A Savannah Christmas Wish

by Nan Dixon

  Did he have another chance with Bess? Hope fluttered like a leaf in the breeze.

  He had to change her mind. He had to win her back.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  God gave us memories so that we might have roses in December.

  J. M. Barrie

  BESS AND HER sisters gathered in the Lady Bird Johnson room. A cheery fire snapped in the hearth. Candles perfumed the air with cinnamon and pine. Blue lights twinkled on the Christmas tree. She dug to find the Christmas spirit. So many people had so little. She had her family, Fitzgerald and Carleton Houses, and a new business. She was lucky.

  But she missed Daniel. She refused to take his calls, but there was an emptiness inside her that never disappeared.

  Abby poured another round of mulled wine into their mugs.

  Mamma knocked and stuck her head in the room. “You’d better get to bed, girls, or Santa won’t come.”

  “Santa hasn’t filled our stockings in years,” Dolley pointed out.

  Mamma settled on the floor and sipped from Bess’s mug. “He decided your tastes were too sophisticated.” She sipped again. “Very nice wine.”

  “Only the best.” Abby wiggled her eyebrows.

  “You three are amazing.” Mamma looked at them. “I created the B and B to survive, but you made it your own. No mother could be prouder.”

  “You set the best example.” A tear slipped down Bess’s cheek.

  Abby wiped her eyes. Dolley laid her head on Mamma’s shoulder and reached for her camera.

  “No,” Abby said.

  “Stop,” Bess added.

  “Dolley,” Mamma warned.

  They waved their hands and covered their faces. Dolley kept clicking.

  “Do you have to blind us with the flash?” Bess asked.

  “Absolutely.” Dolley put away her camera. Taking a handful of kettle corn, she pushed the bowl toward Abby. “Don’t let me eat any more. If I do, I’ll have to buy a new wardrobe.”

  “Send any extra food over to the Foresters.” Bess shook her head. “Samuel’s so gaunt.”

  She’d sneaked over one afternoon. Neither Samuel nor Debbie had said anything about Daniel. They’d both ignored the fact that they were no longer together.

  Mamma put her hand on Bess’s shoulder. “They’re home for a couple more weeks. We can help more.”

  “I dropped off lobster bisque for their dinner tonight.” Abby chewed her lip. “When they first came back, I invited them over for Christmas dinner.”

  “What?” Bess jerked.

  “I didn’t know you and Daniel had broken up.” Abby rubbed Bess’s knee. “You should have told us.”

  Daniel would be here Christmas Day. Her body ached. “It’s fine,” Bess lied.

  “We’ll keep him away from you,” Dolley vowed.

  “Absolutely,” Abby agreed.

  “Daniel’s a fool.” Mamma patted Bess’s foot.

  Bess’s mouth dropped open.

  “Go, Mamma,” Dolley said.

  “He’d have to be, wouldn’t he?” Mamma added.

  “He really is...honorable.” But dumb. He valued work more than her. “He shows he cares by doing things for his family.” He just didn’t care enough for her.

  Under pressure, she’d been the first thing he’d jettisoned from his life. Bess swallowed her wine, trying not to blubber. She couldn’t live waiting for him to toss her aside at the first sign of stress.

  “Look how much has changed in a year.” Dolley sighed. “Mamma’s married, Abby’s planning her wedding. Wonder what next year will bring.”

  “My needs are simple.” Abby raised her mug. “Happiness. And the most beautiful wedding we’ve ever held, other than Mamma’s.”

  “A great launch on Carleton House,” Bess mused. “And business for my company.”

  “The gift shop,” Dolley added. “Becoming a better photographer.”

  “Expansion of the catering company.” Abby sighed. “We can hold off on the restaurant for a few months.”

  They laughed.

  “You girls do have simple needs.” Mamma grinned. “But I didn’t hear anything about grandchildren.”

  Abby paled. Dolley laughed harder. Bess ached. Children weren’t in her future. Ever.

