Page 73 of Resisting Fate
Chapter Seventeen
Ben was just finishing up the Lego plane set with Todd and Will when Missy walked back in the door of the Harpers’ apartment, her nose and cheeks bright pink from the outdoors, where she’d been hosing off the front sidewalk for the Harpers. She’d refused to let him do the chore, and he was still getting used to the idea of not taking over every job that needed to be done. It was a relief, actually, to know she could pull her weight and then some. And she’d forgiven his misstep. He couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas present, his entire world righting itself again.
Madelyn ran up to Missy, excitedly showing her the beaded friendship bracelet she’d made for her new friend Katrina.
He swallowed over the lump in his throat. Watching Missy with the kids—all the thought and care she’d put into making their Christmas special—had been a revelation. She might’ve been through hell and back, but she was capable of great love and compassion. It wasn’t just that she’d prepared a delicious dinner knowing Rena was still teaching herself to cook after years of depending on takeout. Or that Missy refused to take credit for the decorations and gifts, saying they were from the Clover Park community and she was just the messenger. The thing was, Missy made the practical gifts of winter clothing that some would’ve seen as charity sound really cool. She’d carefully selected jackets, snow pants, boots, hats, and gloves for the kids, wrapped them up, and declared them not just great for cold days, but also perfect for sledding, snowball fights, and making snowmen. Where most kids would’ve balked at clothes for a present, she got the boys excited about what they could do with them, and Madelyn was thrilled to have a coat very much like her friend Katrina’s coat. He was sure Missy had looked into girl fashion ahead of time too.
After the clothes, Missy had given each kid a toy to open now and four more under the tree for Christmas morning. The boys got Lego sets, a plane and truck respectively, and Madelyn got a friendship bracelet maker. Missy had really gotten into making a friendship bracelet with Madelyn, talking to her the whole time, gently probing if she’d met some nice girls at her new school.
He watched Missy now, head bent, still standing in her coat, talking to Madelyn, and it hit him with a jolt—she was his first and last love. His pulse thrummed, all of his nerve endings tingling, alert and alive. He’d never let himself fall before, always one foot out the door, but maybe that was how it was meant to be so fate could bring Missy into his life. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, and he wanted to start right away. Marriage wasn’t out of the question, though if Missy didn’t want to get married again, he’d be just as happy as long as they were together.
He stood and went to help her off with her coat when Rena joined them, handing him the bag with his cookie stuff and his jacket.
“I washed the cookie cutters for you,” Rena said. “You two have done so much. I can’t thank you enough. I’m going to get the kids settled in for bed, try anyway—” she laughed “—so why don’t you go ahead and enjoy your Christmas Eve together.”
“Thanks so much for letting us celebrate with you,” Missy said. “Anything else you need, just give me a call. I remember what it was like to be new in town. I’ve got tons of connections for whatever you might need.”
Rena shook her head, smiling. “I sure landed in the right town. I’ve never felt so welcome. And to think I found it so randomly. It was the only town with an apartment big enough for us that I could afford.”
“Fate works in mysterious ways,” Ben said, nudging Missy.
“I guess it does,” Rena said softly. She turned to the kids. “Ben and Missy are leaving. What do you say?”
“Bye!” “Thank you!” “Merry Christmas!” the kids hollered in a cacophony of noise.
“You too,” Ben said.
“Merry Christmas!” Missy called to the kids. She hugged Rena goodbye before heading out the door.
“Okay if I get a ride with you?” Missy asked on the way downstairs.
“Sure. My place okay? I’d like to spend Christmas Eve with you.” And Christmas Day and New Year’s Day and every day.
Her eyes went soft. “That sounds good.”
He stopped walking to give her a quick kiss. Soft Missy got him every time.
They went downstairs and he held open the front door.
“I need to get my car towed,” she said as she passed him.
Alarm flashed through him. Had she been in an accident? “Why? What happened?”
“Flat tire and then my spare tire got a flat. It’s four blocks away.”
They got into his car out front while he turned over this new information in his mind. Missy must’ve hauled all that stuff to the Harpers’ apartment herself. He was sure she wouldn’t have asked for help. He turned on the car, about to ask her how many trips she’d had to make for all that stuff when she shared all on her own, telling him this incredible story of one disaster after another that ultimately led to her goal of a happy Harper Christmas, though she confessed, they were already happy when she got there.
He stared at her, incredulous. “And at no point did it occur to you to ask for help? Not with the flat tire? Not with carrying so many things after hurting your hip? Not with the mess of broken glass, jelly, and pie?”
“It sounds ridiculous when you say it all like that.”
“Itisridiculous. Even if you didn’t want to call me, you’ve got friends and family in town.”
“I’m just not used to asking for help.” She bit her plump lower lip. “After the jelly jars shattered and the pie was ruined, I had a—” she heaved a sigh “—a brief moment where it occurred to me I probably should’ve asked for help.”
He bit back a smile at her reluctant confession. “Well, you made it work.” He put the car in gear and pulled into the street. “You made those kids really happy.”
“I did.”
