Christmas Dinner by Robyn Neeley

Author:Robyn Neeley [Neeley, Robyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: F+W Media
Published: 2013-10-24T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

Tate left the two-story red brick nursing home and headed for Jack’s truck. They had just delivered a tree for the facility’s annual Christmas Eve party. Tate chuckled. He had personal invitations to attend from at least ten silver-haired women who had watched him bring in the tree.

He took a deep breath, inhaling the frigid air. Being in Upstate New York brought back so many memories of his father before he died. Then three years later, his mother passed away. He instinctively reached into his coat pocket, feeling around for his lucky charm. He’d need it today.

“Oh, that’s right. I gave it to Amanda,” he said out loud. He wondered how her morning was going. It had only been two hours, but he already missed her. He wanted to tell her everything. He’d start with his past and end with how much he cared for her.

He glanced up at the rolling, snow-covered hills. It felt like another lifetime since he had been here last. He hadn’t had the courage to return and face those painful memories. Until now.

His thoughts drifted to Kristen Bailey and her daughters. Chloe was so full of hope for tonight. If Santa didn’t come, she may feel the same sadness that he felt so many years ago on this very day.

“She won’t be disappointed. Not if I can help it.” He had an idea.

“Who won’t be disappointed?” Melanie pushed a stroller up to Tate.

“Melanie! Hey.” He looked down at the sleeping baby in the stroller and cocked an eyebrow. “Weren’t you just . . .” He pointed to her stomach.

Melanie rubbed her belly and laughed. “Still pregnant. This is my son, Max. He’s tuckered out. We’ve been visiting with my mother.” She pointed to the nursing home.

“We just delivered a tree there.” He mentally did the math. If Brad was little Max’s daddy, well that could make things even more awkward between Amanda and her ex-boyfriend.

“So, Tate, it’s been driving me absolutely crazy, but I think I know why you look so familiar. We went to the same summer camp on Keuka Lake.” She grinned. “You’re the Tate Ryan who taught me how to kiss.”

Tate scuffed his boot on the snow. “The one and the same.”

She laughed. “Wow! What a small world, huh?”

“Indeed.”

“I remember you had moved away that winter but came back for summer camp, right?”

“You have a good memory. We moved to South Carolina on Christmas Eve. My mom sent me back up here that summer while she was going through chemo.”

“I remember your mom was very sick. Did she pass?”

“When I was sixteen.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks. I have some great memories of both parents here. It’s nice to be back. We didn’t even live here a year, but it really felt like home.” Probably because it was the last place they were together as a family.

He glanced at his watch. If he was going to go through with his Operation Santa plan for Chloe and Danielle, he’d need some help. “Hey,

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