Snowfall (33 page)
“Okay, let’s go see the big surprise.”
The man by the door looked familiar, but it was the little girl standing in front of him who she recognized on sight.
“Why, Katie! How sweet of you to come visit me.” She knelt in front of the girl and smiled. “Did Santa Claus come see you last night?”
Katie Bridges grinned and nodded, and as she did, Caitlin realized it was the first time she’d seen her smile.
Caitlin stood, then, welcoming the father, as well. “Hank, isn’t it? How are you doing?”
The man’s eyes welled. “Thanks to you, better than I would have believed possible.”
Caitlin felt herself blushing. “Please, don’t,” she said, uncomfortable with praise for something that had taken no more effort than a call to her lawyers.
He nodded, understanding her reluctance.
“I’ll make this quick,” he said. “And I apologize for intruding on your Christmas dinner, but we’re on our way to the airport, and Katie has something she wanted to give you.”
“Are you going to your family for the holidays?”
“No, ma’am,” he said. “We’re moving to Miami. Now that…since my…well, it’s just better. It’s where I was raised, and my parents will be close by to help me with Katie.” He patted his daughter on the head. “She’s not too keen on the idea of leaving,” he said.
Caitlin knelt again, putting herself on eye level with the little girl. “So, you have something for me?”
“I made it myself,” Katie said, and handed Caitlin a small, flat package.
She tore into the wrappings. “I love presents, don’t you?”
Katie nodded, then leaned back against her father’s legs, still needing the stability of human contact to cope.
Caitlin rocked back on her heels as her eyes filled with tears.
“She finished it a couple of days ago,” Hank said. “But I didn’t know where you lived. I called the paper, and they gave me your publicist’s phone number. When I told him why I needed it, he gave me your address. I hope you don’t mind.”
Caitlin shook her head. “Mind? I’m honored.” She looked at Katie, her heart in her throat. “It’s the best picture I’ve ever seen. May I give you a hug? Just to say thank you?”
Katie hesitated, then nodded, opening her arms lovingly, as only a child can do, and wrapping them around Caitlin’s neck.
Oh God…give me a dozen just like her.
When she pulled back, Caitlin was fighting back tears. “I hear you’re moving,” she said.
The little girl frowned and nodded.
“Well, guess what?” Caitlin said. “So am I.”
Katie looked up at Mac. “Are you going with your daddy, too?”
Caitlin smiled. “Yes, my daddy is taking me to Atlanta with him, just like your daddy is taking you to Miami. Isn’t that exciting?”
Caitlin stood then, proudly clutching the picture to her chest as she pointed at the Degas hanging on the wall beside the door.
“Mac, would you please take that painting down? I have a new picture I’d like to hang.”
Hank Bridges flushed. “Oh, Miss Bennett, you don’t have to do that.”
“Actually, I do,” Caitlin said.
Mac was so proud of Caitlin he could hardly think as he took down the priceless work of art, carefully replacing it with an acrylic-framed page from a coloring book.
“I always did like that Barney,” Caitlin said, as she stepped back to view the purple dinosaur among a brightly colored field of flowers.
“Me, too,” Katie said, smiling at Caitlin.
“We’ve got to go,” Hank said. “Merry Christmas to all of you, and…Miss Bennett, God’s blessings on you for the rest of your life.”
Caitlin nodded her eyes filling with tears as Mac stood beside her. The weight of his arm across her shoulders was her anchor to the world. Katie looked back as they went out the door. Caitlin waved.
“Thank you, Katie Bridges. Have a good life.”
And then they were gone.
Mac looked at the picture, squinting judiciously as he gave it a firm critique.
“You know…I like what she’s done with the purple. It speaks for itself, don’t you think?”
Caitlin burst into laughter as Mac swept her off her feet.
The ring on her finger slid toward her knuckle, but she clenched her hand and held on, just like she’d held on to life.
“Isn’t that turkey done yet?” Aaron asked.
Caitlin laughed despite her tears as Mac set her back on the floor.
“Yes, you big moose, it’s done. All of you, come and help me dish up. We’re going to eat in the kitchen—where families are supposed to eat.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-2897-3
SNOWFALL
Copyright © 2001 by Sharon Sala.
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