step out of the winter -...
TRANSCRIPT
StepoutofthewinterchillandintothewarmthofFool’sGold,California,thecharmingsmall-townsettingforanewholidaynovellafromNewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorSusanMallery
FamousformerNFLstarsdon’tdatesingleworkingmomslikeBaileyVoss.She’llallowherselftodaydreamaboutKennyScott’smusclesandkillersmile,butwantingmorewouldleadtopost-holidayregret.ThenKennyvolunteerstorunatoydrivewithBailey,andshelearnsthathe’snotjusthot…he’salsogenerous,funny,nice.
Thewholepackage—tantalizinglyoutofreach.
TheacheofpastlossremindsKennywhyheneedstoavoidgettingtooclosetoanyone.Especiallytoagorgeousredheadandheradorablelittlegirl.Messitup,andhe’dlosethemboth.YetKennycanonlyresistBaileyforsolong.Andasfestivespiritspreadsthroughoutthe
town,he’sallwrappedupinBailey’ssweet,sexykissesanddeterminedtomakethisthefirstofmanyChristmasestogether…
YOURSFORCHRISTMAS
SusanMallery
ThisisforLindaElliott,whosaidyestothemanof
herdreamsWaymon(Ray),in1961on
ChristmasEve.Sincehisillnessanddeathin
2008,Lindahasreturnedtocomfort
reading,herfirstlove,witha
vengeance.
Contents
CHAPTERONE
CHAPTERTWO
CHAPTERTHREE
CHAPTERFOUR
CHAPTERFIVE
CHAPTERSIX
CHAPTERSEVEN
CHAPTEREIGHT
CHAPTERNINE
CHAPTERTEN
CHAPTERELEVEN
CHAPTERONE
“MOM,EVENTHOUGHIknowthere’snoSanta,isitstillokaytohaveastocking?”BaileyVosssmiledather
daughter.Beingasinglemomwasoftenachallenge,buteverynowandthenshethoughtmaybe,justmaybe,shewasgettingitright.“Ofcourse,”shetoldher
seven-year-old.“Christmasisaboutbeingwiththepeopleweloveandsharingourtraditions.Astockingisatradition.”Chloebeamed.“Whencan
weputoutourstockings?Anddecoratethehouse?”Herbright,adorablegirlpaused.“Whenwemove,right?CanweputupourChristmastreetheveryfirstnight?”“Wecan,”Bailey
promised,confidentshewasgoingtobeexhaustedafteralongdayofmoving,butdeterminedtomakethisthebestChristmaseverforherlittlegirl.Chloehadalreadybeen
throughsomuch,mostespeciallythelossofherdadoverayearago.Butshewashappyandthrivingnow.Baileyandherdaughterhadmadeaplaceforthemselves
inFool’sGoldandtheywerelessthanamonthfrommovingintowhatBaileyhopedwastheirforeverhome.Baileyhadagreatjobsheloved,Chloehadfriendsandwasdoingwellinschool.Awonderfulholidayseasonwasexactlyhowsheplannedtofinishupheryear.Chloewalkedtothe
calendarattachedtotherefrigeratorandcountedout
thedays.“Seventeendaysuntil
Thanksgiving,”shesaidexcitedly.“Thentwelvemoredaysuntilwemoveandgetourtreeandstockings.”Shehurriedovertohermotherandhuggedher.“It’salmostChristmas!”Baileyheldhertightly,
thenstrokedherhair.“I’mproudofyou,honey,”shesaid,tryingtokeepfrom
soundingtooemotional.“You’reworkinghardinschoolandyou’reabighelptome.”Herdaughterlookedup
her.“Iloveyou,Mom.”“Iloveyou,too,sweet
girl.”Sheglancedattheclockonthestoveandheldinashriek.“Wearesolate!”Chloelaughedandpulled
back,thenranoutofthekitchen.“I’mready.Ijust
needmycoat.”FiveminuteslatertheVoss
womenwerewalkingbrisklytowardChloe’sschool.Afterdroppingoffherdaughter,Baileycontinuedontowardcityhall,wheresheworkedasMayorMarshaTilson’sassistant.MayorMarshawasthe
longest-servingmayorinCalifornia.Sheranhertownwithanimpressive
combinationofcarrotandstick.BaileywasprettysureMayorMarshacouldtwistthedevilhimselftoherbidding.Todaywasnoexception.Onlyitwasn’tgoingtobe
thedevilwalkingthroughthemayor’sofficedoors.Insteadtheywouldbevisitedbyatall,broad-shoulderedmanwhogotBailey’shearttoflutteringinawaythatreallycouldn’tbehealthy.
“It’sjustacrush,”BaileytoldherselfasshewaitedinlineatBrew-hahaforhermorninglatte,thenrealizedthattalkingaloudinacrowdwasasurewaytogetherneighborsandfriendstoworryingabouther.Shepressedherlipstogether,thenfeltthemcurveintoasmileasshethoughtabouthowbeingaroundKennyScottmadeherfeelsixteenagain.
Sheknewthathavingacrushwasnobigdeal.Itwasapartoflife.Aslongasshedidn’tactonit,shewouldbefine.Becausethrowingherselfatthemuscular,formerNFLplayer,andSuperBowl-winningreceiver,wouldbefoolishandpossiblypathetic.Therewasnowayshewas
Kenny’stype.Notthatshe’deverseenhimwithawoman,
butstill.Hewasgorgeous.Darkblondhair,bigblueeyes.Hewasbuiltlikeasuperheroandstrong.Agentlegiantofaman.Andspeakingofbig,hishands...Sheheldinanothersigh,
placedherorder,wavedatherfriendPatience,whowasmanningtheespressomachine,thenmovedtowaitforherdrink.Thetruthwasthatfamous
formerNFLstarsdidn’tdatesmall-townsinglemoms.Especiallynotthosewhowerebattlinganextratwentypounds.Baileyfiguredshewasattractiveenough.She’dbeenblessedwiththickredhairandniceskin,butshewasn’tlikethosewomeninthegossipmagazines.Shewasprettymuchthesameaseveryoneelseinthenormalworld.Shehadajob,she
worriedaboutherdaughterandmuchofthetimeherpaycheckbarelystretchedtocoverherbills.Shewasn’texactlyahunky-guymagnet.Butthatwasthebeautyof
acrush.Shecouldlookanddreamallshewanted,forfree.Andifthemaninquestionhappenedtobecominginforameetingthatverymorning,thenshewassimplygoingtohavemoreto
sighaboutlater.Whichmadetodayaverygoodday.
***
ASKENNYSCOTT’SfriendJackhadonceadmitted,goingtoseeMayorMarshawasabitlikevisitingthegreatandpowerfulWizardofOz.Butwithouttheflyingmonkeysorthemanmanipulatingthingsbehind
thecurtain.UnfortunatelyforKenny,MayorMarshacamebyherpowertheold-fashionedway,andnotthroughsmokeandmirrors.Ifitwerethelatter,shewouldbesomucheasiertorefuse.Itwasn’tthathewasafraid
ofthewoman,hetoldhimselfashewalkedtowardcityhall.Itwasthathedidn’tlikesituationswherehecouldn’tsayno.AndwithMayor
Marsha,nowasn’tawordpeoplegenerallyuttered.Heknewhecouldtell
himselftobestrong.Thatshewasmerelyanoldwoman.Butthetruthwasfarmorecomplexthanthat.MayorMarshaknewthingssheshouldn’t,andnoonecouldfigureouthow.Kennyassumedshehadanetworkofaccompliceswhofedhertidbitsofinformation.Sheput
themallintosomeretiredNSAcomputerprogramthatpredictedbehaviororsomething.Heshookhisheadasheclimbedthestepstothemainentrance.Maybeheshouldsimplyaccepttheprevailingwisdomthatthemayorwasn’tofthisearth.Orhadprecognition.Regardless,shehadsummonedhimandherehewas.Hetookaflightofstairsto
thesecondfloorandwalkeddownthewidehallway.Asigndirectedhimtothemayor’soffice.Hewalkedthroughthe
opendoorwayonlytogethitbyathree-hundred-poundcornerback.Okay,notreally,butthatwaswhatitfeltlike.Hecametoastop,unnoticedbythesingleoccupantoftheofficefoyer,andtoldhimselfthathewasimaginingthe
bodyblow.Andtheattraction.Heknewthecurvyredhead
sittingguardoutsidethemayor’sinnersanctum.He’dseenherdozensoftimesintown,hadtalkedtoher.Heevenknewherkid.Butwhileseven-year-oldChloewasadorableandonlyalittledangerous,thesamecouldn’tbesaidforhermom.BaileyVosswasawalking,
breathingtemptation.Sheshouldcomewithapermanentwarningsignandaquarantinezone.Becausewhenhewaswithintenfeetofher,hisbrainshutdownandhebecameanidiot.Hecouldn’tfigureout
whatitwasaboutherthatgottohim.Shewastallandhelikedtall,butitwasn’tlikethatwassounusualinandofitself.Thelong,wavyredhair
wassexy,butsurvivable.Hewantedtosayitwasherbiggreeneyes.Therewasaninnocencethere,atrust,andthatappealedtohim.Okay,fine.Hewould
admitit.Hewasjustasmentallysimpleaseveryothermanontheplanet.SexwasimportantandwhenhesawBaileyVossallhecouldthinkaboutwasgettinghernakedandhavinghisway
withher.Hewasprettysurethatthreeorfourhundredtimeswoulddothetrick.Underanyother
circumstances,hewouldaskherout,wowherwithhischarm,getherintobedandgetoverher.Orfallcrazyinlovewithher.Hewasopentoeither.Onlythatwasn’tgoingtohappen.Notever.Shewasasinglemomandhedidn’tdatesinglemoms.Notnow,
notinthefuture.Becausesinglemomscamewithkidsandwhileaguycouldgetoverfallingforawoman,kidsrippedoutyourheartandtookitwiththemwhentheyleft.Therewasnorecoveringfromthat.Hebracedhimselfforthe
inevitablefeelingofbeingallfeetandnobrain,thenclearedhisthroat.Baileylookedupandsmiled.
Thatwasallittook.Onesweetsmileandhewasagoner.He’dplayedintheNFL—shouldn’thebebetterthanthis?“Hi,Kenny,”shesaid.
“You’rerightontime.”“IfiguredifIwasn’t,she’d
unleashthedragons.”Bailey’ssmileturnedintoa
littlelaugh.Oneofthosesoft,sweetsoundsthatmadeamanthinkabouthowhe
shouldhavematchingtowelsandmaybegetsomethingmonogrammed.He’dreadoncethatmenmighthaveconqueredtheWest,butwomenhadcivilizedit.Truerwords,hethoughtglumly.“Themayorsaidtobring
yourightin,”Baileytoldhim.Sheroseandsteppedout
frombehindthedesk.Shewaswearingadress.
Somegraytweedyfabricthat
probablyhadanameorwasthelateststyle.Hedidn’tcareaboutthecolororthestyle.Whathelikedwashowthedressfollowedthegenerouslinesofherbody.Thestyleemphasizedherbreastsandherhips.Sheworebootswithsensibleflatheelsandstillcameuppasthisshoulder.Shemovedcloserand
suddenlyhecouldsmellsomegirlieshampooorsoap.It
madehimthinkofBaileyintheshower,whichwasdangerousandfunatthesametime.Shemovedtowardthe
closeddoubledoorsandhefollowed.Shecametoanunexpectedstopandhenearlyplowedintoher.Beforehecouldmoveback,sheturnedtofacehim.Hergreeneyeswerebig
andherlasheswerelong.Her
fulllipshadsomekindofglossonthemandhebrieflywonderedifithadaflavor.Becauseeverynowandthenwhenhekissedawomanhegotatwofer.Asweet,sexymouthandahintofpiñacolada.Itwasnice.WomenwereniceandBaileywasthenicestofthem—Hegrabbedhisself-control
withbothhandsanddeliberatelytookastep
towardsafety.Earlyinhiscareeracoachhadtoldhimthathehadonejobonthefield.Tocatchthefootballandrunittotheendzone.Nothingelsemattered.Theadvicehadservedhimwell.WhenitcametoBailey,he
onlyhadtorememberonething.Shewasn’tforhim.Ifhekeptthatinmind,hewouldbefine.“Ishouldhaveasked,”she
said.“Didyouwantsomecoffee?Wehaveapotgoing.”“I’mgood.”Somethingflashedinher
eyesandhersmilebroadened.Hewantedtoaskwhatshewasthinking,butbeforehecould,she’dopenedthedoortothemayor’sofficeandledthewayinside.Thespacewaslargewitha
hugedeskandbigwindows.
Therewerethreeflagsbehindthemayor’sdesk.TheU.S.Flag,theCaliforniastateflagandonethatheguessedwasthesealofFool’sGold.MayorMarshawasinher
sixtieswithwhitehair.Sheworesuitsordressesandpearls.Onthesurfaceshewasn’ttheleastbitintimidating,buthe’dseengrownmenbowtoherbiddingandbeunableto
explainwhy.Todayshehadonared
dress.ShesmiledwelcominglywhenhefollowedBaileytoherdesk,thenroseandshookhishand.“Mr.Scott,thankyouso
muchforseeingme.”Uh-huh,likehebelieved
he’dhadachoice.“Kenny,please.”Shemotionedforhimto
sit.Baileytookthechairnext
tohisandMayorMarshasettledbackinherseat.Theolderwomanstudied
himforamomentbeforenodding.Asifshe’djustmadeadecision.Kennybrieflywonderedhowbigapaininhisbuttthatdecisionwasgoingtobe.“Asyouknow,”shebegan,
“wehavevariousserviceprojectsforourFWMgroves.”
“Sure.”Fool’sGoldhaditsown
versionofscouting.FutureWarriorsoftheMáa-zib.TheMáa-zibtribewastheformerindigenoustribeofthearea.Theyhadbeenamatriarchalsociety,sotheFWMwasforgirlsfromagesixtomaybeten.TheyprogressedfromAcornsinyearonetoSproutsandsoonuntiltheirfinalyearwhentheywereMightyOaks.
Thegirlswerein“groves”andtherewasaGroveKeeper.Taryn,oneofhisbusiness
partners,wasaco-leaderofagrovewithherhusband,Angel.Chloe,Bailey’sdaughter,wasintheirgrove.Kennyhadhelpedherandoneofherfriendslearnknotsthispastspring.“YouknowtheSprouts?”
themayorasked.
“Taryn’sgrove?Sure.”HelookedatBailey,butsheseemedaspuzzledashewas.“Isthereaproblemwith
theSprouts?”sheaskedherboss.“Chloehasn’tsaidanything.”“Alliswell,”themayor
assuredher.“However,thereisaslightlogisticalproblem.Eachgrovehasaserviceprojectfortheyear.TheSproutswanttohaveatoy
drivefortheholidays.Anadmirableandambitiousprojecttobesure.ButwithTarynandAngeltravelingforthenextmonth,theyhavenoleader.”“Taryn’snottraveling,”
Kennysaid.Shewouldhavesaidsomethingtohimandhispartners.He’djustseenheryesterdayattheirstaffmeeting.“SheandAngelaregoing
toFijiforamonth,”MayorMarshatoldhim.“SotheSproutswillneedsomeonetotemporarilytakeoverthegrove.Iimmediatelythoughtofyoutwo.”Kennyfeltthewalls
closingin.Noway.Nothim.Hecouldn’tberesponsibleforabunchoflittlegirls.Evenifhehadthetime,whichheprobablydid,hedidn’twanttogetinvolved
thatway.Itwastooclose.Toopersonal.PlusthemayorhadsaidhimandBailey.Hecouldn’tworkwithher.Notupclose.Shewastoosexyanddesirable.“I’dloveto,”Baileysaid
quickly.ShesmiledatKenny,thenturnedbacktothemayor.“It’sagreatidea.ThisisonlyChloe’ssecondChristmaswithoutherfather.Lastyearwassohardonher.
Iwasworriedhowshewouldhandletheholidays.Ithinkfocusingoncollectingtoysforneedychildrenwillhelpherseethejoyintheseason.”Kennysworesilently.
Totallytemptingandnicetoboot.Wasn’tthathisluck?Howwashesupposedtosaynonow?Hewouldlooklikeajerk.Plus,helikedChloe.Hedidn’twanthersadoverChristmas.Hebelievedin
self-preservationbutnotinbeingajerk.“Excellent.”Themayor
handedthemeachafolder.“Herearetheapprovedcollectionsites.Thegirlswilleachneedtodecorateabinandthenthebinswillneedtobeemptiedregularly.ThetoydrivewillstarttheSaturdayafterThanksgiving.Thatgivesyoutimetoorganizethedecoratingandplacingofthe
bins.ThetoyswillbedeliveredtoSacramentoonthenineteenthofDecember.They’llbedistributedthatweekend.”Shegaveafewmore
instructions,thenthankedthembothforagreeingtohelp.ItwasonlywhenKennyfoundhimselfoutsidetheofficethatherealizedhe’dneveragreedatall.Notthathewasgoingtomentionthat
now.Hesatinthevisitor’schair
atBailey’sdeskandopenedhisfolder.Theneatlyprintedsheetsdetailedeverythingthathadtobedone.“Iknowwherewecanget
acargotrailer,”Baileywassaying.“MayorMarshahadmemakesureitwasavailablebutIdidn’tknowwhyuntilnow.”Hewashavingtrouble
takingitallin,andsittingthisclosetoBaileydidn’thelp.Onceagainhecouldinhalethescentofsomethingalittlefloral,alittlegirlie,anditdidn’tmakethinkinganyeasier.“Acargotrailerwilltakea
lotoftoys,”hesaid.“Thetownwillcome
through,”Baileysaidconfidently.“Okay,soIseewherewepickuptheempty
bins.We’llneedtoarrangetodecoratethem.IfthedrivestartstheSaturdayafterThanksgiving,weshoulddecoratetheSaturdaybefore.Doesthatworkforyou?”Shelookedupathimand
hefoundhimselfgettinglostinherbiggreeneyes.“Ineversaidyes,”hetold
her,knowinghesoundedlikeanidiot.Hermouthtwitched.
“Don’tletthatworryyou.MayorMarshadoesthattopeople.Unlessyouwanttogotellherno.”“Notreally.”“Ididn’tthinkso.”She
lightlyputherhandonhisforearm.“It’llbefun.”Herfingerswerelongand
slenderandhecouldfeeltheheatthroughhisshirt.Therewerealotofwordsforspendingthenextmonthorso
workingwithBaileyonthetoydrive,buthewasn’tsurefunwasgoingtobeoneofthem.Torturewasmorelikely.“I,ah,haveabigSUV,”he
saidafterclearinghisthroat.“Icanuseittoemptythebins.”“Great.”Shepulledher
armback.“We’llgetascheduletogether.DiscussitwiththegirlsattheFWM
meeting.Theycansignuptheirparentstohelpwiththat,too.”“There’sameeting?”he
asked.Shenodded.“We’reboth
goingtohavetobethere.IknowmostofthegirlsbecauseofChloe,butthey’llhavetomeetyouandwe’lldiscusssuppliesfordecorating.”Herglossylipscurvedintoanothersmile.“I
can’twait.”“Me,either,”helied,
thinkingitwouldhavebeensomucheasiertotakeontheflyingmonkeys.
***
KENNYWALKEDINTOTaryn’sofficeandstalkedovertoherdesk.“Youhavealottoanswerfor,”heannounced,doinghisbesttolook
intimidating.Unfortunatelyforhim,
TarynhadspentthepastfewyearsdealingwiththreeformerNFLplayersandnotmuchgottoher.Insteadoflookingnervousorevenguilty,shesimplyraisedhereyebrowsandwaited.“YouandAngelare
bailing,”hetoldher,histoneaccusing.“OnyourSprouts.There’satoydriveandIgot
hauledintothewholething.”“Whatareyoutalking
about?Howdidyouknowaboutourtrip?WejustdecidedacoupleofdaysagotospendamonthinFiji.Wehaven’ttoldanyoneyet.”“SomeonetoldMayor
Marsha.Ijustgotbackfromameetingwithher.I’mgoingtobeworkingwithBaileyVossonthetoydrive.It’snotlikeIcouldsayno.”
Taryn’smouthtwitched,butitwasn’tnearlyassexyasithadbeenonBailey.BecauseheknewTarynwaslaughingathimratherthanwithhim.“It’snotfunny,”he
grumbled.“Itkindofis.”Sherose
andwalkedaroundherdesktowardhim.Asusualsheworesome
fancydesigner-suitthingand
wasbarefoot.Becausesheworestupidshoesthatweretoohightowalkinallday.Sheputherhandsonhischestandstaredintohiseyes.“Thankyouforhelpingmy
Sproutswiththetoydrive.”“Youoweme.”“Ido.Idon’tknowhow
MayorMarshafoundout,butshedidandyou’reareallygoodguyforsteppingin.”Hemadeagrowlingsound
inhisthroat.Nowayshecouldmollifyhimwithafewcompliments.Hewastougherthanthat.Shesmiled.“Seriously.It
meansalottome.ThosearemygirlsandIwantthemtohaveagoodholiday.”Heshookoffhertouchand
glowered.“IsaidI’ddoit,okay?Youdon’thavetoconvinceme.”“No,butIwouldlikeitif
you’datleastpretenditmightbefun.Unless...”Thehumorfledhervioleteyesandworryreplacedit.“Oh,Kenny,Ididn’tthink.Isthisgoingtobetoohardforyou?IcanaskJackorSam.”Kennywassuretheirother
twopartnerswouldagree.Andwhilethatwouldfreeuphistime,hewasn’tonetowalkawayfromsomethinghe’dalreadysaidhewould
do.“I’mfine,”hetoldher.
“Baileyhasthedetailsfiguredout.It’stheholidays,right?Icanhelpkidswhoneedtoys.”Tarynwasn’tfooled.She
continuedtostudyhim.“Iworryaboutyou.Youneedsomebodyinyourlife.”Sheheldupahandtostophimfromtalking.“Notjustfriends,butsomeonespecial.
Someonetofallinlovewith.”“I’mfine.”Thetruth,he
thought.Hewascompletelyfine.Asforfallinginlove—well,hewantedthat,too.Butsofarithadn’thappened.Helikedwomenbuthehadn’tfoundtheone.Whenhedid...hewouldbeallin.Aslongasshedidn’thavekids.Thatwashisonlycaveat.Nosinglemoms.Noexceptions.“Iwantyoutobemore
thanfine,”Taryntoldhim.“Iwantyoutobehappy.”“Iwillbe.”Oneday,hethought
longingly.Becausetherewassomeoneforeveryone.Evenaguylikehim.
CHAPTERTWO
THEFWMMEETINGSwerealotlouderthanKennywouldhaveguessed.Heknewthattherewereonlyeightseven-year-oldgirlsintheroom,butitseemedlikethereweremore.Ofcourseallthegirlshadbroughtatleastoneparent.AddingtheGroveKeepersalongwithhim,that
wasafairnumberofpeopleinasmallishspace.Hekepttothebackofthe
room,carefulnottomakeeyecontactwiththemothers.Thedadshecouldhandle.Theywouldeitherwanttotalkaboutagametheyrememberedortrytoprovethathishavingplayedproballdidn’tmeananything.Hecouldhandlethat,noproblem.
Themothersmadehimmorenervous.Hedidn’tmindtheoneswhosaidtheirsonswantedtoplay.Itwasthewomenwholookedathimthewayahungrycatwatchesagoldfishthatmadehimglancelonginglytowardtheexit.He’dbeenpropositionedplentyoftimes.Forsomepeople,aweddingringwasanaccessory,notacommitment.Hedidn’tfeel
thatway.Whilehewasgoodat
shuttingdowntheladyinquestion,therewasalwaystheriskofhurtfeelings.Orahusbandfeelinghehadsomethingtoprove.Kennywasn’tinthemoodforeither.Bettertoavoidtheproblemcompletely.Hekepthisattentionon
AngelandTaryn,whoranthemeetingliketheexpertsthey
were.Whenhefelttheneedtolookatsomethingmoreappealing,helethisgazedriftovertoBailey.Nowapropositionfromherwouldbemostwelcome.ThenherememberedChloeandknewhewastotallyscrewed.Angel,atalldark-haired
manwithgrayeyesandanairofdangerabouthim,explainedaboutthetoydrive.TheSproutsdidn’tseemto
carethattheirGroveKeeperwasaformerspecialopsguywithascaronhisnecklikesomeonehadtriedtoslithisthroat.Kennywouldguessthatdayhadn’tendedwellfortheotherguy.Tarynstoodbyher
husbandandsmiled.“YouallknowBailey—Chloe’smom.She’sgoingtobehelpingwiththetoydriveserviceproject.Butit’sabigjob,so
wehavesomeoneelsejoiningthegroveforthenextfewweeks.MyfriendKennyScott.”Kennywavedfromhis
placebythewall.Afewofthegirlswavedback.HesawChloelookingathimandhewinkedather.Shegiggled.Maybehewaslookingat
thisallwrong,hetoldhimself.Sure,hehadhisrulesforhisdatinglife,butthis
wasn’tthat.Hecouldhelpthegirlswiththeirserviceproject,enjoytheholidayseasonandwalkawaywithoutworryingthathe’dgottentooinvolved.Thatmadeitawin-winforeveryone.Heacknowledgedthatat
somepointhewasgoingtohavetodealwiththefactthatholdinghimselfapartfromnearlyeveryonewasn’tthe
bestidea.Butnotapsychologicalhurdlehehadtodealwithtoday.Tarynexplainedhowthe
binswouldhavetobedecoratedandwhenthatwouldhappen.Shealsopointedtothesign-upsheetsonthewall.“Parents,thisiswhereyou
comein.We’regoingtoneedallthebinsemptiedeveryday.TheneitherKennyor
Baileywillmeetyouatthetrailersothepresentscanbesecured.Anyquestions?”TarynandAngelfielded
thequestions.Acoupleoftheparentswalkedovertothesign-upsheetsandwrotetheirnames.Kennywonderedifitwastooearlyforhimtoduckout.Beforehecoulddecide,Baileywalkedtowardhim.Todayshehadonafluffy
sweaterandtightjeans.Both
madehismouthgodry.Herhairwaspulledbackinaponytailandshewasn’twearinganymakeup.Shelookedgreat.Shebitherlowerlipasshe
glancedathim.“Um,I’dliketoaskyousomething,”shemurmured.“Ifyouhaveasecond.”Didshewanttocometo
hisplaceforthenight?Becausehisanswertothat
wasabig,fatyes.Butsomehowhedoubtedthatwaswhatshewasthinking.Shedrewinabreath.
