The Parting Gift(29)

Mara felt the tension melt from her shoulders as she sauntered out of the kitchen. Thank God for small favors. She found herself able to breathe again once she was in the living room next to the tree. And then her treacherous mind went back to when they hunted that same tree, and Blaine almost kissed her.

“Ahem,” David cleared his throat.

“Oh, you’re up!”

His eyes twinkled. “What are you thinking about, dear girl?”

“Trees,” she answered. “Christmas trees and decorations. Do you want to help me get them out?”

David smiled. “I was thinking about the same thing. Did you know that Emily used to decorate the tree with such care that I never wanted to take it down?”

Mara smiled as she brought the box of ornaments to where David sat.

“Let’s decorate it for her then…”

The old man’s eyes filled with tears. Turning away, he wiped at them before pulling out a hanky and blowing his nose. “Yes, I think that would be nice.”

“Ready to decorate?” Blaine asked carrying more tea and hot chocolate into the room. He was a good host when he put his mind to it.

David looked up at his son. “We’re dedicating this tree to your mother.”

Mara wasn’t sure if Blaine was going to be angry; his wounds were still fresh, and she knew he still struggled with the concept of loss.

Leaning down on one knee so he was eye level with his dad, Blaine answered, “I think that’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.” He rummaged through the ornament box to retrieve the first ornament.

David rested his hand on Blaine’s shoulder. “It was Mara’s idea.”

Suddenly Blaine’s warm gaze was on Mara. She couldn’t tear her eyes away, even if she wanted to. “Then let’s dedicate it to Mom and Mara, two of the most beautiful women, inside and out.” The words seemed to take even him by surprise and he glanced away from her.

Mara couldn’t even blush. There was nothing shameful about being compared to his deceased mother. Instead, she felt proud. Proud that these two men would hold her in such high esteem.

She cleared her throat. “I’m honored.”

David watched tenderly and told stories as the two of them hung the ornaments on the tree all afternoon. More than once Blaine’s fingers brushed Mara’s, but she was growing more and more comfortable with the prospect.

Once they were finished decorating, dinner was almost ready. Mara excused herself to change. Donning her favorite green dress and pearl earrings – the pair her grandmother had given her for her wedding – she stepped out of her room ready to serve the gentlemen.

Her eye caught something dark trudging up the stairs. Turning, she saw Blaine walking towards her, dressed in his suit and looking sheepish and uncomfortable.

“May I escort you to dinner?”

Feeling her face grow hot, she broke eye contact and nodded. “That would be lovely, thank you.”

“Pop’s already at the table and says if we don’t hurry, he’s going to eat all the ham.”

“He’d better not!” Mara interjected. “I worked hard on that ham!”

“Easy,” Blaine’s grip on her elbow tightened as he guided her down the stairs and through the living room. “I set him as far away as possible, but we both know what happens when that man sees food.”

They shared an easy laugh and entered the kitchen. As predicted, David was using the end of the broom to try to pull the ham closer.

“Caught red-handed!” Mara announced.

“I was just…” David looked at the broom in his hand. “Sweeping.”

“You were sweeping the table? With the wrong side of the broom?” Blaine accused.

“Yes.” David chuckled heartily.

“Shall we say the blessing?” Mara offered, taking her seat across from David.

His frail hands enveloped hers as he reached across the table. Warmth radiated from his fingers making Mara feel relaxed, almost at home.

“Let’s pray,” David began. “Dear Father, thank you for your provision, for your love and forgiveness. May we remember to always trust in you. Amen.”

Mara didn’t want to admit she was near crying by the time the simple prayer was done. Evening had fallen and with it a sickening feeling that time was running out with David. His skin had taken on a translucent look and the usual confidence was absent from his voice. Mara wondered to herself why it felt like she was losing a parent rather than a patient.

“Mara?” Blaine was asking her a question.

“Yes?”

Blaine looked at David then back at her. “This has to be the best ham I’ve had in a long time. It tastes exactly the way Mom’s used to be.”

She felt herself redden. “I, uh, found her recipe. I hope you two don’t mind. I wanted it to be a surprise.”

Both men nodded in approval and continued shoveling food into their mouths like they hadn’t eaten in years. It did her heart proud to see both of them bonding over the meal.

By the time they were finished eating, she was stuffed. The food was promptly cleared from the table while they moved into the living room for the reading of the Christmas story from the Book of Luke. Mara brought out tea and pie, and then sat next to the tree on the floor while she watched David thumb through the Bible.