by Dana Wayne
“I know what he’s saying. So does Max. Nothing of what that—that SOB says is true.”
“I know that.” She paused. “We’re a small town. The majority of folks are decent, God-fearing individuals. And then you have people like Edith Huffman who loves gossip like a cat loves cream.” She held Sky’s gaze. “Her favorite adage is where there’s smoke—”
Patience limited, Sky spoke up. “I don’t care what Edith or anyone else says. People who matter know the truth. The rest are irrelevant.”
“I like Max, honey. I do. He’s a good man and has helped a lot of people around town. Including me.” She shook her head sadly. “When those gossipmongers get their teeth in something, they won’t let it go. I just don’t want you to be hurt by something they might say.”
“Words are just words. A few days from now they’ll have someone else to rake over the coals.” She straightened in her chair. “If there’s nothing else, I have something I meant to talk to you about yesterday.”
Ruby hesitated. “You mean Doc’s offer?”
Disappointed, Sky sank back in her chair. “I’m sorry you had to hear that from the rumor mill and not from me.”
Ruby waved a dismissive hand. “Not to worry. I know how much you want to get back into nursing. So, what’s the plan?”
“Well, evidently it’s not going to be as difficult as I thought to get my license reactivated since it’s been less than four years, but I need to start the process soon.”
The next few minutes passed quickly as Sky outlined the details Doc provided in the package Coop had dropped off the other day.
“So, basically, I’d work for her in the office until I complete all the steps needed to get reactivated.” She couldn’t keep from smiling as she added, “Then I’ll be a nurse again.”
Ruby nodded. “That’s terrific, Sky.” She rubbed her hands together. “There’s no need for you to wait to accept the offer. You can start whenever you want.” She pulled an envelope from a drawer and slid it across the desk. “A little early Christmas present for you.”
It took a couple of heartbeats for her words to sink in. “You’re firing me?”
Ruby regarded her with frank amusement. “Of course not. Doc is ready for you anytime, and while we’ll certainly miss you around here, you’re going to be much better off working there.”
Sky looked at the envelope like it was a snake.
Ruby chuckled. “It won’t bite, you know.”
She took the packet and slowly opened it. The cash inside shocked her. “I don’t understand.”
“I told you. An early Christmas present.”
When Sky opened her mouth to protest, Ruby put up a hand to stop her. “You’re not only a good employee, Sky, you’re a great friend. You have a way with people, and that’s a gift not to be wasted. This is just my way of saying how much I appreciate all you have done for me the last couple of years.”
Sky stood when her boss rose and came around the desk.
“Christmas is around the corner,” said Ruby. “I know things have been tight for you. Maybe this will help.”
Tears slowly found their way down Sky’s cheeks. She swallowed with great difficulty and finally found her voice. “Oh, Ruby. How can I ever thank you?”
“Invite me to the wedding.” She placed an arm around Sky’s waist. “And let me bake the cake.”
Sky walked around on cloud nine all day. She called Doc right after her conversation with Ruby and said she could start anytime. They agreed Sky would begin work a week from Monday, which would allow her time to get things in order. Thanks to the gift from Ruby, Sky not only had the option of working or not the next week, she could give Maddie the Christmas she deserved. And pay the rent on time.
But first, she would splurge on a Christmas tree.
A quick call to Max, and they were set to go that afternoon. She then took the time to call Janet Orm’s and let her know they would pick Maddie up as soon as Sky got off work. Just thinking about how delighted her young daughter would be made Sky smile even more.
“That must have been some date,” teased Bill from his usual spot at the counter. “You’ve been grinning like a jackass eating briars all day.”
She ignored the rush of heat to her face. Bill was Bill. He’d rather tease—and flirt—than eat. “I was just thinking how thrilled Maddie will be when I tell her we’re getting a Christmas tree today.”
“Cool. Kids love Christmas. Y’all going to the tree farm off ten-oh-two?”
