Page 95 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
‘Home to me is family, my people, not a building.’ He shrugged and gestured around. ‘In one way this land means a lot to me but deep down it’s not the physical ground – it’s the Chambers from generations ago who struggled over the mountains and found a refuge here. Your folks are home for you and where they are on the map is pretty much irrelevant.’
Fee slid her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest. ‘You’re a very perceptive man.’
‘I haven’t always been. It’s been a hard road. Still is some days.’
The past never left a person alone but wound around them and became part of the fabric of who they were. They were both long past the stage of being a clean slate where loving another person was concerned butthat wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
‘No one else would tolerate us, sweetheart,’ he murmured. ‘Good thing we found each other.’
Fee wasn’t going to argue withthatstatement.
‘Let’s go eat before we both fade away,’ he said.
‘Good idea. I’ll ring… home before doing anything else.’ The word didn’t sound as odd now. ‘You can put me to work once I’m off the phone.I know Billy and Rayna took care of things but there must still be a lot to do.’ Tom’s approving nod lightened Fee’s heart. He needed to realise she was happy with Black Cherry being a large part of their future.
‘There sure is. We’ve got several folks comin’ in for the Thanksgiving holiday so two of the empty cabins need a freshen up. You could do that while I cut a stack of wood anddo a few minor repairs Billy didn’t get around to. We’ll need to go into town for supplies before supper or else the stores will be shut.’ Tom gave a quick grin. ‘No rest for the jet-lagged here.’
‘Obviously not.’ Fee let go of his hand and ran up the cabin steps. ‘Come on, lazybones.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’ Tom came to unlock the door and stood aside to let her go in first. As she steppedinto his office Fee spotted the red light flashing on his phone.
‘You’ve got a message.’ It was stupid to assume something was wrong but she still crossed her fingers while he pressed the button to listen. Within seconds a satisfied smile crept across his face.
‘We’re off the hook for providing today’s family entertainment. Rayna went into labour in the middle of the night andan hour ago provided my dear parents with their ninth grandchild – Billy Junior. Mother and baby are both doing well. Family supper is still on the agenda but we’ll visit the hospital first.’ Tom rang his mother back and Fee’s stomach worked into a tight knot listening to the happiness in his voice. After several minutes he hung up and turned back around to face her. ‘Great isn’t it?’
‘Wonderful.’
‘But?’
‘Surely poor Rayna won’t want us all visiting today? The poor girl will be shattered.’
Tom’s gaze narrowed. ‘If we don’t turn up she’ll think it odd. It’s a family tradition to welcome every new baby the day they’re born.’ He scrutinised her closely. ‘If you don’t want to go I’ll make your excuses.’ Fee couldn’t explain her reluctance without soundinga monster. ‘I know you haven’t been around babies much but you won’t have to hold him just make a few admiring noises. Nobody stays long.’
Fee touched her engagement ring for reassurance. ‘Of course. I was only thinking of Rayna.’ They both knew she wasn’t being completely truthful. A shiver of unease trickled down Fee’s spine. Would this tiny baby shine a light on the delicate subjectthey’d only tiptoed around until now?
For now she’d continue to hope that Tom didn’t see past her fake smile.
