A Wedding for Christmas_Sweet Holiday Romance

by Rachelle Ayala

  “You’re just hung over.” Tyler pats my hand and continues eating.

  “Don’t be so condescending.” I stare across at him, and he flinches.

  “What’s up with you?” Tyler’s nostrils flare, and he raises his hands, palms up. “If you wanted to know all this, you should have been there to ask Dr. Debdatta.”

  “Fine. I’ll call her and tell her we won’t consent unless we know who the child is.” I take a big bite of my sandwich to signify the conversation is over.

  No more Ms. Nice Girl for me. The bad girls movie from last night has shown me what a stick in the mud I am, always trying to do what’s right and considering other people’s feelings over my own.

  “Why is it so important for you to know?” Tyler asks. “There’s a child who’s sick, and maybe they want privacy.”

  “I want to know this isn’t a scam. Maybe it’s a ploy by Bree’s donor to get access to her. He could be the guy stalking her in the park.”

  “Oh.” Tyler’s entire demeanor deflates. “I get it. You want to know that there really is a child who needs the marrow.”

  “Exactly, and not someone trying to get his hooks into Bree. I investigate fraud for a living, and this story doesn’t add up. They leave a message with the clinic about contacting us for a medical reason. Then they ask for Bree to give a sample after they already have preliminary results. When and where did they get the results?”

  “You’ll have to ask the clinic if they gave any samples to Dr. Debdatta.”

  “Oh, but they didn’t have it when they first contacted me because they asked if the donor could contact us. If they had the results, why didn’t they say something earlier? The second time they contacted me, they asked me to call the doctor without mention of the donor. Which means the doctor got preliminary results from some unknown source, likely the donor who had stalked Bree, then asked the clinic to ask me to get in touch.”

  Tyler held his head in both hands. “This is so complicated. I hope I did the right thing by bringing Bree in.”

  “For whatever reason, Dr. Debdatta wanted a DNA sample from Bree to confirm the preliminary match, and we gave it to her without thinking it over. Now, the only card I have left is the actual donation. I’m not consenting until I have more information.”

  “Why didn’t I think of this earlier?” Tyler pushes from the table and stands. “The stalker was taking pictures of Bree. He could be trying to get close to her and kidnap her. I have to go.”

  “Where?”

  “Instead of taking Bree to daycare, I let her have a playdate with Matt. They wanted to practice being flower girl and ring bearer together. On the way over, Bree kept saying Matt’s sister is sick.”

  “You left her at Matt’s house? With who? Sheryl?” My voice rises to a screech.

  “Not Sheryl. Ford, my cousin.”

  “Who’s probably Bree’s donor.” I clutch Tyler’s arm, digging my fingers in. “How could you be so careless? What do you really know about him?”

  “He’s a doctor. We went to college together. He’s as straight as an arrow.”

  “But Tyler.” Heat hammers through my pounding head. “If he was a medical student, did he ever donate sperm?”

  Tyler’s face twists and he puts a hand over his stomach, looking sick. “He did, and so did I. I went with him because I lost a bet, and he said we were the only two Mannings left from our bloodline.”

  “You? Why didn’t you ever tell me? Especially with knowing Bree’s history?”

  “When you told me about Bree’s parentage, I called the sperm bank and they said I’d never been picked.” The pained expression on his face magnifies. “I wished Bree was mine, but since she couldn’t possibly be, I decided there wasn’t any reason to talk to you about it.”

  “We have to get Bree away from Ford right now.” Panic swarms over my entire body. I leave my uneaten food on the table and stand. “Dr. Debdatta could have told him the results by now, and he could be telling Bree he’s her father.”

  “How could I have not seen through this?” Tyler groaned. “He foisted Matt on me for the ring bearer and that kid was always pulling Bree’s hair.”

  “He stole that lollipop from Bree’s mouth to get her DNA.” My heart is skittering in panic mode as I weave my way through the lunch crowd toward the parking garage. “What if he’s taken Bree to the clinic and since he’s her father, he’s signing the consent form? What if they’re sucking her bone marrow as we speak?”

