by Mary Manners
“She’s sleeping. It’s late. But in the morning—”
“I can’t stay.” He resumed stroking Fluffy’s back with fingers callused from manual labor. His skin was more wrinkled than Kaylee remembered and ruddy from the wind; his sandy-blond hair needed a trim and a comb. Kaylee wondered how long it had been since he’d filled his belly with a home-cooked meal. While her heart ached for her brother, her senses remained on full alert. “I’m due at a job in Raleigh come Monday. Should last a couple months this time, maybe longer, if all goes well. I’d really like to see her before I hit the road again.”
“Well…” Kaylee twined her fingers together to keep them from trembling. “If you don’t mind that she’s sleeping, I suppose it won’t hurt for you to take a look.”
“I don’t mind. Just a little look, that’s all. I promise I won’t wake her.”
“Come with me, then. Rosie’s bedroom is down the hall.”
Cody set Fluffy back on the floor and the kitten scampered to the tree, wasted no time curling up along the skirt once again. “You’ve got a nice place.”
“Ruth has been very generous. Rosie and I like it here.”
“That’s good.” Cody met her at the doorway. “You look good, sis…happy.”
“I am.”
“Life’s been treating you pretty good these days?”
“Yes, but what about you, Cody? How are you?”
“I’m managing.” He scratched the stubble along his chin. “Can’t complain. But it would still be an awful hard struggle, with the kid tagging along.”
“I don’t mind her staying here with me. Really, Cody.”
“That’s what Riley said when I talked to him on the phone last week, after I got his letter. I was hoping…Well, I’d like you to keep her, then, if you could.” He paused, a step shy of bumping into Kaylee as the words stilled her. The doorway to Rosie’s room beckoned and Kaylee stepped back to allow him access. “The jobs keep me busy, and the road is no place for a kid. Could you do that for me…keep her?”
“I…of course I will.”
“I brought you something…” Cody dug into the jacket of his pocket. “I figured you’d need them if you’re going to keep the kid.”
Kaylee unfolded the papers he stuffed into her hands. Tears pooled in her eyes as she scanned the legalese, found his notarized signature and that of Rosie’s mother, as well. She swiped her eyes as she looked up at him. “But, where did these come from? How?”
“Riley faxed them to me after we talked. And I figured since I was heading through I’d just drop them by tonight. They’d get here faster than the post office could deliver, anyway. I hope that’s OK.”
“It’s…perfect.”
“You’re a lifesaver, Kaylee.” Cody jammed his hands into his pockets as he paused at Rosie’s doorway. “Like I said, a construction site is no place for a kid, and with my long work hours…” His voice broke with a little hitch. “Will you just tell her that I love her? Make sure she knows, OK?”
“Of course I will.” Kaylee touched his shoulder. “I’ll take good care of her, Cody. I promise.”
“I know you will. And it looks like Riley will be hanging around to help. A guy can tell that kind of thing. I’m glad for you. After all this time…everything that’s happened…you deserve a little happiness.” Cody nodded and leaned in to kiss the crown of Kaylee’s head before turning away. Not before she saw the tears that glistened in his eyes, though. “I guess I’d better get back on the road. Haven’t seen weather like this in East Tennessee in years. This storm is sure to be a beast. I’d like to beat it.”
“You’re sure you can’t stay?”
“I’m sure.” He sniffed and offered a slight salute. “I love you, sis. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Cody.”
Epilogue
The burst of yellow caught Kaylee’s attention as she turned off Cardwell Lane and wove her way up the long gravel drive toward the guest house. She still thought of the house that way, even though Ruth had deeded the home to her as a Christmas gift, so it was officially her and Rosie’s home now.
It had truly been a Christmas of miracles, from finding Riley’s letter of resignation rolled up with a bow and tucked along the Christmas tree branches to the deeded house and dinner shared as a family. And good cheer continued to spill over as Christmas wound its way toward a new year.
Following a morning appointment at the courthouse, papers nestled inside an official-looking manila folder in the seat beside her were proof—Rosie’s adoption papers, signed by the family court judge from Knoxville.
“He came, Mom!” Rosie squealed in delight. She struggled with her seatbelt as they pulled to a stop in front of the cozy white-frame house. “I knew he would.”
Kaylee squinted against sunlight that streamed through the windshield. The snowman she and Rosie had crafted alongside the front porch, with Riley’s help, was already wilting. His carrot nose had toppled to the ground where blades of grass peeked through the snow cover, reminding her that East Tennessee snow rarely lasted long. “Who came, honey?”
