by Alana Terry
When Christmas week came, Sandy and Kennedy were in the kitchen for at least six hours a day, slicing, cubing, mixing, and chopping. On the days when Sandy babysat her grandson, Kennedy stayed busy with meal prep even while Sandy helped Tyson make his mom, dad, and paternal grandmother hand-made gifts. From looking inside the fridge, you would have assumed their guest count was in the twenties or thirties, and maybe it was. Sandy was extending new invitations and modifying the guest list at least once or twice a day. She had insisted that Kennedy invite Reuben when she learned he had no other place to go, and Kennedy was happy when he accepted.
On the morning of the 24th, Sandy sent Carl out twice to the store for items she forgot but was convinced no Christmas dinner spread could exist without. She and Kennedy had already scrubbed the house spotless over the past few days, but she went over everything two or three more times in the final hours before the guests arrived. Kennedy was glad to know she’d be one of many seated around the Lindgrens’ dinner table. She would have hated the thought of Sandy going through so much trouble just for her. She was a little anxious that Reuben would feel out of place, but then she remembered his hundred cousins, aunts, and uncles, and figured he’d probably be more at home than she was.
Carl had spent the past week and a half alternately teasing Sandy for her perfectionistic tendencies and trying in vain to convince her to rest or relax. Tonight, he placed his left hand on her shoulder, smiled into her work-flushed face, and declared, “Everything looks perfect, dear.” He kissed her cheek. “You work harder than any other woman I know.”
She paused long enough to give him a small peck on the lips and then scurried to the freezer.
“What are you doing?” Carl asked.
“I need to make sure we have enough ice.”
“Leave it.”
“I just want to …”
“Leave it.”
Sandy turned and gave Carl a small, tired smile. He came up and gave her a slow hug. “I love you, babe,” he whispered, and Kennedy wondered if they even remembered she was there.
“I love you, too.” Sandy nuzzled her cheek against his. “And you know what I could use a strong, hunky man for right about now?”
“What’s that?” A playful smirk spread across his face, and Kennedy wondered if she should retreat to the guest room.
Sandy returned his smoldering grin. “You could reach up and pull that extra pack of napkins down for me.”
Carl took her hand and kissed it. “Anything for my princess.”
The doorbell rang.
“Oh! They’re here!” Sandy sounded as excited as a little girl on Christmas morning. “I’ll get that,” she told Kennedy. “You just sit down and make yourself comfortable.”
It would probably be a late night, and a loud one too, judging by the laughter of the two grandsons who burst through the dining room waving toy airplanes through the air and occasionally crashing them into each other.
A third boy ran in to join the ruckus, and Kennedy recognized Blessing’s son, Tyson.
A few minutes later, another round of greetings heralded the arrival of more guests. By the end of the night, Kennedy would be lucky to remember half of their names. The sounds were so different from the typical Harvard din. Had she really only been in college for one semester? She was an entirely different person with what felt like a lifetime of experiences — experiences that strengthened and sharpened her, as well as some that left ugly, gaping scars.
“Kennedy!” Sandy’s voice was playful and teasing. “There’s someone here to see you.”
Kennedy jumped up, chiding herself for feeling so nervous. It was just Reuben. It’s not like they hadn’t seen each other every day in class all semester long.
“Hey.” There was his same smile, his same care-free demeanor.
“Hey.” She was surprised when he wrapped his arms around her for a hug.
“I’m glad you’re safe.” He was still wearing his parka, the same one he loaned her during their ride on the T.
She gave Reuben a smile and led him to the appetizer table. Nick was in the corner and gave a quick nod. Kennedy tried not to feel embarrassed. She hadn’t done anything wrong.
The Lindgrens’ house was a blaze of jumbled colors. Christmas decorations hung on nearly every square foot of wall without any common theme other than cheer. Many of them were homemade and looked like they had survived a few decades in and out of storage boxes. It was all so different from what Kennedy remembered of childhood holidays at her grandma’s in New York, where she was the only child amongst somber, formal faces.
It was hard to imagine how recently she and Carl had been driving for their lives, ducking while bullets shattered the window of his car. She would probably still worry when she was out at night. She probably couldn’t ride the T for a while without a bad case of the shakes. She’d definitely have her fair share of nightmares with Gino’s hardened face glaring at her. But for right now, she could focus on the sound of Carl and Sandy bantering playfully while wave after wave of grandkids took over the dining room, living room, and den. She could forget the smell of subway smoke and burned tire rubber and antiseptic hospitals and fix her mind on the scent of savory ham and fresh coffee.
For now, with the happy shouts and greetings quickly drowning out the sound of the Christmas carols on the stereo, Kennedy could finally relax. She and Reuben sat down with their plates full of candies, veggies, quiches, and mini-sandwiches. Reuben took a bite before announcing, “I got you something for Christmas.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.
She laughed as soon as she opened the present. “You know me too well.” It was a new cellphone battery. She hoped it hadn’t cost too much money.
