A Texas Holiday Miracle

Lacey frantically opened the book in her head and searched for answers. As always, none was suitable. She had to go with her gut feeling. “That’s life, sweetie, and as you get older you’ll understand more.” That sounded lame even to her own ears. She was terrible at this. Hugging Emma, she said, “You know what? You can call me Lacey or you can call me Grandma. I can be both.”

Emma giggled. With a hand over her mouth, she said, “You’re weird, Lacey.”

“How about if we walk to the park and play on the big slide and swing set?”

“’Kay.” Emma jumped off the bed. “They have a really big slide. It makes my stomach feel funny and it’s fun.”

“Let’s get our coats and go, then.”

Emma grabbed her coat from a chair. As Lacey went to her room to get hers, the buzz of her cell phone stopped her.

“Just a minute, Emma. I have to answer my phone.”

It was her mother. Lacey sank onto the bed, ready for another round of complaints. “Hi, Mom.”

Her mother wasted no time getting started. “Since you couldn’t spend Thanksgiving with me, I was hoping we could spend Christmas together.”

Lacey closed her eyes and counted to three. “Mom, you know I can’t leave Emma at Christmas.”

“What about me? Your own mother? You have no time for me anymore. I don’t know what Jack was thinking when he asked you to take care of that child. You’re a young woman and should have your own life.”

They had been through this so many times, and Lacey had grown weary of the subject. “It was my choice. Mona’s sister offered to take Emma, but she has four children of her own. If Emma was taken from the home she’d shared with Dad, I knew it would be detrimental for her. I love my sister and I couldn’t put her through that. I’m here and I intend to stay here. I will work something out for Christmas.”

“Like what?”

“If you would just accept Emma, you could come to Horseshoe.”

“I’m not stepping foot in the house your father shared with that woman.”

Lacey wanted to beat her head against something. “He shared this house with his wife.”

“I’ll never forgive you for accepting her.”

“Mom, have you been drinking or something? You’re not making any sense. You’re the one who told dad to leave. You’re the one who remarried three months later. I don’t know why you feel like the victim.”

“Jack would have come back if it hadn’t been for her.”

“You’d married someone else. Are you forgetting that?”

“I only did it to get back at him. That’s why the marriage didn’t last.”

“Mom, I’m not going through all this again. Mona and Emma made Dad very happy.”

After a long pause, Joyce said, “Maybe I am being a little irrational, but I loved your father and I never meant for him to stay away. It just turned out that way.”

Finally, her mother was admitting the truth. “I know you loved him, but you were miserable the last years of your marriage.”

“Lacey,” a little voice call from the hallway. “Are we going to the park?”

“In a minute, sweetie. I’ll be right there,” she called back. “Mom, I really have to go.”

“Am I going to see you at all this Christmas?”

“What about Mervin?” That was her mom’s new boyfriend.

“He’ll want to spend time with his kids, and I don’t get along with them.”

No surprise there. Her mother enjoyed being the center of attention. “Call me when you have a day off and I’ll come for a visit.”

“I work a lot during the holidays.”

Same old line. Same old verse. “Please think about coming here for Christmas. Once you meet Emma, you’ll love her. She had nothing to do with your marriage or your divorce. She’s just an innocent little girl.”

“I’ll talk to you later,” her mother said, and clicked off.

Lacey sat for a moment and wished her mother would come to grips with the past and her part in it. But maybe some things just were not doable. Or realistic, considering the way her mother felt.

Now Lacey had a little girl who was eager to go to the park. She reached for her jacket and hurried to the kitchen. But Emma wasn’t there and she wasn’t in the living room. Or anywhere in the house.

No! No! No!

Lacey ran out the back door and stopped short. The gate was open. Gabe had removed the board? She walked slowly to the opening and could see Emma sitting on a lawn chair, huddled in her red-and-black coat. Gabe sat next to her in a black hoodie and jeans. They were staring at Pepper in her bed. Neither was speaking. There was complete silence.

What were they doing?

Gabe didn’t seem upset that Emma was there. Lacey’s first instinct was to go over and make Emma come back to their house. But something stopped her.

A plane flew overhead. A car honked and the wind rustled through the leaves of the tall oaks. Other than that, the two of them sat there in perfect harmony. Perfect silence. Lacey couldn’t bring herself to interrupt.

Suddenly, Emma said, “Pepper is sick. When I was sick, my daddy took me to the doctor. You have to take Pepper to the doctor.”

Gabe didn’t answer or look at Emma. His eyes were on the dog.

