by Nancy Naigle
RayAnne was able to get her crutches under her arms and get back to her room with little problem. “Getting up is kind of hard. But I’ll get better at it.”
“You’ll have to,” Sydney said. “Because I don’t think Mac and I can follow you around school every day.”
Sydney helped RayAnne change into her new pajamas and then tucked her in bed. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, Mom. Thanks for not being mad at me. I’m so sorry I messed things up.”
“We’re going to get through this just fine.”
“It feels more like Christmas with a bunch of people around. This is a happy place.”
Sydney crawled into bed next to RayAnne. “It is a happy place. This house. This town. The people. I think I could make a life here.”
“Me too. I like it here. It’s different than back home.”
“Do you think it’s just Christmas making it seem good?”
“No.” RayAnne tapped her fingers against her cast in a little jingle bells rhythm. “I think it’s just like everybody is family. I liked the Santa here, too. I think he’s delivering what I asked for.”
Sydney felt her heart drop.
“Well, not the four-wheeler. I think I’m kind of okay without one of those for now. Maybe forever. Besides I’m pretty sure I’m on the naughty list for this year.”
“I couldn’t take another accident like that. I was so afraid.”
“Mom?”
“Yes, RayAnne.”
“Daddy asked me if I want to come live with him.”
Sydney’s whole body tensed. She braced herself, pasting a smile on her face to hide the devastation rising from her gut. She took RayAnne’s hand, and reminded herself of the promise she’d made in the chapel.
“That’s what you had wanted,” Sydney could barely get the words out.
“He looked really sad when I told him that I didn’t want to live with him and Ashley.”
“You?” She’d said no. “You told him that?”
“I wanted to live with him, because then I thought you would come too. Dad would have to see that he wanted us to all be together again. But he didn’t, and I don’t want to be a family without you, Mom.”
“Me neither.”
“And I like being here. We’re a good team. I’m sorry I almost messed up our Christmas.”
Sydney needed to tell RayAnne about Bea, but Christmas Eve was just not the time. “You are the best thing about this family, RayAnne. I love you so much. You being okay is the best Christmas gift you could ever give me.”
“I know there’s another guest room here for you,” RayAnne said. “But do you think you could sleep in here tonight?”
“I’d love nothing more than having a slumber party with you tonight, kiddo.”
Chapter Twenty-two
The next morning Sydney woke to nonstop chatter in the living room. She rolled over and looked at the clock. She hadn’t slept this well since they’d moved to Hopewell. A big part of that was probably the temperature. There wasn’t a single draft or chill in this big log home. And there wasn’t one space heater situated anywhere in the whole house that she’d seen.
It was just after six in the morning. What was it about Christmas that catapulted even the biggest sleepyheads out of bed before sunrise?
She hadn’t even heard RayAnne get up.
She caught a whiff of coffee. That was enough to get her out of bed. She padded out to the living room. RayAnne was in the chair propped with pillows. Her crutches leaned against the side of it where she could reach them. She and Seth were both going through their stockings and comparing the trinkets and candies they’d received.
“I love my bike! Did you see it? I can’t believe Santa thought of something so super cool. It’s the prettiest bike ever. And when my leg is better Seth is going to teach me to do a wheelie on it.”
The last thing she wanted was for RayAnne to be doing wheelies or jumping over stuff, but that was her kid. A daredevil from day one. She’d love to be able to blame Jon for her little tomboy, but the truth was RayAnne really did love that stuff. RayAnne was a thrill seeker, and Sydney was just going to have to deal with that.
“And Seth got an electric skateboard thing.” RayAnne stuck her tongue out at him. “It stinks you’re going to be able to practice so long without me. You’re going to be amazing at it before I even get to try it out.”
“Thought I heard a new voice in here.” Mac carried two mugs of coffee in with him. “One for you.”
“Merry Christmas, and thank you.” She took the mug from him. “Careful, I could get used to this special treatment.”
He chuckled then walked over to the hearth and picked up her stocking and tossed it to her.
“What have you done now?”
Mac raised his hands in an exaggerated shrug. “Don’t look at me. Santa filled these.”
He and Seth exchanged a knowing glance.
Sydney dug into the stocking, and Mac sat down in front of the Christmas tree and dumped his out on the floor.
Seth dove to the floor next to him. “Awesome. We got planes too! We totally need to race them!”
“I already put mine together,” RayAnne said.
“I think she’s trying to challenge us, son.” Mac glared toward Sydney. “I think this is totally boys against the girls.”
“Oh you are so on,” Sydney said as she started ripping the wrapper from the balsa wood glider that was in her stocking.
“We’ll take this championship out to the driveway,” he said. “Right after breakfast. Which is ready. Let’s eat first.”
“You made breakfast too?”
Seth jumped up. “Dad makes the best breakfast casserole. It’s tradition. He makes it every year.”
“You’re just full of surprises. And traditions.” Sydney whispered as she got up to help RayAnne.
“Stay tuned.” And when he placed his hand on the small of her back, Sydney felt as if she’d somehow stepped through a magic portal that had landed her in the middle of a Christmas scene in a snow globe.
