A Daughter for Christmas (13 page)

Taylor huffed and slid the book closer to herself.

While Max waited, he heard the front door open and saw Rachel come into the house. She smiled at him and strolled toward the hallway that led to the kitchen. The warmth in her expression spread throughout him. He shouldn't have kissed her earlier—twice. She was right. It complicated everything. He didn't want Rachel to get the wrong idea. His experience with marriage had been bad. Ever since he was a child and struggled with reading, failure didn't sit well with him, and his marriage to Alicia had been a failure. But there was something about Rachel that made him forget all that when he was with her.

 

Rachel looked toward Will standing on a chair at the counter. “Go easy on stirring the Chex mix.”

“It's ready. I did good.” He grinned, showing his teeth.

“And I appreciate it. Why don't you help Max and Sam fill the boxes with food.”

Will hopped down from the chair and raced into the dining room where Max and Sam were.

“Taylor, can you come in here and put the mix into plastic bags?” Rachel cut her fudge she'd made earlier into pieces.

“Mom, Sam is eating a cookie Granny gave us for the boxes,” Taylor said as she came into the kitchen.

Max stuck his head into the doorway. “I'm taking care of it. We're almost through in here.”

“Great.” Rachel turned toward her daughter. “When
you finish with that, take the boys into the den and make the cards, then we can deliver the packages tonight.”

“Max said something about stopping and getting ice cream afterward. Can we?”

“But it's below freezing outside.”

“So? I'm still gonna enjoy it.”

“Fine.” Rachel took the fudge and added the pieces to the goody plates she was preparing for the food boxes.

Ten minutes later, the last items were ready for the gifts to the needy families. While she took the plates into the dining room, Taylor brought in the bags of Chex mix.

“Let's go make the cards,” her daughter said, corralling her two younger brothers toward the den.

“This is it.” Rachel placed the goodies onto the top of the items in each box.

Max followed behind her and set the plastic bags alongside the plate and closed up the top flaps.

At the last one she noticed an envelope tucked down inside the cartons. “What's this?” She slipped it out and held it up.

“Uh…” Max busied himself sticking one lid under the other to keep it down.

“Max?”

“Okay, it's just a little money to help them get what else they need for Christmas.” He looked her right in the eyes. “If you can make up these gift boxes for the families, I can donate some money.” A challenge rang in his voice.

“I think that's wonderful. Several of the families go to my church, and I know they could use any help they get.”

“Good because I've enjoyed doing this.”

She shifted toward him, not realizing he was so close behind her. She bumped into him and his hands came out to steady her. His fingers on her arms, he tugged her nearer. He dipped his head toward her, the scent of his peppermint toothpaste teasing her senses, the feel of his fingers on her skin searing into her.

“I'm glad you're having fun.” The sound of her voice barely carried, a breathless quality to it.

“Thanks for including me in this—family activity.”

His emphasis on the word
family
should have sent alarm bells clanging in her mind, but she liked the picture that formed in her thoughts. She wanted him to kiss her again. That did make her pause. Everything was moving so fast with Max. Was it because he could be Taylor's natural father? Was it because her boys needed a man around? Those weren't good reasons to pursue a relationship—not in the long run.

“I told you I would show you what the holidays mean to me. It's helping others. Having family around. Celebrating the birth of Christ.”

He grinned. “Your concept of Christmas is so much nicer than Mr. Olson's.” He cupped her face. “Did I tell you he asked me where my snowman was?”

“No, what did you tell him?”

“I told him it was too hot for the snowman on the street. The glare from all the lights melted him.”

“Oh, that's a good one.”

“I don't know. I don't think he appreciated the look I gave him. He didn't stay long but hurried down the street.” His palms slid back until his fingers threaded their way through her hair.

She was the one who wanted to melt at his caress. Her anticipation heightened with every second, his mouth inching closer to hers.

“We're ready to…”

Rachel leaped back at the same time as Max did. They both swung around and faced Taylor coming into the room with her brothers right behind her. Her daughter's eyes grew round for a few seconds, then her mouth curled up in a huge smile.

“Are you two ready, or do you want us to go back in the den and make more cards?”

The heat from her blush singed Rachel's cheeks. “No, we should go.” Was that her voice that squeaked?

“Yeah, it's getting late.” Max hefted a box. “Where do I take this?”

