The Last Lonely Christmas

by Claire Sanders

  Mary hesitated but then realized Will wouldn’t have offered to pay if it hadn’t been important to him. “Thanks,” she said. “I’ll order two.”

  An hour later, Robin and Daisy were asleep on Mary’s bedroom floor, Grant and Neil were still huddled over computer screens, and Mary and Will sat at the dining room table, finishing the last slices of pizza.

  “Thanks for dinner,” Will said.

  “Yeah, I slaved over a hot stove for hours and hours to make this fine meal.”

  “Still, most people wouldn’t be so thoughtful. Not only does my daughter adore you, but thanks to you, my son now has someone to help him with his project.”

  Mary glowed inwardly from Will’s compliment. “From what I saw, Neil’s enjoying himself.”

  Will chewed the last slice of pizza slowly. “Why did you say your day had been full of surprises?”

  Mary cocked her head to one side. “I got an unexpected promotion today.”

  Will smiled brightly. “That’s great! Congratulations.”

  “Thanks. Now, maybe I can replenish my savings. Buying this old house and fixing it up has made a big hole in my bank account.”

  “I wondered why a single woman bought such a big house. Did you buy it as an investment?”

  “No, I plan to live here. I know four bedrooms and three baths are a lot for someone who lives alone, but this is the kind of house I always dreamed of having.”

  “Where did you grow up?”

  “Near Chicago.”

  “No, I mean, what kind of place did you live in when you were growing up? An apartment, a house, an igloo?”

  Mary didn’t usually talk about her childhood. People had a way of jumping to conclusions or responding with unwarranted sympathy. But Will was becoming a friend, and she wanted him to know. “Actually, I grew up in an orphanage.”

  Will’s eyes widened. “No family at all?”

  “Nope. Someone—probably my mother—dropped me off in an emergency room shortly after I was born. It was the people at the Good Shepherd Home for Children who named me.”

  Will’s dark eyebrows drew together. “I didn’t know orphanages still existed. I thought kids were put in foster homes.”

  “I guess some of them are, but I lived at Good Shepherd until I was eighteen.”

  “I’ve always heard infants are easily adopted and it’s the older kids who have problems.”

  “The woman who runs Good Shepherd told me I wasn’t adopted because I had a lot of health problems when I was a baby. I’d like to think that was the truth. It explains why no one wanted me. That’s the hardest part about being an orphan—realizing no one wanted you.”

  Will’s voice softened. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up unpleasant memories.”

  Mary tried to lighten his concern. “It’s okay. I don’t waste much time feeling sorry for myself. Growing up with a challenge isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Kids like me learn to be self-reliant and amazingly resilient.”

  “That makes me feel better about my own kids. They’re definitely growing up with a challenge.”

  “From what I’ve seen, they’re doing okay. Even though they do have such an ugly father.”

  “Hey!” Will said with a twinkle in his eyes. “Joe Harrison’s teasing is enough.”

  Mary laughed with him. “Okay, okay. No more teasing about your looks.”

  “Tell me the rest of the story,” Will prompted. “What did you do when you turned eighteen? Did you have to leave the orphanage?”

  “Yep. But I lived in the dorm during college and then rented a tiny apartment.”

  “College? How did you afford that?”

  “Good grades combined with no money opened the door to scholarships and grants. Plus, I got a job working in the linen department of Alden’s Department Store. I know everything there is to know about sheets and towels. Just ask me.”

  “And you worked your way up from linens to the top floor?”

  “More or less. But it took a lot of years to get there.”

  “From what I know of your boss, he doesn’t give undeserved accolades. All of your hard work paid off.”

  “And now, your hard work is going to make my next goal a reality. Making this old house a home.”

  “I see now why this place is so important to you.”

  “Yeah. I finally have a home of my own. Now, I’ve only one thing left on my wish list.”

  “What’s that?”

  Mary shifted in her chair. Will might be a friend, but she wasn’t willing to tell him everything. “I don’t think I’m going to tell you.”

  Will raised his eyebrows in apparent surprise. “Why? Is it a secret?”

