'Tis the Season: A Collection of Mimi's Christmas Books (61 page)

When it came time for her to sneak away and get Layla’s baby doll, he could see the anxious way she acted. Finally, he offered to get the present and hide it in the truck then meet the other two in front of the movie in twenty minutes. Passing over sufficient money, she’d blessed him with her eyes and smiled her relief.

The singing from the back had stopped and the sudden silence caught his attention. Once again he checked the rear-view and he cleared his throat softly, rather than letting the hovering laugh erupt.

Stopped at a red light, the vehicle next to him had a small boy sitting by the back-door window closest to his truck. The shenanigans of the two children, keeping themselves amused, delighted him. In the naughty way of kids everywhere, Layla, tired of serenading, was now making faces at the kid in the car next to them. Sure enough, Jesse could just make out the grinning boy’s cheeky tongue sticking out also.

If his heart hadn’t already opened a special niche for this precious kid, he knew that every minute they spent together she was becoming far too important. As it was, he couldn’t imagine her not being a part of his life—her and her mother.

“Jesse, can we buy my mommy a Christmas pwesent? Like we talked about yesterday?”

“Sure, sweetheart. I’ve asked my friend, Phil, to bring my phone outside to the car so we won’t have to get out or find a parking spot. Then we can go to a store and you can find your mom something nice, okay?”

“Okay! How come Mr. Phil has your phone?”

“I dropped it yesterday at your uncle’s place when I went to pick you up.”

“Oh.” The silence lengthened and Jesse thought she’d been satisfied. He should have known the little chatterbox had more to say. “Is Uncle Jack sick, Jesse?”

“What makes you ask that? Did he act sick when you were with him?”

“He cwied when I said I wanted to go home to you and Mommy. I felt sowwy for him so I told him I’d stay with him a bit longer.”

“Did he scare you?”

Again she took her time to answer. Finally in a timid voice she said, “No. He didn’t scare me. He looks like my daddy’s picture. So I knew he liked me.”

“Of course, he likes you. We all like you even if you are a bwat.”

Layla’s delighted giggles made him laugh also. When they spotted Phil in his chair waiting by the curb, Jesse pulled over and rolled down the window to reach for his cell. “Thanks for bringing it out here. How’s everything?” His warning nod toward the back seat made Phil aware there were little ears and big eyes paying rapt attention.

“No problem, I was on my way out anyway. Things are swell. Couldn’t be better! Have a new recruit for our program and he’s taking to it great. Duck to water. Figure the medication the doctor prescribed has helped him tremendously. He’ll be good for day trips soon. Might want to consider it with the holidays close and all.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Chapter Twenty-eight

As soon as the other two left, Belle gathered her dirty laundry and high-tailed it over to her place where she could put in a load before doing anything else.

As soon as she stepped into her small front room, much smaller than Kim’s spacious place, she missed the decorations, the lights and the presence of Sam.

From the time she’d moved in, the little monster had decided she needed a guard and so he followed her everywhere. When the furry baby saw her leaving, he’d whined piteously, jumping up and begging to come with her, but she knew she wouldn’t get anything done. The temptation to play with the little beggar wasn’t easily ignored.

Whipping around getting her chores crossed off the mental list, weariness struck and convinced her to make a cup of tea and take a break.

Her computer lured her and soon she was guiltily checking her banking, writing e-mails and catching up on Facebook. A chat message opened up and Kim typed in that she would Skype in a few minutes if Belle was up for a visit.

Happily, she acquiesced and soon the two girls were yakking. “Where’s Yaya?” Kim’s eyes had searched behind Belle for the child that was always allowed to say hello before Belle sent her to play so they could have privacy.

“She’s with Jesse. He had a chore to do and thought she might like to go for a ride. I suspect he’s taking her shopping to buy her Christmas presents.”

Kim’s surprise faded to gladness. “How do you know she’s going shopping?”

“Once they were ready to leave, she asked me for her ‘lowance. Could I give her two whole dollars? When I asked her why she wanted money, she said she couldn’t tell me ‘cause then I’d know she was buying me a
pwesent
.”

Delighted with the typical Yaya story, Kim laughed and said. “She’s so precious, Belle. You’re so lucky.”

“Oh, I know.” In few words, Belle explained to Kim about the nightmare she’d lived through two days before.

“I’m glad you moved in with Jesse. I would have made you come if I’d have been there myself.”

“I knew you wouldn’t mind. Just the thought of staying alone in the apartment where I knew Jack could return scared me silly. And then, as if his visits weren’t bad enough, to have him take Yaya away without asking permission drove me insane.”

While Belle told the story of the abduction, she watched Kim’s eyes grow larger. Her expressive face underwent continuous changes from horror to anger and then relief. At the end, she said, “You’ll never have to worry about Jesse. He loves kids. I couldn’t have asked for a better brother.”

Delight filled Belle as she listened to Kim talk about the man she herself adored. Tingles spread throughout her body, from her chest to her tummy until her hands unconsciously reached to massage.

Kim, catching the move, changed the subject. “Is your stomach bothering you again?”

“Not near as bad as before. Ever since Jesse figured out that I most likely had intolerance to gluten, I’ve stayed away from all foods with flour and it’s been like a miracle. He went ahead and organized a doctor’s appointment at the same place his friend’s mother goes who has the same problem. Once there, I’ll get a proper diagnosis.”

