Christmas in July

by Debbie Mason

  “Everything okay here, Jack?” Gage asked, coming to stand beside them. He glanced from Maria to the dwindling crowd.

  Jack introduced them. “Maria fell. I think she might’ve broken her wrist. I’m taking her to the hospital.”

  Gage gave him an are-you-fricking-kidding-me look before he said, “I was heading over to see my dad. I can take Ms. DeMarco if you’d like.”

  Jack appreciated the offer. No one needed to tell him he was digging his grave a little deeper with his wife by spending more time with Maria. But he couldn’t leave her with people she didn’t know, not after what he’d just witnessed. His gut told him Maria was suffering from PTSD. If that was the case, she needed to get some help. He’d make sure she did. He owed her that much at least.

  “Thanks, Gage, but I’ll take her.” He put his hand at her back and nudged her toward the Mustang, passing Sawyer, who leaned against the brick building.

  Sawyer held his gaze. “Don’t worry about Grace, Jack. I’ll make sure she knows where you are.”

  Chapter Twelve

  I’m not going to pick up, you… you no-good, lying rat bastard.” Grace threw her cell phone on the bed. For all of ten seconds it felt good to release her hurt and anger. Until she thought of Jack kissing that woman again, right there on Main Street. It was devastating enough to see the man she loved with another woman, she didn’t need the whole town to witness her humiliation.

  From where she sat on the bed, Grace reached behind the bedside table to unplug the landline. She couldn’t take any more sympathetic phone calls. Before she got the jack out, the phone rang.

  She checked caller ID and closed her eyes for a second before answering. Forcing an upbeat, cheerful tone into her voice, she said, “Hi, Daddy, thanks for getting back to me.”

  She’d left a message for him earlier. Last night, Jack had convinced her to call him. He didn’t want to be the reason for their distance. Grace loved her father, and their strained relationship had bothered her, too. It shouldn’t have surprised her when he helped Jack deploy early. It was the same way her father dealt with his and her mother’s problems. Probably the only reason her parents were still together was because of how little time they actually spent in each other’s company.

  “Honey, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, just a cold.”

  “You tell that son-in-law of mine he better take good care of my baby girl or he’ll be answering to me,” he said, using his general’s voice.

  Her throat clogged with emotion. Even after Faith had come along, Grace had been his baby. Parents weren’t supposed to have favorites, but hers did. Faith had been their mother’s. It was why, Grace believed, Helena had never been able to forgive her for what happened that long ago July afternoon at the river. The wrong daughter died.

  She pushed the thought aside and gave her father the answer he expected. “I will.”

  “I was thinking your mother and I should come for a visit. We haven’t seen our grandson in a while. How’s he doing? Glad to have his father home?”

  Dear Lord, she hoped he was referring to the Fourth of July celebrations and not now. It would be like a weird sort of déjà vu. They’d come to visit just before Jack re-upped. Given the state of Grace and Jack’s relationship, the timing had been awful. Her eagle-eyed father hadn’t missed a thing, other than her mother taking every opportunity to criticize and undermine Grace. By the time they left, Grace had zero confidence in her parenting abilities, and Jack was heading back to Afghanistan.

  Grace decided to ignore her father’s comment about the visit. “He’s getting so big. I’ll send you pictures as soon as I get off the phone. And Jack, well, I think it’ll take some time to get used to having him around. For little Jack, I mean.”

  “It’s not easy for any of you. But cut Jack some slack. He’s been through a lot. He’s a good man. I wouldn’t have let you marry him if he weren’t.”

  Her father loved Jack. He had from the very start. But Grace didn’t think he’d be too happy with him right now. And she didn’t know how much slack she was willing to cut him. “I’m sure it will be easier now that he has his memory back.” Wow, even she couldn’t tell that was a big, fat lie. And then she realized she hadn’t told her father the news. “Oh, Daddy, I’m sorry. I should’ve called to let you know.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Jack told me. We talk nearly every day.”

  Grace’s stomach did a nervous dip at the news. Was her father the reason Jack had decided not to retire? Well, that was the least of her worries now, wasn’t it?

