He responded right away.
Exactly. You’re holding up the tree lighting, so get your pretty little ass over here ASAP.
The dots jumped.
You think my ass is pretty?
He fired off another text.
Damn sure do. Now get it to the park. It’ll be dark in a few minutes.
She responded just as fast.
Bully. On my way.
She was an exasperating woman.
He drew cold air into his lungs for patience because a serious relationship with her was going to require a lot of grit. Grit was something he had a lot of, thank God. Besides, now that they finally were in a serious relationship, he planned to love every minute of it.
Well, maybe not every minute. Especially if he ever made her angry enough to threaten him with hot wax. If that ever happened, he was confident enough in his skills in the sack to soften her foul mood.
He turned to go check with Deacon West on the Nativity scene.
And bumped right into his parents.
“Mom. Dad.” Ross was stunned.
His mother’s usual sad look only deepened when she took in all the festivities and cheerful decorations. Both of them had aged tremendously after Noelle’s death, but they looked even older since the last time Ross had seen them. His father’s hair was nearly white. The lines around his mom’s mouth and eyes had tripled in number and size.
“What are you doing here?” Ross asked.
“We were invited.” His dad placed an arm around his mom.
It took a moment for his dad’s comment to register. “Who invited you?” Ross was going to hunt the sorry shit down and make sure they knew how much pain they’d caused his parents. And how much pain their presence would cause Ross, too. Their grief made him feel like he was drowning every time he was around them, which was why he didn’t go around them much. Whoever extended the invitation to his folks on that particular night was going to catch hell, because their attendance was going to ruin the experience for Ross. Their constant grief had ruined every holiday for Ross since Noelle had been gone.
His dad pointed over Ross’s shoulder. “Your friend invited us.”
Ross whirled to deliver a scalding rant to the fool who’d overstepped their bounds so badly that they were about to get their ass handed to them.
Instead, his jaw dropped to the ground.
“Kimberly?” His voice was a thready whisper.
She strolled right up to him. “Yep. It’s me, big guy.”
Her hair wasn’t platinum anymore. It also wasn’t short. It was closer to his sandy blond color, and hung past her shoulders in long, loose curls. She had on makeup … and deep Christmas red lipstick that made him want to rub it off with his own lips.
He couldn’t unhook his gaze from those sensual red lips, and she touched them with her fingers, her nails painted a sparkly Christmas green.
Sexier still were the long eyelashes—new since he’d seen her earlier that day when they’d had incredible morning sex, then she’d showered and dressed in a hurry without even looking in the mirror to find the hickey he’d playfully given her in bed. The long silky lashes brushed her soft creamy skin as she let her eyes open and close.
“You look…”
Amazing. Incredible. Beautiful.
She pulled a bright red bottom lip between her teeth, her expression turning to uncertainty as she waited for him to finish.
“Different,” Ross blurted.
Her expression blanked.
Fuck’s sake. He was still rattled by his parents’ surprise appearance.
He took Kimberly’s arm and tugged her a few steps away. “I mean you look fabulous, but what happened to your hair?” Was that him talking? Because that probably wasn’t the response a woman would be looking for. His mind was still spinning because of his parents showing up at a holiday event unexpectedly.
Kimberly ran a hand over the long locks, her hand tremoring. “I … I had a makeover and went back to my natural color.” Her voice shook a little. “My stylist added extensions to my hair.” She batted her eyes. “And to my eyelashes.” She leaned in and whispered, “You don’t like it?”
Her tone, and her expression, said she was insecure about her new appearance, and he wanted to kick his own ass for making it worse with his brash comments.
“I love it.” He kept his voice low. “It’s just that … I…” Shit, he couldn’t get his brain to connect with his fucking mouth because he was so thrown. “I’m just surprised. You look … great … you always look great, so why did you—”
A throat cleared, and Ross turned back to his parents.
Shit, his parents. They were there. At a Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
Jesus.
