Second Chance eX-mas

by N. D. Jackson

  Ally was aware of him, how could she not be in such a small space, but she refused to acknowledge his presence. She focused on her work until he finally got bored and left.

  It’s what he does best.

  She hoped, for her daughter’s sake that this time the Archer she’d fallen in love with would make a presence and stick around. He was the man Glory deserved.

  Going to Winter Parade today with Glory.

  Archer stared at his phone in anger and disbelief. Two days had passed since the showdown in her guest house and he’d heard not one word from her. He’d started to think that maybe he ought to get a lawyer and let the courts handle it, but out of respect for Ally and what they once meant to each other he wanted to give her more time. And all he got for his efforts was a vague text about their whereabouts for the whole damn day.

  “Why are you frowning, today is the Winter Parade!” His mom clapped her hands with excitement, a bright smile lighting up her face.

  Archer looked at his ma, all decked out in her long wool coat and turkey covered scarf, cheeks flushed pink and eyes sparkling with joy. “I’m not frowning.”

  “You sure as hell aren’t smiling,” she scowled at him, slowly turning to a smile until his mouth joined the party. “Why are you still here?”

  He frowned. “Am I supposed to be someplace else?”

  “Glory is going to be the cutest little dancing turkey in the parade today! She and Ally have also entered the gingerbread contest so get your butt in gear.” She clapped to corral him, patting his butt the same way she used to when she needed to get four kids dressed and out the door on time.

  It took him less than ten minutes to get dressed for standing in the cold, but also for eating because aside from the many ways to consume eggnog and chocolate, the Winter Parade was, ironically, about the food. “Ma, you ready?”

  Her footsteps sounded and then she appeared wearing a smirk. “I’ve been ready. You plan to let your fingers freeze boy?”

  Archer groaned. “I still need to get some. I’ll be fine today.”

  She smacked a pair against his chest as she walked past him. “Been gone far too long if you forgot what winters here are like.”

  He sighed, blinking away the memories. “I lost them doing a search and rescue up in Alaska last year.” He knew it wasn’t the smoothest way to give his mom the details of his life she was desperate to hear, but no one had ever called him smooth.

  “Archer,” she admonished. “You can’t just drop that kind of news on a girl.” He let her wrap her arms around him and squeeze tight, because she needed it more than he didn’t want it. “Let’s go watch our girl shine at the parade.”

  The thought of seeing Glory again, and Ally, got his feet moving. “Better hurry up or start walking from here.” The available parking spaces along the parade route would be gone fast and with three other towns showing up for Blissful’s annual Winter Parade they’d be lucky to find any spot in the whole damn town.

  “Oh please. I park in Ally’s driveway and walk from there.”

  Archer said nothing in reply as he thought about how entwined Ally’s life was with his mom’s. Avoiding her would be impossible and the thought of ignoring Ally, of giving her space, didn’t sit well with him. He would have to find a way to get over her anger—and there seemed to be a lot of it—so they could exist peacefully.

  For Glory.

  For his kid, he would try. He would push down his anger over the fact that she kept his daughter from him all these years. And Ally would just have to get over her thing too.

  “You’re quiet over there. Too quiet.”

  “Just thinking, Ma. What do I need to know about Glory?”

  She laughed as she pulled the car into Ally’s driveway and hopped out. “Honey Glory is a gift and the best way to enjoy her is to welcome the surprise.”

  “Yeah, thanks,” he grumbled and stepped out, giving the house an assessing gaze to see if it was unoccupied. It was. The house looked lighter, cheerier in the daylight.

  “Honey, don’t worry. She is bubbly and outgoing, she’ll question you to death until she’s satisfied with the answer. Oh, go grab that box.” His gaze followed her finger to a paper bag on the doorstep.

  “How do you know it’s for you?”

  “Just get it, smart ass.” She smiled as she tightened her scarf.

  “Where’s your hat?” He opened the bag and grinned. “Right here.” Archer tried not to laugh, he really did, but he failed. Miserably.

