A Christmas Star

by Thomas Kinkade

  “Every marriage has challenges,” he reminded her. “And here we are. Totally content, about to celebrate Christmas with our two children, two grandchildren, and possibly a future daughter-in-law.”

  Carolyn laughed, her mood brightening once more. “We do have a lot to be thankful for. I feel sorry for the Morgans, though. This time of the year is hard when your family is in such disarray.”

  “I had some serious talks with Sam. I’ve tried to give him some advice. I wish there was something more I could do for him—for all of them,” Ben confessed.

  Carolyn nodded sympathetically and touched his shoulder. “You have a difficult job, Ben. Everyone tells you their problems. It’s hard not to feel responsible.”

  “I know I’m not responsible, but it is hard to feel helpless sometimes. To want to do more, but not know what I can or should do.”

  “I’m sure you’ve been a big support to Sam. I don’t think he confides in many people. Just be there for him. You may have already helped more than you know.”

  Ben nodded. He patted her hand that now rested on his shoulder. “I hope so,” he said quietly. “I really do hope so.”

  THE NEXT DAY, CHRISTMAS EVE, THE BOYS WERE OFF FROM SCHOOL but Jessica had to work until three. Sam arranged to leave the kids with his mother, who was staying home all day to cook for Molly’s party.

  Marie Morgan’s house was already fragrant with the scent of cookies and pastries when Sam dropped the boys off that morning.

  “Are you working all day, Sam?” his mother asked as she hugged her grandsons. “What time will you pick up the boys?”

  “I’m just in the shop for a few hours this morning. Then I need to do some shopping. Jessica will be off early, Mom. She’ll get the boys around three, when the bank closes.”

  His mother watched from the door as he climbed back into his SUV. “We’ll see you tonight, then,” she called to him.

  “That’s right. See you at Molly’s.”

  Alone in his shop, Sam began to put a few finishing touches on Mrs. Norris’s chairs. He rubbed the wood with a finishing oil, then stepped back, waiting for it to dry before applying a second coat.

  The wooden angel on his workbench stared up at him. He picked it up and looked it over. He had worked on it awhile the night before then had put it aside. It wasn’t that far from being finished, he decided.

  He picked up his tools and finished it off quickly, then rubbed the edges with wax and applied a whitewash stain. The resistance of the wax gave the finish an aged, weathered look, one that he knew Jessica liked.

  While the angel dried he turned back to the chairs and applied the second coat of oil. By noon, everything was ready to load into his SUV, just in time to make the delivery he had promised to Mrs. Norris.

  Sam arrived at the Norris residence and found the place swarming with caterers and servants. They all seemed to be frantically preparing for a huge Christmas Eve party. Sam guessed it was no easy task for them. Madeleine Norris was known all over town for her good taste and high standards. He wondered who would win in a match for being the most particular—Mrs. Norris or his mother-in-law? That contest would be too close to call, Sam decided.

  He lined up the chairs in the spacious foyer, and Mrs. Norris examined each one carefully. “You did a fine job,” she said at last. “I had a feeling I could trust you.”

  “I’m glad you’re pleased,” Sam said. He had jumped one hurdle today; only a half dozen more to go. After he collected his fee and wished Mrs. Norris a happy holiday, he jumped back into the SUV and headed for the mall.

  Just walking down the row of stores brought back the bad feelings of arguing with Jessica. He tried hard to put them aside and focus on the giving feeling that Christmas was supposed to inspire. He bought the football jerseys his boys wanted and a few other gifts for them.

  Finally, he came to the jewelry store, where the pearl earrings were still in the window. Sam stood a moment, unsure of what to do. He wanted very badly to get them for Jessica. He just didn’t want to make her even angrier at him. It wasn’t as if he was trying to prove a point, but he did believe she deserved a special gift this year.

  A pair of earrings, even diamonds the size of ice cubes, could never make up for all they had lost. But the impulse sprang from his heart, because he loved her. Sam knew this was how he wanted to show her that. He just had to find a way to make her understand.

  Following the impulse of his heart, Sam went into the store.

