Shara's Happy New-foundland Year

by Tamie Dearen

  She blinked at him. “What for? We have a great marriage.”

  He rubbed his temples, trying to think of an appropriate response. The rattling door announced David’s arrival.

  Her eyes were round as she whispered. “Remember what I said, but don’t say anything to David.”

  James stood and snatched the leash away, speaking in a low voice. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

  “Hi, James.” David strolled in, throwing a stack of mail on the counter. He popped his shoes off and padded straight to Noelle, kissing her cheek. “I love you. How was your day?”

  When James shot her a look, Noelle had the good grace to appear sheepish, after her rampage against her innocent husband. Breathing a sigh of relief that David had miraculously dodged a bullet and kept his marriage safe for the time being, James resolved to wait at least five years after getting married before starting a family. Might give him enough time to prepare for when his wife turned crazy, like Noelle.

  And in his mind, his wife was Shara. The thought sent a jolt through his system. He wondered if Shara would be willing to move to New York City.

  “David, I got some interesting news today.” James moved to sit in one of the recliners, but he was too wired up to lean back and relax.

  “What’s that?” David sat on the couch beside Noelle, bending forward to scratch Abby’s ears since Noelle didn’t allow dogs on the furniture.

  “I got a job offer from Two Dubs.”

  David’s hand froze as he gaped at James. “You’re kidding me. Two Dubs? When did you apply?” Emotions battled on his face as he tried to hide his obvious hurt.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I decided to apply after Shara broke up with me. I never thought I’d actually get the job offer.”

  “You haven’t thought this through, have you?” David gave Abby’s head a final pat and turned his full attention to James. “How are you going to tell Gerard? I hope you won’t burn any bridges with Holiday, Inc. I can’t believe you’re moving to New York after you talked me into moving to Denver so we could work together.”

  James jerked his head toward Noelle. “Don’t try to tell me you’re not glad you moved here. If it weren’t for me, the two of you would’ve never met.”

  Noelle had been listening with a shocked expression. “You’re going to move to New York and leave your family behind? What about Shara?”

  “I don’t know what to do about her.” James pressed his fingers against his temples, aching with tension. “If she wants to be with me, maybe she’d be willing to move to New York. If not, I guess a new job will be a good distraction.”

  “You’re going to leave her behind?” she asked, as if he hadn’t proposed to her a week ago.

  “Like I said, I’d love for her to go with me. I’d be making plenty of money. She wouldn’t have to find a job in the city.”

  “But you’d be so busy with your new job, and Shara would be stuck taking care of the—”

  David interrupted with a loud coughing fit. “Sorry. Allergy issues.” He cleared his throat, glancing at his wife. “Like Noelle was saying, Shara would be stuck at home by herself all day.”

  “I’m sure she could find things to keep her busy,” James replied, irritated with their negative comments.

  “When would the job start?” David asked.

  “They’re flying me up to New York on the twenty-sixth, since I have the week off between Christmas and New Year’s Day.”

  “So much for our ski trip,” David mumbled.

  “Oh man! I forgot all about that.” James realized it would be the first of many sacrifices. But wasn’t it worth it to have his dream job?

  “I can’t believe they’re working the day after Christmas.” Noelle crossed her arms with a disapproving, “Humph!”

  “Weber and Weber is the pioneer of international accounting firms. They’re open 24/7, 365 days a year. They have to be, because they work around the globe.”

  “Will there be a lot of traveling?” Noelle chewed on her lower lip.

  “Lots. I’ll be traveling all over the world. But the good news is I’ll have lots of air-miles, so I can come visit.”

  David wore a worried-big-brother look, deep furrows on his forehead. “James, I’m happy for you. Proud. But there are a lot of things to consider before you accept this job. One of them is who you’ll be working for.”

  “What are you talking about? Weber and Weber are highly respected. It’s the number one international accounting firm.”

  “I know. I’m sure they’re offering a substantial raise, too. But you have to consider what you’re losing. Gerard Holiday is a believer. He cares about his employees. He treats every one of us like family.”

