Love Inspired December 2014 - Box Set 1 of 2: A Rancher for Christmas\Her Montana Christmas\An Amish Christmas Journey\Yuletide Baby (26 page)

“I think we should finish the tree and then eat, because I'm starving,” Jake suggested. They stood shoulder to shoulder. He touched his fingers to hers.

Something came over her. She wanted to lean against him, put her head on his shoulder. Instead she pulled away, coming to her senses. Better late than never.

“Yes, we should definitely eat.”

“I think the twins are having an appetizer.” He nodded toward the girls. “They're eating your popcorn.”

She laughed at the sight that greeted her as she turned. The twins were sitting on the floor with popcorn she'd spent the previous evening stringing to make a garland for the tree. As they kept a careful eye on the adults, they nibbled kernels of popped corn off the string.

“I hope you weren't planning to use that again next year,” Jake teased.

“No, I hadn't planned on it. And I think our helpers are definitely ready to eat.”

Traditions started this way, she thought. As she sat at the table she also realized that Christmas was far more than these traditions. But the traditions reminded people of the real meaning of the holiday.

Throughout the Bible people had held to traditions and celebrations in order to remember what God had done for them. Passover, Hanukkah, Palm Sunday, Easter each holiday held a tradition that was a reminder of God at work.

For Christmas, the tree, the lights, the nativity, all were reminders, but the real meaning went so much deeper. And this year the reminder touched a little deeper because Breezy could look at the people sitting with her at that table and she could see what God had done for her.

He'd given her what she'd always wanted. She had a family. She had a home. She even had a plant. The poinsettia Joe had given sat in the center of the table, a reminder that she was staying. People who stayed had plants.

After they finished dinner, Jake helped by clearing the table and doing dishes. Breezy gave the girls their bath. He found them when they were out of the tub and wearing matching pink gowns and matching polka-dot robes. He peeked in the room they shared and waved.

Breezy ran a comb through Violet's hair. “They're ready for a story and then bed.”

“I could make coffee while you get them down.”

“I'd prefer hot tea,” she answered.

The conversation was so normal it took her by surprise. They weren't a couple. They didn't end their evenings with coffee and discussion of the day's events. As kind as Jake might be, she knew he still didn't trust her. She knew he had his own life and she was added baggage.

“I can make hot tea,” he offered.

“You don't have to. I mean, if you have things you need to do.” But she was lonely and company, any company, would be so nice. The closer they got to Christmas, the more she missed Mia and the people she'd met in Oklahoma.

“I don't have anywhere I have to be.” He leaned against the door frame. “Do you have a hot date?”

She snorted at that. He really didn't know her. “I don't date.”

“Interesting.” One dark brow arched and she turned her attention back to the girls. “Is that a warning?”

He should go now. She thought about telling him to leave. But the twins were pulling away from her, wanting their uncle Jake.

“No, not a warning at all. It's a simple statement.”

He grinned and she was startled by how much that smile of his changed everything.

“I think Lawton might have thought...”

She pulled Rosie back to her lap. “Lawton couldn't have planned that.”

He shrugged, picked up Violet and hugged her before setting her back on the ground. Both of them were silent. They looked at each other and looked at the twins.

“Herbal tea,” she reminded. He exited the room and she was left with the girls, with tears she tried to hide and with doubts. So many doubts.

Each day got a little easier as she got to know the twins and understand this new life. But each day also grew a little more complicated as she got to know Jake and felt her heart moving a little in his direction.

Jake was the kind of man most women dreamed about. She'd had her share of dreams over the years. Long, long ago she'd thought maybe someday a man would rescue her. But dreams were not reality. Men like Jake didn't date women like Breezy. They didn't take the girl home to meet the family, or even want the family to know about her.

As she joined him in the kitchen, she reminded herself it was nothing more than a cup of tea and a minute to catch up. They would do a lot of this in the coming years. Now was the time to adjust and accept his presence in her life.

