by Kirk, Cindy
After the photo booth and a mini scavenger hunt, the children were herded to tables to decorate cupcakes, then write letters to Santa. Fin was staggered by all the wonderful toppings.
“It’s like Willy Wonka, only there’s more than chocolate.” Marigold’s eyes danced like a child’s on Christmas morning. “I don’t know what Katie Ruth was thinking, putting Anita in charge of the decorating. The piranha isn’t nearly as nice as Willy, though I have to admit so far she’s been good to the kids.”
Fin opened her mouth to inform her sister that Anita had made all the cupcakes when Marigold gave a little wave.
“Anita gave me the stink eye.” Marigold grinned. “Which means we must need more mini marshmallows.”
Looking adorable as an elf, complete with pointy shoes and a hat, Marigold bounded off to refill the marshmallows.
“They’re sure giving the children a lot of choices.” Owen spoke from beside her. “It’s like a candy store. Gumdrops, M&Ms, confetti sprinkles, mini marshmallows, and all those frosting flavors.”
“We wanted it extra special for Mindy,” Fin said simply.
“It’s sure been a special day so far.” Owen’s voice thickened with emotion. “Eliza insisted we drive through the business district on our way here. All the Christmas lights were up and the holiday banners were on the light poles. People we didn’t even know clapped and cheered when they spotted the truck.”
Eliza had worked her magic, Fin thought with a smile. She wasn’t surprised.
“Mindy hung out the window, waving.” Owen cleared his throat. “When she got here, she turned shy. You giving her your scarf broke the ice. I’ll see it gets back to you—”
“Oh, no, Owen.” Fin’s eyes met his. “The scarf is my Christmas gift to her.”
Owen expelled a ragged breath. “Thank you.”
“How’s Mindy doing?” Fin asked as Jeremy joined them and slid an arm around her waist.
“Better.” Some of the tension eased from Owen’s face. “She’s in a clinical trial and the doctor has been amazed by her response. I’ve been doing a whole lot of prayin’ this drug combination continues to work.”
Fin touched his arm. “I’ll be adding my prayers to yours.”
“Mine as well,” Jeremy added.
They fell silent, watching the kids go crazy with the toppings. Fin had to hand it to Anita. Thanks to the help of about a dozen volunteers, she kept the kids in line without dousing their fun.
As Hadley bent over to help Brynn, Fin was struck that Hadley’s hair color was nearly the same shade as the child’s.
Once the cupcakes were decorated and devoured, the tables were cleared to allow the children to write letters to Santa. Ami sat beside Mindy, murmuring words of encouragement. Knowing the child was in good hands, Fin slipped outside to make sure all the corn maze volunteers were ready.
“I’m glad I caught up to you.” Prim’s gaze darted right, then left, as if making sure she wouldn’t be overheard. “Do you know what’s up with Dad?”
Fin had greeted her father when he arrived but hadn’t seen him since. She’d assumed he was at one of the stations set up in the ten-acre maze. “What do you mean?”
Prim’s hazel eyes were filled with worry. It was never a good sign when her normally unflappable sister looked ruffled.
“I spotted him in this tête-à-tête with Anita by the photo booth.” Though no one was nearby, Prim kept her voice low. “They’ve been there since the cupcake decorating ended.”
A sick feeling filled Fin’s stomach. “That can’t be good.”
Prim pressed her lips together for a second. “That isn’t all. I overheard them making plans to get together later tonight.”
“What’s got the two of you so stressed?” Marigold pulled off her elf hat, and blonde curls tumbled around her shoulders.
“If someone is messing with either of you, I’ll haul ’em in.” Cade whipped out his handcuffs but ruined the effect with a grin.
“You’re a good brother-in-law.” Prim patted his arm.
“Dad is with Anita.” Fin saw no reason to sugarcoat. “Prim heard them making plans to get together tonight.”
Marigold’s eyes widened. “Shut the front door.”