Kim’s grin spread, highlighting her dimples and bringing a sparkle to her beautiful green eyes. “You have a crush on my brother, dontcha?”

Belle swept her hands up to cover her face. As soon as she realized how telling her actions, she pretended to sweep them through her hair but she was too late.

“Sweet! You’re involved! My friend, I can see it written all over your pretty face. Every time you say his name, it’s like a worshipper uttering the name of some godlike creature.”

Belle laughed. “Jesus, I’m not that bad.” Then she thought for a moment and added, “Am I?”

Amused, Kim replied. “Oh yeah, my friend, you’ve got it bad. And I couldn’t be happier. It’s been hell watching my crazy bother carrying his broken heart around all these years. His childhood romance should have ended when Mari left but once Jesse makes up his mind that he cares, the man’s a lifer.”

“Then I’m a very lucky woman.”

The phone near Belle’s elbow rang and startled both girls.

“Gotta go. It might be Jesse.”

“And I can see how much that thought disturbs you. Your eye just lit up and the smile you’re wearing is disgracefully happy. Okay, I’ll let you go. Bye now.” Kim rang off; her laughter hanging in the air even after her face disappeared.

Belle casually leaned back in her chair, picked up the receiver and said a sweet hello.

Chapter Twenty-nine

“Belle, this is your step-sister, Marilyn Dangerfield. I know we’ve never met but you father asked me to call.”

“Is everything all right?” Belle jerked forward and leaned her head on her hand. Anxiety grabbed at her guts and if her premonition proved to be correct, she knew the news would be bad.

“Not really. My mother passed away recently, leaving your father a widower. He’s very lonely so he’s made up his mind that he wants to reach out and make amends with your side of the family before it’s too late.”

“What do you mean, too late?”

“Mother was ill for a long time and your father was her primary caregiver. I believe that her death has prompted this decision not to let any more time pass before he reaches out.”

Still not sure where the conversation was leading, Belle spoke with utter truth. “I’m very sorry for your loss. But I still don’t understand. Is dad ill?”

“Thank you. No he’s not really ill, just sick at heart.”

Belle listened to the words and felt her soft heart lurch.

“Why I called is to ask a favor of you. I wonder if we can possibly intrude on you for a few days. We’re arriving in the Seattle area tomorrow, and if at all possible, father’s wish is to visit with you and your family.”

“You’d like to stay
here…
with me?”

“If you don’t have room, either we can both take a hotel or I can. It’s just that he knows you have a child and is hopeful that you’ll let him stay so he can get to know her.”

“How did he find out about Yaya?”

“Yaya? I thought her name was Layla?”

“Yes it is. Yaya’s only her nickname.”

“And one I’m sure you’re hoping she’ll grow out of soon.” A polite chuckle followed but it didn’t make Belle feel like joining in.

“How did you find us? We’ve moved recently.”

“I’m a lawyer, dear, with a lot of friends in law enforcement. It wasn’t hard.”

A niggling dismay caught hold and she shook it off. She was just being picky and not like herself. Time to grow up and accept the hand of friendship her father and step-sister were extending.

Since most of her life Belle had lived alone, she truly believed that a strong family support was precious and to be welcomed and appreciated. When her friends had invited her to various family-type functions a small part of her yearned to be like them, to have someone who cared because you belonged. “I’d love to see you both. You’re travelling with him?”

“Yes. I recently filed for a divorce and needed a break from my law practice in L.A. Father surprised me with a visit and we’re planning on travelling over the holidays. It’s a lonely time for folks without any family. When he arrived, I knew something was eating away at him. Once he explained, I decided to start the ball rolling and call you.”

“I’m glad you did, Marilyn.
Really!
It’s fine for you both to come and stay in my apartment. For the last few days, I’ve been living with a friend down the hall. He’d be more than happy for Layla and me to stay longer. Therefore, you and father could have my apartment to yourselves and only be two doors away from us. Do you need the address?”

“Got it. And Belle, that would be just perfect! We’ll only stay the one day and be out of your way by Christmas Eve.”

“Nonsense. Why not plan to stay for the holiday? I know Layla would be thrilled to have more people around to spoil her.”

“Wonderful. I’ll let father know and I’ll send you a text when to expect our arrival tomorrow.”

“Can’t wait to meet you and catch up with Dad. Bye for now.”

As soon as Belle knew the connection had been broken, she ran to get the old photo album from the hall closet. Before she’d taken off, her mother had passed it to her saying, “I have no use for these old pictures. I’ve taken the few I want. You can either keep the rest or throw them away for all I care.”

Of course Belle had kept them. Moved them with her from place to place and not once had she opened the book until now.

The happiness whizzing around inside her all day clouded over for a few seconds until she had a little talk with herself.
Oh grow up! These pictures and the memories they hold can’t hurt you unless you let them.

The first few were of an immature couple obviously in love. Her mother looked as if she adored the young, good-looker who appeared charming, if his huge smile was any indication.

The next few showed the early baby pictures where Belle seemed to be the apple of her dad’s eye. In fact, every photo showed her with him, being rocked in his arms or carried on his shoulders as if he were proud of the cute baby he’d produced.

There were none of her mother holding her, and very few where they were together in the same frame. A chill worked its way into Belle’s heart. She closed her eyes to go back to a place in time she hated to remember.