He glanced around the park, his teeth grinding to dust. Where was the inconsiderate bonehead who’d asked his mom and dad to come to the tree lighting?
Kimberly stepped around him to stand at his side.
“I’m sorry, Mom and Dad.” Ross pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is Kimberly.” He pulled her flush against his side, craning his neck around to find the so-called friend his parents had pointed to.
No one was close. They must’ve been pointing across the park.
“Nice to meet you, since our son hasn’t brought you over to introduce you himself.” His mom gave him a thin smile, then turned a crusty look on Kimberly. “Thank you for calling us. I’m sure you meant well, but this really isn’t the best … environment for us...” Her voice cracked. Her eyes teared up, and she covered her mouth with a cupped hand.
Wait.
His gaze fell to Kimberly. “You invited them?”
She nodded and gave him another shy bat of her new eyelashes. “Surprise, big guy.” She motioned to the firefighters.
The tree lights sprung to life, and the entire park went quiet in awe.
Kimberly motioned again, the firefighters walked to the covered decoration on the tree, and they pulled the cords.
The burlap fell away.
Ross’s heart dropped to his feet.
His mom gasped and covered her mouth with a shaky hand.
The arch that had been covered was a wooden sign with holly leaves and red letters painted onto it.
The sign read Noelle’s Wishing Tree.
His mom choked back a sob.
“Mom,” Ross rasped out. “I’m so sorry.”
“What’s wrong?” Creases formed across Kimberly’s forehead. “I … I wanted to surprise you by dedicating the tree to your sister.” She waved a hand at the sign, then leaned in to whisper to Ross, “I thought it would be a nice gesture for you and your parents. You don’t like this either?”
“No, I sure as hell don’t,” he ground out. “My parents don’t celebrate the holidays, Kimberly.”
Her usual gigantic personality and outgoing countenance were gone, just as much as her wild hair and crazy clothes. He literally didn’t recognize the person in front of him who’d been thoughtless enough to do something so callous.
“I…” Her eyes rounded to the size of the moon. She leaned in to whisper so only he could hear. “You said they hadn’t done their part to carry out your sister’s last wishes. You never me told they didn’t celebrate Christmas at all, Ross. I thought it would be special for you.” Her brows pulled together.
“Special for me or you?” He stepped away from her. “You’re the one who wanted this tree, not me.” He glanced at his parents and their grief hit him like a tidal wave. Pulled him under all over again. “Why would you do this?” he hissed out, leaning in so only she could hear. “I told you how my parents are when it comes to my sister.”
“Ross, I had no idea. I thought this would help.” Kimberly’s chin quivered. “I’m sor—”
“Hi, mister,” a tiny voice said as someone tugged on his pants leg.
Ross looked down. And the hits just keep on coming.
Little Noelle was standing in front of him, between him and his parents. “Thank you for
all the lights so Santa can find us.” She looked up at him with a bright, dazzling smile. She pointed to the bright yellow star she’d put on the tree. “I wished for a mommy and daddy.”
“Noelle.” Her foster mom ran over and took her hand.
Ross’s mom burst into tears.
Noelle’s foster mom looked from Ross’s angry face, to Kimberly’s stunned expression. Then to his parents’ grief that had his mom crumpled against his father’s side.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt.” Noelle’s foster mom led her away.
“We should go,” said his dad. He led Ross’s mom toward the street.
“Mom. Dad!” Ross called after them, but his dad just waved him off over one shoulder and kept walking toward the street.
“How could you be so thoughtless?” Ross turned on Kimberly.
Her lips parted on a rush of air. “I’m sorry. You said they still struggled with your sister’s loss. I didn’t know they’d react like this—”
“Of course you didn’t, because you didn’t bother to ask.” Ross ran his fingers through his hair. “You just go through life saying whatever you want, letting anything and everything pop out of that no-filtered mouth of yours. Do you have any idea how much pain you just caused them? How much you just caused me?”
