A Family for Christmas

by Mona Ingram

  “Including you, it seems.”

  “No.” He looked down at the picture, and his eyes hardened. “Not this time.”

  Maddie was beginning to feel sorry for him, but wasn’t ready to let him off the hook. Not yet. “So why did you tell Lily you were going away for the weekend? Why did you have to lie to her?”

  He took a few steps away, and then came back. “If I’d told her about the wedding, do you think she’d have agreed to go to the ball with me?” He stood silently, waiting for her answer.

  Maddie had to admit that he had a point. “No.”

  He spread his hands. “Exactly.” He started pacing again, then pulled out his cell phone. “I need her number, Maddie. I need to call her and explain this whole mess.”

  She recalled her roommate’s parting comment and shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

  His voice softened. “Please, Maddie.”

  She shook her head. “I tell you what. When I speak with her later, I’ll ask her if it’s okay. That’s the best I can do.”

  He seemed to accept her decision, but then what else could he do? He shrugged. “Okay, I’ll be back.”

  She watched him walk away, but she had the distinct feeling that Chase Drummond wasn’t going to give up that easily.

  CHASE STOPPED BY THE reception desk as soon as he stepped off the elevator. “Cancel my appointments for this morning, Marilyn.”

  The receptionist didn’t miss a beat. This was the second time the boss had come storming into the office today. Something was up. Thankfully his personal secretary had filled her in on the details of his appointments before she’d left for holidays. She pulled up his schedule on her P.C. and began to dial.

  The Rockies were visible in the distance from Chase’s office window. He stood there now, fighting for composure. Brent had warned him several times that Laurel would cause him problems, and it looked as though his brother’s prophesy had come true. He could use Brent’s advice right now, but his brother had called home last night, sounding frustrated that he might be delayed a few more days. He thought for a few more minutes, then reached for the phone.

  “Hello?” That was an odd way to answer a business phone. Chase quickly checked the number, but he had dialed correctly. “Is this Lily Hsu’s studio?”

  “Yes, but it’s closed.” The woman had a faint accent.

  Chase was tempted to ask why this woman was answering the phone if the business was closed.

  “Lily’s had a family emergency. Her father has had a heart attack, and she went to Vancouver yesterday. The thing is, I need to contact her and I’ve lost her cell phone number.”

  Silence greeted his announcement. “Hello?” he said. “Are you there?”

  “Is her father all right?”

  “As far as I know, but that’s why I need to call her. I want to check on him.”

  “I can’t give out that information. I’m sorry.” The person on the other end of the line hung up and he stared at his phone in disbelief. People simply didn’t hang up on Chase Drummond. There was only one thing to do. He grabbed his coat and left his office.

  A blue compact car sat alone in the parking lot.

  Chase tried the front door, but it was locked, as he had expected. There was no bell, so he knocked. No response. He knocked again and called out, “It’s Chase Drummond. Could I come in?”

  The light came on in the front office, and a woman peered at him through the side window before deciding to open the door.

  “Yes?” She stood in the open doorway.

  He gave her his most winning smile. “I’m a friend of Lily’s. I think I spoke to you on the phone a little while ago. May I come in?”

  She moved back and he stepped into the reception area. “I’m very anxious to get in touch with her, as I mentioned on the phone. Would you please reconsider and give me her cell phone number?”

  The woman’s expression softened. “You helped my Bernie.”

  “I’m sorry?” What was she talking about?

  “Your organization. We wouldn’t have been able to enroll our son in a hockey league if it wasn’t for you.”

  No matter how badly he wanted Lily’s number, he couldn’t take full credit. “What’s your name?”

  “Greta.”

  “Well, Greta, it’s very kind of you to say that, but I’m only one person. It takes a lot of people to make the organization work.”

  Greta studied him for a moment then walked to the reception desk. She opened a drawer, pulled out an old-fashioned Rolodex and flipped through it. “Here,” she said, pushing two cards across the desk. “Lily’s cell phone number and her parents’ number.” She waited patiently while he entered them in his cell phone.