  “I realize Holiday, Inc. is one of a kind. That’s one of the reasons I’m going to New York to meet the people I’ll be working for before I sign on the dotted line. We’ve spoken via internet, but not face to face.”

  “What about your faith, James?” At last David displayed the judgmental expression James had expected all along.

  James strained to keep his temper in check. “I can still be a Christian in New York, David, but thanks for letting me know how you really feel.” He stood and walked to the door, calling Fezzik. David’s comments hit close to home, asking questions he couldn’t answer.

  “Wait, James. I’m sorry.” David was right behind him. “I shouldn’t have said that. Please don’t go away angry.”

  His fury abating at David’s humble apology, he looked over his shoulder. “I thought you’d be excited for me.”

  “If this is the job God calls you to, I’m behind you a hundred percent.” His hand clasped James’ shoulder. “But pray about it. Be sure you’re going toward His will and not running away from it.”

  SHARA SAT STARING AT her apartment door, waiting for James to arrive with Fezzik. A session with the counselor had helped her apprehension somewhat. However, at ten weeks, her stomach was still flat, and Shara dreaded its inevitable expansion. Dr. Garcia had praised her at her checkup that morning for gaining a pound. She’d also had her first ultrasound, although the blobs on the screen didn’t look anything like a baby to Shara. The doctor also spotted a fibroid tumor on the ultrasound. She told Shara it wasn’t cancerous, but the word tumor struck terror in her heart. She planned to look it up online, though Dr. Garcia assured her it wasn’t anything to worry about.

  Though she’d kept a smile on her face in the dental office on the last day before the holidays, depression lurked in the shadows, waiting to pounce on her. Perhaps it was the approach of yet another sad and lonely Christmas.

  Last year, she’d attended the Christmas Eve service with Noelle’s family. It was beautiful and moving, but returning home to her empty apartment had taken all the joy away. She’d rejected their invitation to attend the service this year, knowing James would likely attend as well.

  The fact her apartment wasn’t decorated for Christmas didn’t help her mood. Usually, she put up a small, artificial tree and a few decorations, but this year she hadn’t had the energy to lug the boxes from the storage area by the furnace.

  At least she would have Fezzik with her during Christmas week. She planned to spend her time off watching the Hallmark Channel and playing with the dog. A week from Tuesday was New Year’s Day, after which she would keep Fezzik with her for good. Hopefully, James would concede early instead of demanding his last three days with the rapidly growing dog.

  Seven o’clock on the dot a knock sounded, and her heart flipped in her chest. She told herself she was simply excited to see Fez—it had nothing to do with missing James. She dreaded facing him after rejecting his proposal last week. That fiasco of a night provided yet another reason to postpone giving him the news about the baby. She also hated to spring it on him and ruin his Christmas.

  She opened the door prepared to be extra nice, since he probably still had hurt feelings from her unexplained rejection. However, instead of the somber expression she expected, he greet
ed her wearing a red felt Santa hat and a big grin.

  “Merry Christmas! I took Fez to the groomer today. They combed out a mattress-full of fur, so he’s about twenty pounds lighter.” Fez pranced at her feet, sporting his own matching Santa hat.

  She hesitated, unsure about the wisdom of inviting him inside, but secretly desperate for company. James, however, made the decision for her, pushing past her as he shrugged off his coat and hung it on an empty hook beside the door.

  He rubbed his hands together briskly, glancing about the small living area. “Okay. Let’s get this decorating done.”

  “Decorating?”

  “Yes. Don’t you remember? Last week you told me you hadn’t felt up to decorating and I promised to help you.” He aimed a meaningful gaze her direction. “I know you don’t believe me, but I usually keep my promises. Eventually, you’ll learn to trust me again.”

  “James, I’m not going to change my mind about getting married.”

  He shook his head. “I understand, but I’m still your friend.”

  After staring for an eternity with her mouth gaping like a fish out of water, she realized he was waiting for directions. “The decorations are in the furnace room, but I don’t have much.”