  With a far too delighted laugh, she shoved the offensive brown and orange hat—a Thanksgiving version of a Santa hat—on top of her head. “What do you think?”

  “I think you look like a hobo who knocked over a Thanksgiving store. But you’re the prettiest hobo I’ve ever seen.”

  “Oh don’t try to charm me, I’ve been immune to that smile since the third grade. Besides we both know I look fabulous. And you will too,” she told him as she smacked an identical hat against his chest.

  “No way.” He shook his head, holding the hat between his thumb and forefinger as though it were toxic. “Sorry Ma. I love you, but no.”

  She snatched the hat back and headed towards the sidewalk, marching down the block with more determination that a woman her age should. “Fine, but you should know that Glory picked these hats out so she could spot us when her float goes by.”

  He groaned. “Why didn’t you just say that?”

  “I just did.”

  With a groan, he jogged to catch up to her and took the hat, slapping it on his head. “I look ridiculous.”

  “You know how many times I did ridiculous things for you children? Thousands, maybe more. It’s part of being a parent, doing anything to make your child smile, to make her feel loved and supported.”

  “I remember you being a lot better at helpful talks.”

  She laughed and poked his side. “Parenting is an on the job kind of education, Archer. Find your own way to connect with her and parent her.” She pointed towards another god awful hat, pulling him behind her through the throngs of people to where Ally stood, taking photos of everyone gathered. “Ally! You look great. Warm too.”

  She turned and flashed a blinding smile that nearly dropped Archer to his knees. “Cindy, you’re rockin’ it woman! Especially those boots!”

  His mom threw her head back and laughed. “Got them on sale. Online! It was as easy as you said and I got a big discount which makes them even cuter, somehow.”

  Archer tuned out the shoe talk and took in Ally. She wore a long black coat with her ugly hat and matching scarf which, in his opinion, was even uglier. Her own boots were the stuff of fantasies, smooth caramel suede that went up to her knee and those heels, they would leave marks. “Hey Ally.”

  “Archer,” she said politely but her eyes clearly told him to fuck off.

  He grinned and gave her another long, hard look. “Lookin’ good.”

  Violet eyes narrowed briefly before she turned away, pretending to search for the floats that hadn’t started moving yet. “I think I’ll go get some hot chocolate.”

  “I’ll get it. I just saw Marianne over there,” Cindy insisted and hurried off, but not before turning to wag a finger at them. “Play nice.”

  “She’s not as slick as she thinks she is,” Ally said, her voice lined with frustration and affection.

  “Don’t let her know. We just let her think she is, it’s easier for everyone.” She let out a laugh but quickly hid it, and her expression sobered but he’d seen it. Progress.

  “I’m glad you came today.”

  “You are?”

  “Glory is curious about you which means I’ll have to tell her sooner rather than later.”

  “That works for me.”

  “That’s because you won’t be around to deal with her broken heart.” She bit her lip in regret. “Shit. Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. You meant it.”

  “I did, but that’s not helping the situation. I apologize and I’ll
do better when Glory is around.”

  He frowned, shocked at her words. “Are you for real?”

  “Of course.” Ally turned to him, eyes wide and alive with emotion. “If you’re serious about sticking around town, I want her to have you in her life and I’ll do what I can to make it happen.”

  He looked at her like she’d grown two heads, trying to figure out who this mature and standoffish woman was. She certainly wasn’t the fiery woman from the guest house who flung chocolate first and asked questions later. “And that’s it?”

  She nodded. “To make her happy, I’ll do just about anything.”

  Before Archer could say more, a couple dozen engines started and the floats began to move slowly up the square. First were the town officials dressed up as snowflakes and high school athletes as various holiday ornaments. Then the thing just kind of went haywire with business owners sitting atop their sponsored float wearing appropriate holiday themed attire, but with a ton of shameless promotion thrown in for good measure. Pretty much everything that happened from Thanksgiving until New Year was represented on a float.