“My daddy died, so he can’t take me anymore. Lacey does. Daddy’s in heaven and Lacey says he can see me. But I can’t see him. I miss my daddy.” Emma wiped at her eyes and Lacey wanted to run over, but again she didn’t. “Do you miss your son?”

Lacey’s heart sank at the question. She should get Emma before she caused Gabe any more pain. But for some reason she couldn’t explain, she stood there, holding her breath, waiting for Gabe to answer.

Chapter Four

Gabe’s throat locked tight. He couldn’t push a sound through. Nor could he breathe. His body stiffened in protest, needing oxygen. Just when he thought the pain would get him, Pepper saved him. She whimpered, and the child jumped from her chair and went to the dog.

The little girl stroked Pepper and Gabe wanted to scream, Don’t touch her. She’s Zack’s dog. Get away from her. But the words wouldn’t come. In that moment he realized just how insane his thoughts were, and the lock on his throat lessened. He breathed in deeply, his lungs expanding from the much needed relief.

“Pepper is sick, Mr. Gabe,” the kid said.

He knew that. He wanted to tell her it was none of her business and that she should go home. But once again the words wouldn’t come. Maybe because Pepper had lifted her head and licked the child’s hand. Pepper liked the kid. He’d never noticed that before. He hadn’t noticed many things beyond the pain in his chest.

“She’s shaking. I think she’s cold.” The kid noticed the blanket by the basket and gently tucked it around Pepper.

It was getting colder. He should take Pepper inside, but whenever he did, she whined to go out. He was just giving her a little more time.

The kid stood up. “I gotta go. Lacey’s probably looking for me. She doesn’t like it when I come over here. But you don’t mind, do you?”

Yes, I mind. Please, just leave me alone.

“Lacey and me have the same father. We’re sisters. Her mama lives in Austin and I’ve never met her. Do you have a sister?”

Yes. He should call Kate and let her know he was...what? Still living with the pain. She wouldn’t want to hear that, so it was best to wait a little longer.

“I gotta go. Don’t forget to take Pepper to the doctor. He’ll make her all better. ’Bye.”

Not this time.

The child ran to the gate. Gabe got up and squatted next to Pepper.

“You like the kid, don’t you?”

Pepper nuzzled his hand in approval.

But she’s not Zack. She’s not Zack.

* * *

LACEY HURRIED INTO the house and was standing just inside the back door as Emma came through it.

“Oh,” Emma said, startled.

Lacey folded her arms across her chest. “You’ve been over at Gabe’s.”

She would have to discipline Emma, even though it would hurt Lacey more than it did her sister. She’d let her disobey too many times, though. Gabe hadn’t seemed to mind Emma being there, but Emma had done all of the talking. Gabe hadn’t responded once. And Emma needed to know that she had to mind and respect other people’s wishes.

“Uh...” Emma twisted her hands. “You were on the phone and I heard Pepper.”

“You can’t hear the dog from inside the house.”

“Yes, I...”

“No.” Lacey pointed a finger at Emma. “You’ve disobeyed me twice today, and now I have to punish you.”

“No, Lacey, no. Don’t punish me.” Emma barreled into Lacey, wrapping her arms around Lacey’s waist, and burying her face in Lacey’s stomach. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

Lacey swallowed, trying to be strong. “You say that all the time and you still disobey me. Go to your room and sit in the time-out chair.”

“No. I don’t want to.”

Lacey pointed toward the hall. “Go.”

“No. I’ll be good!” Emma wailed.

Lacey took Emma’s hand and led her down the hall to her bedroom. Emma sobbed loudly the whole time and Lacey’s strength waned. She pulled out Emma’s desk chair and placed it in a corner.

“Take off your coat and sit and think about what you did.”

“No, Lacey,” Emma cried as she removed her coat and sat in the chair.

“I’ll come back in about thirty minutes and we’ll talk.” It took all of Lacey’s strength to walk out the door. Emma’s wails followed her.

“Lacey!” Emma screamed.

She sat at the kitchen table and buried her face in her hands. How did parents do this? It was pure torture, but she had to start setting boundaries for Emma. She just never dreamed how hard it would be.

“Lacey,” Emma kept calling.

The sobs and calling suddenly stopped, and Lacey glanced up, waiting for Emma to walk into the kitchen. But she didn’t. Lacey didn’t know what she would do if Emma disobeyed her now. Her luck held, and the house grew quiet. After fifteen minutes, Lacey could stand it no longer. She slowly made her way to Emma’s room.

Her sister was still in the chair, her head bent as if she was studying her sneakers. She looked up when Lacey entered.

“Can I get up now?”

Lacey sat on the bed and patted the spot next to her. “Let’s talk.”