  Mary raised one shoulder. “Maybe I’m just being stubborn.”

  Will narrowed his eyes. “Hmm. Well, I’ll let you keep your secret, but I hope your wish comes true someday. Will you let me know if it does?”

  “No telling how long it will take. I might not even know you then.”

  “Actually, Mary…that’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”

  Mary studied his handsome face. He’d shown nothing but confidence in the weeks she’d known him, but suddenly, he looked apprehensive. “What’s on your mind?”

  “After our business is completed…and you’re satisfied with my work…”

  Whatever was on Will’s mind was causing a lot of tension. “Yes?” Mary asked in her most friendly tone.

  “Well…I was hoping you’d let me take you out some time.”

  Now it was her turn to feel nervous. “Like a date?” she squeaked.

  Will’s voice adopted the tone of someone talking to a three-year-old. “Yes, Mary. On a date. Dinner? Movie? You’ve been on a date before, haven’t you?”

  Mary tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yeah, but…it’s been a while.”

  Will tossed paper napkins into the empty pizza boxes and stacked them into a neat pile. “I don’t think dates have changed very much. If you don’t want to go, all you have to say is no and I’ll never bring it up again.”

  “No… I mean, yes…” Mary sighed heavily. Only she could mess up something so easy. “I’d like to go out with you.”

  “Wow, Mary,” Will said with a deadpan expression. “You make it sound like you’re agreeing to torture.”

  Mary covered her face with her hands and laughed. “I don’t mean it that way. You caught me by surprise, that’s all.”

  Will took the pizza boxes into the kitchen and threw them into the trash. During the uneasy silence, Mary searched for something to say. Anything that would change the subject. “Speaking of Joe Harrison,” she finally said, “he’s coming to my house for lunch on Christmas day.”

  Will returned to his chair and rested one elbow on the table. “Is that right? Well, lucky him.”

  “I’ve invited a few friends from work and church to spend the afternoon with me. That’s why I need the kitchen and the downstairs rooms.”

  “I’ll make sure the construction mess is cleaned up before then.”

  “Robin has promised to help me decorate.”

  “Just don’t let her do the cooking. Unless you want to serve mud pies and hot chocolate.”

  Mary laughed with him. “What does your family do for Christmas?”

  “We used to go to the grandparents, but Sharon’s father died last year and her mother moved to Florida to be closer to her son. My parents’ health isn’t very good, so we visit but never stay long.”

  “Do they live nearby?”

  “Uh-huh. When Sharon died, my parents stepped in and helped. But as their health deteriorated, they were able to do less and less. My mom worries about me being a single father almost as much as I do.”

  “I think you’re doing a great job.”

  “I don’t know why you think that,” Will said with a shake of his head.

  Mary reached across the table and touched one of Will’s hot pink fingernails. “You let your daughter paint your nails. That says so m
uch about you.”

  Will glanced at his hand. “I forget it’s there. Robin’s going to be a girly-girl even though she’s growing up in a house full of men.”

  Mary had never wanted to hold a man’s hand before, but she forced herself to stop touching him. “That painted nail tells me you want your daughter to be happy.”

  “Of course I want her to be happy. One morning, I woke up, and Robin was sitting in my bed, painting my toe nails.”

  “What color?”

  “Orange.”

  Mary tried to silence her giggles as the image of a drowsy Will waking up to find orange nail polish on his toes popped into her head.

  “You think that’s funny?” Will asked with feigned outrage.

  Mary tried to say no, but could only laugh. The sound of heavy footsteps on the stairs told her she and Will were about to have company.

  “What’s so funny?” Grant asked.

  Mary wiped her eyes as Will stood. “I was just telling Mary about some of Robin’s antics.”

  “Yeah,” Grant replied with an eye roll, “my kid sister is always good for a laugh.”

  Mary took a deep breath in order to recover. “Are you finished with your project?”

  “For tonight,” Grant answered. “Neil gave me a lot of ideas, but I need some time to work on them.”

  “I told Grant to call me when he’s finished,” Neil said. “I’d love to see what he’s done.” Neil’s gaze shifted to Will. “If it’s all right with you.”

