The Christmas Baby

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He probed the older woman’s expression for signs of derision but found none. Only a compassion he’d not expected in the usually acerbic grande dame of Kiptohanock.

“Forgive me for asking this of you, Anna.” Margaret’s voice hitched. “I was never blessed with children myself.” She fussed with the buttons on her coat. “The wonders of modern science. Not like when I was your age...”

He gaped at Margaret.

Somehow the grapevine of Kiptohanock knew the whole story about Anna’s baby. It had to be Evy. The young librarian and the town matriarch had become inexplicably close friends since Evy first came to town.

Margaret’s eyes became misty. “I always believed it would be so wonderful to carry a child at Christmas.”

Anna’s eyes were huge, like a fish caught in a spotlight.

Margaret fidgeted. “Would you consider playing the mother of Jesus in the Living Nativity...?” Her voice trailed away.

He’d never seen Margaret so...un-Margaretlike.

Eyes lowered to the ground, Margaret backpedaled. “Never mind, dear. I shouldn’t have—” Her voice choked. “It’s not as though this is your home anymore or—”

“Of course I’ll do it.”

Margaret halted, midstep.

“Kiptohanock will be my home from now on.” Anna rested her hand atop her belly. “I’d love to play Mary in the nativity, Margaret.”

He frowned. “Anna...”

She raised her gaze. “Just tell me when and where.”

Margaret blinked twice before recovering her usual aplomb. “There will be costume fittings. And the one night performance during Christmas week in the gazebo on the square.” She tapped her finger on her chin. “I still need to find a Joseph, of course.”

As if one entity, Anna and Margaret cut their eyes at him. He shuffled his feet. But surrounded and outnumbered, nothing less than unconditional surrender would suffice.

Besides, how could he resist the opportunity to play Anna’s husband, even if it was just pretend?

“Okay. My arm’s twisted. I’m in.”

Margaret clasped her hands together. “I can’t wait to tell the other ladies.” She moved away. “I’ll send you both the details. This is going to be the best Kiptohanock Christmas ever.”

He groaned. “Where have I heard that before?”

Anna poked him in his biceps. “Your famous last words, I believe. And your arm doesn’t look too twisted to me.” She laughed. “Where’s your Christmas spirit, Ryan Savage? It’ll be fun.”

He grunted. “This is Margaret we’re talking about.”

She stared after the older woman’s retreating figure. “She’s changed. The town has, too.” She heaved a sigh. “Or maybe it’s me that changed.”

He crinkled his eyes. “The more things change, the more they remain the same. I hate to end the fun, but we better get going if we’re going to buy Oscar a Happy Meal.”

Anna’s face shadowed. “I don’t want to take him back to the motel.”

He sighed. “Me, either, but she’s his mother.”

“Something needs to be done about his situation.”

Ryan’s life had suddenly gotten so much more complicated. He was supposed to be wrapping up his teaching career, not getting more involved.

“Does his mother work there every night? Is that why he can’t get a good night’s rest?”

He scrubbed his jaw. “I should make a home visit when she’s not at work. See what the school could do to connect them to one of the county programs.”

“You always know the right thing to do.”

He made a face. “That’s me. Mr. Dependability. Mr. Reliable. Mr. Boring.” He called to Oscar. Maria’s father and mother hugged Oscar goodbye and waved them off.

Strolling toward the parking lot, Anna took hold of Oscar’s hand. “You’re not boring, Ryan. You’re nice.”

“Nice...” Ryan clutched his heart. “Kill me now and be done with it, Anna Banana.”

Oscar ran over to the car.

“Nice is nothing to be ashamed of.” She tucked her hands into her coat pockets. “And that’s not how I see you. You’re also—” Her cheeks reddened.

Good-looking? That’s what she’d said earlier. And feeling as carefree as he’d felt in years, he opened the door for Oscar.

Oscar jumped inside. “It’s beginning to look like Christmas, Mister Sabbage.”

