Island Christmas (9 page)

“Yes.”

Chris introduced himself. “I wanted you to know that I’m free to help at the banquet on Saturday.”

“Thanks, but I wasn’t sure you’d be able to since you hadn’t gotten back to me, so I found someone else. Maybe next time.”

“There’s nothing you need help with?”

“Nada. Everyone really stepped up. Our church is very missions-oriented.”

“Okay. Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. Take it easy.” He disconnected the call. He’d never heard of a church turning down a volunteer, but there was a first time for everything. Now what?

His conscience ate at him. He paced to the window that looked onto the Sound and suddenly knew what he would do. Before he could talk himself out of it, he yanked open his bedroom door and trotted down the stairs.

Jason’s voice rose loudly from the kitchen. It sounded like the kid was having a meltdown. Maybe now wasn’t such a good time. He hesitated at the bottom step. Then again he might be able to help with Jason. The boy liked him, and other than the mishap in the kitchen and subsequent trip to the hospital on Thanksgiving, they’d had a decent time together.

He squared his shoulders and marched into the kitchen, once again ignoring the do-not-enter sign. “What’s this I hear?” He sought out Jason, who sprawled on the floor, with tears streaming down the sides of his face.

“Mommy said we had to leave.”

“Well, buddy. If that’s what your mom said, what are you doing lying on the floor?” He offered the boy a hand up, and to his relief Jason grasped it and stood. “Would you like a ride on my shoulders to your car?”

“Put your coat on, Jasie.” Rachel stepped forward with his jacket.

The boy quickly complied then turned around so Chris could hoist him onto his shoulders. “Duck on the way out the door.”

“I know. Come on, Mommy,” he said excitedly.

Rachel slipped into her jacket and walked beside him. “What are you up to?”

“Nothing. But as it turns out I’m free on Saturday after all. If the offer still stands, I’d like to join you and Jason for the movie Saturday.”

“And the sleigh ride?”

The excitement in Jason’s voice made him chuckle. “Yes, buddy. The sleigh ride too, but make sure you both bundle up.”

“No kidding.” Rachel opened the passenger door on the driver’s side. “It’s really cold during the day, so I can only imagine how cold it will be after dark. So you really had plans?” She eyed him skeptically.

“Tentative, but they fell through. I’m glad I caught the two of you before you left.”

“It’s not like we live far.” She pointed to her house, which could barely be seen through a stand of trees.

“True enough.” It was weird how she could see the B&B from her place, but the view from the B&B to her place wasn’t great. He swung Jason down.

“That was fun. Thanks, Chris.” Jason hugged his leg, then climbed into the backseat.

Chris’s heart melted a little. He was in big trouble when it came to Jason and his mom. Staying only friends would not be easy with the boy tugging at his heartstrings without even trying. At least Rachel seemed oblivious to the effect she and her son had on him. He prayed it stayed that way, and that his heart would behave as well.

Rachel sipped tea while curled up
on the sofa in her living room. Jason finally napped in his bedroom. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, hoping it would relieve the tension in her shoulders.

Jason had been crabby and difficult all day. It was days like today she hated being a single mom and missed living with her parents, even though the entire time she was there, she couldn’t wait to move out. It’s funny how the things you think you want the most, end up being the things you like the least. Being independent with absolutely no support system in place was difficult.

Now that Jason was sleeping, maybe she had time for a bubble bath. It was worth a try. She could take the baby monitor in there with her in case he woke up early. A bottle of lavender scented bath salts sat on the counter. She poured a liberal amount as hot water rushed into the old-fashioned claw foot tub, and breathed in deeply her favorite scent. There was something about the aroma of lavender that made her happy. A few minutes later she eased into the water and closed her eyes. This was exactly what she needed.

She’d been looking forward to movie night at the resort ever since Zoe suggested it. Jason was beside himself with excitement, which was more than likely another reason he’d been out of control today.

Tonight should be fun. Since Chris said he was free to join them, she’d reserved a sleigh ride for the three of them after the movie ended. Chris confused her. When he said he’d had plans she thought for sure he was trying to blow her off, which hurt. They got along well and even if there could never be a future for them romantically, she’d like to count him as a friend.

The more she thought about keeping him in friend status the more she questioned herself. What kind of person wouldn’t consider a future with someone simply because he said he would die young? Well, maybe not in so many words, but it was implied. She’d heard of many cases where doctors had been wrong and their patients had gone on to live well beyond their predictions.

