Her Deadly Reunion

by Beth Ziarnik

  “I’m glad you still like them,” he said.

  While more gifts flowed to her father and family, Jill watched with a sinking feeling as Kathryn continued to avoid those Jill had placed beneath the tree. Heat swept her cheeks when Kathryn stood up with six gifts remaining and walked away.

  Lillie stared at her sister. “But, Kat, we’re not finished.”

  Kathryn pressed her lips together and sat down on the piano bench.

  Lillie looked at her father and grandmother then rushed to the tree and picked up one of the gifts. It was the Star of Bethlehem plant. “This one is for …” She read the tag. “From Jill to me. Oh, Jill.” She hurried across the room and swept Jill into a sisterly hug.

  Tears of joy stung Jill’s eyes. “I’m so glad you like it.”

  “I don’t like it, I love it. It’s perfect. Thank you so much.” She placed it with her other gifts and returned to the tree.

  “And this one is for you, Grandmother.”

  Dora grimaced with the barest show of emotion, quickly reining in her displeasure after a glance toward her son-in-law. She took the gift from Lillie and set it aside.

  “Oh, no, Grandmother. You must open it for all of us to see,” Lillie insisted.

  “As you wish.” She removed the lovely wrappings. “It’s a book of Christmas poems,” she said before putting it aside.

  Jill moistened her lips and blinked rapidly. Did Dora hate it? Or merely dislike the idea that it came from her? Jill bowed her head. She had wondered if Dora might be displeased to receive a gift from her, but she had purchased the beautiful little book, feeling she could not slight the prickly woman.

  Lillie picked up the book. “Why, Grandmother, you love poetry, and this is your favorite author. And look what a lovely binding it has.”

  Dora nodded begrudgingly. “Lillie is right. Thank you, Jill.”

  Jill offered a smile, and Lillie returned to the tree. “Father, this one is for you.” She placed the small package in his hands.

  As her father held it without opening it or saying a word, Jill held her breath. Had she made the right choice, or would it seem too personal? Striking the right balance had been a challenge, especially since she had wanted to give him something special.

  “Father, aren’t you going to open it?” Lillie prompted.

  At that, he tugged the ribbon loose, removed the wrapping, and opened the small white box. She knew what he would find—a gold tie clasp and chain, the clasp engraved with J. A. Taylor. The initials they shared because Jill had been named after her father. She selected it as something he could wear near his heart, a gift his mother-in-law or two daughters could not object to. But did he like it?

  “Thank you, Jill. I will treasure this.” His smile held an apologetic sadness.

  Lillie grinned and went to retrieve the next present. “This one is for you, Kat.”

  With dull eyes, her sister took the package, her face registering surprise as she almost dropped the heavy gift. She removed the wrapping and the cover. Her mouth dropped open, and a tiny gasp escaped her lips. She lifted the large geode from the box and examined it in awe.

  “Oh, Kat. It’s gorgeous,” Lillie exclaimed. “How did she know?”

  Kathryn’s lips formed a thin, hard line. “I imagine she had help. Isn’t that right, Brian?”

  Brian shook his head. “Not from me. I was with her, but she selected it all on her own.”

  “Father? Lillie?”

  They shook their heads in unison.

  Kathryn put the rock back in its box. “Well, it’s … very nice. Thank you.” She barely glanced Jill’s way, but Jill thanked God. He had certainly inspired the purchase.

  Lillie snatched up the last gift and gave it to Alice, who had remained quietly observing the entire evening. “From Jill.”

  Alice blinked rapidly. “You … you really shouldn’t have.”

  Jill grinned. “I could hardly leave out one so devoted to caring for her patient.”

  Alice reached in among the gift bag’s rustling tissues and removed a small leather-bound devotional book. A copy of the book that had brought Jill comfort after her own mother died. “Thank you,” Alice mumbled.

  “Now,” her father said, placing three envelopes with names on them in Lillie’s hands, “these are for you, Kathryn, and your grandmother. I’m sorry I didn’t have either the time or energy to shop this year.”