  “I’m sure we can work something out,” Will said.

  “Exams are next week,” Grant said. “I get out of school early on those days.”

  “And when’s the project due?” asked Will.

  Grant tapped his laptop. “It has to be submitted before the end of the year.”

  A small voice interrupted their conversation. “Why’s everybody making so much noise?”

  Everyone turned to see Robin standing on the stairs, rubbing her eyes. Daisy waited patiently at her side.

  “Because it’s time to go home,” Will said as he strode across the room and picked up his daughter. “Thanks for everything, Mary. You too, Neil. I’ll be back tomorrow morning.”

  “Good night, Mary,” Robin called over her father’s shoulder. “Can I go with you when you buy the Christmas tree?”

  Mary bit back the urge to kiss Robin on the forehead. “We’ll talk about it later,” Mary promised with a quick wave.

  Robin tucked her head under Will’s chin. The child may have lost her mother but she had a good father. And a good father could fill many holes in a child’s heart.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Mary was in her office the next afternoon when Sarah Gallagher appeared at her door. “M-Mary? May I speak to you?”

  One look at Mrs. Gallagher’s teary eyes told Mary something was terribly wrong. “Come in and sit down. Are you all right?”

  “Oh, Mary. I…I…” Mrs. Gallagher covered her face as she broke into sobs.

  Mary retrieved a box of tissues from the bookshelf behind her desk and set it near Mrs. Gallagher. When her sobs subsided, Mary laid a hand on the older woman’s shoulder. “What’s happened? How can I help?”

  “I don’t know if you can, but…” Mrs. Gallagher swallowed hard. “I just allowed a shoplifter to get away.”

  The store had security measures in place for situations such as these, and Mrs. Gallagher had received the information during her training. But something must have gone terribly wrong. Mary retrieved the bottled water from her lunch bag, opened it, and offered it to Mrs. Gallagher.

  “Thank you, dear,” Mrs. Gallagher said as she took the bottle in her trembling hand. “Olivia Bishop knows what happened, and I’m sure she’ll be up here any minute to demand I be fired, but I wanted to be the first one to tell you that I…that I…” A fresh crop of tears flowed from Mrs. Gallagher’s eyes.

  Mary wasn’t likely to get any intelligible information until Mrs. Gallagher calmed down. “Drink some water,” she said gently. “I’m sure we can resolve this problem.”

  “I’ll pay for the ring,” Mrs. Gallagher said. “I don’t know the exact cost but, if you give me enough time, I’ll pay for it.”

  Mary patted the older lady’s back. “I need to get more details from Olivia. Will you stay here and catch your breath until I get back?”

  Mrs. Gallagher pulled another tissue from the box and nodded. Mary closed the office door and made her way to the jewelry counter.

  Olivia Bishop’s face was as foreboding as a thunderstorm. “I know why you’re here,” she said as soon as Mary stepped behind the counter. “I’ve already contacted the security department and they’re following up on my report.”

  “Tell me what happened.”

  Olivia let out a long-suffering sigh. “Sarah was showing a sapphire ring to a young man. When she turned away to get the matching bracelet, he took the ring and walked out.”

  “And Mrs. Gallagher?”

  “It took her a few seconds to realize what had happened, but when she did, she ran through the store yelling, ‘Thief! Thief!’”

  Mary squeezed her eyes shut. Maintaining a calm atmosphere in the store was one of Mr. Alden’s main directives. Mrs. Gallagher’s actions were the opposite of what she’d been instructed to do. “I’m glad you followed protocol.”

  “Of course,” Olivia replied. “I didn’t fall off the salesclerk truck yesterday. You’ll have to check with security to see what’s going on now. I told Sarah to go to the break room until she felt better, but I suppose she ran straight to you.”

  “She’s in my office.”

  Olivia crossed her arms over her chest. “Listen, Mary. I’ll agree she’s good with customers, but she’s as scatterbrained as a two-year-old with A.D.D. Will you think about assigning her to a different department?”

  Olivia was right. “I’ll change her assignment, but right now, I’m going to the security center.”