  “I’m not ready for... Gray and I haven’t talked about...” Abby shook her head.

  “She’s speechless,” Dolley said with surprise.

  “Don’t stay up too late. I love you.” Mamma kissed them all. “Don’t forget to make your Christmas wishes.”

  Bess didn’t want to think about the future right now. She took a sip of her wine.

  They stared into the fire.

  “I loved Daniel.” Bess hung her head. “Whoops. I didn’t mean to say that.”

  “Honey.” Dolley scooted next to Bess and held her hand.

  “I’m sorry.” Abby wrapped her arm around her. “Maybe...”

  “I should have known it wouldn’t work out.” Bess leaned her head on Abby’s shoulder. “I lose everything I love.”

  Dolley stiffened. “What?”

  Bess stared into her mug. No more wine. She used her hand to click a lock on her mouth. Her lips tingled. Almost as if Daniel had given her an awesome kiss.

  Abby nudged her. “You can’t say something like that and not explain.”

  “You guys know.” Bess nodded her head.

  “Um, no.” Dolley added more wine to Bess’s mug and shoved it at her. “Talk.”

  How could her sisters not know? “When I love something or someone—” she waved her hand “—not you guys, but other people, I lose them.”

  Dolley and Abby both leaned over and stared into her face.

  “What are you talking about?” Abby’s eyebrows pinched together.

  “My bedroom.” Bess raised her hand.

  “In your apartment?” Dolley asked.

  “No. When I was eight. Daddy let me pick everything out. I had my great sleigh bed and the beautiful flowered wallpaper.” She sighed. “I loved my room.”

  Her sisters frowned.

  “Daddy died and I had to move in with Dolley. My room was the first room rented.”

  “And because of a room, you can’t love anything?” Abby spoke as though she was talking to a child.

  “Not just that.” Bess took a sip of wine, just because it was there. “There was...” She couldn’t talk about seducing Daniel and his rejection. “There was Eric and our business.”

  Dolley rubbed her back. “He was a dweeb.”

  “But I loved Eric. And I loved our business.” Why couldn’t they understand? “And there was my job with King’s Gardens and my apartment.”

  “But last week you said you’re doing better without King’s Gardens.” Dolley’s curls bounced as she gave her head a sharp nod.

  “Everything you’re describing is just...life.” Abby took her hand. “None of these things means you can never fall in love.”

  “That’s easy for you to say. You have your happily-ever-after.” Bess tried to pull her hand away.

  Abby held on. “Maybe Daniel wasn’t your happily-ever-after, but there’s someone else out there for you.”

  Dolley took her other hand. “There is.”

  “I didn’t know you were both such dreamers.”

  But her sisters’ words had hope flowering in her chest. Could all the bad things have paved the way for her happiness? Maybe she should make a Christmas wish.

  I want to find true love.

  * * *

  DANIEL KEPT HIS hand under Pop’s arm as they climbed Fitzgerald House’s front steps. Pop’s walker waited on the porch. Nathan and Mom were hauling food into the kitchen. “Are you sure you’re up for this?�
�

  “Eating and celebrating? Always.” On the porch he put his hand on Daniel’s arm. “Are you up for this?”

  “I’ve been working on my plan for a week.” The most important plan he’d ever created. The timeline was flexible, but setting it in motion was the key. “Nathan’s agreed to help.”

  “I hope Bess will give you a shot. She’s a keeper.”

  Bess was a keeper, but he’d ruined everything.

  They moved into the house.

  The things he’d complained about—she did crazy things, he’d lost his focus at work because of her—those were all excuses. She made his life...bright. Light. He didn’t want to live without her. But she had to give him another chance.

  “Merry Christmas,” Pop called out as he wheeled into the library.

  People were scattered throughout the room. Daniel homed in on Bess’s bright hair. A deep green dress hugged her curves. She chatted with a lean man with dark hair.

  His hands formed fists. Had she brought a date?

  Bess whispered something to the man. Then she hurried over and gave Pop a hug. “Merry Christmas.”

