“Hi,” Kara said, making her presence known. “I thought you’d changed your mind about coming over.”
“I’m sorry I’m late.” He opened his mouth to say more, but then closed it. He was certain telling her he’d gotten caught up in his work wouldn’t warm up her demeanor.
“Step inside and close the door. It’s cold out there.”
Not exactly an invitation to stay, but she hadn’t told him to leave, either. Deciding to take his chances, he did as she suggested.
Strains of “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas” played in the background. The fact he even recognized the song surprised him, but it helped that the singers repeated it over and over. He didn’t foresee a jolly Christmas in his future, and for the first time since he was a kid, it niggled at him.
The scent of apples, cinnamon and various other spices lingered in the air. He inhaled again, remembering how his grandmother’s house had often smelled like this when she had pies in the oven.
“Were you baking?” he asked.
“No. It’s warmed cider.”
So much for making small talk. By the frown on Kara’s face, he was wasting his time. “I should go.”
“You can’t,” Samantha interjected. “Mommy made us wait to eat till you got here.”
“Samantha, hush.” Kara’s face filled with color.
She’d made him dinner? The words warmed a spot in his chest that sent heat spreading through his body. It’d been a long time since someone went to any bother for him.
“It’s true.” Samantha continued as though her mom hadn’t spoken a word. “She said you need somethin’ ’sides candy to eat.”
Jason chuckled. Samantha’s spunk was so much like her mother’s. He noticed Kara make a hasty retreat into the kitchen. Her embarrassment only made the moment that much more touching.
“Your mother is very wise. You should listen to her.”
After he shed his coat and made sure the soles of his boots were dry, Samantha slid her little hand in his. His heart grew three sizes in that moment. Maybe he’d been wrong all those years—maybe someday he could be a good father. But could he be a parent to another man’s child? Could he set aside the jealousy of knowing Kara had replaced him so quickly, so easily?
Samantha gave his hand a tug, dragging him back to the present. “Come on.”
The kitchen was small, but warm and inviting. He took a moment to absorb his surroundings, noticing how Kara had painted the room a sunny yellow, giving it a pleasant, uplifting feel. Sunflowers adorned the curtains, baskets lined the tops of the light oak cabinets and a small arrangement of silk sunflowers filled a blue milk pitcher in the center of the table. Kara certainly had a flair for decorating.
“Are you sure this isn’t an imposition?” he asked.
“Samantha’s right. We have plenty of spaghetti and meatballs. Besides, you do need to eat a real meal if you keep pushing yourself so hard to make this reopening a success.” Kara drained the noodles. “Have a seat.”
He pulled out a chair at the table and sat down. He looked up as Kara bent over to rummage through a drawer, and he noticed an electric candle burning in the window above the sink. It was like a beacon, calling him home.
“Mommy, Mommy, can I have more cider?” Samantha held out an empty cup, her bottom lip protruding in a look designed to arouse sympathy.
Jason would have caved faster than a house of cards in a category 5 hurricane. So when he heard Kara tell her that she’d had enough for the evening, he was impressed by such fortitude. Before he became a parent, he had much to learn.
“Go wash up,” Kara said. “It’s time to eat.”
“Okay.” Samantha scampered away.
Soon they were all seated around the table. The more he smiled and laughed at Samantha’s childlike antics, the more Kara loosened up. Jason was captivated by the easy banter and the abundance of smiles. Kara had really made a happy home for her little girl. Samantha chattered on about everything she’d asked Santa for, while he made mental notes of the unfamiliar toys so he could scout around for them. For the first time in forever, he was starting to look forward to Christmas.
But the second thing he noticed that evening struck him most profoundly. They didn’t treat him like an outsider. They included him in their talk, as if he was one of them. As if he was family.
After two heaping helpings, Jason pushed aside his wiped-clean plate. Utterly stuffed, he couldn’t remember a meal he’d enjoyed so much, even though he’d barely tasted the food. He was too caught up by the company. Time flew by and before he knew it, he’d helped Kara wash up the dinner dishes, while Samantha watched a holiday movie. He didn’t want to leave, but he also didn’t want to overstay his welcome.
After he said good-night to Samantha, Kara walked him to the door.
“Thanks for staying for dinner,” she said. “Samantha really enjoyed your company. Sorry about her going on and on about her Christmas list. She gets a bit wound up.”