Their Christmas Miracle

Except, that was, for Maddie. Every time she saw a photo of the little girl, her heart swelled with longing. Maybe because she hated to see such an adorable creature going without a mother. The reason why, however, didn’t matter. If she went back to London with Thomas, it would be to give that little girl her mother back.

“I don’t know what to do,” she said to Chris and Jessica one night after the dinner rush. “How do I go back and be some man’s wife when I can’t remember him?”

The two of them hadn’t talked again since that night. Having agreed to give her space, Thomas limited his contact to the emails accompanying his daily document delivery. While the notes were friendly and upbeat, often filled with anecdotes relating to that day’s documents, she could read between the lines his eagerness to have her home. Especially when he included the words “We miss you” in the text.

“Who says you have to?” Jessica replied. “Just because you know your name and identity doesn’t mean you have to immediately rush back and start living your former life. You wouldn’t rush a baby into walking, would you?”

“No.” Sighing, she rested her forehead against the heels of her palms. “If only I could remember him. Reading those papers is like reading a book about someone else. I know facts and dates, but I don’t feel real. Does that make sense?”

“You need to give yourself time, sweetheart.” Jessica reached across the table and clasped Rosalind’s hand between her two pudgy ones. For a woman who spent her days working in a kitchen, her skin was soft as silk—Collier’s lavender skin cream. Thomas was everywhere, Rosalind thought. “Eventually, your heart will remember.”

“And if it doesn’t?” What if she never remembered Thomas Collier beyond his soulful eyes and commanding presence?

“Who says you have to stay with him? You start a new life with your little girl,” Jessica replied. “I know you won’t have to worry about your feelings for her.”

Rosalind blushed. She was already in love with the girl from her photos and, at the end of the day, was the best reason for returning to London. “She deserves to have her mother home.”

But Jessica’s argument stuck with her. The older woman was right. There was no reason Rosalind had to stay with Thomas if she couldn’t remember him.

That gave her an idea.

“What do you mean, a ‘trial visit’?”

It was a few nights later and they were walking in the village center, Thomas having shown up unannounced for a visit. Since the restaurant wasn’t busy Chris gave her the evening off so they could talk. It was, Rosalind figured, as good a time as any to share her plan.

Needless to say Thomas hadn’t embraced the idea with enthusiasm.

“I mean exactly what it sounds like,” she replied. “I’ll come to London.”

“You mean home. You’ll come home.”

Rosalind sighed. “No, I mean London. This village is the only home I remember. Surely you can’t expect me to slide back into my old life simply because you’ve sent me a few emails full of facts and dates?”

The way he turned away said that was exactly what he expected. Which led to other questions as to what else he expected.

In keeping with the season, the trees on the common had been wrapped in strands of blue and white lights. A patriotic illuminated forest with branches that danced and sparkled in the wind. It was romantic, magical and no doubt the reason why Rosalind was acutely aware of Thomas’s shoulder moving beside her.

She looked sideways at his silhouette. He wore the same expensive clothes as before and exuded the same command and self-possession, while she wore flannel and boots. Night and day. Top and bottom. Hard to imagine them ever fitting together. They had though. She’d seen the marriage certificate that proved it.

“What about Maddie?” Thomas asked after a moment.

“Maddie is the reason I’m willing to go back at all.” Wouldn’t matter if Rosalind had a zillion doubts, the notion of that child going another day thinking she’d died was intolerable. “She needs her mother.”

“You don’t think I need you?”

“You’re not a little girl.” On the contrary, there was nothing little about him. “And, there’s no guarantee you and I will be able to reconnect. I don’t want to make promises I can’t keep. I’d feel better going in if I knew I had the freedom to...”

“Leave.”

“Yes. I mean, no. I wouldn’t leave Maddie.”

“Just me.”

Did he have to say the words in such a flat voice? It left a guilty knot in her stomach. “The plan sounded much better in my head.” Certainly less callous. She needed to remember that as far as he was concerned, she was the woman he loved. “I don’t mean to imply that I’m not going to try. I’m just...”

“Scared.” The softness in his voice allowed the word to wash over her with relief.

“Terrified,” she replied. Trading the known for the unknown? Who wouldn’t be? “I have no idea what I’m jumping into.”