  “Thank you,” he said, passing back the cards. “I really appreciate this.”

  “Lily’s a good boss.” There was that accent again. “She’s been good to me. When we came to this country, I could barely speak English. She was the only one who would give me work.”

  He smiled at her. “I’d say she’s a good judge of character. Thanks again.”

  He left the building and walked slowly toward his car. This was a side of Lily he didn’t know. He only hoped he hadn’t ruined his chances to learn more about the woman who had captured his heart.

  LILY GRABBED HER PHONE. “Hello?” She’d fallen asleep in a chair in her father’s room.

  “Lily, please don’t hang up.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes as she recognized his voice. Dammit! Why did he affect her like this? She looked up to see her mother watching her. She sat up and tossed back her hair. “What do you want, Chase?” She hated herself for her weakness; she should hang up but his voice sounded so good.

  “I want to explain about Saturday. Lily, please believe me. I am not engaged to Laurel. I don’t know how she managed it, but she bribed a photographer to be there and then she got her father’s newspaper to run that ridiculous photo caption.”

  “Fool me once, Chase.”

  “I know.” She could almost see the expression on his face as he searched for the right words. “I’d promised to accompany her to that wedding a couple of months ago. Long before I met you.”

  “You lied to me about being out of town.”

  “Would you have agreed to go to the ball with me if I’d told you about the wedding?”

  She sighed. “No, probably not.”

  “It was wrong, Lily. I admit that, but I wanted you to go to the ball with me. I still want you to go, if you’ll forgive me.”

  Her mother jumped up and ran to her father’s side. His eyes were wide open, and he was looking around, trying to get his bearings.

  “I have to go. My father just woke up.”

  “Wait... Can I call you later?”

  “I don’t think so. It’s better this way, Chase. Goodbye.” She disconnected and went to join her mother and father.

  LILY’S MOTHER STARTED talking as soon as they climbed into the back seat of the taxi. “Did you believe him?” She looked hopeful.

  For a moment Lily thought she was talking about Chase. “Who, the doctor? Yes, I did.”

  It had been two days since her father’s heart attack, and the doctor was remarkably upbeat. True to form, Lily’s father had fought against staying in the hospital, but had been overruled by his wife and the doctor. Lily had looked on, an amused smile on her face as her mother had transformed into the tough negotiator she knew her to be. “Two more days,” she’d insisted, echoing the doctor. “Then you can come home.”

  Her father had looked to her for help, but she’d shrugged, deferring to her mother. In her opinion, he was ready to go home now, but better safe than sorry.

  “But our trip.” He’d tried one last time to get up.

  “Taiwan will still be there next year.” Her mother’s tone brooked no argument, and her father finally lay back, having exhausted all of his arguments.

  Her mother spoke again. “The doctor says it was a very small incident.”

&n
bsp; Lily nodded. They’d been over this several times already, but she knew her mother would keep repeating it until she actually believed it. She was content to be a sounding board.

  The taxi pulled into the driveway, and both women got out. Lily paid the driver and stood, looking at the family home. Located part way up Burnaby Mountain, it was the only home she’d ever known.

  Lily walked up the broad front steps and on to the verandah that ran across the front of the house. Beside the door, propped in a cardboard box, was a bouquet of white calla lilies. Packed tightly, and without any greenery to distract the eye, they were held together by a wide white ribbon.

  Lily gasped when she saw them, and her hand flew to her mouth to hide her reaction, but she doubted that she had fooled her mother. She lifted the flowers from the container and brought them to her nose. She knew they had no scent, but maybe she could hide behind them.

  Her mother gave her a knowing look. “Where’s the card?” She looked into the box and then around the porch. “How do you know they’re for you?”

  Lily almost dropped the bouquet. “Oh. I...ah...”