“I … I didn’t mean to—”
“Well, you did.” He raked a hand over his face. “Now I’ve got to go clean up this mess and hope my parents will speak to me again in this century.” He took a step in the direction his parents had left, but then he stopped. “You’ll have to handle the rest of this fiasco on your own. I’ve got my own problems to deal with now, and I’ve had enough of…” He studied her for a moment, then waved a hand at the Wishing Tree. “I’ve had enough of this.”
He turned and ate up the ground with long strides to go find his broken-hearted parents, and hope that Kimberly’s colossal mistake didn’t set them back another decade and prevent them from recovering from their grief.
Chapter Thirteen
Kimberly watched Ross disappear into the darkness.
The wetness in her eyes blurred her vision as she glanced around the park.
Even with most of Red River’s residents milling around, enjoying the tree, the Nativity scene, the carolers, and free hot chocolate, she found herself totally alone.
Some things never changed.
Watching people turn their backs on her and walk away because she was either too much or not enough was something she’d seen a thousand times.
Never again.
This would be the last time.
She gave herself a moment. Then she drew in a deep breath and got her shit together. Mostly.
She gathered enough nerve to at least finish her task of making the kids’ wishes come true, which had been her original intent anyway. So really, she was just back to square one.
Getting kicked to the curb by another unreliable adult didn’t matter.
That was her story, anyway, and she was sticking to it.
She darted through the crowd, looking for the postmaster. Finally, she found her knocking back hot chocolate with Chairperson Clydelle and Ms. Francine, just as a silver flask disappeared into Ms. Francine’s dangling purse.
“Good evening, ladies.” Kimberly focused on the postmaster. “Thank you for the extra work you’ve had to do with all the packages. Can you deliver the rest to my office instead of Ross’s Automotive?”
“Sure, if that’s what you’d like.” The postmaster nodded, her curly hair brushing her shoulders. Then she hiccupped and pressed her fingertips to her lips.
“You’ve done a fantastic job, dear,” Ms. Francine said to Kimberly, drawing her attention away from the sauced postmaster. “I still think the big balls would’ve been more festive, but this is nice, too.”
Kimberly tried to smile.
“Why do you want the packages going to your office?” Ms. Clydelle asked, leaning on her cane. “Seems there’s more room at Ross’s shop.”
Because she wasn’t welcome there anymore. Because he’d left her, and anyone who would leave her once would do it again, so he wouldn’t get another chance.
“It’s … just easier for me, that’s all. I’ve decided to deliver the packages myself.” Kimberly stuffed her hands in her pockets. “Ross has other priorities now that Red River is decorated to his liking.”
“Well,” Ms. Clydelle said. “All you and Mr. Armstrong have left to accomplish is delivering the gifts to the kids…” She tapped her cane against the ground. “Or is it the kids are coming here? Refresh my memory.”
“Ross tried to bring the kids to Red River, but due to circumstances beyond his control, that’s not going to happen. It’s not his fault.” Why was Kimberly defending him? It was the truth, though, and she couldn’t lie. “I’ll make sure the gifts arrive at their proper destinations.” She would not let those kids down, if it was the last good thing she did in her life.
“Lovely hair, by the way,” said Ms. Clydelle. “Did it work?”
“Um, excuse me?” Kimberly asked.
“Did your fella like the change?” Ms. Francine blinked behind thick glasses.
It would seem not. “Honestly, I don’t care. I only know that I don’t like it because it’s not me.”
“Are you all right, dear?” Ms. Clydelle adjusted her cane.
Just grand. “Yep. Perfect.” Kimberly thumped her chest. “No worries here.” She would not feel sorry for herself. She took a step back. “Well, gotta fly like Santa.” She waggled fingers toward the sky. “Gifts to deliver and all that.”
“One more thing, dear.” Ms. Clydelle held up her cup of spiked cocoa. “I saw the Armstrongs were here when you dedicated the tree to their daughter. You did the right thing.”