“So you want an end date in case things don’t work out.”

“More like a potential end date. A point where both of us can step back and reassess. You’ve got to admit it’s not your run-of-the-mill situation.”

“No, it definitely is not.”

Rosalind let out a breath. He understood. This was the only way she could think of to maintain some control.

“How long do you envision this trial visit of yours lasting?”

“Over Christmas and New Year at least,” she said. “I don’t want to do anything until after the New Year. Giving Maddie a happy Christmas is my first priority.”

“Mine too.”

“Then we’re agreed. We’ll spend the next few weeks focused on our daughter and Christmas and see where things stand in January.”

“That gives us three weeks.” It was clear he didn’t like the idea. To his credit, however, he didn’t argue. Their daughter’s Christmas clearly was a priority.

“Twenty-one days,” she replied. “And who knows? Maybe I’ll remember everything as soon as I walk through the front door, and this whole conversation will be moot.” Stranger things had happened, right?

“Have you remembered anything?”

She shook her head. “No. Not really. A few of the photos felt familiar, but I think that was more wishful thinking. I’m sorry.”

The ground crunched beneath their feet. “You have nothing to apologize for, Rosalind.”

But she felt like she did. She felt terrible that she couldn’t remember her family and even more terrible that she wasn’t bouncing with excitement over having found her way home.

“It’s not like I don’t want to remember. I do.” Ever since he’d appeared in the restaurant, she’d been praying for the floodgates to open and erase the blankness. The only response she’d received was her heart pounding with anxiety.

“I believe you, and I’ll try not to push.”

“Thank you.” The tension in her shoulders started to ease.

“But...”

And, tensed right back up again. Stopping beneath a large blue branch, she turned to look him straight on. Her heart was starting to race. “But what?”

“I won’t push about your memory, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try and win you over. You should know that between now and Christmas, I plan on charming the socks off you. You’ll be too enamored by me to even think of leaving.”

“Is that so?” She crossed her arms and did her best to sound unimpressed. Difficult since his cocksure attitude actually was impressive. And charming.

“Oh, most definitely, Mrs Collier.” He upped the charm by saying the moniker with a silky-smooth lilt. “Most definitely. In fact...”

His blue eyes bore into her. Out of the corner of her eye, Rosalind saw him raise his hand making her think he planned to reach out and touch her. She held her breath.

He kept his distance. His stare didn’t waver. “In fact,” he repeated, “I’m going to start tonight.”

CHAPTER THREE

NO ONE WOULD ever accuse Thomas of giving less than 100 percent. If anything, people accused him of being overly dedicated. When he committed to something, he went all in. Right now, that something was wooing his wife. He intended to do his damnedest to win her over before the New Year. Before she recalled the cracks. Back in the beginning, he’d been a pro at grand romantic gestures. While his inner romantic might be rusty, it was still there. Somewhere.

Taking Rosalind’s hand, he led her back the short walk to the town limits where McKringle’s sat empty as ever. Honest to God, how the business survived was beyond him.

The restaurant owner, of course, was more than happy to help. He packed a small bag while Rosalind did her best to make him insist she stay to work. Unfortunately for her, the restaurant was nearly empty. The only customers were a pair of short, reedy gentlemen drinking beer at the bar. When the older man rushed Rosalind and Thomas out the door with a cheery smile, she looked practically panicked.

“Relax,” Thomas said as they walked to his rental car. “I promise I’m not about to take you into the wilderness and chop you into little bits.”

“I know that,” she replied.

Could have fooled him. She looked about as excited as a serial killer victim. Seeing her reluctance stung. When had his own wife become afraid of him?

Since she forgot she was your wife, that’s when.

As far as she was concerned, he was a stranger, and one prone to impetuous embraces at that. “Would it help if I promise not to wrap you in my arms either?” he asked. Much as he wanted to.

His question got the corners of her mouth to twitch, at least.

“You know, this whole trip would go a lot better if you trust me,” he said once they were underway. The rental had an incredibly responsive heating system, so he bumped up the temperature, figuring a little warmth in the air might relax things.

“I’d feel better if I knew where we were going.”

Ah, he’d forgotten. Rosalind preferred to control her surprises. All right, he’d tell her. “Have you ever seen the aurora borealis?”

