A Family Under the Christmas Tree (20 page)

“And the perfect excuse to buy a snow outfit.”

“Exactly. We can go shopping for snow gear for all of us.” He usually wasn't one to enjoy shopping, but with Sophie at his side he knew he would.

They went inside to decorate the Christmas tree. And David staunchly ignored the small voice in his head warning him that he was swimming in the deep end without a life jacket. He didn't want to be reminded of how easily he could drown.

S
ophie stepped back to admire the decorated Christmas tree and bumped into David. He steadied her, his hands on her shoulders. Though she'd regained her footing, he didn't drop his hands. She liked the way his touch through her sweater made her feel all tingly. The tree almost completely blocked Grandma's living room window, but it was so pretty, Sophie clapped in delight. “I love it.”

“It is beautiful.” Grandma leaned on her crutches and fingered an ornament, a gold and silver Nativity scene. “Your father gave this to me when he was a teen. He loved to buy me a new decoration every year. Still does.” She touched another decoration, a porcelain snowflake with glitter in the glaze. “This is the one he sent last year.”

Sophie hadn't known her father did that. It was such a sweet gesture.

David squeezed Sophie's shoulders and leaned in to whisper in her ear, “Can we talk privately?”

Her mouth went dry as she remembered what had happened the last time they talked in private. They'd kissed. And it had been wonderful and scary at the same time.

She still couldn't believe she'd agreed to let their relationship evolve into something beyond two ships set on different courses. She knew doing so would only prolong the agony when it was time to leave.

There was nowhere for a relationship between them to go. She was leaving. His life was here. Her life was a constant whirlwind of travel and jobs, while David's was grounded in raising his nephew and running a company.

Her only excuse for giving in to his request was that exhilarating and terrifying kiss they'd shared. It had opened the door to all the complicated feelings for David she'd been trying to keep at bay. She'd heard poets and novelists talk of romantic connections but never understood them.

Oh, she'd felt attraction, but this was something new. Something different. Deeper, more real. Maybe that was why her romantic relationships in the past had failed.

Her stomach dropped. Great. Just what she needed, to feel this deep-seated connection with the one man she shouldn't. She sent up a silent prayer to God for strength to resist falling in love with David.

But what if it is God's plan?
a tiny voice inside her heart whispered.

She didn't want to contemplate all the implications of that thought, so she stepped away from David and gestured for him to follow her into the kitchen so they could talk.

Troy and Riggs sat on the floor side by side in front of the fireplace. Troy ate from a bowl of blueberries and the dog chewed on a bone. Grandma hobbled to the couch and plopped down with a sigh.

Sophie went to the kitchen sink to wash her hands. David followed her and placed a hand on either side of her, trapping her with his arms. She turned off the water and slowly spun to face him. She stared into his eyes. Something was bothering him. “What is it?”

In a low voice, he said, “I don't have Christmas ornaments. Daniel and Beth did. There are a couple of boxes full of decorations in the storage unit where I put all of their belongings. I'm not sure what to do. Should I bring the boxes to the house? Will that be a good thing or a painful one for Troy?”

Sympathy for his dilemma throbbed within her. She wished she had the answers he sought. She wasn't a child psychologist, and she didn't have experience with this kind of situation. She sent up a silent prayer for wisdom and guidance.

Placing a hand over David's heart, she said, “I can't tell you what the right thing to do is.” She paused, a thought forming and taking hold. “I will say that I think it's important for you to keep Daniel and Beth's memory alive for Troy. The worst thing you could do is to pretend they didn't exist.”

A stricken look crossed his face. “I've been doing that. I've been avoiding talking about Daniel because I don't want to cause Troy pain.” He stepped back and ran a hand through his hair. “I'm not good at this. Why did they choose me?”

She grabbed his arm. “You are the perfect person for Troy. Don't doubt that. Daniel and Beth trusted you. I trust you.”

He blinked. “You do?”

“I do.” She knew this man would never deliberately hurt her
or Troy or anyone else. He was kind, compassionate. A man worth loving. Not that she did.

She wasn't ready to examine her feelings too closely. She might never be ready.

“Would you go with me tomorrow to retrieve the decorations? I don't want to overwhelm Troy by taking him there.”

She knew it would be painful for him as well. And she wanted to be there to comfort him. She refused to analyze why that was. “Yes, of course I will.”

He pulled her into his embrace. “Thank you. I don't know why, but God chose to bless me with you.”

With her cheek laid against his beating heart, she closed her eyes and wondered how she was going to leave this man.

The next morning, Sophie stood near the festively decorated Christmas tree with a cup of coffee in her hand and Riggs by her side. He had his paws on the window ledge, as if he knew they were expecting guests. Any second now David and Troy would arrive. Troy would be staying with Grandma, while Sophie accompanied David to the storage unit where he kept his brother and sister-in-law's belongings. Riggs barked just as Troy and David came into view.

Troy carried a Lego bucket with him. He was dressed in a long-sleeved T-shirt with Captain America's red, white, and blue shield on the front beneath a navy down vest. The bottoms of his jeans were rolled up at the ankles.

David had on a plaid flannel shirt and jeans. He'd shaved and looked ruggedly handsome.

Sophie's pulse sped at the sight of the two Murphy men. Affection filled her heart. She'd come to care for Troy and David in a way she'd
never expected. Troy had carved out a special place in her heart. And David . . . well, she wasn't ready to think about how he'd affected her heart.

Troy ran up the porch stairs and banged on the front door. David followed him and waved at Sophie. She waved back and ignored the jolt of pleasure coursing through her.

