Page 43 of The Wish List
“You’re a good mom,” Beth told the other woman. “I don’t offer that as a compliment lightly.”
“I imagine you don’t,” Shauna agreed.
“Which means you have to listen to me. I’m off work tomorrow at four. How about I come over and help with the fudge or gift wrapping or whatever else you need. I can bring paper and bags and bows. We’ll get everything together for your clients, and Declan can deliver them over the weekend.” She pulled up the calendar app on her phone. “What date and time is the holiday party? I have so much vacation time banked, it’s not even funny. If you want, I can help out there as well.”
Declan inclined his head as he met Beth’s gaze. She couldn’t quite decipher the look in his eyes, but it felt like something close to gratitude. “I’ve got the holiday party covered.”
Shauna took another awkward step toward Beth and tried to hug her. It didn’t work well with the crutches. Most people got used to maneuvering on crutches within a few days, but it was apparent Shauna needed more time.
“That would be great on both of your parts. It always feels like my boys stick out because they don’t have a father.”
Declan growled low in his throat “They have a father.”
“No.” Shauna glared at him. “They don’t.”
“They would if you told him.”
“Let’s focus on Christmas,” Beth interrupted, placing a hand on Declan’s arm and trying to ignore the way his muscles bunched under her palm. “You can save your paternity revelation lectures for after the New Year. Okay, bud?”
He looked shocked at the admonishment. “How did I become the bad guy in this situation?”
“You’re not the bad guy,” Shauna assured him with another clumsy attempt at a hug. “I couldn’t have made it these past few weeks without you. But...”
She broke off then turned to Beth. “I don’t think I realized how much I needed a friend. Thank you.”
Beth nodded. “I’m happy to be there for you.” She was surprised to find she meant the statement.
The students entered the cafeteria at that point, and the focus shifted to snacks and the performance as the kids ran forward for hugs from their families.
She drifted to one side of the room to get her emotions in check. How was it that she’d spent most of her life in this town, and it was only now that she was starting to feel a connection to the community?
“I have it under control,” Declan said as he came to stand next to her.
“I’m sure you do. But you can’t know what the holidays do to the mom brain.” She waited for him to argue or remind her that she couldn’t be an expert on mom brain, having never been one herself.
Instead, he nodded. “My brother and I got in a lot more fights around the holidays. It was like we had to act out to prove why we didn’t deserve any of the love and attention the kids around us received. We were in some dark situations. It wasn’t until the foster family where I met Shauna that I understood how special this time of year could be with a good family.” He sighed. “Flynn never got the chance to experience that.”
“Is Flynn your brother?”
Declan nodded. “He’s a couple of years older, so he was already on his own when I met Shauna.”
“So he doesn’t know her?”
Declan laughed without humor. “They know each other.”
“He’s the father,” Beth whispered. “Are you two close? Is he involved in Timmy and Zach’s lives? The way she talks—”
“The answer to pretty much any question involving my brother is no. Flynn and I haven’t spoken for a couple of years. He’s in the military—or he was. I’m not in contact with him anymore. He and Shauna had one night together a few years ago. That was all it took.”
Beth breathed out a laugh. “For some people, that’s all it takes.”
Declan’s mouth went hard at the edges. “Flynn doesn’t know about the twins. She doesn’t want to tell him because then maybe he would have felt obligated to be involved. He’s not exactly the paternal type.”
“Don’t you think he should have gotten that choice?” Beth held up a hand when he would have answered. “Never mind. I don’t know the background. I’m not judging. I made that mistake once with Shauna, and I won’t do it again. She’s not who I thought she was, and it’s none of my business in the first place.”
“She gives of herself to a lot of people,” Declan said quietly. “The two of you have that in common, but it isn’t easy for her to trust or to accept help. How we were raised doesn’t make it easy to trust. It’s nice of you to offer to help her. The fact that she’s willing to let you is a big deal. As long as you’re doing it without reservation. As much as I care about Shauna, she’s also not your responsibility.”
Beth wasn’t sure how to describe the emotion that bloomed in her chest at his words but managed to smile. “I know. I offered because I want to. Help feels different when it’s given freely. Even though I’ve lived here most of my life, I don’t have a lot of close friends. I also have some issues with trusting people or letting them in that have been hard to overcome.”
