Holiday Wishes Read Online Free PDF Page B

she divorce Tom?”
    The old woman sat back, resting her elbows on the worn arms of her chair. “He left her and the baby when Clara was six months old.”
    His fingers tightened around the handle of the mug. “What do you mean, he left her?”
    â€œYou should know the meaning. You did so yourself.” She picked up her chocolate and held it in both hands. “I mean he packed his bags and left. She had the house—and the bills. He cleaned out the bank account and headed west.”
    â€œBut he has a daughter.”
    â€œHe hasn’t laid eyes on the girl since she was in diapers. Faith pulled herself out. She had the child to think of after all, if not herself. Her parents stood behind her. They’re good people. She took a loan and started the doll business. We’re proud to have her here.”
    He stared out the window to where the boughs of an old sycamore spread, dripping with snow and ice. “So I left, she married Tom, then he left. Seems Faith has a habit of picking the wrong men.”
    â€œThink so?”
    He’d forgotten how dry her voice could be and nearly smiled. “Clara looks like Faith.”
    â€œHmm. She favors her mother.” The widow smiled into her mug. “I’ve always been able to see her father in her. Your chocolate’s getting cold, Jason.”
    Absently, he sipped. With the taste came floods of memories. “I hadn’t expected to feel at home here again. It’s funny. I don’t think I felt at home when I lived here, but now . . .”
    â€œYou haven’t been by your old place yet?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThere’s a nice couple in there now. They put a porch on the back.”
    It meant nothing to him. “It was never home.” He set the chocolate down and took her hand. “This was. I never knew any mother but you.”
    Her hand, thin, dry as paper, gripped his. “Your father was a hard man, harder maybe because he lost your mother so young.”
    â€œI only felt relief when he died. I can’t even be sorry for it. Maybe that’s why I left when I did. With him gone, the house gone, it seemed the time was right.”
    â€œMaybe it was, for you. Maybe the time’s right to come back again. You weren’t a good boy, Jason. But you weren’t so bad either. Give yourself some of that time you were always so desperate to beat ten years ago.”
    â€œAnd Faith?”
    She sat back again. “As I recall, you never did much courting. Seems to me the girl chased after you with her eyes wide open. A man who’s been all the places you been oughta know how to court a woman. Probably picked up some of those fancy languages.”
    He picked up a cookie and bit into it. “A phrase or two.”
    â€œNever knew a woman who wouldn’t flutter a bit with some fancy language.”
    Leaning over he kissed both her hands. “I missed you.”
    â€œI knew you’d come back. At my age, you know how to wait. Go find your girl.”
    â€œI think I might.” Rising, he slipped into his coat. “I’ll come back and visit again.”
    â€œSee that you do.” She waited until he opened the door. “Jason—button your coat.” She didn’t pull out her handkerchief until she heard the door close behind him.

Chapter 4
    The sun was high and bright when he stepped outside. Across the street a snowman was rapidly losing weight. He found the streets as he’d found them yesterday on his drive in—full of children fresh out of school. He felt the surge of freedom himself. As he headed north, he saw a girl break away from a group of children and come toward him. Even bundled in hat and scarf, he recognized Clara.
    â€œâ€™Scuse me. Did you use to live here?”
    â€œThat’s right.” He wanted to tuck her hair into her cap but stopped himself.
    â€œMy mother said you did. Today in school, the teacher said you