Jingle Bell Blessings (14 page)

“I
t's bona fide.” Perry plopped the financing contract on Evan's desk.

“Legal opinion?” Evan asked.

“Combed through word by word. It's solid. No balloon payment, no prepayment penalty. The terms are better than the deal that fell through.” Perry studied his friend. “I don't know how Chloe pulled this off, but it's a gift straight from heaven.”

Took the words right out of his mouth.

Perry looked at him. “Do you want to give the official go-ahead?”

Evan expelled a deep breath, then shook his head. “I thought our next official statement was going to be…”

“I know.” Perry thumped the edge of the desk with his fist. “Probably isn't the best time to say this, but I've been thinking it a while now, so I might as well. The day Chloe and Jimmy showed up on your front porch was a gift, too.”

Evan swivelled in his desk chair. “It's complicated.”

“Ouch.”

Turning back to Perry, Evan frowned. “What's that supposed to mean?”

“It's a cop-out. Life
is
complicated. You know that better
than most people.” Perry narrowed his gaze. “Are you really going to let her slip away?”

“How do you know she's interested?”

“Unlike you, I'm not blind.” Perry shook his head in two rapid nods of disbelief. “Message received.”

“Same message—part two. Don't waste any more time.”

Evan couldn't keep the sardonic tone from his voice. “That all?”

“I'm sure I can think of plenty more.”

“Do me a favor.”

Perry grinned. “Stop thinking?”

“Nah. Keep reminding me.”

 

The night of the play was clear and cool. Although snow wouldn't blanket the hill country town, it hadn't blanketed Bethlehem either. Parents, siblings, students and interested community members filled the school auditorium.

Evan was backstage, waiting until it was time to move the boulder. And, ridiculously, he felt nervous. What if Jimmy forgot his lines? What if he got scared? Didn't want to go on? The teacher had the children lined up in groups, in order of appearance. So it was difficult to talk to him with the other kids around. And Jimmy was one of the last to go on.

As the play began, the older kids did well. Some kindergartners and first graders froze, a few cried. And Evan's nerves accelerated. Then it was time for him to move the boulder. The lights dimmed, the curtain closed and Evan quickly crossed the stage, lifting the large rock to the center.

A few parents, waiting to reassure their children, crowded into the space where he'd been waiting. The side drape blocked the stage while Evan found a new spot. When the main curtain rose, Jimmy sat on the boulder, alone. Evan
sucked in his breath, mentally reassuring Jimmy that he would be all right.

The large star, constructed by the high school art department, hung at the highest point. It lit up suddenly, eliciting murmurs of admiration from the audience.

Jimmy stood, the curved staff by his side. Gazing up at the shining piece of scenery, Jimmy's face was radiant. Then the words he'd so diligently practiced poured out. “Papa! Papa! Do you see the star?”

Frozen with pride, a surge of love overwhelmed Evan, amazing him. He didn't think he had that much love left in him. Evan thought he'd given all of it to Sean and Robin. But his heart expanded, telling him there was room for Jimmy. Mindless of anyone who might see, he let the tears fill his eyes.

Blind. Perry was right. He hadn't seen what was in front of him. None of it.

Someone gasped near him. Evan didn't want to tear his eyes from Jimmy, but shifted slightly, just in time to see Chloe withdrawing her hand, then quickly walking away. Had she been about to comfort him? Did she care that much?

A group of children crowded close, ready to go on next. Evan had to move so they could get past him. In the confusion, he missed seeing Jimmy as he left the stage. Several older high school boys carried scenery, blocking the exits.

Evan waited, then finally eased out the back door. It didn't take too long to circle the school, then come back in through the front. The play had ended and the crowd was breaking up, some pausing to chat, others waiting for their children.

Dodging small groups, he made his way to where he had seen Chloe sitting. Gordon, Thelma and Ned visited with the Markhams. Jimmy ran from the stage to Chloe. She knelt, giving him a huge hug. Getting closer, he could hear her praising his performance.

. “You were the very best one!”