Why did he have to be such a great guy, and why did Jason have to adore him? Maybe she should at least be open to the idea of dating Chris because she really wanted to in spite of everything. She sighed—he’d have to ask her out first. She could never bring herself to ask him on a real date—a movie with herself and her son didn’t count. Maybe she’d read him wrong, and he wasn’t even interested. She couldn’t humiliate herself like that. This was a small island, and they were sure to bump into one another from time to time. It could be awkward if things didn’t work out.

Her thoughts drifted to the evening ahead. She was a little concerned about the weather. It was cold, as December should be, and it seemed unhealthy to sit outside to watch a movie. Then again, there would be propane heaters and a bonfire for making s’mores. Jason would be bundled from head to toe for certain.

Rustling sounded from the monitor—her cue to get out. She rushed to dry off and slipped into a fluffy robe. After poking her head into Jason’s bedroom and seeing he was still asleep, but restless, she scooted into her room and slipped into jeans and a red sweater.

“Mommy.” Her bedroom door swung open. Jason stood there rubbing his eyes. “I’m hungry.”

“You’re always hungry. And please knock and wait for me to tell you to come in.”

“Sorry.” He turned and darted off.

She had a simple meal of bean and vegetable soup and bread planned. Chris would be joining them since the B&B didn’t serve dinner. She’d had the soup simmering much of the day and the aroma of veggies, spices and broth permeated the house. It should be perfect by the time he arrived for an early dinner. The movie started at six since the event was designed for families.

She followed her son into his bedroom and laid out what she wanted him to change into after their meal. “Remember, Chris is coming for dinner, and I expect you to be on your best behavior.”

“I know. I be good. When are Granma and Papa coming? Will they be here for Christmas? I miss them.” This move had been difficult on Jason. Accustomed to being with her parents, he’d been acting out with tantrums.

“I don’t think so, Jasie. Grandma and Papa have lots of travel plans.” She hadn’t realized how much her parents had put their lives on hold to help raise Jason while she lived with them for the past three years. They were probably so excited to have their freedom they hadn’t even considered Christmas. She wouldn’t hold it against them. Creating her own traditions with her son would be nice.

“I want a Christmas tree.” Jason sat beside his bed playing with a car, one arm still in a sling.

Rachel sucked in her bottom lip. She needed to hurry up and buy a tree. The holiday would be past before she had it up, and then her son would be disappointed. “What if we go get one tomorrow?”

Jason jumped up and down. “Yay! I want a star.”

“A star for the top is a good idea. Maybe we can make one.”

“With glitter?”

She hesitated. Glitter made such a mess. “How about gold paint?”

Jason raised his shoulders. “Okay. I hungry.”

“You said that.” She was hungry too. “Want to share an apple?”

He nodded.

“I’ll call when it’s ready.” She meandered into the kitchen and pulled out a knife and cutting board. Jason didn’t like the peel, and she wasn’t a fan either. A couple of minutes later she had two plates with sliced apples and peanut butter set out on the bar. “Your apple’s ready,” she called.

Jason charged into the kitchen. “Yum!” She lifted him onto the stool. “Thanks.” He bit into the apple and juice squirted. He giggled. “That was funny.” He took another bite and frowned when it didn’t happen a second time. “Aiden said we should go to church. What’s church, Mommy?”

She frowned. Of course he wouldn’t remember going at Easter this past year since he was so young. “It’s a place people go to learn about God. We all went together on Easter, but you probably don’t remember”

“Oh. Did we sing songs there?”

“Yes.”

“I remember. Why do we need to learn about God?”

Her son’s constant barrage of questions and demands made her want to climb back into the bubble bath. “God is… who do you think He is?”

“Aiden said He made the world. Did He, Mommy?”

“Yes. I believe He did.” She hadn’t given creation much thought, but she’d heard enough sermons on Christmas and Easter to get the gist of what Christians believed. Why she hadn’t given Him more thought she couldn’t say. Her parents didn’t attend except twice a year. It was more of a tradition than anything.

“Wow.” Awe filled his voice.

“Wow, what?”

“God. He made the whole wide world. That’s big, Mommy!”

She grinned. Her son had a flare for the dramatic, but he was right. It was big.

“I want to go to church like Aiden does.”

“You realize he doesn’t live on the island?”

Her son frowned. “Oh.” His face brightened. “Where does Chris go?”

“I guess you will have to ask him when he gets here.”

Jason sighed. “I’m finished.”