She nodded. “Yes. Mr. Jenkins told me about it this morning. They have wagon rides and hot cider, and you get to cut down your own tree.”
“You’ve never been out there?”
“No. We usually get one at the store.” After they went on sale, was the unspoken end to that sentence.
“It’s a neat place. Love the smell.”
“More coffee?”
“No, thanks. Time to get back to work.”
“Must be hard watching TV all day.”
Bill shrugged. “Being a jailer is the most boring job in the county. Except for the weekends. We got a lively crowd in there right now.”
“I heard there was a fracas after the dance last night.”
He snorted coffee when he laughed. “Some of them old codgers still got fire in ‘em.” He stood and placed some bills on the counter. “Have a good one.” He turned around, then stopped. “Say, is, uh, Anna gonna be around a while?”
“I think she has to be back on Wednesday.”
“She plan on coming back anytime soon?”
Bill was interested in Anna. That was good to know. “I guess that would depend on whether or not she had something—or someone, to entice her back, now wouldn’t it?”
He winked. “I’ll have to work on that.”
Sunday lunch was usually a busy time, and today was no exception. Sky had just finished ringing up a customer when Logan walked in.
He looked around the crowded diner and turned for the door.
“Hi,” she said quickly. “There’s an empty booth back in the corner.” She shut the cash drawer. “Just give me a minute to clean it.”
She hurried off without giving him a chance to reply.
He slid into the booth without looking at her. “Thank you.”
“Need a menu?”
He shook his head. “Just coffee. With cream.”
“Sure you don’t want something to eat? Today’s special is Chicken Fried Steak.”
The tips of his ears turned bright red when his stomach issued a soft grumble. “I’m good.”
She placed the cup on the table, then went to the kitchen and turned in an order for the daily special.
He looked down at the plate when she placed it in front of him a short time later. “I didn’t order this.”
She smiled. “My treat. Max is a great guy, but I know for a fact he has the least stocked kitchen in the county. A mouse would starve at his place.”
When he stared at the steaming plate, she thought for a moment he might refuse it.
“Thank you,” he said at last.
“You’re welcome.” She glanced at a table to the left. “Ready for that dessert, Jason?”
“Yes, ma’am,” replied the burley gentleman. “And a warmup on the coffee.”
“You got it.”
Half an hour later, only a couple of tables were occupied, and Logan remained in the corner booth. When he’d finished the special in record time, Sky added a slice of pecan pie to his meal. He didn’t object, merely thanked her and made quick work of devouring it as well. At the moment, he was staring into his cup as though the answer to his woes lay hidden in the heady brew.
How I wish life were that simple, she thought as she took a breath and headed over to clear the empty plate.
“Can I get you anything else, Logan? More coffee?”
He shook his head. “No, ma’am. Thank you.” He glanced around the diner. “Is—is my mom still at your house?”
“Yes.�
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He looked up, and Sky ached for him. Sad eyes radiated so much hurt and confusion, she wished there was something she could do to help.
“I don’t know what to do,” he said softly. “Or where to go.”
Maternal instinct kicked into high gear as the look of despair washed over his face. She glanced around the near-empty diner and slid into the seat opposite him. She hesitated, then reached across the table and lightly placed her hand over his.
“I can’t imagine how difficult this is for you, Logan. And I can’t tell you what to do. But I know this. Your mother loves you very much. Everything—everything she did was for that reason.”
“How can you say that?” His voice edged up. “You don’t know her. Us.”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure. Instinct. One mother to another. Call it what you like. The bottom line is, she loves you. And everything she did was with your best interest at heart.”
“Would you do it?” His voice contained no animosity, only curiosity.
“None of us can say exactly what we’ll do in a given situation. We know what we think we would, but until you’re actually faced with it, you don’t know.” She pulled her hand back and moved the empty pie plate closer and spun it on the table. “Being a parent, especially a single parent, is the hardest job in the world.”
