Page 43 of A Baxter Family Christmas
“Darker, for sure.” She was still laughing. “I highlight it.”
“It all makes sense now.” Connor hugged her again, and this time he whispered near her face, “Let’s talk later.”
“Definitely,” she whispered back.
They joined the others headed to the dining room, and after introductions everyone gathered at the two tables and ate dessert. The Flanigans shared about their question game and everyone took a turn answering the one Cole thought up.
“If you could have one gift that couldn’t be wrapped, what would it be?”
Kendra Bryant went last. Her answer brought tears to almost everyone’s eyes. “I’d have Erin and the rest of her family here with us.” She looked around the room. “Because I think we would’ve been friends.”
The time was poignant and beautiful, a perfect ending to a perfect Christmas Eve. And later, when people started to pack up their things and leave, Maddie asked her mom and dad if they could stay a little longer. So she and Connor could have a few minutes together.
“Looks like you and I need to talk, too.” Her mom brushed her knuckles against Maddie’s cheek. “Wouldn’t you say?”
“Yes.” Maddie hugged her. “I have a lot to tell you.”
“I’ll look forward to it.” Her mom smiled. “Take your time, honey.”
“Thanks.” Maddie returned the smile and then found Connor hanging out with her boy cousins. All of them seemed to remember him. Maybe that was part of the reason Maddie hadn’t recognized him. He had probably hung out with her boy cousins whenever they were all together. She would’ve been with the girls. When she was twelve, the last thing she was thinking about was boys.
“You have a few minutes?” She grinned at him, and immediately he was on his feet.
“We’ll plan that fishing trip later.” He grinned at the guys. “Gotta run.”
“Wait.” Cole stood and looked from Maddie back to Connor. “You two know each other?”
“We worked the Christmas play together.” Maddie shot Cole a look that said he’d better not make any funny comments. “We need to catch up.”
Cole nodded slowly. “Got it.” He winked at Connor and then turned to the other boys. “I say we plan the fishing trip in March. As soon as the snow starts to melt. That’s when trout bite the best.”
They were still talking about fishing as Maddie and Connor walked into the next room, with the Christmas tree. They were the only ones there, and Maddie was thankful. She still couldn’t believe that Connor was here, and that the conversation she’d been wanting was finally going to happen. Here.
On Christmas Eve.
They sat next to each other in the dark, with just the glow of the tree to light the moment. “I didn’t think we’d have time for this till next week.” Connor turned so he could see her better. “I never would’ve dreamed you were part of the Baxter family. I forget that most of you have different last names.”
“And you... I should’ve put the pieces together. But Bailey and I were too many years apart when we were younger. She was either off with one of her friends or hanging out with your mom. Anyway, I don’t think of her as from around here. Because of Brandon, I guess.”
For a few seconds Connor only looked at her. “So... about you and me.” He allowed a soft laugh and his eyes found the tree. “It seemed like we were great, like we had something special. And then you pulled away.”
“I know...” Maddie wanted to get to the truth as quickly as possible. “It was all my fault.”
“Maybe it was mine. I kept thinking, I must’ve said something that offended you. Or maybe there was something about the way I acted that you didn’t like.” He looked at her, the tree lights reflecting in his eyes. “I just couldn’t think what it was.”
“No. That wasn’t it.” Her voice was quiet, meant for him alone. In the next room they could hear the others laughing and sharing stories. But here it was just the two of them. Exactly how Maddie wanted it. “I was keeping the truth from you, Connor. I had to. But now... now I know I was wrong to do that.”
“The truth?”
“Yes.” She sighed.God, help me find a way to tell him everything. I want to be honest.A new sense of strength filled her heart. Maddie took a deep breath. “Do you remember I told you that my sister had health issues?”
“Yes.” Connor narrowed his eyes, as if he were seeing back through the years. “Was she... did she drown? When she was really little? Was that your sister?”
“It was.” The pain of what had happened never dimmed. Maddie was sure it never would. “She was three and I was five. I was supposed to be watching her.”
“At your house?” Connor searched her eyes. “Maddie, that could never be your fault.”
“We were at a birthday party. My dad was there because my mom was on call at the hospital that day.” She could see it all again, smell the flowers on the birthday table and the sugary sweet of the icing on the chocolate cake.
