Season of Wonder

by RaeAnne Thayne

  Silver was funny and smart, with a compassionate heart underneath all her brashness. Mia was completely adorable, with a joy for life and a generosity of spirit that he found completely irresistible.

  And Dani.

  He couldn’t stop thinking about her. She haunted his dreams and his days. He looked forward to every moment he spent with her.

  Yeah, he was falling hard for the woman and she was doing her very best to keep him at arm’s length.

  “I might do the same thing late Saturday night for Sunday’s delivery, then we can get back to normal for Monday night. What do you think?”

  “I guess,” Mia said, disappointment threading through her voice. “I wanted to take their present to the door and ring the bell one time.”

  “We can see about that next week, okay? Anyway, you’ll be having too much fun tomorrow at the boat parade to miss it too much. You’re going, right? Trust me, this is something you don’t want to miss.”

  “We’re going, right, Mama? I want to see all the boats.”

  “I imagine we’ll stop by at some point.”

  Dani had been subdued since she had told him the first name of the girls’ father. Was what had happened to her marriage so very painful for her that she grieved at the mere mention of the man?

  Ruben glanced across the cab as he pulled into their driveway. He took a chance, though he had a feeling she wouldn’t be happy with him. What was the difference? She was already doing her best to push him away.

  “Here’s a crazy idea. Do you guys want to be in the parade?”

  “In the parade?” Mia exclaimed in an awed voice, as if he had just asked her if she wanted to move permanently into Cinderella’s Castle at Disneyland. “Yes!”

  “One problem,” Silver pointed out. “We don’t have a boat.”

  “Problem solved, then. I have one, as you may recall. A big one, with room for at least fifteen people. I’m signed up for the big parade. My nephews are helping me decorate The Wonder tomorrow and they’ll be riding along as well as my brothers and possibly my mom and dad. There’s plenty of room, if you’d like to join us.”

  Dani stared at him and Ruben met her gaze steadily. This was the sort of thing friends and neighbors did with one another. They hung out and went on boat rides and had fun together.

  She opened her mouth to respond. He could tell before any words even came out that she was going to come up with an excuse. Before she could, Silver piped up.

  “I wouldn’t mind being in the parade,” her daughter said in a deceptively casual tone. Dani shifted her stare to her daughter, her mouth sagging a little more.

  “Great. That’s two of you,” Ruben said cheerfully. “Dani, I guess it’s up to you. What do you say?”

  It really wasn’t fair to gang up on her but he figured it was for a good cause. The girls would have fun participating in the boat parade and he would enjoy the chance to spend more time with them. Maybe he might even have the chance to find out a little more about this mysterious Tommy and the reason Dani looked so troubled when she spoke of him.

  “Why would anybody want to take a boat ride in December with five inches of snow on the ground?” she asked.

  “I have a good heater on the boat, with a cover that keeps out the elements. Plus, if it gets too cold, you can go down into the cabin, which is always toasty.”

  “Please, Mama? Please!” Mia begged.

  “It really does sound fun.” Silver added her voice.

  Dani gazed at her girls in the back seat then sent him a sidelong look that told him she wasn’t particularly pleased with him right now for dangling this possibility in front of her daughters before speaking with her about it.

  “I don’t know how I can say no. Even though I still think you’re all crazy to want to be out on the water this time of year.”

  Anticipation curled through him, rich and delicious. “Great. Just make sure you bundle up. I owe you some hot cocoa so I’ll make sure I have plenty on hand.”

  It was a deliberate reminder of their kiss the night before and he was rewarded by her delectable mouth tightening.

  “What about churros?” Mia asked hopefully.

  Ruben laughed. “I can’t promise that, but I’ll see what I can do about providing some kind of warm treat. The parade goes from the marina in Haven Point up to Shelter Springs. I’m going to shuttle my pickup and boat trailer up there with Javi so we won’t have to ride the boat back. I can drive you home afterward.”

  “This is the best Christmas ever,” Mia exclaimed. “I can’t wait!”

  “I hope you enjoy it,” Ruben said.

  And I hope your mother can find some way to forgive me for roping you all into it.

  * * *

  Despite Dani’s promise, Ruben wasn’t sure she and her daughters would show up.

  The next night as the sun began to slide behind the Redemption mountain range, he moved around his boat, checking that all was in order before the parade.

  “Maybe they’re not coming,” his brother Javier said.

  “Maybe not.” He tried not to show his disappointment. He assumed Dani would at least call to tell him she wasn’t coming, but maybe she got tied up with a weekend emergency at the clinic.

  “The first boats are going to be taking off soon,” Javi said. “How much longer do you want to wait?”

  “A few more minutes. We still have to wait for Mom and Dad anyway.”

  He checked his watch and the dock where he had told Dani to meet him. Maybe she had decided her girls were better off watching from the shore at their first Lights on the Lake Festival. He couldn’t blame her for that.

  Suddenly he spied three figures racing toward them and the tension in his shoulders instantly released.

  “There they are,” he told Javi.

  “We’re coming,” Silver called. “Don’t leave yet.”