  A short time later he headed back to the cabin. It was after three, and he expected to find Jessica and the boys there, getting ready for the party at Molly’s house.

  The cabin looked dark and empty, and the moment he opened the door, he heard Sunny whining in her crate. Sam had had to make so many stops today that he’d left the dog at home.

  Now he looked around the cabin, wondering if Jessica had returned after work and gone out again. A few of the gifts were gone from under the tree, he noticed. But maybe she had started packing up the car with the boxes they needed to bring to Molly’s?

  Sam had a bad feeling down in the pit of his stomach. He couldn’t say why.

  Then he saw a note on the counter. Had they gone ice skating again? It would be odd of Jess to do that right before a big party. But she had been acting oddly lately, that was for sure.

  He picked up the note and read it quickly.

  Sam—

  I’ve taken the boys to the Cape for the night. We’ll be back tomorrow morning. I need to get away for a while. I just can’t face the family tonight at Molly’s house. I know you wanted to stay and be with all of them, and I didn’t want to argue with you. I’m tired of us fighting so much lately. I just need a break and hope you understand.

  Love, Jessica

  To the Cape? What in the world did that mean? Cape Cod was a big place. She could be anywhere. On Christmas Eve, no less. He stood there, stunned, unable to believe she had just packed up the kids and run off, leaving him alone.

  He grabbed the phone and punched in her cell number. The phone rang and rang, but Jessica didn’t pick up. Her voice mail picked up but Sam was so angry, he couldn’t say anything.

  Sam paced the small cabin, feeling as if he were about to explode. He just wanted to smash something. He considered punching his fist into the kitchen counter, but decided not to bust up the place, since it belonged to his pal Luke. And it probably wasn’t a good idea to risk breaking his hand.

  The dog was barking now, desperate yips.

  He walked over to the crate to let her out and spotted a Christmas card on the floor. He picked it up and stared at it. It was the card from Jessica’s college friend, Marty Graham. Sam knew in a flash—that was where she had gone. Jessica had taken Marty up on her invitation and brought the kids to the Grahams’ house on Cape Cod.

  Marty had written her phone number on the bottom of the note. Sam was positive that if he called, he would learn she was expecting Jessica and the boys.

  He hooked the dog to her leash and grabbed his cell phone on the way out the door. While he walked the dog around under the trees, he dialed the Grahams’ number. A woman picked up and said hello.

  “Hi, is this Marty? It’s Sam Morgan. Jessica’s husband.”

  “Oh, Sam. How are you?”

  “I’m good, Marty,” he replied, though he felt anything but. “I was just wondering if Jessica got there yet.”

  He waited. This woman was either going to give him the answer he expected or act as if he had lost his mind.

  “Jess isn’t here yet, Sam. But she just called from the Bourne Bridge. She’s making good time.”

  “Oh, that’s good.” Sam felt pleased with himself for figuring out the mystery.

  “Shall I tell her you called?”

  “Um . . . sure. I just wanted to know she got there safely,” he added.

  “We were sorry to hear you couldn’t come, too, Sam. Jess said someone in your family is sick and you can’t leave town?”

  Sam
didn’t know what to say to that. His impulse was to tell Marty the truth. No one was ailing—just their marriage.

  But he didn’t want to embarrass Jessica.

  “Things looked grim for a while, but they’re better now. You can tell her that when she gets there,” he added.

  “Oh, I will,” Marty said. “Well, I hope you have a good holiday, Sam, and a very happy new year!”

  “Same to you, Marty,” Sam said, thinking he would soon be able to wish Jessica’s friend a happy holiday face-to-face.

  After they hung up, Sam put Sunny in the cabin and ran up to New Horizons’ main building with Marty’s card in hand. Luke had given him a key so that the boys could use the library and computers when the building was closed. Sam went to the library, booted up a computer, and typed Marty’s Cape Cod address into a map site.

  The house was in Brewster, an easy town to reach. He printed out directions from Cape Light and hurried back to the cabin.

  He took a few minutes to clean himself up and change from his work clothes into a decent sweater and new jeans.

