Caleb's Christmas Wish by Debra Salonen

Author:Debra Salonen [Salonen, Debra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 194430021X
Publisher: Loner Llama Press
Published: 2016-09-27T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

The following morning, Allison awoke feeling so rested and refreshed she momentarily forgot where she was—and why. Her bedroom door, which she’d left open in case Rom got tired of watching over Caleb, was closed. Neither cat was in sight.

She sprang out of bed and quickly showered and dressed. Her watch read ten o’clock when she finally hurried into the kitchen. The low drone of the television pulled her to the family room, after she filled a big mug with strong, black, butterscotch-scented coffee.

“I must have overslept,” she announced.

Jake and Caleb were sitting side-by-side on the sofa, each holding a cat. The scene was so charming Allison felt a fresh wave of tears start to build. Quickly turning around, she went in search of food. Something sweet, she decided.

“Banana bread,” she murmured, spotting an aluminum foil-wrapped loaf that she remembered seeing a gray-haired woman—the neighbor across the street—drop off. She retrieved the tub of whipped butter from the refrigerator and was about to carve her first piece when Jake joined her. He refilled a cup from the carafe and sat down.

“How’d you sleep?” he asked. “You looked so peaceful, Caleb and I decided not to wake you.”

“I appreciate that, but I do have a bunch of calls to make today. Business-wise,” she added. “I haven’t been in my office for a week. Has it only been seven days?” She slathered butter across the moist brown treat. “What about you? What are your plans?”

“Well...” he dragged out the word as if reluctant to tell her. “I didn’t realize you had a separate agenda. I called the counselor you suggested last night. His card was by the computer. Father Raymund Avila. Priest and therapist, apparently. He said he could see us at one, so I snapped up the appointment.”

Allison couldn’t argue with that—it had been her idea. “That will work. It’s three hours away. No problem.”

“And I promised Caleb we’d go to a matinee afterward.”

“Promised or bribed?”

“Is there a difference with a four-year-old?”

“Good point. I’ll probably pass on the movie, but you can drop me off at my office then pick me up afterward, if that works. Or we can take two cars into town, and I’ll meet you at his office.”

She took a bite of banana bread, closing her eyes to savor the delicate blend of cinnamon and clove. “Oh, yum,” she said, chewing. “Whoever made this is a culinary goddess in my book.”

When she opened her eyes, she caught Jake looking at her. An element of chemistry sparked between them. Undeniable, but not unavoidable, Allison decided. She buttered a second slice and turned away. “I’d better make those calls. We have to factor in travel time to Fresno.”

She paused at the doorway and looked back. “Would you do me a favor? Call Gayle and ask if she could return all of those bake dishes and plastic containers by the back door. I have no idea where the owners live, and she did volunteer to help.”

“No problem,” he said his tone slightly sardonic.

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