  25

  ~ Kelly ~

  “What next?” Tyler asks me after we pick up Bree from Ford’s place. Obviously, we didn’t get any answers from him, and my panic was way overblown. I chalk it up to all the stress I’ve been under.

  Tyler was too polite to ask about Matt’s sister, and I couldn’t fit it into the conversation. Right when I was about to slip in a mention of sick children and germs, Ford received an important phone call.

  I glance back at Bree as Tyler drives to Arman’s daycare. She nods off and has her eyes closed, probably tired from all the fun she had at her playdate, where she and Matt were throwing paper airplanes off his rooftop deck.

  I decide I can’t just sit around and do nothing, especially since Bree is safe with us. Maybe we jumped to conclusions about Matt’s sister needing the bone marrow, but I can’t rest until I know for sure, one way or the other.

  “You take the kids home,” I tell Tyler. “I have to go to the VA and bring Zulu home for dinner. Then we wait for the doctor’s phone call.”

  “You need to relax,” Tyler says. “There is no evidence whatsoever for your theory. Ford would have mentioned it to me if his kid needed the bone marrow.”

  “Not if he’s you-know-what.”

  “Even if he is, it’s better if we don’t know.” Tyler appears deflated. “That’s probably what the clinic suggested.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. Nothing good can come out of insisting.” I’m forced to agree with him. We don’t want Bree to know, and that means we shouldn’t know, either.

  If Ford is Bree’s father, and he knows it, due to needing the bone marrow, then he’s doing us a favor by not telling us. If it’s someone else, then obviously, we’d still help the unknown child.

  Problem is, I can’t help but dig, dig, dig. It’s my personality, and I can’t let things go as easily as Tyler can. No matter what, it’s completely one-sided if Ford knows and I don’t know, and to me, that’s unfair, especially if we’re doing the donation.

  As soon as Tyler and the kids are settled at home, I pick up my phone and call Dr. Debdatta. Her office isn’t far from the VA, and I want more details on the donation process.

  She agrees to see me after her last patient leaves.

  “Your husband brought Bree in this morning,” she says, pointing to a chair for me to sit. “I’m sure you want to know the results.”

  “Yes, I’m anxious to know if Bree can help this child.” I take the chair offered.

  “We have good news. Bree is the closest match to my patient from all of the potential donors. We’ll need your consent, of course, to move forward with the transplant.”

  “Will it be possible for me to speak with the patient’s parents? I’d like to get a personal feel for what they’re going through.”

  “I thought you were already friends with them,” Dr. Debdatta’s brow furrowed. “I’m really grateful you provided hair samples earlier. We confirmed today that Bree is the same person who gave the samples.”

  I’m about to jump into the deep end. I should shoot myself now before going further, but I have to know.

  “Oh, that’s right.” I clap myself on the side of my head. “Dr. Manning is Bree’s biological father. It would only make sense that Bree would match his child.”

  “Actually, Dr. Manning is not,” Dr. Debdatta says. “In this case, Bree is a relative of the child.”

  “How close a relative?”

  “You’ll have to speak to Dr. Manning about that.” The doctor turns quick
ly to her computer screen, perhaps realizing she said too much. “Shall I go over the consent agreement with you?”

  “Yes, please do.” My head swims the entire time she details the procedures and the risks. I already know it all, but what puzzles me is that Bree is a relative of the child and that Dr. Manning is not the biological father. Was it possible Dr. Manning used donor sperm for all of his children?

  The plot thickens, and at the end of Dr. Debdatta’s spiel, I’m still unable to sign the consent agreement. “I’d like to speak to Dr. Manning in private before agreeing.”

  My heart is pounding as I leave Dr. Debdatta’s office. Now that I have confirmation, through my bluff, that Ford Manning’s daughter is the patient in need, I need him to be honest with me instead of playing games. Furthermore, I need him to agree he’d never contact Bree or tell her about his relationship to her.

  ~ Tyler ~

  The front door rattled with hurried knocking as Brownie trudged to it, barking and wagging his tail. Tyler had come home with the kids and had just finished feeding them dinner.

