A Forever Christmas

Harry pulled up to the curb in a couple of minutes. She walked the boys to the car. “Hi, Mr. Jones.”

“I’m sorry to delay you.”

“Oh, it’s no problem at all.” The waiting wasn’t a problem, at least. But Hunter’s disappointment was.

Hunter climbed in the back of the car and buckled himself in his booster seat. “Where’s Dad?”

“I just talked to him. He got a call about taking down a dead tree.”

“But he said he would get us today.”

Sarah helped Chase in the other side and tried to guard her heart against the dejection on Hunter’s face.

“I know, son,” Harry said. “Your dad is a busy man, trying to make a living to take good care of you boys.” He twisted around to look back at Hunter. “And hey, guess what? We get to hang out together today. And you’re going to spend the night with me, so you don’t have to wake up and go to your house tonight.” Harry made a big production of looking excited.

Hunter didn’t buy it. Tears welled up in his eyes. “But I want to sleep in my bed,” he yelled, then turned his head into his seat and cried.

His pain was palpable, and she wanted more than anything to just smile and walk away. But she couldn’t do that any more than she could have walked away and skipped Peter’s funeral like her mind had screamed for her to do.

She reached across Chase to rub Hunter’s back.

“It’s okay. I’ll take care of him,” Harry said. “He’s having a hard time since Lindsay moved to Boston. She was like a mother to the kids, and we’re muddling our way through.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Jones. I wish I could help.”

As they drove away, heaviness settled over her. A feeling of helplessness like she’d felt as Peter declined so rapidly.

But what could she do to help Hunter and Chase? Volunteer to be their mom?

Gregory needed to know what was going on. Surely he didn’t have any idea what his absence was doing or he would make more of an effort to be at home.

Of course, in her experience, he wasn’t very dependable. He’d flitted from her to Delia in the blink of an eye. But she liked to think he would have grown up by now.

As soon as Harry’s car turned the corner, she dug her cell phone out of her purse and called Donna Rae. “How are you feeling?”

“Bored.”

“Well, try to rest and enjoy the break.”

“Yeah, right.”

Though she didn’t want to worry Donna Rae, she knew she had to bring up the incident with Hunter. “Hey, I had a little problem with Hunter today. He refused his speaking part. Then when he found out Harry was taking him home to spend the night, he threw a fit and cried.”

“Poor little guy.”

“Do you think it’s the fact that Lindsay is gone, or is it the time Gregory’s away because of work?”

“Both, I imagine. He needs Gregory now more than ever.”

Yes, Gregory needed to know what his overtime was doing to his son. Maybe it would help if she told him about Peter. About how he’d spent most of every day at school or with a nanny. How his parents had provided all the best, but he’d had no interest in the “stuff,” had wanted only time with his mom and dad. And how his parents learned the hard way—after it was too late.

“Donna Rae, could you give me Gregory’s phone number? I think I’m going to have to talk to him.”

“Sure, hon. That’s probably a good idea.”

She jotted the numbers on a slip of paper, then after hanging up, programmed them in her cell phone.

Money, or the lack thereof, had always been important to Gregory. But it seemed he was doing fine now. Why work all that overtime for gifts that would mean nothing to the boys after the first five minutes when what was truly important could be taken away at any time?

She climbed into her car, pressed a hand against her thumping heart and forced herself to dial his cell phone.

“Gregory Jones.”

Oh, my. His deep, baritone voice had always done crazy things to her stomach. “Hello, Gregory. This is Sarah.”

“Hey, I’m sorry I was late. Did Dad get there yet?”

“Yes. But we had a little problem today, and I thought you’d like to know about it. That is, if you have a minute.”

“Can’t right now.” He huffed as if he was lifting something. “But I’ve got to run to town in an hour.”

She could visit Donna Rae and gather her thoughts. “Okay. How about meeting in the church parking lot in an hour.”

“Fine.” He cut off the connection.

Gregory found her lone car in the back parking lot. He hopped out and went around to her passenger side, opened the door and climbed into the pure luxury.

The car wasn’t brand spanking new, though. He’d heard that her dad bought it for her when she graduated from college. Or maybe it was when she got her master’s degree. He’d tried not to listen to town gossip through the years.

