hand, she gestured to the counter behind them. “It was nice to see you both. I need to go pick up some mail and get back to Mom’s house. Take care now.”

  She ducked her head and edged around Braden and his mom, heart thundering against her ribs. She didn’t imagine Braden’s gaze boring into her back as she led the son he didn’t know he had away from him.

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  About Gemma

  Gemma Brocato's favorite desk accessories for many years was a circular wooden token, better known as a 'round tuit,' and a fortune from a fortune cookie that said she was a lover of words; someday she'd write a book. It took a transfer to the United Kingdom, the lovely English springtime, and a huge dose of homesickness to write her first novel.

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