“In the back of my SUV. It should hold these. Will and Sam, you two bring the cards.”

Fifteen minutes later, Rachel drove down the first street where they were making a delivery. “Okay, Taylor, you know what to do. It looks like the Wilsons are home.”

Her daughter climbed from the car parked on the street and grabbed a box from the back, then crossed several yards to the house two down.

“What's she doing?” Max craned his neck to get a good look.

“She'll ring the bell then run. We don't want them to know who left them a box. Once a family caught Taylor before she could get away. They invited us in and gushed over what we'd brought. I'd rather the gift be from a secret friend. It's not the same.” As Taylor raced for the SUV, she added, “She enjoys this part the most.”

Taylor wrenched open the door and dived into the car. Rachel sped away as the front door opened at the Wilsons' place. Will and Sam giggled.

“You fooled them, sissy.” Sam gave Taylor a high five.

Max threw Taylor a glance. “Interesting technique. Drive-by gift giving.”

“It's a Howard tradition. Just wait until you see some of our others.” Rachel turned the corner on to the street of the second stop.

“Can't wait. What are you going to do? Commando caroling?”

T
he next afternoon, Taylor sat in the dining room, working on her reading. Suddenly, she stopped in midsentence and peered at Rachel. “I don't want to read to the people at the nursing home. I can't. I'm not ready. I don't know if I ever will be. I'd rather practice with you or even Max. He understands. Did you know he had trouble with reading when he was a kid?”

“You like him?” She was almost afraid to ask the question because she didn't want to feel as if this was a competition between her and Max over Taylor. But if he was her father, it could turn into that. Taylor was her daughter no matter what a test said.

“Yes. We've talked about some of the things he did to learn to read better. He's a doctor. If he can do it, I can, too. I don't want to be dumb.”

“You aren't dumb, honey.” Rachel put her arms around her daughter and hugged her. “I've noticed you're working hard at reading. I've seen a big improvement in the last month.”

“Max got me to thinking when he said commando caroling. What if we sing for them? We could start in the recreation room for the ones who can come there and
then go to the rooms of the ones who can't. We could get Aunt Jordan, Uncle Zachary, Nana and whoever else in the family that wants to do it.”

“That sounds great. After we finish here, you can make some calls and see who wants to participate.”

“I'm sure Max will. He told me he likes to sing.”

“You two talk a lot.”

“Yeah, I usually see him when I go to Dr. Reynolds's science class. In fact, Max is thinking of offering a class for others in the homeschooling program on Saturday after the New Year. Something to do with the environment. If he does, I'd like to do that.”

Max would be here in Tallgrass one way or another even if he wasn't Taylor's father. But he was so positive he was. She needed to decide what she was going to do when they found out for sure in a couple of weeks.

“Are you interested in the environment?” Rachel hooked her hair behind her ears.

“In Sunday-school class we've been talking about being caretakers of what God has given us. That got me to thinking. I want to do my part.”

“You don't have to wait until Max's class. You could start now. Maybe come up with ways this family can be green. What do you think?”

“I like that. I could do some research about what a family can do.”

“That would be a great project. We could work together, get things that Will and Sam can do, too.”

“I can ask Max, too. The reason he said something about an environment class is because he's interested in it. He's been doing a lot of reading on it. Maybe he can share some of it with me. Do you think he would?” Excitement lit Taylor's face.

Her daughter's expression was contagious, and Rachel had Max to thank for it. “Yes, I'm sure he would.”

Taylor cocked her head to the side. “You like him, too.”

It wasn't a question, but Rachel murmured, “Yes,” anyway. She realized
like
was too mild a word to describe the feelings she was developing toward Max. And that thought panicked her. Max was here for Taylor, not her and certainly not to have a relationship with a woman who would only be interested in marriage. On a number of occasions he'd talked about his previous marriage and how he didn't want to repeat that mistake.

“I saw you two the other night. It looked like you were gonna kiss and you're not wearing your wedding ring anymore.”

“How do you feel about me taking it off?”

Taylor's teeth dug into her lower lip as she stared at a spot behind Rachel. “I miss Dad a lot. But…”

Her daughter's voice came to a grinding halt, and she dropped her head as though to shield her expression from Rachel. “But what, hon?”

“Dad never had much time for me. He was always work ing. Now, it's too late for him to spend any time with me. I was so angry when he died. Now, I'm just sad.”