“That’s all you can say?” Fin huffed.
“Oh, trust me, she can do much better.” Cade shot his wife a teasing smile. “She’s keeping it clean because this is a family-friendly event. Right, Goldilocks?”
Marigold stuck out her tongue, and laughing, Cade pulled her close.
Fin fought a pang of envy. Yep, her baby sister had found her prince.
But right now, she had more important things on her mind than prince envy. “What do you think is going on?”
“Have either of you seen Lynn?” Prim asked.
“We saw her a few minutes ago.” Marigold exchanged a glance with her husband. “She looked pissed.”
“Lynn is probably the most even-tempered person I know.” Prim’s brows pulled together in a worried frown.
“She knows he’s with another woman.” Marigold’s tone brooked no argument. “A woman always knows.”
Fin thought of Jessica and Xander. Yes, a woman knew.
Now Fin needed to figure out what she was going to do about it.
Chapter Nineteen
Fin preferred not to interfere in another person’s life. Mainly because she didn’t want their nose in her business. But this situation was different. She loved her father and wanted the best for him. While she could admit that Anita was attractive and smart, she’d never understood what her father saw in the woman Fin had once dubbed I-Need-a-Man and her sisters not-so-affectionately referred to as the piranha.
Still, Fin knew there had to be some good beneath Anita’s sharp tongue and judgmental attitude. There had to be or her father wouldn’t have been attracted to her.
“I’m mingling,” Fin announced to no one in particular.
When everyone looked at her in surprise, she gestured with her left hand, the diamond winking in the lights. “I’ll be checking out the photo booth.”
Prim stepped forward. “I’ll go with you.”
Fin shook her head. “If Dad is with her, we don’t want to look like we’re ganging up on Anita.”
“You’re right.” Prim exhaled a breath.
Marigold squeezed her arm. “You go, girl.”
With her mind firmly focused on her mission, Fin entered the barn and strolled down the center aisle.
“Dad.” Her heart gave a little skip when she saw he was alone. Like a prettily wrapped present with a bow on top, she’d just been handed the perfect opportunity. She wouldn’t waste it. “I’m glad we ran into each other. I need to speak with you.”
His smile disappeared. “Is something wrong?”
“Nonono. Everything is good.” Fin hated to see the look of worry on his face. Hated even more knowing she’d put it there by her poorly chosen choice of words. Fin took his arm. “Walk with me.”
Reaching the door leading outside, he followed her out into the bright sunshine.
“What’s going on, Fin?” Steve kept his voice low, as if conscious of the people coming in and out of the barn.
“There’s a gorgeous little spot I discovered past the flower beds that I want to show you.”
“Don’t you need to—?” Her father gestured with one hand to all the activity.
“My sisters are helping with the letters to Santa.” Instead of taking the walkway to the house, Fin turned onto a path made of stepping stones. “And you have a few minutes before the kids descend on the maze and it turns crazy.”
“I spotted Floyd when he arrived.” Steve smiled. “If I didn’t know it was him, I’d think Santa Claus really had dropped by.”
“Mindy’s going to love seeing him. She’s really enjoying all this.” Just thinking of the little girl brought a lump to her throat. She would think of Mindy later, Fin decided. Right now, her sisters were counting on her for answers.
; “She’s a sweet child.” He glanced at Fin. “You know she and her dad live just down the street from me.”
“I didn’t realize that.” Fin couldn’t say she was surprised by the news. It seemed as if everyone in Good Hope was connected in one way or another.
“Jeremy has a beautiful place here.”
Fin slanted a sideways glance as he paused to admire the chrysanthemums in glorious bloom at the side of the path. While there was an abundance of maroons and yellows, there were also some lovely peach-colored blossoms.
Her father’s lips curved as he bent to get a better look at the peach ones. His silver wire-rimmed glasses and wiry gray hair gave him a scholarly look. As he’d grown older, his penchant for sweater vests made her think of Mister Rogers, a mainstay on nostalgia television when she was young.