  Jill didn’t miss the smirk Kathryn sent her way. No envelope for Jill.

  “I believe there is another gift under the tree, Lillie,” her father prompted.

  “That one’s for Jill’s friend, Clay. And he’s not here.”

  “No, another,” her father said.

  Lillie looked behind her. “Where?” She searched a bit more. “Oh, I see it.” She reached way back, stood and examined it. A broad smile broke out on her face. She looked at Jill. “This one is for you,” she said, placing it gently in Jill’s hands, “from our father.”

  The lump forming in Jill’s throat held back any verbal response. Her eyes blurred with tears as she beheld her first Christmas gift ever from her father. She blinked the tears away and looked at him.

  He smiled broadly and nodded. “Go ahead. Open it.”

  The gift was so beautifully wrapped that she held it admiringly, hesitating to open it. All eyes were on her. She carefully removed the ribbon and wrapping to reveal a white rectangular jeweler’s box. Its soft texture warmed in her hands. She lifted the hinged lid and stared, unable to believe her eyes.

  “What is it?” Lillie begged, her eyes bright with curiosity.

  Jill lifted the gleaming strand of pearls by its delicate gold clasp and watched the Christmas lights play like liquid fire through a small, heart-shaped ruby at the center of the necklace. Her eyes misted. Her father had combined the pearls representing her mother’s birth month with the ruby representing her own.

  Brian held out his hand. “May I?”

  Jill placed it into his keeping and watched as he unhooked the clasp. He stepped behind her and held the necklace before her, ready to place it around her neck. She lifted her hair and felt the cool strand rest against her skin.

  “Oh, Jill, it’s lovely,” Lillie said breathlessly.

  Kathryn grimaced and stomped forward. “Let me see that.” Her chin trembled as she examined the piece. “Father, how could you?” She stormed from the room. Dora followed in her wake and called for her to wait.

  “What’s the matter?” Jill glanced from Brian to her sister and then her father. His face ashen, he slumped as if it were too much effort to sit erect any longer. Alice jumped to her feet and placed her hand on his forehead as Jill hurried to his side.

  “Dad, you don’t look well. What’s the matter?”

  As he mumbled something incoherent, Jill’s heart jumped into her throat. Lillie pushed his wheelchair in from the reception hall, and Alice attempted to lift him into it.

  “Let me help you,” Brian said, using his strength to position his boss in the chair. He then pushed it from the room with Alice directing him. Jill followed Lillie in their wake.

  Alice stopped them. “Lillie, your grandmother would like you to remain here. Jill, would you stay with her while we get John settled in his room? We can’t all fit into that cramped elevator anyway.”

  Jill put her arm around her sister’s shoulders. They stood side by side in the reception hall as Alice and Brian wheeled their father to the servants’ hall where the elevator waited. When they were no longer in sight, Jill turned to Lillie.

  “What happened just now?”

  Lillie wrung her hands. “I don’t know. He was doing so well until Kat made that awful fuss.” She glowered. “Sometimes my sister is such a pain.”

  “Why was she so upset?”

  “About the necklace?”

  Jill nodded, totally perplexed. Did Kathryn resent their father giving her a gift? She had to admit it was an expensive one.

  Lillie lowered her head for a moment befo
re looking Jill in the eyes. “I can only guess. You see, Father gave Kat and me each a necklace like that one, except the heart-shaped gemstone in each of ours is our birthstone. Mine is an emerald, and Kat’s is a sapphire. By giving you that necklace, Father acknowledged you as his daughter. I’m sorry, but Kat’s not ready for that.”

  Jill reached behind her neck to undo the clasp.

  “No, don’t.” Lillie touched her elbow to stop her. “Kat may not be ready, but it’s time. You are our father’s daughter too. It’s harder for Kat to accept that because she remembers our mother before she became ill and was taken away. Be patient with her.”

  Lillie’s pleading eyes tugged at Jill’s heart. She was right. Kathryn was having a hard time accepting her and perhaps understandably so. Though it might not be easy, she could afford to give Kathryn some latitude.