He bounced on his dark sneakers. “Really?”

“Really!” She hugged him again. “The very, very, very best.”

Jimmy hugged her back hard before finally letting go.

“You haven't told me what you want for Christmas yet, big guy.”

“A family.”

She leaned her head against his, caramel and dark twined together. “Me, too.”

Evan stopped, struck by their words. The star on the stage twinkled, beaconing its message of hope. And he wondered if he dared believe.

 

Hanging the phone up slowly, Evan sank back in his chair. The normally comforting feel of the den didn't help. Jimmy's grandparents in Egypt were ready to step up and take guardianship. They planned to enroll him in the same school Spencer had loathed. They hoped to spend some holidays with Jimmy. Just as they had intended to with Spencer.

Cousin Spencer had always been so excited when he got to Rosewood. And the night before he returned to school he always cried himself to sleep. Years had passed, but the memories had never left. Evan remembered his parents' discussions about Spencer. They had always hoped to convince his parents to let him stay permanently in Rosewood. But they insisted Spencer's education was paramount. His feelings hadn't been.

Evan's throat closed, imagining Jimmy crying himself to sleep, longing for a family. The family he was wishing for right now. The family Chloe wanted.

Now he had to tell her what Jimmy's grandparents wanted. Pushing his own want aside, Evan couldn't help wondering if family would be the deciding factor. Or, if Wainwright's offer would win out in the end.

 

Sitting at the kitchen table, Chloe carefully cut some beautiful burgundy foil paper. She and her mother had always made gift wrapping an event, finding the most unusual papers, creating beautiful ornaments to place on the packages. Then hot cocoa and cookies.

This year, Christmas was going to be a post office event. She'd mailed her mother's presents. The home's director had repeatedly assured her there would be a celebration that day. Thinking of it, Chloe wanted to cry.

Her brother couldn't help. Chip apologized, but there was no way he could afford the trip. Just sending a gift had strained their tight budget.

Jimmy ran into the kitchen, Bailey on his heels. “Ned said I could help him in the shed if you say it's okay.”

“Sure. Be careful and mind Ned.”

He skipped out the back door in seconds.

Chloe hoped Ned would like the gloves she'd bought for him. They were a quality leather pair that he could wear to church. She fitted the paper beneath a box. Hearing the door from the dining room open, she was glad the gloves were hidden. She liked all of the presents to be a surprise for everyone. It had been a family tradition. “If you need the table, Thelma, I'll be done in a jiff.”

“I don't need the table,” Evan replied.

Surprised, she glanced up at him. “I just assumed—”

“Jimmy's grandparents called.”

The blood seemed to drain from her entire body. Hands slack, she dropped the scissors.

Evan ignored them. “They're ready to take guardianship.”

Appalled, Chloe stared.

“Unless I do,” Evan finished. He walked to the window, staring out back. No doubt Jimmy and Bailey were in sight.

“Are they coming back? To the states?”

“Only long enough to enroll Jimmy in school. Seems they have to meet with the university board about the grant for their dig. So, they can kill two birds with one stone. Direct quote.”

Chloe thought she was going to be sick. “What did you tell them?”

“They're going to call after Christmas, confirm their plans.”

So Evan hadn't refused, hadn't said he was going to accept the guardianship.

“What do you think Wainwright will say?”

Chloe jerked her face up, unable to believe what she was hearing. “Wainwright?” Truly sickened, she jumped up. “So that's what's bothering you? You think Mr. Wainwright will pull your financing if Jimmy's grandparents take him?” Holding back her tears, Chloe ran from the kitchen, up the stairs and into her room.
Her
room. A guest room in a house she had hoped would be Jimmy's home. Disappointment in Evan cut to the bone. She had been praying that he would grow to love Jimmy. Perhaps she should have prayed for him to get a heart.

 

Evan looked over the quarry's last safety inspection. Everything had been up to standard. But with the huge order to work on, he didn't want to wait another month to conduct the next one. With Christmas only two days away, a few office employees had taken off, but most of the quarry workers were in place.