“How—I mean, where…” Face bright red, he looked away. “I’m sorry. That’s none of my business.”
“We divorced before Maddie turned three.” She took a deep breath. “He’s not been a part of her life since.”
“Do you know him? Cade Jackson, I mean?”
“He owns the local hardware store.”
He straightened. “I hear it in your voice. You don’t like him, either.” His statement was flat, resigned. “Why?”
Uncertain, she hesitated. “I don’t know him all that well since I’ve only lived here about three years.”
“Why won’t anyone give me a straight answer?” This time his voice took on the hard edge of someone about to reach their limit.
Quickly reaching a decision, she took a breath. “What do you want to know?”
Max glanced at his watch. Again. One-thirty. A whole ten minutes had passed since the last time he looked. Damn. Will two-o’clock ever get here?
Sky drove herself to work, so there was no need for him to pick her up. But, he rationalized, it would save time if I’m there when she gets off. We can pick Maddie up and go get the tree, then I’ll bring her back to get her car.
It sounded like a good plan, but he wondered if she would object to leaving her car. He finally decided to just go when a soft knock on the kitchen door drew his attention.
Maddie stood on the steps, trademark smile in place.
“Hey, Tink.” He looked behind her and around the yard. “What are you doing here?”
She hurried inside, her voice bubbling with excitement. “Miss Janet said we’re going to go get a Christmas tree. Isn’t that terrific!”
Before he could get a word out, she continued in that same breathless kid-like voice that never failed to generate a smile from him.
“I told her I’d just come down here and ride with you. That way, Mama wouldn’t have to go pick me up.” She clapped her hands together, blue eyes sparkling like sapphires in sunlight. “I can’t wait. We’ve never chopped down a tree before. We always got one at the store. And they have this wagon you get to ride, and they have hot chocolate and stuff.”
Evidently, his silence finally penetrated her euphoria because some of the joy in her face gave way to confusion. “Aren’t you excited, Max?”
He squatted down in front of her, ignoring the stiff leg muscles that reminded him he’d missed his stretches this morning. Since it meant extra time with Sky, he decided it was a good swap. “Of course I’m excited, Tink.” He tapped the tip of her nose. “Just hard to get a word in edgewise.”
The smile returned. “We have to get one for you, too, even though you’ll probably be with us most of the time.”
“I will?”
“Of course. You’re Mama’s boyfriend, and boyfriends spend holidays with their girlfriends.”
Like a caffeine buzz, happiness coursed through him, and his smile widened. “I see.”
She cocked her head to one side and studied him closely. “You have a really nice smile, Max. You should use it more often.”
Before he could reply, the energetic child on a mission returned.
“Can we go now? Mama might get off early.”
She tugged his hand, and he stood.
“Do you have any Christmas decorations?”
“No. I—”
“Don’t worry. We’ll take care of that, too.” She was all smiles and giggles as she pulled him toward the door. “And don’t forget your jacket.”
Max couldn’t stop the chuckle that rumbled in his chest. Maddie would make a good Marine. Determine the objective. Devise a plan. Execute. At the moment, the plan was to get going on the great Christmas Tree hunt. Never once in his whole life had he done such a thing. The prospect of sharing this momentous occasion with the two most important people in his life caused unfamiliar joy to bubble inside him. I’m going to chop down a Christmas tree. My first Christmas tree.
Her non-stop chatter all the way to the diner should have perturbed him. Instead, it made his chest tighten. For so long, he had hungered for this…this normalcy. To know he stood on the brink of having the one thing he craved more than anything was far more frightening than any battlefield enemy he had ever faced. He knew how to deal with that. How to fight back, how to win.
But this was different. He had no clue what the rules of engagement were, or if there were even rules to be mindful of. On top of that insecurity, a lifetime of hurts and doubts threatened to worm their way into his head. I don’t deserve this happiness. I’m no good for them. I got more baggage than Amtrak.