  He wiped his hands and picked Arman up from his highchair. “Bree, can you get the door? Maybe Mama forgot her keys.”

  “Coming!” Bree grabbed Brownie’s collar and unlatched the door.

  Instead of Kelly, Zulu stepped in. “Hey, I hope I’m not too late for dinner.”

  “I was wondering what took you and Kelly so long,” Tyler said, craning his neck and looking for Kelly to come up the steps.

  “Actually, Kelly didn’t show up,” Zulu said. “She left a message with the therapist and told me to come here directly. Is everything okay?”

  “Uh, well, yes.” Tyler shut the door. “Maybe something came up at work. You’re looking good today. How’d it go?”

  “It went well,” Zulu said, taking off Kelly’s barn coat and hanging it up. “I’ve decided to check into the residential program.”

  She did seem cheerier than before, and she’d even brushed her dark and lustrous hair. She also wore a touch of makeup and a beaded necklace around her neck. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and led the way to the kitchen.

  “That’s wonderful,” he said. “You’re not too late to eat. I kept plates warmed up for you and Kelly.”

  “Yum.” Zulu’s eyes brightened. “I always knew you were a good cook. Remember that time we took leave and ended up renting a farmhouse?”

  “Sawyer’s idea of roughing it. Guess being out where cows outnumbered people is tough for city boys.”

  “You made up for all the boring nights with the steaks and ribs.” Zulu rubbed her stomach. “And then you had to ruin it by taking us to a square dance.”

  “What’s wrong with square dances?” Tyler asked. He swung around with Arman and then hooked arms with Bree.

  Zulu chuckled to herself and grabbed one of the warm plates. “Meatloaf and mashed potatoes. This is what I call good home cooking.”

  “Glad you approve.” He sat at the table with Arman in his lap while Bree hung onto the back of the chair, staring shyly at Zulu.

  “You’ve a wonderful family.” Zulu smiled at Arman and Bree. “They’re so well behaved.”

  “That’s thanks to Kelly. I tend to spoil them.” Tyler rubbed Bree’s head and gave her a kiss. “Don’t I, sweet Bree?”

  “I’m not spoiled, I’m brave,” Bree said, puffing out her chest. “I’m going to save a little girl’s life.”

  “Oh, are you? Tell me about it.” Zulu encouraged her in between big bites of meatloaf.

  “They’re going to drill a hole in my bone and suck out some stuff, then put it into the other little girl’s bones, and she won’t be sick anymore.”

  “Wow, that’s real brave. You’re just like your mom.”

  “Like Papa, too.” Bree danced around the table. “He saved a lot of people.”

  “He sure did,” Zulu said. “He saved my life.”

  “And you’re happy? Right?”

  “Of course, I’m happy. Your father’s a wonderful man.”

  “Yay.” Bree clapped. “That means you won’t kill yourself anymore. My mommy says you’re going to take good care of yourself and that God still loves you.”

  “I had a good time with your mom last night.” Zulu scooped mashed potatoes into her mouth. “And I promise I will take good care of myself.”

  “I wish I could be friends with the little girl I save, like you and my papa and mama are friends.” Bree beamed at Zulu, walking up to her. “My friend Matt says after I save his sister, she’s sure to want to be my friend.”

  “Oh, wow, that’s great.” Zulu nodded. “She’ll love you forever.”

  Tyler’s gut tightened. Whatever was going on, Bree and Matt believed his sister was the one getting the bone marrow. Had the children invented the story with Bree telling Matt about her heroics, and Matt connecting it automatically to his sister, or had he been in on the hair pulling and lollipop grabbing to get the evidence?

  Tyler didn’t like the manipulation from his cousin’s side one bit. He was going to have to clear the air with Ford as soon as he could.

  “Yes, and she’ll grow her hair back,” Bree chirped, continuing the conversation with Zulu. “You have beautiful hair.”

  “I do? Why, thank you.” Zulu touched her dark brown hair and smiled. “Tyler, you think I can make it?”