Emma climbed up beside her, her eyes still watery, and Lacey felt a catch in her throat. She hated this part.

“Do you know what you did wrong?”

Emma nodded. “But Mr. Gabe doesn’t mind me coming over. We talked.”

Lacey didn’t want to remind her sister that she had done all the talking. “That’s not the point. I asked you not to go over to Gabe’s.”

“But...”

“Emma, sweetie, Dad put me in charge of you and your welfare, and your well-being is my top priority. When you continue to disobey me, I feel as if I have failed in my promise.”

“No, Lacey.” Emma leaned into her, her face against Lacey’s arm. “I love you.”

Lacey wrapped her arms around her sister. “I know you do. And I love you. That’s the reason I’m here.”

“I didn’t mean to disobey. You were on the phone and I went outside and heard Pepper and Mr. Gabe. I wanted to see what they were doing. I forgot, Lacey. I forgot what you said. I didn’t do it on purpose. I’m sorry.”

Lacey hugged Emma tightly. “We’re going to make new rules. From now on, when you hear Pepper I want you to come to me and tell me, and then we’ll decide if you can go over and visit the dog. That’s the way it’s going to be, Emma. Do you understand?”

Emma nodded and looked up at Lacey. “Pepper is sick and Mr. Gabe’s gonna take her to the doctor. Can we go see Pepper tomorrow?”

“I’ll go over and ask Gabe, but we have to respect his wishes.”

“’Kay.”

“Get your crayons and pencils and drawing stuff out, and I’ll go over and talk to Gabe.”

Emma jumped off the bed. “I’ll draw a picture of Pepper. Are we going to the park later?”

“No. That’s part of your punishment. I’m not rewarding you with fun time.”

“Oh.” Lacey expected more tears, but Emma acquiesced easily, which Lacey was more than grateful for. She was holding on by a thread with her parenting skills.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Emma was busy pulling things out of a drawer as Lacey walked out. Lacey had to apologize to Gabe one more time and see exactly how he felt about Emma invading his privacy. And she had to thank him for removing the board.

* * *

GABE PLANNED TO give Pepper a few more minutes and then he would take her inside. He wasn’t sure when he realized someone was standing there, but he felt a strong presence and turned his head. It was the crazy lady. Now what?

She stepped onto his deck. “I’m sorry Emma came over here and disturbed you.”

He frowned. “Who’s Emma?”

She blinked, as if she was caught in the headlights of something disturbing. “She’s...my sister. The little girl who is always coming into your yard. Against your wishes.”

“Oh.” He was losing his mind, and he hated that she was reminding him how out of touch he was.

She motioned toward the gate. “Thanks for removing the board.”

“Yeah. I shouldn’t have done that.”

What did she want? Couldn’t she see he was having trouble making conversation?

Pepper whimpered, and she went to the dog and squatted next to her. “Is Pepper sick?”

Go away, he screamed inside his head. But then he heard words coming out of his mouth. “She has cancer.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.” She patted the dog and seemed generally concerned. But his perception was way off. “Is there any help for her?”

He rubbed his hands together, not wanting to talk, but once again words erupted from his throat. “No. The vet said it’s time to put her to sleep. But she was my son’s dog and I can’t do that.”

She continued to pat the dog. “She’s trembling in pain. You have to do something. You can’t just leave her like this.”

“She’s the last thing I have of my son. If she goes, I...”

She got up and knelt in front of him. He looked into green eyes as bright and shining as anything he’d ever seen. Was that a tear he glimpsed?

“She’s not the last thing you have of your son.” She placed a hand over her heart. “In here you have many memories that no one and nothing can take from you, not Pepper’s death or anything on this earth. That love, that feeling, will always be with you.”

His gaze narrowed on her face and he saw her for the first time, really saw her. Her hair was blond, a beautiful natural color, and it was short, kind of kicked up at the back and curled around her face. It gave her a young Meg Ryan appeal.... He had no idea where that thought came from.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know your name. I’m a little out of touch.”

“It’s Lacey.”

A pretty name for a pretty woman. He shook his head. “You don’t understand.”

“I do. I lost my father. The one and only safety net I had in my life, and suddenly all that security was gone. It’s been hard holding it together for Emma. I know your situation is different, but you can’t continue to let this dog suffer. Do the humane thing like the vet suggested.”

“I’ve been trying to do that, but something always stops me.”

“I will go with you if that will help.”

He looked at her again. He was a man and strong enough to handle anything. He’d dealt with his son’s death. Why was he so frightened of what would happen to him once Pepper was gone? Suddenly he saw a lifeline in her eyes. That was the way he saw it, and he took it, because it was the only thing he had at the moment.