“Okay,soI’mbuyingahouse.It’ssostrangetothinkIcanafforditandsomenightsIworrythatIcan’t.”Shepausedandshookherhead.“Sorry.Theramblingwasn’tsupposedtobepartofthequestion.”“Noproblem.
Congratulationsonthehouse.”“Thanks.It’smyfirst.The
inspectionistomorrow.”Shetuckedherhandsinto
herjeans’backpockets,whichmadehercheststickoutmore.Heheldinagroan.Seriously,shewaskillinghim.“I,ah,don’tknowwhat
happensatahouseinspection.OrwhatI’m
supposedtoask.Iwasgoingtogobymyself,butnowI’mworriedI’llmisssomethingimportant.Wouldyoumindcomingwithme?”Ittookhimasecondto
stoplookingatherbodylongenoughtorealizetherewasaquestioninallthewords.“Sure,”hetoldher.“I’m
happytobethere.”Sherelaxed.Unfortunately
thatmeantshepulledher
handsoutofherpockets,butnothinglastedforever.“Really?Thatwouldbeso
great.”“Tellmewhenandwhere
andI’llbethere.”Sherattledoffatimeand
address.Heenteredbothintohisphone’scalendar.“Itwon’tbedifficult,”he
toldher.“Theinspector’sonyourside.Heorshewantsyoutoknowwhatyou’re
buying.”“That’swhatmyagenttold
me,butit’sstillalittlescary.I’llfeelbetterhavingyoualong.”Oneofthemothers
claimedBailey’sattention.Kennystoodinthebackoftheroomfeelingasifhecouldtakeonawholedefensivelinebyhimself.Yup,hewastheman.
***
BAILEYSPENTHERmorningalternatingbetweenworryingaboutwhyonearthshe’daskedKennyScotttojoinherforherhouseinspectionandbeingincrediblygratefulthathewasgoingtobealong.Therewasjustsomethingaboutbeingaroundhimthatmadeherfeel...safe.Asifheknewwhathewasdoing.A
ridiculousassumption,sheremindedherself.Themanwasaformerprofessionalfootballplayer.Whywouldheknowanythingabouthouses?Butaskhimshehadand
shewasgratefulhe’dagreedtojoinher.Despitethefactthatherlatehusbandhadbeendeployedduringtheirmarriageandgonefornearlytwoyears,therewerestill
somethingsshefoundhardtodoalone.Thehousewasinanolder
partofFool’sGold.Theneighborhoodwaswell-established,withanicemixofresidents.Youngfamilieswerebuyinghomesandrefurbishing,whileoldercouplesstilllivedintheplaceswheretheirkidshadgrownup.Bailey’shouse-to-bewas
twostorieswithalargefrontporch.Therewasasmallyardinfrontandabigoneinback,adetachedgarageandanunfinishedbasement.Whiletheoneandahalf
bathroomshadn’tbeenremodeledinawhile,theroofwasnewandthekitchen’sapplianceswereyoungerthanherdaughter.Allpluses.BaileyfiguredsheandChloecouldlivewiththeoversized
tubandtwo-tonepinktileinthebathroomsaloteasierthantheycouldhandlealeakyroof.Baileyhadlovedthehouse
fromthemomentshe’dsteppedfootinsideofit.Itwasn’thuge.TherewereonlytwobedroomsupstairsandabonusareathatChloecoulduseasaplayroom.DownstairstherewasatinyofficeforBailey,adecent-
sizelivingroomandtheeat-inkitchen.Therewerelotsofwindows,bigtreesinthebackyardandbeautifulhardwoodfloorsthroughout.Whathadmostappealed,
asidefromthereasonableprice,wasthesenseofrightnessshefeltwhenshe’dfirstseenit.Despitethefactthatthehousewasempty,she’dbeenabletoseeherselfandChloelivingherefora
longtime.Therehadbeenothercontenders—largerhomesthatwerealittlenewer.Butwithallthatspaceandshininesscameaheftiermortgage.Todaywasherdayofreckoning,whenshefoundoutifherhome,barelyinescrow,wouldpassitsinspection.Sheheardtherumbleofa
powerfulengineandturnedtoseeKennypullingupinfront
ofthehouse.HedrovealargeMercedesSUV.Shewassureitcostabouthalfofwhatherhousedid,butthenhecouldaffordit.Itmustbenicenottohave
toclipcouponsandsaveforthingslikewintertiresandunexpectedrepairbills.Inhernextlife,shethoughtwithasmile.Shewouldremembertoberich.KennygotoutofhisSUV
andstartedtowardher.Thesunhadbeenplayingpeek-a-boowithsomeclouds,butobviouslysharedherfascinationwiththeman.Itslippedintoviewandcastwarm,goldenlightontheobjectofitsaffection.Kenny’shairgleamed,hissmilewaseasyandBaileyfeltherheartgivealittlejumpofappreciation.Evenifhedidn’tknow
anythingaboutconstructionorhousesorthedifferencebetweenascrewdriverandawrench,hewouldbeanicedistractionifshestartedtofreakout,sheremindedherself.“Nicehouse,”Kennysaid
asheapproached.“Thanks.”Shewaiteduntil
hestoppedinfrontofher.“So,doyouknowanythingabouthouses?”
Hegrinned.“RegrettingyourimpulsiverequestIbehere?”“Notatall.Justwondering
ifmyassumptionsarecorrect.”“ThatbecauseI’maguy,I
knowsomethingaboutelectricityandplumbing?”“Um,yeah.Thatwouldbe
it.”Heputhisarmaroundher
andturnedhertowardthe
house.“Iammorethanaprettyface.GrowingupIhelpedmydadwithallkindsofprojects.Icanlaytile,replacealightfixtureandrepairmostplumbingleaks.”“Goodtoknow.”Thewordssoundedso
normal,shethought.Butontheinside,therewasquiveringandshrieking.MostlybecauseofhowcloseshewastoKennyandhow
warmhisarmwasaroundherbody.Hemadeherfeelsmallanddelicate.Likeanordinarywoman,asopposedtothewidowandsinglemomshe’dbeenforthepastcoupleofyears.Beforeshecoulddomuch
morethanbreatheinthescentofhimandindulgeinalittlePG-13make-outfantasy,asmallpickupdroveintoherdriveway.Baileyrecognized
thenameoftheinspectorherrealestateagenthadsuggested.AllthoughtsofKennyfledastheenormityofwhatshewasdoingcrashedinonher.“Iwantittobeperfect,”
sheadmittedinawhisper.“Bewillingtosettlefor
sound,”Kennyadvised.“Everythingelseisabonus.”Goodadvice,shethought
asshewalkedovertomeet
herinspector.PaulJenningswasamanin
hisfifties.Hewaspleasant,butseemedmoreinterestedinthehousethanmakingsmalltalk.Hehadalargerollingtoolboxwithhimandbegantheinspectionbywalkingaroundtheoutsideofthehouse.“Westartfromtheground
up,”Mr.Jenningstoldher.“Foundationtoroof.I’lltell
youwhatIfindasIgo,thengetyouawrittenreportviaemailbythistimetomorrow.ButbeforeIleave,you’llalreadyknoweverythingI’vefound.”“Iappreciatethat,”shetold
him.“Thenlet’sgetstarted.”ThreehourslaterBailey
knewmoreaboutthehouseshewantedtobuythanshe’deverknownaboutanyother
buildinginherlife.Evenbetter,shewascomfortablewithherdecision.Therewereacoupleofsmallproblems.ThechimneyneededtobecleanedbeforesheandChloecoulduseit,therewerethreeelectricaloutletsthatdidn’tworkandthefaucetthatconnectedthewatertothewasherhadlostitsturnything.Asmalllistofeasyrepairs,
shethoughtastheoldermandroveaway.Therehadn’tbeenanyroofleaks,thebasementwasdryandthefurnaceputoutplentyofheat.Evenbetterwastheseriesofstickersonthesideofit,showingthatithadbeenservicedregularly.“Feelingbetter?”Kenny
askedastheysteppedbackinside.Shenodded.“Thankyouso
much.Youweregreat.”Hehadbeen.He’dlether
takethelead,buthadstayedclosebyandaskedplentyofsensiblequestions.He’dinsistedshegointotheatticherselftoseeintothedeepcornerssosheunderstoodabouttheinsulationandventing.Becauseofhimshenowknewwherethewaterandgasshutoffswere.“AssoonasIgetthe
inspectionreport,I’llcontactmyrealestateagent,”shesaid.“We’llgetalisttotheseller.”“Don’tforgetaboutthe
chimneycleaning,”hetoldher.“Iwon’t.”Sheglancedat
thebigfireplace.“I’mgoingtohavetoreadanarticleonhowtobuildafire.There’saspecialway,right?Withtwigsandregularwood?”
Kennysighed.“It’skindlingandI’llshowyou.”“Youknowhowtobuilda
fire?”“I’mamanofmany
talents.”Hisvoicewasteasingand
maybealittlesexy.WhileBaileyappreciatedthethrillofhercrush,rightnowpracticalKennywasevenmoreappealing.“I’dlikeyoutoteachme,”
shetoldhim.“Iwonderifthelocalhardwarestorehasclassesonbasichomerepairs.Idon’twanttobeoneofthosewomenwhohasahouseanddoesn’tknowhowtodoanything.Ishouldbeabletolearn,right?”“It’snothard.Therearea
coupleofreallygoodbooksonthesubject.I’llgetoneforyou.”Hewinked.“Alongwithasetofpinktools.”
Shelaughed.“I’dlovepinktools.Oneofmyfavoritemysterybookshasaheroinewithpinktools.”Theywanderedintothekitchen.Mr.Jenningshadcheckedalltheappliancesalongwiththedrains.“Myexpertiseismorecosmetic.Icanpatchandpaintwiththebestofthem,butanythingbehindthewallsmakesmenervous.”“Whatdoyouwanttodo
beforeyoumovein?”heasked.“Theusual.Clean,paint.”
Shesetherlargetotebagonthecounterandpulledoutafolder.“ChloeandIhavebeenpickingoutpaintcolors.”Shefannedthesquaresontothecounter.“UsuallyI’mabigbelieverinpaintingasampleonthewall,butthesellerprobablywouldn’tlikethat.I’vetalked
toafewfriendsandthey’reopentoacoupleofdaysofhelpingmeout.TheplanistocloseonThursday,thenstarttheintensivepatchingandsandingonFriday.We’llbepaintingbySaturday.ThemovewillbeTuesday.”“Awell-oiledmachine.”“Ihope.Youknowwhat
canhappenwhenyoumakeplans.”Shepointedtothepalelavendersample.“That’s
theoneChloewantsforherroom.Ithinkitwillbereallypretty.”“She’sgettingtheroom
withthedormerwindows?”heasked.“Right,withthelittlebuilt-
indeskbetweenthem.Ithinkingagoodsandingwillworkwonders.”“You’reright.Thewoodis
pine.Thenaniceclearfinish,maybecoveritwithathick
pieceofglass.”Shesmiledupathim.
“That’swhatIwasthinking,”sheadmitted.“Iwanttogetheranewbedroomset.She’salwayshadhand-me-downs.I’vebeensavingandI’vepickedoutacouplethatwouldbegreatforher.I’mtornbetweenlettingherinonwhatIhaveplannedandkeepingitasecret.”“Letherbesurprised.
She’lllikewhateveryouget.”“Youthink?”sheasked
eagerly.“Iwanthertolovethehouse.We’vealwayslivedinapartments.WillandIneverhadthemoneyforadownpayment.Iwouldn’thaveitnowexceptthere’saspecialprogramthatgrantsmoneytopeoplewhowouldn’totherwisequalify.MayorMarshahelpedmeapplyandwrotea
recommendation.”ShetoldherselfKenny
couldn’tpossiblybeinterestedinherpersonalfinances,butshecouldn’tseemtostoptalking.“Iknowit’sagreatopportunity.I’vealwayswantedtoownahouse.Nothingfancy,justourownhome.”Aplacetobesafe,shethoughtwistfully.“Makessense,”hetoldher.
“I’mgladyou’regettingthis
place.Letmeknowifyouwantaguy’sopiniononthefurniture.”“You’dgowithme?”“Sure.Soundslikefun.”Hewasbeingnice.Nice
wasmuchmoredangerousthanhandsome,shethought.Nicewasreal.Nicecouldmakeherwantmorethanacrush.Notpossible,shetold
herselffirmly.Forallshe
knew,shewasKenny’sgooddeedfortheseason.Shehadtorememberthatshewasanotthekindofwomanafamousformerjock,whowasalsowealthyandsuccessfulinhisbusinesslife,wouldbeinterestedin.Heprobablydatedsupermodelsoractresses.Orboth.“ShouldIwarnyouthat
seven-year-oldgirlsgenerallyadoreallthingsprincess?”
sheaskedteasinglyastheywalkedtowardthefrontdoor.“Iwouldexpectnoless.”
CHAPTERTHREE
WITHTARYNOUToftownforamonth,theresponsibilityofrunningtheofficesofScorefelltoKenny.Hedidn’tmindpickinguptheslack.Whiletheday-to-dayminutiawasn’thisfavorite,hecouldhandleitonashort-termbasis.
Sam’sdepartmenttookcareofthecashflowandpayrollandthevacationswerealreadyscheduledsoKennyfiguredhewasinforaneasytime.Helookedoverthemaster
calendarfortheirclients.Thereweren’tanybigpresentationsdueinDecemberandalltheadvertisinghadalreadybeenscheduled.Thecompany
wouldbeclosedfromtheWednesdaybeforeThanksgivinguntiltheSundayafter,thenforcoupleofweekdaysbeforeChristmasandNewYear’s.Easyduty,hethought,clickingonthepartners’privatecalendar.HesawTarynwasoutfor
herhoneymoonwithAngel.ShewouldmissThanksgivingbutbebackbeforeChristmas.
JackandLarissawereheadingtoLosAngelesforThanksgiving,tobewithLarissa’sfamily.HefrownedasherealizedSamwouldalsobeoutoftowninlateNovember.HeandDellinaweregoingtoLakeTahoewithDellina’stwosistersandtheirhusbands.WhichleftKennyonhisownfortheholiday.Heleanedbackinhis
chair.Hisownfamilywasmostlybackeast.HismomworkedfortheStateDepartmentandwasinD.C.HissisterswereinNewYork.Hecouldeasilygotoeitherplaceandbewelcome,butwasn’tenthusedabouttheidea.ForChristmastheywereallflyingtoBali.Exoticlocationswereafamilytradition.Butforonce,hewassayingno.Hewantedto
stickaroundFool’sGold.Seethesnowandthefestivals.Plushehadhisresponsibilitieswiththetoydrive.Hiscellphonerangandhe
glancedatthescreen.Speakingofresponsibilities,hethoughtasBailey’snamecameup.“Hey.”“Hi.It’sBailey.The
collectionbinshavebeen
delivered.I’veconfirmedallthesupplieswe’regoingtoneedandwonderedifyouwouldn’tmindpickingthemup.”“Notatall.Wherearethe
bins?”“Theconventioncenter.
Theyhavesomespacethatisn’tbeingused,soIparkedthemthere.Itwillbeeasyaccessforourdecoratingandplentyofparking.We’reat
thenorthentrance.Therearesigns.”Shealsotoldhimwheretopickupthesuppliesforsprucingthebins.“I’mwritingitdown,”he
toldherashetypedtheinformationintohiscalendar.“We’redeliveringthedecoratedcontainerstheFridayafterThanksgiving?”“That’stheplan.Oh,are
youaround?Ididn’tthinktoaskifyou’dbetraveling.”
“I’mnot.”Therewasapause,asif
shewerethinking.“Okay.Great.BecauseIthoughtyoumightbewithfamily.Or,youknow,agirlfriend.”Heleanedbackinhischair
andgrinned.Anotverysubtleattempttoextractinformation.“There’snogirlfriend.AndI’mstayingintownfortheholiday.”“Good,”shesaid.The
singlewordwasfollowedbyaquickintakeofair.Asifshewasconcernedhewouldthinkthe“good”referredtohissinglestate.“I,ah,meantIappreciate
yourhelp.Withthebinsandall.Idon’tthinkIcouldhavefittheminmycarorcarriedthemintothedifferentstores.AndwithSamandJackbothoutoftown,I’mnotsurewhoIwouldhaveasked....”She
pausedagain.“Kenny,allyourfriendsaregoingtobegone.WhereareyouhavingThanksgivingdinner?”Theprevioustopichad
beenawholelotmoreinterestingtohim.WasitpossiblehemadeBaileynervous?Betterandbetter,hethought,beforeturningtoherquestion.“Idon’thaveanyplans.”“Youcan’tbealone,”she
toldhim.“You’rewelcometojoinChloeandme.We’replanningtogototheparadeandthenhaveaprettytraditionaldinner.Nothingfancy.”Hewasn’tinterestedin
fancy.Itwashighlyoverrated.Hethoughtaboutthebeautifulredheadandheradorabledaughterandrealizedtheinvitationwassomethinghecouldputonhis
listtobethankfulfor.“I’dlikethatalot,”hetold
her.“Really?Imeangood.The
paradeisatnoon.We’llbewalkingoverabouteleven-thirty,ifyouwanttojoinus.Orafter.”Hesmiled.“I’llbethereat
eleven-thirty.I’llbringpie.”“Youdon’thaveto.”“Iwantto.I’mlooking
forwardtotheday.”
“Me,too.”
***
THEFOOL’SGOLDconventioncenterwasanolderbuildingthatlackedmuchinthewayofarchitecturaldetail.ButitserveditspurposeandrightnowthatwaswaymoreimportanttoBaileythananythinginthewayofvisualinterest.
ShehadeightSprouts,eightcollectionbins,plentyinthewayofpaint,markers,glitterandglue,andmillingadultstocorral.Thebinsthemselveswere
round,aboutfourfeettallandwideenoughtotakeatricycle.Theoutsideswereastiffcardboard.Cleanbutnotveryholiday-like.Thatwasgoingtochange.“Bigcrowd,”Kennysaid
ashewalkeduptoher.“Ithoughtwe’dgetafewparents,butthatwasit.Therehavetobeatleastthirtypeoplehere.”“Iputthewordout,”she
said,tryingtoappearbothpleasantandcasualwithoutgivingawayhowherbodyhadgoneintohyperalert.Hewassotall,shethoughtdreamily.Sohandsome.Sonice.
Thelatterwasthemostdangerous.Becausewhilehisphysicalappealwasexciting,thatkindofacrushwouldn’tlast.Ifhe’dbeenajerkorarrogantortheleastbitannoying,shecouldhavedismissedhisblueeyesoreasysmile.Butthenicenesswastherealproblem.ThemoreshegottoknowKenny,themoreshelikedhim.He’dbeenincrediblyhelpful
duringtheinspectionandnowhewasheretohelptheSproutswiththeirbins.Ifthemanrescuedakittenfromatree,shewasgoingtobeagoner.“Peoplejustshowedup?”
heasked.“Yousoundsurprised.
You’rehere.”Hegaveherthatslow
smileofhis.“Ihadnochoice.MayorMarshaterrifiesme.”
“Idoubtthat.”Sheglancedatherwatch.“Timetogetserious.YouwanttotakechargeorshouldI?”Thesmilewidened.“Ilike
awomanincharge.Goforit.”Baileytoldherselfnotto
readtoomuchintohisteasingcommentasshewalkedtothefrontofthelargeconferenceroomshe’dchosenforthedecorating.
“Goodmorning,”shesaidloudly.Theconversationstilledas
everyoneturnedtowardher.“Thankssomuchfor
coming.Ourgoalthismorningistodecorateourcollectionbinsforthetoydrive.There’sonebinforeachSprout.We’dlikethebinstoreflecttheindividualSprout’spersonalityandfamilytraditionsforthe
holidays.”Shewentontoexplain
aboutthesuppliesandthenbrokeeveryoneintogroups.Therewasamadrushforpaint,glueandglitter.Gideon,alocallatenightDJ,strolledinwithaportablemusicsystem.“MindifIsetup?”he
asked.“I’dloveit,”shetoldhim.Kennywalkeduptoher.
“SowhatamIsupposedtodo?”heasked.“Idon’tknowanythingaboutdecoratingacollectionbin.”“It’sokay.We’rejusthere
tosupervise.Makesurenoonegoeswildwiththegluesticks.OryoucanhelpChloe.”Shepointedtothesmall
grouparoundherdaughter.Madeline,whoworkedatthetown’sbridalboutique,had
offeredtobeChloe’ssubstitutemomfortheday.Baileyhadbeenconcernedthatifshewassupposedtoberunningtheevent,shewouldn’tbeabletohelpChloeverymuch.She’dgratefullyacceptedtheofferofhelp.Kennylookedaroundthe
largeopenspace,thennoddedtowardChloe.“I’llbeoverthere.”
“Hidingout?”sheasked,hervoiceteasing.“Youknowit.”Shewatchedhimgo.He
wasagoodguy,shethoughtwistfully.Beforeshecouldallowherthoughtstodrifttomoreplacestheyshouldn’t,musicfilledtheroom.Gideonhadbroughtacollectionofupbeatholidaycarolsthatsoonhadeveryonesingingwhiletheyworked.
BaileywalkedtoeachoftheSprouts.AllisonandherfamilyandfriendshadcomepreparedwithbeautifulprintoutsofRussiannestingdolls.“We’regoingtodecorate
thebackground,thenglueonthepicturesofthedolls,”Allisontoldher.“We’llputclearvarnishoverthetop.”“Ilikeit,”Baileysaid.ShenoticedAllison’smom
hadonaprettybeadedbracelet.ForasecondshethoughtitwasanadultversionofthebraceletstheSproutswore—onewithbeadstheyearnedforvariousprojects.Allison’smomsawher
studyingthepieceandheldoutherwrist.“Isn’titwonderful?Thebeadsrepresentallthecolorsofcancerawareness.”She
smiledatherhusband.“Itwasagiftformybirthday.”Themaninquestion
smiledback.“You’dbeenhintingyouwanteditforweeks.Don’tgivemetoomuchcredit.”Theylaughedtogether.Baileynoddedandmoved
tothenextgroup.Butbeforeshegotthere,sheglancedbackatthecouplewhohadpausedforaquickhug.
Theirintimacy,theirobviousloveforeachother,gaveherafunnyfeelinginherstomach.Longing,shedecided.Shewantedwhattheyhad.Shewantedtofallinloveandstayinlovefortherestofherlife.Ifanyofherfriendsknew
thatwaswhatshesecretlylongedfor,theywouldbesurprised.Afterall,she’dbeenmarried.Happily—orso
ithadappearedontheoutside.Butnotinherheart,shethought.Willhadbeenaterrificguy...justnotforher.Theirshadn’tbeenabad
marriage.Justnotspecial.Maybethey’dmarriedtooyoung.Maybethey’dgrownapartbecauseofhisfrequentdeployments.Therecouldbeathousandreasons.Heronlyhopewasthathe’dneverfiguredoutthatshewasn’t
happy.
***
THANKSGIVINGMORNINGDAWNEDclearandcold.Baileywasupearly—inparttopreparetheturkeyandstuffing,butmostlybecauseshecouldn’tsleep.Shewasgoingtospendthe
entiredaywithKenny.Therealizationmadeherfeellike
shewassixteenagainandhadamadcrushon...Shestoppedapplyinghermascarasoshecouldlaughwithoutpokingherselfintheeye.Becausetheclichéthathadcometomindwasamadcrushonthefootballcaptain.AndshewouldbetthatKennyhadbeenjustthat.Hewasthekindofguywhowouldtakechargeoftheteamandleadthemtothechampionship.
