Mistletoe and Magic (8 page)

Dr. Bean nodded, her face showing no emotion. “Please continue.”

“I even got down on bended knees and begged him. He promptly laughed and stepped over me, slamming the door as he left. When I heard the garage door open, and listened to him revving the engine of his bike, I knew I’d lost the argument. The next thing I heard was his tires kicking up gravel as he peeled out of the driveway. He was so mad, he never even closed the garage door.” Mallory wiped her nose. “My guess is that Jenny heard us arguing....” Mallory sighed. “And that’s when her downhill spiral began. She has mood swings like I’ve never seen before. She’s happy and hugging me one minute, angry and screaming at me the next. She fights with her sister, and then the next day she gets up like nothing ever happened and makes us pancakes for breakfast.”

“How did you find out Mitch died?”

“His girlfriend. She was a young twenty-something. She had called to let me know they’d gone off by themselves because they wanted to be alone. Their intentional disregard to tell the others where they were going was almost as if Mitch knew this was the end. Although, she did say they had smoked a lot of pot. Enjoying his high, he’d decided to take what she called a huge daredevil jump over the river. He said he wanted to go down in history.” Mallory harrumphed. “Stupid fool. Ever since then, Jenny has continually said it was my fault he died. I killed him.”

“Why do you suppose she thinks that?”

“She says I upset him, and he couldn’t concentrate on what he was doing.”

“Surely, she can’t believe that.”

“I’ve tried to talk to her, but she doesn’t want to hear it.”

“Okay. I think I understand. Why don’t you go to the waiting room and I’ll call Jenny in here to talk and save Lacey for last? She seems to be well adjusted to the situation.” She walked Mallory to the door.

“Lacey doesn’t have the same kind of issues her sister has, but she took her father’s death pretty hard, too.”

~~~

An hour later, Dr. Bean was calling Mallory back into the office. Both girls were sitting in the room. The seat in the center was left vacant for Mallory. She could tell that Jenny had been crying, and the thought squeezed her heart. She reached out for both their hands.

“You have a lovely family,” Dr. Bean said.

“Thank you.”

“After talking to each of you, I have a good idea of what is happening in your lives. Today has been an emotional upheaval for all of you having to relive those days over again. But we’ve made great progress. I’d like to cut it short here because I don’t feel we need any more discussion right now. I’d like you to go home and digest our meeting. Our next step is something my patients find extremely helpful. It’s a written exercise I want you to do.”

Lacey groaned. “Homework?”

The others laughed.

“Sort of. But this will be an easy assignment, Lacey. No one gets to see it but you.” She gave her a stern look. “And that doesn’t mean you don’t have to do it, young lady,” Dr. Bean warned. Lacey rolled her eyes and made a face. “Mallory, on your way home, I want you to stop at the store and pick up three journals for recording your feelings,” she said. “Each day, I’d like you to write your emotions, whether it’s anger, sadness or happiness—it doesn’t matter. Just write it. Then I’d like you to stop and think about the situation and how you think it could be improved. Use this journal as your sounding board. Now here’s the caveat: You are not to discuss the contents of your journal or show it to anyone. The objective here is to transfer your problems to the journal. My patients have had great success with this method because they were able to unload their problems on paper and not worry about being judged by anyone. Just remember, it’s solely for you. Be completely honest because it won’t work if you hold anything back.”

“That sounds like a great idea,” Mallory said. “Thank you, Doctor. I’ll stop on the way home.”

“Good. Let’s schedule your next appointment for later in the day so the girls don’t have to take off from school.” She stopped talking and focused on Jenny for a brief moment. “I’m giving each of you my business card, and I want you to call me whenever you need to talk to me. I may not be able to converse with you right away, but I will call you back.” She looked to each of them. “Okay?”

“Oh darn,” Lacey said, snapping her fingers together. “I thought we could get more time off from school.”

“I’ll just bet you were,” Dr. Bean said, “but I’m sorry. I can’t contribute to your delinquencies.” She looked to Mallory. “How about same day, next week?” she said, glancing at her datebook. “Three-thirty sound good?”

Mallory checked her calendar. “Sure. That’ll work out fine.”

“Good, because I’ll be out of town the following week celebrating Christmas with my family.”

“I think that should work out well. If it turns out to be an issue, I’ll call the office and let you know.”

Dr. Bean walked them to the door, resting her hand on Lacey’s shoulder.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Mallory waved to the girls as they boarded the school bus. When the driver closed the door, she waited for the girls to sit down, and then made a beeline to the shower. She was wearing jeans today to decorate the tree at AJ’s. Excitement danced through her veins at an alarming rate convincing her AJ was more than just a passing fancy. Was she falling in love with him? How could that be so soon?

She stepped inside the shower, her mind filled with a host of thoughts. Thinking back to last evening, she pictured Jenny’s docile mood. The poor kid seemed mentally exhausted and especially clingy to both her mother and Lacey. Mallory loved every minute of it, but she wished she knew what was bothering her eldest child. Hopefully, Dr. Bean could get them to a place where they could have a heart-to-heart talk. She knew unless Jenny wanted to talk about it, she’d never find out. The best she could hope for was that her daughter would find peace through therapy. Mallory just wanted to be a family again.

AJ came to mind, and she smiled. Being with him took her to a happy place where she felt contented and knew everything was going to be okay. She’d never had that before or ever met anyone like him. The thought actually terrified her because she knew she was falling for him and worried that nothing would ever come of it. One trip to the therapist was not going to solve their issues. Jenny was a daddy’s girl who thought her mother had taken her father away from her.

