1225 Christmas Tree Lane - Debbie Macomber [67]
“It’s treasure, Miranda,” Will whispered. “Just like you are to me.”
She blinked a couple of times, hardly able to fathom that Will Jefferson would do this for her. Or that he’d say such a thing.
“I…” Speaking seemed impossible, and whatever she said, whatever words of appreciation she managed to form, would never be enough. “I don’t know how to…thank you.”
“You’re kidding. You, speechless? I don’t believe it.”
“Don’t joke, Will. I mean it. I don’t think anyone’s ever done anything like this for me.”
Will kissed her then. Really kissed her. He was gentle and loving, and when he raised his head, his eyes were filled with promise.
Chapter 21
“Mom, what time will Dad get here?” Sophie asked, as she and Bailey hurried into the kitchen. “Is Danielle coming, too?”
Beth had expected them long before now. She was clearing away the last of their brunch dishes, irritated that she hadn’t heard from Kent. She was determined not to contact him, although she considered it bad manners to keep his family waiting on Christmas Day. “I don’t think your father actually gave us a time,” she said with more generosity than she felt. He’d certainly implied it would be that morning.
“Oh,” Sophie murmured.
“It’s already afternoon,” Bailey said. “We’ve never opened our gifts this late.”
That seemed like a minor complaint to Beth. The thought of spending Christmas Day with Kent’s…friend was enough to make her feel like going back to bed. Playing hostess to Danielle was above and beyond the call of duty.
It hadn’t bothered her nearly as much until she’d realized how deeply she still loved Kent. For the past three years, she’d been able to live with a degree of contentment, refusing to acknowledge how lonely she was.
“Mom, call Dad and ask when he’s going to be here,” Bailey said.
“Why don’t you phone him?” Beth suggested. She purposely banished the picture of Kent and Danielle cuddled together while their daughters impatiently awaited his arrival.
“Okay.”
Cell phone in hand, Bailey sat down, propping her elbows on the kitchen table.
Beth tuned out her daughter’s conversation as she silently prayed for the strength to get through the day. Depression weighed heavily on her. If she managed to survive this Christmas, she’d tell Kent she’d made a mistake. She loved him and wanted him back in her life. Only she couldn’t tell him that in Danielle’s presence.
No, she might as well forget any hope of a reconciliation, she told herself. Danielle was young and beautiful and competitive. She wouldn’t give Kent up easily. Beth had made the mistake, and now she had to live with the consequences. “Mom? Mom?”
“Yes,” Beth said, turning her thoughts away from her ex-husband.
“Did you hear what I said?”
“Sorry, no.”
“Are you feeling all right?” Sophie asked, joining her sister at the table.
“I…don’t know.” What Beth really wanted was to escape to her room with a fake flu bug and leave the girls to celebrate Christmas with Kent and Danielle. But she couldn’t do that to her daughters. She’d muddle through and somehow find the strength to pretend all was well.
“Dad’s on his way,” Bailey told her.
“Good.” She forced a smile. Turning from the sink, she grabbed a dish towel and wiped her hands dry. Needing fortification, she went to freshen her makeup.
Upstairs in her bathroom, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Sad. Sad. Sad. She straightened her shoulders, saying, “You can do this. You can do this.”
When she walked down the stairs she found Kent standing by the front door. She stopped abruptly before she reached the bottom. He looked up at her; their eyes met, and her heart immediately reacted. She gave him a tentative smile.
Kent smiled back.
He spoke first. “Merry Christmas,” he said.
“Thank you.” Her voice sounded wispy. “Merry Christmas.”
“Dad,” Bailey