Notthatshewouldhavebeentheretoseeit,sheremindedherselfassheleanedintothemirrorandcontinuedapplyinghermakeup.Shewouldhavebeenworkingasmanyhoursasshecouldmanage.Therehadn’tbeentimeforthingslikefootballgames.Itwasn’tgoingtobelike
thatforChloe,shetoldherself.Chloewasgrowing
upinacommunitywheresheconnectedwithpeople.Baileywantedherdaughtertofeelsafeandstrong.Likeshecoulddoanything.Bailey’sgrandmotherhad
beenwillingtotakeinheronlygranddaughterwhenherowndaughterhadskippedtown.Theolderwomanhadbeenlovingbutfirm.Themessagewasclear.Baileywasexpectedtotakecareof
herselfstartingthedaysheturnedeighteen.Tothatend,Baileyhadputasideherdreamsofacollegeeducationandhadinsteadfocusedonafter-schooljobsandlearnedtobeanadultasearlyaspossible.Itwasn’tuntilyearslaterthatshe’dsavedenoughtogotocommunitycollege.Shesupposedthelessons
hadservedherwell.Whileshe’dhadtoadjustwhenWill
died,she’dknownthatevenifshedidn’talwaysfeelcapable,shehadtheskillsettosurvive.Sheputawayhermakeup
andtidiedthesmallbathroom.Itwastheonlyoneintheapartmentandtheyweregoingtohavecompany.Shepausedtotakeinthepink-and-goldplasticshowercurtain,theprincess-printedtowelsChloelovedandthe
turkey-shapedliquidsoapdispenseronthesmallvanity.ProbablynotanythingamanlikeKennywasusedto.Shewalkedintoher
bedroomanddressed.Whilethethoughtofgettingallfancyandsexyfortheirvisitorwasfun,itsimplywasn’tgoingtohappen.Foronething,shewasn’tthesexytype.Foranother,shedidn’tactuallyownanythingthatfit
thatcategory.Shewasasinglemomwhoworkedforthemayor.Herclotheswereeithercasualorforbusiness.Therewasn’troomformuchelseinherlife.Shedidn’tdate,sotherewasnoLBDinthebackofhercloset.Shedidhaveonanicepair
ofdarkwashjeansandadeepbrownsweaterwithflecksofgoldandgreenintheweave.Thecottonblendwasjust
thickenoughtobewarmbutnotsoheavyastoaddbulk.Shethoughtmaybethecolorsweregoodforhercomplexionandbroughtoutthegreeninhereyes.Ofcoursewhileshewascookingshewouldbewearinganapronwithaturkeyonit.Notexactlyapatterndesignedtobringamantohisknees.Baileysteppedinfrontof
herdresserandstartedtotake
outthehotrollers.Shewasdeterminedtohaveprettywavesinherhair.Itwasthebestshecoulddo.NotthatKennywouldnoticeanythingmorethanthefactthattheywerefriendsandhelikedherkid.Shewasclearonthat.Anycrusheswentstrictlyoneway.Butthatwasfinebecausehergiddinesswasenoughfortwo.Therestofthemorning
passedinablur.ChloegotupandateherbreakfastwhileBaileygotthestuffingtogether.Thescentofsautéingonionsandceleryfilledthesmallkitchen.Theturkeywasalreadyoutoftherefrigeratorandintheroastingpan.She’dmadethesweet
potatocasserolethenightbefore.Itonlyhadtobereheated,whichwould
happenaftertheturkeyhadcomeoutoftheovenandwasresting.Thepotatoeswerepeeledandsittinginwater.She’dpreparedthebroccoliforthesteamer.Allthatwasleftwasforhertomakeherfamouscheesebiscuitsandshewoulddothataftertheparade.Theyonlytooktwentyminutes,whichmeanttheywouldsharespacewiththesweetpotatocasserole.
ShewouldmakegravywhileKennycarvedand,withluck,theywouldsitdowntoaperfectdinner.Orjustagoodone,shethoughthappily.Becauseperfectwasseriouslyoverrated.She’dalreadysetthetable,
aswell.Thecenterpiecewasasterlingsilverbowlwithacandleinit.Whiletheyweren’tgoingtodecorateforChristmasuntilafterthe
move,she’dputherfavoritegingerbread-mencookiejarontheoldsideboardshe’dpickedupatagaragesalewhenthey’dfirstmovedtotown.“Idon’trememberthe
paradefromlastyear,”Chloetoldherasshecarriedhercerealbowltothesink.“Wewent.”Althoughtheyhadn’t
stayedlong.Chloehadsaid
shewasn’tfeelingwellandBaileyhadbroughtherhome.She’dknownthatwhatwasbotheringherdaughterhadlittletodowithavirusandeverythingtodowiththelossofherfather.Chloehadcomealong
way,Baileythoughtgratefully.Shewouldalwaysmissherdad,butshe’drememberedhowtobehappyagain.Shehadfriends,she
lovedschoolandshewasthriving.Nomothercouldaskformore.“I’mreallyexcitedtoseeit
again,”Chloetoldher.“We’regoingtomeetupwithmyfriends,right?Itoldyouwherethatwas?”Baileysmiled.“Yes,you
did.Aboutfourteentimes.Iknowtheexactcornerwherewe’reallwatchingtheparade.”
BecausetheSproutsweregoingtoviewthefestivitiestogether.BaileyhadafeelingthereweregoingtobeseveralspeculativeglanceswhentheothermotherscaughtsightofKenny.Theirguestarrivedrighton
time.Baileydidherbesttoquellthebutterfliespracticingatwo-stepinhertummy.Shedrewinabreathforstrengthandmaybecouragewhile
Chloeracedacrossthecarpet,yelling,“I’llgetit!I’llgetit!”Herseven-year-oldflung
openthefrontdoorandbeamedatKenny.“Youcame!We’regoingtotheparadeandtheturkey’sintheovenandit’sgoingtobedelicious.Yougettocarve,whichmeansyou’regoingtomaketheslicesforus.”Kennysteppedintothe
livingroom.Hewastalland
broadandthelivingroomseemedsmallerthanusualwithhiminit.Baileyhadthesenseofbeingallthumbsandfeetasshetriedtosmileandgreethim.“Rightontime,”shesaid
withasmile.“Iheardthere’saparade.”“Atnoon,”Chloesaid.Heworealeatherjacket
andascarfaroundhisneck.Inonehandhehadabottleof
whitewineandintheother,thepromisedpie.Onlyshedidn’trecognizethecolorofthebox.She’dassumedhewouldgotoAmbrosiaBakery,buttheirboxeswerewhitewithsilverstripes.Heheldupthewine.“This
shouldgointherefrigerator.”“Sure.”Shemotionedto
thekitchen.Hewalkedinthatdirection
andshefollowed.Oncethere
shetookthewinefromhimandfititintohersmallrefrigerator.Hesetthepieonthecounter.“Wheredidyougetthat?”
sheasked.“Istheresomewherenewintown?”Heraisedbotheyebrows.
“I’mwounded.You’reassumingIboughtit.”Heshruggedoutofhiscoat
ashespoke.Underneathheworeabluesweaterthesame
colorashiseyes.Awhiteshirtpeekedoutfromunderneath.Hehadonjeansandboots.Hewasbigandmasculineandbeingthisclosetohimmadeherthighsalittletrembly.Sheforcedherattention
backtohiswords.“Youbakedapie?”“Uh-huh.”“Notpossible.”“Itis.I’llhaveyouknow
I’manexpertpie-maker.”Kenny?Ruggedly
handsome,footballstarKenny?“Whendidyoulearn?”“WhenIwasakid.We
wereinSwedenandhadahousekeeperwhomadethebestpies.Hercrustwasafamilyrecipe.”Heshrugged.“Iwasherfavoriteandformyninthbirthdayshetaughtmehowtomakeit.Onceyou
havethatdown,therestofthepieiseasy.”Chloescootedclosetohim
andgrinned.“IcanearnacookingbeadwhenI’maSapling.Canyouteachme?”“Surething,munchkin.”HeruffledChloe’shair.Thecombinationofthepet
nameandtheaffectionategesturewasnearlyasbone-meltyastheman’sbighands,Baileythought,awarethat
beingaroundKennywaslikeplayingwithfire.Excitingandultimatelydangerous.Butitwasjustoneday,right?Andaholiday.Didn’teveryonedeservealittlesomethingspecialonThanksgiving?
CHAPTERFOUR
“WEHAVEAspecificcorner,”BaileytoldKennyastheywalkedalongwitheveryoneelseheadingtowardthecenteroftownandtheparade.ChloehadalreadyspottedLaylaandhermomandrunahead.“OnSixthbetweenFrankandKatieLanes.”
“Okay,”hesaideasily.“Why?”“We’remeetingtheother
Sproutsthere.Chloewantstowatchtheparadewithherfriends.”Henodded.“She’sa
bright,outgoinggirl.Iwouldguessshe’spopular.”Baileystaredathim.“What?”heasked.“What
didIsay?”“Nothing,”shesaid,
turningaway,fightingunexpectedtears.“Bailey.”Kennypulledherontoa
drivewayandstaredather.“Areyoucrying?”Sheshookherheadand
sniffed.“No,”shesaidfirmlyasshelookedathim.“You’reright.She’spopular.Shehassleepoversnearlyeveryweekendandfriendscomingbyandparties...”Shestared
athim,hopinghercrushwoulddistractherfromheremotions,butforonceKennywassimplyafriend.“WhenWilldied,shewas
devastated.She’dbeencountingthedaysuntilhegothome.She’dbeensoexcitedtolearntoreadandwritebecauseshewantedtokeepadiaryforherdad.Itwasalistofthingstotellhim.Whathadhappenedtoherinher
day.EverynightIhelpedherwriteasentenceortwososhecouldshareitwithhim.Onlyhenevercameback.”Sherememberedtheshock
forbothofthem.Thepain.Andforher,theguilt.“Shestartednotdoingas
wellinschool.Shewasquietandhadnightmares.Iwassoscaredforher.Itookhertoachildpsychologist,whosaidshewouldcomeoutofit,but
Iwasn’tsure.”Shefelthereyesfillwithtearsagain,andshetriedtoblinkthemaway.“ThenIheardaboutthe
FWM.IsignedupChloeandshebecameanAcorn.”Shebrushedthemoisturefromhercheek.“Sheblossomedandnowmybestgirlisback.I’msograteful.”Kennyclearedhisthroat.
“I’mglad,”hesaid,andthenpulledherclose.
Theembracewasunexpectedandwarmandcomfortingandjustalittleexciting.Baileyletherselfleanagainsthimforasecond.Hewasalottallerthanherandheheldhereasily.Hesmelledgood,too,shethought.Nowifonlyhewouldconfesshisundyinglustforher,themomentwouldbecomplete.Buthedidn’tandsoonthey
werewalkingtowardtheparaderouteagain.Chloefoundherfriends
andBaileygreetedtheotherparents.SheintroducedKennyanddidherbesttoavoidthequestioninglooks.Atthebin-decoratingparty,KennyhadexplainedhewasfillinginforTaryn.Noonehadthoughttheyweretogether.Andtheyweren’t,Baileyremindedherself.He
wasjustafriendcomingoverforThanksgiving.Fortunatelytheparade
startedbeforeanyonecouldpullherasideandaskaboutthingsshecouldn’tanswer.Thefirstentrywasabannercarriedbytwohighschoolkidsfromthemarchingband.TheannualFool’sGoldThanksgivingparadehadbegun.MayorMarsharodebyin
anoldconvertible,followedbyseveralsmallerversionsofthefamousballoonsfromtheMacy’sparade.“Chloe’sgoingtowatch
therepeatofthatlater,”BaileytoldKenny.“Justsoyou’reprepared.”“Ilookforwardtoit.”Alltherightwords,she
thoughtwithasigh.Nodoubthehadplentyofpractice.Themarchingbandcame
next,loudlyplayingtheirversionof“JingleBells.”Fartherupthestreetcamemurmurs.BaileygrinnedatKenny.“It’sPriscilla,”shesaid
happily,rememberingtheonlypartoftheparadethathadmadeChloesmilelastyear.“She’sanelephant.She’llbedressedasSanta.”Helookedoverherhead,
thenfrowned.“Howdothey
dothat?”“Iheardthecostumewas
insectionsandheldtogetherwithVelcro.”Helookedoverthecrowd
andshookhishead.“Well,I’llbeda—”HeglancedattheSproutscrowdingaroundandpointing.“I’llbe,ah...”“Letitgo,”shetoldhim.
“There’snogoodsubstitute.”Hesmiledather.“Yougot
thatright.”Heturnedbackto
Priscilla.“Notsomethingyouseeeveryday.”“No.Iheardthatshehas
severalcustomblanketstokeepherwarm.Thelocalknittersmadethemforher.”“Gottalovethetown.Did
youknowaboutthecamel?”“There’sacamel?”Chloe
askedeagerlyandtriedtosee.Kennypickedherupasif
sheweighednothing.Herdaughterpointedand
laughed.“Mom,look!There’sReno
theponyandacamel.They’redressedaselves.”Baileywaiteduntilthat
partoftheparadecameintoview.SureenoughPriscillahadherelffriendswithher,alongwithwagonsfromCastleRanch.“I’veneverseenacamel
dressedasanelf,”shesaid,shakingherhead.
Acoupleoffiretrucks—alldeckedoutfortheholidays—werenext.Thereweresmalltreesandlotsofstars,includingseveralJewishstars.Anhourlater,theparade
hadendedandthethreeofthemmadetheirwaybacktotheapartment.Thesmellofturkeygreetedthemastheyenteredthelivingroom.Chloecarefullyhungupher
coatbeforeheadingtotheTVtofindthereplayoftheMacy’sparade.KennyhelpedBaileyoutofhers.Wasitherimaginationor
didhishandslingeronhershoulders?Sheknewtheanswer,ofcourse,butagirlcoulddream.Andwhenthemaninquestionwasasgoodasthisone,shesupposeddreamingwasinevitable.
***
THEFINALPREPARATIONSfordinnerwentassmoothlyasBaileycouldhavehoped.Kennywasn’tjustaguywhoknewhowtomakeapie,hewasalsoanexpertturkeycarver.Hisskillmadeherwonderabouttheotherwomeninhislife—bothwhotheywereandtheactualnumberofthem.
Thecheesebiscuitsandsweetpotatocasserolewentintotheovenatthesametime.ShestirredthegravywhileKennypouredwineforthetwoofthemandsparklingappleciderforChloe.Thetablewasbigenough
toseatsix.BaileyputKennyattheend.ShesatonhisrightwhileChloewasacrossfromheronhisleft.Theirplacesettingsweresurroundedby
bowlsandplattersandsteamingstacksofdeliciousfood.Whenthey’dtakentheir
places,KennysurprisedherbyreachingforherhandandChloe’s,thensayinggrace.Whenthey’dfilledtheir
plates,sheturnedtohim.“YoureallylearnedhowtobakepiesinSweden?”“Idid.”HepassedChloe
thestuffing.“Mymom
workedfortheStateDepartment.WelivedallaroundtheworlduntilIwastwelve.”“Didyoumissyour
friends?”Chloeasked.“Imadenewfriends.”Hereyeswidened.“Wasit
hard?”“Sometimes.EspeciallyifI
hadtolearnanewlanguage.ButIwasusedtoit.”HelookedatBailey.“Wemoved
backtotheStateswhenIwastwelve.MyparentswantedtosettleinoneplacesomysistersandIcouldhavecontinuity.”“Howmanysisters?”she
asked.“Three.I’minthemiddle.”Thatmusthavebeennice,
shethought.Shewouldhavelikedsiblings.AndforChloetohavehadatleastonebrotherorsister.Althoughthe
oddsofthatweregettingmoreunlikelybytheyear.“I’dlikeasister,”Chloe
said.“Iguessabrotherwouldbeokay,too.Daddyalwaystoldme...”Hervoicetrailedoffasshestaredatherplate.“What,honey?”Bailey
askedgently.Chloeraisedhergaze.“He
saidthatnomatterhowmanyotherkidsyouhad,thatIwouldalwaysbehisbestgirl.
BecauseIwasfirst.”Sheworriedherlowerlip.“IfeelsadbecauseIdon’trememberhimsomuch.”Baileyreachedacrossthe
tableandtouchedherdaughter’shand.Beforeshecouldfigureoutwhattosay,Kennyspoke.“Itsoundslikehereally
lovedyou.”Chloenodded.“Andyoulovedhim.”
Anothernod.“Isn’tthatthemost
importantpart?Knowingyoulovedeachother?”Hereachedforthesweetpotatoes.Chloelookedtoherfor
confirmation.Baileynodded.“Helivesoninyourheart.
Allthepeoplewelovedo.”“Foralways?”Chloe
asked.“Foralways,”Bailey
promised.
***
AFTERTHEYFINISHEDDINNER,BaileykeptwaitingforKennytoleave.ButhestuckwiththemthroughthesecondhalfofthefootballgameandChloe’smoviepickoftheevening,TheMuppetChristmasCarol.Abouteight-thirty,herdaughter
finallywounddownfromtheexcitementandzonkedoutonthesofa.BaileytriednottoletherheartgetalltwistywhenKennycarriedChloetobed.Buttherewassomething
magicalaboutabig,strongguycarryingalittlegirl.Soitwasn’tcompletelyherfaultthatshewasbothbreathlessandhopefulwhentheyreturnedtothelivingroom.
Hewasgoingtoleave,shetoldherself.Itwastimeforhimtogo.Theywereonlyfriends,soshewouldbevery,veryfoolishtoexpectanythingotherthanahandshake.Andwhileshedidn’texpectmore,shewaswillingtoadmitshewantedmore.Butinsteadofleaving,
Kennyreturnedtothesofa.Baileysettledontheopposite
endandfacedhim.“Yourpiewasdelicious,”
shesaidintothesilence.“Thanks.Thewholemeal
wasgreat.Thanksforinvitingme.”“Wehadfun.You’regood
withChloe.”Insteadofsmiling,he
staredpasther,asifseeingsomethingshecouldn’t.“Ilikekids.”“Doyouhaveany?”she
asked,realizinghowlittlesheknewabouthispast.Shereallyhadtospendsomequalitytimeontheinternet,usingGoogletodosomeresearchonhim.“No,”hesaidfirmly.“I
did.”Shestaredathim.“Oh,no.
Whathappened?I’msorry.”Helookedather.“Noone
died.Itwasn’tlikethat.”Shedidn’tunderstand.If
noonehaddied...Shewaited,notsurewhattoask,orifsheshould.Hisexpressionwastight—bothpainedandangry,shethought.“Highschoolwaseasy,”he
saidwithashrug,hisgazeonceagainlookingpasther.“Ilikedgirlsandtheylikedme.IwasinandoutofwhatIcalledloveeverycoupleofweeks.”“Soundslikefun.”
Heglancedatherandsmiled.“Yeah.Funisagoodwordforit.”Thesmilefaded.“Incollege,Igotalittlemoreserious.Thegirlfriendslastedmonthsinsteadofweeks.Butnoonestuck.Nataliewasoneofthem.Wedatedforafewweeks.Itwasgreatandthenitended.WhenIranintoherthefollowingspring,itwasobviousthatshewaspregnant.”
Baileystiffened.Shehadn’tseenthatcoming.“She’dnevertriedtogetin
touchwithme,whichpissedmeoff,”hecontinued.“Icouldcountaswellasthenextguy.Shewasaboutfivemonthsalong.Thekidwasmine.Iproposedandsherefused.Shesaidshedidn’twanttogetmarriedthatway.Sowemovedintogether.”Heshiftedalittle,then
lookedatBailey.“I’dbeendraftedatthatpoint.IwasexcitedaboutgraduatingandstartingmyNFLcareer.Ididn’ttakeasmuchtimewithNatalieasIshouldhave.Iwasn’thomemuch.Ididn’trunaroundwithotherwomen,buttherewerealotofthingstodo.”Shenodded,notsurewhat
hewantedtohear.Orwherethestorywasgoing.
“Thebaby—aboy—wasbornwhileIwasplaying.Nataliedidn’tcalltotellmeshewasinlabor.IrushedhomeassoonasIfoundout,butNataliewasn’tallthateagertokeepmeathome,soIwentbacktowork.Timepassed.Westillweren’tmarried,butwehadJamesandthatwasenoughforme.”Hedrewinabreath.“I
spentallmyfreetimewith
him.Hewasagreatkid.Smartandloving.Iwassodamnedproud.ThingswithNataliewereupanddown,butIfiguredthat’swhathappenedwhenyouwereinaseriousrelationship.WhenJameswasthree,everythingchanged.”Shelookedathim,wanting
desperatelytohearandalmostafraidofwhathewasgoingtotellher.
“How?”sheaskedsoftly.“Igothurt.Myfirstserious
injury.Imissedfivegames.WhileIwasrecovering,Nataliecametome.Shesaidthatthereasonshe’dneverwantedtomarrymewasthatshewasinlovewithanotherman.Amarriedman.Hekeptpromisingtoleavehiswifeforherandhefinallydid.Nataliewasleavingmetogobewithhim.”
Hisexpressionturnedfierce.“Itwasn’tgoodnews,butIwasokaywiththat.Wedefinitelyweren’tinlovethen.ItoldherIwantedcustodyofJames.That’swhenshesaidhewasn’tmine.Theotherguywasthefather.”Baileysuckedinabreath.
“Wasshetellingthetruth?”“Yeah.That’sthehellofit.
Igotanattorneyandwe
arrangedforaDNAtest.Butwhenitcameback...Ihadnolegalclaimonhim.ShetookhimandwalkedoutandIneversawhimagain.”Baileywantedtogoto
him,toholdhimandoffercomfort.Onlytherewasn’tanythingshecouldsay.Shetriedtoimaginewhatit
wouldbelikeifshelostChloe.Buteventhinkingitwaspossiblewastoopainful
toconsider.“I’msorry,”shewhispered.“Me,too.Thethingis,
you’regreatandIlikeyoualot.”Anunexpectedstatement
thatshouldhavethrilledher.Exceptforthesinglewordattheend.But.Hedidn’thavetosayit.
Shehearditloudandclear.Shewasthewomanwitha
kidwhowasn’this.Kennyhadbeenburnedthatwayoncebefore.Hewasn’tgoingtoriskitagain.“Iunderstand,”shetold
him,feelingdisappointedandmorethanalittlehurt.“Itmakesperfectsense.”“Iwantedyoutoknow
why,”hesaid.Shestood.“AndnowIdo.
Thankyou.ChloeandIhadagreattimetoday.”
“Idid,too.”Heroseandtherewasan
awkwardmomentastheybothstaredateachother.Hegaveherahalfsmileandreachedforhiscoat.Baileyheldopenthefront
door,brisklywishedhimgood-night,thenshutitbehindhim.Whenshewasalone,sheleanedagainstthedoorandtoldherselfitwasforthebetter.
Onlyshedidn’tfeelbetter.Shefeltalittlesicktoherstomach.Becauseshethoughtmaybewhathe’dbeensayingwasthatunderothercircumstances,hemighthavebeeninterestedinher.Thathemighthavethoughtshewashistype.Andknowingthatmadenothavinganychanceathimjustalittlemoredifficulttotake.
CHAPTERFIVE
ONEOFTHEadvantagesoflivinginFool’sGoldwasthatnomatterwhathorriblethingmightbehappeninginyourpersonallife,therewasalsosomethingintowntoserveasadistraction.Despitehavingnotslept
muchthenightbefore,Baileygreetedthemorningwithas
muchoptimismasshecouldmuster.Foronething,shehadagreatlife.Shehadherdaughter,friendsandajobsheloved,andinlessthantwoweeks,shewouldbemovingintoherfirstever,veryownhome.Itwasenough,shetoldherselffirmly.Shedidn’tneedaman—notevenoneastemptingasKenny.SheandChloehad
breakfast,thenshedroppedherdaughteroffatafriend’shouse,whereshewouldspendtheday.Forherpart,Baileywasgoingtoheadintotown.Allthestoreswouldbedecoratingfortheholidaysandthatwasfuntowatch.Therewasalsoanewstoreopening,andshewasmeetingIsabelthere.Tomorrow,sheandChloewouldgolookatallthestorewindowsandstay
forthetown’streelighting.Backatherplace,she
madequickworkofcleaningthekitchen,thendoveintohercloset.Shewantedtoclearoutasmanythingsaspossiblebeforethemove.SheandChloehadalreadydoneherdaughter’sroom.Chloehadgivenupacoupleofboxesoftoystobedonated.Clothesthatweretoosmallwouldalsogotocharity.
WhenBailey’scellphonerang,shewastryingtodecideifshewasevergoingtolosethetwentypoundsnecessaryforhertogetbackintoseveralpairsofjeanssheownedorifsheshouldsimplydonatethem.“Hello?”shesaidwithout
glancingatthedisplay.“Hey.”Allittookwasasingle
wordspokenbyaspecific
man.Herslightlyfakegoodmoodshatteredandthejeansdroppedtothecarpet.Shesankontothebed.“Kenny.”Athousandemotions
struggledtofindroominside.Shethoughtofthechildhe’dlostandhowshewouldneverhaveguessedhesufferedsuchatragedy.Shethoughtofthewayhissmilemadehertoescurlandhowknowinghe
wasagreatguymadehercrushjustalittlehardertogetover.“I’vegotallthebinsin
place,”hesaid.Ittookherasecondto
mentallyswitchgears.Right,thetoydrive.Thatwasstilltheirresponsibility.“Thankyou.There’sa
scheduleforcollection.Youhavethat,right?”“Yeah.Iknowmydays.”
“Theparentshelpingdo,too.Iappreciateyourhelpwithallthis.”“We’reinittogether.”Thetruth,butwhensaidin
hislow,sexyvoice...Well,shewantedittomeanalotmorethanitdid.“We’restillonfor
Sunday?”heasked.He’dofferedtotakeherto
SacramentotolookatbedroomfurnitureforChloe.
SheneededtogetherorderplacedandthoughttheBlackFridaycrazinesswouldbeoverbythen.Onlyafterlastnight,she’dassumedshewouldbeonherown.“Youdon’tmind?”“I’dliketogowithyou,”
hetoldher.“We’refriends,Bailey.Idon’twantthattochange.”Friendswasbetterthan
nothing,shetoldherself.
Friendswasthematureresponsetotheirsituation.Friendswasenough.Althoughthatlastonemightbestretchingthetruthatinybit.“Thankyou,”shesaid.“I’d
lovetheinput.Chloe’sgoingouttoCastleRanchforridinglessonswithseveralofherfriends,sothetimingisperfect.”“I’llpickyouupatnoon.”
“I’llbeready.”“Seeyouthen.’Bye.”Hehungupandshedidthe
same.Thiswasgood,shetold
herself.SheandChloewouldgotochurchandbebackintimeforanearlylunchbeforeherdaughterheadedoutonherownadventure.BaileyandKennywouldgotoSacramentoandbuyfurniture.Itwouldbenice.
Pleasant.Friendshangingouttogether.Nothingmore.Nomatterhowmuchshewantedalittle“more”inherlife.
***
DIAMONDSANDPURLS,ayarnandbeadshopclosetoBrew-haha,hadbeenopenalloftwohoursandwasalreadypacked.Baileysippedhercupofcomplimentaryhotcocoa
asshestudiedthebinsfilledwithwhatseemedlikehundredsoftypesofyarn.Thereweredifferentweightsandtextures,dozensofcolors.Yarnthatwasimpossiblysoftandyarnthatglittered.Ontheothersideofthe
storewerethebeads.Millionsofbeads,shethoughtwithagrin.Inventoryinthisplacewouldbecomplicated.
“Iloveit,”Isabelsaid,comingupnexttoherandlinkingarms.“Doesn’tthisplacemakeyouwanttobecreative?”Baileysmiledatherfriend.