  Dolley took Pop’s coat. “Sit by the fire.”

  Neither sister said hello to him.

  “Merry Christmas,” he said.

  They gave him cool nods and guided Pop to a chair, settling him in with a throw.

  “What can I get you?” Bess asked Pop.

  “Abby’s hot apple cider would slide down easy.”

  “I’ll get it.” Bess slipped past him. She didn’t acknowledge his existence.

  Dolley glared and knelt next to Pop.

  He swallowed, but a plank-size chunk of wood blocked his throat. Shrugging off his jacket, he moved over to scope out the stranger. “Hi. I’m Daniel Forester.”

  “Liam Delaney.” The guy had an Irish accent.

  They shook hands and Daniel put extra oomph into the squeeze.

  “What brings you to Savannah?” He took Bess’s abandoned chair. It would keep her from taking it back.

  Liam took a sip from his mug. “I’m filming a documentary. I’ll be staying through March. The sisters were kind enough to invite me to dinner.”

  Daniel leaned forward. “They don’t have guests during Christmas.”

  “I know.” Liam smiled. “Lucky me.”

  This slick-looking Irishman was staying at the B and B? While Bess lived in the carriage house? Not if Daniel had something to say about. Not if...

  He exhaled. He’d lost his right to complain.

  Nathan carried a tray of drinks into the room. “I’m to deliver these. Compliments of our hostesses.”

  Gray pulled up a chair. He bounced his fist in the palm of his hand. “You and I need to talk, Forester.”

  “That’s my cue.” Liam stood. “I’ll introduce myself around.”

  “Gray.” This was his friend. But Gray had warned him about hurting Bess.

  “Daniel.”

  “Who’s the guy?” Daniel whispered.

  “Guest.” Gray’s blue eyes were like lasers. “And we’re not talking about him. We’re talking about you breaking Bess’s heart.”

  “I’m trying to fix it.” Daniel shook his head. “I’ve got a plan.”

  “You’ve got a plan.” Gray rolled his eyes. “There’s a surprise.”

  “I’ll fix this.” Daniel must have raised his voice, because everyone stared at him. He reined in his frustration. “But first I have to get her to talk to me.”

  “Abby said the sisters are keeping you away from her today.” Gray took a sip of his cider. “You’ll have to contend with the three musketeers. They’re circling the wagons and manning the torpedoes. You, my friend, are persona non grata.”

  Daniel’s fingers rattled on his slacks. This would be harder than he thought.

  * * *

  BESS ROLLED THE CART with the dishes into the dining room and closed the door. She needed to be alone.

  When Daniel had walked into the library, her heart had stopped. She’d wanted him to comfort her, to take away the pain. But he was the cause.

  “Merry Christmas. Can you use some help?”

  She jerked. Nathan sounded so like Daniel. “No. I’m fine.”

  He crossed to her and tipped her chin up. “You are?”

  Bess closed her eyes. There was no choice. She had to be fine. “Let me get through today.”

  Nathan grabbed a stack of plates and set them around the table. “It’s nice your family invited us over for Christmas dinner.”

  She followed him, laying out the silverware. “Samuel looks tired.”

  “The doctors say it can take a few months before he feels better.” A fleeting smile crossed his face. “Pop’s housebound while he’s here. He’s driving Mom crazy.”

  “That’s good. I can’t imagine what it must have been like when he collapsed.”

  “Horrible. My whole world narrowed to getting him help. It took both of us, both Daniel and me.” Nathan touched her shoulder. “It’s the first time we’ve worked together since the summer night we made a sheet rope and shimmied out our window.”

  Her chest ached at the mention of Daniel’s name. “I’m glad you were both there.”

  “Bess?”

  She looked up.

  “My brother is an idiot, but he loves you.”

  “Fair-weather love doesn’t count. It’s when things get bad that love counts.” Her hand shook, rattling the silverware together. “Your brother can’t take the pressure.”