“Baby, I'm so sorry. He was doing what he thought he should—helping his patients, providing for his family. I think he always thought he would have the time later. And later never came.”

“Pastor John says we need to live in the present.”

“Yeah, I guess so. We don't know what the future holds for us.”

“So, yes, I'm fine with you taking off your wedding ring. I know you loved Dad.”

“I won't forget him. I loved him very much.”

Taylor's eyes gleamed with unshed tears. “I know and so did I.” She threw her arms around Rachel and squeezed hard. “I love you, Mom. I didn't tell Dad enough.”

“I love you, honey.”
And I'm falling in love with Max.

 

“That was awesome, everyone. I think we're ready for tomorrow.” Taylor stood in front of the caroling group in the den. “We'll meet at the nursing home at two. Wear Christmas colors. Aunt Jordan, you'll have the cookies made for us to hand out?”

“Yep. Zachary and Nicholas are helping me tonight when we go home.” Jordan settled her hand on her son's shoulder while Zachary pressed her against his side.

“Great. Granny, you'll have the fudge?”

While her grandmother answered yes, Rachel had to keep her mouth from dropping open at Taylor's take-charge attitude. She'd never done that before.

“Mom, how about the Chex mix?”

“Already have it done and ready to go.”

“Max, hot chocolate?”

“I'll have it.”

Taylor rotated toward her grandmother. “Then that leaves you, Nana, and Dr. Reynolds.”

Rachel's mom took Kevin's hand and peered at him. “We've ordered a big cake. We'll pick it up right before we come.”

“Thanks, you all. I think the people at the nursing home will enjoy this.”

“Bertha said everyone was excited about us coming.” Granny grabbed Doug's arm, and he helped her to her feet.

“See you tomorrow then,” Taylor said as Ashley came up to her.

“Mom will pick you up at twelve so we can go decorate the recreation room beforehand.”

“She's done a good job,” Max whispered in Rachel's ear.

His warm breath tickled her neck, and she shivered, a pleasant sensation spreading through her. “Yes, she has. She even called the director of the nursing home to set this up. I'm still amazed at all she's done. In the past she's been a follower, not a leader. This is new for her.” Had Max somehow influenced this change in Taylor? Had homeschooling and working on her reading helped Taylor to believe in herself?

“She mentioned to me why she chose to do this was because Bertha was a friend of Granny's. She wanted to do something for her.”

“She went to my church until she got sick and had to go into a nursing home. Granny goes to visit Bertha at least once a week.” When she saw Taylor take Sam and Will and lead them out of the den, she added, “She's even working with Sam and Will on
Jingle Bells.
”

Taylor stopped in the hallway, swung around and hurried back into the den. Pausing a few feet from Rachel, her daughter motioned to Max.

“Excuse me a sec.”

Max's large frame, his back to Rachel, blocked her view of Taylor. They were up to something. After getting off the phone with the nursing home the day before, Taylor kept watching for Max to come home from work, and then when he did, she disappeared across the street for half an hour with a list in her hand.

The feeling she was suddenly being left out of her daughter's life flooded her. Would this be what happened if Max was Taylor's natural father and told Taylor who
he was? Her daughter was growing up and would soon have her own life, but she wasn't ready to let her go.

“Are you all right, Rachel?” Jordan approached and took her over to the side away from everyone.

“Sure. Why wouldn't I be?”

“Oh, I don't know. Maybe because you see Max with Taylor and you realize he's becoming important to your daughter.”

“Am I that obvious?”

“Only because I know what's going on. I'm sure Mom and Granny don't know a thing. You know they're rooting for you to get together with Max?”

“Yeah, Granny hasn't been too subtle about trying to match me with Max. The other evening she caught me leaving Max's house and asked us to deliver her goodies she baked for the neighbors because she wasn't up to the walk. When Max agreed, she practically danced a jig.”

“Back up a sec. You leaving his house? What were you doing there?”

“Returning some reading material Taylor borrowed on the environment.” She even took some time to admire the small Christmas tree that Max had put up with brand-new ornaments just out of the box.

“Why didn't she?”