Especially when it had to do with Sarah. It was too painful.

“So Hunter gave you a hard time?” he asked.

“No, he didn’t act out. He just didn’t want to have a speaking part.” Then she described his refusal and the fit he threw for his granddad.

He ran a hand through his hair. “He’s been like a different child since Lindsay moved. Quiet, sad…”

“Donna Rae told me it’s been hard on them. Is he usually as sunny a personality as Chase?”

“Well, no. He wasn’t so affectionate. But he was very active and talkative.”

And now he walked around like a pitiful, quiet little thing. And Gregory had no idea what to do about it.

Could Sarah, with her experience, maybe help?

Was he desperate enough to ask?

Even though the car was off and she wasn’t driving, she gripped the steering wheel tightly and faced out the front window. “I hate to seem like I’m prying, but I’m wondering if there’s more to it.”

“Like what?” he snapped.

“I’m not trying to be accusatory. I’m just concerned.”

“Well, they’ve had a rough few years.”

She faced him, but still didn’t quite meet his eyes. “Has Delia had any contact with the kids?”

What a question for her to ask. How could he tell Sarah, of all people, that he’d failed as a husband? That no matter what he’d done—including marital counseling—he hadn’t been able to keep his wife happy, because she knew he only asked her out because Sarah hurt him. That no matter how hard he tried, he’d never love Delia like he’d loved Sarah.

It might help Hunter. She might have advice.

“No contact at all for the last couple of years. And she’s been gone since right after Chase was born. So he doesn’t even remember her.” He sighed as he shook his head. “But Hunter does. And now with Lindsay—married and living far away, he’s had a terrible time.”

“Your dad told me Lindsay was like a mother to them. I imagine it’ll take a while to adjust.”

“I knew it wasn’t good to depend on my sister so much, but she was single and had the time. And she loved them like they were her own. When she left, they both cried every night, so we’d have to call her and have her tell them goodnight. But then it got better. Briefly.”

She looked right at him with her gorgeous brown eyes. “Have you been working more overtime lately? Maybe it would help if you spent more time with them.”

He saw it, then. The pity.

He hated pity. “My work schedule has nothing to do with it.”

“Well, I think maybe it could. Please just think about it.”

Of course, she’d only seen the worst—hungry kids at a meeting and him standing up his family at Minnie’s. He slung open the car door. “Why do you suddenly seem interested in my life, anyway? You haven’t been around in years.”

“I, uh…well, I’ve had students with parents who work all the time. I’ve seen them regret it later.”

If there was one thing he’d learned from his past, it was to not let Sarah’s opinion sway his decisions. But it galled him to have her think badly of him. “My boys aren’t your students. So leave them well enough alone.” He got out and closed the door nicely when he wanted to slam it off the hinges.

He steamed all the way to his truck and indulged in slamming his door. But once inside, he realized he was steaming mad because she’d pretty much hit the nail on the head.

He had been working a lot of evenings lately. But there wasn’t a thing he could do about it. He had employees to take care of. Customers to take care of. A business to run—and to grow. Not to mention a household to run.

He was doing the best he could for his boys, and he didn’t need his ex-girlfriend telling him how to raise them.

Sarah’s hands shook as she drove home. Was she meddling as he’d insinuated? He was right that she hadn’t been around or involved in their lives.

So why did she care what he did?

Hunter’s dejected expression plastered itself in her mind, and she couldn’t shake it loose.

Miss Radcliffe, why do Albert’s and Tyrone’s and a bunch of other moms and dads come to our class parties but mine don’t? Peter’s little voice echoed in her head.

She’d tried to explain how they were working to give him the best of everything. But he never could get past the fact that his mom and dad were absent parents.

Miss Radcliffe, I sure do need a hug today, he’d said at least once a week. At first, the comment cracked her up, because it was not the request of the typical kindergartner. But the more she hugged him, the more she’d grown to need the hugs.

And now she felt like she was watching a replay, watching Gregory and his sons travel down that same road. Even though Harry was in the picture and was family, it apparently wasn’t enough for Hunter. He wanted more time with his dad.