  Her father cleared his throat. “I hope this phone call means we’ll talk more often. I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you, too. I shouldn’t have blamed you. I was—”

  “No, I shouldn’t have interfered, baby girl. But it’s in the past, so let’s put it behind us. Now, I’m getting the impression this might not be the best time to visit. How about we come for that shindig you’re putting on instead?”

  “That would be perfect,” she said, unable to hide her relief. “I’d love to see you… and Mother, of course. How is she?”

  “Fine.” His tone said otherwise. Helena had trained them well. At Faith’s funeral, Grace had answered honestly when her swim coach had asked her how she was doing. Her mother’s reaction had ensured she never made that mistake again.

  Her father spoke to someone in the background. “You sound busy. I’ll let you go.”

  “Never too busy for my baby girl.”

  They talked for a couple more minutes, then said their good-byes. Grace hung up and disconnected the landline. Her cell pinged. If it wasn’t about little Jack, she’d ignore it. She’d talked to Madison twenty minutes ago. Madison had tried to make Grace feel better, saying how there was no way Grace could tell what kind of kiss it was from where she’d been standing. Grace knew a casual kiss when she saw one, and what her husband and that woman had shared was not casual.

  Sadly, Jack’s reaction to inviting the woman to the Fourth of July celebrations now made more sense. Her face grew hot as she realized how naïve she’d been. He must’ve thought she was such a fool.

  Her cell pinged several more times, and she forced herself to look at the messages. I’m not going to say I told you so, but I did. If you need me to kick your husband’s very fine ass, I will. I’ll kick hers, too. Not that it’s fine. Call me. She’d get back to Brandi later. She wasn’t up to it right now.

  The next text was from Sophia. Grace couldn’t read it. Sophia texted in Spanish when she was angry. Grace imagined it contained several swear words and an offer to take Ms. DeMarco out. Because Sophia was a good friend and that’s what she did. There were messages from Hailey, Holly, and Autumn, too. A weak smile curved Grace’s lips. At least her friends had her back.

  If Jack and that woman thought the citizens of Christmas would give them an easy time of it, they better think again. Jack out of anyone should know what the people in town were like. The thought stuck a pin in Grace’s self-righteous anger, and she felt a sudden pang of sympathy for him. Honestly, Jill was right. She was a doormat. How on earth could she feel sorry for him after what he’d done?

  Because she loved him and didn’t want him hurt, no matter how much he’d hurt her. And her father was right: Jack had suffered enough. At one time, he’d been the best thing that had happened to her. She’d felt like she could do anything with Jack by her side. And when she’d thought she’d lost him forever, she’d lost a piece of herself. So now that he was back, was she really going to give up on him that easily? From his texts, it didn’t sound like he’d given up on them. He’d told her he loved her and asked for a chance to explain. She owed him that at least. And she owed it to herself and her son.

  Her cell pinged again. She’d reply this time. Tell him to come home and they’d talk things out. If Jill thought that was added proof Grace was a doormat, well, too bad. What did she care what her supposed best friend thought when Jill had been the only one who hadn�
��t contacted her?

  Grace frowned. The sender information was blocked. She opened the attachment. It was a picture of Jack holding Maria DeMarco in his arms, smoothing her long hair from her face, a tender expression on his. It had been taken outside the sheriff’s office. The back of Grace’s throat ached, and her fingers curled in the front of her blouse.

  There were several scenarios that might’ve explained that first kiss. Perhaps Maria had thrown herself at Jack. But Grace could see her husband’s face in this one. There was no mistaking how deeply he cared for the woman.

  And Grace had a boatload of experience when it came to actions speaking louder than words. It was an accident, Grace. It wasn’t your fault. We don’t blame you. Only to be shipped off to boarding school a couple days later and to her grandmother’s for the holidays.

  The intensity of her emotion scared her, and she took several deep breaths to regain control. How could he do this to someone he professed to love? Unless… unless he wanted to end their marriage but couldn’t bring himself to tell her, couldn’t bring himself to do it. He didn’t turn his back on his grandmother, a woman who’d made his life miserable, did he? Of course he didn’t; he was too honorable and responsible a man to simply walk away. What he wanted, Grace decided, was for her to do his dirty work for him, forcing her to make the decision.

