“Oh, Pete, why didn’t you call me?”
“I would have, Kristine, but I didn’t know where you were. By the way, where are you?”
“Pete, you are never going to believe this. I’m at Woodie’s house. He came home last night. We’re getting married New Year’s Day! In my entire life, Pete, I’ve never been this happy. Do you hear me, Pete, I’m in love?”
“I hear you, Kristine. And you were worried about having a dull Christmas. This must go under the heading of some kind of miracle. I am so happy for you. Cala will be, too, when she hears. Congratulations! Who’s going to stand up for you?”
“I didn’t get that far in my thinking but now that you asked, how about you and Cala? I know Woodie would love to have the two of you stand up for us.”
“Then we accept, and it’s a done deal. What about Mike and Tyler?”
“This is my wedding, so if we want to have three best men, then I say we go for it. Did Cala take the girls with her?”
“Yes. She couldn’t wait to show them off to her brother. It’s that twin stuff.”
Kristine laughed. “I’ll be home soon. If Mike and Carol are going to be home today, I’d like you all to stay for dinner. It will be so nice to have all of us together. I wish Tyler could make it home today. The roads look bad. There’s a lot of snow out there. You are going to stay the night, aren’t you?”
“Yep. Cala dusted up the apartment and changed the sheets. I lugged firewood in when I got up. Everything is fine here, Kristine. Jeez, I can’t wait to see old Woodie.”
“Do me a favor,” Kristine whispered. “Somehow, someway, work into the conversation that you think he’s an old duffer. ”
“For you, Kristine, anything. I’m not even going to ask why. He won’t take a poke at me will he?”
“No, of course not. It’s an inside joke.”
“I get it. Like those yellow Calvins and the blue Speedo.”
“Exactly.”
“See you when you get here, boss.”
Dinner was a rousing affair, and if eyes were misty from time to time, no one seemed to notice.
“This is so great,” Woodie said. “I haven’t sat around a dinner table with a family in twenty years. I hope we can do this often. Listen up, all of you. Your mother and I have an announcement to make. We’re getting married New Year’s Day. We’d both like your blessing. We want you—Mike, Tyler, and Pete—to be my best men. Cala and Carol will be your mom’s matrons of honor. If it isn’t correct wedding protocol, we don’t care. That’s the way it is. Your mother wants the ceremony here at the house in the living room by the fire.”
Kristine beamed as she jiggled her newest grandchild on her lap, and her children shouted and clapped. Mike let loose with an earsplitting whistle of approval.
“What that means, everybody, is we get to buy some new duds for the affair. This is going to be the best Christmas ever,” Cala said happily.
“It sure is. I like what you did with the house, Mom. The first day we got here and saw the condition of things was a day I’ll never forget. You know what, it feels like home. It really does, Mom.”
All eyes turned to Kristine. She flushed. To cover how overwhelmed she felt at her son’s words, she brought the sweet-smelling baby close to her face so she could smother the little boy with kisses. Her eyes felt hot and prickly.
“Remember that Christmas Eve dinner? We chucked it, Woodie, and had hot dogs and Jell-O. That was a bad time, but we’re past all that now. This family is growing by leaps and bounds. Before you know it, we’ll fill up this long table. How many kids do you think Tyler will have?” Cala asked.
“Zero kids,” Mike said. “He’s a career officer, and children and marriage are not in his near future. Maybe he’ll change his mind when he sees our kids, but I don’t think so. I can’t believe he made captain. It’s been four years since I’ve seen old Ty. We write, but it isn’t the same. How about you, Mom?”
“He was home two and a half years ago for two days. He spent most of his time playing with the dogs, eating, and sleeping. He’s happy. That’s the important thing. Cala is so right, this is going to be the most wonderful Christmas we ever had. I don’t know where we’re going to put all the presents you guys dropped off. We’re out into the hallway as it is, and Woodie hasn’t brought his in yet,” she said slyly.
“Is that a hint for me to do my shopping quickly? Didn’t anyone tell you the best buys come two days before Christmas? It’s on my agenda for tomorrow. By evening, the overflow in the hall will fall into the dining room. Who wants some of your mother’s blackberry pie?”
“Gummi Bears,” Ellie said.
“Pie or nothing. No pie, and it’s bedtime,” Cala said firmly.
“Okay, Mommie.”
“I knew you’d see it my way, honey.”
“Ellie must have Pete’s disposition. You never gave in.” Mike hooted.
“She and Emily are a perfect mix of us both. How did you end up with Dillon? He’s such a good baby. Does he ever cry?”
“Only when he’s hungry.”
“He sure doesn’t take after you. You had a hair-trigger temper. You still do,” Cala shot back.
“They’re going to go all out,” Woodie said sotto voce. “Let’s clean up, Kristine. I need some advice on my Christmas list.”
Kristine handed the baby over to Carol. She was struck again, as she always was, when she saw the girl her son had married. She was plain, with warm, brown eyes that continuously sparkled. Her short bob was maintenance free and complemented the dusting of freckles that rode high on her cheeks and then built a bridge across her nose. She had one of the most beautiful smiles Kristine had ever seen. Carol was smiling now as she accepted her child with outstretched arms. “I love this baby so much,” she said quietly.
