Two Hearts Find Christmas (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Book 5)

by Tamara Ferguson

  Beth sighed, meeting Jim’s eyes. He appeared to be anxiously awaiting her answer. “I just don’t think it would work for us, Jim,” she said softly.

  Jim looked stunned. “But, Liz?”

  And that was another thing that annoyed her—that stupid nickname of Liz. She couldn’t remember how many times she’d mentioned it to Jim, during the last five years they’d been dating. He never seemed to listen to anything she said. If she hadn’t been such a coward, she would’ve broken it off with him a long time ago. She’d just been lonely, she’d realized, and had wanted some extra companionship, as well as someone to hold her at night sometimes. It was difficult going out with friends because of her situation with her son, but Jim would come over to her house on the weekends to watch baseball or football or basketball, depending on the season. She’d cook and…well—that was about it. Jim would just sit on the couch and watch TV, while he drank a few beers and ate. She and her son would either hang out in the kitchen, since Kyle loved anything to do with food—or go outside, or into the basement, where Kyle would play with his toys.

  Anything, really, to stay out of Jim’s way.

  Inwardly, she sighed. Come to think of it, maybe, she was escaping just in time. “We talked about you moving with me to Wisconsin—remember? You said you weren’t interested.”

  He shrugged. “Well, since I had that job offer from Stan’s Automotive, I thought you’d just like to stay in town, and move in with me.” Jim cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. “After we found somewhere for Kyle to live first, that is.”

  No way. She was definitely doing the right thing by starting over. She was almost relieved now, when she said to him, “I know it’s a job, Jim. But you’ll barely be making minimum wage, and you won’t have any benefits or a retirement plan, like you’ve had at the car plant.” And Jim already liked to live above his means. He had an expensive truck and owned his house. But, judging by the thick book of payment stubs she’d seen on his desk, the truck wasn’t even close to being paid off. Beth was pretty sure he wasn’t putting any money back into his house. It definitely needed a new roof. He’d never really let her in on the state of his finances, but she had a sneaking suspicion that Jim was gambling a bunch of his money away, too.

  Beth hesitated. “You know how important it is for me to get Kyle into this vocational program? I have to go north.”

  “Yeah, I guess. But there’s still gotta be a place, you can get him into, around here. Isn’t there?”

  She sighed. Nope, Jim never paid any attention to what she had to say—did he? How many times had she mentioned to him, that the waiting list for a facility equipped to handle someone with Kyle’s disabilities was over twenty years in Illinois? Illinois was at the bottom of the ranks when it came to human services—that’s why the governor’s quest to cut the budget for the most vulnerable and dependent individuals in Illinois was basically pretty heartless, as far as Beth was concerned.

  But enough of that.

  “No, there isn’t anywhere, Jim. Believe me, I’ve looked into it. I don’t want to live in Bloomington anymore, either.” How many businesses had closed their doors over the last few years? When her dad had been transferred to the main branch of his insurance company here in Bloomington, the town had seemed like it was stuck in the middle of a corn field, when she’d been forced to move here in the eighties. The area had grown and prospered, until all of a sudden the economy had declined because of the state budget crisis, that’d been developing over the last ten years. Although she had a lot of friends here, she’d never really liked this town. It was kind of unbelievable to think that she’d remained here, even after her parents had retired and moved away. “I’m still pretty sure you could find a better job, if you moved somewhere else.”

  Jim appeared hesitant when he shook his head no. No doubt about it—he was afraid of change. With dark brown hair that was graying at the temples, and warm hazel eyes, Jim wasn’t a bad looking guy. Maybe he wasn’t as thin as he used to be? But, heck, for someone who was approaching fifty, he still looked pretty damned good.

  But as far as anything special between them?

  Nah, not really. And there hadn’t been any genuine spark between her and Kyle’s father either. Come to think of it, there’d never really been any special guy in her life. Kind of sad, considering she’d just had her forty-fifth birthday the week before. Jim hadn’t even remembered. And what did that say about their, so called, relationship?

  Yes, Beth was even more relieved, now, that Jim had decided he wasn’t coming along with her. It saved her the trouble of having to tell him, that she didn’t really want him moving along with her to Crystal Rock, anyway. It’d probably hurt his feelings if she told him so.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Two weeks later, Beth was pulling off the highway and slowly driving into the town of Crystal Rock in her SUV. At least Kyle had been content on the entire eight-hour drive. They’d made a few pit stops to use the restroom, and after purchasing some fast food, she’d pulled into the parking lot of a scenic rest area, so they could stretch their legs and eat. It’d been years since she’d taken a trip with Kyle, because of his behavior problems. In fact, she’d purchased the SUV immediately after he’d hit her so hard on the head, she’d nearly run the car she was driving off the road. Beth had owned a four door sedan back then, and Kyle had always sat right behind her. Now, at least, he was settled far enough away from her in the backseat, to allow for some reaction time, for her to prepare for the worst.

