'Tis the Season: A Collection of Mimi's Christmas Books (64 page)

“Of course, sweetheart, but you must never take it off or you might lose it. If for any reason you want to remove it, you bring it to me so I can keep it safe for you. Okay?”

“Yes, Mama. I pwomise.” Solemnly, Layla nodded her head and slipped the ring onto her finger. “It’s beau-ti-ful. Thank you, Gwampa.” Harry nodded, obviously too overcome to speak. He coughed to clear away the emotion. “Do you know who that is in the photograph, Layla?”

“No.”

“It’s your mommy. She was three and a half, the same age as you in that picture.”

“Oh!” Clearly not understanding the importance of the photo, Layla dropped it back onto the table and with a happy grin, she ran to show Jesse her prize.

Smiling, he picked her up in his arms. “See what Gwampa bought me, Jesse? It’s my mama’s ring.”

“It’s very pretty, Sunshine. You’re a lucky girl.” He turned her toward Marilyn who still glowed with the satisfaction of meeting up with an old flame. “Have you met your auntie Mari yet?”

“I don’t have an auntie Mari.” Layla narrowed her eyes and stared first at him and then at the woman standing very close. She crossed her arms and her bottom lip poked out slightly. “My auntie’s name is Marilyn. Mommy said so.”

Jesse laughed and agreed. “You’re right. This is your auntie Marilyn. Mari is just a nickname like Yaya. Say hello like a good girl.”

Layla leaned her head on his shoulder and peeked at Marilyn who wore an inviting smile.

“I’m very pleased to meet you, Layla. I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time.”

Not one to ignore a pleasant manner, Layla succumbed to the gracious greeting and in a very small voice, she answered. “Hello.” Then she wriggled to be released. “I want to show Sam my ring.”

Once he’d lowered her, Layla ran to her room where, earlier, they’d shut in the rambunctious puppy.

After she left the room, Belle picked up the picture and surprisingly tumbled back in time. She knew how delighted she’d been when her father had given her the ring. But it hadn’t lasted past the Christmas holiday because he mother had taken it away from her.

Her glance flew to her father who watched for her reaction. He knew she’d remembered. He stooped next to her and put his hand on her shoulder. “Do you remember that every time we went out together, you got to wear your ring? Then one day, you just outgrew it?”

Relief washed over her when his happy recollections overrode her ugly ones. “Yes, I remember. We used to go out quite often, didn’t we?”

“When you were younger. Then, your mom got worse and every time I’d take you with me, she’d make you pay. Pretty soon, I had to stop.”

“Truthfully Dad, I never knew why you put up with her for as long as you did.”

“Oh that’s easy. I stayed because of you. When you were younger, you didn’t seem quite so affected by her mean ways. Unfortunately, as the years went by, you changed, became closed in and unreachable. I tried, but you shut me out and I didn’t push. I don’t blame you for not wanting me either. I let you down in a bad way. I guess you hated me.”

“No, not you,” replied Belle. “I just hated the life. Living with you both being so unhappy wore me down, I guess. It got so I mostly existed in my own little world. But that’s behind us now.” Belle desperately wanted to change the subject. How could she explain to this nice man today how, back then, she’d needed him to stand up for her, to fight for her so she’d have felt a sense of worth?

“Mama, can we eat now? I’m hungwy.”

Saved by the pangs in a little girl’s tummy!

“Sure. It’ll take me a few minutes to cook the perogies and then we’ll be ready. You can come and help.”

Jesse piped up when he heard the words. “I’ll help too.”

Belle wouldn’t look at him. Instead, she took Layla’s hand and spoke over her shoulder. “No thank you, Jesse. I’ll call when it’s ready. Please stay and visit with Dad and Mari.”

Chapter Thirty-five

Jesse knew he was in trouble. Shivers of anxiety raced over his body. They ended up clashing in his head where a harsh headache warned he’d be paying soon. He had to get Belle aside and try and smooth the waters… but he didn’t quite trust himself to let her look too deeply into his eyes.

Knowing that Belle had heard the sound of wonder and happiness that rang out when he’d said Mari’s name, he couldn’t lie his way from that truth. Why he’d reacted that way, God only knew. Was there still some leftover passion for the girl who he’d worshipped for so many years? Truly, he didn’t think so. His mind travelled back.

When Mari had thrown herself into his arms, she must have thought they were open to welcome her. In actual fact, the action had been a spontaneous move, showing shock. But she’d taken it as an invitation and had responded accordingly with a hug that lasted a few seconds too long to be acceptable. Instinctively, his arms had enclosed her.

While she’d draped herself around him, he’d smelled the perfume she wore and it had changed from the lighter, flowery scent she used to prefer. Now she wore a musky, kinda sexy fragrance that was meant to disturb a man’s equilibrium—and did. However, not in a good way! It irritated. Like a pushy woman would irritate a shyer man.

At that moment, he remembered Belle and looked up in time to see her stiff back as she guided Layla in opening her present.

The silence became uncomfortable for Jesse. Purposely, he moved Mari aside and filled the void with small talk. “How weird is this? When you left all those years ago, it was because your mom had married Belle’s father.”

“Yes. Harry’s been my stepdad for the last ten years. Sadly, mom passed away recently and he’s been very lonely. That’s the reason for the visit.”

“Yeah, Belle told me her father wanted to renew connections and meet his granddaughter. She mentioned a step-sister. I guess since you were living with Harry, I thought you a much older person.”