  “He’s changing.” Nathan snatched up a couple of wineglasses. “He and I have reached a new level of working together. It’s been great. He’s learning.”

  “I’m happy for you.” Her heart skipped a beat. “But I can’t talk about D—your brother.”

  “You need to talk to him.” Nathan placed a hand on her shoulder. “Just listen. He’s learned something over the last month. So have I. Give him a chance.” He brushed a kiss on her cheek and winked. “Unless you want to go out with me?”

  “I can’t survive another Forester.” She moved out from under his hand. “Tell Daniel to stay away from me.”

  * * *

  DANIEL COULDN’T GET Bess alone. He’d tried to sit next to her, but Dolley and Abby got to the chairs before him.

  Instead, he stared across the table, willing her to look at him, but she never did. Nathan had pleaded his case, and still she ignored him.

  He was hurting, too.

  Dinner was almost done. His family would leave soon. The lump in his throat had grown to a two-foot-by-two-foot beam.

  “Bess,” he croaked out.

  She grabbed her wineglass and took a sip. “What?”

  The table quieted.

  “Can I talk to you?” He stood, hoping she would, too. “Please?”

  She didn’t move. “You’ve said enough.”

  Everyone stared. Bess’s family. His family. The stranger, Cheryl and Josh.

  He held out his hand. “I love you.”

  Bess wilted. Dolley put her arm around her shoulders. Abby glared.

  “I made a mess of things...of us.” Daniel moved around the table. “My family helped me understand that.”

  Gray shook his head. His mother bit her lip.

  “Please talk to me,” he said.

  “You broke my heart, and now you do this.” She waved at the table of people. “Humiliate me in front of our families. Ruin Christmas? I don’t want to talk to you. I want you to leave.”

  “Not cool, bro,” his brother said.

  “Please, Bess.” Daniel moved closer.

  “I hate you,” she gasped, pushing out her chair and backing away.

  “You should,” Daniel agreed. “I
pretty much hate myself.”

  She wrapped her arms around her waist. “Don’t hurt me anymore.”

  “I don’t want to.” He got close enough to touch her, to stroke her cheek. Everyone watched. “Damn it, I want to marry you!”

  Bess’s hand covered her mouth. Her green eyes flashed with pain. “And when you have more trouble, what happens? You throw me away again?”

  “No,” he roared, his panic erupting. “No.”

  She tore past him. Her sisters stood, blocking his way. “Leave us alone,” he begged. “Give me a chance.”

  He was afraid if Bess didn’t talk to him, he’d lose her forever.

  * * *

  BESS RAN, THE kitchen door slamming behind her. Her hand covered her mouth, holding in a sob. How could he do this? Break her heart and expect her to keep coming back.

  She could go to the apartment, but Daniel would try there first. Carleton House?

  Her greenhouse. She’d hide there until the Foresters left. She checked behind her, but the courtyard was empty. Either her sisters had held Daniel off or he wasn’t following her. She swiped at her stupid tears.

  Beginning in the new year, she would ask Nathan to manage Carleton House. She had rights.

  Scrambling up the hill, she yanked open the door. The earthy smell should have comforted her, but her heartache filled every crevice of her soul.

  If she’d grabbed her phone, she could have called Abby or Dolley and had them bring her keys and purse. She could have driven somewhere, anywhere.

  Her body shook. How could he say he loved her and then scream that he wanted to marry her? He’d humiliated her in front of everyone. She deserved better.

  Hunkered on the concrete, she hugged her legs and laid her head on her knees. How had her life come to this?

  Footsteps pounded outside. “Bess,” Daniel called.

  She slid back, letting the table leg block her view.

  The door opened. “Bess?”

  Shoes crunched on the shell paths.

  Why wouldn’t he leave her alone? She tucked her face on her knees, knowing he would find her.

  The footsteps stopped. “Sweetheart.”

  “Get out.” Her words were muffled. There was no fire left in her. She’d burned out. “Get out.”

  Daniel knelt on the path and stroked her hair.