“Thank you. I...I would appreciate that.”

She went back to Pepper. “Do you have anything to give her for pain?”

“The vet gave me some injections. I only have one left.”

Lacey sat next to the dog and stroked her. “She really needs something.”

He stood and walked into the house, knowing once he gave Pepper the injection, he would have to take her to the vet. It was time.

The woman was still there when he came back. She watched as he gave Pepper the injection. The dog drifted into sleep.

“When do you want to take her in?”

“The medication lasts a little over twenty-four hours. Probably tomorrow or when the vet has an opening.” He made the decision and he wasn’t panicking, because this woman, this crazy woman as he’d called her, had reached out a hand when he’d desperately needed it.

“Do you mind if Emma says goodbye to Pepper? She’s very fond of her, and I don’t know how she’s going to take this.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “Do whatever you feel is best.”

“Thanks. You’re doing the right thing. I’ll...I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

Was he doing the right thing? Then why did he feel as if he was in a deep dark hole without any chance for survival?

As she left, he wondered what had just happened. He’d talked so much in the past few minutes that his throat burned. And he realized how much he missed talking. How he missed a lot of things. Maybe there was a light at the end of his long dark tunnel. A green light.

* * *

LACEY STOOD ON her patio and took a deep breath. She needed it to calm her emotions before she went into the house. Gabe’s pain touched her heart. She feared this might be the last straw for him. But she would do everything she could to help him. She was just glad he was in a receptive mood, because he didn’t need to go through this alone.

She knew about loneliness, death, suffering and the unimaginable pain that went along with them. Maybe they could find solace together. She was still reeling from him talking to her. He had a deep, strong voice, and she could picture him in a courtroom. There wasn’t much on this earth he couldn’t handle, she imagined, except the death of his son.

Shivering, she wrapped her arms around her waist. Soon there had to be some relief for Gabe. He couldn’t continue to live the way he had been, and the fact that he’d actually confided in her gave her hope. She wiped away an errant tear.

Now she had another problem. How was she going to tell Emma about Pepper? Once again, death was going to derail them for a short time. It was too much, though. Too much for a six-year-old girl to handle. Too much for a twenty-eight-year-old woman to handle. And definitely too much for the man next door to handle.

She opened the door and went inside. Emma sat at the table, drawing.

Emma lifted her head. “Look. I drew a picture of Pepper.”

Lacey removed her jacket and stared at the black dog on the paper with the blue sky, green grass and tall trees. A happy scene.

How was she going to tell Emma?

“Very nice.”

“Did you talk to Mr. Gabe?”

“Yes, and—”

The doorbell rang, interrupting her. She hurried to answer it, glad for the reprieve. Bradley Wilson and his son Brad stood on the doorstep.

“Hi, Lacey,” Bradley said. “My son has something to say to Emma.”

Emma ran into the room. Lacey caught her before she could do anything stupid. “Brad has come to see you.”

“I don’t want to see him,” Emma replied. “I want to hit him.”

Bradley poked his son.

“Emma, I’m sorry I ruined your Christmas,” Brad said, as if he’d memorized the words or as if someone had quoted them to him.

Emma glared at him and Lacey bent and whispered in her ear, “Say thank-you for the apology.”

Now Emma glared at her. Lacey lifted an eyebrow and Emma repeated the words. At the end she tacked on, “I still want to hit you.”

“Don’t worry, Emma,” Bradley said. “Brad has asked Santa for an Xbox, and since he believes there is no Santa and has told this to other children, he won’t be getting an Xbox.”

“Dad!” Brad wailed.

Bradley looked at Lacey. “I’m really sorry about this.”

“Thank you, and thanks for the apology.”

They walked off, and Lacey and Emma went into the living room. “That was nice of Brad.”

“He’s a big baby.”

“Emma...”

“It’s true, Lacey. He’s crying like a baby ’cause he’s not gonna get an Xbox.”

Lacey sat on the sofa, flipping through the imaginary book in her head. “Let’s talk about belief.”

Emma hopped up beside her. “Why?”

“Because belief can be a powerful thing. If you believe strong enough, long enough, wonderful things can happen.”

“Like maybe there really is a Santa.”

Lacey tucked a stray curl behind Emma’s ear. “Could be. All you have to do is believe.”

“You’re getting really weird, Lacey.”

Lacey kissed the tip of Emma’s nose. “Just believe, that’s all you have to do.”

“I’ll try. But I know the truth and I can’t forget it.”

Lacey pulled Emma onto her lap, knowing they had to talk about something much more important. She had to tell Emma about Pepper.

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