Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses(98)

He did? He wished it were that easy? Then why didn’t he work at it? “Come home,” she heard herself say.

The line was silent. She could hear his breathing on the other end, a swallow. What was he thinking? Why wasn’t he talking? “Aaarrgggh,” he said very quietly under his breath. She smiled, not meaning to frustrate him but glad that he didn’t have a cut and dry answer. It meant that he was thinking about it.

“Can I ask you something?” The fire in the ballroom was low, spitting sparks upward, but the warmth still filled the air around her.

“Yes.”

“Why did you play me your music? I mean… Why me?”

There was a huff on the end of the line and she could feel his smile coming through. “I knew you would get it.”

“Why though? I don’t play piano.”

“Yes, you do,” he was chuckling. “You told me so.”

“Yeah, I remember… Haha.”

He let out a small laugh and the sound of it sent a thrill through her. “It was a grand rendition of ‘Chopsticks’.”

“Why did you think I would get it?”

“Because you are an emotional person. You wear your feelings on your sleeve at all times. You are artistic and thoughtful and passionate about everything you do. I wish I were more like you.”

“You are a lot like me. You just don’t allow yourself to be. You’re artistic—you write music! And it is beautiful music. It was so moving that it brought me to tears, Nick. You need to share it with everyone. You’re thoughtful and kind and generous. You bought me pies, and you took Max to see Santa, you were a human train track for the boys. And you’re passionate about what you believe in. So passionate that you’re willing to give up opportunities for happiness just to honor your father.”

“I’m sorry, Abbey,” was all he said, his honesty coming through in his words.

Her shoulders slumped at his response. “Me too.” The fire popped, bringing her thoughts back into the reality of the day. She looked at her watch. “I have to check on Caroline. Text me if you want anything special for the nursery. Otherwise, I’ll make another bedroom for you.”

“Okay,” he said quietly, and it was apparent his mind was elsewhere.

“Why did you, all of a sudden, think someone else might need the nursery furniture?” she asked.

“I saw family at my home for the first time, and it inspired me. Someone out there is building a family, and if they don’t have what they need, I wanted to be the one to give it to them because families should be happy.”

“Nick…”

“Yes?”

“I still want you to come home.”

There was silence.

She cradled the phone to her ear. She didn’t want to leave the call but she knew it was coming to an end.

“I know you do. We’ll see.”

“Bye,” she said against her will.

“Bye, Abbey.”





Chapter Twenty-Five





It was amazing how much time Caroline was spending walking around at Nick’s since Robin and her family had come. Once they’d gotten settled, Thomas was busy most of the day with private tutors, arranged to keep him on track with the school work he was missing until Max got home from school. James was in and out, and Caroline, Robin, and Abbey spent time talking. For the past few days, they’d settled into a friendly routine. It was so nice to have them to talk to.

“Mom’s coming in today,” Robin said with a loaded look to Caroline as Abbey rearranged a few knickknacks.

“Is she?”

“Yes. She says she has something to tell us.”

Caroline eyed Robin, her interest palpable. “Oh?” she said, her word drawn out in an interested manner.

“I wonder what it is.”

“Whatever it is,” Caroline said, her lips pursed in disapproval, “I’m glad it prompted her to bless us with her presence. She’s been in hiding since Aaron died, and she needs to be with her family.” Caroline looked over at Abbey as she straightened a picture on the wall in the living room. “This room looks amazing, Abbey,” she said. “The whole house does.”

“Thank you.”

“Would you like to do my loft?” Robin said. “If Caroline is moving closer to me, perhaps you could come for a working visit.” Robin smiled at her in a playful way.

“Do you think I should? I’ve been considering the idea of doing more decorating. I’m just a little nervous about taking the leap to having my own business.”

Abbey thought about it. She’d get to do what she loved, see Caroline again. See Nick. “What would I do with Max?” she asked. “I couldn’t leave him with my mother—I’d miss him too much—and he has school.”