“So you’ll always have a back-up,” Reuben declared with a smile.
“Well, I have something for you, too.” She put her plate down and ran to the guest room. She came back with an envelope. “It’s not … I mean, I had a hard time … Well, just open it.”
Reuben tore open the envelope and pulled out the two gift cards. “Common Treasures and Angelo’s Pizza?”
“It’s the rain check I promised you.”
He slipped the cards into his coat. “Thank you.”
Sandy bustled over. “Have you two eaten yet? There’s lots, so help yourselves.”
Kennedy and Reuben looked at their full plates and broke into giggles. Kennedy took a deep breath, thankful that the Lindgrens had opened their home to her once more, thankful that God had kept her safe through yet another fiery ordeal.
CHAPTER 31
If Carl had teased Kennedy for her small appetite before, he’d have no excuse to do so in the future after seeing how much Christmas dinner she packed away. Only halfway into the main course, she already regretted wearing her tight black skirt. Now she understood Sandy’s preference for loose-fitting dresses that didn’t hug you anywhere around the waist.
Sandy had pulled out three tables, and even then there were a few guests sitting on the couches eating off TV trays. The overfull, bursting feeling Kennedy felt in her gut grew in proportion to the pressure building up in her brain from all the noise. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been around so many children. Had she ever? She and Reuben remained in the corner, laughing about Professor Adell and her atrocious penmanship, giving their best impressions of their calculus TA’s Korean accent. They already had plans to check out the bookstore and grab some pizza the day after Christmas.
In the middle of the meal, Carl stood up and clinked his cider glass with his knife. His arm was still in a sling, but he was dressed handsomely in a forest green suit with a striking red tie Sandy had adjusted for him two or three times over the course of the evening.
“Can I have your attention?” His booming voice carried over the dozens of smaller conversations, but it still took half a minute before he could continue.
“Two weeks ago, God took something that could have been tragedy. He took something that I know for a fa
ct the devil would have loved to use for evil, and he brought about good. What good? you might be wondering.” He raised his glass toward Kennedy. “All those who might have reason to harm our friend here are being brought to justice.” He nodded to Blessing. “Our family’s closer than ever before.” He gave his wife a charming smile. “And I’ve been reminded every day of my recovery how lucky and blessed I am to have this amazing woman by my side. You mean more than the world to me, babe, and I don’t say that lightly.”
He kissed the top of Sandy’s head, and everyone raised their glasses.
“To the one who does immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”
Kennedy hadn’t heard many toasts before, but this felt more real and more genuine than anything she could have put into words even if she had weeks to prepare. Everyone drank, and several of the grandkids splashed sparkling cider on the kiddie table when they tried to clink their plastic cups together.
“And now I have something to say, too.” Blessing’s boyfriend stood up. Kennedy hadn’t met him officially, but she knew who he was from the way Blessing had draped herself over his lap all evening.
Carl’s eyes widened, but he made a broad gesture and sat down. “All right. Here’s Dominic now, apparently with something to say to us all this Christmas Eve.”
“Damion,” Sandy whispered. “His name is Damion.”
“Sorry. Go on, Damion.”
Kennedy couldn’t tell if that was sarcasm creeping into Carl’s tone, but she did catch the way he didn’t look right at his daughter’s boyfriend but instead stared past his shoulder.
Damion took a deep breath and took Blessing’s hand.
“I’m not standing up,” she hissed.
“Yes, you are.”
There was a little tug-of-war, and finally Blessing reclaimed her hand and crossed her arms, slouching back in her chair.
Damion frowned and then cleared his throat. “Well, with this being Christmas and all, and Christmas being a time for, you know, family, and all …” He looked around from guest to guest, but his imploring eyes didn’t land on one person for any length of time. “And with Christmas being about the birth of baby Jesus, and his mama being pregnant for the holidays and everything …”
“What are you doing?” Blessing sizzled under her breath.
“Just hear me out, baby. Let me do this.”
“We said we were gonna wait.” She was talking through her teeth, but Kennedy could hear every word. Apparently, Carl and Sandy could, too. Carl was leaning back in his seat, his eyes wider than silver dollars. Sandy swayed slightly back and forth at the table, her face strained with a mixture of excitement and anxiety.
Damion cleared his throat again and wiped his hand on his forehead. “Wow. This is a lot harder than it looks. Ok, well, um, Carl … Sandy … Mr. and Mrs. Lindgren, I mean …”
“Spit it out, man!” Carl finally blurted.
“Well, we’re gonna have a baby.”
Squeals of delight and a subdued applause sounded around the table. Sandy clasped her hands to her chest, but she glanced at Carl’s serious face, and the she hid her smile behind her cider goblet. Damion and Blessing were arguing at each other in subdued tones, with Blessing’s I told you so the only words Kennedy could make out.
