Dear Santa(44)

When he was first introduced to the other children, Peter was shy and clung to Lindy. Before long, he was on the large sled with Billy and the other two children, squealing with delight as they soared down the slope. They repeated the ride several more times.

“My turn,” Lindy cried, as she helped Billy haul the toboggan back up the hill. By cramming together, they were able to squeeze both adults onto the sled, along with the three children, with Billy taking up the rear position. When the sled started down the hill, she felt Billy’s arms loosen from around her and then a cold blast of air as he tumbled off the back end, crashing into the dry snow.

Seeing Billy with his entire backside coated with snow had her bending over laughing. Lindy wasn’t the only one who found humor in his predicament. The children and Dede couldn’t contain their amusement, either. Their giggles floated in the air with the light flakes of falling snow.

    “Very funny,” Billy grumbled. He had nearly been buried in the white stuff. “You should be thanking me. If I hadn’t let go, I would have taken all of you with me.”

“We’re eternally grateful, aren’t we, kids?” Lindy did her best to look sincere. It had been heroic of him to take one for the team.

“Guess we know only one adult is going to fit with the kids,” he said, as he, along with the children, continued to brush himself free of snow.

Lindy was happy to let Billy assume the duties. This gave her an opportunity to visit with Dede.

“Billy’s been wonderful with Peter,” she told Dede. Taking the thermos from the truck, she poured them each a coffee. They found a seat where they could view the hillside and watch as Billy trudged up and down with the kids. He not only hauled the toboggan, but he had both Lily and Peter on his back as he went. She was convinced this day would likely exhaust him. He was a good sport, lugging the kids up the slope.

“Billy’s had lots of practice learning patience with my two,” Dede said. She held the cup in both hands and looked down into the steaming liquid. “My brother is quite taken with you,” she said, lowering her voice, as if she was hesitant to speak her mind.

    “We’ve had a wonderful week,” Lindy said, unsure where Dede wanted to take this conversation.

“So he said. I don’t remember a time I’ve seen Billy this happy.”

His sister’s words warmed her. It had been a long time since she’d been this content herself.

“I know you’re only in town on vacation,” Dede continued, “and that you’re going back to Seattle after the first of the year.”

“Yes, that’s the plan.”

“And then?” She looked up and held Lindy’s gaze.

“What do you mean?” she asked, swallowing tightly.

“What about Billy? Will you continue to see him?”

Lindy could only be honest. “I don’t know. We’re talking, and with his schedule and mine conflicting, we’ll probably end up connecting via FaceTime or Zoom.”

Dede nodded, as if she’d already heard as much from her brother. “You should know my husband and I took out a second mortgage on our home so Billy could move forward with the Wine Press.”

Billy hadn’t mentioned this. “That was generous of you.”

Dede crossed her legs and her foot moved up and down with what resembled nervous energy. “He needed something after…” She paused.

    “After what?” Lindy asked, certain Dede regretted speaking. She remembered Billy telling her he’d been disappointed by people he’d trusted. He’d never shared the circumstances and seemed reluctant to do so. “Did something happen?”

Dede didn’t bother to hide her surprise. “If Billy didn’t tell you, then it isn’t my place. You need to ask him yourself.”

If he hadn’t said anything, then Lindy didn’t feel it was her place to pry. Naturally, she was curious and suspected it likely involved a woman. She’d shared her own broken heart, which didn’t feel nearly as broken these days. If he’d held back his own heartache, she’d be disappointed in him.

“I’ve had my share of romances that ended with betrayals and hurts,” she told Dede, without going into any details.

“It isn’t what you’re thinking,” Dede clarified. “I was wrong to have said anything.” She avoided eye contact. “I need to be honest, Lindy. I have two major concerns when it comes to you and Billy. I hope you don’t mind my speaking freely.”

Lindy gestured toward her. “Please do.”

“Thank you. First and foremost, please, whatever you do, don’t hurt my brother. He’s had far too many disappointments in his life, starting with our father. Billy took it the hardest when our dad left. Like most children, he seemed to think it was his doing, that if he’d been a better kid, more well behaved, then Dad would have stayed.”

    Lindy nodded, understanding all too well that feeling of not being wanted. Everything changed for the better when Phillip Carmichael came into her mother’s life. She had a father who genuinely loved and accepted her. Billy had never had that security and assurance.

“You said you had two concerns,” Lindy said, urging Dede to speak frankly.

“Yes, well, I feel a bit uncomfortable mentioning this. I feel selfish even bringing it up.”