Was there anything she could do? To somehow bring Gregory and his boys together before Christmas? If she did, Gregory was certain not to like it.

Yes, she had to do something. Her conscience wouldn’t let her do otherwise.

She looked at the calendar in her cell phone and counted dated blocks. Twelve days until Christmas Eve and their pageant.

Twelve days…. An idea began to blossom.

She took a deep breath as she envisioned those empty blocks on her calendar and began to brainstorm ideas to fill them with activities for Gregory and his sons. But could she pull it off? It would take a lot of strength to spend that kind of time around Gregory.

Strength she might not have right now.

Thank you for bringing my mom and dad here. They even spent the night. We pretended we were staying in a tent. Peter had smiled at her from his hospital bed, happy even while needles and tubes stuck into his body, so sure she’d had something to do with his parents’ change of heart. But, no, a terminal diagnosis had seen to that.

Hunter’s sad, angry face flashed through her mind.

Yes, she had to do it. For Hunter.

For Peter.

Though she’d been powerless in Peter’s situation, at least she had time to try to make a difference in Hunter’s and Chase’s lives. To make sure Gregory spent time with his sons. Every single day. For the twelve days till Christmas.

Chapter Four

T he next morning, Sarah woke and got ready for church. Though she wasn’t on great terms with God, she knew her parents would expect her to go. As she suspected, they didn’t seem at all surprised.

But when they got to the front door of the church, she hesitated. It was different from going in for a rehearsal. No longer a theater, the prospect of entering the sanctuary felt intimidating, suffocating. “I’ll be in in just a minute,” she whispered to her mom, then hurried down the steps to the front sidewalk. Okay, I’m just going to walk around for a moment to catch my breath.

She steeled herself. She could do this. Simply walk in. Sit down in their regular pew. Appreciate the nice music.

She yanked her coat tightly around her and marched right back up the steps. She plowed through the door and walked down the aisle as if she owned the place.

Once seated, she searched to see if any of the Jones men were there yet. Only Harry and Gregory’s younger brother, Richard.

A minute later, it sounded as if a herd of horses had entered the back of the church. Little footsteps stomped down the aisle.

“Hi, Miss Sawah,” Chase called out too loudly. He grinned at her, his bright blue eyes shining so much like his dad’s.

She wiggled her fingers at him.

Then a big hand lighted on his shoulder.

She scanned upward. Gregory, of course. Looking so handsome in khaki slacks and a long-sleeved button-down shirt. No coat. No tie. It wouldn’t be Gregory if he dressed up any more than he had. Of course, he looked amazing no matter what he wore.

Hunter stood behind his dad, but she caught him take a quick peek at her. She waved, and he gave a half-hearted wave back. No smile. No sparkling eyes like his brother.

If she was going to help Gregory and the boys, she was going to need access to Hunter and Chase. And she was afraid she would have to enlist Harry’s help to do so.

Since the man blamed her for hurting his son, he was sure not to trust her.

She had to find a way to persuade him to help.

After lunch at his dad’s, Gregory spent the afternoon in his home office working on billing. Or trying to work on billing. His thoughts kept wandering to Sarah, and how beautiful she looked that morning in her soft, blue sweater. And those pearls—the real thing. Necklace and earrings. He assumed they were the same ones she’d gotten for her sweet sixteenth from her parents.

The boys darted in and out, playing, fighting, trying to get his attention. He needed at least another hour of relative peace to finish up.

He made a note on the calendar to follow up on a delinquent account. As he did so, he saw December 25 circled. Alarmed at how soon it was coming up, he did the math and saw he had only twelve days before the big day.

“Man, I need to make a list and get on it.”

First on the list: buy the trampoline. The boys needed a good outlet for all their energy. Once that was done, he would spend a day putting up the outside lights and decorations.

It was going to be tough. There were only so many hours in a day. He’d have to plan carefully. And he needed to start ASAP.

Using the notes he’d jotted, he marked everything on the calendar showing what he needed to do each day to finish all the preparations in time.

He wanted so badly to do all Lindsay had always done to make the holidays so special. He realized now that he’d taken her for granted. Or maybe it was more a case of just not knowing how much work it was to pull off a big Christmas. But his boys deserved it.

