By the time he’d given his standard answers--can’t reveal any secrets ahead of time; maybe; and never--he was seated at the table in the kitchen.
Lexi sat across from him. The kids sat on either side like bookends.
And suddenly the scene overwhelmed him. Everything was perfect. She’d just moved in, but her house was already totally decorated. He’d lived out of boxes for six months after his own move. Everywhere he looked touches of home and holidays jumped out at him.
On the front door hung a large red and green wreath.
In the living room, the beautiful candy cane tree appealed to the little boy in him.
In the entryway, large whimsical wooden reindeers pulled a sleigh filled with brightly wrapped gifts, and on top sat a stuffed Santa.
Boughs of holly entwined their way up the oak banister.
Mistletoe hung in the doorway to the kitchen.
Cinnamon and baked bread scented the air.
The closing notes of Deck the Halls faded, and Silent Night, Holy Night rang out.
His mother’s favorite Christmas carol. Homesickness swept through him. Not for his house, or his father’s or his brother’s. But for the home of his childhood, before his mother had died on Christmas Eve and left him and his dad and his two brothers to muddle through each subsequent Christmas season with just one skinny little Wednesday’s tree and a sleighful of aching hearts.
He needed to get out of here so he could breathe. At the same time, he wanted to stay and be part of a real family Christmas, if only for a few moments.
Before he could do anything, the boy asked him another question.
He took a deep breath for calm, and tried to listen.
* * *
Lexi watched Kyle across the table. He seemed so far away, as if he were in one of his books instead of here.
Her son repeated his question. “Mr. Miller, do you ever go speak at schools and stuff?”
That brought his attention back to the table. “Please, call me Kyle.”
Steven glowed.
“And, yes, sometimes I do speak at schools.”
“Would you come speak at my school?”
Lexi said, “Steven!”
“No, that’s all right. I’d like that, but I’m on deadline right now. I won’t be able to do it until I’ve sent my book to my editor.”
The boy’s face fell. “Oh.”
Trista said, “Steven’s birthday is on January fourth and we’re having a big party. Would you like to come over for cake and ice cream, Mr. Mil--um, Kyle?”
Kyle caught Lexi’s eye. Slowly a smile widened on his face. “Sure. What time?”
Steven’s eyes got big. “You’ll come to my birthday party?”
He shrugged. “Sure. Why not? I like parties. You’re going to have cake and ice cream, aren’t you?”
“Yeah.” Steven’s grin filled his whole face. “I’m gonna have Kyle Miller at my birthday party. Wow. Thanks.”
Kyle smiled.
Lexi didn’t. “It’s very nice of Mr. Miller to offer to do such a nice thing, but I’m sure he’s much too busy to come here for your party during his deadline.”
“Ah, Mom.” Trista frowned. “He said he would.”
“Really. It’s okay.” Kyle said and his eyes darkened, though with what emotion Lexi couldn’t tell.
Before Lexi could say anything else, Steven overflowed with excitement. “This is so cool. My friends aren’t going to believe it. Kyle Miller will actually be at my party, and maybe you could read some of your book to us. Maybe we could have a mystery party like Mike had.”
Even Trista was swept away. “Oh, Mom, can I invite my friends, too? Maybe we could dress up like some of the characters. I’ll be Melinda.”
“And I’ll be Jared Strong!” Steven stood up and struck a heroic pose. “Ta-dah!”
Dismayed, Lexi saw change she wasn’t ready for. She didn’t want anyone to come in and upset their life. Her children were very vulnerable and she didn’t want them disappointed. She didn’t want to be in this man’s debt. She’d worked too hard to be independent.
She felt compelled to offer him something in exchange. “Hey, kids, why don’t you go up and get our first three Jared Strong books and ask Mr. Miller if he’ll autograph them for you.”
“Cool,” Steven said.
As the kids raced up the stairs, Lexi turned to Kyle. “It’s very kind of you to offer, but I need to do something for you in return.”
* * *
He raised an eyebrow, wondering what new, surprising thing she would come up with next. “What did you have in mind?”
“I’ll allow you to do my son’s birthday party.”
“Very generous of you.” He smiled.