  One of the dancing turkeys sent a handful of candy flying into the crowd and Archer’s hand shot out to catch one just a split second before it would have smacked Ally in the face. She let out a surprised laughed and flashed a grateful smile. “Good catch.”

  “Thanks.” It was a madhouse. The parade was long and disorganized, it was also ridiculous and fun, and completely Blissful.

  Surprisingly, Archer found that he kind of loved it.

  Chapter 5

  “Mama did you see me up there?” Glory’s little legs carried her so fast she couldn’t stop in time and slammed right into Archer’s long, denim clad legs. “Whoops, sorry Mr. Archer. Did you see me on the float dancing?”

  He knelt down and scooped her up, his wide smile matching her own and Ally’s heart squeezed at the image they made. “I did. You were the best dancing turkey I’ve ever seen and you gave me a candy cane.” He pulled it from his jacket pocket proudly.

  “All right!” Glory held up her hand for a high five but Archer closed her hand and bumped her tiny fist to his. “Mama did you get candy too?”

  Ally shook her head and smiled. “I’m too short. All the tall people caught it first.” She pretended to pout, grinning when her daughter leaned forward to gently stroke her hair.

  “That’s okay Mama, maybe Mr. Archer will share with you.”

  “That’s okay sweetie. I’m sure we’ll get plenty to eat before the day is over. You ready for the contest?”

  She gave an exaggerated nod and tightened an arm around Archer. “Let’s go.”

  Glory turned to Archer, studying him quietly for several long moments before she leaned in so they were nose to nose. “Mr. Archer are you coming to watch our gingerbread castle win?”

  “A castle,” he asked to distract her and turned a questioning glance to Ally.

  “Yep! It’s so cool. We’re gonna win, right Mama?”

  “I don’t know about that, but I do know we’ll have the best gingerbread castle in Blissful.”

  “Yeah!”

  Ally felt her grin widen and she placed a hand over her heart at Glory’s enthusiasm. She was truly the best thing in Ally’s life and knowing she was happy and loved, made her feel like she’d accomplished something important. She still had her reservations about Archer, but watching them together she knew she’d have to put her own feelings aside and do what was right for Glory. Dammit.

  “You comin’ Mama?”

  Ally blinked and put on her best smile. “Sure am little girl. Got sidetracked by Mrs. Plimpton’s peppermint marshmallows.”

  “Cocoa,” she asked excitedly.

  “After the contest we’ll walk around until you’re too heavy to carry. Deal?”

  She grinned and nodded, rosy cheeks making her look like a little Irish doll. “Deal. Mr. Archer is strong. He could carry me a lot longer I bet,” she said innocently, trying hard not to look at the man in question.

  His deep chuckle hit Ally like a ton of bricks in the water. She felt as though she were sinking, drowning in that sound she hadn’t heard in forever. His deep, rich laugh that compelled everyone within earshot to join in on the joke. “How do you know I’m strong Ms. Glory?”

  She giggled. “Maggie May’s mom said she wanted to lick all of your muscles. Why would anyone do that?”

  Ally tried to hide her smile but she couldn’t so she slid her scarf up to cover her amusement. “Yeah, why?”

  Archer glared at her and she erupted in a full blown laugh just four booths away from the gingerbread house contest. Cindy showed up just as his face turned red with embarrassment. “What’s so funny?”

  “Granny, why would Maggie May’s mom want to lick Mr. Archer?” Maybe it was Archer’s choked laugh or the beautiful childish innocence of Glory’s face, but Ally doubled over and laughed until her sides ached.

  “Honey, that woman would lick a pig’s foot for a hot meal, don’t you worry about her. Don’t we have a contest to win?” With the skill of a woman who’d raised a house full of rambunctious kids, Cindy managed to corral Ally, Glory and Archer to the tables set up for the gingerbread architects. “Now you ladies go kick some butt, Archer and I will cheer you on from there.”

  Ally took her daughter’s hand and watched them go, wondering if this would blow up in their faces or turn into modern day co-parenting. Mom would have hated that, she thought with a smile. Torie Faulkner didn’t do with anything she considered modern or new-fangled, she’d scoffed every time the world ‘co-parenting’ was used. Even on TV.