Beyond the gifts Lindsay was sending, he wouldn’t have any help from her. She and Bill were flying to Europe to be with Bill’s brother, Drake, this year. He couldn’t blame them for going. Bill didn’t get to see Drake often since he traveled the world for his photography. He hadn’t even made it home for the wedding.

But the timing couldn’t have been worse.

So not only did he have to pull off Christmas, he had to fill Lindsay’s void as well.

His heart raced, and his chest tightened, a feeling that was getting a little too common lately. Stress-related, he was sure. Nothing to worry about. He just needed to get a grip.

Maybe his dad was right. He needed to date a nice woman. Go out. Have some fun.

But if all he could think about was Sarah, he was better off at home. Focusing on his kids. He could do this. He could be father and mother—and Santa—to his kids.

Yes, the big Santa gifts would definitely take their minds off any disappointment over Lindsay.

Christmas and all the trimmings, coming right up.

He’d give anything to see a smile on Hunter’s face again.

Later Sunday afternoon, Sarah decided to go to Harry’s house to speak with him.

As she pulled in the driveway, she heard a screen door slam. Harry had walked out to the front porch.

She couldn’t blame him for his surprise at seeing her at his house for no apparent reason. But he quickly masked the surprise and waved her over.

She parked, climbed out, then walked up the sidewalk. “Hi, Mr. Jones. Could I speak with you for just a minute?”

“I guess. Come in.”

She couldn’t remember ever being inside Gregory’s childhood home. Their dates had all been on the sly since her parents had been so adamant that he was too old and too wild for her. She’d rebelled for a short while, but when he started talking marriage and about her going to college locally, despite her dreams of an out of state private woman’s college, she told him she couldn’t see him anymore.

Harry eyed her cautiously. “So what did you want to discuss?”

“I came to ask a favor.” She was surprisingly nervous, but she rushed on. “This is about Gregory. I’m worried about him and the boys. I’ve seen a few issues with Hunter, and I’m afraid his sons need more of his time if they’re going to get over Lindsay’s leaving.”

A frown was his only response.

She swallowed and decided to plunge in. “I’d like to help him see that time with his children is more important than making extra money for gifts. And I need your help.”

“And you’d like to do this because…?”

“I, uh…I’ve seen parents of one of my students make a similar mistake.”

“You do realize his working overtime has as much to do with him looking out for his employees as it does with him buying nice gifts?”

“Well, no. I didn’t know that. But either way, the outcome is the same. Hunter misses his dad. He’s sad. Withdrawn.”

Harry rubbed his chin. “Have you talked to Gregory about this?”

She recalled the awkward conversation and the not-so-satisfying result. “Yes. But he ended up angry with me.”

He studied her. “I’m still trying to figure out your motive, here.”

“I guess it’s the teacher in me. I see a problem with a child, and I try to fix it.”

“You know, as long as Gregory thinks you’re trying to fix him, he’s not going to cooperate.”

She had a feeling he wouldn’t cooperate simply because she was Sarah Radcliffe. “I just want to present opportunities for him to spend time with his boys. That’s all he needs. The rest will happen on its own.”

Harry nodded. “Makes sense.” He continued to nod as if assimilating all she’d said. “Okay. I’ll help. As long as you don’t hurt my son.”

“No. Of course not.” She wouldn’t let herself get involved enough for either of them to get hurt.

“Well, what did you have in mind?”

“I was hoping I could pick the boys up at school and day care tomorrow to take them to buy a Christmas tree.”

“How will that involve Gregory?”

“We’ll need him to bring the truck to haul it home. And then he’ll have to help put it up. And decorate it.” Just telling of her plan made a grin twitch at her lips.

One side of Harry’s mouth lifted into a crooked smile. “Leave the details to me.”

The next afternoon, Sarah arrived at the Jolly Time Day Care Center after picking up Hunter from kindergarten. Hunter remained silent as they drove to pick up Chase, but he hadn’t complained.

“Come on, let’s go get your brother.” She held out her hand to him, trying to act as if she wasn’t anxious. After all, she hardly knew these children. And they didn’t really know her.

“What are we going to do?” Hunter asked, ignoring her outstretched hand.

