Come Home For Christmas by Susanne Matthews Page B

humanity. If I’d owned part of Seven Oaks officially before my divorce, Theo could’ve taken it away. Everything happens for a reason.”
    “I suppose it does. So, friends and business partners it is,” he said, fighting to keep his disappointment hidden. “Do you want to watch another movie? I’d like to watch the hockey game—the Flames are playing.”
    “Go ahead. I’ll head up now. I have gifts to wrap, and I want to be up bright and early tomorrow. It’s Christmas Eve. There’ll be a lot to do, and Aggie will be here at seven. What time will we leave for the church?”
    “If we want to stop at the cemetery then we need to be out of here by five. The service is at seven, but Leah needs to be there before that.”
    “Then, we’ll eat at four. Goodnight.”
    “Goodnight, Krista. Sleep well.”
    He watched her leave the room. Could they ever be more than just friends? He understood her reasons for not accepting his offer of restitution, but he wanted to make amends. Unless she read the letter, he wouldn’t be able to make his second offer, because she’d never believe he loved her now without that proof. After reading hers, he’d been convinced they had a chance, but she’d loved Theo—she’d married him and stayed through the abuse. Maybe the love she’d had ten years ago was gone even though his burned brightly.
    After leaving the lawyer’s office, he’d gone to Mama Schneider’s and had made his wish, not the one Leah had asked him to make but the one on his heart. He asked for the words to convince Krista to stay not as his business partner, but as his wife and Leah’s new mommy. From what she’d said, he doubted that would ever happen now. It should be easy to tell her he loved her, but he was afraid she’d reject him, just as she’d rejected his offer to repay what his father had stolen from her.
    * * *
    “Leah, what’s wrong?” Krista asked as she hung another of the beautiful glass balls up high in the tree. “You’ve been so quiet since Aggie left.”
    “I’m worried,” the child answered.
    Krista bit the inside of her cheek so as not to laugh. “What are you worried about? If it’s how Santa will get a pony into his sleigh, he uses special magic.”
    “It’s not about the pony. It’s about my wish. I don’t think Daddy made the wish, and I know I can’t get a new mommy unless he wants one, too.” She came over and stood beside Krista. “I know what God says, but I really want a new mommy.”
    “Why is it so important?” Your dad and Mrs. Jones take good care of you and love you.”
    “Because new mommies bring babies, and I want a baby sister, like Amy and Abby. I don’t want to be an ‘only’ anymore.”
    Tears slid down her cheeks, and Krista pulled her onto her lap. So that was it. Leah was crazy about Aggie’s three month old twins. The child had entertained the little ones while she and Aggie had worked in the kitchen. It had been a productive morning. Four fruit pies, one mincemeat, and a tourtière were baked, sitting out in the mudroom where they’d stay cool. Four loaves of bread were rising in the kitchen and a pumpkin and cream cheese loaf was rolled and wrapped in the fridge.
    “You know, getting a new mommy and a baby is something your dad has to do. He needs to meet a nice girl and fall in love, like your mommy and daddy did.”
    “I like you. You make good cookies, and you make him smile. Why can’t he fall in love with you?”
    Wouldn’t that be nice, but we had our chance and blew it.
    “Honey, I can’t answer that question,” she said. “Falling in love is complicated.”
    “Don’t you like him? You kissed his cheek last night.”
    “I like your daddy very much. He used to be my best friend,” she said, her heart aching that she couldn’t admit the love she still had for Ethan. “As much as you may want a mommy and a baby, you’re just going to have to wait. I’m sorry. If I could fix this for you, I would, but it isn’t up to