An unfamiliar excitement began to build inside Ryan. Yes, it certainly was.

Chapter Five (#u60d18151-6d40-54d5-aed1-487c7fafd7e6)

The next morning Anna arrived at the trailer from a long overdue grocery trip to find Ryan fixing the steps of her porch. Laying aside the nail gun, he rose as she parked next to his car.

When she reached for a grocery bag, he hurried over. “Let me help, Anna.”

“I’m pregnant, Ryan, not an invalid.”

Grabbing two bags, he ignored her. Resigning herself to his helpfulness, she escorted him to the door.

He waited while she fumbled inside her purse for the key. “You were out early for a Saturday morning.”

Inserting the key, she gave it a turn, but the doorknob twisted in her hand.

He handed her the lightest of the sacks. “Let me try.”

Jiggling the key, he lifted up on the knob and shoved the door with his shoulder. “Voilà!” He motioned as the door swept open.

She stepped over the threshold. “You are amazing.”

He carried the bags to the kitchen. “That’s what the kids tell me.”

She gave him a sideways glance. “Their moms, too.”

He pushed at his glasses with his forefinger. “What?”

“Never mind.” She unpacked the bread. “I didn’t expect to see you this morning.”

He unloaded another bag, handing her the items. “I told you I’d fix the steps.”

She put away the cereal. “Thank you.”

He placed the milk jug inside the harvest gold refrigerator. “The lock is next on my list.”

“Ryan, I appreciate your concern, but—”

“Where do you want the coffee?”

She gave him her best teacher glare. He grinned, unfazed.

Hand propped, she jutted her hip. “No matter what I say, you’re going to do the repairs anyway, aren’t you?”

Ryan shrugged. “I’m enjoying myself.”

“Enjoying yourself?” She shivered. “It’s freezing out there.”

“I like to keep busy.”

“Surely you can think of something more fun to do with your free time.” She brushed the pad of her thumb across his cheek.

His expression changed. Why had she touched him? Disconcerted, she dropped her hand.

“I enjoy doing things for you, Anna. Let somebody take care of you for once.”

She busied herself with a sudden interest in the nutritional data on a box of rice. “Christmas was always one of your busiest seasons at the garden center. Aren’t you needed there?”

“Despite the pride you take in being independent, helping around this place is a win-win for me.” His eyes sharpened. “I get to spend more time with you.”

Her mouth went dry. “Until you leave for your new job.”

Ryan’s gaze dropped to the floor. “Yes. Until then.”

She took a steadying breath. “Aren’t you helping with the open house?”

“My shift starts late afternoon.” He refolded the empty brown paper bags. “Luke’s got the Christmas tree stand under control. Trust me, Justine doesn’t want me near the wreath-making. Ethan and Tess have a system for the sleigh rides and petting farm.”

Anna leaned against the countertop. “I always thought it was so cool you lived on a farm.”

He rolled his eyes. “Dad liked to start the weekend mornings early. Get as much free labor out of us kids as he could.”

She crossed her arms over her belly. “Your dad was a wonderful man. You remind me of him.”

A gentle smile teased Ryan’s lips. “He was a great dad. Mom misses him a lot. We all do.”

“Which is why each of you gave up your own lives to help preserve his legacy. And now you’re helping Oscar, too.”

“I’m not the hero you make me out to be.” Ryan cocked his head. “Luke always loved the farm the most. But for me, Ethan, Justine and Tess, being here won’t be forever.”

Forever. Once, Anna believed she’d found her forever with Mateo. She laid her hand on top of her ever-expanding abdomen. But forever was turning out far different than she’d imagined. What did forever look like to Ryan?

She returned to putting away the last of the canned goods. Forever to Ryan probably looked like microscopes and test tubes.

“Oh, before I forget to tell you... I talked to your brother.”

She raised her eyebrow. “Which one?”

“Charlie had a chat with your absentee landlord. I’m keeping receipts on the repairs, and the cost will be deducted from your rent this month.”