Yours for Christmas (Fool's Gold #15.5)(11)

“When Will died, she was devastated. She’d been counting the days until he got home. She’d been so excited to learn to read and write because she wanted to keep a diary for her dad. It was a list of things to tell him. What had happened to her in her day. Every night I helped her write a sentence or two so she could share it with him. Only he never came back.”

She remembered the shock for both of them. The pain. And for her, the guilt.

“She started not doing as well in school. She was quiet and had nightmares. I was so scared for her. I took her to a child psychologist, who said she would come out of it, but I wasn’t sure.” She felt her eyes fill with tears again, and she tried to blink them away.

“Then I heard about the FWM. I signed up Chloe and she became an Acorn.” She brushed the moisture from her cheek. “She blossomed and now my best girl is back. I’m so grateful.”

Kenny cleared his throat. “I’m glad,” he said, and then pulled her close.

The embrace was unexpected and warm and comforting and just a little exciting. Bailey let herself lean against him for a second. He was a lot taller than her and he held her easily. He smelled good, too, she thought. Now if only he would confess his undying lust for her, the moment would be complete.

But he didn’t and soon they were walking toward the parade route again.

Chloe found her friends and Bailey greeted the other parents. She introduced Kenny and did her best to avoid the questioning looks. At the bin-decorating party, Kenny had explained he was filling in for Taryn. No one had thought they were together. And they weren’t, Bailey reminded herself. He was just a friend coming over for Thanksgiving.

Fortunately the parade started before anyone could pull her aside and ask about things she couldn’t answer. The first entry was a banner carried by two high school kids from the marching band. The annual Fool’s Gold Thanksgiving parade had begun.

Mayor Marsha rode by in an old convertible, followed by several smaller versions of the famous balloons from the Macy’s parade.

“Chloe’s going to watch the repeat of that later,” Bailey told Kenny. “Just so you’re prepared.”

“I look forward to it.”

All the right words, she thought with a sigh. No doubt he had plenty of practice.

The marching band came next, loudly playing their version of “Jingle Bells.” Farther up the street came murmurs. Bailey grinned at Kenny.

“It’s Priscilla,” she said happily, remembering the only part of the parade that had made Chloe smile last year. “She’s an elephant. She’ll be dressed as Santa.”

He looked over her head, then frowned. “How do they do that?”

“I heard the costume was in sections and held together with Velcro.”

He looked over the crowd and shook his head. “Well, I’ll be da—” He glanced at the Sprouts crowding around and pointing. “I’ll be, ah...”

“Let it go,” she told him. “There’s no good substitute.”

He smiled at her. “You got that right.” He turned back to Priscilla. “Not something you see every day.”

“No. I heard that she has several custom blankets to keep her warm. The local knitters made them for her.”

“Gotta love the town. Did you know about the camel?”

“There’s a camel?” Chloe asked eagerly and tried to see.

Kenny picked her up as if she weighed nothing. Her daughter pointed and laughed.

“Mom, look! There’s Reno the pony and a camel. They’re dressed as elves.”

Bailey waited until that part of the parade came into view. Sure enough Priscilla had her elf friends with her, along with wagons from Castle Ranch.

“I’ve never seen a camel dressed as an elf,” she said, shaking her head.

A couple of fire trucks—all decked out for the holidays—were next. There were small trees and lots of stars, including several Jewish stars.

An hour later, the parade had ended and the three of them made their way back to the apartment. The smell of turkey greeted them as they entered the living room. Chloe carefully hung up her coat before heading to the TV to find the replay of the Macy’s parade. Kenny helped Bailey out of hers.

Was it her imagination or did his hands linger on her shoulders? She knew the answer, of course, but a girl could dream. And when the man in question was as good as this one, she supposed dreaming was inevitable.

* * *

THE FINAL PREPARATIONS for dinner went as smoothly as Bailey could have hoped. Kenny wasn’t just a guy who knew how to make a pie, he was also an expert turkey carver. His skill made her wonder about the other women in his life—both who they were and the actual number of them.

The cheese biscuits and sweet potato casserole went into the oven at the same time. She stirred the gravy while Kenny poured wine for the two of them and sparkling apple cider for Chloe.

The table was big enough to seat six. Bailey put Kenny at the end. She sat on his right while Chloe was across from her on his left. Their place settings were surrounded by bowls and platters and steaming stacks of delicious food.

When they’d taken their places, Kenny surprised her by reaching for her hand and Chloe’s, then saying grace.

When they’d filled their plates, she turned to him. “You really learned how to bake pies in Sweden?”