“She was on the phone about the program at the nursing home and asked me.” The memory of walking with Max up and down the street, the air laced with the scent of wood burning, the night sky clear with a few stars out, the crispness adding to the atmosphere, pulled her gaze away from her sister and toward Max. The intent look on his face as he talked with Taylor was suddenly switched to her. Her breath caught in her throat, and she
had to force deep inhalations into her lungs to keep from getting lightheaded.

“I think you two were had not only by Granny but Taylor, too. Frankly, I don't know why they are wasting their time. It's clear to anyone who is around you all that you don't need any nudging.”

“He's a friend.”

One of Jordan's eyebrows rose. “Is that what he is to you? What happens if he's Taylor's biological father? What are you gonna do then?”

Rachel chewed on her bottom lip. “I don't know. He has implied several times he doesn't want to get married.”

The corners of Jordan's mouth twitched. “Marriage? I didn't say anything about marriage, but it's obvious you've been thinking about it.”

“Because that's the only way I could be with a man and I couldn't marry without loving him and him loving me.”

“Not even for Taylor?”

“No, because in five or six years she'll be gone, then what will I have?”

“Jordan, we need to get home to bake the cookies,” Zachary said at the doorway.

“Okay, just a sec.” Her sister shifted her attention back to Rachel. “I'll pray for you, Max and Taylor.” She hugged Rachel. “The Lord knows what He's doing.”

“I hope so because I'm beginning to think I don't.”
I love a man who doesn't want to get married. And if all of sudden he did, what would be his real motive?

“We'll find our own way out. See you tomorrow.” Jordan left with her husband, Nicholas and Ashley.

Before long Granny, Doug, her mother and Kevin were gone. Taylor hurried from the room, too. Max faced
her. The quiet was in stark contrast to the chatter of only moments before. The warmth from all those bodies in the den evaporated and left Rachel chilled. She folded her arms across her chest.

He finally broke the silence with, “Only a few days to Christmas.”

“What were you and Taylor talking about?”

“Tomorrow.”

“What?”

He grinned, laugh lines at the corners of his eyes deepening. “It's a secret. You'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out.”

“Why?”

“Because I promised Taylor I wouldn't say anything. It's something she wanted to do and I told her I would help her with it.”

She didn't know what to say to that. She frowned.

His smile vanished. “It has nothing to do with why I'm here. Trust me, Rachel. I won't undermine you. I need to go home. Good night.”

Before she could move forward, Max strode out into the hallway. She rushed to catch him. “Wait, Max.”

At the front door, his hand on the knob, he stopped, but he kept his back to her.

“I know you wouldn't, Max. I'm sorry if that's what you thought. I'm not big on surprises, especially lately.”

He peered over his shoulder at her. “This surprise is a good thing. I promise you.”

“Fine. Not another word about it.”

Sounds came from the kitchen. Will, Sam and Taylor sang
Jingle Bells,
the boys shouting more than singing.

Rachel looked back toward the doorway into the
kitchen, then stepped to Max and stood on her tiptoes to give him a kiss on his cheek. “I hope the people at the nursing home are ready for this. See you tomorrow.”

For a second, a bewildered expression widened his eyes slightly before his features settled into a neutral countenance. He nodded. “Tomorrow.”

The weakness in her legs forced Rachel to hold on to the door frame as she watched him walk away. Why had she kissed him? What had she been thinking? She hadn't. All she'd thought about was that she didn't want him to leave upset.

Lord, I know You have this all figured out. Could You please clue me in? I feel so confused.

 

In the recreation room at the nursing home, Rachel bit on the end of her thumbnail. Near her, an old man in his eighties grumbled to the woman next to him about having to wait. Everyone was here except Max. Where was he? Taylor refused to start until he arrived. Did this have anything to do with the surprise he and her daughter had cooked up?

A commotion at the door drew her attention. In walked Max, dressed in a Santa suit carrying a bag over his shoulder.

“Ho! Ho! Ho!”

Will and Sam squealed and clapped, then rushed toward Max. He stooped down to talk to both of them, dug around in his bag and pulled out two wrapped presents for them. Her sons tore into the gifts, paper tossed to the floor. Their eyes lit up like a Christmas tree when they saw the semitrucks.

“Thanks, Santa.” Sam hugged the toy to his chest.

“Yeah,” Will added.

Taylor stepped toward Max. “I'm so glad you could
come, Santa. We have some special guests here.” She gestured toward the twenty-five senior citizens sitting around in a half circle, some in wheelchairs.