  “Definitely. You’re very strong.” He fiddled with his phone. “Let me text Kelly and see when she’s coming back.”

  “Can I show you my flower girl dress?” Bree asked, now that the ice was broken. “I get to wear flowers in my hair, too.”

  Zulu wiped her lips and swallowed the rest of her milk. “Tyler, is it okay if I go with Bree to her room?”

  “It’s not like you’re taking her out anywhere,” Tyler said. “Thanks for asking. I’ll be right here if you two need anything.”

  He watched as Zulu and Bree skipped up the stairs to the bedroom area. She seemed to be acting normally, and he had to remember she wasn’t always a triggered victim or suicidal. She used to be a wonderfully funny and humorous woman.

  Where she’d spend the night was still up in the air. Maybe now that she’d decided to check into rehab, they could have her here rather than at Sawyer’s by herself.

  Tyler put Arman on the floor to play with Brownie and texted Kelly.

  Working late? Zulu’s here and I wonder if she should stay with us tonight.

  I agree. I should be home in a bit. Have to go interview someone.

  Great. Looks like you did good with Zulu. See you soon.

  26

  ~ Kelly ~

  I saunter back and forth along the curved road near the Twin Peaks summit, waiting for Ford. He didn’t want to meet me at his home because Matt and Sheryl would be there.

  Everything about this scenario is suspicious. If Ford was the guy taking pictures of Bree, then either he lied or he told Matt to lie about it, which is even worse.

  I’m not sure Sheryl knew the truth of the picture taking because she went mama bear on me, insisting Tyler was the one who took pictures of them.

  Now that I think about it, it pisses me off that a man would ask his son to lie for him, and not only that, steal DNA for him. It’s destroying the innocence of a child and corrupting him. Believe me, I know how a tiny bit of corruption can lead to destruction.

  My conviction on insider trading proved to me that no one was above temptation. Oftentimes, we deceive ourselves into thinking we’re doing wrong in order to do right.

  I have nothing against helping to save a child’s life, but the deception rubs me the wrong way. If they needed Bree’s help, they could have simply asked. Ford is Tyler’s cousin and they had gone to college together.

  I may have jumped to conclusions that Ford was Bree’s sperm donor, but now, it seems likely Ford used donor sperm for his child, and that same donor fathered Bree. Either the donor or Ford could have been the one taking pictures in the park that day when Bree got separated from Tyler.

&n
bsp; A pair of headlights shine on me, blinding me, before shutting off. I blink at the dark Mercedes as a tall man emerges from the driver’s seat.

  He doesn’t smile when he spies me, but slams the door and motions for me to climb the steps to the top of the peak.

  I hesitate. It’s dark and cold, so the area is relatively deserted, except for a few couples enjoying the view.

  “I want to go where it’s more private,” he says.

  “Why?” I back away from him. Had I been foolish to ask for a private meeting? Maybe I should have told Tyler to back me up. Too bad Sawyer isn’t in town. Or if Ella were still dating Jaden, he would have been the perfect guy to keep an eye on me—posing as a tourist with a camera.

  “I don’t want you making a recording of what I’m about to tell you. Give me your cell phone.”

  “Absolutely not. I’m not recording anything and you’re going to have to trust me.” I hold tight to my purse. “Besides, I’m holding all the cards, and you owe me answers.”

  He nods slowly and rubs the back of his neck. “My daughter is dying. She’s four years old and has had leukemia for two years. Half of her life. I know you don’t owe me or my wife anything, but an innocent child is going to die if you don’t allow Bree to do the donation.”

  “You have information I want to know about.”

  “Take a walk with me.” He jerks his head toward the dark summit.

  “I’d rather stay here under the streetlight. Near my car.”

  “Fine. What do you want to know?” He lowers his voice.

  “Are you Bree’s sperm donor?”

  “According to the clinic, I am the donor, but any paternity test would come out negative.”

  “Why would that be?” Icy chills douse over me and I gape at this man, a stranger to me. “Do you know who Bree’s father is?”

  “The same man who fathered my daughter. Bree is half-sisters with her. That’s why she’s the best match.”