Page 58 of Christmas Treasures

“How come?” Mom asked.

“I did something stupid,” Max said. “You know how Charlie doesn’t do Christmas?”

Everyone nodded.

“But she’d been doing all these Christmas things with us, and Bianca and I thought we should get her a tree.” Max’s throat tightened. “Let’s just say me showing up at her door with a noble fir didn’t go well. She recoiled at the sight of it. Like I’d slapped her. Said I was forcing her into something she didn’t want. She told me to take it away. And to get out. Bianca was crushed. So was I.”

Abby set down her glass. “Oh, Max, I’m sorry.”

Laney gazed at him with her head tilted to one side, sympathy in her pretty eyes. “That must have beenheartbreaking for you both. I can imagine how excited you both were.”

“It was stupid. I should never have done it,” Max said. “Now I’ve scared her off.”

Logan frowned. “If a thoughtful gesture sets her off, maybe she’s not ready. Or too damaged. Either way, you don’t deserve that treatment.”

Luke nodded, concern flashing in his eyes. “He has a point. If she’s that quick to shut you down, she might not be capable of meeting you halfway.”

Abby raised her hand, interrupting. “Wait. Max, you said she told you that you were forcing something on her. Do you think that was what bothered her more than anything?”

Max shook his head, confusion flaring. “I guess so. I just don’t understand how someone wouldn’t want a Christmas tree, especially when a little girl’s in their life. And trust me, she and Bianca were growing close.”

“Her parents died around Christmas,” Laney said. “I’m imagining she has a lot of conflicting emotions this time of year.”

Abby nodded, clearly in agreement. “Or she could be someone who’s had people assuming they know what’s best for her all her life. As a woman—a veterinarian in a male-dominated field—I’ve had enough men making decisions for me without asking what I actually want. It’s infuriating. Even when their intentions are good.”

“She might have felt like you were trying to take control of her life, and that’s definitely not something she would want,” Laney said.

Max felt the weight of that sink in. He rubbed his face, exhausted. “I think you’re right. But there’s nothing to be done now. She was furious. Hurt. I’ve never seen her look that vulnerable. It was like I’d broken something she’d been trying so hard to hold together.”

Mom crossed to him, her hand firm on his shoulder. “Charlie isn’t angry with you. She’s scared. You touched a wound without realizing it.”

Dad set down his potato peeler. “Doesn’t mean you ruined it. She’ll come around, once she cools off. And you know for next time. Soft touch is the way to go.”

Max looked at his father. “Next time? I don’t think there’s going to be a next time.”

Dad’s eyes crinkled. “You love this woman, don’t you?”

Max’s throat closed. “Yeah. I do. I didn’t expect to fall so hard, but I have.” He glanced toward the living room, hearing Bianca giggle. “What really hurt was seeing Bianca. She was inconsolable last night. Said everyone leaves. Her mom, her grandmother, now Charlie.” He smiled, though, thinking of her incredible insight, especially for an eight year old. “She told me Charlie was broken, just like her, and I that I couldn’t fix her.”

“What a sweetie,” Abby said.

“So smart,” Laney said.

“Very smart,” Logan said. “Bianca’s right. You can’t fix her. And it’s not your job.”

Max swallowed. “I can handle getting hurt myself. But seeing Bianca like that…I don’t know if I can risk her heart again. Honestly, I feel like it was a huge misstep on my part—letting her get close to someone I didn’t know well enough. I’ve got to do a better job.”

“Hey now, don’t be so hard on yourself,” Abby said. “I felt the same way about the kids at first. Sure I would damage them permanently. I made a few doozy mistakes too, but kids are resilient. Bianca’s going to be fine. She has you and all of us.”

“You can’t shelter Bianca from every hurt,” Mom said. “But I understand. I used to lose it whenever someone hurtone of you. Yet I had to act like a reasonable adult instead of a mama bear.”

“I get that,” Abby said.

Luke laughed. “Oh yeah you do. This one went all mama bear at the science fair.”

“Never mind that.” Abby flushed, shaking her head. “No one wants to hear that story.”

“We do though,” Logan said, with an evil smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

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