I think I will, she silently replied.
She reached over and grabbed RayAnne’s crutches, then extended a hand to help her daughter to her feet. RayAnne hopped and bobbled then tucked the crutches under her arms.
“You got it?”
RayAnne bobbed her head. “I’m good.”
Sydney watched as her daughter moved through the living room with a click-step-click-step. When she got to the table she set the crutches against the wall and then slumped. “The worst part is the sitting and the standing.”
“You’ll get better at it,” Seth said.
They ate breakfast from paper plates decorated with Santa faces on them.
“That was really tasty,” Sydney said. “You’re going to have to share the recipe.”
“Why do you keep acting surprised when I do things?” Mac asked. “You’re starting to give me a complex.”
She laughed easily. “Somehow I doubt that.”
Seth got up and gathered the plates. “I’ll clean up.”
“Thanks, Seth,” Mac said.
He dropped the plates into the trashcan, then handed RayAnne her crutches. “We’ll meet y’all on the driveway.”
“It’s freezing outside,” Sydney said.
“We have coats, Mom.”
“Yeah, Mom. Don’t be such a girl,” Mac teased.
Seth gave RayAnne a hand up and they raced, as much as RayAnne could, to the door.
“No fair practicing,” Mac called out.
“Competitive much?” Sydney teased.
“Oh, you just wait and see.”
“It ain’t over yet, mister. You might want to be careful just how many words you might have to eat.”
“A challenge. I like that.” He grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
“Me too.” Her phone rang from the other room. She raced over to get it, glancing at the number before she answered. �
�It’s Jon,” she said to Mac. “He must want to wish RayAnne Merry Christmas.” She pressed the button and answered with a hearty “Merry Christmas.”
“You’re in a good mood this morning.” He sounded less than enthusiastic.
“It is Christmas morning, Jon. Don’t be a scrooge.”
“Where are you?” His words were short and snippy, like she’d become accustomed to over the past year. For someone getting his way he did always seem to be in a mood about things.
“What do you mean where am I?”
“It’s a pretty straightforward question. I mean I’m here at the house and you and RayAnne are not. It’s Christmas morning. Where the hell are you?”
“I thought you weren’t coming to see RayAnne. Don’t you have a date in Paris or something?”
“Change of plans. I wanted to surprise her.”
“You will. She sure didn’t expect to see you. You should have let me know.”
“Maybe I wanted to surprise you, too.”
His attitude aggravated her, but she knew RayAnne would want to see him so she tried to swallow her opinion and be polite. It was Christmas after all. “The stairs at the farmhouse were going to present a challenge until RayAnne gets some practice on her crutches. We’re staying with friends.”
“What’s the address?”
Panic rushed through her. Her divorce was final, so why did she feel so guilty? “Sure. You can come by.”
She shrugged and gave Mac an I’m-sorry look.
He smiled and shook his head.
He didn’t mind. That made her feel a little better. She gave him Mac’s address.
“How far away is it?” he asked.
“About a mile as the crow flies,” Sydney said with a smile.
“Whatever that means. I’ll put it in my GPS.” Jon ended the call without a goodbye. That was one of those little things that had started irritating her like crazy once they’d split up. Funny how things that didn’t bother you at all while things were good could turn into high-blood-pressure moments once things went south.
She put her phone back into her purse. “Jon decided to surprise RayAnne.”
“That’s a good step.”
It was, and she should be thankful that he’d come through. But then why did she feel so bothered by his call today?
Mac went to the hall closet and got out two heavy coats. “Here, you can wear this one.” He held it up and she slipped into it.
She stood there, swallowed up by the coat. “If I didn’t know better I might think you’re just trying to handicap me to be sure you have an edge to win.” She raised her arms, but her hands didn’t even peek to the end of the sleeve.
“Oh, you think you even have a chance?”
“For sure!”
He put on his coat. “Well, then I guess RayAnne must be really good.”
“Are you insinuating I can’t hold up my end of the team?”
“Well, you know.”
“I’ll have you know that I’m quite talented at a lot of things. And competitive. You better brace yourself.”
Instead he braced his hand against the wall, blocking her from the door, then scooped her close with the other arm. “I know a few things you’re good at.”
He kissed her slowly and thoughtfully. “You look good in this place. This is a really good Christmas.”
She kissed him, then playfully nipped his lip. “Don’t distract me.”
She pushed past him and stepped outside. The cold air immediately stung her eyes. “Y’all are crazy to want to be out here.”
Before she got down the sidewalk, a black sedan pulled into the driveway. Jon must have flown up from Atlanta and rented a car, because there was no way he’d be seen driving a car like that any other time.
RayAnne seemed unaware until Jon stepped out of the car. “Daddy!” She hopped and bobbled then crutched toward him.
“Hey, baby girl!” He stopped and opened the back door and took a large box out of the back. “Brought you a present.”
At least it wasn’t a four-wheeler.
“Thank you, Daddy!”