  “If that’s what you want, Jack, I’ll make it easy for you.”

  Her vision blurred as she flung open the closet door and grabbed his black duffel bag from the floor. She tossed it on the bed then walked to the dresser, fighting to open the drawer. Once she got it open, she scooped up a pile of boxers and socks, dumping them in the bag. She went back and gathered up his T-shirts, holding them at arm’s length so as not to give in to the urge to bury her face in them and inhale him one last time. She stuffed them in the bag then went to the closet and pulled his jeans from the hangers. Jamming his clothes in the duffel, she forced the zipper as far as it would go and hefted the bag over her shoulder.

  She marched down the hall and opened the front door. Tossing the overstuffed bag on the landing, she closed her eyes as she went to shut the door. She couldn’t do it. Going back out on the landing, she knelt and neatly repacked the bag. When she was finished, she placed the duffel outside the door and went inside, sliding the dead bolt home.

  Her legs trembled as she walked to the bedroom and picked up her cell from the bed. She went into the bathroom and started a bath, sending a couple of recent pictures of little Jack to her father while the water ran. She deleted the photo of Jack and Maria, then responded to Madison’s latest text. I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.

  * * *

  Jack sat between Jill and Maria on the hard plastic chairs. The place hadn’t changed much. He’d spent a lot of time in the emergency waiting room as a kid, having one broken limb after another tended to. He glanced at his sister, who leaned across him to listen to Maria. He’d been glad when she’d accompanied the two of them to the hospital. Now, not so much.

  He’d thought she’d come to chaperone on Grace’s behalf. But it became clearer as they waited for Dr. Trainer to see Maria that that wasn’t the case. The two chatted as though they were long-lost friends. They were talking about Jack as if he weren’t there. And if either of them told one more story that made him out to be a goddamn superhero, he’d lose it. Leg bouncing, he tapped an impatient tattoo on the arm of the chair.

  “No, it’s true, Jill. You should’ve seen him. He took out two guards with his bare hands.”

  That’s it. “Jill, since you’re here, I’ll get going. Let me know how you make out with your hand, Maria. And talk to the doctor about your nightmares. Gage said he’s a good guy.” Jack had gotten Maria to open up on the way to the hospital. He’d been right about the PTSD. The fact Maria didn’t seem to have anyone to support her only made it worse. But he was leaving her in good hands. Dr. Trainer had served time in the military as a medic and, if she was honest with him, he’d be able to help her.

  “Oh, Jack, do you really have to go? I was hoping you’d stay. We haven’t had time to catch up. I want to talk to you about my book.” She rubbed his arm and pushed her lips into a cross between a pucker and a pout.

  Huh, did she think that was sexy? He gave his head a slight shake and stood up. “Yeah, I do. I’ve got to go home and suck up to my wife. I have a feeling she’s not going to be too happy about you kissing me in the middle of Main Street.” There, he’d said it. He’d held back because of her episode. But listening to her talk about him to Jill made Jack uncomfortable. He wanted to remind her that he was a happily married man.

  “Maybe Grace should’ve thought about that before she asked you for a divorce,” Jill muttered.

  Maria’s eyes lit up with interest. He was going to strangle his sister. “Jill, can I talk to you for a minute? In private?” He reached for her arm.

  “Jack, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me? What kind of woman does that to a man—”

  “She didn’t ask me for a divorce,” he grated out. But if he didn’t get to her soon, she might. He unceremoniously tugged his sister from the chair. “Excuse us.”

  Jack dragged Jill to the emergency room doors. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

  “Nothing,” Jill said, pulling a sulky face.

  “Don’t give me that. You were practically offering me up to Maria on a silver platter. You’re supposed to be Grace’s best friend.”

  “So what. A little competition never hurt anybody. Maybe she’ll realize what she has if she thinks she’ll lose you.”

  “I’m warning you, do not encourage Maria. Grace and I don’t need this right now.” He raked his hand through his hair. “Don’t you even care that she kissed me and Grace saw her doing it?”