“Areyousayingyou’regoingtotakeaclass?”Thetallblondeshookher
head.“No.I’mgoingtothinkabouttakingaclass.There’sadifference.”“Abigone,”Baileytold
her.“ChloeandIalreadytalkedabouttakingabeginner’sknittingclasstogether.”Isabeltriednottolook
horrified.“I’msureitwillbefun.”NoelleBoylan,ownerof
TheChristmasAttic,joinedthem.She,too,wasaprettyblonde.Herusuallyslimphysiquehadalittlemorecurvetoitthesedays,along
withadefinitebabybump.“Greatstore,”shesaid,
thensippedherhotchocolate.“Imisscoffee.Andwine.”“Howareyoufeeling?”
Baileyasked.“Better.Almostfour
monthstotheday,likeyousaid.”Noellehadspentthefirst
threemonthsofherpregnancyfeelingnauseous.Baileyhadgonethroughthe
samething.Bythefourthmonth,everythingcalmeddown.Noellegrinned.“Gabrielis
goingcrazy,though.Ithinkit’sharderforhimbecausehe’sadoctor.Hehasjustenoughtrainingtomakehimtotallyfreakouteverysingleday.”“Butit’snice,right?”
Isabelsaid,eyeingNoelle’sstomach.“Havinghim
hover.”“Mostofthetime.Except
whenIwanttosmotherhimwithapillow.”Theylaughed.Bailey
joinedin,eventhoughherfeelingswerebittersweet.She’dspentmuchofherpregnancyalone.Willhadbeendeployed.He’darrivedbackintimeforthebirth,buthadn’tbeenwithherthroughherpregnancy.Hehadn’t
seenherasshe’dgottenbiggerorfeltthebabymoveforthefirsttime.Thinkingaboutthepast
madeherwonderifthingswouldhavebeendifferentifhe’dbeenhomemore.Orwouldtheystillhavegrownapart?Itwasaquestionshecould
neveranswer,sheremindedherself.WillwasgoneandsheandChloeweremakinga
lifewithouthim.“Thedecoratingis
starting,”Noellesaid.“Forthetown’swindowdisplaycontest.”“You’vehadyourplan
figuredoutforweeks,”Isabelteased.“What’sthebigdealaboutwinningthisyear?”Noelle’sgazeintensified.
“Seriously?Youhavetoask?IfI’mentering,I’menteringtowin.”
“There’sthespiritofChristmas,”Isabelteased.Noelleignoredherand
turnedtoBailey.“Oneofthewindowsisgoingtobeafantasywinterwonderland,butwithatwist.Allthedecorationsarefunnyandquirky.LikeapickledressedupasSanta.”“ChloeandIcan’twaitto
seeit.”“Good.”Sheglanced
aroundthestore.“Iwanttogointroducemyselftotheowner.HernameisLora,right?”Baileynodded.“Yes.I’ve
metheracoupleoftimesandshe’sreallynice.I’msogladsheandherfamilymovedtoFool’sGold.”Isabelsighed.“You’rean
annoyinglypleasantperson,BaileyVoss.”Baileygrinned.“Why,
thankyou.”
***
KENNYDROPPEDOFFthetoysandcarefullysecuredthelockonthetrailer.Eachofthecollectionbinshe’dvisitedhadbeenoverflowing.Hehadafeelingthetrailerwouldbefulllongbeforetheirdeadline.Fromwhathecouldsee,thepeopleinFool’sGold
hadawayofcomingthroughforacause.HedrovetoBailey’s
apartmentandwalkedupstairstoherunit.Anticipationburnedhotinside,butheignoredthesensation.He’ddeliberatelymadehispositionclearwithher.Asmuchoutofself-defenseasbecauseitwastherightthingtodo.EventhoughhefoundBaileyfunny,sweet
andsexy,hecouldn’ttakethechance.Notnow,notever.Sheopenedherdoor,her
coatinherhand.“You’rerightontime,”she
saidwithasmile.“Itmustbeallthatsportstraining.Havingtobeatpracticeorgameswhentheysaid.”Henoddedbecausethe
punchtohisgutmadeitimpossibletospeak.Thereshouldhavebeen
nothingamazingabouther.Sheworejeansandagreensweaterthatmatchedhereyes.Shehadonsomemakeupandherhairtumbledpasthershouldersinloosecurls.Nicebutnotmind-shattering.Exceptshewas.Thecurves
alonewoulddriveastrongermantohiskneesandKennywaswillingtoadmitthatwhenitcametoBaileyhe
wasasweakasakitten.Thentherewasthesmilethattuggedatthecornersofhermouth.Amouthhewantedtocoverwithhisown,explore,tease,nibbleandlick.Hewantedtotasteher,holdher,striphernakedand—Hesuckedinabreathand
steeredhiswaywardmindbacktoreality.Nakedwasn’tgoingtohappen.Baileywashisfriend.Heshouldthinkof
herassomeonelikeagrandmother.Alovelywomanandnothingmore.“Thebinswerefull,”he
saidastheywentdownthestairs.“Atthisrate,it’snotgoingtotakelongtofillupthetrailer.”“I’mglad.IwashopingI
wouldn’thavetoactivatethephonetreeandmakeanappeal.”Heheldopenthepassenger
sidedoorforher.“There’saphonetree?”Shegrinned.“Really?You
havetoask?”Shewasstandingclose
enoughthathecouldbreatheinasweetscent.Alittlefloralwithahintofvanilla.Hewouldbetherskinwassoftandwarmandforasecondheallowedhimselftowonderifshewasquietwhenshemadeloveorifshemoaned.
Becausehelikeditbestwhenawomanmoaned.“Bytheway,Chloedoesn’t
know,”shetoldhim.Heblinked,tryingtofind
hiswaybacktotheconversation.“Aboutthefurniture?”he
asked,thepiecesfallingintoplace.Shenoddedandslidonto
theseat.“Itoldherwewereshoppingforfurniture,but
shethinkswe’regettinganewcoffeetable.Iwantittobeasurprise.”Heclosedherdoorand
walkedaroundtohisside.“Iwon’tsayanything,”hepromisedashesettlednexttoher.Theyheadedoutoftown
andgotontothefreewaytowardSacramento.Therewasasignonthesideoftheroadannouncingtheopening
oftheLuckyLadyCasinoseasonalice-skatingrink.“Weshoulddothat,”
Baileysaid.“ImeanChloeandme.Goiceskating.Ihaven’tinyears.NotsinceIwasateenager.DoyouthinkI’llrememberhow?”“Sure.Iskate.I’lltakethe
twoofyou,ifyou’dlike.Icancatchyouifyoufall.”Baileyglancedathim,then
away.“Iwouldn’twantyou
tohurtyourself,”shemurmured.“Notpossible.I’m
athletic.”Shelaughed.“I’veheard
thatsomewhere.Youusedtoplaysportsofsomekind?”“Veryfunny.”Shegrinned.“Icanbe.”
Thesmilefaded.“Okay,I’lladmitit.I’mnervousaboutbuyingfurniture.Iknowthisisgoingtosoundcrazy,but
I’veneverboughtthiskindofstuffbefore.Notnew,Imean.I’vealwayshadhand-me-downsorsomethingfromthethriftstore.WhenWillandIwerefirstmarried,wedidn’thaveanymoney.Andlater,wemovedaroundalot.WhenChloecamealong,plentyoffriendshadcribsandchangingtables.”“HowdidyouandWill
meet?”heasked.
Sheglancedathim.“Inhighschool.Hewasalittlenerdyandfunnyandcrazyaboutme.Wewerefriendsmorethanboyfriend-girlfriend.Iwasfocusedonsavingenoughmoneytogotocollege.”“Wasthatyourdream?”Shenodded.“Igrewupin
smalltowninOhio.MymomtookoffwhenIwasababyandmygrandmotherraised
me.Shewasagoodwoman,butshe’dbeenthroughsometoughtimes.IknewfromanearlyagethatIwasexpectedtobeonmyownwhenIturnedeighteen.”Hecouldn’timaginethat.
Heknewthatifhetoldhisparentshewantedtomovebacknow,theywouldwelcomehimwithopenarms.Notthatitwasevergoingtohappen.
“Ihadacoupleofjobsallthroughhighschool.IfiguredI’dworkfortwoyears,saveenoughtogetthroughcommunitycollege.WillalwaystoldmeIcoulddoit.Hehadadifferentpath.Hewantedtojointhearmy.”“Adifferentwayout.”“Exactly.”Sheshiftedin
herseat.“Thenightwegraduated,Willproposed.Iwasstunned.Isaidnoandhe
leftforbootcamp.Acoupleofweekslater,IrealizedIhadstrongerfeelingsforhimthanIthought.Idrovedowntowherehewasandwetalkedforalongtime.Bytheendoftheweekend,wewereengaged.Afterwegotmarried,Iwenttocommunitycollegeandworkedandhewasdeployed.”“ThenChloecamealong.”Shesmiled.“Yeah.She
wasasurprise,butagoodone.”“Didyougetyourdegree?”“Notcompletely.Ihave
myAA,butnotmybachelor’s.Myplanistostarttakingnightclassesnextfall.Chloewillbealittleolderandwe’llbesettledinourhouse.”“You’llgetthere,”hesaid.
“Youhaveaplan.”Shelaughed.“Yes,it’sall
abouthavingtherightplan.I’velearnedthatovertheyears.PartlyIwanttodoformyself,butalsoforChloe.Iwanthertoseemeworkinghardandsucceeding.Ithinkit’sagoodlessonforher.”EverythingaboutBailey
wasagoodlessonforherdaughter,hethought.Shewasimpressive,howshe’dkeptitalltogether.Hesupposedthatwasoneofthereasonshe
likedhersomuch.Theydroveinto
Sacramentoandfoundthefurniturestore.Astheywalkedinside,Baileypulledasmallnotebookoutofherbag.“Ididsomeonline
looking,”shetoldhim.“Ithoughtitwouldmakethisgofaster.Ididn’twanttobeoverwhelmedbychoices.”“It’skids’furniture.How
manychoicescouldtherebe?”Herexpressionturned
pitying.“AndhereIthoughtyouwereamanoftheworld.”Heheldopenthedoor.“I
am.”“We’llsee.”Fifteenminuteslater,he
hadtoadmithewasinoverhishead.Therewasawholefloorofkids’furniture.
Fortunatelytheycouldavoidthesectionforbabies,butstill.Therewasplentyfromwhichtochoose.Oneentirecornerwas
devotedtoprincessbeds.Somehadcanopiesandothershadscrollworkontheheadandfootboards.Therewaswhitefurnitureandgildedfurnitureandpaddedchairsintheshapeofhigh-heeledshoes.
Baileystaredatallthefantasysetups,withgauzybeddingandfluffypillows.“Isowanttogetherthis,”shemurmured.“Butit’ssilly.Ineedtofindsomethingshecanuseuntilshegoestocollege.Inafewyears,she’llhateherprincessbed.”Kennywantedtotellherto
goforit,butheknewthatwasn’tpractical.Baileyworkedforthecity.Itwasn’t
asifshewasgoingtosuddenlydoublehersalaryinthenextfewyears,andfurniturecostmoney.“Beddingisn’tthat
expensive,”hesaid.“Whataboutgettingamoresensiblesetup,thenbuyingafunprincesscomforter.Thatwouldn’tcostmuchtoreplaceinacoupleofyears.”Shenoddedslowly.“I
coulddothat.Addsome
pillows.”Shesmiledathim.“Howdoyouknowaboutbeddingmakingadifferenceinaroom?”“Ihavesistersandamom.”“They’llbesopleasedto
knowsomeofwhattheysaidgotthrough.”Hergentleteasingmade
himwanttopullherclose.ItmadehimwanttokissherandmaybebuywhatevershethoughtChloewould
like...histreat.Insteadhestuffedhishandsintohispocketsandjerkedhisheadtowardtherestofthefloor.“Let’sgobepractical.”Alittlewhilelater,they
stoodinfrontofwhatlookedtobetheperfectcompromise.“Areyousure?”Bailey
asked,thennibbledonherbottomlip.“Positive.”Kennypusheda
fewmorebuttonsonhis
phone,thenturnedthescreentowardher.“Look.Thereareallkindsofhardwareavailable.”Hepointedtoabrightdaisyknob.“Theseareeightdollarsapiecebutyouonlyneedsevenoreightofthem.Youcouldchangethemoutifyouneededto.”Shenoddedslowly,asif
workingthroughtheproblem.“Ilikethenaturalalot.It’saprettycolorandanice,
neutralbackdropforherroom.Shewantsitpaintedlavender.”Thebedroomsetwasboth
whimsicalandpractical,hethought,studyingthedesign.Auniquebunk-bedset.Thebottomwasafull-sizedbedwithasmallnighttabletuckednexttoit.Ontheleftsidewerestairsleadingtoatwinupperbunkthatwentacrossthetopofthefull,so
thebedsformedaT.Thebestpartwasthestorage.Eachstairwasadrawerandtherewasabigdrawerunderthefull-sizedmattress.“It’smorethanIhad
plannedtospend,”shemurmured.“Butwiththefreefinancingforayear,Icouldmakeitwork.Ijustthinkthisoneisperfect.”Hemovednexttoherand
puthishandonherarm.Fora
secondheallowedhimselftogetlostinthefeelofherwarmskin.Thenheshookofftheguymomentandfocusedontheproblemathand.“Don’tshootthe
messenger,”hebegan.“Tarynwantstogetyouahousewarmingpresentandsheputmeincharge.”Baileystaredathim.“I
don’tknowifIshouldlaughorbeafraid.”
“Thatwasmyreaction,too.IknowshewouldreallyliketogetChloeagreatprincessbeddingset.Likethatonewesawbythestairs.”They’dseenitontheway
in.Itwasallrufflesandlace,doneinvariousshadesofpink,blueorpurple.Therewerematchingpillowsandagreatlamp.Baileysurprisedhimby
turningaway.“DidTarynreallysaythat?”sheasked,beforeholdingupherhand.“Nevermind.Iknowtheanswer.Sheissonicetome.”Sheturnedbackandhe
sawtearsinhereyes.Shedrewinabreath.“Ifit
wasforme,Iwouldhavetoldherno,butforChloe,Iaccept.I’mgoingtogetthisone.She’llloveitanditwilllastherthroughcollegeand
shecanhavefriendsover.”Hecouldn’thelphimself.
Heputhisarmaroundheranddrewherclose.“You’reagoodmom,Bailey.”“IthinkI’mlikemost
momsoutthere.Weloveourkidsandwantthebestforthem.”Forasecond,sheleaned
intohim.Hefelttheweightofherbodyandwantedtopullherevencloser.He
wanted...Well,hewasclearonthatandhowhecouldn’triskit.Notjustforhimself,butforBailey,too.Shewasthekindofwomanamangotseriousabout,andheknewthedangerofthat.“Let’sgotalktothesales
guy,”hesaid,steeringherinthatdirection.“Whileyou’refillingoutthepaperwork,I’mgoingtocheckonlineforsomeprincess-worthydrawer
pulls.”
CHAPTERSIX
KENNYWAVEDJACKintotheoffice.HisbusinesspartnersatdownandwaiteduntilKennyhungupthephone.“Youmakeyourcalls?”he
asked.Jacknodded.“Theymostly
don’tcare.Forsomereasontheythinkyoucandoasgoodajob.Idiots.”
“You’dbehappieriftheywerethreateningtoleavethecompany?”Kennyaskedwithagrin.“Youknowit.”JackwasleavingScoreat
theendoftheyear.Althoughhe’dbeenafoundingpartnerwithTaryn,he’dbeenofferedacoachingjobatCalUFool’sGold.Andnotjustanycoachingjob.Hewasgoingtostartthefootballprogram,
fromthegroundup.Achallengingproject,butoneJackwouldseetotheend.KennywasconfidenttheCalUFGWarriorswouldhaveawinningseasonwithinthreeyearsoftheirfirstgame.Inthemeantime,Jackwas
contactingalltheirclientsandlettingthemknowhewasmovingon.Kennyfolloweduptoassurethemthathewascommittedtostayingwith
Score.Sofarnoonehadmindedaboutthechange.“It’sgoingtobestrange
nottobehereanymore,”Jacktoldhim.“ButI’mexcitedaboutwhat’saheadofme.”“Letmeknowifyouneed
anyhelp.”“Youwanttocoach?”“No,”Kennysaidwitha
laugh.“ButI’mhappytolistenandofferadvice.”“Samsaidthesamething,”
Jackadmitted.“You’regoodmen.”Kennyheldupahand.
“You’renotgoingtoturnintoawoman,areyou?Andstarttalkingaboutyourfeelings?”“No.SamandDellinaand
LarissaandIarethinkingofgoinguptoHenri’sforafancydinner.”Jackrolledhiseyes.“Larissasaystheydecoratethewholeresortandshewantstoseeit.Dellina
agrees.SamandIaregoingalongbecauseweloveourwomen.Youtwowanttojoinus?”Kennyfrownedathis
friend.Youtwo?Asin...“YouandBailey,”Jack
clarified.“Beforesheleft,Tarynmentionedthetwoofyouwereworkingonthetoydrivetogether.She’sfun,right?”Heshookhishead.“Orisitaproblembecauseof
Chloe?”BecauseJackknewabout
Kenny’spastandhowheavoidedsinglemothers.“We’refriends,”Kenny
said.“Icouldaskherifshe’dliketogo.”“It’suptoyou.Youcould
flyinoneofyourmodels.Ofcoursethedinnerwouldbewasted.Doesn’titbotheryouhowtheyonlyfakeeat?Noactualfoodpassestheirlips.”
“Justbecauseyou’reengagedtoaregularwomannow,don’tpretendyoudidn’tdatemodelsinyourday.”Jack’ssmileturnedsmug.
“Idatedeveryoneinmyday.I’vematuredandIknowbetternow.IhavethebestwomanontheplanetandI’mgoingtodoeverythinginmypowertomakeherhappyfortherestofherlife.Thatandwinanationalfootball
championship.”“Aslongasyouhaveyour
priorities,”Kennysaid.“I’lltalktoBaileyandletyouknowwhatshesays.”“Good.”Jackroseandleft.Kennytriedtoreturnhis
attentiontohiscomputer,butwhathesawinsteadofthescreenwasBailey.Hewouldliketotakehertothedinner.Aslongastheywereboth
clearontherules.
***
BAILEYWATCHEDKENNYcarefullytightenherdaughter’sskates.Therewassomethingsosweetandsexyaboutabigguyhelpingalittlegirl,shethought.Thoselargehandsandthoselittleskates.Notthatthiswasanythingbutfriendsgetting
together,sheremindedherself.Kennywasagoodguy.Goodenoughtowarnherthathewasn’tinterestedinherromantically.Forabriefmoment,she
allowedherselftofantasizeabouttellinghimshedidn’tneedtheromance.Thatanhourortwoinhisbedwasalltheholidaycheersheneeded.Butasfunasthatsounded,sheknewitwascompletely
unrealistic.She’donlybeenwithonemaninherlife.Andthatwasherhusband...afterthewedding.Shewasold-fashioned.Asmuchasshemightmiss
thethingsamancoulddotoherbody,shecouldn’tdothosethingslightly.Shemightnothavetobemarriedthesecondtimearound,butsheknewshewouldhavetobeinlove.Andfallingfor
Kennywouldbeanemotionaldisaster.Soshewouldsimplyenjoy
thesightofhimkneelingontheicewhileChloetriedtostandontheslipperysurface,allthewhilebalancedonablade.Herdaughterhungonto
hishandsasshegotherbalance.Baileyfinishedwithherownskatesandstood.Shewobbledabit,thenfoundher
centerofgravityandmovedtowardChloe.Herdaughterstaredather.
“Mommy,youcanskate!”“Sortof.It’sbeenawhile,
butit’scomingback.”ShemovedtoChloe’sside
andheldoutherhand.“Let’strymoving.It’seasierthanstandingstill.”Kennystood.He,of
course,hadnoproblemskating.Hemovedwitha
graceandsurenessthatsheadmired.Atthesametimeshewonderedwhatitmusthavebeenliketobesophysicallygifted.Notthatshewouldeverknow.HewasonChloe’sother
side.Herdaughtertookhishandandtogetherthethreeofthemstartedacrosstheice.Therinkhadbeensetupat
thefarendoftheresort’sparkinglot.Therewasa
canvasstructurewithsidesthatcouldberolledupwhentheweatherwascoldenough—liketonight.Thetemperaturehadtobeinthetwenties.Theycouldseetheirbreathandthestarsoverhead.Sofarithadbeencold,buttheyhadn’tgottensnow.“Trybendingyourkneesa
little,”Kennywassaying.“It’llhelpyoubalance.Ifyoustarttofall,don’twaveyour
arms.Getclosertotheground.Loweringyourcenterofgravitywillhelpkeepyoubalanced.”Whentheybothstaredat
him,heshrugged.“IusedtohaveRollerblades.Ican’thelpit.I’mgoodatstufflikethis.”Chloepulledfreeoftheir
hands.“Iwanttotryitonmyown.”Shemovedherlegsand
skatedalittleawayfromthem.Shewassurprisinglysteady.EitherKenny’sathleticprowesswasrubbingoff,orChloehadinheritedherskillfromWill.Thethreeofthemmadea
fewturnsaroundtherink.Therewereotherfamiliesout,alongwithteenagersondatesandyoungerkidsingroups.Chloecaughtsightofacoupleofherfriendsand
askedifshecouldskatewiththem.“Sure,”Baileytoldher.
“Justdon’tleavetherink.”“Iwon’t,”Chloecalled
overhershoulderasshehurriedaway.Kennysighedheavily.
“Theygrowupsofast.”Baileylaughed.“Theydo.”Hetuckedherarmintothe
crookofhisarm,whichmeanttheywereskatingclose
together.Shetoldherselftogowiththemomentandnotreadtoomuchintohisactions.Hewas,afterall,basicallyaniceman.“Ihaveconfirmationonthe
bedroomsetdelivery,”shesaid.“It’stheMondaybeforethemove.”“That’sgood.Soshe’ll
haveitforherfirstnightinthenewhouse.”Baileynodded.Shestill
couldn’tbelievehergoodfortune—beingabletobuyherveryownhouse.Whateverelsehappenedtoherinherlife,shewouldalwayshavethataccomplishment.“There’sgoingtobea
dinner,”Kennysaidabruptly.“WithJackandLarissaandSamandDellina.”Helookedather.“I’dliketotakeyou.It’satHenri’s.”
Baileystoppedandlookedathim.Henri’swasafancyrestaurant,ataverynicehoteluponthemountain.Somethinghotandhopefulbubbledtolifeinsideofher.“Ifwecouldgoasfriends,”
headdedcarefully.Thebubblesallpopped.
Sheforcedherselfnottoletherdisappointmentshow.Sheshouldbegrateful,she
toldherselfsternly.Kenny
hadtoldherhehadissueswithherbeingasinglemomandtheymadesense.Hewasn’tplayinggamesortryingtotrickherorbeinganythingbutfriendly,openandhonest.“Dinnersoundslikefun,”
shesaid.“Idon’thaveathingtowear,butI’llfigureitout.”“Ihaveasparejersey.”He
winked.“It’llbereallybigonyoubutwithabeltandsome
accessories...”Sheswattedathisarm.
“Thanks,butno.Andfortherecord,abeltisanaccessory.”“Really?Ithoughtitwas
justabelt.”Theystaredateachother
forasecond.Tensioncrackledbetweenthem—atleastonherside.Shedoubtedhenoticed.Althoughifhedid,maybehewouldkissher.
Becausewhileshewasn’tuptocasualsex,akisscouldbenice.Ithadbeenalongtimebetweenkisses.Worriedhecouldreadher
mind,shequicklyturnedaway.Tooquickly,itturnedout,asherfootslidoutfromunderher.Sheinstinctivelyraisedher
armsasshetriedtofindherbalance.Kennyreachedforherbutshewastoofaraway.
Shestaggeredacoupleofsteps,startedtofall,thenfeltapaininthesideofherankleasshewentdown.Herfirstthoughtwasthat
theicewasbothcoldandhard.Hersecondwasthatshelookedlikeanidiot.Ankleconcernscameinadistantthird.Kennykneltnexttoher.
“Areyouokay?Whathurts?Yourwrist?Yourhip?”
Shetriedtofigureouthowtostandwithoutfallingagain.“I’mokay.Ilostmybalance.”Probablynotinanelegantway,either.Sheshiftedtoputherweightonherskates,onlytogaspassearingheatrippedthroughherleftankle.Okay,thatwasn’tgoodatall.Kennyreachedforherfoot.
“Youhurtyourself.”“Justalittle.”
“Youwinced.”“I’mwimpy.”Hehadherskateoffinfive
secondsandthenremovedhersock.Theskinaroundherankleboneseemedalittlepuffy,butitwasasmallpricetopayforthefeelofthosestrong,largehandstouchingher.Kennyhadhermoveher
toes,thenherwholefoot.Thesharppainhadfadedto
somethingfairlydull.“I’mprettysureIcan
stand,”shesaid,reachingforhersock.“Let’sgetyoutoabench
andtakeitfromthere.”Heputthesockbackon
herfoot,thenstoodandreachedforher.Sheshrankaway.“Whatareyoudoing?”“Helpingyoutoyourfeet.”Shewastallandcarrying
anextratwenty-fivepounds.“I’mokay.I’lljustcrawlover.”Thebenchwasn’tthatfaraway.“Idon’twantyoutohurtyourself.”Hescowledather.“Ican
bench-pressoverthreehundredpounds.Icangetyoutoyourfeet.”Histonesaidhe’dbeen
insulted.Thisprobablywasn’tthetimetoexplainshedidn’tdoubthisstrength—
thatshewasmoreconcernedaboutherownpersonalbulk.Eitherway,theicewasreallycoldandshecouldseeChloeskatingtowardthem.“Okay,”shesaidquietly.“I
appreciatethehelp.”Hebentdownandactually
pickedherup.Likeshewasaslightasaragdoll.Thenthemancarriedhertothebench.Itallhappenedsofast,she
didn’tknowwhattothink.