Sydney stayed put. No need to walk over and chat with Jon. He was here for RayAnne, and somehow she felt like, for once, she didn’t need to make an effort. She stood there, an observer, watching as Jon and RayAnne talked and RayAnne proudly introduced Seth as her new best friend.
Jon carried the box up the driveway with a forced smile—that fake toothy one he used when he was at business social events. She’d know that look anywhere.
“Hi Mac,” Jon said. “Didn’t expect to see you again so soon. Mind if RayAnne and I go inside?”
“Not at all.”
“Thank you.” He settled his gaze on Sydney. “Join us.”
She glanced up at Mac.
“Go on in,” Mac said. “Seth and I will set up the measuring lines for the big airplane race.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.” He and Seth headed to the driveway, and she walked inside behind Jon. She shed her coat near the front door, and they settled into the living room.
RayAnne handed Sydney her crutches and sat down. She ripped into the paper of the big box. “No way! This is the newest gaming system out there! Hardly anyone can even get these yet.”
“I have connections.”
Of course he did. He always was quick to name drop. A peacock always strutting his stuff. There was a time when she’d practically swoon with pride over him. Now it just made her tired.
“You’re the best. Seth and I are going to have so much fun with this. And I can do this with a broken leg.”
Sydney shrank. The bike was almost a cruel joke, but it had been purchased long before the accident. It’s not a competition, she reminded herself.
“That was a really thoughtful gift, Jon.”
He looked around the room. “So you two are staying here?”
“Just until RayAnne gets on her feet. It was really nice of them to offer.”
“Plus I won’t be as bored here with Seth,” RayAnne said.
“You could always come back to the house if you need to.” Jon’s eyes clung to hers. Her heart hitched. What was he saying?
Her mouth hung open slightly, and her mouth went dry. For months she’d hoped for this. Wanted, prayed, even wished for it.
RayAnne looked at her, then back at her dad.
Sydney would give a million dollars to know what was going through RayAnne’s head right then. But maybe not knowing was better.
Sydney stood. “Why don’t I go get Seth so he can see your new gaming system?”
“Thanks, Mom. I bet he knows how to hook it up. It’s going to be a blast.”
Jon reached into his pocket. “I almost forgot. Here’s a gift card to order games online. I wasn’t sure which ones you’d like to play.”
“Thanks!”
“And Sydney,” Jon said, “I’m serious. We can go home now. Find out what I owe Mac. I’ll pay him while we’re here.”
Sydney had already turned to go to the door. The last words, “while we’re here” hung in the air like a bad smell. Did he really think he could just waltz in and suggest they come home and they would run adoringly to his side?
No. Things had changed.
She had changed.
There was no going back to Jon.
She hoped RayAnne wouldn’t be distraught, but she had to do what she knew was right for her. For once. And maybe the bookstore wasn’t going to be a part of it, but Bea’s strength and independence were qualities she planned to embrace in Bea’s honor in everything she did going forward. And being happy was going to be at the top of her list.
Bea’s advice echoed in her mind. The happier you are with yourself, the happier your daughter will be. Be the example of a strong, independent woman without ever saying a word.
Sydney stepped outside feeling strong and oddly in control. She cupped her hands to her mouth and yelled, “Hey, Seth. RayAnne wants to show you her present. Can you come ins
ide?”
Seth handed Mac his airplane and ran past her. “What’d she get?”
“You’ll have to see for yourself.”
He flung through the door. Sydney could hear his reaction all the way outside.
“From the sounds of Seth’s yeeha, I’d say it was a good gift.” Mac walked over to her. “Aren’t you freezing?”
“A little. Come in with me. This is your house.”
“I wanted to give you some time as a family.”
“Don’t be silly.” She tugged on his hand. “Come on. He’s not my family anymore.”
They walked inside and went to the kitchen. “Coffee?” she asked.
“Yeah, that would be good.”
RayAnne and Seth were already taking components out of the box and comparing details about the new system that they’d seen online or heard about at school. “This is the coolest game ever.”
When Mac and Sydney walked back into the room, Seth held one of the controllers, making exploding ammo sounds as he pretended to blow up stuff.
“Want to hook it up?” Seth asked.
“Totally,” RayAnne said.
Jon straightened. “Or you could just wait and hook it up when we get back to Atlanta.”
RayAnne looked confused.
Seth said, “You’re leaving?”
Mac’s eyebrow shot up, but he didn’t look her way. Sydney cleared her voice. “No. Seth. We’re not leaving.”
“Well, you don’t have to come today,” Jon said.
“RayAnne can certainly visit, but I don’t think it’s a particularly good idea for her to do that until we get past the next few doctor’s visits.”
“We have the best doctors in the country in Atlanta, Syd. You know that. And Ray, you know we’ll find something to do back home. Your old room is ready and waiting for you.”
“Jon, can I speak with you?” Sydney wasn’t even exactly sure what she was going to say, but whatever the conversation, it did not need to take place in front of their daughter. “Outside?”
Mac crossed his arms, and then backed into the kitchen.
“Sure.”
There was that toothy grin again. Sydney marched outside, grabbing Mac’s coat on the way.