  “Thank you for the reminder, Lillie. I’ll try.” But would her attempts do any good?

  “If we all try harder, maybe the sorrow in this house will stop.” Lillie turned away. “I’m going to my room now. Will I see you in the morning?”

  “I’ll be here.” Where else could she go?

  Jill moved back into the music room where only the Christmas tree and the flickering light of candles gleamed in the darkness. She looked up at the lighted angel on the tree’s top. “Lord, I had hoped for a memorable first Christmas with my father.” She touched the beautiful necklace she was wearing and reveled in all it meant. “Even though it didn’t go entirely as I had hoped, thank you.”

  She could also thank him that everyone had liked the gifts she had given them, that Lillie staunchly recognized her as her sister, and that her duet with Brian had brought Jesus into the celebration. Yes, she had much to be thankful for.

  But how intensely she longed for the comfort of Clay’s arms on this night. Why couldn’t she be content with all the other blessings she had received on this first Christmas with her father and his family? The lone gift beneath the tree caught her attention. Some dreams were hard to release. Other dreams were hard to hold.

  “Jill?”

  She whirled around to face Brian, who stood so close she nearly collided with him. She quickly moved into the reception hall, but much to her dismay, Brian followed her. It didn’t help seeing the chandelier with a sprig of mistletoe.

  Brian stepped closer. “I’m sorry Christmas wasn’t all you had hoped.”

  “How is my father?”

  “Resting comfortably. Alice gave him a sedative.” His eyes bore into hers as he reached out to touch her hair.

  She moved her head. “Brian, don’t.”

  “Still waiting for the boyfriend?”

  Jill raised her chin and glared at him. “I don’t know what’s keeping him, but he’ll have a good explanation.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  She clamped her lips together, holding back words that begged to spill out. Kathryn wasn’t the only one who could be a real pain.

  “Look, Jill, I’m not the enemy.” His voice went soft. “I happen to think a lot of you. By now, you should know that. I also believe you deserve the best.”

  “Meaning you?” He had another thing coming on that one.

  “Meaning someone who treats you right. Someone who cares more about you than making the next business deal.”

  “You don’t know Clay.” She kept her voice low.

  “Maybe not. But I know you. I know how much this visit with your father means to you. If Clay cares for you as much as you seem to think he does, he would be here. No excuses.”

  Jill took a step back. “He’ll be here as soon as he can.”

  “Good. Because I’m beginning to wonder if John will recover.”

  Alarm sprang up in Jill’s chest. She blinked rapidly. “What … why?”

  “Don’t panic. I may be wrong, but it bothers me that he doesn’t seem to be getting better after all this time.”

  “He did well tonight.” Jill wanted to believe that meant something positive.

  “But now he’s right back where he started. Maybe worse.”

  Jill studied Brian. He appeared genuinely concerned, and that eased her heart. “If only Dad would go to a hospital. I don’t understand. Why doesn’t Dora insist, or even Kathryn?” Jill clenched her fists. “Someone must convince him, must make him see it’s the only thing to do. Surely Alice should be able to persuade him or at least bring a doctor in.”

  He snorted. “Good luck with that one.”

  “So I’ve heard. But why won’t he go? What does he have against doctors and hospitals?”

  “Doctors make mistakes. John’s convinced people go to hospitals to die, and he’s not ready.”

  “What if I beg him?” She was getting desperate.

  Brian shrugged. “You can try, but I don’t think it will do any good. We’ve all tried. He’s stubborn. Besides, I suspect there’s more to it than he lets on.”

  “Something traumatic?”

  “Maybe. He mentioned once that he had a disturbing experience with hospitals as a boy, but he refuses to talk about it.”

  “But I can’t let him die. Not when we’re finally getting to know one another.” She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to keep sudden tears from leaking.

  Brian’s arms closed around her, and before she could disengage, he gently kissed the top of her head. Jerking back to push him away, she caught movement in her peripheral vision and shifted her focus.

  “Clay!”