Oncesecondshewasonice,thenextshewasperchedonthebench.Chloehurriedover.“Mom,
whathappened?”“Ifell.I’mfine.”“Shesprainedherankle,”
Kennysaid.“Iwantyoucheckedout.We’regoingtothehospital.They’lltakeanX-ray,justtobesure.”HepulledChloeclose.“Don’tworry,kid.I’llbewithboth
youeverystepoftheway.”
***
ONEX-RAY,acarrideandsecondtripinKenny’sarmsashecarriedheruptoherapartmentlater,Baileyfoundherselfrelaxingonherbed.TheE.R.doctorhadconfirmedamildsprain.Baileywastotakeiteasyforacoupleofdays.Shehad
crutches,acompressionbandageandinstructionstouseiceandananti-inflammatory.Thedoctorhadassuredhershewouldn’tneedthecrutchesmorethanadayortwo.He’dalsobeenimpressedbyKenny’sskillinwrappingthecompressionbandage.NodoubttheformerNFLplayerhadalotofpractice.KennyandChloe
disappearedintothekitchenonlytoreturnafewminuteslaterwithatrayofhotchocolateandseveralcookiesonaplate.“Weneedasnack,”Kenny
toldher.Chloeclimbedupnextto
hermotherwhileKennysatinthechairbyBailey’ssmallcornerdesk.Hedwarfedthefurniture,whichshouldhavelookedsillybutforsome
reasonshefoundcomforting.Baileyacceptedthemugof
hotchocolateandwonderedattheimprobabilityofthesituation.She’dthoughtaboutgettingKennyintoherbedroomandithadhappened.Butsomehowthiswasnotthescenarioshe’dfantasizedabout.“Areyoufeelingokay?”
Chloeaskedanxiously.“Honey,I’mfine.”Bailey
strokedherdaughter’shair.“IfellandIfeelfoolish.Myanklewillbealotbetterbytomorrow.”“Youhavetouse
crutches.”“Notforlong.Peopleget
hurtandthentheygetbetter.”Chloenodded,butdidn’t
lookconvinced.Baileywassureitwasharderforherthanformostkids.She’dalreadylostherfather—shewouldn’t
wanttoseehermotherasvulnerable.“I’mstaying,”Kenny
announced.Baileyblinkedathim.
“Excuseme?”“I’mgoingtosleeponthe
couch.”Athrillingthought,butno.
“That’snotnecessary.I’mmobile.”“Whatifyouneedtoget
downthestairsinthemiddle
ofthenight?Yourapartmentisonthesecondfloorandthere’snoelevator.I’mstaying.”Heshrugged.“Youcan’tsayno.You’renotinapositiontothrowmeout.Youcanbarelywalk.”HewinkedatChloe.“Ican’tseeyourmomputtingmeonhershoulderandhaulingmedownthestairs,canyou?”Chloegiggled.“Soit’sagreed.”
Baileyopenedhermouth,thenclosedit.Unexpectedtearsburnedinhereyesandsheknewifshespoke,shewouldlosecontrol.Thelastthingshewantedwasherdaughtertoseehercry.ItwasKenny,shethought,
smilingandhopingneitherofthemnoticedthesheenofmoisture.Actuallyitwashisactions.Hewastakingcareofherandithadbeensovery
longsinceshe’dhadashoulder—howevertemporary—toleanon.
***
WHILETHESOFAlookedcomfortableenough,Kennyknewitwasgoingtobealongnight.Althoughhehadanicepillowandplentyofblankets,therewasnowayhecameclosetofitting.Evenif
hedidn’thavehisfeethangingofftheend,hewasstillnotgoingtogetanyrest.MostlybecausewherehewantedtobewasinBailey’sbed,notherlivingroom.Noway,hereminded
himself.Thereweredozensofreasons—themostimportantofwhichwasinthesmaller,secondbedroom.Chloe.Abright,sweetkidwhomheadored.Butatthe
endoftheday,hewasn’tgoingtostarttocareaboutheronlytoloseher.Onlyafoolwouldexpectadifferentoutcome.Hepunchedthepillowa
coupleoftimesandclosedhiseyes.He’dnearlyfallenasleepwhenheheardfootstepsinthehallway.Theywerelightandhesitant.Hesawupandturnedon
thelight.Chloesteppedinto
view.Shehadonalongflannel
nightgownwithpinkflowersonit.Herbrightredhairwaspulledbackinabraidandhereyeswerehuge.Ashewatched,asingletearslippeddownhercheek.He’dgonehometopickup
sweatsandaT-shirttosleepin.Hepushedasidetheblanketsandpattedthesofanexttohim.Shecrossedto
him,butinsteadofsettlingbesidehimshethrewherselfathimandbegantocry.Baileyhadbeenemotional
earlier,hethoughtasheinstinctivelywrappedhisarmsroundChloe’sskinnybodyandheldherclose.Areactiontotheaccident,butstill.Femalesandtearswereatoughcombination.Notknowingwhatelseto
do,helethercryforafew
minutes.Herubbedherbackandmurmuredreassuringly.Finallysheraisedherheadandlookedathim.“Ihadabaddreamabout
mydad.”“Whatwasthedream?”“HewaslostandIcouldn’t
findhim.”Hebrushedhetearsfrom
hercheeks.“Yeah,that’sabadone.Itwokeyouup,huh?”
Shenoddedandsniffed.“Canyoukeeprealquiet
foraminute?”heasked.Shenodded.Hepickedherupand
carriedherintohermother’sbedroom.Baileylayasleeponherbed.Kennyreturnedtothelivingroomandsatonthesofawithheronhislap.“Youseeshe’sokay,
right?”Chloenodded.
Hesmiledather.“You’vehadalottodealwith,munchkin.Movingtoastrangetown,thenlosingyourdad.You’reabouttomoveintoanewhouse.Andwhilethenewhouseisgoingtobewonderful,it’sstillachange.Andsometimeschangeisupsetting.Evenagoodone.Welikeourroutines.”Shewatchedhim,herbig
greeneyesfocusedonhisface.“Whenyourmomfell,you
werescared.”Chloenodded.“Youknowshe’sokay,
right?Thatit’sjustasprainandshe’snotindanger.”WhathewantedtosaywasBaileywasn’tgoingtodie,buthedidn’tknowifthatwastoomuch.“Normallyyou’dbeokaywithit,butrightnow
it’sharder.”Anothernod,thisonea
littleslower.Someoftheworryfadedfromhereyes.“It’slikewhenI’mtiredandIgetcrankywhenIwouldn’tusually?”“Yeah.Justlikethat.
There’salotgoingonandthenyousawyourmomhurt.Itscaredyou.Itwouldscareanyone.Ithinkthat’sprobablywhyyouhadthe
dreamaboutyourdad.”Hetouchedhernose.“You
knowyourdadlovesyou.He’salwaysgoingtoloveyou.Justbecausehe’snothere,doesn’tmeanthelovegoesaway.It’slikethebluesky.Justbecauseyou’renotlookingdoesn’tmeanit’ssuddenlypurpleorgreen.”Shesmiled.“Becausehe’s
myforeverdad?”Soft,sweetwordsthathit
himinthegut.Longingsofierceandintensethatitstolehisbreathcaughthiminavisegripanddidn’tletgo.Becausethatwaswhat
he’dwantedwithJamesandwhathestillwanted.Hewasoneofthosetraditionalguyswhohadalwaysassumedhewouldgetmarriedandhavekids.Notspecialdreams,buthisallthesame.Theproblemwasafter
Natalie,he’dbeenreluctanttotrustagain.Therehadbeengirlfriends,butnoneofthemhadtrulytouchedhisheart.Infactthefirstwomantogethisattentioninthatwayhappenedtobethemotherofthelittlegirlsittingonhisknee.Chloeslidtothefloorand
yawned.“Thanks,Kenny.Ifeelbetter.I’mgoingbacktobed.”
“I’llwalkyou.”Hegothersettled,kissed
herontheforehead,thenretreatedtothesofa.Buthedidn’tbotherlyingdown.Heknewhewouldn’tsleep.Notwheneverythinghewantedwassodamnedclose,andyetcompletelyoutofreach.
CHAPTERSEVEN
BAILEYWIGGLEDINTOherSpanxcamisoleandsmootheditintoplace.Tonightwasthetriple-datedinneratHenri’swithKenny.Notthattheyweredating.Theywerefriendsjoiningtwoothercouples,oneof
whomwasmarried,whiletheotherwasengaged.Nobigdeal.Exceptthinkingaboutthat
overandoverdidn’tseemtobegettingthemessagetothebutterfliescurrentlypracticingtheirNutcrackerballetinherstomach.She’dbeenluckywithher
sprain.Thefollowingmorningshehadn’tneededhercrutchesatall.The
swellinghadgonedownquicklyandbythesecondday,therewasn’tmuchpain.She’dbeencarefultowearflatsfortheweeksoshecouldsaveheranklefortonight.Shepulledherholiday
sweateroverherhead.Itwasblackwithstylizedbowsknitintothepattern.Allofthebowswerewhite,exceptforoneredone.Shehadherfaux
diamond-studearringsshe’dpurchasedonsaleandapairoftoo-highsexyblackheelsshe’dgottenataclothingexchange.Baileystudiedher
reflectioninthemirror.She’ddoneherbestwithhermakeup.Herhairwasgood—longandthickwithacurlywave.Shethoughtshelookednice.ButwhatwouldKennythink?
She’dgivenuponthejust-friendsthing.Shehadacrushonhimandallthesensibletalkintheworldwasn’tgoingtochangethat.Thetruthwastheywouldbeseeingalotofeachotherovertheholidays.Shewouldenjoyeveryminuteofthat.Butcomethefirstoftheyear,shewasgoingonaKennydiet.Shehadafeelingthatgivinghimupwasgoingtobealot
harderthangivingupcarbs,whichhappenedtobethesecondofherresolutionsforJanuary.Shedidn’thaveachoice.
Notonlyhadhemadehisfeelingsextremelyclear,butshe’dalsoactuallytakenthetimetodoanonlinesearchofhimthepreviousnight.Theresultshadnotbeeneasytosee.Whilethereweren’tmanypicturesofKennywith
thewomanhe’dthoughtofasthemotherofhischild,thereweremorethanenoughofhimwithbeautiful,talented,sexy,thinwomen.Modelsandactresses.Acoupleofathletesandawomanwhohadfoundedasuccessfulnonprofitwhilestillinherteens.Ifoneignoredthebeautiful
andsuccessfulpart,hedidn’tseemtohaveaphysicaltype.
Therewereblondes,brunettesandasmatteringofredheads.Somewereshort,someweretall.Butnotoneofthemhadbeencurvy.Orplump.Orfightinganextratwentypounds.Therealsohadn’tbeenanyexecutiveassistantsorschoolteachersorhairstylists.Inaword,Kennydidn’tseemtofavornormalwhenitcametothewomeninhislife.
Whichmadetheneedtogetoverhimevenstronger.Shegothercoatandher
leastsensiblehandbag,whichwasstillaprettyutilitarianblackshoulderbag,andwalkedintothelivingroom.ChloewasstayingwithherfriendAllisonforthenight,savingBaileythecostofababysitter.Rightontimesheheard
stepsonthestairs,thena
knockatherdoor.SheopenedittofindKennystandingthere,lookingwaytoogoodtobelegal.Hehadonalongcamel-
coloredcoatandadarksuit.Helookedasifhe’dshoweredandshaved.Hesmiledatherandsteppedintoherapartment.“Youlookgreat,”hesaid
bywayofgreeting.“You,too.”Shefrownedas
shenoticedthereweremeltingwhiteflakesonhisshoulders.“Isitsnowing?”Hegrinned.“Juststarted.
Don’tworry.Ihaveall-wheeldrive.”Becausetheywereheading
upthemountain.Whatiftheygotsnowedin?Sheallowedherselfexactly
foursecondstoimagineherselfandKennyinahotelroom,withafireplaceanda
verybigbed.Thenshegatheredher“I’mamotherandIhavetobesensible”thoughtsandignoredthetempting,naughtyones.Thelightsnowfallbecame
steadierastheyheadedfortherestaurant.Neartheresort,theypassedaplowalreadydoingitsthing.Somuchforbeingsnowedin,shethoughtwithonlyalittleregret.
TheGoldRushSkiLodgeandResorthadbeendecoratedfortheholidays.Thebrightlightswerevisiblefromtheroad.Kennyturnedontotheproperty,thenfollowedthesignstothevalet.TheChristmascheer
continuedinsidethemainbuilding.Therewereseveraltreessetupinthelobby,withgarlandaroundallthe
doorways.CarolsplayedfromhiddenspeakersandseveralofthestaffsportedfestiveSantahats.“It’sthisway,”Kenny
said,pointingtoalonghallway.Shestartedinthat
direction.Heputhishandonthesmallofherback.Eventhroughhercoatshefeltthewarmthandstrengthofhishand.
Hewasjustbeingagentleman,shetoldherself.Sheshouldn’treadanythingintohisactions.Onlyafewmoreweeks,
sheremindedherself.ShewouldseeKennyregularlythroughthetoydriveandthenhewouldbegonefromherlife.Shewouldallowherselftobehopefulandevenwistfulthroughtheholidays,rightupuntiltheNewYear.
Thenshewouldreturntoherhappy,busy,sensibleself.Henri’swasafive-star
restaurant.Baileywasn’tsurewhat,exactly,thatmeant,beyondthefoodbeinggood.Andprobablyexpensive.She’snevereatentherebefore.Infact,shehadn’tspentanytimeupattheresort,exceptwhenshe’dhelpedDellinawithaScorepartythereoverthesummer.
Shehadtoadmitthequietelegancewasverynice.Ahostesstooktheircoats,thenshowedthembacktotheirtable.JackandLarissaandSamandDellinawerestandingnexttoit,talking.Thefourofthemturned
andgreetedherandKenny.JackandSamsurprisedherbykissingheronthecheek.Herfriendshuggedher.Theywereallseatedandaserver
appearedwithabottleofchampagneandsixglasses.“There’salottocelebrate,”
Jacksaid,hisgazelockedfirmlyonLarissa,hisfiancée.“I’llsecondthat,”Sam
added.Theytoastedtheholiday
season.BaileysippedherbubblydrinkandtriednottostareatthebottleofDomPérignon—achampagneshe’donlyeverreadaboutin
booksorseeninmovies.Kennyleanedclose.“You
eatredmeat,don’tyou?”“Ofcourse.”“Howdoyoulikeyour
steak?”“Mediumrare.”Hegrinned.“Yougetmore
amazingeverytimeI’mwithyou.Wanttosplitthechateaubriandfortwo?”She’dseenitonthemenu.
Itwasaholidayspecialand
costmorethanherelectricandcablebillscombined.“I’veneverhaditbefore.
I’msureitwillbegreat.Thankyou.”“You’regoingtoloveit,”
hepromised.Theysippedchampagne
andtalkedaboutwhatwashappeningaroundtown.Dellinawasbusywithseveralholidayparties.“Januarysecond,we’reout
ofhere,”Samsaid,takinghiswife’shandinhisandkissingherknuckles.Baileyknewtheywere
headingofftoAustraliaandNewZealandforathree-weekbelatedhoneymoon.“I’llbebackintimeto
finalizeeverythingforyourwedding,”DellinatoldLarissa.Larissa,aprettyblonde
withaneasysmile,shookher
head.“Don’tworryaboutit.Ihavethedressandwe’reallsetforthevenue.”Kennynodded
approvingly.“You’resmart,”hetoldJack.“Nowayyou’llforgetyouranniversary.”BecauseJackandLarissa
weregettingmarriedonValentine’sDay.ItfellonaSaturdaynextFebruary.“Chloe’sexcited,”Bailey
said.“She’sneverbeena
flowergirlbefore.Shelovesherdress.”Theeventwasgoingtobe
aneveningaffair,hereattheresort.Jackhadalreadyarrangedforroomsfortheentireweddingparty,includingBaileyandChloe.BaileywasdeterminedthatshewouldbeoverKennybythen.Maybeshewouldevenbedatingsomeone.Althoughrightnow,that
seemedimpossibletoimagine.Whocouldbenicerorsweeterormorefuntobewith?Oh,thosefirstfewKenny-dietdaysweregoingtobeugly,shethought.Butnotsomethingshehadtoworryaboutnow.Theserverreappearedand
theyplacedtheirorders.JacktalkedabouthisnewjobatCalUFool’sGoldandKennymentionedafewclients.Talk
turnedtoholidayhappeningsintown.“We’redoingincredibly
wellonthetoydrive,”Baileysaid.“We’regoingtofillupourtrailerforsure.”“Letmeknowifyouneed
anythingextra,”Samsaid.“Me,too,”Jacktoldher.
“Takeadvantageofus.”“Hemeansfinancially,”
Kennysaid,glaringathisfriend.
“Iknewthat,”Baileytoldhim.“Iwillbeintouchifwefallshortonanything.”Theirsaladsandsoups
appeared.Baileyhadchosenthecrabbisque.Itcameinabeautifulgold-rimmedbowl.Therewasalittletowerofcrabinthemiddleofanemptybowl.Theserversetitinfrontofher,thenpouredsteamingbisqueintotheplate,followedbyadrizzleof
truffleoil.Thecombinationofsmellsmadeherstomachrumble.Conversationcontinued.
DellinaaskedaboutBailey’shouseandsheadmittedtobeingnervousaboutalltheworkshehadtodobetweenclosingandmoving.SamentertainedthemwithstoriesabouthisbawdyparentsandhowtheywerepressuringhimtogetDellinapregnant.
Partwaythroughthemeal,KennydrapedhisarmacrossthebackofBailey’schair.Shefeltenvelopedbyhiswarmthandwantedtoleanin.Butwhenhisfingertipslightlyrestedonhershoulder,sheallowedherselftopretend,ifjustforthatminute,thattheywereacouple.
***
“WHYDOWOMENgotothebathroominpacks?”Kennyaskedastheydrovebacktotown.Itwasafterelevenandthetemperaturewasinthelowtwenties.Butthesnowhadstoppedandtheroadwasplowed.Baileylaughed.“Idon’t
know.It’sjustathingwedo.Iguesswewanttotalkwithoutyouguysaround.”“Ifigured.Whilethethree
ofyouwereoffdoingyourthing,Jack,SamandIhadourownconversation.Whatareyoudoingaboutthemove?”“Ihavethenameofa
companyIwasgoingtouse.Why?”“We’lltakecareofit.You
don’thavealotofstuff.I’llrentatruckforthemorningoftheninth.You’llonlyneedtopackupthebreakables.
We’lltakecareoftherestofit.”Shestaredathim.“Ican’t
letyoudothat.”“TechnicallyIdon’tthink
youcouldstopme.I’mbiggerthanyou.”Hereachedacrosstheconsoleandsqueezedherhand.“Youhaveplentygoingon,Bailey.Thinkofitasaholidaysurprise.”Theunexpectedgesture
flooredher.Ifshedidn’thavetopayformovers,thatwouldmeananextrafourorfivehundreddollarsinherpocket.“Thankyou,”she
murmured.“Ireallyappreciatethehelp.”“It’swhatfriendsdo.”He
withdrewhishand.Theydrovethroughtown
andparkedinfrontofherbuilding.“Youdon’thavetowalk
meup,”shetoldhim.“Noway.Iwasraisedto
walkaladytoherdoor.”Hecamearoundthesideof
hisSUVandhelpedherout,thenfollowedheruptothefrontdoor.Baileybracedherselfforwhatwasgoingtobeanawkwardmoment.Becausetheyweren’tonadate.Therewouldn’tbeanykissing.Sowhatwasshesupposedtodo?Shakehis
hand?Theyreachedthedoorand
shegotoutherkey.Forasecondshethoughtaboutofferingcoffee.Onlyitwaslateandhemightthinkshewashopingformorethancoffee,whichshewas,butitwasprobablyforthebestifthatinformationwasn’tconfirmed.“Thankyoufortonight,”
shesaidwhenshe’dopened
thedoor.“Forthedinnerandtheoffertomoveourstuff.”“You’rewelcome.”Shestaredintohisface.He
wasagood-lookingguy,butthatwastheleastofit,shethoughtwithalittlesigh.Hisactionswereturningouttobeevenmoreimpressive.“Goodnight,”hesaidand
startedtoturnaway.“’Night.”Butbeforeshecouldstep
intoherapartment,hespunback,puthishandsonhershoulders,bentdownandkissedher.Thesoft,warmcontactof
hismouthonherscaughtherbysurprise.Shedidn’tknowwhattodo,soshestayedwhereshewas.Asecondpassed,thenanother.Hislipsmovedagainsther—lightly,sweetly.Sheleanedinalittle.Deepinsideshefelt
wantingandhunger.Fireburnedhotandbright.Buttherewasmorethanthat.Therewasasenseofrightness,ofbelonging.Asifshe’dbeenwaitingforthismoment,forthisman,allherlife.Hedrewback.“Good
night,Bailey.”Shenoddedandwatched
himgodownthestairs.Thenshewentintoherapartment
andclosedthedoor.
***
KENNYWENTOVERtheaccountinformation.HehadacoupleofclientmeetingsinJanuary.Andalistofnewclientshewantedtostartwooing.Thatwastheparthelikedbest.Meetingwithaclientforthefirsttimeandblowingthemaway.
Hecouldusuallygetameeting.Thatcamefromhavingarecognizablename.Butpeoplewhodidn’tknowhimoftenassumedhewasjustadumbjock.Theydidn’texpectmuch,whichgavehimanadvantage.Onehewasn’taboveusing.Hisphonebuzzed.“Yes?”“Youhaveavisitor,
Kenny,”thereceptionistsaid.
“HernameisChloe.”Hesmiled.“Sendher
back.”Hegotupandwalkedinto
thehallway.Hissmilewidenedwhenhesawher.Shehadonacoatandscarf,withabackpackoverhershoulders.Longredhairhungdownbelowherhood.“Kenny!”Sheflewtoward
himandhuggedhim.“It’ssnowingagain.Isn’tthatthe
best?We’regoingtohavesnowforChristmas.”“Iknow.Prettycool.”He
showedherintohisoffice.Ittookacoupleofseconds
forhertodropherbackpackonthefloor,thenshrugoutofhercoat.Hesawthereindeerbarrettesinherhairandfeltadistincttugginginthecenterofhischest.Chloewasasweetkidandshegottohim.“Howaboutacupof
coffee?”heasked,keepinghisvoiceserious.Chloegiggled.“I’mseven.
Idon’tdrinkcoffee.”“Right.Goodpoint.Let’s
gogetahotchocolate.”Hergreeneyeswidened.
“Youhavehotchocolateatyouroffice?”“Sure.Wehaveoneof
thosecoffeemakerswiththepods.It’lldoanything.”Theywalkedintothebreak
room.HeshowedChloehowtousetheKeurigbrewer.Shewatchedasherdrinkpouredintoamug.Therewasaplateofcookiesonthetable.Whilehiscoffeebrewed,theyeachpickedacookie,thentookthemandtheirdrinksbacktohisoffice.Shesatononesideofhis
desk,whilehetooktheother.Sheblewonherdrink
beforetastingit,thenshe
smiled.“Thisisreallygood.”“I’mglad.Sowhat’sup?”“Iwanttomakeajewelry
boxformymom,”shetoldhim.“ForChristmas.”Shedugsomesheetsoutofherbackpack.Itshowedhowtodecoupageaboxandthensealit.“I’vesavedmoneyfortheboxandIhavelotsofpicturestoputonit.ButmyfriendAllison’smomsaidI’llneedhelptogetitfinished.
Canyouhelpme?”Self-preservationmeant
sayingno.Chloe’sbiggreeneyestoldhimthatwasn’tgoingtohappen.Hewasindangerousterritory,butthatcouldn’tbehelped.“Surething.Wecangoget
thesuppliesnow,ifyouwant.Thenworkonitoverthenextfewdays.”Shesmiled.“Thankyou.I
alsoneedtogetmymom
somepresentsforherstocking.”Sheshrugged.“Iknowthere’snoSanta,butstockingsareimportant.Shedoesn’thaveone.Justme.Don’tyouthinkmymomshouldhaveastocking?”“Ido.Haveyouthought
aboutwhattoputinit?”“It’ssupposedtobefun
stuff.Candyandlittletoys.Maybealipgloss.”Shepulledseveralcrumbled
dollarbillsoutofherpocket.“Isthisgoingtobeenough?”Shemightaswellhave
reachedintohischestandpulledouthisstill-beatingheart,hethoughtashestaredatwhatlookedlikethreedollarsandchange.Kidsweretough—andthebestpartoflife.“Yeah,”hetoldher,trying
tokeepanyemotionoutofhisvoice.“That’splenty.”
BecausehewouldpayforwhateverChloewantedtoget.Notjustforthegirlherself,butforhermom,who’ddoneagreatjobwithherdaughter.
***
“THANKYOU,”BAILEYSAID,tellingherselfitwouldbebadtostartsobbing.Herrealestateagenthadbeen
incrediblysupportive.Breakingdownintears,howeverhappy,wouldonlyfrightenthewoman.Heragentsmiledather.