Love for this kind, gentle man who’d always been her biggest champion had Fin’s heart swelling. She blinked back tears. She didn’t care if his relationship with Lynn went anywhere, she just wanted him with someone who’d make him happy.
He straightened and smiled. “Where is it you’re taking me, Delphinium?”
“Not much farther.” She took his hand, finding comfort in the warmth.
He still wore his wedding band, a circle of gold, worn to a dull shine. How had she not noticed that before? Of course, her trips home had always been brief and jam-packed with activities. Rarely had there been time to simply enjoy each other’s company.
“I’m glad we’ve had this time together.”
His fingers tightened around hers. “I am, too.”
One more turn on the path and they reached their destination. Her father’s eyes widened at the sight of a marble fountain with winding columns and two basins. Four curved stone benches encircled the fountain. Behind the benches were wildflowers in what appeared to be scattered disarray, but Fin recognized a pattern in the planting, in the way the purples and yellows and reds played off one another.
Steve turned toward her, his eyes wide as he took it all in. “What is this place?”
“I’m not sure.” Fin lifted her hands, let them drop. “I found it by accident on one of my morning walks. I believe it’s some kind of memorial garden.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Look.” She pointed to the manicured area between the benches and fountain. “See those stones? They have names and dates on them. Do you think people are buried here?”
Steve’s gaze dropped to one of the round stones flush with the ground. Edward J. Rakes, it said, along with what appeared to be the year of his birth and death. “Eddie was Ruby’s husband. I know for a fact that he’s buried in the Good Hope cemetery. I was at the graveside service.”
Fin stood close to her father as they read other names on other stones. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“I haven’t either, but I like it.” Steve’s expression softened. “It’s a way to recognize those who were important to us.”
“Don’t you mean a way to remember?”
“Those we’ve loved deeply remain with us forever.” Steve shoved his hands into his pockets, his gaze taking in the flowers, the gently sloping landscape, and the hundreds of cherry trees in the distance.
When his gaze settled expectantly on her, Fin knew she’d delayed long enough. The benches looked clean, but Fin wasn’t in the mood to sit. She decided to casually mention her sisters had seen him with Anita by the photo booth and let the discussion flow from there.
“Are you and Anita getting back together?” Fin blurted, then suppressed a sigh.
So much for easing into it.
Steve’s lids widened. She saw whatever he thought she was going to bring up, it wasn’t this. “No. Why do you ask?”
“Several people saw you with Anita. You appeared to be having an intimate conversation.” Actually, that had been more of Prim’s impression, but Fin wanted to see her father’s reaction to the comment.
His expression turned solemn. He pulled his hands from his pockets. “Nothing intimate about it. We were merely having a discussion.”
“About what?”
Two frown lines appeared between her father’s brows. “Do I ask you to tell me what you and Jeremy discuss in private?”
The gently spoken rebuke felt like a slap.
Fin lifted her chin. “No, but I’d hope if you were concerned, you’d tell me. That’s what I’m doing,” she said when he opened his mouth. “You let me know you were concerned about this fake engagement. I respected your honesty. I hope you afford me the same respect.”
The tension she saw in the line of her father’s jaw eased. “What has you concerned?”
“I don’t want you to get back with her. I don’t want to see you mess things up with Lynn.”
Those gentle hazel eyes searched her face. “Did Lynn say something to you?”
A sinking feeling filled the pit of Fin’s stomach. She shook her head. “I haven’t spoken with her today. Someone said she looked upset. Then I heard you were with Anita and—”
“You added two and two and came up with five.” Steve shook his head. “I’m not resuming a relationship with Anita. I simply wanted to speak with her about some concerns.”
“What kind of concerns?” He might think it wasn’t her business, but darn it, it was. He was her dad. If he was worried, she needed to know so she could make it right.