Kimberly’s throat grew thick. “Apparently not, because I caused a wonderful family even more pain.”
Ms. Clydelle thumped her cane. “No, hon. You didn’t cause them pain. They’ve been wallowing in it for a long time. I can’t imagine what they’ve gone through. I never lost a child, but I’ve lost a husband way too young.” She waved her cane at her sister. “So did Francine.”
Francine nodded. “I was never able to have kids at all. They had a daughter whose loss was so unfair. But they did have her, and by trying to forget her memory altogether, they’re missing the whole point of her life. They needed someone to remind them of that, and Ross has been shouldering the burden of trying to move on for as long as I can remember.”
Kimberly’s heart skipped a beat, compassion welling up inside of her.
She shook her head. He’d still walked away the first time she made a major mistake, when she’d been trying to help heal their wounds. He’d left the second they hit a rough patch. If there was one thing she’d learned growing up in the system, it was that when the times got tough, the not-so-tough got going and left her to fend for herself.
When she kept shaking her head, unable to find words, both sisters sighed.
“Well, we tried.” Ms. Clydelle said it more to her sister than to Kimberly.
“Yes, we did.” Ms. Francine rested her cup against the top of her purse. “To think I could’ve gone ahead and ordered those big balls. Getting these two hardheaded youngsters to admit they belong together was all for nothing.”
Wait. What?
“We didn’t need new decorations,” Ms. Clydelle started fussing at her sister. “The other decorations are fine. I bet we get at least five more years out of them.”
“Are you…” She looked around and lowered her voice. “Are you shitting me?” she hissed. “You two set this up to play matchmaker?” She didn’t wait for them to answer. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused both me and Ross?”
Not so much as a twinkle of guilt appeared in their eyes.
“That’s our job in this town, dear,” Ms. Francine said. “We’ve never been wrong about a couple until now.”
Kimberly threw up her hands and marched out of the park. She went
straight to Ross’s shop and backed the moving truck into the garage. She hurried to load the gifts so she’d be gone by the time he returned from chasing down his parents.
His hurting, grieving parents.
Which she’d caused. Unknowingly, of course.
She’d thought she was helping. Thought she was doing something special for Ross, the way he’d helped make her dream come true to provide Christmas gifts to so many kids in unfortunate circumstances.
Wow. That had worked out so well, maybe she should visit a children’s hospital next and remind the parents that their kids were dangerously ill while passing out teddy bears with broken hearts stitched onto the front.
Because that was about all she’d accomplished by inviting Ross’s parents to the park, then dedicating the Wishing Tree to their daughter.
The fact that a little foster girl named Noelle had walked up at the worst possible moment had to be the most unfortunate coincidence in the history of absurdly disastrous coincidences.
And all because two meddling meddling sisters—who also had good intentions, so bless their little old hearts—took it upon themselves to pimp out the single adults of Red River.
Kimberly loaded faster, darting from the pile of gifts to the truck and back again.
She probably shouldn’t blame Ross for leaving her.
But yes. Yes, she did. He could’ve stuck around a little longer. Given her a chance to explain. Maybe even forgiven her because she hadn’t meant to hurt anyone, especially him and his parents. How was she supposed to know his parents didn’t celebrate Christmas? He’d left that tidbit of 4-1-1 out when he’d poured out his heart about his parents’ grief.
She kept loading the gifts at lightning speed.
Just as most everyone else in her life had done since the day she landed in foster care, Ross had given up on her the moment she made a mistake.
By the time she had the last of the gifts loaded, she was sweating from lifting and toting the gifts, from hopping into the truck with them, then running back to grab more.
When she was finally done, she didn’t waste any time. She secured the doors of the truck, opened the garage bay, and pulled out of their makeshift headquarters without stopping to close the garage door.
It's In His Christmas Wish (A Red River Valley Novel Book 7) Page 13