Chapter Ten

O
n Thursday evening Breezy made it to town for the choir practice Margie Fisher had asked her to be a part of. She had wrangled the twins into warm clothes, fed them pasta and green beans. She'd even managed to do the dishes and throw in a load of laundry.

And she was exhausted. She had always thought children would be a lot of work. She knew babies took time and love. She didn't know that
two
could turn a person's world upside down and inside out. As she'd tried to put one girl in pants, the other had taken off running, giggling and losing hair clips as she made her escape. She'd chased Violet with Rosie under her arms and managed to snag her only to have Rosie escape and run through the house like a wild thing on the loose.

At Oregon's All Things shop she parked, got out of the car and for a minute she stood there, unwilling to unbuckle the twins from their car seats. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, needing a moment to give her strength to get through this night. She had no idea how Marty managed, but she now realized the woman deserved a medal.

She wasn't a quitter, but the girls had definitely worn her out. A part of her had almost expected them to tie her up and ransack the house! A quick peek in the window of the car led her to wonder how such innocent little girls could wreak such havoc on a house!

She leaned back against the car. A few deep breaths and she'd be ready for round two.

“Hey, you okay?”

She opened her eyes and saw Oregon. “I'm good. Just needed a breather.”

“Those twins are something else, aren't they?”

She nodded and closed her eyes again. The air was cool and the sun had set, leaving a dusky, lavender light on the western horizon. She worried that if Oregon said anything too sympathetic, she might actually cry. It had been that kind of day. The kind that made her wonder if she was really cut out for raising two little girls.

The western horizon reminded her of times in the past when Maria would say,
I think it's time for a new adventure.

Sometimes Breezy had looked forward to those adventures. And other times she'd wanted to just stay, to let her feet stay rooted in that spot, let it become familiar.

“Breezy?”

“I'm good. I'll get them out and meet you at the church?”

Oregon closed the shop door. Breezy noticed then that her daughter, Lilly, was with her. Lilly grinned and held up a puppy.

“Want one?” Lilly asked. “They're nearly weaned and Mom said I can't keep any of them. Well, except the mama dog, Belle.”

“What kind are they?” She opened the car door and started to unbuckle Rosie. Oregon moved to the other side of the car and did the same with Violet.

“They're mutts,” Oregon offered. “The mother is a border collie. Dad is anyone's guess.”

Breezy glanced back at the fawn-and-white puppy that Lilly was holding. The girl had moved closer and her blue eyes fairly twinkled. Breezy studied the girl more closely, taking in her dark hair, her blue eyes. Interesting. She smiled and refocused on the puppy.

“How long did you say you've lived here?” she asked Oregon.

“Breezy, the puppies are almost weaned. I'm sure the twins would love one.” Oregon returned to the subject of puppies. “Really, a person with twins should have a puppy. That border collie half might be good at keeping these little girls rounded up.” Oregon bit down on her bottom lip and gave Breezy a look. The subject of puppies was safe. The subject of Lilly was off-limits.

“A puppy, huh?” She looked back at the dog again, noticing its slightly long hair, gentle brown eyes and the way it leaned into Lilly. “I've never had a pet.”

Lilly practically gasped. “No way.”

“Yes way,” Breezy confirmed. “I've never had a dog or a cat. I've never stayed anywhere long enough to have an animal.”

“You're not going anywhere this time, Breezy.” Oregon had Violet out of the seat and was kissing her cheek. “I love these little girls.”

“Me, too,” Breezy said. They were a part of her. They weren't little strangers shoved into her life. They were her flesh and blood, her DNA. They were her family.

Oregon joined her and the five of them, plus the puppy, headed down the sidewalk in the direction of the church. Lilly put the puppy down and held its pink leash as they crossed the road. The little dog wagged her fluffy tail and sniffed the ground as they walked.

“You don't have to take a puppy,” Oregon offered.

“I think I'd like to have one. Is it a boy or a girl?”

“That one is a girl. We call her Daisy, but you can call her whatever you like.”