  Ruben couldn’t hide his grin as the three of them hurried down the dock.

  “Careful,” he called. “Grab the rope railing. It’s icy in spots.”

  Dani reached a hand down to grab Mia’s hand and said something to Silver, who used the rope as well to make her way to the boat.

  “Sorry we’re late,” Dani said, rather breathlessly. “Traffic was crazy and then I couldn’t find a place to park.”

  “No problem. I should have warned you. Actually I should have had you ride with my mom and dad so you didn’t have to park. Sorry I didn’t think about it.”

  “We’re here now. That’s the important thing.”

  It was. While he was thrilled his family was coming along on this inaugural parade entry for The Wonder, he was aware of a deep joy that Dani and her girls were here, too.

  Javi helped them aboard.

  “Oh,” Mia exclaimed, clapping her mittened hands together. “Your boat looks so pretty.”

  “Thanks. I had help from Esme, Zach and Andy. They’re all hanging out below deck where the food is, if you want to join them,” he said to Silver.

  She seemed to blush, confirming his suspicion that she had a little crush on his nephew Zach. “Okay. I’ll do that.”

  He gestured to the stairs that went down to the tiny cabin below deck. The space was barely big enough for a small galley, a table with two bench seats that folded down to a bed, a little closet-sized toilet room and a berth the size of a double bed.

  The Wonder was a wild extravagance, but he figured his brothers could take it out with their families if they wanted. His father might even get in on the fun, once he was officially retired.

  His family lived on a huge lake. It seemed only natural to have something more substantial than a few kayaks, paddleboards and his dad’s small fishing boat. His nephews couldn’t wait for him to take them out on overnight fishing trips.

  “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” he asked Dani now.
<
br />   “You should know I’m not a fan of boats.”

  “We’ll be fine. I have life jackets for everybody. We’ll be cruising just offshore so the parade watchers can see our lights and we’ll be going slowly.”

  Another boat went past them, causing his to sway a little in the water, and Dani wobbled slightly. He caught her before she could fall. Heat kindled between them, even through her layers, and it was all he could do not to pull her into his arms.

  Too bad they had an audience consisting of most of his close family members and hers.

  “Your boat does look very nice. This must have taken some time.” She took in the colored lights that outlined every angle and curve of the boat.

  “Everybody came over early and helped me with the lights. Mateo is the one who insisted we bring along his light-up inflatable penguins.”

  “They’re the perfect touch,” she assured him. If he wasn’t mistaken, that might almost be a smile he saw dancing there around her mouth. It made him want to kiss her again.

  This was going to be a long boat ride if he had to spend the whole time keeping a tight rein on his impulses.

  “I hope we all don’t feel like we’re in the North Pole, out on the water.”

  “Don’t worry. Everything’s warm below deck and inside the enclosure.”

  “Where do you want us?”

  He had a feeling she wouldn’t want to know the answer to that. “Let’s grab you some life jackets, then you can choose where you want to sit. Wherever you’re comfortable. We’re only waiting for my parents.”

  “They’re on the way,” Javi said a moment later as Ruben was finding two life jackets in the right sizes that would fit over their outerwear. “Dad texted and said they were on their way from the parking lot. And here they are now.”

  Ruben saw his mother and father heading down the dock and had to sigh. Despite his repeated assurances to them that they needed to bring only themselves, his mother was carrying two large grocery bags in one hand and his father had a cooler. Ruben climbed down to help them onto the boat.

  “Grab a seat, everybody,” he said once they were on board, before taking his spot at the controls.

  “Can I sit by you?” Mia asked. Without waiting for an answer, she plopped onto the seat next to his. “Mama, sit by me.”

  Dani looked at the other available seating some distance away, then back at her daughter. With an almost audible sigh, she took a seat just on the other side of Mia.

  Ruben didn’t miss the way his mother did a double take when she spotted Dani and Mia sitting by him.

  “Hello, Dr. Capelli. Miss Mia. How fun that you’re joining us!”

  “Darling Dani. Hello,” his dad said. “I do hope there’s no animal emergency in Haven Point, with both veterinarians on board for the next few hours.”

  Dani looked stricken. “Oh. I didn’t even think of that. Maybe I should get off.”

  “I was only joking,” his father said. “You are not getting off, young lady. The animals will be fine. We have good techs. I’m not sure which one is on call tonight, but I’m sure whoever it is can handle things so you can enjoy yourself tonight. If there’s an emergency, they can always call the vets in Shelter Springs.”

  “Have you eaten?” Ruben’s mother asked. “I’ve got all kinds of snacks. Popcorn, licorice, sugar cookies.”

  “I love sugar cookies,” Mia said, with no attempt at subtlety whatsoever. “They’re my favorite.”

  “Then you better grab the first one. Here you go, sweetie.” Myra reached into one of her bags and pulled out a container. She opened it and passed it around.

  Ruben reached for a cookie just as his radio went off with instructions for the parade.

  “It’s showtime,” he said. “Everybody ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be,” Dani muttered.

  He gave her a reassuring smile and started up The Wonder.