  Beth peeked through the windshield excitedly as they drove through the center of town. She glanced at Kyle in the rear-view mirror—his deep blue eyes were as big as saucers as he stared at the Christmas decorations lining the streets. It was two weeks before Christmas, and an awful time of the year for the car plant to be closing, she thought for about the millionth time since it’d been announced. But at least the long-time employees had been offered early retirement benefits, along with decent compensation packages.

  She’d only seen pictures of the house she’d bought online. She’d depended on her cousin, Cal, who’d checked it out thoroughly beforehand. Callahan Construction had been working on the demolition work for the past four months, so that Beth would be able to complete the finish work on her own. She’d learned a lot about remodeling from all the work she’d done on her house in Bloomington, since purchasing it twelve years ago. Hopefully the house in Bloomington would sell—cause she really needed the proceeds to complete all the projects that needed to be competed in this house. It was four times the size of the house she’d owned in Illinois! But she hadn’t been able to resist—the price was a steal, according to Cal. Although her former home was located in, what was considered, a prime area of Bloomington, the real estate market just wasn’t what it used to be, because of the economy.

  Beth glanced at her watch. Even though she had the address logged into her GPS, she was still supposed to meet Cal at his office in about an hour—so he’d be able to take her directly to the house and show her around. Maybe she’d give him a call to see if he was already waiting? But looking back at Kyle, who was obviously content, she decided to take a drive around the lake instead.

  Crystal Rock was her mother’s home town. But once the family had moved from Bloomington to Arizona, her mom and dad and two younger sisters hadn’t visited here much. Since Beth had remained in Bloomington after graduating from Illinois State, she’d never made it back here at all. The members of each branch of the family had still managed to remain close though, and Beth’s cousins had flown out several times to Phoenix, where her parents had continued to reside, even after they’d retired.

  It was kind of amazing she still remembered the direction toward the lake, Beth thought, as she followed the access road leading out to Dragonfly Pointe. The last time she’d been here was back in the eighties, when she’d been around sixteen-years old.

  Oh, my God, she thought, stretching up in her seat as she and Kyle drove by the Dragonfly Pointe I
nn. Beth stared in shock through the passenger window. It was everything that she’d heard it would be, but more. The last time she’d been in Crystal Rock, the inn had been about one quarter of the size it was now. And it’d been falling apart—nearly ready for demolition.

  The Dragonfly Pointe Inn rose majestically above the lake, amidst a backdrop of towering pines. Now, with its columns and crisp white siding, it looked stately—magnificent, really.

  Turning her attention back on the road, Beth managed to jerk the wheel of the SUV just in time. She’d come only inches away from running down a floppy-eared dog, as he wandered down the edge of the road. “Damn,” she muttered under her breath. He looked to be a Bassett hound—well, partly, anyway. As he scrambled over the blacktop, his leash was held onto by a jogger, who was running beside the dog on the gravel.

  When she began to slow down, the man lifted his hand in acknowledgement, while continuing to keep pace with the dog.

  Relieved, Beth blew out a long, deep breath as she kept on driving. Hopefully, she was going in the right direction? Yeah, she was, she discovered, because soon she was pulling the SUV off the road and into the parking lot of the deserted Dragonfly Pointe Beach.

  She’d always loved this place—Beth had lots of great memories from spending summers here with her cousins. And despite the fact that she’d never actually lived here, the town of Crystal Rock had been the only place in her entire life that’d ever felt like home.

  She turned to Kyle—who was looking hopeful, with his endearing smile and big blue eyes. Now, he was twenty-years old, but he’d always been a handful—especially once he’d outgrown her by several inches. He’d had some behavior problems associated with puberty. But Beth considered herself fortunate compared to some of the other parents she’d met. Many of Kyle’s classmates had much more severe problems than he’d had. Kyle’s temper had always been relatively manageable—even though she’d eventually broken down, and put him on medication during his teenage years, for the sake of his teachers and caregivers.

  Ah, what the heck? It was a crisp cool day, and a little fresh air would be good for them both after the long drive. Why not just go for a short walk along the beach?

  She bundled herself up into her winter coat, and slipped her earmuffs over her ears. Hopping out from the van, she slid open the passenger door behind her. “Put your coat back on, sweetie,” she said.

  Kyle grinned, as he slipped into his coat, and pulled his hat on over his head.

  Reaching over, she yanked the stocking cap down completely over his ears, before zipping up his coat to his chin. Pulling his hood over his head, she tied it securely.

  Kyle was definitely excited, and he began to giggle.

  Probably because he was already thinking about when he was going to be able to sneak that hood off from his head, Beth thought, grinning and reaching for Kyle’s hand.

  As they headed toward the beach, peaceful contentment invaded her senses once she and Kyle began making their way across the crunchy sand. The air was crisp, but Beth had been told that it wasn’t nearly as cold as it usually was at this time of the year, because Cal and his crew had been able to work around the clock at her new house. Normally, the lake would’ve begun icing up at this time of the year, but with the breeze blowing in across the lake, choppy waves crashed over the sand.