“You may go play now.”

He hopped down and charged from the kitchen, flying through the small house like a mini-tornado. At least he didn’t leave destruction in his wake.

She quickly wiped the counter down and made sure everything was perfect for when Chris arrived. Her heart beat a little faster in anticipation of his arrival.

Chris settled on the
hillside facing the lake and the movie screen. Jason snuggled between him and Rachel. “It’s a good thing you thought to bring several blankets.” The thick one they sat on helped keep the cold from his bones.

“When I saw the temperature predicted for this evening I knew blankets were a must. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have a dusting of snow before the evening is over.”

He looked to the cloud-filled sky. “You may be right.”

Jason snuggled against him.

“It’s so beautiful here at night,” Rachel said.

Chris took in the light display on the grounds of the resort. The shrubs and trees were lit with colored lights, and the pathways with tiny white lights gave off enough illumination to see where one was going, but not so much they wouldn’t be able to see the movie once it started.

“I’m glad your plans fell through and you could join us.”

Rachel’s grin warmed him from the inside out.

“It’s nice to have adult company.”

“You mean you don’t get enough of adults at work?” He preferred working from a home office. Being around a bunch of people all day wore on him. Then again, he was an introvert.

She shook her head. “Not the same.”

“I suppose not.”

Jason patted his arm. “Can I go church with you?”

He shot a glance toward Rachel. “If your mom says it’s okay. Maybe she’d like to join you.” The screen lit and sound blasted from the speakers.

“It’s starting, Mommy,” Jason shouted, their conversation about church suddenly forgotten.

“That’s right. Time to be quiet.” Rachel held a finger to her lips.

At some point during the movie Jason zonked out. Chris pulled a blanket up to the boy’s chin and tucked it around him so no cold air would get to his little body.

“He’s been acting off today. He kept saying he’s hungry, then would hardly eat. I’m not sure what to think.”

“He’s probably still learning the difference between hunger and other stomach pains.”

“You could be right. I wonder if he’s coming down with something.” She touched her hand to his cool forehead. “He’s pretty cute when he’s asleep, huh? Not a care in the world.” Rachel whispered.

“That he is. Are you enjoying the movie?” He could take it or leave it and his toes had gone numb.

“It’s fine. How about you?”

“Same. You want to go inside and warm up with some hot chocolate before we go on the sleigh ride, or would you rather finish the movie?”

“Going in is a great idea.” Relief shone in her eyes. “Would you mind carrying Jason? I’ll get the blankets.”

“No problem.” He stood and scooped the boy up. Jason snuggled into his chest and murmured something about church. Which gave him an idea. He waited for Rachel to gather the blankets, then they strolled side by side into the lobby.

She pointed toward their right. “There’s a coffee cart at the end of the hall that serves amazing hot chocolate, much better than that packaged stuff they’re giving away outside. How about you find a bench, and I’ll get us some?”

He didn’t like the idea of her treating, but his hands were otherwise occupied. He nodded and found a quiet, out of the way bench, where Jason wouldn’t be disturbed. A short time later, Rachel approached holding two medium-sized cups. “Great spot. I like to come here on my breaks. It’s like a secret alcove.” She kept her voice low as she sat and handed him his cup.

“Thanks.”

“Sure. I’m glad you came tonight.”

He chuckled. “We covered that already.”

“Oops. When do you move into your house?”

“Can you believe the week of Christmas? That is the worst possible timing on my part. I’ve had a hard time finding help to move my stuff from storage. I still have a few people left to ask, but I’m beginning to wonder if I should hire someone.”

“I’d be happy to help get your stuff moved into your house.”

Nick was right, Rachel was nice. “We never finished our conversation about visiting my church. You’re more than welcome. I thought you didn’t go.”

“We don’t, but Aiden told Jason he should and now he wants to.”

“What about you?” He held his breath praying for the words he wanted to hear.

“I guess I’m a little curious. Zoe invited me to visit her church too. Which I think may be the same place you attend. I might go if Jason pushes the issue.”

Way to go Aiden
.

“Of course we will attend the Christmas service. That’s tradition.”

His heart sunk a little. He really wanted Rachel to come to know the Lord, but he also knew pushing wouldn’t do any good. “What other traditions do you have?”

“Other than putting up a tree and stockings and baking way too many sweets, none. I’d like for Jason and me to start a few of our own. We’ve been with my parents his entire life, and we’ve always done things the way they do. How about you? Any traditions?”