  Having James around to help gave her a sudden burst of energy. Within a few minutes, they had all the boxes out, along with her dilapidated tree. He stood it in the corner she designated and stared down his nose at it, his hands on his hips.

  “This thing needs to go,” he announced. “Come on. Let’s get you a real tree.”

  “Oh, it’s too much trouble. This one is fine.”

  She attempted to straighten one of the bent limbs, and it broke off in her hands. Without looking, she knew he wore a smug smile, showing off his enticing dimples.

  “Now, can we get you a real tree? My treat.”

  “I can buy my own Christmas tree.” It wasn’t in her budget, but her pride wouldn’t let her admit it.

  “I know you. You would buy a two-foot tree to save money. I want to pay for it so we can get a big one.” His hand on her elbow gently guided her to the door.

  “Don’t you have a big one at your house, already?” She pulled on her jacket and a blue ski cap.

  “I didn’t put up a tree, because I’m going to Pueblo tomorrow to stay with Dad and Angela. Then I’ll be with David and Noelle at the Holiday house on Christmas Day.” He called Fezzik over and fastened his leash. “You should come over on Christmas morning. I’m sure Noelle would love to have you.”

  “She invited me.” Though they made her feel welcome last year, she knew she didn’t fit in with the Holiday family, having grown up on the proverbial wrong-side-of-the-tracks. “But I’m going to Dad’s apartment Christmas morning. He’s inviting some of his investors over for Christmas dinner, so I agreed to cook for him. I didn’t want to, but his alternative idea was to host them here at my place.”

  She groaned, dreading everything about the day. How would she find the energy to clean his apartment, as she’d promised? And how would she keep her stomach from rebelling as she prepared a Christmas meal she was unlikely to eat?

  “Why do you let him take advantage of you like that?” James frowned, as he opened the front door. “You need to learn to stand up for yourself.”

  “You’re right. But he looks at me with those sad eyes, and I think about how lonely he is and what an awful life he’s had. Can’t help feeling sorry for him. No matter what he’s done, he’s still my dad—the only family I’ve got.”

  “We could do something about that.” James mumbled the words under his breath.

  Noelle ignored him and stepped through the open door onto the landing, covered with a light dusting of fresh snow. She stopped in her tracks as she realized her mistake. “Hold on a minute. We’re not supposed to have a date tonight. You won two dates, and we’ve already had both of them.”

  He used his body to push her forward enough to shut the door and lock it. How did he get my key?

  “Last week didn’t count. I only got half a date. Besides, Fezzik is fired up about going somewhere. You can’t disappoint him now.” Sure enough, Fez was frolicking about as if he hadn’t been outside fifteen minutes prior. A sprinkle of snowflakes decorated his black fur.

  A short drive took them to a Christmas tree lot run by the Lion’s Club, raising money that went directly back into the community. Shara felt a little better about splurging for a nice tree, knowing some kid might get a pair of glasses or a warm coat. She asserted she would pay half the cost, but James was even more stubborn, arguing she wouldn’t have spent any money at all on a tree if he hadn’t insisted. In the end, he bought the tree, and she made an extra donation to the Lion’s Club. The Lion, who happened to be a woman, cheerfully accepted the donation, explaining that one hundred percent of donations went to charity, with all administrative costs covered by members.

  Shara figured she could cover the donation cost if she made her boots last one more year. It was worth the sacrifice, as she went home feeling a good bit cheerier for having done something unselfish at Christmas time.

  James had chosen a slim, but tall, Fraser fir that fit her small corner perfectly. Under Shara’s perfectionist direction, James draped five strands of mini lights around the tree, until it twinkled evenly on all the branches. He’d purchased the lights at the grocery store, along with some cans of soup and hot chocolate mix, having correctly guessed she hadn’t had time or energy to go shopping since the last time he stocked her groceries.

  They took a break from decorating the tree to have dinner. Shara’s stomach handled the chicken soup and crackers without protest. To make the meal more substantial, James made a grilled ham and cheese sandwich and even coaxed Shara into taking a few bites.