“I can tell.” Kristine smiled. “Anyone for more coffee before Woodie clears the table?”
Mike and Pete held up their cups.
“If I’m going to clear the table, what are you going to do, Kristine?”
“I’m going to watch you,” Kristine said smartly. “I cooked, so that means you clean up.”
“Whose rule is that?” Woodie demanded.
“Mine.”
“Oh,” Woodie said.
“Guess that means you fit in, big guy,” Pete whispered.
“Is that what it means?” Woodie asked in awe.
“That’s what it means. I’d hustle if I were you. Your lady doesn’t like to be kept waiting. She meant it when she said she’s going to watch you.”
“I love this family. I really do.”
The kitchen cleaned, Woodie removed his apron. His voice was anxious when he said, “How’d I do, honey?”
“I don’t think I ever saw this kitchen so clean. You did a marvelous job.”
“That’s not what I meant, Kristine. I meant with the kids.”
“It’s like Pete said, you belong. Mike, Tyler, and Cala always liked you. You know that. Emily and Ellie love you. It’s like you were always a part of our lives. In one short dinner hour, you interacted more with my children than their own father did in years. Mealtimes were always more or less silent unless Logan had something to say. We ate, cleaned up, and left the room.”
“How did you stand it?”
“I didn’t know any better. I was stupid. Silence was golden. Take your pick. Want to go down to the barn to check on the dogs?”
“I’d love to go down to the barn to check on the dogs. Kristine, is that old sleigh still in that ramshackle barn?”
“Yes, why?”
“How about if I clean it up tomorrow and ask John Hollister if he’ll lend us a few of his horses for Christmas Eve. A sleigh ride for the whole family. What do you think?”
“I knew I liked you for a reason. It’s a great idea. The girls will love it. What about your Christmas shopping?”
“I was teasing before. I’m done. All I have to do is go into town to pick it all up. It’s all been gift-wrapped.”
“That’s good, because I’m not wrapping and tieing bows on anything. How do you wrap a scooter?”
“You buy a colorful bicycle bag and tie it with a bow. It’s okay, I didn’t know that either until last year. Each day I learn something new, Woodie. It’s wonderful. I think I finally found that thing people call inner peace. I’m okay with everything in my life. Right now there is nothing I want to change.”
“That says it all, Kristine. For the first time in my life, I feel the same way. Let’s take that sleigh ride to midnight mass.”
“That’s a great idea. The kids will love it. We can carol on the way.”
“C’mon, pretty lady, let’s go see those dogs. How many do you have?”
“Pups or the kennel?”
“Both.”
“We have twenty-two pups, and I think Pete said we’re boarding thirty-six dogs. We have a full house. I need to give some thought to expanding the barns. It’s a very profitable business. I was hoping, and don’t say anything, that maybe Mike and Carol would want to come back and go into business with us. It’s a great place to bring up children. I worry about California and earthquakes. Children need room to run and romp, and they need to see snow and play in mud puddles. I’m almost afraid to ask him, though.”
“Do you want me to ask him?”
“No. It’s something I’ll have to do when the time is right. You might enlist his aid tomorrow when you’re working on the sleigh. Sort of feel him out. Early on, Mike drew his line in the sand, and I don’t want to step over it.”
“He seems pretty mellow to me. It’s been eight years, Kristine. He’s a man now. Men think differently than hotheaded boys.”
“What else are we going to do after we check on the dogs?” Kristine asked bluntly.
“I’m going to do wild, unimaginable things to you.”
“An old duffer like you! I could get that book. You know the one.”
“If you feel you need it, by all means. I certainly don’t need it!” Woodie said as he beelined out the door, Kristine in hot pursuit, yelling her head off.
Mike motioned to Cala to join him at the window. “I never saw Mom run. I never saw Mom laugh like that. She seems so ... young. ”
“She’s not the same anymore, Mike. Today she’s the person we always wanted her to be. Cut her some slack. You need to be more forgiving. All that bad stuff is behind us.”
“I’m past it too, Cala. I have a bad feeling, and I can’t explain it. Carol says I’m overreacting to the trip home. That’s not what it is. This is all just too good for words.”
“I know what you mean. I’ve been having the same feelings. If you hadn’t said something, I would have kept quiet. Pete says I just look for trouble. It’s true, though. Everything is almost too perfect. It will be perfect when Tyler gets here. Mom’s great. She’s finally happy and getting married to a sweet guy. She’s done all the things ... she never got to do when we were young. She’s really worked at it, Mike. And please don’t say, too much, too little, too late. It pains me to say this, but we are better people because of our past. We overcame it all. Look at us now. You have a wonderful wife and son, a great job, and you live in sunny California. I have Pete, the girls, and all those amazing animals. What more could either one of us want?”
“That’s what Carol says. Two against one, and I’m not even holding out. I agree with everything you said.”
“Mom sold the Kelly farm. She told you, didn’t she?”
“Yeah.”