  * * *

  Her girls were having the time of their lives.

  Mia hadn’t moved from Ruben’s side all evening. Every once in a while he would let her take the steering wheel or helm or whatever it was called on a boat of this size. She would grin at her mother and then wave exuberantly at the parade watchers along the shoreline.

  When Dani had checked on Silver and Ruben’s niece and nephews, she found them all laughing hysterically while they played card games below deck. They weren’t really getting into the spirit of the holiday event down there, but she supposed that didn’t really matter. They were socializing in their own way. Silver was enjoying herself and actually having fun. Dani couldn’t ask for anything more.

  “This is wonderful, isn’t it?” Myra said, pitching her voice loud enough to be heard over the low rumble of the boat.

  “It really is.”

  “Can I let you in on a secret?”

  “Um, sure.”

  “I’ve always wanted to ride on one of the boats during the light parade. For years, we’ve watched from the shore and it’s been great fun to see all the decorations the boat owners put into the parade, but I secretly wanted to be out here on the water. I have a sneaking suspicion that might be one of the reasons Ruben bought this thing. There’s a chance I may have mentioned it to him last Christmas.”

  A soft warmth unfurled inside her. “That’s very sweet.”

  “He has always been a wonderful son. One day, he’s going to make some lucky woman very, very happy.”

  Myra gave her a meaningful sort of smile and any warmth inside her seemed to crystallize and shatter. That lucky woman would not be Dani. It couldn’t be. His mother had to see that, didn’t she? Why on earth would she ever think Ruben might be interested in Dani—a divorced woman with two children, who was barely holding her life together?

  His mother seemed to be waiting for her to answer. Dani shifted uncomfortably. “I’m sure that’s true. He’s a very kind man.”

  “He’s wonderful with children, too.”

  She looked over to where Ruben was showing Mia something on the control panels of the boat. She caught her breath, more charmed than she wanted to admit by the sight of the two of them together, Ruben, tough and masculine, Mia so sweetly joyful.

  Oh, she wanted something like this for her daughters. A man to care for them, watch over them, love them.

  Her chest ached. How could she take that chance again, with her lousy track record?

  “There’s only one problem with riding in the parade,” Myra said, interrupting her thoughts.

  “What’s that?”

  “Now I can’t decide whether it’s more fun to be in the parade or to watch the parade.”

  “Maybe you can alternate,” she suggested.

  “Great idea. Next year, you and I can sit on the shore and wave to all the boats as they pass by.”

  Dani loved the idea of being there a year from now, after so many years of feeling as if her life was on hold. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to throw down roots, to adopt some of these traditions for her own family? Maybe she would start a Secret Santa project for her girls next year, drawing upon the experience they were gaining this year through helping Ruben.

  Where would they be a year from now? If they were still in Haven Point, she couldn’t imagine they would be riding on The Wonder again. The thought filled her with an odd sort of loss. She shook it off, annoyed with herself. Even if Ruben never invited her out on his boat again, she and her girls were here now.

  How ridiculous, to squander this—the people, the food, the magic of the season—because she was worrying about some nebulous future. She wouldn’t do it, she decided. At least not tonight.

  * * *

  When they arrived in Shelter Springs, the scene at the marina was noisy and chaotic, with boats queuing up to be loaded onto trailers at the ramp or floating up to the docks to let out their passengers.

  “It
might have been faster just to take The Wonder back to Haven Point on the water,” Frank said.

  “I should have realized the backup we would face here,” Ruben said. He gave Dani an apologetic look. “This might take a while. I’m sorry. I can let you off and you can ride back to Haven Point with my parents. They shuttled my mom’s SUV here earlier.”

  “You can’t load the boat onto the trailer by yourself,” Frank reminded him.

  “No, but Javi is here. He and I can do it together.”

  “That’s a good plan. We can let everybody off and they can drive down to the festival while we take care of the boat.” Ruben’s normally quiet brother Javier spoke up. He had said little on the boat ride. The man was obviously going through something rough.

  “Mama, can we go to the festival?” Mia said.

  She should have thought this through better. Her car was parked at the marina in Haven Point, as Ruben had said he could give them a ride back to town after the parade. “I’m not sure if we’ll be able to, by the time we’re done helping Ruben with the boat. We’ll see. If not, we’ll make it next year.”

  “If you trust us to keep an eye on them, we could take your girls with us,” Myra suggested.

  Mia clapped her hands to show her approval of that idea and Dani didn’t miss the way Silver nudged Esme with a grin and looked under her eyelashes at Zach.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive,” Myra said. “We will love having them along with us. I only wish we had room to take you along, Dani, but we only have seat belts for seven in my SUV. I do hate for you to miss your first Lights on the Lake Festival.”

  “We still might make it in time,” Ruben said. “Depends how long it takes to put out and drop the boat off at my place.”

  “Looks like there’s a dock there where boats can let off their passengers. The queue is shorter there,” his father suggested.

  A few moments later, Ruben motored next to the dock and Javi jumped out to tie the boat and lend a hand while the passengers climbed out.