Page 57 of Through the Snow Globe
“Good. Please do. You’ll be sure to let me know what I can do, won’t you? I want to be involved in any way I can. You know, I’ve always wanted a daughter.”
Yes, Diana knew that by now. And it touched her heart to know Joann would consider Diana enough to fill that void for her when Diana’s own mother had acted like her child was a burden more than a blessing.
“Perhaps we can go dress shopping together one of these days. Unless your own mother wants to do that with you,” Joann said.
Diana inwardly flinched. Jackie Merriman wouldn’t be caught dead dress shopping with her daughter. That would resemble too much of a mother-daughter relationship. “I’ll let you know, Joann,” she said as sweetly as possible. Diana really did like Joann. She didn’t want to be so distant. Could people love you from afar? Could you really love them back? Tears blurred Diana’s vision. “I really do have to go. I’m at work, so . . .” She trailed off.
“Of course. I just wanted you to know I was thinking about you. I’m so happy that you’re joining our little family.”
Little?Diana wanted to laugh as much as she also wanted to cry right now. “Thank you.”
“We’ll talk soon, okay?” Joann said.
“Mm-hmm. Bye.” Diana’s hand was shaking as she tapped the screen to disconnect the call. What was wrong with her that having such a simple conversation with her future mother-in-law was hard? Maybe she didn’t deserve the Grant family.
Diana put her car into motion and drove to Linus’s toy store next. He waved from the cash register where he was helping the same mom from yesterday. Diana walked around to the far aisle and spotted the little boy, Dustin, standing there and admiring the toys.
“Hey,” Diana said in a hushed voice. “Do you remember me?”
The boy looked up and nodded. “Of course, I do. We talked yesterday.”
Diana practically jumped up for joy. “So it’s true? You’re reliving the same day too?”
The boy gave her a curious look. “And tomorrow is supposed to be Christmas, but it never, ever is.”
Diana knelt beside the boy and then just decided to sit on the floor where she was. “I think that’s because we’re doing this day all wrong.”
Dustin gave her a knowing look. “Tell me about it. I’m trying to get off the naughty list—that’s what my foster mom calls it—and it’s just getting worse. No matter how good I try to be, I’m never good enough. I have no hope of getting any gifts on the big day.”
“Hmm.” Diana nodded. “I’m learning that trying is futile. I think, in your case, you have to actually want to be nice versus naughty. Not just until the big day, but afterward too.”
Dustin fidgeted with his hands as he said: “Do you think being nice will get me out of this awful day?”
“Maybe. I’m still trying to get out of it myself,” Diana admitted. Albeit, she wanted to get out of it with a few major changes. “What is it that’s on your Christmas list anyway?” she asked.
Dustin looked down at his feet. “It’s kind of stupid.”
“I doubt that.” She tapped a finger against the toe of his shoe, gaining his attention.
He looked back up at her.
“Is it in this store? You spend a lot of time on the doll aisle. Do you like dolls?”
Dustin looked offended by the question. “No. My foster sister does.”
This made Diana smile. “That’s sweet of you to think of her. So, what is it that you want? A remote-control car?”
Dustin shook his head again. “I’ll whisper it to you,” he finally said.
“Oh. Okay.” Diana leaned toward him, lifting her ear to his mouth.
“A family,” Dustin said in such a small voice that Diana wondered if she’d heard him correctly.
She pulled back and looked at him, knowing once she saw the vulnerability on his face that she’d heard him right. Her heart broke into a million little pieces.
“See? It’s stupid. I told you so.”
“No.” Diana shook her head. “It’s not stupid. It’s great.”
