Jacob waited for more, but when his mother didn’t say anything else, he grew impatient. “And?”
“And, nothing. He went off to school and wrote me some letters. I started dating your father and life took us in different directions.”
“Why did you hide his letters in the vent?”
She touched the back of her hair, as if it had become unruly as they spoke. “Because I didn’t want anyone to read them. They’re private.”
Jacob shifted his weight. “But why keep them all this time? Stored away, in a secret place? What do they contain that’s so important?”
His mother pinched her lips together. She turned away from him. “Nothing.” Then, after a moment, when he didn’t say anything else, she said, “It’s complicated.”
Jacob let out a breath and sat down on his bed. His mother obviously held feelings for this man, even after she met and married his father. But why had she never mentioned him, even after his father left? He could see his mother was upset. But he didn’t want to dance around any of this. “I know it’s probably none of my business, but I’d like to know more about who this man was. I’m not a child anymore. I can handle it.”
She picked at a piece of lint from her sweater. “I suppose I can tell you.” She paused, and a contemplative look crossed her face. “Michael and I knew each other from high school, but we were forbidden to date.”
“Forbidden? Why?”
His mother stared out the window. “The Evans family were prominent in town. They owned the country club. They were the sort of people who had old money and with it, they made new money. Michael was their only son.
“We were in a study group together. I often went to his house after school. But his mother didn’t like me. She saw we were growing closer and told Michael not to bring me home anymore.” She closed her eyes. “But we were in love. And we met, secretly.”
“I see.”
“After he graduated, he was forced to go to Stanford. It was far away and prestigious. His mother thought that he would forget about me.” His mother blinked. “He wrote me for a while, but eventually his mother got her wish.” Her gaze hardened. “He found someone else.”
“But you never got over him.”
“It was a long time ago,” she said, her voice low.
“Yes, I suppose it was.” Jacob put his hands on his knees. He had to transition the conversation. “Is this what happened with me and Kendra?”
His mother’s gaze snapped up to meet his. “What are you talking about?”
“I know about the letters. I know you took a call from Kendra and didn’t relay the message to me.” He rubbed the back of his neck, a nervous habit of his. “Were you trying to break us up?”
A long stretch of silence filled the room before his mother responded. “I was only doing what was best for you.”
“How can you say that? Especially after what happened with Michael?”
“That was completely different.” His mother sighed. “Michael ended up moving to New York and marrying a socialite. I would have hated living in New York. And even though things didn’t work out with your father, I’m glad things ended up the way they did. I wouldn’t have you otherwise.” She gave him a small smile. “I hope you can see how staying here and being tied to a baby would have changed your life dramatically.”
Jacob stood, sucking in a breath, anger rising in his stomach. “So, you knew she was pregnant with my child? And you still kept us apart?”
His mother blanched. She twisted her hands, around and around. “Look at your success. You wouldn’t have any of it had you stayed.”
Jacob clenched his fists, his nostrils flaring. He needed to leave, before he said something to his mother he’d regret. “I have to go.”
He brushed past her, but she grabbed onto his wrist, stopping him. “You were meant to be a star.” She gave him a meaningful look before she let go.
He grabbed his coat on the way out of the house. He had to get away. Go somewhere to cool down. He was too upset and didn’t want to yell at his mother.
Chapter 12
Lively holiday music played over the speakers as Kendra stocked the candy shelf. It was hard keeping up with the demand, especially with only five days left until Christmas. Everyone was last minute shopping.
Janet, another employee, walked by and then stopped short, her bracelets clanging together. “Ooh, is that who I think it is coming in?”
Kendra looked up as the bell to the door sounded. Jacob? She glanced at the clock. He was thirty minutes early. What was he doing there? Janet elbowed her. “He’s here for you, isn’t he?”
Kendra shrugged. “I don’t know.” She left her stacks of candy and approached him. “Everything okay?”
He exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. From the looks of it, he’d been doing that a lot today. “Not really.”