  “Never mind.” Her mother’s eyes were alight with mischief. “I know they’re for you.” She dug into her purse for the house key and opened the door. “I suppose they’re from him?”

  Lily nodded.

  “I see.” Her mother hung up both of their coats. “At least he has good taste.”

  Lily rubbed one of the flowers between her thumb and forefinger. The texture was thick and waxy. “Most of the time,” she murmured.

  Her mother raised both eyebrows. “Let’s get some tea.”

  Lily followed into the kitchen, found a simple black vase and filled it with water. The flowers looked right at home on the kitchen table.

  “We had a misunderstanding last weekend.”

  Her mother sat down and waited.

  “He said he was through with this woman, but over the weekend they were photographed at a wedding, and the picture appeared in the newspaper. The photo caption hinted that they might be getting engaged.”

  “But he’s not.”

  Lily’s head snapped around. “How do you know that?”

  Her mother gestured toward the flowers.

  Lily nodded. “He says he’s not with her and never has been.” She watched her mother for a reaction, but got none. “Her father owns the newspaper, and Chase says she hired the photographer and then strong-armed the society columnist to print an erroneous photo caption.”

  Her mother nodded as though she’d heard the story before. “What else?”

  “He told me he was leaving town for the weekend. His excuse for lying was that I wouldn’t have agreed to go with him to the Oilmen’s ball if I’d known about the wedding.”

  “Was he right?”

  Lily was beginning to feel like she was the one who’d done something wrong. “Yes.”

  “So now you’ve decided to punish him by refusing to talk to him.” She held up a hand. “I know it was him on the phone earlier today, so don’t deny it.”

  As if she could fool her mother.

  “Why, Lily? Why won’t you forgive him?”

  “Because.” She looked down at the table as she spoke. “I’m afraid.”

  Her mother watched her for several long moments then stood and went to the stove. The kettle was boiling, and she took her time, pre-heating the teapot and then spooning in some of the fragrant green tea leaves she imported from China. When she finally sat, Lily raised her eyes.

  “I love your father, Lily. I love him very much.”

  It was difficult not to show emotion, but Lily managed. Where was this going? She nodded. “I know, Mom.”

  “Good.” She poured tea into the cups and passed one to her daughter. “Because I’m going to tell you something.” Her gaze drifted around the kitchen then came to rest on her teacup.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “WHEN I WAS ABOUT EIGHTEEN, back in Thailand, I fell in love.”

  Lily’s heart began to thud.

  “He was a Frenchman.” Her eyes grew wistful. “He was very handsome. He worked as a desk clerk at the biggest hotel in town, and we saw each other every day for three or four months.” She took a sip of tea, and Lily could see that her hands were trembling.

  “We wanted to get married, but when I told my parents, they balked. They wanted me to marry someone local, or failing that, someone who would understand our ways.” She gave a wry smile. “Someone Asian.” She gave a deep sigh, and in that sound, Lily heard the regrets of a lifetime. “There was nothing dramatic. They didn’t threaten to disown me, or lock me up. They knew that I would be a good, dutiful daughter and follow their wishes.” She looked at Lily, her eyes brimming with tears. “I was introduced to your father, and I married him.” She gave a thin smile. “In time, I’ve come to love him. He’s a good man.”

  Lily stared across the table at this woman she didn’t know. “Why are you telling me this? Why now?”

  “Because you’ve never been in love before.” She reached out and touched one of the flowers. “I can see it on your face, Lily. You love this man. Don’t let pride stand in your way. If you don’t at least give him a chance, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”

  Lily stood up, walked to the window and stared out. The block of ice that had surrounded her heart began to thaw. It had taken a lot for her mother to speak so candidly. They were not a demonstrative family, and confidences did not come freely. She turned back toward her mother and placed her hands on her shoulders. “Thank you, Mom.” It was a simple acknowledgement of the effort it had taken for her mother to open up. She leaned over and wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck, giving her a quick, fierce hug. “I love you.”

