Page 27 of The Christmas Ring
“What?” He took a step closer to her.
“Letting you in.” She touched his face with her hand the way she had once before. They started the walk back to her car and she thought of something. “You know what those one hundred little bears need?”
“One hundred families sponsored through Columbus Cares?” Ben shrugged. “Am I right?”
“Yes.” She couldn’t put into words how much she wasenjoying this. “But they need something else. Little collars that say, ‘Take Me to College.’”
They reached her SUV and Ben took both her hands this time. “It’ll be okay. Go home and talk to her. And tell her about me.” He paused, his eyes and tone still light. “It’s important.”
“It is.” Vanessa nodded. “She should be home in an hour.”
“Okay, then.” He pulled her into his arms, but again the hug didn’t last long. “I’ll see you tomorrow? Maybe we can actually shop for Christmas this time. In Old Town.”
“I’d love that.”
Long after she drove off, Vanessa wondered if she was reading Ben right. They both had past hurts, devastating losses. And she knew little about his. But she also found him holding back. Like during the hug just now.
The situation made Vanessa wonder exactly what she was going to tell Sadie. The last thing she wanted was to tell Sadie she was just friends with Ben when maybe... just maybe they were becoming something more.
Chapter 10
Long after dark, Vanessa was still floating from her afternoon with Ben, still replaying their conversations and laughing at the way they had been talking about her sad story one minute and singing Christmas songs to the Harvest coffeehouse the next. Like they were a couple of traveling performers.
Every time she caught a glimpse of herself in the living room mirror, she was smiling. Even with things not quite right with Sadie.
Vanessa wasn’t sure exactly what to make of her feelings. She and Ben had only spent a handful of days together in person. Still, he was all she could think about. They were getting together again tomorrow, and she could hardly wait.
The leftover lasagna sat back in the fridge, and Vanessa was about to text Sadie when she heard the front door open.
“Sorry I’m late!” Sadie sounded as happy as Vanessa. She shut the door and rounded the corner to the kitchen. “Mom, I promise I’ll be around more! Ella’s mom wanted tohave me over for dinner before the holidays. But now”—Sadie flung her arms open—“I’m all yours!”
For the first time since Sadie had been home, things felt normal. Vanessa hugged her and thought for a moment. She needed to talk to Sadie, but maybe it was better if they had a little fun first. “Should we make Grandma’s sugar cookies?”
“Should we?” Sadie grinned. “We have to! It’s tradition!” She kept her arm around Vanessa. “And then let’s watchWhite Christmas. We can’t miss that.”
“Wewon’tmiss it.” Vanessa’s heart took flight. Everything was going to be all right with Sadie. She was suddenly sure of it.
They found the flour and vanilla, the sugar and baking soda and salt, and Sadie pulled a pound of butter from the fridge. “Let’s make lots.” She looked at Vanessa. “Then we can take some to Hudson’s mom.”
“I love it. Maria and Leigh, too.” Vanessa found a large mixing bowl and set it on the counter. “Leigh will be expecting a plate. You know she will.”
They both laughed, rolled up their sleeves, and got to work. Vanessa played a list of Christmas oldies. She and Sadie sang along.
When the dough was mixed, they separated it into four balls. “That way the flour and butter stay blended.” Sadie raised her brow. “I never forget these things, Mom. You taught me well.”
They worked with one of the dough balls, using a rolling pin and parchment paper to make it the perfect thickness.“You pick out the shapes.” Vanessa nodded to the baking cupboard. “They’re on the top shelf.”
Sadie brought the bag down and opened it. “Let’s both pick.” She pulled a Christmas tree and star from the mix.
“I like that idea.” Vanessa dusted her hands off and chose a Santa and a reindeer.
“Hey.” It was Sadie’s turn. “How about this heart?”
Again, Vanessa felt like she’d been caught. “The heart?”
“Sure.” Sadie smiled at her. “Because love is always a part of Christmas.”
“Love is. True.”Don’t overreact.“Jesus was the greatest gift of love.”