“Daisy.” Breezy looked at the dog and the girl holding the leash. “I'll take her when she's weaned.”

As they walked, Joe joined them on the sidewalk. He was wearing his usual tan jacket, tan pants and work boots, his bent-up hat pulled down on his thin gray hair. But today he looked tired. His skin looked as gray as his hair.

“Are you okay, Joe?” Breezy asked as he stepped next to her.

He peered at Oregon, who didn't really seem to notice. “I'm good, thank you. And you, Breezy? How is motherhood?”

“Exhausting.”

“I'm sure it is. Although I've never been a mother.” He smiled at that. “And I wasn't able to be a father to the one child I had.”

“I'm sorry, Joe.” Breezy shifted Rosie, who was squirming in her arms to get down.

“No one's fault but my own. I let too many years go by. Years I'm sorry for. I hope to someday make it up to her.”

Breezy studied the older man in the dim light of the street lamp. “I think we all live with some regrets.”

“Yes, I suppose we do. But this is Christmas. It's a time of hope. It's a time of celebrating our faith. Because without this one event, what would we have hope in? We have a lot to be thankful for. And you, Miss Oregon.” Joe shifted to look at the other woman, his eyes gentle. “How are things at your shop?”

Oregon's smile came with hesitancy. “It's better. The Christmas traffic has helped.”

“Keep your chin up, my dear. Don't give up hope.”

“Yes,” she responded, but Breezy didn't think that Oregon looked all that hopeful.

The light display in the park next to the church lit up the entire block, lending a glow of twinkling lights to the darkening sky. The nativity graced the center of the display and music played from a speaker inside the manger.

“Where will you spend Christmas, Joe?” Breezy asked as they walked up to the church. Lilly had run off to talk to friends, dragging the dog that was soon to be Breezy's with her.

“I'm sure I'll find somewhere to spend the holidays. Of course I'll be here for the town celebration the night before Christmas Eve. And then maybe I'll go somewhere warm.”

“You should be with friends or family.” She put Rosie down and held the child's hand. “I'm sure you could spend the day with us.”

He touched her arm. “I appreciate that, Breezy. It's good to know I have friends. And you, Oregon, what will you do for the holidays?”

Oregon held Violet's hand now and she looked up, surprised and unsure. “Lilly and I will be together.”

Breezy reached for her hand. “Spend the day with us.”

“You don't have to do that.” Oregon held tight to Violet, who was pulling to get away.

“But I have a home.” Breezy reached for Violet and held both twins so they couldn't escape. “I've never had a home to invite friends to.”

“But what about the Martins?” Oregon reminded.

“What about the Martins?” Jake walked up behind her. She spun to face him, the twins giggling at the movement.

“Oh, I... We were discussing Christmas.”

“And?” Jake reached for Rosie and Breezy allowed him to take the child.

“Oregon and Joe don't have family in the area.”

Jake looked from Joe to Oregon. “I see. Of course they're welcome to join us at the ranch for Christmas.”

“I wouldn't want to impose,” Oregon assured him with Joe echoing the sentiment.

“No imposition. We'll all be together. There's always room for a few more.”

A few more. Including her.

She felt unsettled at the thought. The twins were her family. She didn't know how to fit into Jake's family. He had an aunt and uncle, cousins, brothers and a sister.

But for the sake of the girls, she was willing to try.

* * *

Jake watched as Oregon and Joe both bid Breezy farewell. He hadn't meant to make them feel uncomfortable. He hadn't meant to sound like the ruler of clan Martin. Old habits died hard.

“I'm sorry.” He moved Rosie to one hip and took Violet from Breezy. He didn't miss the dark shadows under her eyes, a good indication chasing after two little girls had left her exhausted. With Marty home she'd have a break tonight.

“No need to apologize. I should have thought before making additional plans. I just...” She shrugged and looked at the floor. “I've been Joe and Oregon, the person with nowhere to go, no one to spend the holidays with. I've had too many years of spending Christmas with strangers.”

