A Savannah Christmas Wish

by Nan Dixon

  Mom was tearing up. Daniel put his arm around her. “Thanks, Abby.”

  “I made enough for an army.” Abby gave him a bright smile. Hadn’t Bess told her sisters that they’d broken up? “I’m sorry I have to run. I’ll see you around four on Sunday?”

  “Perfect,” his mother said.

  “Oh, I want to invite you to Christmas dinner. Please say you’ll come.”

  Daniel’s heart stopped. Bess would hate this idea.

  “Of course we will,” Mom said.

  “You let me know what else I can do.” Abby gave Daniel a quick hug and then a longer one to his mother. Abby looked at him. “Just tell Bess if there’s anything you need.”

  “Sure,” he mumbled. Apparently, Bess hadn’t told her sisters they were through.

  Abby left and Daniel helped his mother put things away. “What’s happening Sunday?”

  “The sculptor finished our order,” Mom grinned. “I got the call while we were waiting at the airport. Since Mamie will be home, we’re planning on making our presentation to the Fitzgeralds.”

  Crap. He’d forgotten about the carvings. “Are you sure Pop’s up to it?”

  “It was his idea.”

  “Okay.” He rubbed at an ache in his chest. Bess didn’t want to see him, so why hadn’t she told her sisters they were through? “Do I need to pick up the sculptures?”

  “They’re dropping them off that day,” Mom said. “Around three thirty.”

  “I’ll be there.” He could watch from a safe distance as Pop and Mom presented the gift.

  “Why don’t you invite Bess over for Sunday dinner after the unveiling?” Mom asked.

  “You want to go to all that work?” His chest felt as if there were bands of steel tightening around it. “We could go out.”

  “I want to cook again.” Mom took out her tea bag. “Ask her.”

  He didn’t answer for a beat. “I’ll see if she’s available,” he lied.

  His mother stared at him, her forehead furrowed.

  He couldn’t talk about Bess.

  * * *

  “WHY ARE WE heading to Carleton House?” Bess slipped on her jacket. “I’ve got work to do.”

  Abby shrugged. “Deb and Samuel asked the family to meet them there.”

  “I heard he looks worse than when they were home for Thanksgiving. Shouldn’t he be resting?” Bess asked as they headed down the carriage-house stairs.

  “You haven’t seen him yet?” Abby frowned.

  “Not yet.” She planned to see Samuel, but avoiding Daniel was dictating when she could stop over at the Foresters’ house.

  Dolley, Mamma and Martin waited near the Fitzgerald House fountain.

  “Did Daniel tell you what’s going on?” Dolley asked her.

  Bess shook her head. Hopefully, he wouldn’t even be here.

  “Instead of wondering—” Mamma rubbed Dolley’s back “—why don’t we join the Foresters?”

  The Forester family were gathered on the Carleton House patio.

  Daniel’s back was to them. His blond hair brushed the collar of his jacket. Bess hid her shaking hands in her jacket pockets.

  Nathan waved. Daniel’s gaze bounced around the group. When he found her, a smile started but quickly disappeared.

  She ached.

  Samuel sat on a small chair. No, it was a walker. Her eyes shot to Daniel, but he was talking to Mamma and Martin. A shiver ran through her.

  She hurried over and hugged Samuel. “I’m glad you’re home.”

  “I sure like getting hugs from pretty girls,” he said.

  “We all know that.” Debbie pulled Bess into a hug. Then Mamma was hugging her friend.

  Bess stepped away and pasted a smile on her face. She would not let anyone know she wanted to curl into a ball and cry.

  Samuel clapped his hands. “Let’s get this party started.”

  Nathan and Daniel stood on opposite sides of something covered with drop cloths. Samuel and Debbie moved behind them, Debbie supporting him. Martin pushed the walker over and Samuel sat down with a groan.

  “This was Daniel’s idea.” Samuel waved them into a semicircle in front of the canvas-covered stands. “I’ll let him talk.”