  Chapter Twelve

  The promised mistletoe dangling in one hand, Clay halted beside the staircase. The joy in his heart withered as he observed Jill in the arms of another.

  She turned to him and uttered his name, rushing to throw her arms around his neck. “Oh, Clay, you’ve come. I’m so happy you’re here at last.”

  Whatever he thought he had just witnessed, she must have a good explanation. His arms closed around her. Even as Jill embraced him, he stared at the other man whose clenched jaw made it clear Clay had interrupted something.

  Jill pulled back. “I didn’t hear a doorbell. Who let you in?”

  “An elderly woman in a uniform. I can’t imagine what she was doing outside at this hour, but I definitely surprised her.” He tipped his head in the direction of the man standing a few feet away. “Who is this?”

  She remained at his side while she made the introduction. “Clay, this is Brian Caldwell, my father’s business associate and an old friend.”

  Clay turned the name over in his mind. It sounded familiar.

  “Brian,” she continued, “this is—”

  “I gathered as much.” The man raised his chin the barest degree. “It’s late. I’ll be on my way.” He nodded in Clay’s direction, a challenge visible in his eyes as he passed. “Good night.”

  Jill swung back into Clay’s arms. “What kept you so long? Why didn’t you call?”

  He tipped her chin up and drank in the open love shining in her eyes, relishing the steadfast honesty he treasured about her. He trusted her, but he also trusted his instincts, and whether or not she realized it, that old friend wanted more than a simple friendship.

  “Is there somewhere we can talk privately?” he asked.

  “Let’s go in here.” She nodded toward a room where Christmas tree lights set a softly romantic mood.

  His gut clenched as he once again realized he had less than good news to share with this woman he loved. Settled on the couch beside Jill, he took her soft hands in his before he began. She listened, unwavering, as if intent on catching every word. When his story drew to a close, he raised both palms as if there had been no other choice. “Finally, I told her I was through.”

  “No contract?” Her luminous eyes swam with concern.

  “No contract. I went to pack, intending to call you but found my cell phone dead and my charger missing. I had to leave the charger behind because Manny was waiting, and I didn’t want to give Francesca a chance to change her mind.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Th
e barest touch of Jill’s fingertips along his jawline charged his blood. “I know you were counting on this project, but I’m proud of you for giving it your best effort and knowing when to cut it loose.” Her eyes glistened as if she held back unshed tears for his loss. “What will you do now?”

  “I’ll think of something.” He managed a slight smile, and as Jill rested her head against his shoulder, a sense of well-being invaded him. “I’ve prayed about it and know the Lord has the answer. I just wish I knew what. But hey, let’s forget about all that and enjoy what’s left of Christmas. I’m only sorry it took me so long to get here.”

  She scooted closer. “You’re here now. That’s all I need.”

  “You needed me here earlier.” It was hard to live with the fact that he had failed her.

  “Yes, but—”

  “But your old friend stepped into the gap.” A pinch of jealousy possessed him, but he tried to keep it out of his voice. “Who is Brian Caldwell? He acts like more than your father’s business associate and your old friend.”

  The sparkle fled from her eyes. “He’s … we were once … engaged.”

  Ah, yes. Now he remembered. The former fiancé. And from the looks of the man, one who had taken full advantage of Clay’s absence. A primal urge to best his rival surged. He tamped it down. He might see the threat, but Jill seemed unaware. “He still cares for you.”

  She sat up, sorrow showing in her eyes. “I know, but believe me, I made it clear he and I would never be anything more than friends. Especially before he took me Christmas shopping.”

  “He took you Christmas shopping?” The rat had been very busy.

  “I needed gifts for the rest of the family. With so little time left, when Brian offered to help, I didn’t see how I could refuse. If you had been here …” Her words choked off. “I’m … I’m sorry. What else could I do?”

  “You’re right. If I had been here, you wouldn’t have had to shop with your ex-boyfriend.” He kept his tone low key, but anger burned in his heart. Not with her, but with himself. Still, she looked bewildered and a bit hurt. He took her slender hands in his. “You didn’t do anything wrong. It was my fault I wasn’t here.”