  As Mary walked through the first-floor departments, she remembered Mrs. Gallagher’s interview. Mary had been wrong to assign Mrs. Gallagher to the jewelry section, but when the older lady had requested that department, Mary hadn’t realized the potential problems.

  Security chief, Carl Eckhart, was on the phone when Mary entered the back rooms that housed the security center. In his mid-forties, Carl had a weight lifter’s body and a no-nonsense manner. He hung up the phone and gazed levelly at Mary. “Are you here about the incident in the jewelry department?”

  Mary nodded and approached Carl’s desk.

  “I’ve got some good news.” He turned to his computer, tapped a few keys, and swiveled the monitor so Mary could see the screen. “Here’s the video from the security camera. Watch this guy right here.” He indicated a slender man wearing a dark jacket. “See how he points to something in the case? He was trying to distract the clerk. Then, as soon as she turns to get the item, he slips the ring in his pocket and walks calmly away.” Carl clicked to stop the video.

  “I understand the clerk made quite a scene,” Mary said.

  A mischievous grin broke out on Carl’s usually stern face. “Oh, yes. Do you want to see that too?”

  “I’ll probably be happier if I don’t.”

  “Yes, I believe you will,” Carl said with a low chuckle. “But Olivia Bishop called it in right away. Now, watch this.” A few clicks more and Mary saw a view of the parking lot. “Here’s our guy,” Carl said, “as cool as a January morning, getting into his car. And here”—Carl clicked to enlarge part of the image—“ is the license plate. I’ve already called the police and given them the information. They’re going to locate the owner of the car, and if he matches the video, I’ll be dancing a jig.”

  Mary shook her head in disbelief. No wonder Mr. Alden delineated so much of the budget to the security department. “That’s amazing, Carl. Good work.”

  “Just doing my job, although I wouldn’t mind if you passed that compliment on to the boss.”

  “I’ll be
sure to let Mr. Alden know how quickly you acted to get the information to the police. Is there anything else I need to know?”

  “Not now. I’ll let you know if an arrest is made. But, Mary…”

  “Yes?”

  Carl gestured to his computer monitor. “This clerk, the older lady?”

  “Yes?”

  “Maybe you could reassign her to someplace nice and calm. Like gift wrap.”

  Mary nodded. “Thanks for your help, Mr. Eckhart.”

  Mary rode the escalator upstairs and found Mrs. Gallagher in the same place she’d left her. A small pile of tissues encircled the chair. “Are you feeling better?”

  Mrs. Gallagher sniffed loudly. “Yes, thank you. What did you find out? Am I fired? Will you let me pay for the ring?”

  Mary sat behind her desk. “Let’s take one question at a time. First, I viewed the security footage of the shoplifter. There’s a good chance the police will be able to find him.”

  Mrs. Gallagher took in a sharp breath. “Really? Without any identification? How will they ever find him?”

  “The store’s security cameras got a lot of useful information. Second, you’re not fired, and I’m sure Mr. Alden will not expect you to pay for the ring.”

  Mrs. Gallagher placed a hand on her heart and sighed dramatically. “Oh, Mary. I can’t tell you how relieved I am. But…would you like me to resign?”

  “Do you want to keep working?”

  “Yes, but…” Mrs. Gallagher’s voice dropped to a near-whisper. “Maybe not in the jewelry department. Olivia was so angry.”

  There had to be someplace in the store that would be a good match for Mrs. Gallagher. At last, the answer came. “What do you think about the toy department? It can get rather noisy and hectic there, but since you love children—”

  “Oh, Mary!” Mrs. Gallagher’s eyes dried immediately and a wide smile brightened her face. “That would be perfect! Playing with children all day? What fun!”

  Mary consulted the information on her computer. “I see you have tomorrow off. Go home now and get some rest. Check with me when you come back, and I’ll introduce you to the head salesperson in toys.”

  “You’re the best boss ever, Mary. I promise I won’t let you down.” Mrs. Gallagher stood and straightened her clothing. “I’m so excited about working in the toy department. I should have asked for that instead of jewelry.”