  “Sure.” Daniel’s gaze skidded to her. “Bess wanted designs on the ends of the walls. We—” he circled his hand to include his family “—wanted to give you a gift.”

  He and Nathan tugged up the cloth. A carved rock face was set in an oval of stone.

  “Oh. Oh.” Bess rushed over and stroked the cheek. “Mamma, it’s you!”

  Everyone gathered around the face. “It’s wonderful,” Abby said. “Where did you get the idea?”

  “Bess,” Daniel said. His gaze collided with hers. No gold stars lit his sad brown eyes. “She talked about it a while ago.”

  And he’d remembered. She swallowed, afraid tears would start and never stop.

  “Hang on, there’s more.” Samuel grinned.

  Nathan and Daniel pulled the second canvas away. Bess grabbed Dolley’s hand. Abby caught hers. “It’s us,” Bess whispered.

  It was the picture from the website. Their three faces carved in stone.

  Daniel stared at her.

  How could he do something this wonderful and be so callous? How would she ever stop loving him?

  He’d called her a liar. Said she always took his brother’s side. He didn’t want to be with her. His eyes might be apologizing, but her memory was too strong to give in. She straightened, but Daniel’s image blurred through a lake of tears.

  “Don’t you start,” Abby hissed.

  Dolley squeezed her hand, hard.

  Bess dug her fingers into her palms. She would not cry.

  Mamma hugged Daniel. “I can’t believe you had these made.” She moved to Samuel and then Deb. “And thank you for picking a younger photo of me,” she whispered to Deb.

  Everyone admired the sculptures.

  “The artist explained how to attach them to your wall.” Daniel’s voice was low. “My crew will help with the installation.”

  “Thank you.” She pretended to admire the stone artwork. She couldn’t breathe. The pain of seeing Daniel crushed her like a hundred pounds of gravel.

  He touched her shoulder, but she jerked away.

  “Can we talk?” he whispered.

  She swiped her hands across her eyes. “No.”

  Abby clapped her hands. “If anyone is interested, I put together appetizers.”

  “Any pie?” Samuel called out.

  “Are we at Fitzgerald House?” Abby responded.

  “No. Carleton House,” Nathan hollered.

  They made their way back to the kitchen. Deb put her arm around Bess. “Are you able to come?”

  “Come where?” Bess asked.

  “To dinner.” A suspicious look crossed Deb’s face. “Daniel was supposed to ask you to dinner tonight.”

  Bess bit her lip. If Daniel had let his mother think they were still dating, she wouldn’t be the one to tell the truth. “I’m sorry, I can’t make it.”

  “Are you sure?” Deb tried looking in her eyes.

  “Yes.” She patted Deb’s hand. “I’d better help Abby cut the pies.” She rushed away.

  Bess wished they’d never told their families they were together. She wished she didn’t have to work with Daniel. Wished she could run up to the apartment and hide.

  Wishing had never gotten her anywhere.

  * * *

  DANIEL FINISHED RUNNING PAYROLL. When he and Nathan had worked together, payroll had gone faster, but Nathan was at one of the sites.

  It was nice hearing Mom in the kitchen while he worked.

  Moving into the kitchen, he sni
ffed. “It smells good in here.”

  “Your father was hungry for beef.” Mom basted the roast and potatoes scattered around the meat.

  “I’m glad you’re home.”

  “I am, too.” The oven door clanged shut. “Going to all your father’s appointments wears me out.”

  “Let me know what else I can do.” He didn’t know how to fit any more on his plate, but maybe it would keep him from worrying about Bess.

  “You’re working too hard already.” She looked at him. “I want you to relax and enjoy the holidays. Get in the Christmas spirit.”

  The most holiday spirit Daniel had felt had been in early November when he’d helped Bess decorate Fitzgerald House. Now the music and lights irritated him. He couldn’t tell his mom that.

  “Where’s Pop?”