Her heart jumped. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I mean—nothing serious. I’m just figuring out my mother isn’t who I thought she was.”
A woman walked up to them. “Excuse me. Do you carry any Christmas tree skirts?”
“Yes. Aisle five. I can show you.” Kendra gave Jacob a sympathetic look before leaving to show the woman where she could find what she was looking for.
After helping another person find something, she came back to her spot restocking the Christmas candy. Jacob joined her. “Sorry to bother you while you’re working.”
“I don’t mind. As long as you don’t care if I have to run and help a customer.”
“Not at all.”
“So, do you want to talk about what happened?” Kendra picked up another stack of candy cane boxes and shoved them on the shelf.
Jacob’s shoulders sank. “She all but admitted to what she did. And she’s not sorry. She thinks what she did was for my own good.”
Kendra paused and bit her lower lip. She didn’t dare tell him what she was thinking, because she could already see it would be a bad idea, but she saw his mother’s point. He was who he was today because of what his mother did.
Even though she had begged for him to come home, he was a superstar. And he never would have been had he stayed behind with her.
“I always thought she was weak. Needed special attention. But now, I just don’t know. I think she’s been manipulating me.”
The back door opened and Shelly came in, a stack of boxes in her arms. Her black hair was pulled up into a severe bun, and she wore the same sensible shoes Kendra had always seen her in. When she saw Jacob, she narrowed her eyes. “We don’t allow personal visits while you’re on the clock.”
Mortified, Kendra’s face heated like a red balloon. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“I was just buying some Christmas candy.” Jacob stepped back to look at the shelf. “I need some bacon flavored candy canes. Do you have any?”
“Bacon?” Shelly scoffed. “We don’t have anything like that.”
Kendra hid a smile. “What’s wrong with peppermint?”
“It gives me gas.”
A laugh sounded from the next aisle, giving Janet away. Shelly didn’t seem to find it amusing, however. She set the boxes down next to Kendra. “I mean it. No boyfriends, or you’re fired.”
Kendra stammered. “He’s not my boyfriend.”
“I don’t care. He’s here, talking to you. And you’re distracted from your job.” Shelly scowled and walked toward the back room. “Come back when her shift is done.”
“Will do,” Jacob said, backing toward the door. After Shelly disappeared in the back, he said, “See you in a few minutes.”
“Okay.” He ducked out and Kendra went back to shoving boxes onto the shelf. She definitely didn’t need to get fired right before Christmas.
Janet came around the corner. “Ignore Shelly. She’s all talk. Besides, it might be worth it to get fired if you get to spend more time with that hunk. Is he really that good-looking?”
“Oh, he is that good-looking. And his voice is like but
ter. Smooth and creamy.”
The door dinged again, and both of them swiveled to look, but it was just an elderly gentleman. He grabbed a cart and headed down the toy aisle. Janet grinned at her. “Are you guys back together then?”
“Oh, no.” Heavens, no. She knew better than to go down that road again. “He’s just been my taxi service until my car gets fixed.”
“Uh, huh.” Janet raised one eyebrow.
“Seriously. There’s nothing going on between us.”
“Then why are you blushing?”
Kendra crouched down to open one of the boxes Shelly had brought out. “I’m not.”
“You so totally are. Did he kiss you?”
Heat flamed up Kendra’s neck, and she was sure her face was now seven shades of red.
“Girl! You’re holding out on me. He kissed you and you didn’t tell me?” Janet placed her hands on her hips. “I want the details.”
“There are no details,” Kendra hissed. “We were talking. It happened. But it can’t happen again, because we can’t happen again.”
“Why not? I always thought you two were meant to be together.” Janet curled a strand of her pixie cut hair behind her ear. “I mean, you have a daughter and everything.”
Kendra jerked her head up. “She’s not…”
“Oh, hush. No one believes that stupid story.” Janet scoffed. “She looks just like him.”