Despite the dark interior, he could feel her stare. The northern lights were visible on most clear nights during this time of year. Every person in the village had probably seen them at least once.

“No,” she drawled. “I never have.”

“Good. Neither have I. We can see them together.”

“You do realize I was being sarcastic.”

“Really? I had no idea.”

She huffed softly through her nose, the sound carrying in the dark car. “Well played.”

“Thank you. I try.” The heater appeared to be doing its job. “I probably should remind you that the Colliers are known for their biting wit.”

“Are they?”

“Generally, it’s only among the other Colliers, but considering the number of cousins, stepsiblings and half-siblings, we’re still talking a sizable group.”

“I’ll bear that in mind.” There was rustling of her nylon jacket as she shifted in her seat. Looking over, Thomas saw that she was leaning against the door and facing him. “Your family is very interesting.”

“Our family,” he corrected.

Whether she missed his not-so-subtle reminder or ignored him he wasn’t sure. “There’s a lot of information online. Far more than your files provided.”

“I figured you’d do your own research.”

“Had to flesh out the narrative somehow,” she replied. “Were your father and grandfather really both married three times?”

“That they were. No one would ever accuse them of not being matrimonially inclined. It was the staying married part that gave them trouble. Still, they managed to blend a few families along the way.”

“Explaining all the cousins, stepsiblings and half-siblings.”

“Precisely.”

“Do they all work for the family business?”

If only. He could have used the help these past eighteen months. “No, that privilege fell directly to Grandfather’s true heirs. Meaning my father and then me. The rest of the family scattered to the wind with the divorces.” To illustrate, he waved his hand across the dash.

“Does that include your mother? She wasn’t mentioned in the report you sent,” she added when he glanced over.

“A clerical error. My mother died when Linus and I were little.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It was a long time ago,” Thomas replied. Besides, if she had lived, she’d probably have left like the others. At least this way he got to claim an intact family.

“You told me that my parents were dead, as well.” In the silence that followed the comment, Thomas imagined her looking down at her lap and plucking at the hem of her jacket. “I’m glad, in a way.”

“You are?” What was she talking about? She’d adored her parents.

“Not that they’re dead, but that they didn’t have to spend the last half year thinking they’d lost their child. Bad enough I put you and our daughter through the nightmare.”

“A nightmare that’s over,” he reminded her. “I take it you researched your family, as well.”

“A little.”

“Only a little?”

There was silence again. Looking over, Thomas saw she was indeed playing with her jacket. The zipper, not the hem. “There’s only so much you can discover online,” she said. “Mostly facts and news articles. Doesn’t really give you the full picture of a person, does it?”

“But at least you have the framework,” he told her. “Something for your memory to attach itself to.”

“True.”

She didn’t seem as excited as she should. “You don’t believe your memory will come back?”

“Who knows? I’m more worried...” She shook her head. “Never mind.”

“If something is worrying you, tell me. Maybe I can help.” He looked over. “Trust, remember?”

Something he’d done in the last few minutes must have broken through her defenses, because she gave a tiny smile. The kind meant to offer reassurance rather than express happiness. “What if I don’t like what I find? Or remember?”

His chest tightened.

You opened the door, Thomas.

“Are you talking about things to do with our family?”

“More like things to do with me.”

“Oh.” Relieved, Thomas dismissed her question with a wave. “You don’t have to worry there. I guarantee you’ll like what you discover perfectly fine.”

“Says you.”

“Precisely, says me,” he replied. “I’m your husband, and while that might not mean anything to you, I happen to have whiz-bang taste when it comes to wives.”

“Whiz-bang?” she laughed. Light and lovely, the sound warmed him from the inside out.

Thomas allowed himself a moment to savor the sensation. “Won’t get higher praise than that,” he told her.

“I should think not. Thank you. For the compliment.”

“Try fact. I wouldn’t marry just anyone.”

The moment was a perfect time to reach across the bucket seats and give her a reassuring touch. Thomas loosened his grip on the gear shift only to remember his promise to keep himself in check.

He settled for giving her a smile.

She smiled back, and he embraced the moment like a hug. Once upon a time, making her happy had been his greatest priority. That he could please her, even a little, after all these months was a gift.