Mari laughed, but without humor. “She might be my little sister but it’s only a matter of a couple of years. And I don’t live with Harry. I live in my own place. Harry was having some issues with the holidays approaching and I was at a loose end and decided to cheer him up. It’s what prompted me to call Belle.”

All the while he listened to Mari; Jesse watched Belle and Layla until his little champion flew at him with her hand held out, flaunting a new prized possession.

Loving the happiness shinning from her adorable green eyes, Jesse introduced her to Mari and was astonished at the blatant green-eyed monster this small girl-child displayed toward her new aunt.

Layla turned away from Marilyn and gripped Jesse as tightly as she ever had. Her reluctance to admit Mari into the family circle had his macho ego grinning. Hard to imagine that possessive behavior could start in one so young but then again, what the hell did he know about the female psyche?

Once Layla forced him to put her down, something he was reluctant to do since she created an effective barrier, his attention was drawn to Belle and her father. They were huddled together, her hand being held ever so carefully in his wrinkled palm. Important issues about a framed picture were being discussed and Jesse sensed they needed this time.

Decision made, he smiled at Mari and said, “So tell me, what’ve you been up to over these last years?”

Feigning interest, he listened while keeping an eye on Belle and her expressions. By the time Layla came begging her mom for dinner, Belle seemed more resigned than anything else. Thankfully, Mari had wound down and decided to renew her glass of wine so he went to sit down next to Harry who looked rather forlorn.

Jesse picked up the photograph he believed was the crux of Belle’s pain and felt his heart melt into a puddle of pure affection. “It’s Belle as a child. She’s adorable.”

“Yes,” Harry said, “She’s pretty close to the same age as Layla is today.”

“It’s amazing. They could be twins.” Jesse passed the photo over to Mari whose hand waited.

“I have a picture of myself at that age at home. It’s strange how we all look so much alike.”

Politely ignoring her self-centredness, Jesse asked, “I don’t think you mentioned it earlier… where’s your home now, Mari?”

“I live in L.A. and used to work for Winle, Pawne and Brown, a rather prestigious law firm in the city.”

Harry spoke up and added. “The same firm where her husband works.”

Mari shot him a dirty look before replying. “My ex-husband. And yes, he works there, which is why I’ve left.”

“I’m sorry.” Jesse said kindly, while searching inside to see if there was any sense of gladness for knowing this woman from his past was now free. She’d haunted his dreams for years and he knew that his infatuation for her had stopped him from forming any lasting relationships.

Nope, didn’t seem to be anything lifting his spirits. In fact, the only thing he felt was a sense of doom. Mostly, he kept catching himself looking toward the kitchen and waiting for Belle to reappear.

Finally, he couldn’t stand it. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and see how Belle’s making out with dinner. Just help yourself to more wine.”

Mari started to say something and Harry caught her arm to get her attention. While he questioned her about some inane thing to do with their luggage, Jesse escaped.

In the dining area, he found Layla helping her mom put out the silverware and napkins while the pots on the stove boiled away. The smell of the cloves poking from the cooked ham dug deep into his senses and a small stirring of hunger clawed its way past his apprehension.

He sauntered closer. “I’ve come to help, Belle. I’m all yours.”

The sound of disgust she made scorned his words and he knew she was furious. And rightly so!

I should be shot.
“Belle, let me explain.”

Her furious face turned his way for only a second before she once again ignored him. “No need. Mari’s finally back in your life. The woman you loved for so long. Kim told me how you’ve kept her on a pedestal since high school.”

“That ended years ago.”

Belle knew she was over-reacting. She couldn’t put a lock on her jealousy and it showed in her stupid behavior. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I think you need some time to sort out your feelings, Jesse. I’ll move back to my apartment for tonight.”

“No!”

“Yes!”

“I’ll move with you.”

“No, you won’t.” Father and Marilyn can move in here with you where it’s more comfortable. We’ll take Sam with us so he won’t be a bother.”

“It won’t work. There are only two beds.” He knew he sounded sulky but what the hell was a guy to do when met with a rock-wall of female resistance.

“Hell, if Mari won’t sleep with you, then you can sleep on the couch.”

Chapter Thirty-six

Jesse took offense to her last smart-ass remark and Belle knew it as soon as the mean words left her mouth. Hurt feelings and… face it… jealousy had made her speak without any restraints. His shock, followed by anger, made her aware she’d gone too far.

The evening meal, although delicious, was strained and uncomfortable. The only relief came when Layla had let out a rather unladylike burp and Belle automatically followed it with a “What do you say?”

Much to everyone’s amusement, the little girl answered in a manner showing annoyance, “I can’t wemember,” then looked surprised at the sound of trivial laughter her answer produced.

“You say excuse me when you burp.”

“Oh. Do I also say that when I fa—?”

“Lay-la!”

“Billy Arnold says that word.”

“No doubt Billy Arnold’s mother doesn’t hear him say it or she’d correct him.”

Layla tried to outstare her mom but it didn’t work. “Sow-wy Mama.”

Belle shook her head, a grin fighting to break loose. Unable to stop herself, she glanced at Jesse and caught the same reaction on his face. They shared a small moment before she remembered and her food drew her attention once again. The meal plodded on.

Harry reached for the dish of perogies and took more onto his plate. “These are delicious, Belle dear. The store-bought ones aren’t anywhere near as good.”

Jesse who already had his second helping piled on his plate, piped up. “They’re my new favorite food.”

“Mine is pizza.” Yaya grinned across the table and Jesse winked back.