“Seriously?” Kendra’s mouth dried up. “You knew this whole time?”
“Uh, yeah.” Janet shrugged. “I just figured it was your business.”
Kendra sat down on the floor next to the open box, feeling like a deflated life raft. “Well, I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t freak out. It’s okay. You’re doing the best you know how. I understand that.” Janet motioned toward the door. “But dang, girl. He’s hot. And rich. And you’re not trying to get back together with him?”
Kendra didn’t know how to answer her. How could she tell Janet of the many nights she’d cried herself to sleep? How loving Jacob had led to such heartache, she wasn’t ready to open herself back up to that.
She was stronger now. She could handle things on her own. She didn’t need Jacob back in her life, ripping open the pain of the past. She sighed. “No. It just wouldn’t work.”
Janet placed her hand on Kendra’s shoulder. “Then you must follow your heart.”
That was easier said than done. Kendra’s heart disagreed with her head in this matter.
Chapter 13
Jacob sat silent as he drove Kendra to pick up Aria. His mother’s words were flying around in his mind.
You were meant to be a star.
Was that true? Was he meant to be on stage? He had to admit, he did love it. Everything about it. He loved writing the songs. Performing in front of thousands of fans. The lights. The cheers. He thrived on it.
Kendra hopped out of his car and went to get Aria. When they came out of her mother’s home, Aria scanned the street until her gaze connected with his. She smiled, wide, and came running to the car.
“Jake! We got to make our own playdough today!” She held a baggie in her hand, a small mound of white clay in it.
“Really? That’s so cool.”
“I know. And Ellie said I could eat it, but it tasted gross. So, I don’t believe her anymore.” Aria climbed into her seat and Kendra snapped in the seat belt.
“You don’t believe Ellie anymore?” she said, her voice unusually high.
“Nope.”
Kendra climbed into the front seat. “I see.” She placed a finger on her lips. “Then, maybe Ellie was wrong when she said you can’t tell your secret Christmas wish.”
“Maybe…” Aria stretched out the word like she didn’t really believe it. “But I’m still not telling. Just to be safe.”
Jacob could feel Kendra’s frustration even from across the car. He put it into drive and tried to think of a way to help Kendra out. “Maybe I can guess your secret Christmas wish.”
Aria giggled. “No. You can’t do that.”
“You don’t think I could guess?” He turned onto the highway.
Aria shook her head, but her grin told her she wanted him to guess anyway.
“I bet you I can.” Jacob glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “I think you wished for a stuffed monkey.”
Aria’s giggles cascaded down his spine. “No. It wasn’t a monkey.”
“No? Was it a stuffed animal at all?”
She shook her head. “No.”
Kendra’s eyes widened. She mouthed the word, “Thank you.”
“Okay, then. Was it a rocket launcher?”
“No,” Aria said as she continued to shake her head. “Not that!”
“Really? You look like you’d enjoy a good rocket launcher.”
She laughed. “I don’t even know what that is.”
“You don’t? Oh, my. Well, then it’s not that, is it?”
“No!”
“Maybe it’s a puzzle.” He slapped the dashboard. “I know. A puzzle of a bunny.”
“Nope. It’s not even a puzzle at all.”
“Hmm, not a puzzle? Then maybe it’s a record player.”
Aria made a face. “What’s a record player?”
Jacob shook his head. “Never mind. Is it candy?”
“No. It’s not even anything to eat. You’re a bad guesser.”
“What?” He made an exaggerated gasp. Aria laughed. “A bad guesser?”
“Yes. You haven’t even gotten close.” She folded her arms.
“Well, let me see if I can try to get closer. Does it have batteries?”
Aria shook her head slowly. “No. And you can’t ask any more questions.”
“Why not?”
She pointed. “Because we’re home, silly.”
Jacob shrugged and shot a look at Kendra. “I tried,” he whispered.
“I know you did. Thanks. That helped a little.” She patted his knee.