He paused for so long Fin wondered if he was going to answer. Then he took a breath. “I’m concerned about her behavior since I ended the relationship.”
Fin wanted to say who cared about Anita, but it was obvious her father did care.
“What kinds of things has she been doing?”
“She’s been doing a lot of partying.” Steve hesitated. “Drinking to excess. Then there’s her relationship with Adam Vogele.”
“Being a cougar is practically a way of life in LA.”
Steve shot her a sharp look, and Fin instantly regretted the flippant tone.
“I wanted Anita to know that I was concerned and make sure she knew that I’m here for her if she ever needs a friend.”
“Seriously?”
“Her first husband, Richard, and I were friends. She was a friend of your mother’s and of mine.” The teacher in him was evident in the calm relaying of facts. “Just because I can’t see us succeeding in a long-term relationship doesn’t mean I no longer care about her welfare.”
“I suppose that makes sense.”
“Did you stop caring for Jeremy when you two broke up?”
Her head jerked up, but he continued. “Feelings, especially deep ones, don’t disappear when a relationship ends. I’d hate to see Anita do something she might regret.”
“Understood.” It was almost time to end this conversation. But Fin had one more question. “What about Lynn?”
“I explained the situation to Lynn. She questioned my motives.” Despite his nonchalance, Fin could see worry in the hazel depths. “Hopefully, once she has time to process, she’ll understand.”
“Is it worth it?” When her father’s brows drew together, Fin realized additional explanation was necessary. “Is warning Anita worth the risk of pissing off Lynn?”
“If Lynn can’t understand, she’s not the woman I think she is.” Steve rocked back on his heels. “Doing the right thing isn’t always easy. In the end, it’s the only honorable choice.”
Fin nodded. “We better get back.”
“What about you? How do you think the vote on the fifteenth will go?”
It was obvious by the change in topic he’d said all he was going to say about Anita and Lynn.
“I believe Lynn is open to changing her vote. But I can’t be certain, which means I should double my efforts to convince Jeremy to go along. The problem is—” Fin bit her lip.
Her father offered an encouraging smile. “The problem is . . .”
Unlike some of her friends, Fin had always been able to count on her parents to be her sounding board. They’d always be
en ready to listen, available to give counsel without telling her what to do. Always supportive.
Except for the one time when she’d needed them most.
“Something is troubling you.” The soothing tone mixed with the concern she now saw in his eyes—concern for her—was nearly her undoing. “Will you tell me about it?”
“It’s everything,” she blurted out. “It’s my feelings for Jeremy when I’m engaged to another man. It’s my promise to push an agenda I’m no longer sure I believe in. It’s me not being sure who I am or what I want. It’s that little girl in the barn who may not live to see another Christmas.”
She whirled and started walking down the path. In several long strides he’d caught up with her. His strong fingers around her arm stopped her and had her turning to face him.
“I’m so confused, Daddy. And so very tired of all the lies.” Then, she did something she hadn’t done in years.
Fin burst into tears.
It felt to Fin as if she and Jeremy had turned some corner she hadn’t known they’d been approaching. Laughing and teasing with him during the day and then sleeping only a short distance away from him at night—no wonder she’d cried all over her father yesterday.
Since the Wish Fulfilled event ended yesterday, she’d called Xander three times, needing to reassure herself of the connection between them. The last time he snapped.
“For God’s sake, Fin. I don’t need to know every little detail of your life.”
Inhaling sharply, Fin stopped midsentence. She’d been in the process of telling him about Ami’s latest doctor’s appointment and the fact that her niece or nephew could make an appearance any moment. It wasn’t as if she’d called during a time when she knew he’d be busy. Noon on a Sunday wasn’t exactly prime time.
“I didn’t realize you were so bored with me, Xander.” There was a steel edge to her tone she didn’t bother to hide.
“Not with you,” he qualified, still sounding distracted. “But with your family. I barely know them. How can you possibly think I’d be interested in their lives?”