“And in a sense, you'll be doing it again this year.” His understanding even surprised him.

“In a sense, yes.”

“What would you have done for Christmas in Oklahoma?”

She had a faraway look in her eyes. Homesickness? Regret? He wanted to ask, but he also didn't want to take that step, to know too much about what she felt.

“I would have spent it with my sister and her extended family. But this is my family now. The twins are my family.”

“We're your family,” he offered.

“Right, of course.”

He'd had his family around him always. Almost to the point of needing a break from them. She'd had the exact opposite. Curiosity got the better of him.

“Breezy, why did Maria keep running? Why didn't she rent an apartment for the two of you?”

“I didn't realize it when I was younger, but she was afraid the police would find us and take me from her. She wasn't all bad. She was a lonely lady and she'd cared for my mom, cared for us kids. She also didn't know what would happen to me since I was the child without any known family, so she took me and ran. She wasn't emotionally healthy.” She looked away from him, not letting him in. “There was so much I didn't understand.”

“I'm sorry.”

She brought her gaze up. “She loved me. She did her best.”

What could he say to that?

“You're defending the woman who took you from your family and kept you from having a home?”

“I know you don't understand.”

“Probably not.”

Because he was looking at a beautiful, talented woman who hadn't lived the life she should have lived. Senator Brooks might have found her, might have taken care of her. But it was all water under the bridge.

“They're starting to practice.” She headed toward the front of the fellowship hall. “And there's Brody.”

Jake's younger brother headed their way, wearing a giant-size grin. Violet ran over to him and he picked her up.

“Did the two of you hear that someone bought Cora a van, had it delivered to her little house yesterday along with a trunkload of groceries?” Brody asked when he reached them. The news about the young mom who had eaten Sunday lunch with them came as a surprise.

“I hadn't heard.” Jake watched as Breezy drifted away from the two of them. He watched her go and wondered about a woman who had spent her life with nothing but had recently inherited enough for several lifetimes. Was she playing Santa to the poor in Martin's Crossing?

“Yeah, that and the check the church got, and Anna Cranston got a surprise yesterday. That roof of hers has been leaking. Someone must have noticed because a crew showed up to fix it.” Brody held both twins now. They were patting his cheeks and pulling at his hat.

Jake glanced from his younger brother to the woman now taking her place at the front of the church. She looked comfortable there in her long skirt, boots and a sweater. She fit in. She glanced his way. He tipped his hat to her and started to walk away. He was at the church for a business meeting, and to help plan the order of events for the Christmas celebration. He wasn't there to watch Breezy.

When he started to turn away, Brody stood in his way.

“You think it's our new sister?” Brody asked, grinning as he rocked back on his boot heels and peered up at Jake.

“She
isn't
our sister,” Jake warned.

Brody laughed at that. “No, she isn't, is she? Glad you noticed.”

“What are you getting at, Brody?”

“Nothing, don't be so touchy. I wondered if you thought she might be the one playing Santa.”

“No, I don't think so.” He managed another quick look at the woman in question. “I don't know, maybe.”

Brody stood next to Jake, still holding the twins. Violet had his hat on her head. “I'm going to take them to the nursery. But, Jake...”

The tone, serious, a little sad, caught Jake's attention. And he knew. It happened every Christmas. Every year the questions started for Brody. He was the one who had never given up hope that Sylvia Martin would come back. Jake guessed he didn't blame his little brother. Jake had been twelve, but Brody had only been in preschool when she left.

The kid had needed a mom.

“Go ahead, Brody. Ask.”

Brody shifted the twins, hugging Violet tightly enough that she protested by wiggling and he set her down. She moved to Jake, holding his legs. He picked her up, wondering if it had been confusing for them, being back in their home with Breezy.

“Don't you ever wonder where she is?” Brody finally asked.

“Yeah, sometimes I do, Brody. She used to write. A few times from Florida, once from New York. The letters stopped a long time ago.”