  “Upstairs resting.” Mom’s forehead formed furrows.

  “Is this drug helping?” Daniel blurted out. Pop had to stop every few steps climbing the stairs.

  “Your father’s determined to see the treatment through. The doctors say it might take three to four months before his body responds.”

  “I hope so.”

  Daniel was exhausted. He’d walked through every job in the past two days, adjusting all the timelines and supply orders, but work couldn’t fill the hole Bess’s absence had left in his life.

  “What’s going on with you and Bess?” Mom asked.

  “Nothing.”

  “Nothing?” She crossed her arms and waited.

  “We broke up.” He rubbed at the ache in his stomach.

  “Who did?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “Yes.” Mom sat at the table next to him. “It does.”

  “She did.” He propped his head on his palm.

  “When you were with Bess, I’d never seen you so happy.” She squeezed his free hand. “What happened?”

  He hadn’t planned to tell anyone, but the words tumbled out.

  When he wound down, his mother asked, “Do you love her?”

  Numb, he nodded. “But when she told me she loved me, everything was so out of control I threw the words back in her face.” How many times could he hurt with Bess?

  “When you’re stressed, you push everyone away and try to take control.”

  “What?” He stared at his mother.

  “I watched you all through childhood. Nathan would get in trouble and you would clean your room or do your homework. You’d even finish your chores without being asked.” She headed to the stairs. “Real life can’t be captured in timelines and lists. I hope you talk to Bess and work things out.”

  He sank back in his chair. Was that why he organized everything? So life wouldn’t spin out of control? He’d just spent days reorganizing and it hadn’t helped. Everything was crumbling. He didn’t like where his life was heading because it didn’t include Bess.

  And what about her? He closed his eyes and let his head drop to the table. Bess wouldn’t talk to him. She wouldn’t call 911 if he was bleeding to death.

  The back door slammed and Nathan walked in. “What time is dinner? I want to start on payroll.”

  “Already finished,” Daniel said.

  Nathan leaned against the fridge. “I told you I’d run payroll.”

  Daniel shrugged. “I did it anyway.”

  His brother’s face went bright red. “I can run Mom’s procedures as well as you can.”

  Daniel figured he’d break all the bad news to his brother. “I set up new timelines for all the projects, too.”

  Nathan stalked to the table. “You’re not taking over my jobs.”

  “Yeah, I am.” But for the first time in his life, it felt—wrong.

  “I manage those projects.” Nathan leaned against his fists.

  “I toured everything in the last two days. Tonight I’ll work on the subcontractor schedules.”

  “Saint Daniel the martyr. He gave up his life for the company. What does Bess think of your dedication?”

  Daniel shook his head. “Leave Bess out of this.” His voice sounded dead.

  Nathan took a step back and stared. “You broke up with her.”

  It wasn’t a question. It was a statement.

  Daniel shrugged. “She broke up with me.”

  “Idiot.” Nathan glared. “Was it because you tried to organize her life, too?”

  “No.” Daniel gritted his teeth.

  Nathan smiled—a smile that signaled trouble when they were young. “You never deserved Bess.”

  “I know.”

  “I may have made mistakes, but you’re screwing up more than I ever had. Bess loves you.” Nathan shook his head. “Even I can see she’s the best thing that ever happened to you.”

  Daniel rubbed his temples.

  Nathan jabbed a finger at Daniel. “You’re not taking over my projects.”

  “I’ll do what I need to do to protect the company.”

  “Keep your damn fingers away from the sites that are my responsibility.”

  “No.” He had to make sure nothing else went wrong. The company was his responsibility.

  Their mother hurried down the stairs. “Stop yelling. Your father’s resting.”

  Daniel gritted his teeth and nodded. His breath whooshed in and out.

  “What’s going on?” Mom asked, looking between them.

  “This is Daniel’s mess—not mine.” His brother headed up the back stairs. “Stay out of my business.”