  After eating, they snuggled with Fez on the couch, watching sappy Christmas movies and drinking hot cocoa. Then James noted the tree was still adorned only with lights and searched through the boxes to find ornaments. As it was getting late, Shara offered to finish decorating the tree by herself, but James wouldn’t have it. Soon he had all the ornaments out so Shara could direct the decorating and satisfy her perfectionist tendencies.

  The whole sequence of events felt so comfortable, Shara couldn’t help imagining what it would be like if they were actually married. Would he be faithful? Or would he tire of her after a few years and move on to someone new? Would he start drinking and take out his frustrations on her as had every other man in her life? What kind of father would he be? He seemed to take good care of Fezzik and also of her, for that matter.

  She knew it was only a pipe dream, yet she couldn’t wipe the thought from her mind. Perhaps Noelle and Dr. Madison were right. Neither one believed, as she did, that a man would always speak out if he had genuine feelings for a woman. Since both women had loving husbands—though Dr. Madison was widowed—their opinions carried more weight than hers. With every ornament James hung on the high branches of the fragrant tree, she regretted her hasty rejection of his proposal a bit more.

  He handed her a red and gold, beaded garland, before climbing onto a kitchen chair to put the star on the top of the tree. Shara noticed Fezzik, from the corner of her eye, amid a pile of torn Christmas paper, happily gnawing away on something.

  “Did you give Fez some kind of doggie toy for Christmas?” Shara asked.

  James peered around the tree. “Fezzik! No! Bad dog!” Fez took this as a sign that he should take his treasure and run, and he took off like a bullet, with James chasing after him, yelling at the top of his lungs. Shara fell on the floor, laughing.

  When James returned with the dog in the crook of his arm, he carried the remnants of a package in the other. His dejected expression made Shara want to give him a comforting hug, but she kept herself in control.

  “Stupid dog,” James muttered. “Ate almost the whole bag of chocolate-covered macadamia nuts I bought for you. Must’ve fallen out of my coat pocket. I know your stomach is still iffy, but I thought you’d still love th
em.”

  “That was so sweet,” Shara said, equally thrilled he’d remembered her favorite candy and sad Fezzik had eaten them. “How much did he eat? I think chocolate is bad for dogs.”

  James plopped the dog on the floor and shook a finger at him. “Serves you right if it makes you sick.”

  “Not if he gets sick all over my apartment,” she argued. “We should look it up online.”

  James stuffed Fez in the kennel and pulled out his phone to check the toxicity of the candy. “Oh...” His eyes tracked the words, faster and faster, the line between his brows growing deeper.

  “What does it say?” asked Shara, as her pulse picked up speed. “Am I right? Is chocolate bad for dogs?”

  “Yeah, it is,” James looked up from his phone, stricken. “Macadamia nuts and chocolate are both toxic. We need to call the vet. Do you have that card from the shelter?”

  A few minutes later, they were back in the car, on the way to the veterinary emergency clinic. Shara was almost more concerned about James than the forty-pound puppy in her lap. His brows knotted together with worry, and he periodically slipped his hand over to pat Fezzik’s head, mumbling comforting words, though Fez wasn’t experiencing any pain. Unaware of the impending danger, the pup looked up at Shara with soulful brown eyes designed to wrench her heart from her chest, and she showered his fluffy head with kisses.

  Upon reaching the clinic, James jumped out and ran to open Shara’s door, lifting Fez and cradling him in his arms. The guilt was written all over his face as he explained the situation to the veterinarian on call.

  “This isn’t your fault.” Shara touched his arm to get his attention. “You didn’t know Fez had them. And you didn’t know it was toxic to dogs.”

  “I should’ve known,” he sputtered. “I was responsible for him. Never bothered to learn what was dangerous for him. Shouldn’t have dropped them on the floor.”

  They stood together in awkward silence as the technician disappeared with Fez. “He’s going to be fine,” Shara said, to convince herself as much as James.