  Then he fed Sunny dinner. It didn’t feel right to put the poor pup back in her crate again, after she had been cooped up all day. On the other hand, Sam didn’t think it was a good idea to take the dog with him to the Grahams’ house.

  He finally decided to give Sunny a few chew toys and leave her loose in the cabin. She would probably just jump on a bed and go to sleep.

  “Be a good girl, Sunny,” he told the dog as he left the cabin. “Santa will bring you a surprise.”

  Then Sam climbed into the SUV and headed for the highway.

  THERE HAD BEEN A RUSH OF CUSTOMERS AT THE TREE FARM DURING THE day, the typical last-minute herd that always showed up on Christmas Eve. But by late afternoon, Jack found he simply didn’t care anymore. His mind was not focused on selling out his stock. His thoughts were up in the house, where Julie was already working on their Christmas Day dinner and baking cookies with Kate.

  He took out a piece of plywood and painted a sign:

  Free Trees & All The Trimmings. Take what you want. Merry Christmas!

  Julie came outside just as he was nailing the sign to the shed. “Jack, I can’t believe you,” she said with a laugh.

  “I told you I was going to give the trees away.”

  “Yes, you did say that, I remember.”

  But that declaration had been made under very different circumstances. Back then he had said it in anger and defeat. This time, his heart was open and grateful. He was happy to give away whatever he had, because he had found so much more.

  As they walked back to the house, Jack slung his arm over Julie’s shoulder, and she slipped her arm around his waist. Their steps fell into the same rhythm.

  Darkness had fallen and white stars dotted the clear, inky blue sky. A sliver of silver moon hung on the horizon.

  “A perfect night for sleigh riding. Up in the sky,” Jack said.

  “Tell that to someone inside. She’s been glued to the weather channel since noon.”

  Jack smiled. It had been a long day for Julie. There was no preschool, and Kate had been bouncing off the walls all day. Julie could hardly wait to eat dinner and put Kate to bed, she privately told him. Jack could hardly wait either. He was looking forward to some time alone with Julie.

  Julie had prepared a light meal for dinner, soup and sandwiches, and they ate by the fire in the living room. As she served the food, she seemed worried that Jack wouldn’t like the idea. But he thought it was fun, like an indoor picnic.

  After dinner, Kate led the adults in Christmas carols she had learned at school. She made her voice very deep for the “ho-ho-ho” verse of “Old St. Nick,” and Jack nearly laughed out loud the first time he heard her.

  The song reminded Jack of a tradition he had had with David when his son was young and still believed in Santa. Now he took out an atlas stored in his office and turned on the radio. Sure enough, a local station was tracking Santa’s travels, and Jack showed Kate just where the sleigh was on the world map. Flying somewhere over Norway just then, the radio announcer reported.

  “It takes a long time to fly around the entire world. Even on a magic sleigh,” Kate told Jack.

  “Yes, it does. But Santa will be here tonight while you’re sleeping, don’t worry.”

  “That reminds me, it’s time for bed. Santa can’t come if you’re still awake,” Julie said.

  “Okay, but we need to leave a plate of cookies and some milk for him,” Kate reminded her mother.

  “I almost forgot. Let’s go get some.”

  Julie and Kate returned quickly. Kate carefully carried a plate of cookies, and Julie held a cup of milk. Kate put everything on the brick skirt of the fireplace. “Right where he can see it when he comes in,” she said.

  “Good idea,” Jack agreed. Chocolate chips again, his favorite. He might have to support the cause by eating them.

  “Do you want a story tonight?” Jack asked. His heart ached a little, realizing this could be the last time he shared the adventures of Lester and made the “rabbit voice.”

  Surprising both the adults, Kate shook her head. “I don’t think so. . . . Can Jack come upstairs and tuck me into bed, too, Mommy?”

  Julie glanced over at him. “If he wants to.”

  “I would be honored,” he answered quietly.

  When Kate was washed and dressed in her nightgown, Julie called to Jack, and he came in and sat on the edge of the girl’s bed. Kate was already snuggled under the covers, with the blanket pulled up to her chin.