  Mom said, “What happened now?”

  “We can’t afford a misstep. I’m taking over all project management and paperwork.”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “You’re pushing Nathan out?”

  “We can’t have any more mistakes.”

  “I thought you were smarter than that.” Mom stared at him. “You’re capable of handling three people’s work without help?”

  “What?” She confused him.

  “I didn’t know I had raised such a superhero.”

  “What do you mean, three people’s work?”

  “Your father’s work, yours and mine.”

  His mouth dropped open. “I’m not—”

  She drilled her finger into his chest. “I may not go to an office every day, but I’ve handled the company books since before you were born.”

  He hadn’t given her enough credit. The paperwork was always an afterthought. “You’re right.”

  “So, your answer is to take all responsibility away from Nathan? That’s not a solution, that’s creating more problems.”

  “Look at what’s happened.” He walked over to the fridge and pulled out a beer. “Everything’s a mess right now.”

  “Delegate. Rely on Nathan.” Mom threw up her hands. “When you started managing your own projects, I told your father countless times to let you make your own errors. It was the only way for you to learn. He went through conniptions anytime you bid on a job. The man wouldn’t sleep.”

  “But...” He took a long swallow of his beer. Had his dad hovered over him as he’d assumed more responsibility?

  “Your brother needs to make his own mistakes, just like you did.”

  “I never messed up this bad.”

  “Your father and I were here to give advice, make sure things didn’t go wrong. Nathan’s been working for someone. He’s good at what he does, but he’s never been a boss. Are you helping or just criticizing him?”

  Daniel slumped into a chair. He’d been sure he knew what to do. “Criticizing.”

  Mom patted his arm. “Do you know how I met your father?”

  Daniel shook his head.

  “He needed an accountant. I was working for an accounting firm and he came in the door, this big handsome man. I bribed the recep
tionist to send him my way. Had to buy her coffee for a month. Best money I ever spent.” She looked him straight in the eye. “He needed my help and he wasn’t too proud to ask for it.”

  “Mom...”

  “I didn’t raise my sons to be too proud to ask for help. You need help. From Nathan and maybe even Bess.”

  “I’m an idiot,” he breathed.

  Bess had hounded him, insisting he rely on his brother. Were Nathan’s mistakes his fault because he hadn’t supported him?

  “When you’re wrong, I taught you to apologize.” His mom pointed to the stairs. “Find your brother. And try apologizing to Bess, too.”

  First Nathan. His feet dragged up the stairs as he headed to Nathan’s bedroom.

  “What do you want?” His brother unbuttoned his shirt.

  “I’m sorry.” Daniel took a deep breath.

  Nathan shook his head. “Did Mom make you come up here?”

  “It was strongly suggested.”

  His brother stared. “She tore you a new one?”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  “I guess I’ll have to forgive you. Otherwise I’ll be in the same boat.” Nathan sank onto the bed. “We’ve got to figure out how to work together.”

  “The yelling and screaming hasn’t worked.” Daniel slid to the floor, his back resting on the door frame. “When Pop fell, you were...amazing. I admired that... I admired you.”

  Both Nathan’s eyebrows shot up. “You were a basket case.”

  “Don’t remind me.” Daniel rapped his head on the wood. “You’ll have to quit partying.”

  Nathan pulled off his shirt. “I already have.”

  Daniel hadn’t even noticed. “Maybe we should hire a bookkeeper.”

  “There’s a plan I can get behind.” He tossed his shirt in the hamper. “No more interfering with my projects?”

  Daniel shook his head.

  “Can you grab me a beer?” Nathan smirked.

  “I thought you weren’t partying.”

  “A beer before dinner isn’t a party.”

  “One more thing.” Daniel stood and leaned over Nathan on the bed. “Stay away from Bess.”

  Nathan shoved his shoulder. “It would serve you right, you idiot. How are you going to square things with her?”

  Daniel shook his head. “I don’t have a clue.”