Page 19 of Midnight Clear

“Umm…”

“My mother talked to your mother,” Hank said. “And then they both talked to Cori and a few other people. You’ve got extra employees and a lot of willing hands to get the shipment unloaded.”

“But…” Her head was hurting too bad to form a coherent thought. What he was saying seemed good in theory. But was it? What if something bad happened and she wasn’t there for damage control?

“This is one of those times where you’re just going to have to let people help you,” Hank said, standing up and taking both their bowls back to the sink. “Your fever is coming back. I can see it in your eyes. Why don’t you go back to bed and I’ll bring you meds and fresh water before I leave for the night. Your mom said she’d be back in the morning to check on you. I’ve got meetings until after lunch, so I’ll stop by then.”

“I don’t understand any of this,” Sophie said, coming slowly to her feet and steadying herself on the table.

Hank walked toward her and stopped close, so she had to look up to see his face. He was so tall.

“That’s okay,” he said. “You will.” And then he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

Sophie went back to bed with the sting of his lips on her skin and a longing to get to know the real Hank O’Hara.

ChapterSeven

Dr. O’Hara had toldher things would get worse before they got better. She hadn’t really believed him, but after the miserable night and following day, she was starting to think he might really know what he was talking about.

Things got pretty hazy after she’d gone back to bed and Hank had left. Sophie remembered her mother coming to visit the next morning. Then she remembered Lori and Junie coming to see her, though they stood in the hallway so they wouldn’t catch her germs.

After that was when the strange dreams had started. She could’ve sworn her house had been full of people, like there was a party going on she hadn’t been invited to. And then the dream shifted back to Hank. Who was this man who’d seemed to always be part of her life, but who was still a stranger? She’d dreamed of the simple kiss he’d given her, and oh how she wanted so much more. But then the dream had turned to images of her father.

By the time she’d woken again, she was covered in sweat, the bedcovers were tangled, and her body felt like she’d been in a boxing match all night. And Hank was still on her mind.

Sophie looked around her room, glad to see it was empty, and she noted that it was still dark outside. She couldn’t remember the last time she saw daylight, but the clock on her nightstand said it was just after six. Whether that was six in the morning or six in the evening she wasn’t sure.

She stretched her muscles gingerly, trying to take an assessment of her body. The fever was gone. The headache was gone. And she knew whatever had transpired while she’d been asleep had been her body fighting off the infection. But she felt like she’d been through the wringer.

The floors creaked as she padded to the bathroom and got into the shower. And when she got out again she knew the worst of the sickness was behind her. She dried off and put on clean pajamas, and then she checked the time on her phone. It was morning, which meant she’d slept an entire day.

Her phone was filled with missed texts and calls, but she’d get to them later. There was a heaviness in her heart. If she’d missed an entire day then it meant that today was Friday, and her mother would be leaving. It was a strange feeling knowing her mother wouldn’t be just around the corner, or that she wouldn’t pop in for coffee and an update on Sophie’s nonexistent social life.

And the grief she felt was overwhelming. But she knew this was the best thing for her mother. The light on her face when she spoke of it was enough to know that she’d made the right choice. Her mother was young, and she still had a lot of life left to live.

Sophie thought maybe the problem she was having with her mother’s departure was that for all these years, she’d been there to look after her mom. She hadn’t done it while her dad was still alive. There’d been no match for him when he was drunk and angry, and they’d all learned to stay out of his way. But after his death, Sophie had done everything she could to make sure her mom was taken care of. She’d gone to work as soon as she’d turned sixteen so her mother could quit one of her jobs. She’d made sure bills were paid and she put in extra time at the bookstore when she wasn’t in school or at her job so Maggie could get a night off every once in a while. And she’d made sure Junie had everything she’d needed for school and cheerleading and all the other things she was involved in.

And now there was no one for her to take care of. Junie was married and would never have to worry for anything ever again. And her mother was about to chase her dreams. Sophie found herself feeling abandoned and a little sad at the thought. The bookstore had always been her dream. And now she was about to lose that too.

Sophie stripped the sheets on her bed, deciding she could at least get some things done around the house as long as she was still banished from the bookstore. But as she stepped into the hallway to head to the laundry room, her mouth dropped open in shock.

There were Christmas lights everywhere, twinkling along the walls and around the light fixtures. And as she moved toward the entrance she saw her Christmas village had been set up on the entry table and wreaths hung on the door and all the windows. The smell of fresh pine and cinnamon reminded her of her childhood in this very house. Those were the good memories. Her mother always made Christmas special. And for some reason it was the only holiday her father didn’t get falling-down drunk. It was the only time of year they could pretend to be a real family.

Her chest was tight as she looked into the kitchen and saw a garland and a small Christmas tree in the kitchen window. And then she went into the living room and tears filled her eyes. In a corner of the room was a freshly cut tree that had been decorated with the ornaments that had been up in the attic. Ornaments made by her and Junie, and other keepsake ornaments that had been her grandmother’s. They were all there. And nestled in the branches of the tree was a red envelope.

She somehow knew it was from Hank before she opened it. Over the last few days he’d surprised her more than she’d ever been surprised in her life. She hated to admit it, but no one had ever sent her flowers before. Much less sent them two days in a row. And now this.

Her fingers shook as she reached up to take the envelope, and she looked at her name printed neatly on the front. She slid her finger under the flap and then pulled out the card inside.

Sophie,

I wanted to give you Christmas. I hope it makes you smile.

Love,

Hank

Sophie read it twice more before she found herself sighing. Shewassmiling, and there was nothing that could wipe it off her face. He seemed to always know the right things to do where she was concerned. Well, almost always. Offering to buy her bookstore had been a dud, but he’d made up for it quickly.

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