  “Why are you smiling Mama?” Glory lifted her arms so she could be placed on the stool to help her reach their table, and Ally dutifully lifted the adorable tyrant.

  “I was just thinking about your other grandma, my mom. She would have loved you so much.”

  Glory said nothing in response and they both got busy putting together their castle. All the pieces had been pre-cooked and cut to save time, but they had seventy minutes to erect their structure for the judges, so there was no time to waste. Ally kept smiling at her little girl, tongue poked out as she grew more focused on her creations. “Mama,” she whispered.

  “What’s up?”

  “Can I add something else for Santa to bring me this year?”

  “Sure. Just remember that if it’s difficult to find, Santa might have a hard time getting it on time, okay?”

  “I know, Mama but this present is really important. More than all the rest. I want Santa to bring my daddy home.”

  She paused for only a second. “Is that really what you want?”

  “Yes, Mama, so bad. Do you think Santa can do it?”

  “I guess that depends. Have you been a good little girl this year?”

  She leaned forward, concentrating and moving very slowly to add the last gummy candies on top of the tower as the crowd counted down. When the last piece was settled her little arms shot in the air excitedly as the bell sounded. “All done, Mama!”

  Ally picked up her little girl and twirled her around, kissing her cheek while she laughed with abandon. “Great job, kiddo.”

  “You too, Mama.” Glory squeezed back and squirmed down, running towards Cindy while the judges began making the rounds. Ally stayed near the table, not because she worried a competitor might attempt sabotage but because she wasn’t quite ready to be close to Archer again. His laugh had affected her more than she wanted to admit, even more than those lickable muscles, which meant she needed some distance.

  At least until I figure out what’s best for Glory.

  “She’s great, Ally.” Archer knew she didn’t need his praise, she’d done it all on her own, but he needed her to know. “Bright and funny. Inquisitive as hell. Reminds me of someone.”

  She tried not to smile but Glory walked with her hand in his mom’s, talking with the seriousness of a female at least twenty years older. “She is the best thing that ever happened to me.” Her vo
ice filled with love and Archer felt a pang that she’d never speak about him with that kind of emotion again.

  “She looks so much like me.” It was uncanny and he wondered how long it would be before it stopped surprising him.

  “I know.”

  He’d wondered about that over the past few days, how hard it must have been for her to look at their daughter and see his face every day. “Thank you, Ally.”

  She sighed and he just knew she would argue with him. She always had. Instead she sighed and rolled her eyes, then she rolled her shoulders until they loosened. “It has been my absolute pleasure. So much so that I’m warning you before Meggie May gets close enough to strike.”

  His body went rigid at her words, head swiveling to see the viper, er, the woman in question shaking her hips with an exaggerated swing as she headed his way. “Ma,” he called out harshly.

  Ally snickered. “Mommy.”

  “Damn straight,” he whispered, fixing a polite smile on his face when Maggie May pasted herself against his side. “Good afternoon Meggie.” He tried to step away from her clutches but she—literally—had her red claws sunk into his arm.

  “Archer, babe, it’s so good to see you again.” She licked her red lips, sending out a puff of breath that reeked of cigarette smoke. “I’ve been meaning to call you but I don’t have your new number. We should get together soon.” The way she raked her nails down his chest left no mystery to what she was offering. “Real soon. It’s been too long.”

  “I’ll let you know.”

  “Call me Archer, I’m always available.” The woman was forward, which he didn’t usually have a problem with, but it felt weird to get hit on in front of his daughter and he didn’t know the protocol. Plus, he had no interest in becoming another one of Meggie May’s baby daddies. “I’ll show you a real good time. Soldier.”

  Archer shuddered, his gaze darting between Ally and his mom. “Yeah well, see you around Meggie. I think your mama’s calling for you.” His entire body exhaled when she turned on her ridiculous heels and tottered across the dirt towards her family.