He took a deep breath. Nothing good comes easy. You gotta fight for what you want.
Maddie was still talking when he stopped in front of the diner. “This is going to be the best Christmas ever, huh, Max?”
He helped her down from the back seat of the truck, and she took his big hand in her small one. When she looked up at him, her eyes so full of trust and love, a chunk of doubt fell away.
“Absolutely,” he said. “The best ever.”
Hand in hand, they walked inside. A quick scan of the room showed only a few patrons remained. He stopped when he saw Sky in a back booth talking to Logan. By the expression on their faces, the conversation was serious. He hesitated, unsure if he should interrupt.
Maddie, however, had no such reservations and hurried forward.
“Hi, Mama. Hi, Logan.”
Sky looked at Maddie, then Max, her eyes asking a silent question.
“I told Max we could surprise you,” offered Maddie. “That way, you don’t have to pick me up, and we can go get the tree quicker.” She turned to Logan. “We’re going to chop down a Christmas tree. Do you want to go with us?”
“Maddie,” cautioned Sky.
Before she got another word out, Maddie-on-a-mission took charge.
“He’s staying at Max’s house so he can come, too.” She turned to Max. “Right, Max?”
The last thing Max wanted was to share this afternoon with a virtual stranger. But, on the other hand, maybe the kid needed a break. “You’re welcome to come if you want.”
“I’d be in the way,” said Logan softly. “I’ll just head back to your place if you don’t mind.”
Suddenly, Max was a kid again, being told over and over he was in the way, a mistake, a problem, and unwanted.
No way in hell would he ever be the reason any kid experienced that kind of rejection. He may be pushing eighteen, but Logan was still a kid to Max. “You won’t be in the way at all,” said Max. “In fact, you can help me cut it down.”
Logan’s features brightened slightly. “Are you sure?”
“I think that’s a splendid idea,
” said Sky. She slid out of the booth and stood beside Max. She looked around the diner, then kissed him softly on the lips. “I won’t be long. Ruby just locked the doors, and it will take a few minutes to finish up.”
While Sky finished clean-up duties, Max listened quietly as Logan and Maddie discussed the attributes of the perfect tree. Well, truth be told, Maddie did most of the talking, with Logan barely getting in a word. But judging by the smile on the kids face, he didn’t mind. The little pixie had that effect on people.
Logan insisted on driving his truck, despite Maddie’s assertion they all ride together. She wanted them to sing Christmas songs on the way and said it would be fun. It certainly didn’t sound like fun to Max, but evidently it was important to her, so Max would sing.
And sing they did. A little halfhearted at first, at least on his part, but after some talking-tos from Maddie, he sang “right,” and thoroughly enjoyed himself, though he doubted he would ever sing Jingle Bells again.
By the time they reached their destination, everyone was in high spirits. They met up with Logan and headed for the wagon they would ride to the actual trees.
The first person they saw was Cade Jackson.
Sky’s heart dropped like a rock when Cade stepped into view. Oh, no. Not this. Not now.
“Hello, Max,” he crooned, “Need help finding a family tree?”
Max ignored him and took a step to the side, Maddie in tow.
Cade stepped in front of Logan, and Max turned around, lips compressed into a thin line, eyes suddenly dark and cold. The muscles in his cheeks jerked as his jaw clenched and released. Tension bounced off him like shock waves as he edged Maddie forward. “Go to your mother,” he snapped.
Maternal instincts kicked in, and Sky reached for her daughter’s hand as she took a step closer to Logan, pushing Maddie behind her.
The boy stared at the man he knew to be his father as though trying to confirm it.
This close, it was easy for Sky to note the resemblance between father and son. Almost the same height, they shared the same tawny-gold hair and athletic build, though the dimple in Logan’s left cheek was more pronounced than the one Cade sported. Where Cade’s mouth was thin and cynical, Logan’s was generous and full.