  When she let loose of Kyle’s hand, he began running immediately beside the edge of the water. Obviously delighted, he laughed harder, and harder still, as he rushed down the length of the beach.

  Yep, this place still seemed magical, Beth thought, closing her eyes. The soothing sound of the pounding waves, along with the haunting squalling of the gulls, infused her senses. She breathed in the crisp cool air—it smelled so fresh! Tipping her face into the sun, she felt exactly like she’d felt when she’d been a kid, vacationing here—happy and at peace.

  All of sudden, someone grunted out loudly, and soon, the next moan that Beth heard was accompanied by a long, soulful howl. Opening her eyes, she spun around and searched the vast expanse of beach.

  Finally, she spotted him. “Kyle—what’ve you done?” Covering her mouth with her hand in horror, Beth began running across the sand, rushing over as quickly as she could to Kyle.

  Apparently, he’d tackled someone. Kyle sat up, giggling, on top of a flat, prone body. A stranger was lying beneath him, leveled on the sand.

  The man’s faithful friend was obviously alarmed, because he began cleaning the man’s face frantically with his tongue.

  Damn it, she inwardly swore. It was the same dog she’d nearly run down in the SUV, only a few minutes ago.

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  One fateful night, not so long ago...

  The moon hung bright and full on the night of Christina Montgomery’s celebration of life at the beach on Dragonfly Pointe. Nearly every resident from the town of Crystal Rock had stopped by and visited with Christina, to wish her well, before her sleepover under the stars.

  Why, here?

  There’d always been something rather otherworldly about this ground. And with her recent grim prognosis, Christina could identify, since she wasn’t fated to be of this world for too much longer. There was something magical – almost mystical – about Dragonfly Pointe. And ever since she’d been a child, Christina had been unusually drawn to this beach.

  Here was where she’d decided to say her goodbyes to her closest friends.

  Echoes of laughter could be heard in the distance where most of the other teenagers had gathered around the blazing bonfire erected alongside the beach. Sucking in an invigorating breath of the crisp night air, Christina sighed, staring up at the sky. The dazzling night sky flashed stars so bright and clear, it almost appeared, that if she reached right up, she might be able to touch them.

  Keeping an arm wrapped firmly over Christina’s shoulders, Kate Callahan guided her cautiously over the graveled pathway leading away from the beach. “Are we almost there?”

  “Just a little further,” Christina answered, reassuring her friend.

  Finally, they stopped, only a few short steps from the edge of the beach.

  “This is where you wanted to go?” The formation of rocks soaring up over the lake was a popular landmark for tourists. The view from atop Crystal Rock was spectacular. Kate hesitated, staring up to the widened ledge at the base of the cliffs. “But isn’t this where—?”

  “Anna Ivers was discovered?” Twenty years before, a six-year old girl had been found brutally murdered here at Dragonfly Pointe. Doubting the wisdom of hosting a fundraiser for cancer research here at this beach, Christina’s mother had attempted to discourage her when they’d begun making their plans. Although countless rumors had circulated through the years about Dragonfly Pointe being haunted – especially since Anna’s murder, unfortunately, remained unsolved – Diane Montgomery just couldn’t say no to her daughter. With a wan smile, Christina nodded. “I’ve always felt her here, you know.”

  Few people knew of Christina’s remarkable gift. Kate was only one of a handful of friends who didn’t roll her eyes when Christina claimed she could envis
ion the past as well as foresee the future. But Christina’s prophecies had an undeniably strange predilection for coming true.

  “Really? How, so?” Tugging the pillow from Christina’s arms, Kate tossed it up, along with her blanket, to the ledge. Scrambling over the smooth slippery surface of the rocks, Kate spread the blanket over the dusty ground in the alcove above. Plumping up the pillow, she propped it against the far most wall. After that, she reached down from the ledge to close her hand over Christina’s, holding her steady while tugging her up into the shallow cave.

  A few moments later, when Christina was comfortably situated, she sighed wearily as she reclined against the pillow. Carefully choosing her words, she finally answered Kate’s question. “Anna’s...unsettled. Her parents were divorced only a couple of years after she was murdered, you know.”

  Kate nodded before reaching over and deftly adjusting the pretty pink stocking cap covering Christina’s head.

  Distractedly, Christina frowned. She’d lost so much weight over the last few years. Her chemotherapy had been discontinued only a few months ago, after discovering it wasn’t halting the progression of the cancer. And she felt herself becoming weaker every day.

  Settling back against the wall, Kate crossed one leg over the other. “Is there some particular reason you wanted to talk to me in here, Chris?”

  “It was just too crowded down at the beach, Kate. And I really needed to speak with you alone.” It took a moment for Christina to concentrate – the pain medication was making her feel spacier than usual tonight. Resignedly, she realized her mom must have upped her dosage. It definitely explained why everything she saw had taken on a hazy, dreamlike quality. “This place has always been special to me.”

  Soothed by the subtle vibrations of water lapping gently over the rocks below, she began to doze off. The trek along the beach had been exhausting.