  Her mother patted her arm. “I know, Lily. I know.”

  “GOOD NEWS.” MADDIE came back to the shop shortly before noon after a round of deliveries. They’d scarcely had time to talk this morning. “Lily’s father is going to make a full recovery.”

  “That’s great.” Zelda tweaked a bow on a gift and stood back to admire it.

  “Yeah. I spoke to her last night. He’s already agitating to go home. She’ll probably come home tomorrow.”

  Zelda nodded. “Before I forget to tell you, Annie came by earlier. She said to tell you she’s gone to the rink.” She looked at her watch. “She’s probably still there if you want to take your coffee over.”

  Maddie could use a break. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  “Go. Brendan’s on his way. He’s bringing me a sandwich.”

  It was snowing lightly when Maddie got to the rink, but that didn’t seem to bother the children. Even a few adults were out skating today...probably taking time off with their children over the holidays. Pale sunshine cast a faint glow on the ice.

  She tried not to think of Brent as she sat down on the cold cement step, but it was difficult. She pushed those memories to the back of her mind and concentrated on finding Annie in the crowd of children.

  “Maddie!” Annie waved as she skated by. She was with the same girls as last time, and Maddie was delighted to see that the child seemed to be part of the group. She waved back.

  A shadow fell over her; someone stood behind her, blocking out the sun. Please, let it be Brent. She turned and her heart plummeted.

  “Hello, Maddie.” Allan stood there, shivering in a light coat and a regular pair of shoes.

  She stood up. “Allan, what are you doing here?” She fought to remain calm. “How did you find me?”

  He pulled back, seemingly surprised at her lack of warmth. “Your assistant told me where to look. Aren’t you glad to see me?”

  She looked behind him. “Where’s Connor? Is he with you?” She hoped that he hadn’t brought the boy. The child had become attached to her, and she didn’t want to confuse him now.

  “No. Just me.” He spread his arms.

  “What are you doing here?” she repeated. How could she make him understand? She took a s
tep closer. “I thought I made it clear when you phoned last time.”

  “Come on, Maddie. You can’t mean that.” He reached for her and pulled her into an embrace. She stilled, letting him hold her in his arms. Perhaps when he realized she wasn’t responding, he’d finally get the message.

  “I’ve missed you, Maddie.”

  She pulled back and looked at him. In that moment, she saw him for what he was. Self-centered and vain. She was lucky that she’d escaped from their relationship before it was too late.

  “Allan.” She spoke clearly and distinctly. “Listen to me, because I don’t want to have to say this again. It’s over between us. I have no feelings left for you. None.” She looked into his eyes. “Do you understand?”

  He backed away, bewildered. “But Maddie...”

  “No, Allan. This is verging on harassment.”

  He took another step back. “You really mean it, don’t you?”

  She groaned aloud. “Yes.”

  His expression hardened. “You’re a real bitch, you know that?”

  “Thank you for the compliment. Now go away and leave me alone.” She didn’t watch him leave, but sat back down on the cement, her body trembling with rage.

  Annie skated up, blade guards in hand. The child slipped the guards on her skates, walked up the shallow steps and sat down.

  Maddie finally noticed her and put an arm around the child’s shoulders. “Hi there, sweetie.” Tears brimmed in her eyes, and she brushed them away.

  Annie looked up at her. “Who was that man? Did he hurt you?”

  Maddie pulled her closer. “A long time ago, Annie. He was my boyfriend a long time ago.” She sighed. “He lives in Vancouver, and I don’t know why he came here. I already told him I don’t want to see him anymore.”

  “What’s the matter with him?”

  Maddie laughed. “Good question. Anyway, I don’t think he’ll be bothering me anymore.”

  BRENT PULLED OVER TO the side of the road as he neared Calgary. It had been dark when he got started early this morning, but he was determined to get back and sort things out with Cynthia. He pulled out his cell phone, scrolled through his contacts and pushed a number.