Damion looked at Carl and wiped his forehead again, only this time with his napkin. “Um, so, Mr. Lindgren … Carl … I, uh, wanted to tell you that I know your daughter’s really special to you, and she’s really special to me, too, and I know that you being a pastor and all probably doesn’t mean you want to have … What I’m trying to say, sir, is I really want to do right by your daughter, by Blessing here.”
“I know her name.” Carl’s tone was so flat you could have chopped veggies on it. Kennedy and Reuben raised their eyebrows at each other and stifled their giggles.
Damion dropped his napkin and glanced around the table imploringly. His gaze finally landed on Sandy. He gulped once before continuing. “And, so, to get to the point, sir …”
“I wish you would.”
Sandy hit Carl’s uninjured arm with her napkin. “Hush, now, and let’s hear what the poor boy has to say.”
Kennedy could tell she was trying not to laugh, too.
Damion shifted his weight. “So, what I really want is I want to ask Blessing to marry me.”
Nobody spoke for several seconds. Kennedy was painfully aware of Reuben’s presence next to her but didn’t take her eyes off Blessing’s boyfriend.
“I know it’s maybe not the best time, but I thought, you know, Christmas being all about family and stuff …”
“Yes.” Carl spoke so quietly he had to repeat himself. “Yes.”
Damion balked. “You mean … you’re saying it’s ok?”
Carl took a sip of cider. “It’s fine by me, man, but I’m not the one you need to ask.”
Damion blinked at Carl a few times before his face lit up brighter than the lights on the Lindgrens’ tree. He fumbled in his pockets and beamed down at Blessing. “Now you understand why I told you to get up?”
Still pouting but now blushing like a schoolgirl, Blessing stood and self-consciously tugged her miniskirt. Several women awwed when Damion dropped to his knee and opened the small black case he was holding. “Blessing Lindgren, will you marry me?”
She stole a quick glance at Sandy, who nodded encouragingly. Blessing wrapped one arm around her son and gave him a squeeze. “Well, squirt, what do you think? Should we say yes?”
Tyson jumped to his feet and wrapped both arms around Damion’s neck. “Heck yeah!”
While Blessing chastised her son for his choice of words, Damion slipped the ring on her finger, and everyone clapped. A few started clinking their glasses demanding a kiss, and when Blessing and Damion complied, the table erupted in hoots and hollers, as well as quite a few snickers and one very loud “Ew!” from the kiddie table.
Kennedy shot a quick glance at Reuben, who was smiling along with everyone else. She couldn’t remember a Christmas ever feeling quite so full, and it wasn’t because of the piles of food she had heaped on her plate. After the holidays, she’d be right back where she started that week. There would be police reports. Long meetings with Drisklay and his cold cups of stale coffee. Interviews with men in drab suits and somber-toned ties from the district attorney’s office.
But right now, none of that mattered. Right now, Kennedy was safe.
Right now, she was home.
ALSO FROM ALANA TERRY
Kennedy Stern Christian Suspense Novels
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North Korea Suspense Novels
The Beloved Daughter: Behind North Korea’s closed borders, a young girl is dying for freedom.
Slave Again: She traded in her prison uniform for shackles of a different kind.
Torn Asunder: Hannah’s secret mission could rip them apart and cost them both their lives.
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Prayer Devotionals from Alana
Thirty Days of Prayer to End Abortion
Thirty Days of Prayer to End Sex Slavery
Thirty Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
Thirty Days of Prayer for World Missions
30 Days of Prayer for Restricted Nations
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
I’m thankful that while I was working on this story, the
Lord provided many friends who graciously fielded all my random questions. Jonathan Patrick, a Las Vegas police officer, helped with a few of the cop scenarios to make sure I got the details as accurate as possible. Kaye Slater, a nursing lecturer at Gonzaga University, answered several medical questions about the injuries Kennedy and Carl experienced. William Troxel, a pastor as well as a volunteer EMT, helped me with the car crash scene and also helped me understand how the paramedics would respond. Louise Franklin was kind enough to share some of her own family history with me as I tried to create the backstories of Carl and Sandy. Annie Douglass Lima was a great help answering questions about Christmas in Kenya. She’s also a fantastic editor.
I would also like to thank my friends — both real-life and virtual — who gave their great suggestions and critiques, and who more importantly prayed for me while I was working on Kennedy’s story. My husband, as always, is my biggest support and encouragement, and I’m so thankful for the way he always urges me on, even when I’m feeling tired or sluggish.
Lastly, I’d like to publicly thank the Lord for sustaining me through yet another novel. I never imagined writing would be so physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausting, but it is God who strengthens me and inspires me. I don’t need a muse when I’ve got the Holy Spirit there, urging me on.
If you are a faithful reader and have followed my other books as well, I’d like to thank you for your support. And if this is your first time reading one of my novels, I’d like to thank you for giving me a try. If you want to know when I have a new release or would like to sign up for free books, please join the Alana Terry Readers’ Club at alanaterry.com.