~~~

Filling her thermal mug with coffee, Mallory twisted the lid and headed out to the car. Trying to warm up the car quickly, she slid the lever for the blower on high and shivered when the cool air blasted against her damp hair. After shoving the air vents in the opposite direction, she drove out of the driveway and headed for town. Thoughts of being alone with AJ made her nervous. Would his aunt be there?
That was a silly question
, she told herself. This was a surprise for his aunt. Reaching for the tuner on the radio, she changed the station and sang to a Katy Perry song to stop the traffic tie-up in her brain.

Approaching Main Street in town was always exciting, especially at Christmas time. Seeing the activity of shoppers going from one store to the next, the Christmas spirit in the air, and the decorations all made for a cheery atmosphere. The town’s square with the large gazebo sparkled with lights, waiting for the tree lighting ceremony that would take place over the weekend. Mallory turned the radio off in her car. Despite the cold, she rolled down her windows slightly to hear the customary Christmas music playing throughout the town over the loudspeakers. A little cheer was just what she needed today.

Seeing the Miller house, she pulled into a parking spot a few houses down the street. She cut the engine, got out of the car and headed toward 210 Main Street, humming to the music as she walked. AJ was waiting for her on the porch.

“Looks like I timed this just right,” he said with a broad smile.

“You must be freezing. How long have you been waiting on the porch?”

“Not long,” he said, watching her mount the stairs.

“Really?” She placed the back of her hand on his cheek. “Then why are your cheeks so cold.”

“Are they?” he said with a wink. “C’mon inside.” He gestured. “It’s warm in there.” He held the door for her.

She gasped when she walked into the foyer. “This is so beautiful!” She stood silent for a few minutes, taking in its beauty. The old brick wall separating the foyer from the living room had a silver ornate table in front with embossed doors, complemented by two thick wooden leather back chairs and seats with heavy steel studs, and a colorful Persian runner that covered the wide floorboards. Overhead, distressed beams gave it that rustic lodge feeling. “Wow. What a perfect setting for Christmas.”

“Well, there’s more where that came from. Let me have your coat. The living room is directly behind this brick wall,” he curled his finger indicating which direction, “with a nice hot fire burning in the fireplace just waiting to toast you. Go warm yourself up. I have coffee ready for you.”

“Aren’t you the terrific host?”

“I keep telling you I have many facets to my personality, but I don’t think you believe me. So I guess I just have to show you.”

