Silent Night, Star-Lit Night (Second Chance at Star Inn)(23)

That was the dream Mia had longed for all her life. A family united by true love, a dream that eluded her still.

Angel bustled through the swinging door. Jed drew out a chair for her and settled in the one next to her for dinner, as if being close to her meant something special.

Was she silly to think that?

One smile from him said she wasn’t, and by the time they’d finished dinner with Angel and Lorrie and called it a night, she went to bed quite differently than she had the night before. No tears wet her pillow, and when she stretched out and gave her baby girl room to move, even the antics of the nearly born baby weren’t enough to keep her awake.





Chapter Ten

December 22, Roslyn, Washington

Jed pulled into the parking lot at the assisted living center in Roslyn late the next morning. He parked and came around the front of the car quickly. “Grab my arm; there’s black ice here.”

Mia looked down and did as he asked. “I wouldn’t have noticed, Jed. I haven’t seen black ice in a long time and I probably would have gone sailing with my first step. Thank you.”

“A cowboy’s pleasure, pretty lady.”

His words pleased her, but as she looked up, her expression darkened. Jed followed her gaze and sighed inside. Her father was lounging against the outside post of the building, smoking a cigarette, staining the clean white snow with gray ash. “You made it.”

He said it in a dry voice, and Jed got a clearer view of what life must have been like growing up in his dark, dingy apartment. Jed clung tighter to her arm in a show of quiet support as they moved forward.

“He’s sleeping,” Ray went on. “They just kicked me out to let him rest.”

Mia didn’t pause to acknowledge Ray. She purposely kept moving forward.

“They said he can’t have no visitors right now, but suit yourself, I guess.”

Jed had been needing to punch Daniel for deliberately hurting a wonderful woman, but Daniel wasn’t available. Her father was, which made him dangerously close to being a target, but when Jed turned, the regret he read on Ray Folsom’s face made him pause.

Mia squeezed Jed’s arm with her other hand. “Ignore him,” she said softly, her voice resigned. “It’s not worth the time, because it won’t change anything.”

She might be right.

He understood that.

And a part of him still wanted to deck the guy for years of neglect, but he’d read grief in the older man’s face as Mia strode by without so much as a glance his way.

He’d missed his daughter. It was a little late for that, Jed figured, but he knew what he saw.

He held the outer door for her, then the interior door. She moved across the lobby with confidence. That made him proud of her. She’d turned out marvelously normal, despite childhood loss and dealing with her father on a daily basis. She stopped at the desk and gave Joe’s name.

“Are you his granddaughter?” The receptionist sounded excited.

“I am.”

“That’s wonderful! He’s been waiting for you. Asking for you. We had to explain about the storm again and again, but he’s held on, determined to see you. Oh, I can’t tell you how glad I am that you made it. Celia?”

A woman in blue scrubs crossed from the far hall. “Yes?”

“This is Joe’s granddaughter.”

“Well, saints be praised, come with me, girl.” Celia started moving down the north wing at a quick clip. “He’s going to be so happy to see his grand-girly—that’s what he calls you when he’s talking with us, and what a sweet phrase it is. And look at you; when is this baby due?”

Mia’s always protective hand went right to her baby bump. “Next week.”

“Oh, and you looking that lovely and marvelous is a wonderful thing. Here’s his room.”

“Is he sleeping?”

“Honey, he sleeps on and off all the time, but if you’re referring to his son-in-law that keeps coming around, waiting for us to sign the death certificate, then yes. He’s sleeping and can’t have company. But you can stay as long as you want. We can wheel in a nice cot for overnight if you’d like to sit vigil with him, and if you need food, just let us know.” She touched Mia’s arm before she opened the door. “It won’t be a long vigil, I’m sorry to say.”

“I know.”

“Well, then.” Celia smiled softly and eased open the door. “Joseph, look who’s made it through one of the worst storms this century to come see you! That pretty granddaughter of yours has arrived!”

It took a minute for her words to register a reaction.

Joe’s forehead drew tight. He blinked once, then twice, and it seemed a struggle to pull his eyes open, but when he did—when he spotted Mia—his thin face drew into one of the happiest smiles Jed had ever seen. “Hey.” He tried to lift one hand, but the effort fell short and made him pull for air. “My girl. My girly. You came.”

“Oh, Grandpa, of course I did.” She moved forward quickly and hugged him. “I should have come sooner. I should have been here. I should have—”

“None of that.” Joe pretended to scowl when she drew back, and he reached up one hand to her pretty face. “I taught you to spread your wings and fly.” He stopped talking to grab for breath in a true struggle. “That’s what you did. Exactly what I wanted you to do, to get as far away from the crazy as you could.” His forehead furrowed.