  “I know it might be hard for you to fall asleep tonight,” Jack told her. “But just close your eyes and think of something happy. And morning will be here before you know it.”

  Kate nodded. She did look sleepy. Julie kissed her cheek and then Jack bent down and did the same. Kate closed her eyes, her breathing already slow and even.

  Julie turned off the light, but Jack stood there a moment, watching Kate in the dark.

  Julie tugged his sleeve and tilted her head to the door. He followed her out of the room, holding the precious image in his mind.

  Julie quietly shut Kate’s door, something she almost never did. “I don’t want her to hear me setting up her presents,” she explained on the stairway.

  “Right, good idea. I have a few for her, too,” Jack whispered.

  They spent the next hour retrieving gifts from various hiding spots around the house. When Jack finally carried up a pink bike from the basement, Julie stood with her hands pressed to her face, her expression one of complete disbelief.

  “Jack! What did you do? You were much too extravagant. You can’t give her all these things. You have to take some of it back.”

  He was secretly pleased at her outrage. It just went to show that he’d done well, he thought.

  She couldn’t scold him too loudly, either, at the risk of waking Kate. That was in his favor, too.

  He walked over to Julie and put his hands on her waist, pulling her closer. “There are a few for you under there, too. They’re not all for Kate.”

  She tried to keep a stern expression, but he saw he was wearing her down. “Jack, you’re too generous. You’re too good to us. You’re making it very hard for me to—”

  She stopped mid-sentence. “I didn’t get you that much,” she said sadly.

  Then he felt bad, too. He hadn’t meant to outdo or embarrass her. “You didn’t have to get me anything,” he insisted. “You’ve already given me so much. You and Kate . . . ”

  He wanted to say more, but he didn’t dare. His heart was so full, he could hardly speak. He didn’t know what else to do but kiss her. She moved, willingly, into his arms and he felt her return his kiss with a wave of emotion that nearly swept him off his feet.

  Then she pulled away and pressed her face to his chest. “I can hear your heart beat,” she said quietly.

  It was beating out of control. He was sure people could hear it all the way in town.

  He stro
ked her back and touched her hair. He inhaled the sweet scent of her.

  “No . . . I was mistaken,” she said quietly. She looked up at him a moment. “That wasn’t your heart. It was Santa’s reindeer, on the roof. I think he’s here at last. We’d better leave or he won’t come in.”

  Jack nodded, feeling a wistful, sweet yearning for her. She was so wonderful. He had never thought he could feel this way about another woman, after Claire. But he did now.

  Why did he have to feel it for a woman who was about to leave him to start a new life? He couldn’t ask her to take things further. That wouldn’t be fair to either of them.

  Finally, he sighed and released her. “We’ve done everything right. We can’t mess up now,” he said.

  Julie just nodded and they parted quickly.

  Julie went upstairs and Jack unplugged the tree lights and cleared up the incriminating evidence from the living room. Then he ate most of the cookies and sipped some milk, leaving just enough crumbs on the plate for a convincing display.

  The stage was set. Santa had come and gone, unloading most of his sleigh in Jack’s living room.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  JESSICA FOUND MARTY GRAHAM’S HOUSE IN BREWSTER EASILY. There wasn’t much traffic once she turned off the main highway and crossed onto the Cape.

  She reached the town of Brewster at about six. She knew Molly’s party was just about starting back in Cape Light. She felt no regrets about missing it. All she was really missing out on was being the object of everyone’s attention—and pity. She wondered if Sam was there alone. That thought made her feel a pang of regret, but not enough to turn around and go home.

  Marty greeted her happily and showed the boys to a spacious family room, where her own children were watching a huge, flat screen TV.

  Jessica followed Marty to the great room, which was indeed enormous. A Christmas tree stood in front of a tall cathedral window, and a side table held hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Everything was perfectly arranged and displayed. Jessica helped herself to an hors d’oeuvre then took a seat on the large sectional sofa that faced the fireplace. She couldn’t help feeling that at any minute Architectural Digest might swoop in for a photo shoot.