“I’ve wanted to believe you.” Did she just say that? Cripes, she was opening the door and setting both of them up for failure. She couldn’t explain why she came out with these comments except that he made her feel comfortable. A sudden peaceful contented feeling washed over her and made her want to feel his arms wrapped around her. She forced herself from the daydream. She’d never have a love life or anyone in her life until the threat of Jenny scaring them off stopped. She meandered into the living room where the rustic theme continued. The room was decorated in reds and dark wood. “What a magnificent house,” she called out to him. “I can’t wait to get the tree decorated.” He walked in with a cup of coffee and handed it to her. “You do know you’re spoiling me, don’t you?”

“That’s because I think you’re worth it.”

“You are too kind.”

“You don’t think you’re worthy of being spoiled?”

She chuckled. “I guess I never thought about it, but yes, dammit, I agree.”

“Good, then we agree on something.”

“Thank you very much.”

She scanned the room with her eyes, checking to see where to put the tree and couldn’t stop admiring the decorating. The windows were covered with red drapes and pleated valances, a gold stripe across the bottom. A soft leather sofa with rounded armrests that was accompanied by two red velvet chairs gave the room a cozy feeling. Large floor plants filled the gaps in various places throughout the room.

“No wonder you haven’t looked for an apartment yet. I wouldn’t want to leave this place either.”

“I’m glad you brought that up. Will you help me find a place after the holidays?”

“Sure, if I can get my sister and Miriam to watch the shop.”

“Thank you. You’re familiar with the area, and I thought you might know of some good places.”

“Well let’s discuss what kind of place you’re looking for while I decorate the tree, and then I’ll do some research.” She put her cup down on a coaster. “Okay. Let’s get busy. Do you know if your aunt had a preference as to where the tree goes?”

“I’m sure she’d be happy wherever you set it up.” He gave an internal groan, realizing he hadn’t even thought of it.
Too late
, he told himself. He assured himself she’d be happy no matter where they set the tree up. Recapping his conversation with his aunt, he knew her priority was having him spend time with Mallory. Placement of the tree was secondary on both their minds.

“Okay, so I’m going to need a step ladder, the ornaments, and the tree.”

“Yes ma’am,” he gave a salute and walked away. Mallory followed after him.

“Point me in the direction, and I’ll lend a hand.”

“Thank you.” Walking down the hallway, he pointed to a room. “Ornaments are in there. I’ll get the ladder and the tree.”

“Where is the tree?”

“In the cold garage,” he gave a prideful smile.

“Did you water the tree while it’s been in there?”

“No. Was I supposed to?”

“Yes. Remember you’re trying to simulate the outdoors.”

He made a face. “Being in the garage is like outdoors, isn’t it?”

“Temperature wise, but it’s not getting the water it needs from the soil, and having water is key to keeping the tree fresh. When it’s inside, add ice cubes to the tree holder.” She stopped. “Hmm, okay, so before you bring in the tree, get me the vacuum. I’m afraid the pine needles will be falling off when you bring it through the door. I’ll clean up the mess,” she offered.

“Don’t be silly, I’ll clean up the mess while you decorate.”

“I thought we were going to talk about the type of apartment you want.”

“Sounds like you want me to stay,” he said self-assured.

“Uh…maybe.”

“Mallory” he sighed, “please give me some sign that what I’m trying to cultivate with you isn’t in vain.”

“Maybe.”

“Can I take that as a ‘yes’?” he asked.

She didn’t respond to his question and launched back into the reason she’d come instead. “Aren’t you going to help me decorate?” She tilted her head to the side. His heart skipped a beat. She was just so darned cute, he wanted to pull her in his arms and smother her mouth with his. If she’d just give him an ounce of encouragement, there’d be no stopping him.

“Are you asking me to?” he grinned.

She gave a slow nod and then their eyes locked. “Mallory,” he said. She shushed him with her finger pressed against his lips. He kissed her finger as he removed her hand and took a step forward. She didn’t move back. In one swift motion, he cupped her face and kissed her with so much emotion, the fire spread through his body like a burning inferno. He heard her gasp and without another word, he cradled her in his arms and carried her off to the bedroom.

~~~

Afterward, they lay next to each other, panting, trying to catch their breath. He rolled over and kissed her tenderly. “I’m crazy about you.”