“MerryChristmas,Bailey.You’reahomeowner.”Baileynoddedandwalked
outoftheoffice.Sheclutchedherhousekeytightlyinherhand.Ithadreally,reallyhappened.Sheofficially,legallyandeveryotherl-y
wordshecouldn’tthinkofrightnow,ownedthehouse.Itwashers.Escrowhadclosed.Outsidetheskywasclear
andthesunshining.Therewereholidaydecorationseverywhere.Shewantedtostopeveryoneshepassedandtellthemthegoodnews.Sheownedherownhome!Butratherthanfrightenher
fellowcitizens,shewalked
towardthroughtownanduptowardhernewneighborhood.ShewantedtoseethehouseforjustafewminutesbeforeshewenttopickupChloefromschool.Fiveminuteslatershe
stoodonthesidewalkandtoldherselftokeepbreathing.Thatthiswasreallyhappening.Shestaredatthehouse
she’dboughtandfeltarush
ofgratitude.MovingtoFool’sGoldhadchangedeverything,shethoughthappily.Shehadagreatjob,friendsandafuture.Themayorhadgivenhertherestofthedayoff,alongwithMondayandTuesdaysosheandChloecouldgetmovedandsettledbeforetheholidays.Afewfriendswerecomingbyovertheweekendtohelpherpaint.Chloe’s
bedroomfurniturewouldbedeliveredonMonday.Whatmorecouldsheaskfor?Rightthen,afamiliardark
SUVpulledintoherdriveway.HeralreadythunderingheartkickeditupacoupleofspeedsasKennyclimbedout.“Congratulations,”hesaid.
“Youdidit.”“HowdidyouknowI’d
closed?”
“Yourrealestateagentcalledme.Iaskedherto.”Baileytriedtosummon
someindignation,butjustcouldn’t.“Somuchforherworkingforme.”Heflashedheragrin.“She
thoughtIwascharming.”“I’llbet.”Hemovedtotherearofhis
vehicleandpoppedthehatch.Insideweregallonsofpaint,tarpsandbrushes,alongwith
bagsfilledwithcleaningsupplies,Spackleandsandpaper.Shesighed.“Youpicked
upmyhardwarestoreorderforme?Thankyou.”“You’rewelcome.Come
on.Youcanhelpmecarryitinside.”Shetookafewshopping
bagswhilehegrabbedthreepaintcansineachhand.Shefollowedhimtothefront
doorandtriednottolethergazelingeronhisbutt.Althoughshehadtoadmititwasaprettyimpressivebutt.Kennylookedgreatinasuit,butinjeansandaleatherjacket,themanwasdevastating.Hebumpedhisshoulder
againstthefrontdoor.“Oh,letmeunlockthat,”
Baileytoldhim.“Notnecessary.”
Thedoorswungopen.Beforeshecouldfigureouthowthatwaspossible,shesawoveradozenwomenwaitinginhernewlivingroom.LarissaandIsabelstoodtogether,withDellinarightbehindthem.NoelleandPatience,Heidi,AnnabelleandCharlie,theHendrixtriplets,Consuelo,andevenMayorMarshawasthere.Theywerealldressedinjeans
andsweatshirts.“Surprise!”theyyelled.Baileyblinked.“Idon’t
understand.”Isabelhuggedher.“We’re
heretohelp.We’regoingtocleanandsandandpaintandputdownshelfpaper.BySundaynight,yourhouseisgoingtobereadyforyoutomovein.”Larissalaughed.“Don’t
looksosurprised.Welove
you.WewereplanningonhelpingwhenKennytalkedtomeaboutit.Thetwoofusarrangedeverything.”“I’monlunchduty,”
Noellesaid,pattingherstomach.“Ican’tdopaint,whatwithbeingpregnant.ButI’mhappytorunerrands.”Baileylookedatallher
friendsandfelttheiraffectionwashoverher.Turningto
Kennywasadifferentstory.Shewasafraidofwhathemightseeinhereyesifshelookedathimjustnow.“Idon’tknowhowtothank
allofyou,”shesaidhonestly.“Child,we’reyourfamily
now,”MayorMarshatoldher.“Allright,everyone,let’sgettowork.”BythetimeBaileyhad
collectedChloefromschool,herhousewascontrolled
chaos.CharlieStryker,afirefighterintown,hadtakencontroloftheworkparties.Thebathroomsandkitchenswerebeingscrubbedfromtoptobottom.KennyhadbeenjoinedbyJackandSam.Theywerehardatwork,preppingthewalls.“Iwanttocomplainabout
thetraditionaldivisionoflabor,”CharliesaidwhenBaileywalkedinwithher
daughter,“buttheguysaredoinggoodwork.SoIwon’t.”Baileylistenedtothe
happyconversationsfromeverycornerofthehouseandknewthatshewouldtreasurethismemoryalways.Asforthemanwhohadmadeithappen...well,thatwasaproblemforlater.
CHAPTEREIGHT
THEDAYBEFOREthemove,Baileypackedupherkitchen.Atleastthebreakableitems.Pots,pansandflatwareshesimplyplacedlooseinboxes.Shewasn’tgoingtomoveacrossthecountry—justafewblocksaway.
Theweekendhadbeenalotofwork,butsomuchhadbeenaccomplished.Thehousewascleanandpainted.Chloe’sbedroomwasabeautifullavendercolor,withthedoors,windowsandtrimalldoneinwhite.Baileyhadpickedasoftblue-grayforherbedroom,andamutedsage-greenfortherestofthehouse.Shestraightened,putting
herhandatthesmallofherback.Therewereachesandpainsfromallshe’dbeendoing,butitwasworthit.Rightafterlunchshewasmeetingthedeliveryguysatthenewhouse.TheywoulddeliverandputtogetherChloe’sbedroomfurniture.Tomorrowwasthemoveandthensheandherdaughterwouldbeintheirnewhome.Shepulledthestepstool
overtothecabinetabovetherefrigerator,thenclimbedup.Therewereonlyafewservingpiecesupthere—onessheusedforspecialoccasions,likeChristmasdinner.Assheloweredtheitemsto
thecounter,shesmiled.Therewasacrystalbowlsheusedeveryyear.Ithadbeaweddinggiftfromhergrandmother.Thebowlhad
beeninthefamilyfornearlyahundredyears.Whileshelovedthatbowl,forsomereason,Willhadloveditevenmore.HersmilefadedassherememberedhowhardlastChristmashadbeenandhowshehadn’tbotheredtogetdownthefancyservingpieces.Shejusthadn’tbeenabletofacethem.Nowshetouchedthebowl
andrememberedallthegood
timesthey’dhadasafamily.ShemightnothavebeenmadlyinlovewithWillbeforehedied,butshewouldalwaysrememberhowhe’dbeenagoodhusbandandfather.Shepickedupthecrystal
bowltowrapitandsawtherewasanenvelopetuckedinside.Hernamewasonthefront,inWill’shandwriting.Shestartedtoshake.After
pickinguptheenvelope,shewalkedovertothekitchentableandsatdown.SheopenedtheenvelopeandfoundaChristmascardinside.Sheopenedit.
Bailey, I’m puttingthis where I knowyou’ll find it onChristmas Eve. I’mheading outtomorrow and I
won’t be back forsix months. I’msorry to be awayfrom you andChloe,especiallyatthe holiday. KnowthatI’llalwaysloveyouboth,somuch.
Hereyesfilledwithtears.Shehadn’tfounditonChristmasEve,shethoughtsadly.Hadn’tknownheleft
it.Now,lookingback,shewonderedifhavinghiscardwouldhavemadelastChristmaseasierormoredifficult.Sheturnedthecardoverin
herhand,thengotupandtookitintoherbedroom.ShehadaboxofWill’sthingsshewassavingforherdaughter.WhenChloewasalittleolder,theywouldgothroughthemtogether.
Sheplacedthecardinsideandclosedthebox.Thenshegotbacktoherpacking.
***
KENNYWAITEDBYtheelementaryschool.Hewasacoupleofminutesearly,withhisSUVinlinewithalltheparentspickinguptheirchildren.InFool’sGoldmostkidswalkedhomefrom
school,sohewassurprisedatthenumberofdrivers.Thenhenoticedallthesportsequipmentandstickersforthingslikedanceanddramaandfiguredthekidsbeingpickedupwereheadingtoanactivity.HewasthereforChloe.
Baileywasfinishingupthelastofherpackingbeforethemovetomorrow,sohe’dscheduledhisstocking
shoppingtripwithChloeforthatafternoon.Baileyhadbeengratefultohavemoretimetogetworkdoneandhadtriedtogivehimmoneytopayforthestockingcontents,buthe’drefused.HewantedtobeapartoftheirChristmasmorning,howeverremotely.Thedoorstotheschool
openedandthefirstchildrenappeared.Hegotoutofhis
SUVandstoodbythepassenger’ssidesoChloecouldspothimeasily.Hewatchedasgroupsofgirlsandboyswalkedtogether,talkingandlaughing.Afewheadedforthecars,buttherestkeptgoingtowardhome.He’dwantedthis,he
admittedtohimself.Hell,hethoughthe’dhaditwithJames.He’dimaginedwhatitwouldbeliketotakehisson
tohisfirstdayofschool.He’dhadbigdreamsforthatkid.Ofcoursehe’dwantedhim
tobeafootballstarandgetthegirl,butmostlyhe’dwantedtowatchhimgrowupandhaveagoodlifeandbehappy.Whilehestillwantedthattohappen,hewouldneverbeapartofJames’slife.Astheseaofchildren
continuedtomovearoundhim,helethimselffeeltheemptinessthatwasalwaysthere.Thepainofwhathe’dlost—whatcouldn’tberecovered.InawayitwasworsethanifJameshaddied,becauseheknewtheboywasoutthere.Growingupwithouthim.Connectingwiththemanwhowashisbiologicalfather.KennyknewthatJames
hadbeenyoungenoughtoforgethim.Bynowhewasonlyadistantmemory.Eventuallyhewouldbelostcompletely.Nataliewasn’tgoingtoevertellhersonwhatshe’ddone.Noonesharedstoriesthatmadethemlookbad.Whichlefthimalone.He
knewheshouldmoveon.Findsomeoneelse.Startafamily.Andhewould.Itwas
justtherehadn’tbeenanyonewhosparkedhisinterest.NotuntilBailey—whichlefthimtotallyscrewed.“Kenny!”Helookedupandsaw
Chloewavingfrantically.Shehuggedherfriendgoodbye,thenrantowardhim.Shewassmallandskinnyandcompletelyadorable.Asshegotclose,shedroppedherbackpackandlaunched
herselfathim.Hecaughtherandheldherclose.“You’rehere!”shesaid,
hugginghimtight.“Iknewyouwouldbe.IwassoexcitedthatIhadtroublepayingattentionandmyteacherhadtogivemeayellowcard.”Sheleanedbackenoughto
lookintohiseyes.“That’sonlyonecardawayfromredandifyougetthreeredcards,
yourparentsarecalledin.MymomwoulddieifIgotredcards.”“Haveyouever?”“No.IlikeschoolandI
likefollowingtherules.Buttodaywashard.”Heloweredhertothe
ground.Shepickedupherbackpackandgrinnedagain.“We’regoingtogoshopping!”“Iknow.”
Heopenedthebackdoorforherandsheclimbedin.Whenherseatbeltwassecure,hewalkedaroundtothedriver’ssideandgotin.Whilehewasn’tgoingtoannounceitwithasmuchenthusiasm,hehadtoadmit,hewasalittlestokedabouttheirafternoon,too.“Ihavealist,”Chloetold
him.“IwanttogetaspecialChristmasornamentfromThe
ChristmasAtticandgloves.WesawtheminAuntIsabel’sstorelastweekandMomreallylikedthem.Butshesaidbecauseofthehouse,shewasn’tgoingtogetthem.”Intherearviewmirror,hewatchedasChloe’sexpressivefaceturnedserious.“Buyingahouseisabigresponsibility.We’regoingtobecarefulwithourmoneysowecanaffordit.
I’mhelping.I’mpracticingturningoffthelightswhenIleavetheroom,sowe’renotwastingelectricity.”“That’sverythoughtfulof
you.”“Momandmeareateam.
Beinginafamilymeanstakingcareofeachother.”Shebitherlowerlip.“Ithinkitwaseasierwhenmydadwaswithus.Becausetheycouldtakecareofeach
other.”Sheglancedatherlap,thenbackathim.“Doyouthinkmymomispretty?”Aquestionwithan
implicationheshouldhaveseencoming,hethought,pullingoutontotheroad.“Ido.”“Shesaysyou’renother
boyfriend.Thatyou’rejustfriends.”“That’strue.”“What’sthedifference?Is
itkissing?Becauseyoudon’tkissmymomandUncleFordkissesAuntIsabelallthetime.”“Someofitisthekissing,”
hesaid,ignoringthememoryoftheincrediblekissheandBaileyhadshared.She’daboutbroughthimtohiskneeswithachastekiss.Hedidn’twanttothinkaboutwhatwouldhappenifthingsgothotter.Notthatthey
would,becausehewasn’tgoingthere.Hetriedanot-so-subtle
distractionbyaskingwhichofthestoresshewantedtogotofirst.Luckyforhim,itworked.TheywenttoThe
ChristmasAttic.He’dneverbeeninsidebeforeanddespitethename,hewasn’texpectingquitesomuch...Christmas.Therewere
treesandornaments,stuffedanimals,decorationsandChristmasmusicplaying.“IknowwhatIwant,”
Chloesaidasshetookhishand.“Goodbecausethisplace
scaresme.”Shegiggled.“It’sokay.
You’resafewithme.”Thetreeswerealldone
withdifferentcolorsandstyles.Hepausedbyone
doneinprimarycolorswithMáa-zibtribalornaments.Chloemadeabeelineforonethatwasdecoratedinsilverandred,andpluckedaquirkyornamentfromonebranch,anelephantonrockers.“Thisone,”shetoldhim.Hetookitfromherand
theywenttopay.Thetallblondeatthecashregisterwrappeditintissue.“Iwonderedifyou’dbe
back,”shesaidtoChloe.“You’vebeeneyeingthisoneforawhile.”Chloenodded.“Youwon’t
tellher,willyou?”“Ofcoursenot.”The
womanlookedathim.“Hi.Wemetatthepaintingparty.I’mNoelle.”“Iremember.Hi.”Herbrowsrose.“Helping
Chloewithhershopping?”Thequestionwasn’ta
problem.Itwasthespeculativetonethathadhimshiftinghisweight.“Uh,yeah.”Hepassedoveratwenty.“Nice.”Heheldinagroan.There
werepartsofthisshoppingexpeditionhehadn’tthoughtthrough.Shehandedhimhis
change,gavethebagcontainingtheornamentto
ChloeandwishedthemamerryChristmas.Theirnextstopwas
Isabel’sstore.Fortunatelyshewastoobusytospeculate.Sheranguptheleather-glovepurchasewithonlyaharriedsmile.Kennytookthatbag,thenguidedChloeoutside.“What’snext?”heasked.“Candy.”Chloesmiled.
“Youhavetohavecandyinyourstocking.There’sastore
byMorgan’sBooksthatsellsfudge.MyfriendAllisonsaidtheyhaveChristmascandyinlittlebags.Thatwouldbenice.”“Soundsgood.”Kenny
glancedattheotherstoresinthesquare.Oneinparticularcaughthiseye.“Chloe,canIputsomethinginyourmom’sstocking?”“Sure.What?”Hepointedtothesignthat
readJenel’sGems,andsaid,“Let’sfindout.”Likeeveryotherbusiness
intown,Jenel’sGemswasdecoratedfortheholidays.ThereweretwinklelightsandaChristmastreeinthecorner.Theinsideoftheglassdisplaycaseshadshinyornamentsscatteredaround.Jenel,aprettyblondewith
aneasysmile,approached.“Hello.HowcanIhelpyou?”
“We’rebuyingsomethingformymom,”Chloetoldher.“Hownice,”Jenelsaid.
SheturnedtoKenny.“Whatkindofjewelrydoesyourwifelike?”Kennyfroze.“She’s,ah,
notmywife.We’refriends.Iwasthinkingofmaybea...”Hisgazefellononeofthecases.“Anecklace.”“Ofcourse.”Jenelmoved
behindthecounter.“Wehave
alargeselection.Whydon’tyoulookthemoverandtellmewhatappealstoyou.”Chloejoinedhim.Together
theystudiedthecirclesandhearts.Therewasasilversnowflake,butKennydidn’tthinkBaileywouldwearthat.“Ilikethatone,”Chloe
said,pointingtoastylizedheartthatwashangingalittleonitsside.Jenelpulleditoutandput
itonavelvettray.“Thisissterlingsilver.Aneighteen-inchchain.Itcomesindifferentsizes,anddifferentmaterials.”Hestudiedit.“Ilikeit
betterthantheheartsthatarestraight,”hesaid.“Me,too,”Chloetoldhim.
“It’shappierthatway.”“Whatelsehaveyougot
likethis?”heaskedJenel.“Letmeshowyou.”
Shebroughtoutsimilarheartsinyellowgold.Onehadafewlittlediamondsononeside.Thelastonesheshowedthemwasthesameheartcoveredinpavédiamonds,onaplatinumchain.“Look!”Chloesaid,
pointingtotheheart.“It’ssparklinginthelight.That’ssopretty.”“Iagree.”Helookedat
Jenel.“We’lltakethatone.”“Ofcourse.Wouldyoulike
metogift-wrapit?”“Please.”Chloeclappedherhands
together.“Mymomisgoingtolovethat.Ican’twaittoseeheropenit.”“Youwon’tsayanything,
though,right?”Shepressedherlips
togetherandmadeanXonherchest.“Ipromise.”
“Good.Arethereanypresentsunderthetree?”heasked.“Idon’tknow,”shesaid.
“I’llgolook.”AssoonasChloewasout
ofearshot,heturnedtoJenel.“I’dlikethatsmallsilverheart,too,”hesaidquietly.Jenelnodded.“Forthe
littlegirl?”Henodded.“Ihavetheperfectchain.
Whensheoutgrowsit,wecanexchangeitforalongerone.”“Good.I’llpayforthese
nowandpickthemuplater.”Hedidn’twantChloetoseethesecondbox.Afterhe’dsignedthecredit
cardslip,hewalkedovertoChloe.Ontheway,hesawthedisplayofdiamondengagementrings.Forasecond,hewantedtostopandlook.Hewantedtodream
aboutpossibilities.BecauseChloewasn’ttheonlyVossfemaletuggingathisheartstrings.Onlyhewouldn’tgivein.
Wouldn’tthinkaboutwhatcouldbe.Hewassuccessfulinlifebecausehelearnedfromhismistakes.Andlessononewasnottorepeatthem.
***
BAILEYSTOODONthewalkwayinfrontofherapartment,preparedtogivethankstowhomeverhadarrangedforperfectweatheronhermovingday.Thesunwasout,thetemperatureshadclimbedtonearlyfiftyandtherewasn’tanywind.Shecouldn’thaveaskedformore.Atsomepointshewas
goingtohavetopauseandbegrateful.Whichshe
would...justassoonasshemanagedtorecoverfromtheshockofhermovingcrew.Aspromised,Kennyhad
comethroughwitharentaltruckandafewfriendstohelp.Butsomewherealongtheway,thefewfriendshadturnedintosomethingsomuchmore.SamandJackwerethere,
alongwithalltheguysfromthebodyguardschool.In
addition,therewereDellina’sbrothers-in-law,twoofthethreeStrykerbrothers,TuckerJanack,JoshGoldenandRaoulMoreno.Shethoughtitwasverypossiblethereweremoremenmillingaroundherplacethanshehadboxes.Kennyclimbedhalfwayup
thestaircase,thenturnedbacktothecrowd.“Allright,here’showwe’regoingtodoit.We’llemptyfromfrontto
backhereandloadfrombacktofrontatthenewplace.Ifyoupickupalamporatable,rememberwhereitcamefrom.You’llberesponsibleforgettingitintherightplace.Chloe’sfurnitureisbeingdroppedoffatthedonationcenter.Shehasanewsetwaitinginhernewhouse.Everythingelseisgoingwithus.”Hepaused.“Oh,andifyoubreakit,
you’rebuyinganewone.”JackglancedatBaileyand
winked.“WantmetodroptheTV?”“Onlyifyouwanttobuy
meanewflat-screen,”sheteased.“TheSuperBowlis
coming.You’llneedabigTVforthat.”Shelaughed.Therewasno
pointinmentioningthatfootballwasn’tasportthat
especiallyinterestedher.ExceptwhenitcametoKenny,shethought.Ofcourse,whenitcametoKenny,manythingsinterestedher.Whichwasallfineandgood,butshehadamovetofocuson.Kennyledthewayupinto
herapartment.Fasterthanshewouldhavethoughtpossible,itwasemptyandthetruckwasloaded.Hedroveittoher
newplacewhileeveryoneelsewalkedover.Asthetruckpulledintothedriveway,Baileysawitwasbarelyten-thirtyinthemorning.Atthisrate,shewasgoingtobemovedintodaywithnoproblem.Gettingeverythingintoher
housewentjustasquickly.Shestoodinthehallwaybythestairsanddirectedtheguys.Kennywasupstairsand
occasionallyyelleddownquestions.Aroundeleven-thirty
Dellinaandhertwosistersshowedupwithlunch.Thereweresandwichesandsoda,alongwithbrowniesandcookies.Baileyhadarrangedthelunchafewdaysagoandhadcalledthatmorningtouptheorderwhenshe’dseenhowmuchhelpshewasgoingtohave.Givenhowmuchthe
guysweredoingforher,itwastheleastshecouldoffer.Bytwelve-thirty,themenweregoneandBaileyfacedthedauntingtaskofunpacking.“We’renotleaving,”
Dellinatoldher,assheputsandwichwrappingsintoalargetrashbag.“That’sright,”Fayrene,her
sister,added.“We’regoingtohelpyouunpack.”
Baileyshookherhead.“Idon’twanttokeepyou.Ireallyappreciatetheoffer,butIcandoit.”Shewouldbeupallnight,
butshewouldgetitdone.“Don’tbesilly,”Dellina
said.“We’llgoroombyroom.We’llpullstuffoutofboxesandyoutelluswheretoputit.We’llbefinishedbeforeChloe’soutofschool.”Dellinaturnedouttobe
right.WithfourofthemunloadingboxesandBaileydirectingthemonwheretoputthings,theygotdishesintothecupboardsandfoodintothepantry.Whenthekitchenwasdone,therestofthehousewaseasy.She’dspentthepreviousafternoondrivingovercarloadsoftheirhangingclothes,sothatwasalreadyinplace.TheirfewDVDswerelinedupinthe
entertainmentunit.Chloe’sstuffedanimalswereinplaceupontheshelfKennyhadinstalledovertheweekendandthecleaningsupplieswereplacedneatlyontheshelvesinthelaundryroom.Attwo-forty-fiveBailey
huggedherfriendsgoodbyeandwalkedtowardChloe’sschool.Shewastiredandhappyandstillinshockoverhowthedayhadgone.Yes,
herfeethurtandherbackhurtandtherewereathousandthingstodo,butsheandChloehadtheirforeverhomeandnothingwasevergoingtobebetterthanthat.Chloeracedoutofschool
andranuptoher.“Didithappen?Areweinournewhouse?”“Weare.I’mveryexcited.”“Me,too!”Theywalkedbacktothe
house.Chloetoldheraboutschoolandhowallherfriendswantedtocomeover.“We’llhaveaparty,”
Baileypromised,thinkinghowgreatitwasgoingtobe.WithChloe’snewbedroomset,sleepoverswouldbeeasy.Theyroundedthecorner
andshesawKenny’sSUVparkedinherdriveway.Herchestgottight,herheartracedandtherestofher
sighedinanticipation.Shedidn’tknowwhyhe’dstoppedby,butthatwasokay.Seeinghimwasitsownreward.Butasshegotclosertothe
house,shesawhewasn’talone.Hesatontheirfrontporch,withalarge,fresh-cutChristmastreeleaningagainsttherailing.Chloeshriekedandranuptostare.“Ourtree,”shesaid
reverently.“Youremembered!”Baileyfollowedatamore
normalpace,butshewasshoutingontheinside.“Yougotusatree.”“YoupromisedChloeone
assoonasyougotthehouse.Ifiguredyoumightbetoobusytoday,soIpickedupthisone.Ihopeyoulikeit.”Likeit?Shelovedit.
And...well,maybehimas
well.Shewasn’tsure.Her
feelingswerestillallovertheplaceandshedidn’twanttoassignanametosomethingsowonderfulandhappy.TherewasalsothecomplicationofKennynotwantingtogetinvolvedwithher.Butallthatwasforlater.Hestoodandheldoutboth
hishands.“Comeon.Let’stakethetour.Thenwe’llget
thetreesetup.Ifyou’renicetome,I’llhelpwiththelights.”HeglancedatBailey.“Ithoughtwecouldorderinpizza.Youwon’twanttocooktonight.”“Thankyou,”shesaid.
Simplewordsthatdidn’tcomeclosetoexpressinghergratitudeforallhe’ddoneforher.Sheputherhandinhisand
hesqueezedherfingers.
Chloedancedonhisotherside.“Iwanttosee,”she
squealed.“Iwanttoseeeverything.”
CHAPTERNINE
BAILEYHELDHERhandspalm-up.“Ihonestlydon’tknowhowthishappened,”shetoldIsabel.“It’snotlikeheaskedme.Itwasjustsortofexpected.”Isabellaughed.“Aslongas
you’regoing.”“Idon’thaveanythingto
wear.”DinnerwithKenny’s
businesspartnerswasonething,buttheScoreChristmaspartywassomethingelse.Forstarters,severalclientshadbeeninvited.Shedidn’tknowwhattosaytoamanwhoownedacompanythatrentedoutprivatejetstorichpeople.Oracouplethatownedaworldwiderumbrand.ButKennyhadmentioned
thepartyacoupleoftimes
andshe’dfinallyrealizedthatshewashisdate.Notthattheyweredating.Orkissing.Therehadn’tbeenasinglekisssincethatone.ThisdespitethefactthatshesawKennynearlyeveryday.Shetriedtotellherselfthemanhadextraordinarycontrol,onlyshewasafraidthetruthwasmuchlessflattering.Hereallywasjustfriendswithher.