There were only a handful of cars parked in the lot when he pulled into the point. Thomas offered up a silent thank-you. He’d feared more considering how popular nature’s light show was with the tourists. Then again, it was still early. The glow wasn’t usually visible until after ten.

But then, that fit his plan.

“Wait here,” he told her. “I’ll be back as soon as I’ve set up.”

Rosalind watched as he disappeared from view. Presumably to stake out a viewing spot near the beach.

Or near the cliffs, if he was planning to throw her off.

He wouldn’t. Strange, really. Thomas thought she didn’t trust him, but trust wasn’t the issue. Not entirely. That is, she was pretty sure he wasn’t a crazy person. At the same time, however, being around him sent her nerves into overdrive. Soon as he said he planned to charm her into staying, she became jittery and self-conscious. He acted as if she were someone special, and that left her off-balance.

Maybe she should tell him to forget London. They didn’t have to be in the same house for their daughter. He could as easily bring Maddie to Scotland...

“Ready?” The car door opened and Thomas reappeared, the blue in his eyes aglow in the dome light. In his arms he held a blanket. “This is for you,” he said as she stepped out of the car. He wrapped the thick wool around her shoulders. “Wind gets cold off the bay.”

“What about you?” she asked.

“I can handle the cold. Besides, that’s why God invented Chardonnay.”

Using his cell phone as a flashlight, he led her away from the crowds and toward an isolated section, as it turned out, not far from the cliffs. There on a small patch of grass lay another wool blanket along with a bottle of wine and two glasses. “I figured the lights would look brighter if we sat away from the lighthouse,” Thomas said.

He sat down, then patted the blanket next to him. “McKringle picked out the wine, so I have no idea if it’s good or not. He seems more a whisky man.”

“Chris is a connoisseur of most things,” she replied. “Far as I can tell anyway.” Across the water she could see the silhouette of the Orkney Islands. Black and hilly. The water was black as well, all but a stretch of white from the moon.

“Looks amazing, doesn’t it?” she said. “All that darkness.”

“Looks cold.” Thomas handed her a glass. “This is the most northern part of the UK. When we were here last week, I told Linus to watch out for elves.”

Rosalind laughed. “Why? You think Santa and his minions are popping down for a pint?”

“Why not? Can’t the old man enjoy a nip now and then?”

“Of course he can. If he’s a real person.” And life was as simple as sitting on a lap and making a wish.

“Don’t let Maddie hear you. As far as she’s concerned, Santa doesn’t only exist—he can do anything. Including visiting Scotland for a drop of whisky.” He touched his glass to hers.

“I’ll be sure to keep my blasphemous thoughts to myself,” Rosalind told him. Pulling her blanket tighter, she glanced in his direction. “Are you sure you’re not cold? I’m happy to share if...” She let the offer drift away.

“Thank you, but I’ll be fine,” Thomas answered.

Good. She’d hoped that’s what he’d answer. Despite the part of her wondering what it would feel like to have those strong arms wrapped around her.

“If Santa was real, what would you ask him to bring you?” she asked.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?” She found the answer hard to believe. Surely there was something he wanted. “Everyone has something on their list, even if they’re as rich as Midas.”

“Except I already got my Christmas wish. Right here on this beach.”

There he went again, treating her like she was some kind of gift. Rosalind’s face turned crimson. Ducking her head, she pretended great interest in her wineglass. How she wished she could return his sentiment the way he clearly wanted her to, but her memory remained as dark as the water before them.

“How about you?” he asked. “What would you wish for? Besides the obvious.”

“The obvious is a pretty big wish. I’m not sure I could think of another. But if pressed...” She sighed. “I think I would ask for a cottage of my own. Not that I don’t like my room over the restaurant, but it would be nice to have a place to call mine.

“Then again, I guess I—I mean, we—do, don’t we?” she added. Thomas’s body had stiffened at the mention, making her realize her wish was based on having a life on her own. “Apparently, I’m still getting used to my identity. I don’t mean to be hurtful.”

“You weren’t,” he replied. “The situation is going to take some getting used to for both of us.”

Stretching out his legs, he leaned back on the blanket. Without his body to warm the space beside her, Rosalind shivered.

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