  “An old friend gives you a hug and a peck on the cheek and she can’t handle that?”

  “It was no peck, Jill. It was a no-holds-barred kiss, and I’m pretty sure Maria knew what she was doing. I think she saw Grace and decided to put on a show.”

  “Oh.” She chewed on her bottom lip.

  “Yeah, oh. My family’s off-limits. Don’t talk to her about us.” He glanced at Maria when a nurse called her name. Maria mimed that she’d call him. He forced a smile and nodded. “Now I have to go and try to explain this to my wife.”

  “I’ll stay and drive Maria to the lodge.”

  “Thanks. And while you’re at it, see if you can convince her to leave. Tomorrow would be good.”

  “Uh, yeah, sure, but I don’t think—”

  He held up a hand. He knew what she was going to say, and right now, he didn’t need to hear it. “Later,” he said and headed out.

  As he walked out of the hospital parking lot, Gage pulled alongside him in his white Suburban. The window rolled down. “You want a ride?”

  “As long as it doesn’t come with a lecture,” Jack said as he opened the door.

  Gage grinned then sobered. “How’s Maria’s hand?”

  Jack put on his seat belt. “Swollen, but it should be fine. And it’s not the hand that’s her problem. She needs to talk to someone. Hopefully she’ll open up to the doc.” It bothered him that she didn’t have anyone to turn to. If he could trust her not to pull shit like she had today, he’d encourage her to stick around until she got it together. He’d be there for her the same as he would for any of the guys.

  “Do you?”

  “No. I’m good. I get antsy in confined spaces, that’s all,” Jack said.

  “Have you talked to Grace yet?”

  “No, has Madison?”

  “Yeah. I think you’ve got some major sucking up to do, buddy.”

  “Figured as much. Got any suggestions?”

  “The truth.” Gage slanted him a look. “There’s nothing going on between you and Maria, is there? You can tell me, Jack. It won’t leave here.”

  He trusted Gage, and he could use a sounding board. So he told Gage what had gone on between him and Maria in Afghanistan.


  Gage released a low whistle. “Take my advice and get her out of town. I know you feel responsible for her. I understand and admire that. But I’ve got a bad feeling, if she sticks around, there’s going to be trouble.”

  “You and me both. But right now I’m more worried about what to say to Grace. Should I tell her everything?”

  “Yeah. Better coming from you than Maria. The woman already told you what she wants. She doesn’t seem the type to be easily put off.”

  “Understatement,” Jack said as they drove over the wooden bridge. The fast-flowing creek tumbled over the boulders on its way down from the mountain lake where Jack and Grace would be picnicking now if not for Maria.

  Gage’s Bluetooth went off. “Hi, honey. You’re on speaker. Jack’s with me.”

  “Why are you with my husband, Jack Flaherty, and not with your wife?”

  “Be nice, Madison. Jack’s not the bad guy here. I’m bringing him home now.”

  “Hmph, I’ll withhold judgment, for now. But if you hurt Grace, Flaherty, I’ll hurt you. And I’ll hurt you bad.”

  “For chrissakes, Madison, I’m the sheriff, and you’re the mayor. You can’t go around threatening people like that.”

  “It’s all right, Gage. She’s protecting Grace.” And even if it was at his expense, Jack appreciated that. “If it makes you feel better, Madison, the last thing I want to do is hurt my wife.”

  A couple of seconds ticked by before she said, “See that you don’t.”

  “Honey, I’ll be home in a few minutes. Is there anything else you wanted besides threatening Jack?”

  “Umm, we have company. So when you come home, don’t… well, you know,” she said with a thick Southern drawl.

  Gage rubbed the back of his neck. “Who’s at the house and what am I not supposed to do?”

  “Jump me in the kitchen like you always do when you think we’re alone, because we won’t be,” she whispered.

  Jack laughed. Gage’s grin faded when his wife continued, “Skye’s come for a visit. Isn’t that a nice surprise, sugar?” Her drawl was so thick that Jack wasn’t sure that’s what she’d said, but her husband seemed to understand her.