He turned into their driveway and crunched on the snow until he came to a stop by their house. “Well, here’s our last stop. All passengers must get out.”
Aria clapped her hands. “Yes. Get out, Jake.”
Kendra turned to her daughter. “We’re the ones getting out, love. Jake has to leave.”
“No,” Aria cried out. “I want Jake to stay.” She blinked, and in a split second Aria went from being fine, to large, fat tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I don’t have to leave,” he said, his heart breaking. “I can come in…” He looked at Kendra. “If your mother doesn’t mind.”
She nodded. “That’s fine.”
He shut the engine off and got out of the car. Aria happily ran to him and he picked her up. “Now I can keep guessing.”
Aria laughed and put her mittens on his cheeks. “No. You’ll never guess it.”
“Are you sure? I think I’m just out of practice with my guesses. Maybe if you and I practice some more, I’ll get better at it.” He stepped up the stairs and followed Kendra inside.
Aria gave him a skeptical look. “Maybe.” She wiggled out of his grasp, and he set her down. “Can I watch Dora?” she asked as she hung her coat on the hook.
“Let’s do something else. You can have some screen time later.” Kendra opened a cabinet and pulled out a box. “Why don’t you teach Jake how to play the marble game?”
“Yes!” Aria grabbed the box from her mother and ran to the coffee table. “Come on, Jake. I’ll show you how to play.”
He chuckled at her enthusiasm as he took off his coat. He sat down on the couch and rubbed his hands together. “Okay. Show me.”
Kendra motioned to the kitchen. “I was going to make a hamburger casserole for dinner.”
Aria’s mouth popped open. “Can we have hot dogs? Please?”
“No. We had hot dogs the other night.”
“Then pancakes?” Aria clasped her hands together and Jacob had a hard time not picking her up and hugging the stuffing out of he
r.
Kendra frowned. “I need to cook this hamburger meat or it will go bad.”
“You can put it in the freezer, Mommy.”
Kendra laughed and shook her head. “You are too smart for your own good.”
Aria giggled. “Can we have pancakes?”
Kendra’s gaze landed on him. “Do you object to breakfast for dinner?”
“Me?” He shook his head. “Never. I’d eat pancakes anytime.”
“Yay!” Aria clapped her hands. “Can I have one with a chocolate chip smile?” The look on Aria’s face was pure bliss.
Kendra rolled her eyes but her lips held a smile. “All right. You know, you’re showing Jake how healthy we are around here.”
Aria laughed, even though she probably didn’t know what her mother meant. Jacob chuckled, too. “It’s okay. I won’t judge your eating habits. You should see what I eat when I’m on tour.”
Kendra stiffened at the mention of a tour. She nodded and left the room. Ouch. Got the cold shoulder. Maybe he shouldn’t have brought that up. He filed that away for later.
Aria opened the box and pulled out a tube. “Set it up like this.” She fit the tube in the base. Then she pulled out a zip loc bag of marbles. “These go in here, but not until later.”
“Okay.”
She peered into the box and pulled out a handful of colored sticks. They looked like pick up sticks, but she started fitting them into the holes on the tube. As the sticks went in, they crossed with each other, making a barrier. Jacob started to see how this game was played.
He helped Aria set it up, then dumped in the marbles. Aria bounced on her tip toes. “This is the best part. Now you take out the sticks.”
“But if I take out the sticks, the marbles will fall.”
Aria laughed and slapped the table. “No, we take the sticks out one at a time. Like this.” She tugged one of the sticks until it slid out. The marbles shifted inside the clear tube. “See? They only fall after you pull out a lot of sticks.”
He smiled at her. “I see.”
“You go, now. Pull one out. If all the marbles fall, you lose.”
They took turns pulling out sticks, and Aria grew more excited as the marbles shifted and got closer to falling out. When they finally fell, she squealed and clapped. “Let’s play again.”
Aria's Christmas Wish Page 7