“That’s a surprise. I’ll tell you once we get Chase.”

“Hi, Miss Sawah,” Chase called as soon as they walked in.

“Hi, Chase. I’m here to pick you up today.”

She was relieved to see the day care center was bright, cheery and clean. The children seemed happy and well cared for.

“I’ll get my book bag.” He ran to his cubby while she provided her driver’s license to the worker and signed Chase out.

“So why didn’t Granddad pick us up today?” Hunter asked.

“Well, I asked him if I could take you shopping for a Christmas tree.” She clapped her hands together, hoping they’d get excited.

Chase didn’t disappoint. He hopped up and down, clapping his hands as well. But then he noticed his brother’s lack of reaction.

Hunter stood stock-still. “I thought Dad would take us.”

She hadn’t expected Hunter’s reaction. Had assumed he’d be thrilled. “Well, would you mind if I take you? I thought we’d pick it out, then call your dad to help us take it home and decorate it.”

He shrugged. “He won’t come.”

“Why don’t you let me worry about that part, okay?”

He shrugged again. “Okay.”

She buckled them in the car seats provided by Harry and drove to the tree farm outside of town. She’d always bought trees shipped in from North Carolina, but this was a cut-your-own tree place, her excuse to get Gregory involved. She’d call him to ask him to come help. How could he resist?

“There’s one!” Chase yelled as soon as they walked up.

“That’s tiny,” Hunter said.

“Let’s keep looking and see if we can find one you’ll both like.”

They tromped through row after row of Leyland cypresses and Virginia pines. The boys couldn’t agree on a tree at all. Hunter liked the tall fat ones. Chase liked the short, scrawny ones. As the light started to fade, she looked at her watch. Time to call Gregory.

“Gregory Jones,” he answered, sending her pulse into overdrive.

“Hi, Gregory. This is Sarah.”

After a two-second pause, he said, “What’s up?” He sounded wary.

“Well, I have your boys with me, and—”

“What? Why do you have my boys with you?”

Her pulse continued to race. Only this time it wasn’t due to the familiar sound of his voice. Now she feared she’d made a mistake. “I asked your dad if I could bring them to get a Christmas tree. But they can’t seem to make up their minds. And now I’ve realized it won’t fit in my car trunk, so—”

“Hold up a second. I’m still trying to figure out how you got my kids out of school.”

“Your dad gave permission for me to pick them up. I showed my driver’s license.”

“And took them tree shopping.”

“Yes.”

He sighed. “So now they’ve picked out a tree?”

“Well…no. Not exactly. They can’t seem to agree. Hunter likes tall and fat. Chase like short and skinny. So, what do you say you come with your truck, help pick one out, and then haul it home?” She smiled, because she was doing a great job of sounding cheerful. Maybe he would get in the spirit.

“But I have an appointment in…forty-five minutes and need to make a quick shopping trip on the way. Just get them to strap it to the top of your car.”

Chase started jumping up and down, excited that his dad might be coming. Hunter fidgeted as he tried to listen to the phone call. Of course, they hadn’t heard Gregory’s response.

Hunter tugged her arm down to move the cell phone closer. “Hey, Dad!” he yelled.

“Hey, Dad!” Chase echoed.

She put the phone back to her ear. “The boys really want you to come help pick it out. I know it would mean a lot to them.”

He sighed—an angry sigh. “I had set aside a day this week to go get the tree. It’s on my calendar.”

Her heart pounded. What if she’d gone too far? What if he wouldn’t come? “We’re here already. Come on over and help. It’ll be fun.”

“Pleeease,” Hunter yelled. And of course, Chase echoed. She almost said the same, but instead prepared to watch her plan crash and burn.

“Okay. But make them pick one before I get there. I won’t have time to shop.”

She smiled and gave the boys a thumbs-up. They whooped and danced around the trees while she gave Gregory directions to the farm.

After the celebration, they walked two more rows of trees. Still no consensus.

“Okay, you two. I have a solution. One wants tall and fat. One likes short and skinny. So how about we get a tall, skinny tree.”

Hunter looked at Chase. Chase looked at Hunter. Both smiled. Then Hunter held up his hand for a high five from his brother. Success.