Riggs jumped down to wait at the door.

“Okay, boy, back up,” she said as she swung the door open.

Riggs pushed past Sophie to lick Troy's face, much to Troy's giggling delight.

A rush of emotion crashed through Sophie. Love. She loved this child. Her gaze strayed to David. The look of adoration on his face clutched at her heart.

Oh, no. Was she falling in love with David?

Not. Happening. The words rang hollow within her.

Grandma limped out of the kitchen without her crutches. The doctor had said she should begin to bear weight on her foot, so she had decided to try an ankle brace boot. “Good morning, you two. Troy, are you ready to play some games?” She pointed to the table where she'd stacked several board games.

“Yes.” He held up the bucket of Legos. “I brought these to play with, too.”

Grandma clapped her hands. “I love building cities and stuff. Should we do that first, or play Candyland?”

Troy ran to the table. “Candyland.”

“We won't be long,” David said to Grandma.

She smiled wide. “Take your time. Go do some shopping.” She surreptitiously pointed to Troy. “Maybe you'll find something special.”

“Good idea.” Sophie gave a thumbs-up sign. They'd head to the toy section straightaway.

“Have lunch.”
Grandma winked. “Enjoy yourselves. Troy, Riggs, and I will be just fine.”

Sophie knew Grandma suspected that her plan of setting up Sophie and David was working.

She jammed her arms into her jacket, grabbed her camera and purse, and then followed David to his truck. He'd put a hard cover over the bed to keep the back dry from the gently falling rain.

At the storage unit, he unlocked the padlock and then rolled up the door. The ten-by-ten space was filled with furniture and boxes stacked to the ceiling. “You weren't kidding when you said you put all of their belongings into storage.”

“I didn't want to get rid of anything in case one day Troy wanted something,” he said as he surveyed the contents of the unit. “Someday he'll have his own place and he might want the furniture.”

The burgundy leather couch and love seat looked to be in good condition beneath the clear plastic wrapped around them. “He'll be set.”

“The boxes are labeled.” He pointed to her left. “You check over there. I'll take this side.”

With a nod, she skirted around the couch to examine a stack of boxes. Her gaze snagged on a brightly colored toy box pushed against the back of the couch. Troy's, no doubt. She lifted the lid to find it full of toys. Some were too young for Troy now. She touched the head of a stuffed giraffe.

“Found them,” David called out.

She lowered the lid and watched him carry a box marked
Christmas
to the truck. When he stepped back inside the unit, she gestured for him to come to her side. “Look at this.”

He stared at the toy box. “I'd forgotten that was here.”

“It
would fit perfectly in Troy's bedroom.” She thought of the corner where they'd pushed his toys.

“I don't know. He might get sad if I bring that home.”

“Or he might be happy to see his old toys and remember the happy times,” she countered.

He looked at her for a long moment and then turned away. He grabbed the second box of decorations and stowed it next to the other one in the truck bed. When he was done, he stood at the opening of the storage unit, his hand on the roll-down door. Waiting.

She sighed. She couldn't force him to take the toy box, nor could she make him be ready to deal with the memories it might evoke. Maybe in time he'd find the wherewithal to face the past. She exited the unit. David started to roll down the door, then stopped and dropped his forehead to the metal.

Sophie reached out a hand but halted as he let the door roll back up. Then he strode forward with purpose, picked up the toy box, and tucked it into the back of the truck beside the other boxes.

She smiled, pleased by his choice. He locked up the unit and then they drove to the mall. They spent the next few hours shopping, buying Troy new clothes and games and a bike.

“I know it will be months before he can ride it, but it seems like a good gift,” David said.

“It's a great gift. He'll love it.” She thought about suggesting a puppy, a certain Bernese mountain dog, but lately she'd begun to rethink finding Riggs a new home. Grandma was so fond of the dog and as long as she didn't try to step over him again, Riggs was a good companion. And it would be a good excuse for Troy and David to visit Grandma.

They ate in the restaurant of a high-end department store.
They had a nice window seat overlooking Bellevue. The Seattle suburban community, the fifth largest city in the state of Washington, had a skyline of gleaming high-rises against a stormy sky. Many of them were occupied by tech companies, like David's. “Can we see your office from here?”

“No, it's hidden behind that hotel.” He pointed to a well-known hotel chain. “If you'd like, we can stop in there on our way out.”

“I'd like to see your company, but if we stop there will you get roped in and feel the need to stay?”

He gave her a lopsided grin. “Maybe.”

“How many times have you talked to the office today?”

“Six times.”

“Six times and it's only noon?” She shook a finger at him. “Vacation, remember?”

“I'm trying to remember,” he said. “Being here with you helps.”

She picked up her iced tea and took a sip to hide the blush creeping up her neck.

He paid the check and they walked through the store.

“I'd like to buy your grandmother a gift but I'm not sure what would be appropriate,” David told her.

She steered him toward the home accessory department. “She really could use a new throw blanket.”

“I like that idea,” he said and inspected the throws. He picked one in shades of blue that was soft and cozy. “This reminds me of Louise.”

“It's perfect.” Sophie would have picked it, too.

They made their way toward the exit when she saw the tie display in the men's section. “Uh, I'm going to use the ladies' room.” She pushed her packages into his hands. “I'll meet you at the door.”

She hurried away before he could offer to escort her. She wove her way out of his sight and then doubled back toward the ties, being as stealthy as she could. She glanced toward the spot where she'd left David, but he was gone. Maybe he was already waiting at the exit.