“She’s dividing the money among us. We can pay off our mortgages, put some away for the kids’ college fund, and sock the rest into a good mutual fund. Those are Mom’s suggestions, not mine, but I agree with them. I probably wouldn’t be able to accept if Mom hadn’t had him declared legally dead. Dead I can handle. How about you?”
“I agree. The money will certainly make life easier.”
“Mike, why don’t you come back here to live. The farm is great for the kids. Mom has been talking about expanding. You get along with Pete, and I adore Carol. It would be so good for all of us. We could even use some of the money for the expansion and we can do a lot of the work ourselves. Will you think about it?”
“Did Mom put you up to this?”
“No, and don’t say I even mentioned it. You need to start thinking about earthquakes and all that smog. What kind of place is that to bring up kids? Not to mention the perverts. I know there are perverts everywhere, but my one encounter happened there and I’m not likely to forget it.”
“I’ll think about it. What do you think they’re doing down there?”
“Playing with the pups. Mom often goes down when she can’t sleep. I used to find her curled up in the straw with six or seven of them all cuddled against her. Our Mom is an okay lady, Mike. And if she’s doing something else, so what!”
Mike laughed. “You’re right, Cala, so what! God, it’s good to see you. It’s even better to be home. This is home. It really is.”
“I know. I had a hard time saying the words at first. Then they just started rolling off my lips.”
“Home. It has a sweet, comforting sound to it. Home.”
“We go home, Mommie?” Ellie asked sleepily.
“No, honey. We’re staying here in my home tonight.”
“Oh, goodie.” A moment later she was asleep in her father’s arms.
Home.
The most wonderful word in the English language.
14
Logan literally tripped down the street, his face buried in the wool scarf around his neck. His world was right side up, and he was going home to his loving, devoted wife. His hold on his briefcase that held his laptop was fierce. The laptop was something he could not afford to lose. It was as necessary to his life as were his heart and lungs. He should have given some thought to getting one of those gizmos to shackle it to his wrist. As long as his hold was secure, the case was safe. He needed coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. Perhaps a pastry or two.
His steps were brisk in the crunchy snow. Aside from the fact that he was freezing his ass off, he felt wonderful. His financial affairs were in order. His medical examination was golden, and he was going back to the States. The prodigal returns, he thought gleefully.
Wind and sleet spit in his face as he continued his walk. He needed to get out of the cold. His blood had thinned with his years in Africa, and he hated the cold. He wondered if it was snowing back in Virginia.
A young woman as bundled up as he was, jostled him, her arms full of Christmas packages. She smiled as she muttered an apology. Logan nodded curtly. He smelled the rich pastries before he saw the shop. He sucked in the heady aroma and his step quickened.
The small shop was full, which meant he would have to lean up against the counter to wolf down the pastries and guzzle his three or four coffees. That was okay. Sooner or later, someone would get up from the row of stools. Nothing was going to sour this day.
Logan loosened the heavy wool scarf and unbuttoned his overcoat, mindful of the approving glances he was getting from the shopgirls on their midmorning break. He preened. In the last three weeks he’d dropped twelve pounds, had his hair lightened and trimmed, and managed to keep his deep tan with the help of a tanning bed in the hotel. His blue eyes were brighter than Paul Newman’s along with thanks to a good optometrist and contact lenses. He looked good, and he knew it. He smiled at the shopgirls, who were flirting openly with him. He knew he could have any one of them by simply starting up a conversation on something as mundane as the weather. Unfortunately, today was the wrong day for fun and games. Today was the day he was leaving Zurich for the States. Today was the day he was heading home to his family. Back to his wife with all that glorious money. Back to his children, who probably hated his guts. Back to his
next game plan.
Home for Christmas. Just the way he’d promised. Eight years late. So what! He’d never said what year he was going to return. He’d always been a man of his word. He hoped he would remember to put his wedding ring on once he got settled on the plane. That would be the first thing Kristine would look for.
Logan stared through the steamed-up window. It was snowing lightly. He had three hours to kill until it was time to leave for the airport. All he had to do was check out of the hotel, pay his bill, and grab a bite of lunch. By this time tomorrow he would be on American soil.
A frown built on Logan’s forehead as all of the “what ifs” surfaced in his mind. He gave himself a mental kick. He should have run some kind of check on his wife and family so he knew ahead of time what he was walking into. He’d never been one to do anything on impulse. When you did things spontaneously, they always backfired. He’d learned early on to be precise, to map things out, go by the book. The book was always on target. A worm of fear crawled around his belly. It disappeared the moment one of the shopgirls smiled, and said, “Merry Christmas.” He acknowledged the greeting with a wide grin. Nineteen if she was a day. Her eyes looked older and wiser than Danela’s.
He’d been thinking of Danela a lot these past few weeks, wondering how she was doing and how many of the CPAs she’d fucked while on the safari. Was she in London now shopping? She’d land on her feet. The Danelas of the world always landed on their feet.
The pastry shop cleared suddenly. A blast of cold air whipped through the small shop, and Logan shivered as he moved to the last stool along the counter to get away from the arctic air. He held out his coffee cup for a refill and pointed to the strudel under the glass dome. He was uncertain as to why he was reluctant to leave the warm, fragrant shop.
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