Eitherway,shewasgoingtotheScoreChristmasparty,whichwasgoingtobeanelegantaffairupattheresort.Dellinahaddroppedhintsaboutthedecorationsfortheballroomandwhattheguestswouldbeeating.Theinvitationhadstatedblacktieveryclearly.AndasBaileydidn’townatux,shewasforcedtofindadress.Whichwaswherehervisit
toIsabel’sstorehadcomein.“Ihaveyoucovered,”
Isabelpromised.Baileynodded,tryingto
tellingherselfeverythingwouldworkout.Onlyshedidn’tseehowshecouldaffordanicedress,alongwiththeaccessories.Itwasn’tlikeshewasbuyingsomethingforwork,whereshecouldjustifythecostknowingshewouldwearit
weeklyforthenexttwoyears.Isabelwentintotheback
roomofherstore,thenreturnedwithalongdress.Baileyfeltherbreathcatchasshestaredatthestunninggown.Itwassimple—ablack
liningwithgoldbeading.Theneckwasroundandnottoolow,thecapsleevesaddedinterestattheshoulder.
Isabelhandedherthedressandpushedhertowardthechangingrooms.“Tryiton.”Baileydidasshe
requested.Shenoticedtherewasnopricetag,whichmadehernervous.Butshesteppedintothedressandpulleditup.Thelongzipperclosedmoreeasilythansheexpected.Asshewasonthebridalsideofthestore,therewerenomirrorsinthedressingroom,
soshehadtogoouttoseehowshelooked.Isabelsmiledwhenshe
sawher.“Iknewit.Tryonthese.”“These”wereapairof
simpleblackpumpswithkillerfour-inchheels.Baileymanagedtostepintothemandstandwithouthurtingherself.Shesteppeduptothebridalmirrorandglancedatherreflection.
“Wow.”“Iknow,right?”Isabel
steppedupbehindher.“Thefitisincredible.Youlooklikeamoviestar.”Baileythoughtmaybeher
friendwasexaggerating,butshewouldacceptthecompliment.Thegoldbeadingaddedawarmthtoherskinthatmadeitglow.Thecolorwasperfectwithherredhair.Thedressitself
huggedhercurves,butinthebestwaypossible.ShelookedlikearedheadedKimKardashian.“Iloveit,”sheadmitted.
“Buthowmuchisit?”Isabelwrinkledhernose.
“Don’tgetmad,butit’snotoneofmine.It’sarental.Ifoundthesiteonlineandhadthemovernightthedresstome.”ShehandedBaileytheinvoice.“Consideringthe
retailvalueofthedress,it’sabargain.”Baileyhadtoagree.She
couldrentthedressfortheweekforlessthanahundreddollars.“Thankyou.”“You’rewelcome.The
shoesareTaryn’s.Shealsosentoverabagandsomejewelry.”Isabelgrinned.“Becauseshelovesyou.”“Iloveherback.”Bailey
glancedatthehighheels.“I
shouldhaverecognizedthemasbeingfromhercollection.”Shesteppeddownandthey
openedtheboxthathadarrivedfromTarynthatmorning.InsidewasaJudithLieberblack-and-goldclutchandapairofdiamond-studearrings.“Idon’twanttoknowwhat
thosecost,”Isabelmurmured.“Me,either.”Baileytold
herselfshewasn’tgoingto
cry.“Whendidshegetbackfromhertrip?”“Yesterday.”AndTarynhaddonethis
forhertoday.“I’mgoingtohavetogiveherakidneyorsomethingtosaythankyou.”Isabelhuggedher.“Itwill
makeherhappytoseeyoulookinglikeaprincess.”“IthinkI’dratherbeasex
goddess.”“That,too.”
***
BAILEYDIDN’TKNOWwheretolookfirst.Theballroomhadbeendecoratedinwhite.Whitetrees,whitetwinklelights,whiteflowersonwhitetablecloths.Therewereperfectredaccents—aredribbonrunningdownthecenterofeachtable.Asingleredroseateveryotherplacesetting.Formallydressed
servingstaffcirculatedwithglassesofchampagne.Shewasoutofherelement,butpreparedtohavethetimeofherlife.Havinganincredibly
handsomemanathersidecertainlyhelped,shethought.Kennyhadshownupontime,lookingmovie-stargorgeousinatailoredtux.Butwhatreallygotherheartbeatingfastwasthelookonhisface
whenhesawher.Themomentofappreciationandrawdesirehadgonealongwayinuppingherconfidencequotient.Now,astheycirculated
throughtheparty,hekepthishandonthesmallofherback.Whentheystoppedtotalktoclients,hekepthishandpossessivelyonherhip.Shetoldherselfnottoreadtoomuchintohisactions,butshe
couldn’thelpthelittleripplesofexcitementthatzippedthroughher.Theguywhoownedthejet
companyturnedouttobeprettynice.Hiswife,astay-at-homemom,usedherphonetoshowoffpicturesoftheirkids.“IseeTaryn,”Baileytold
Kennyafewminuteslater.“Ineedtotalktoherforasecond.”
“Don’tgofar.”“Iwon’t.”Latertherewas
supposedtobedancing.BaileyhopedKennyplannedtodancethenightawaywithher.Whowouldn’twantthatinherfuture?Sheexcusedherselfand
crossedtheroomtowardherfriend.Tarynhadonablack,strapless,fittedeveninggownthatsparkledanddazzlednearlyasmuchasthewoman
herself.Herhairwaslongandstraight,hermakeupdramatic.Largediamondsgleamedfromherearsandaroundherwrists.Shelookedexotic,wantonandpowerful.Baileygaveherselfa
secondtoadmiretheview,thenapproachedherfriend.Tarynsawherandhurriedover.“Youlookfantastic,”
Tarynsaid.“MyGod,every
guyintheplaceisgoingtowanttohaulyouoffandhavehiswaywithyou.”“Oh,please,”Baileysaid.
“Asif.Youlookamazing.”Taryndismissedthe
complimentwithaflickofherwrist.“Thisoldthing?Wejustgotbacktwodaysago.Ididn’thavetimetoshop.Notthatanyoneherehasseenthedress,butstill.”Baileylaughed.Obviously
hermonthawayhadn’tchangedTarynatall.Itwasgoodtoknowthatsomethingswereconsistent.“Thankyouformyaccessories.”Sheheldupthebagandpointedtotheearrings.“You’reverysweettome.”“Don’tsaythatoutloud,”
Taryntoldher,glancingaroundasshespoke.“YouthinkIwantpeopletoknow
I’mnice?”Baileygrinned.“Sorry.I
won’tsayanything.Howareyou?Howwasyourtrip?”“Wonderful.Romantic.
Angelisagod—notthatIwanthimtoknow.”ShetookBaileybythearmandledhertoanalcoveinthecorner.“Ineedtotalktoyou.”Gonewastheteasingand
sassyattitude.Taryn’seyeswerewideandfilledwithan
emotionBaileydidn’trecognize.Onanyoneelseshewouldhavesaiditwasfear.“What’swrong?”Taryndrewinabreath.“I
think,ImeanI’mprettysure...”Sheswallowed.“I’mpregnant.”Baileylaughed.“That’s
wonderful.Youscaredme.Aren’tyouhappy?”“Happy?No.Terrified.I’m
notlikeyou.I’mnotsweetorgivingorhuggy.Iwanttobeagoodmom,butwhatifIscrewup?Whatifmykiddoesn’tlikeme?”Tearsfilledhereyes.“Youdon’tunderstand.Ihadhorribleparents.Idon’tknowhowtodothis.”Baileywrappedherarms
aroundherfriend.“You’llbefine.Trustme.Youhaveeverythingyouneedinsideof
you.You’rewarmandcaring.I’mwearingtheshoesthatproveit.Youknowhowtolove.That’sallchildrenwant.Tobeloved.You’llprovideastablehomeandlotsofattention.It’sgoingtobefine.”Tarynsteppedback.“I’m
notconvinced.Canyouteachmehowtobemorelikeyou?”Baileyheldinmore
laughter.“Sure.Wecanstartrightawaysoyou’reready.”“Okay.Thankyou.I’mnot
goingtotellanyoneelseuntilI’minmyfourthmonth.Justtobesureeverythingisokay.ButIwantedtotellyou.”Shesniffed.“Doyouthinktheymakecouturematernityclothes?”Baileylaughed.“I’msure
ofit.”
***
PARTOFGROWINGupwithaparentintheStateDepartmentandlivingoverseasmeantlearningtoadjusttodifferentculturesandtraditions.Kennyhadgottengoodatadaptingwhennecessary.Itwasaskillthathadservedhimwellonthefootballfieldandinlife.Butnomatterhowhesmiledand
talkedwithhisbusinesspartners,hisfriendsandclients,hecouldn’tshakethesensationofsomethingnotbeingright.Maybeitwasthetux.He
wouldratherbeinjeans.Maybeitwasthepartyitself—toomanypeoplehavingtoomuchfun.Onlyhelikedpartiesandheenjoyedtheholidaysandhell,wearingatuxnowandthenwasn’tabig
deal.Sowhydidhekeepfeelingasifhiscollarwastootightandthatheshouldbescanningtheroomforexits?Themostobviousreason
wasstandingabouttwofeetaway,laughingatsomethingJackhadsaid.Inaword—Bailey.Shelookedstunninginherblack-and-goldeveninggown.Sexyandbeautifulandmoretemptationthananymanshouldhavetoresist.
Theproblemwasn’tthathewantedher.Hecouldacceptthelonging,theheatedblood,theneedtopullherintoadarkcornerandkissheruntilneitherofthemcouldbreathe.Thatwasfine.Desirewaseasy.Familiar.Comfortable.No,whathadhimunabletorelaxwasmorecomplicatedandalotmoreterrifying.Itwasthathelikedher.He
likedhangingoutwithher.
Helikedlisteningtohertalkandthesoundofherlaughter.Helikedhowshepaintedaroomandbakedcookiesandtookcareofherdaughter.Helikedhowhefeltwhenhewasaroundher.Helikedthatshemadehimfeelprotective.Hewantedtotakecareofher,tobewithher.Hewantedtobeapartofherandherdaughter’slives,andthatwaswhereitallwentsidewaysfor
him.Thebattleofwhathe
wantedandwhatheknewwassafewasn’teasy.Tellinghimselfthatshewasn’thisexdidn’thelpthesituation.Becauseintheend,hecouldstillloseher.Thatwasbadenough,buttoalsoloseChloe—hedidn’tthinkhecouldsurvivethelossofbothofthem.Still,whenshewalkedup
tohim,hecouldn’thelpleadingherontothedancefloor.Shefitintohisarms
perfectly.Withherheels,shewastallerthanusual,soherbodynestledagainsthis.Hersmilecalledtohim,asdidherbeautifuleyes.Howwashesupposedtoresisther?Howwashesupposedtosavehimself?Aftertheholidays,hetold
himself.Thenhewouldbackoff.Becausewhiletherewassomedanger,itwasn’tasifhewasinlovewithher.Notyet,atleast.
***
“WHATDOYOUTHINK?”Baileyaskedasshewalkedaroundthediningroomtable.Itwasold—probablyfromthe1920s.Abeautifuldark
woodwithjustenoughcarvingtomakeitinteresting.Thereweresixmatchingchairs,alsoingoodcondition.Thecushionsneededrecoveringbutsheknewhowtodothat.Thebestpartofthesetwasthebuffet.Therewasabigscratchononeside,whichwasprobablythereasonthesethadn’tsoldyet.ButinBailey’sdiningroom,thebuffetwouldslideintoan
alcove.Withonlysixinchesofclearanceoneitherside,noonewouldseethescratch.Chloestudiedthepieces.
“It’sreallynice,Mom.Ilikethewayitshines.CouldIhelppickoutthefabricforthechairs?”“Ofcourse.We’llgetnew
cushionsandthencoverthemourselves.”“You’regoingtoteachme
how?”
Shepulledherdaughterclose.“Iwill.It’sgoingtobeagreatweekendproject.”Heroldtablestillworked,
butitwaslostintheirnewdiningroom.Plus,she’dalwayswantedabuffet.Shealreadyhadaprettyvaseshecouldsetonit.Sheknewthefour-
hundred-dollarpricetagwasabargain.Thissetwasmadeofsolidwood.Itwouldlast
anothercouplehundredyears.Therehadbeenasignoutfrontofferingdeliveryintownforonlytwenty-fivedollars.Shehadthemoneyfromwhatshe’dsavedonthemove.Chloesqueezedherhand.
“It’sokay,Mom.Wehaveanicehousenow.”Baileysmiledather
daughter.“You’reright.Thenewhousedeservesa
beautifuldiningroom.Let’sgetit.”Theywentandfoundthe
ladymanagingthesale.SheputaSoldtagonthefurnitureandarrangedfordelivery.BaileyandChloewanderedaroundalittlemore.Theoldfarmhousewas
filledwithplentyoffurniture,alongwithdishes,paintingsandotherhouseholdgoods.Baileylingeredoveraboxof
oldrecords.Kennylikedoldies,shethought.Andshe’dyettofindaChristmaspresentforhim.Whatdidyougetthemanwhonotonlyhadeverything,butalsohadtheabilitytobuyitagainandagain?Sheflippedthroughthe
albums,notsurewhatheliked.ShesawanalbumbytheDoors.Therewassomethingscribbledonthe
frontofit.Shepulledoutthealbumandcarriedittothewindow.“Really?”Baileyaskedina
whisperasshestudiedwhatturnedouttobeasignature.ShewasprettysureitwasJimMorrison.WashetheleadsingeroftheDoors?Hadn’thediedyoungorsomething?Herworkingknowledgeof
musicfromthe1960swas
sketchyatbest,butasthealbumwaspricedatfivedollars,shewaswillingtotakeachance.ShecouldcallGideon,theownerofFool’sGold’sradiostationsandanoldiesfanhimself,andaskhimifthiswassomethingKennywouldlike.“Mom,look!”Chloeheldupanold-
fashionedChristmasornament.Itwasofafootball
player.Hewasholdingtheballinhisarms.“ItremindsmeofKenny,”
herdaughtersaid.“Let’sgetitforthetree.”“Sure,”Baileysaid
automatically,doingherbesttoremaincalmontheoutside.Butontheinside,alarmswentoff.Becauseuntilthisverysecond,she’donlybeenworriedaboutherownheart,whenitcameto
Kenny.Shehadn’tthoughtthatChloecouldbefallingforhim,aswell.Panicsetin,andwithita
fierceneedtoprotectherdaughter.BecauseKennyhadmadeitclearhewasn’tinterestedinforeverandanythinglesswoulddevastateChloe.She’dalreadylostherfather—shedidn’tneedthepainoflosingsomeoneelsenearlyaswonderful.
“Mom?”Baileyforcedasmile.“It’s
adorableandyes,weneeditonourtree.”Howtofixthis,she
wondered.Aproblemshewouldwrestlewithwhenshegothome,shepromisedherself.BecauseshehadtokeepChloesafe.Theypaidforthedining
set,thealbumandtheornament,thentheystarted
towardhercar.She’djustreacheditwhenhercellphonerang.SheglancedatthescreenandsawKenny’sname.Forasecond,shethoughtaboutnotanswering,butthatwasneitherhelpfulnormature.“Hi,”shesaid,telling
herselftoignorethenow-familiarquiveringthataccompaniedeitherseeinghiminpersonherhearinghis
voice.“Bailey,Idon’tknowwhat
tosay.They’regone.”Hisvoicewasthickwith
tensionanddisbelief.Thequiveringdisappearedandworrytookitsplace.“What’sgone?What’s
goingon?”“Thetoys.Iemptiedthe
barrelsthismorninganddroveouttoloadtheminthetrailer.Thelockisbrokenand
thetrailer’sempty.Allthetoysaregone.”
CHAPTERTEN
ITDIDN’TTAKElongforwordtospreadandpeopletostartshowingupattheemptytrailer.AcoupleofwomenKennydidn’tknowstoodtalkingontheircellphones.AfewofBailey’sfriendsherecognizedbutcouldn’tnamewerestandingtogetherlookingstunned.
KennystayedbyhisSUV.Hecouldseeinsidethelargeemptyspace.Therewasnothingleft.Notevenpartofacartonorsometornpackaging.Whoeverhadtakenthetoyshaddoneathoroughjob.Heknewthiskindofthing
happenedallthetime.Peoplestolefromfoodbanksandtookdeliveriesoffneighbors’porches.Buthehadn’t
realizeditcouldhappenhere.InFool’sGold.Thingsweresupposedtobebetterhere.Therewasn’talotofcrime.Fromwhathe’dheard,peoplebarelylockedtheirdoorsatnight.Itwasthatkindofplace.Onlynotanymore.Andif
someonecouldstealtoysmeantfordisadvantagedchildren,thenotherbadthingscouldhappen.People
couldgetsickanddie.Petscouldbelost.Andgreen-eyedredheadscoulddecidetheydidn’twanttohaveanythingtodowithhim.BaileycouldwalkawayandtakeChloewithher,andhewouldbeleftwithnothing.Hisheartstolen,justlikethetoys.MayorMarshaarrivedina
smallredcar.Shegotoutandwalkedovertohim.“Ithastobesomeonefrom
outoftown,”shesaidbywayofgreeting.“IrefusetobelievethatapersonIknowwoulddothistotheSprouts.Thosegirlsaregoingtobeheartbroken.”Somethinghehadn’t
thoughtof,herealized.WhatwouldChloeandherfriendsthinkwhentheyfoundoutwhathadhappened?They’dworkedhardontheirproject.They’ddecoratedthebins
andhadspenttimeaskingfordonations.“Thenthere’sthematterof
thechildreninSacramento,”themayorcontinued.“WehavetomakesuretheyhaveagoodChristmas.”Baileyarrived.Chloewas
withher,theseven-year-old’seyesfilledwithtears.“Aretheyreallyallgone?”
sheaskedassherusheduptohim.
“Afraidso.”Chloeturnedtohermother.
“Mommy,Idon’tunderstand.”“Me,either.”Baileyputan
armaroundher.Togethertheystaredintotheemptytrailer.“Itwasnearlyfull,”Bailey
murmured.“Peopleweresogenerous.”Shelookeddevastated.He
wantedtogotoherandhold
hertight.Hewantedtomakethingsright.Whichmeanthewasindeeperthanhe’drealizedandhe’dbetterretreatwhilehestillcould.“I’llwriteacheck,”he
said.Baileyandthemayor
staredathim.Hemotionedtotheempty
trailer.“I’llwriteachecktocovereverythingtaken.Wecangobuymorepresents.”
“Idon’tthinkthat’snecessary,”MayorMarshasaid.“Ithinkthetowncanfixthisproblem.”“Iagree.”Baileysmiledat
him.“Butthankyouforbeinggenerous.”Hewasn’t.Didn’tshesee
that?Hewastryingtobuyhiswayoutofadifficultsituation.Becausehecould.Becausehecouldn’triskgivinganythingelse.
“Letmeknowifyouchangeyourmind,”hemumbledandreturnedtohisSUV.“Kenny,wait.”Bailey
hurriedafterhim.“Wehavealottodotomakethisright.”Heshookhishead.“Angel
andTarynarebackintown.It’stheirproject.Letthemfixit.”Hedidn’tturnaround.He
didn’twanttoseetheshock
onherfaceorthehurtinhereyes.Hedidn’twanttheproofthathe’dhurther.Eventhoughheknewhehad.
***
ASBAILEYHADEXPECTED,thetownrallied.Thetrailerwasmovedintoanemptywarehousewithlockeddoorsandanimpressivesecuritysystem.Thepolice
departmentofferedtopatrolthearearegularly.Oncewordwentout,presentsstartedpouringin.Thebinsfilledupsoquickly,Baileyarrangedtimesforpeopletogodirectlytothewarehousewiththeirdonations.Duringthosecollectiontimes,oneoftheguysfromthebodyguardschoolwasonhandasextrasecurity.Notthattherehadbeenaproblem.
BaileytookthelastofthepackagesthatDeniseHendrixhaddroppedoffandwalkedtothelargetrailer.Angel,ondutywithhertoday,carrieditinside.Chloestudiedallthetoys
inplaceandsmiled.“We’regoingtodoit,Mom.We’regoingtofillthetraileragain.”“Iknowweare.”Herdaughterleaned
againsther.“I’mgladpeople
arehelping.”Angeljumpeddownfrom
thetrailer,thensquattedinfrontofChloe.“Whatdoyouthinkaboutthepeoplewhostolethepresents?”heasked.“Idon’tknow,”Chloe
admitted.“Iguessthey’rebad.TheystoleatChristmas.Theystoletoys.”“Iagree.”Hestaredinto
hereyes.“Therearealwaysgoingtobebadpeople.But
thethingtorememberisthatmostofusaren’tlikethat.”Hepointedtothetoys.“Howmanyfamilieshavedonatedtoys?”“Alot.”“Right.Andmaybetwoor
threepeoplestolethem.There’smoreofusthanthem.Goodpeoplecanmakeitright,ifyougivethemachance.Rememberthat.Everyonewholovesyouand
yourfriendscamethroughwhenyouneededhelp.Butmoreimportant,peopleinthistownwhohavenevermetyouwantedtohelp.”“Becausethey’renice?”“Yeah.”Hestood.Baileylistenedtohim
explainwhathadhappenedwithaclaritythatmadehergrateful.SheandChloehadhadseveralconversationsonthetopic,butshehada
feelingthisonehadbeentheonetogetthrough.Herdaughtertookher
hand.“I’mgladwe’rehelpingthosekidsinSacramentoandI’mreallygladwehavesuchanicetown.”“Me,too.”Angelwalkedtothetrailer
andswungthedoorsshut.“Allright.Youtwocanheadout.I’lllockthedoorsandarmthealarm.”
“Thanks.”SheledChloetotheircar.
Therewereonlyacouplemoredaysuntilthetoydelivery,butshewasn’tworried.Theywouldmakeit.ThenitwouldbeChristmasandthestartofaNewYear.Usuallysheenjoyedthe
holidays.SincehavingChloe,they’dbecomenearlymagical.She’dhadhighhopesforthisseason,atleast
untilthreedaysago.Becauseeversincethetoyshadbeenstolen,Kennyhaddisappeared.Hehadn’tcalledheror
stoppedby.Theyhadn’tspoken.Shehadn’tevencaughtsightofhimintown.Tarynhadn’tsaidanything,soBaileyknewthathehadn’tbeeninanaccidentorgottensick,buthehaddisappeared.Shewantedtotellherself
thattherewereathousandexplanations.Theproblemwas,shecouldn’tthinkofasingleonethatexplainedwhyhehadn’tbeenintouchwithher.Ifonlytosayhewasbusy.OrdrivingtoBoraBora.Itwasn’tthathe’dlefther
todealwiththetoydriveonherown.Itwasthatshe’dmissedhim.Inthepastfewweeks,she’dgrownusedto
seeingKennyeveryday.Shelikedtalkingtohimandsimplybeinginhiscompany.Herfeelingsforhimhadgrowntothepointwherehewaspartofherworld.Lettingthatgowasgoingtobedifficult.Ignoringherownbruised
heart,therewasalsoChloetoworryabout.Sofarherdaughterhadn’tmentionedKenny,butitwasonlya
matteroftimeuntilthequestionsstarted.AndBaileyhadnoideahowshewasgoingtoanswerthem.
***
TARYNTOOKAsipfromherScoremugandshuddered.KennylookedbackattheKeuriginthebreakroom.Theusedpodwasstillinplace.Heraisedhis
eyebrows.“Hotchocolate?You?”Shesighed.“Iknow.But
it’stheseason,right?”“Youdrinkcoffee.Or
water.”“NowIdrinkhot
chocolate.”Shegrimaced.“Ornot.”Hestudiedhisbusiness
partner.Somethingwasdifferent,hethought,buthewasn’tsurewhat.Tarynwas
wearingoneofherstylishsuitswithstitchinganddartsandwhatevermadeitcontourtotheshapeofherbody.Shewasbarefoot,asperusual.Herridiculoushighheelslookedgood,butsheonlyworethemwalkingintooroutoftheoffice.Duringthedayshewasbarefoot.Shelookedhappy,he
thought.Buttherewassomethinginhereyes.Maybe
asecret?Notthathewasgoingtoask.Rightnowhewasabigbelieverineveryonekeepingtheirthoughtstothemselves.Shesetdownhermugand
walkedtothebowloffruitonthecounter.Shepickedupanapple,washedit,thentookabite.“Sowhat’snewwithyou?”
sheaskedwhenshe’dchewedandswallowed.“How’sit
comingwiththetoys?Iheardthetownhasrespondedasyou’dexpectfromthisridiculouslyniceplace.Toysarepouringinbythebucketful.”Theonethinghedidn’t
wanttotalkabout.No—thetoysweresymptomatic.Baileywastherealsubjecthewantedtoavoid.Yethewantedtohearhowshewas.Itwaslessthanaweekuntil
Christmas.Wasshesettledinherhouse?WasChloeexcitedaboutherpresents?Whatweretheirtraditions?Andhowwashegoingtomakeitthroughwithoutbeingwiththetwoofthem?“Kenny?”HesawTarynfrowningat
him.“What?”“Areyouokay?”“I’mfine.”“That’sacompleteguy
response.Talktomelikeahumanbeing.What’sgoingon?Areyoufeelingallright?”“Sure.Neverbetter.”Shedidn’tlookconvinced.
“Youdidn’tanswermeaboutthetoydrive.”“Youseemtohaveallthe
answers.”Shedumpedhermuginto
thesinkandquicklyrinsedit,thenpickedupherhalf-eaten
apple,grabbedhimbythehandanddraggedhimintoheroffice.Whentheygotthere,shebumpedthedoorclosedwithherhipandpositionedherselfinfrontofhim.“What?”shedemanded.
“You’renotgettingoutofhereuntilyoutellmewhat’sgoingon.Anddon’tthinkIwon’tbeatitoutofyou.”“Nothing’sgoingon.I
don’tknowwhat’shappeningwiththetoydrivebecauseI’mnotdoingitanymore.”“Whynot?Ithoughtyou
werehelpingBailey?”“YouandAngelareback.