“Santa did. Look!”
The rails along the wrap-around front porch overflowed with sunny yellow blooms—marigolds. Kaylee’s breath caught as their musky-sweet fragrance swirled in through the lowered passenger window. There was only one explanation for the joyful splash of color that marked this special day—Riley. But where had he found such beautiful blooms this time of year?
Just then, Riley rounded the corner of the house, carrying a ceramic pot. He caught sight of Kaylee and grinned as he nodded, dark eyes twinkling. No glower to be found in them…not any longer. The thought toyed with Kaylee’s senses and brought a smile to her lips.
“Oh my goodness.” Kaylee slipped from her own seatbelt while Rosie scrambled from the car and dashed across the grass.
“Mr. Riley!” Rosie squealed, her coat billowing in the kiss of breeze. Riley dropped his goods and caught her as she leapt into his arms. Laughter filled the air as he swung her around once, twice, before setting her down at his side.
“Hi there, sweetie.” Riley’s voice carried over the meadow. “What do you think of the porch?”
“The flowers look like little suns.” Rosie patted his scruffy cheek with her tiny palm. “So pretty.”
“It’s lovely, Riley, all of it.” Kaylee cut in, crossing the yard to them. “But, how did you manage? Where did you find all those blooms?”
“He’s Santa’s helper, Mom.” Rosie tugged at Riley’s jacket. “But I didn’t know Santa made deliveries after Christmas.”
“Why do you say that, Rosie?” Kaylee began, and then it dawned—her Christmas wish. After everything—every gift—was opened, the child still claimed something was missing. Kaylee and Riley grilled her, but she asserted Santa would bring it when he was good and ready, even if it meant waiting another year. “Is this what you asked for from Santa, that day at the mall?”
“Uh huh.” Rosie’s blonde head bobbed beneath a pink knit cap. “More yellow flowers that smell pretty and aren’t all flat, like the ones you squashed in your Bible.” She wrapped her arms around Riley’s mid-section and squeezed tight, her radiant face turned up toward the sun. “You brought them, Mr. Riley, didn’t you?”
“I sure did. Took me a few extra days, but your order’s finally filled, sweetie.”
“’Cause you love Mom, right?”
He squatted to murmur against her ear. “That’s exactly right.”
“And she loves you, too.” Rosie cupped Riley’s ear and leaned in to whisper, “Did you bring anything else?”
“Maybe.” He winked and patted his right pocket. “I feel something in there.”
“What is it?” Rosie bounced up and down. “Let me see.”
Ruth stepped onto the porch just then to investigate the commotion. She swept the flower pots with an outstretched arm. “Gorgeous, aren’t they?”
“I’m…speechless.” Kaylee felt the ground sway. Tea
rs pooled in her eyes, turning the marigolds to fingers of gold. “First Rosie’s adoption, now this. It’s too much, Riley. Really, it is.”
“I think it’s just right…well, almost.” Riley brushed soil from his fingers before dipping his hand in his pocket and withdrawing a small, black velvet box.
“Oh, Riley…” Kaylee’s tears spilled over to race down cheeks lit by the sun as he opened the lid, exposing a brilliant diamond solitaire bound by a yellow-gold band. “You didn’t…oh, my…”
He took her hand as he dropped to one knee in the melting snow. “Kaylee, I’ve loved you my whole life, through heartache and laughter and everything in between. I can’t imagine spending another day without you…without Rosie.” His voice hitched as his gaze held steady. “Will you trust me with your heart and share the rest of your life with me?”
“Yes.” Kaylee nodded as her tears dripped onto the pot of marigolds on the ground between them. Riley lifted the ring from the box and the diamond captured the light, refracting into a rainbow of color.
“Are those happy tears, Mom?’ Rosie lifted a hand to pat her cheek. “Are you gonna burst with happy?”
“Yes.” Kaylee sniffled. “Oh, it’s just perfect…all of this. Perfect.”
And it was…with help from above they’d been brought all the way ’round again—full circle back to one another. Riley drew Kaylee in, wrapping his arms around her as he claimed Rosie close to his side, as well. Ruth clapped from the porch, where she leaned against the rail with a contented sigh. “You make a beautiful family, the three of you.”
“Gran’s right, as always.” Riley slipped the ring on Kaylee’s finger, nodded at the perfect fit. “And it’s finally official. We’re a family now.”
“So I can call you daddy?” Rosie murmured.
“Yes. That’s perfect, sweetie…forever and always.” Riley lifted her into his arms. “Merry Christmas.”
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