“I thought this new deal had stone coming out of most all of Mitchell's quarries,” Dilbert Dunn, their longtime stone mason, commented.

“It will. But every site has to be checked.”

“Not due yet.”

“Better early than late. I'm not compromising anyone's safety,” Evan insisted.

“You're the boss, but it could wait until after Christmas.”

Decisions. Everyone wanted him to make decisions. As though they were as easy to make as flipping a coin.
“You can leave, Dilbert. There are enough guys here to manage.”

“Haven't missed a safety test yet. Not going to miss this one.”

If Evan had a smile anywhere in him, he would have grinned. But there wasn't an ounce of humor to be found. Chloe's accusation rang in his ears. And, if she was that quick to accuse him, she couldn't possibly feel the way he'd hoped.

Dilbert plucked a clipboard from a peg on the wall of the utilitarian office. “Better run a check on who clocked in today.”

While Dilbert compared time cards to his list, Evan stared off toward the dusty limestone pit. Only two days until Christmas. And then he had to face Jimmy's grandparents alone. Because Chloe would be packing for home.

 

Chloe sat in the porch swing, remembering her one evening with Evan on this same porch, wondering how she could have been so wrong about him. She thought she had seen tenderness, understanding and kindness in him. Was it an illusion? Worse, a delusion of her own making? Had she infused him with characteristics he didn't possess?

A vision of him on the night of the school play flashed in her thoughts. She hadn't imagined the openly raw emotions as he watched Jimmy, nor the tears. Seeing how deeply he was affected, Chloe had wanted to comfort him, even reached out a hand to do so. But, knowing how private Evan was about his feelings, she stopped at the last moment.

Who was Evan? The man who was moved to tears
watching an orphan play a shepherd boy? Or the one who coldly announced that Jimmy's grandparents were going to claim him?

The back door creaked as it opened and Gordon stepped out. “Well, hello there. I thought I was the only one who liked to sit outside in the winter.”

She dredged up a faint smile. “Cool air can be bracing.”

He looked at her more closely. “That was said like you need it.”

Chloe shook her head, not wanting to worry the older man. He had consistently been kind to her since they met. Thoughtful and caring, his concern for Jimmy was genuine.

“Mind if I join you?” Gordon asked.

She scooted over to one side so he had room to sit. “Of course not.”

The swing creaked as he sank down. “This old swing's a great place to think.” He chuckled. “And watch the kids. Evan was a pistol. And he always had friends around, enough to be more than a handful to keep under control.” They rocked quietly for a while, then Gordon continued, “We wanted more children, but weren't blessed with another. Evan had so many friends, it seemed like he didn't miss having siblings. Now, I wonder.”

“I don't see my younger brother often anymore. Now that Chip has children, his family's his focus.”

“That was Evan—the family man,” Gordon explained.

“When Sean was born, everything clicked in place for him. It was the role Evan had been waiting for all his life. That's when he expanded the business, the legacy for Sean. Oh, that's not why the company's in trouble now. The economy's responsible for the business problems.” He paused, glancing out over the immaculate yard. All the fallen leaves had been raked into piles, then burned in an old steel drum barrel. The
climbing roses, now bare of beautiful blossoms, rustled in the light breeze. “Hope this wind doesn't pick up.”

“I've prayed that Evan might come to care for Jimmy,” Chloe confessed. She couldn't bear the thought of him being hurt. Closing her eyes, she pictured the confusion and betrayal in Jimmy's face when she told him they would be leaving, that he would be living in a boarding school.

“And you don't think Evan does?” Gordon furrowed his brow, studying her closer. “Can't you see it? The way he watches Jimmy when he thinks no one can see him? The longing to let go of the past, take a chance? The fear that if he does, something will happen to Jimmy. Evan puts on the mask of being tough, caring only about business, but you have to know by now that's not all there is to my son.”

Chloe bent her face down, thinking of all the people at Thanksgiving dinner, people whose lives Evan had touched, improved, cared about. “Then why is he willing to let Jimmy go to Spencer's parents?”