Whydon’tyoutakeitover?”“Baileysaidshewantedto
finishitwiththeSprouts.Ithoughtyoufeltthatway,too.”Hepacedtoherwindow,
thenturnedbacktoher.“It’s
stupid.Thewholething.IsaidI’dwriteacheck.Wecouldhavejustboughtthetoys.”“NowyousoundlikeJack
didsixmonthsago.Moneydoesn’talwayssolvetheproblem.Besides,peopleliketogive.Theyliketobeapartofthesolution.What’swrongwithyou?Isityourfamily?IfyouwanttogowiththemtoBali,youknowwe’llbefine
here.”“It’snotthat.”“Thenwhat?”Sheaskedthequestion
gently.WhileTarynwasallaboutthethreats,inherheart,shewasamarshmallow.Shetookcareofallofthem—shehadfromtheverybeginning.TarynwasthegluethatheldScoretogether.Shewalkedupbehindhim
andputherhandonhisarm.
“Kenny,”shesaidsoftly.“Tellme.”Hecontinuedtostareout
window.“Ican’tdoit.Ican’t.WhenIlostJames...”Heswallowed.“Ilovedhimanditwaslikehedied.Onlyworse,becauseIknewhewasaroundandIcouldn’tbewithhimanymore.”Shesteppedcloserand
wrappedherarmsaroundhim.Hepulledheragainst
himandhungon.“Icouldhavesuedfor
visitation,”hecontinued,rememberinglongtalkswithhislawyer.“Ihadagoodcase.Butwhatwasthepoint?Hewasthree.Hewouldforgetme.Whatwouldhappenwhenhewassixoreight?Iwouldjustbesomeguyhehadtospendtimewith.It’snotlikeIwashisrealdad.”
“I’msorry,”shewhispered.“Me,too.Ican’tgo
throughthatagain,Taryn.Ican’tlovesomekidonlytoloseher.Whenthosetoyswerestolen,itchangedeverything.I’dstartedthinkingthatbadstuffcouldn’thappenhere.Stupid,huh?”“No.There’ssomething
aboutthisdamntown.Itmakesyoucrazy.Worse,it
makesyouhope.”“You’vegotAngel.You
canrelax.”“Iknow,butIwantyouto
behappy,too.”Shelookedupathim.“Baileyisn’tanythinglikeNatalie.Shewouldneverdeceiveyou.She’dneverhurtyou.”Hestaredintoherviolet-
blueeyes.“Iagreeshe’sabetterperson,butshe’salsostillamother.Chloecomes
firstandifthingswentsouth,I’dlosebothofthem.”“Sothatmeansyou’renot
evengoingtotry?”“Iwon’ttakethechance.”Sheshiftedsoshewas
standinginfrontofhim—bothherhandsonhischest.“Kenny,youwouldrunintoathree-hundred-pounddefensiveendwithoutblinking.”Heshrugged.“That’sjust
physicalpain.Thebodyheals.Theheart’snotsuchasurething.”“Iagreethere’sarisk,but
therewardcouldbeeverythingyou’veeverwanted.Don’tyouwanttobetheonepersonBaileycandependon?Don’tyouwanttobewithheralways?Don’tyouwanttowatchChloegrowupintoabeautifulyoungwomanandwalkher
downtheaisle,thenholdherbabiesoneday?”Itwaslikeshe’dstabbed
himwithaknife.Hecouldseethatasclearlyasifitwashappeningrightinfrontofhim.BaileyandChloeandthethirdgenerationofredheadedVosswomen.Heallowedhimselfto
dreamforjustasecond,thenheshookhisheadandphysicallysteppedback.“I
can’t.”“Youwon’t.There’sa
difference.”“Notabigenoughoneto
matter.”
CHAPTERELEVEN
BAILEY,TARYNANDtheSproutsstoodonthesidewalkbytheshelterinSacramento.Alleightgirlsweresolemnasthedirectorthankedthemfortheirhelp.“Somanyofthefamilies
weworkwithdon’thave
enoughmoneytobuyChristmaspresents,”shewassaying.“They’restrugglingtokeepfoodonthetablesandlightsoninthehouse.ThisChristmas,whenyouarewithyourfamiliesandopeningyourpresents,Ihopeyou’llstoptothinkaboutwhatagoodthingyou’vedone.Thankyou,girls.”ChloereachedforBailey’s
hand.Severalofthegirls
werewipingawaytears.Behindthem,volunteers
unloadedthetoysthathadbeencollected.Tarynsniffed.“Allthisemotion,”she
grumbled.“It’sjustso...”ShelookedatherSproutsandsmiled.“I’mproudofallofyou.Youdidn’tletonepersonruinsomethingspecial.”Allisonsighed.“It’slikea
Christmasmiracle.We
deliveredtoystoneedychildren.Mymomwantsustohavethisforourprojectnextyear.”“We’lltalkitwiththe
Grovecouncil,”Tarynpromised.“Okay,let’sheadbacktoFool’sGold.Rumorhasit,there’sgoingtobeacelebrationatBrew-haha.”Severalofthegirls
cheered.ChloereleasedBailey’shandandwalked
withherfriends.TarynfellintostepwithBaileyastheywalkedtowardtheircars.“Ihateallthisstupid
happiness,”Tarynmuttered.Baileygrinned.“Youneed
togetoverthat.Happinessispartofthetradition.It’sgoodforyou.”“No,it’snot.Worse,I’m
fightinghormones.Icriedoveracommerciallastnight.Itwashorrifying.”
“There’ssomuchmoretocome.”BaileyknewthatTaryn
washoldingoffontellingpeopleaboutherpregnancyandcouldn’twaitforthenewstocomeout.“Thetoythingwasgood,”
Tarynadmitted.“Needykidsandallthat.”Shepaused.“Youwanttotalkaboutit?”Therewasnoneedtoask
whatthe“it”was.Orwho.
“There’snotmuchtosay,”Baileytoldher.“Areyouokay?”“No.ButI’mfakingitas
bestIcan.”Sheloweredhervoice.“Imisshim.”“Hemissesyou.It’s
just...hehassomebaggage.”“IknowaboutNatalie.He
toldme.Soinmyhead,Iunderstandwhyhe’scautious.Butitstillhurtstohavehimgone.”
Taryngottohercarandunlockedit.Baileydidthesame.Thegirlsclimbedinandbeganfasteningtheirseatbelts.Whenallthedoorswereclosed,Tarynlookedather.“Haveyoutoldhimhow
youfeel?Ican’tpromiseitwillmakeadifference,butitmight.”Sheshrugged.“I’massumingyou’reseriousabouthim.Ifallyouwantis
somethingshort-termandhot,thentellhimthat,too.I’msurehewouldbeinterested.Kenny’sagoodguy.Weallwanthimtobehappy.Itwouldbegreatifhecouldbehappywithyou.”Baileynoddedandgotin
hercar.OnthedrivebacktoFool’sGold,shethoughtaboutwhatTarynhadsuggested.WhileBaileyknewthatKennywasafraid
ofgettinginvolvedwithher,she’dneverconsideredthathemightnotknowhowshefelt.She’dneverhintedthatherlikinghadturnedintosomethingelse.Wouldthatchangethings?
Wouldhebewillingtotakeachanceifheknewshelovedhim?Therewasonlyonewaytofindout.Unfortunatelyitmeantlayingherheartontheline.
ForthenexthourBaileytriedtofigureoutwhattodo.InbetweenChristmascarolssungloudlywiththeSprouts,sheconsideredheroptions.WhentheyreachedBrew-
haha,severaloftheparentswerewaiting.Thegirlsraninsideandsharedwhathadhappenedattheshelter.Patience,theowner,hadhotchocolateandcookieswaitingforthem.BaileytookTaryn
aside.“Iwanttogotalkto
Kenny,”shewhispered.“Thisisgoingtogoonforatleastanhour.DoyoumindifIduckoutforabit?”“Go,”Tarynurgedher.
“I’llstaywithChloe.Ifyou’renotbackbythetimethiswrapsup,I’lltakehertoNoelle’sstore.It’salwaysfuntowatchtheshopperstheSaturdaybeforeChristmas.”
Baileyhuggedherfriend.“You’rethebest.”“Iknow.It’saburden,but
oneI’velearnedtolivewith.”Taryngaveheralittlepush.“Go!”Baileydidasinstructed.
ShetoldChloeshewasgoingtorunanerrand,thenduckedoutofthestoreandhurriedtowardKenny’shouse.Ithadsnowedacoupleofdaysago,thenwarmedupenoughfor
thestreetsandsidewalkstoclear.Thefewsnowmenintheyardsweremelting.ButtheweatherwassupposedtocooldownagainatthebeginningoftheweekanditlookedliketheymighthaveawhiteChristmasafterall.Baileystillwasn’tsure
exactlywhatshewasgoingtosaywhenshegottoKenny’splace,butsherangthebellanyway.Shetriednottobe
intimidatedbythelargehouse.Ittookhimnearlyaminute
toanswer.Whenhedid,shesawtheshadowsunderhiseyes.Hedidn’tspeakandneither
didshe.ShetookintheoldL.A.Stallionssweatshirtandwornjeans.Helookedlikehehadn’tshavedorslept,forthatmatter.Wasitpossiblehewasmissingherasmuch
asshewasmissinghim?“Ineedtospeaktoyou,”
shesaidatlast.Hesteppedasidetolether
in.Shewalkedintothefoyer
ofthebig,two-storyhouse.Shecouldseealivingroomandpartofadiningroom,butthatwasall.Notthatthehousemattered.Itwasjustthatnowshewashere,shewasnervous.Andscared.But
shewasalsodetermined.Heshovedhishandsinto
hisfrontpocketsandwaited.She’dbeenhopingfora
littleencouragement,butapparentlythatwasn’thappening.Hestillhadn’tspoken.Washetoopolitetosimplytellhertogetout?Shedrewinabreath.“I
wanttosaysomething.Itmaynotmakeadifference,butmaybeitwill.WhenI’m
done,I’mgoingtoleave.Idon’twantyoutosayanything.Thatshouldbeeasy,seeingasyou’renottalkingnow.”Shepausedtoseeifthat
commentwouldspurhimtoaction.Itdidnot.“Okay,then,”she
murmured.“Heregoes.LikeIsaid,Idon’twantyoutorespond.IwouldaskthatyouthinkaboutwhatIamabout
tosay.Iwantyoutoconsideritandlivewithitandthencometoaconclusion.”Shesuddenlyrealizedshe
hadn’tthoughtthisthroughatall.Howwashesupposedtotellherno,inawaythatwouldn’tcrushhersoul?Orbeheardinfrontofthewholetownorsomething?“IfIdon’thearbackfrom
youby,um,NewYear’s,I’llknowthatyou’renot
interested.Orthatyoudon’tagree.Orwhatever.”“Ihavenoideawhat
you’retalkingabout.”Thewords,quietlyspoken,
causedthenervesinherstomachtostartdoinglaps.“Iknow.I’mgettingto
that.Youneedtonottalkagain,okay?”Henodded.Shelacedherfingers
togetherandtwistedthem
around.Wassheafoolforthinkinghecouldcareabouther?Weretheytoodifferent?Washetoomuchtheathleticsuperstar?Shewasjustasinglemomwithakid.Andtherewastheweightthing.Didhethinkshewasfat?Shetoldherselftogetout
ofherheadandintothemoment.Shelovedthisman.Ifshewantedtohaveachancewithhim,shehadto
tellhimthat.“Idon’tknowexactlywhat
happened,”shebegan.“Whyyoudisappeared.IknowithassomethingtodowithChloeandme.Maybeyou’rethinkingyou’vegottentooclose.Thatifyoucare,youcouldbehurt.Ifyoudocare,thenthat’strue.Butit’salsotruethatyoucouldhurtus,too.”Shepausedtogatherher
thoughts.Shewasn’tsurehowtoconvincehim,butnottryingwasnolongeranoption.“IwanttosaythatIloved
Willdesperatelyuntilhedied,butthat’snottrue.Weweredriftingapartwhenhewaskilled.Idon’tknowifitwasbecausehewasgonesomuchorifwesimplygrewupandapart.Butwhatevermyfeelings,Willwasagood
manandIwanthisdaughtertoknowthatabouthim.”Shefoundherselfstaringat
thecenterofKenny’schestandforcedherchinupuntilshewaslookingintohiseyes.Shecouldn’treadanythingthere,butthatwasokay.Shewasgoingtogetthroughthis.“You’reright—Iama
packagedeal.You’llneverbeChloe’sbiologicalfatherandthepossibilityexiststhatif
somethinghappenedbetweenyouandI,thenyouwouldbeatriskoflosinganotherchildyou’dcometocareabout.Iknowthathastobereallyscary.IwanttotellyouIknowhowyoufeel,butwebothknowIdon’t.Ican’t.Buthere’swhatIdoknow.Iknowthatyou’reawonderfulperson.You’recaringandgentleandfunnyandkind.Youarethekindofperson
othersadmire.Youmakemyheartbeatfasterwheneveryou’rearoundandyoumakemefeelsafe.”Heatburnedonhercheeks,
butshekepttalkinganyway.Sowhatifshewasembarrassed?Shehadtotellhimthetruth—theybothdeservedthat.“I’mnotlikethemodels
andactressesyou’vedated.Igetthat.I’mjustaregular
kindofpersonwholivesinasmalltown.Nothingflashy.Nothingspecial.ButIknowwhatit’sliketobealoneandIknowwhatit’sliketowanttobelong.”Nowforthehardpart,she
thought,wishingshewasjustalittlemoreconfidentinhisresponse.“Kenny,I’vefalleninlove
withyou.I’mprettysureChloehasaswell.Iwantus
tobetogether.Iwanttobetheloveofyourlife.Iwant...”Sheshrugged.“Iwantalotofthings.Morekids.Adog.ButmostlyIwantyou.AndI’mhopingyouwantmeback.”Shereachedouttotouch
him,thendroppedherhandtoherside.Themanhadn’tsaidaword.Sure,she’dtoldhimnotto,butdidhehavetopickthismomenttolisten?She
couldn’ttellwhathewasthinking,butworrieditcouldn’tpossiblybegood.“ThatwasallIhadtosay,”
shewhispered,returninghergazetothecenterofhischest.“Pleasethinkaboutit.Ifyou’renotinterested,thenyoudon’thavetodoanything.IfIdon’thearfromyoubyNewYear’s,I’llgetthemessage.”Shelookedintohisblue
eyesagain.“Ihopewhateverhappens,wecanstayfriends.Andifit’snotme,thenIreallyhopeyoufindsomeoneyoucangiveyourheartto.Iwantyoutobehappy,nomatterwhat.”Sheturnedtothedoor,
thenspunback.“MerryChristmas,”shesaid,andthensheleft.
***
KENNYSATALONEinthedark.TomorrowwasChristmasEve.Foreveryoneintownitwasamagicaltime.Thepresentswerebought,thedinnersplanned,andtherewasthepromiseofsnowtomorrownight.Whatcouldbebetter?Hehadn’tbeenoutofhis
houseindays,hadn’tseenanyone.TheweekendhadmadethateasyandtheScore
officeswereclosedtodaythroughChristmas.Itgavehimtime.Thequestionwas,whatwashegoingtodowithit?Baileyhadlaiditallonthe
linewhenshe’dcomeoveronSaturday.She’dbaredherself,heartandsoul.Allshe’daskedwasthathethinkaboutwhatshesaid.Andhehad.Endlessly.Shesaidshelovedhim.
Thosewords—howhewantedthemtobetrue.Hewantedallshehadtooffer.HerandChloeandmorebabiesandadog.Yeah,itwasaperfectpicture.Butwasitreal?Couldhetrusther?That
waswhatitcamedownto.Washewillingtotryagain,tolove,knowinghecouldloseitall?Chloewouldneverbehis.Iftheworsthappened,
hewouldloseher,too.Butthealternativewasnot
tohaveheratall.Itwastonottry.Togiveupbeforehe’dbegunandthatwasn’twhohehadeverbeen.Whatwassafebattledwith
whatheneededasmuchasheneededair.Thepainofnothavingwrestledwiththepotentialoflosing.Thehourspassedfromnighttodawnandhewasnoclosertoan
answer.Butmaybethatwasbecausehe’dalwaysknownhowthiswasgoingtoend.
***
“THATWASTHEBEST!”Chloecrowedastheywalkedhome,hand-in-hand,inthelightlyfallingsnow.“Theshowandtheday.”“Iagree.Itwasmagical.”Baileywalkednexttoher
daughterastheymadetheirwayhomefromtheannualperformanceoftheDanceoftheWinterKing,followedbyeveningservicesatchurch.Itwassnowing,butnottoocold.Ormaybetheywerewarmedbytheseasonitself.Herdaughtersmiledupat
her.“ThiswasthegreatestChristmasEveever!”“Wow.Thankyou.What
wasyourfavoritepart?”
“Idon’tknow.Allofit.Ilovedthelivenativity.”“Me,too.”Baileysmiledasshe
rememberedtheeccentricanimalsfillingthemangernexttotheBabyJesus.Therehadbeengoats,anelephant,aponyandacamel,allcomplimentsoftheCastleRanch.Thisyeartherehadalsobeentheunusualadditionofasmallservice
dog,Cece.Herholidaysweaterhadkeptherpoodle-selfwarm,andshe’dbeenupforsnugglesandkisses.Therestofthemangeranimalshadpreferredtosimplyhavetheirpicturestaken.Afterward,sheandChloe
hadwanderedthroughdowntown,takinginallthedecorations.Carolershadgonefromstoretostore.Mostofthebusinesseshad
stayedopentooffercookiesandhotchocolatetosingersandresidentsalike.Afterdinner,Baileyand
ChloehadgonetoseetheDanceoftheWinterKing,aseasonalproductionwithgreatmusicanddancing.Chloehadloveditall.Baileyhadenjoyedit,too,butshe’dalsobeenawarethatKennywasn’twiththem.Shehadn’theardfromhim
sinceshe’dannouncedshewasinlovewithhim,andthenhadlefthishouse.Whileshe’dknownthatshemightnotgethimtochangehismind,she’dbeenhopeful.Okay,morethanhopeful,shethoughtwistfully.She’dimaginedhimstridingintoherofficeatcityhallandsweepingherintohisarms,àlathatoldmovieAnOfficerandaGentleman.Orsimply
walkinguptohersomewhereintownandsayingthatwhilehecouldn’tlovehertoday,hethoughthemightbeabletoeventually.Inhermoresensible
moments,sheremindedherselfthattheobviousanswerwashewasn’tinterested.Sheimaginedapolitelywordednoteof“thanks,butnothanks.”Despitethefactthatshe’d
saidhedidn’thavetorespond,she’dneverseriouslyconsideredtherewouldbenothing.Sheremindedherselfthere
wasstillaweektogo.Aweekinwhichshecoulddreamandhope.ButcomeJanuaryfirst,shewasgoingtogoonthosetwodietsshe’dpromisedherself.OnefortheextraweightandtheotherforKenny.Shewouldfigureout
howtodealwithboth.Andshewasdeterminedtobesuccessful.Chloeleanedintoherand
yawned.“IsKennycomingovertomorrow?”“Idon’tknow.”BecauseBaileyhadn’tsaid
anythingtoChloeyet.Whenherdaughterasked,shesaidhewasbusywiththeholidays.Iftherewaseventheslightestchanceofit
workingout,thenbetterforherdaughternottosufferneedlessly.“Hehasto.Wehave
presentsforhimunderthetree.Andyouhavesomethingfromhiminyourstocking.”“DoI?”She’dforgottenaboutthat.
Whathadhegottenher?Andifhewalkedoutoftheirlivesforever,shouldshereturnit?Theyturnedthecornerand
starteduptheirstreet.Snowcontinuedtofall.Neighborswalkinghomefromthechurchservicewavedtoeachother.Callsof“MerryChristmas”filledthenight.“Iloveournewhouse,”
Chloesaidsleepily.“Andmybedroom,andmybed.”“I’mglad.Iloveitall,
too.”Chloelookedupatherand
smiled.“Iloveyou,
Mommy.”“Iloveyouback,sweetie.”Theywalkedtotheirhouse
andstartedupthedriveway.Ontheporch,somethingmoved.Baileystared,notsurewhat—Kennyroseandtooka
coupleofstepstowardthem.Itwasdarkandtheporchlightwasbehindhimsoshecouldn’tseehisface.Athousandquestions
crowdedintoherbrain.Whywashehere?Wasitgoodnewsorbadnews?Surelyhewouldn’tbreakherheartonChristmasEve,wouldhe?Helookedgood,she
thought,greedilytakingineverythingabouthim.Iffeltasifshehadn’tseenhiminyears,insteadofdays.Hehadonalong,heavycoat.Snowclungtohisheadandhisshoulders.HeheldaSanta
hatinonehand.“Kenny!”Chloebrokefreeandraced
towardhim.Hecaughtherandliftedherupintohisarms.Chloehungonsotightly,Baileywonderedifshewouldeverletgo.“Wewenttothelive
nativityandtherewasapoodleinthemanger!ThenwesawtheDanceoftheWinterKing,whichwasso
great.Andthenwewenttochurchandnowyou’rehere.We’vemissedyou.You’recomingoverforChristmas,aren’tyou?Momwasn’tsure,butyouhavepresents.”Kennykissedhercheek,
thenloweredhertotheground.HesteppedtowardBailey.Shestayedwhereshewas.
Snowfellallaroundthem.Shewasprobablyfreezing,
butshecouldn’tfeelathingexceptforthehoperisinginsideofher.Theworldwasstill,exceptforthebeatingofherfrantic,hungryheart.“Youwereright,”hesaid
quietly,staringintohereyes.“Aboutallofit.IamafraidofwhatIcouldlose.HowcouldIgoonwithoutyouorChloearound?”Shewasn’tsureifshewas
supposedtoanswer,soshe
simplywaited.Chloecameandstoodnexttoher,butwasalsosilent.HeturnedtheSantahat
aroundinhishands.“Idon’tbringmuchtothetable.I’mkindofbeatupfromplayingfootball.Mykneesarebadandmytrackrecordwithrelationshipsisn’tmuchbetter.”Shewasn’tsurehowthose
twothoughtsrelated,butshe
washappytokeeplistening.Becausetoher,itdidn’tsoundlikehewassayinggoodbye.“Thethingis,”he
continued,staringdirectlyintohereyes,“I’minlovewithyou.”HedroppedhisgazetoChloe.“Withbothofyou.AndIneedtoaskyousomething.”Askwhat?Todateher?To
havedinnerwithher?To—
Hereturnedhisattentiontoher.“BaileyVoss,willyoumarryme?”Baileyfeltalltheairrush
outofherlungs.Chloeshriekedandbeganjumpingupanddown.Kennyraisedoneshoulder.
“There’salotwehavetoworkthrough,Iknow.Detailsaboutwherewe’llliveandfamilystuffand—”“Yes,”Baileysaidasshe
steppedintohisembraceandkissedhim.“Yes.”Sheheldoutonehandand
Chloejoinedthem.Kennywrappedhisarmaroundthelittlegirl,aswell.Theystoodinthesnowandhungontoeachother.Later,theywentinside.It
wasallablurtoBailey.Theactualmovementandtheremovingofcoats.Somehowtheywerepiledtogetheron
thesofa,BaileyononesideofKenny,Chloeontheother.Thetreelightswereonandtherewasafireinthefireplace.“Thisisnice,”hesaid.Shelaughed.“Yes,itis.”HeglancedatChloe.
“SomeoneneedstogettobedsothatSantacandeliverpresents.”Chloesmiled.“Thereisno
Santa,butI’llgotobed
anyway.I’mtired.”Shewrinkledhernose.“Youtwowanttohavesomegrown-uptime.”Baileythoughtaboutthe
magicthatwasKenny’skissesandknewthatgrown-uptimewouldverymuchbewelcome.Shewalkedherdaughter
upstairsandhelpedhergetready.WhenChloewastuckedinbed,Kennyjoined
them.HesatontheedgeofthemattressandstrokedChloe’scheek.“Willisalwaysgoingtobe
yourforeverdad,”hesaidquietly.“I’mgoingtostandinforhim,butI’mnottakinghisplace.”Chloesatupandhugged
him.“You’regoingtobemyforeverdad,too.Okay?”Kennyheldherand
nodded.Hekissedher
forehead.Shelaybackdownandwasasleepbeforetheyhadlefttheroom.Backdownstairs,Kenny
drewBaileyintohisembraceandkissedher.“Iloveyou,”hetoldher.“Iloveyou,too.”Shetilted
herhead.“Whatbroughtyoutoyoursenses?”Onecornerofhismouth
turnedup.“Itriedtolivewithoutyou.Icouldn’tlast
twodays.Whateverhappens,it’sworthit.”Shetouchedhischeek.
“Kenny,Iwanttospendmylifewithyou.I’myours.I’mhopingthatyou’llconsideradoptingChloe,soshe’syours,too.Notjustinyourheart,butintheeyesofthelaw,too.”Hestaredather.“You’ddo
that?”“Ofcourse.Iloveyou.Not
justforChristmas,butforalways.”Hekissedher,thendrewa
smallboxoutofhisjeanspocketandhandedittoher.Sheopeneditandsawasparklingdiamondsolitairewinkingbackather.Thebeautyoftheringtookherbreathaway,butthewonderofknowingthisamazingmanlovedherwasafeelingshewantedtohangontoforever.
“Iloveyou,Bailey,”hewhispered.“MerryChristmas.”Heslippedtheringonher
fingerandloweredhismouthtohers.Somewhereinthedistance,bellsbegantochime.ChristmasDayhadarrived.
*****
AbouttheAuthor
NewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorSusanMalleryhaswontheheartsofmillionsofreadersaroundtheworldwithbooksdescribedas“immenselyentertaining,intenselyemotional”(RTBookReviews),“hilarious”(FortWorthStar-Telegram)and“heartwarming”(PublishersWeekly).One
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Mallerylivesinnot-so-sunnySeattlewithherhusbandandatoypoodlewhomakesherlaugheverydayandwho’snotevenalittlebitimpressedbyhergrowingfame.VisitSusanonlineatwww.susanmallery.com.
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ISBN-13:9781459256477
YoursforChristmas
Copyright2014bySusanMaciasRedmond
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