A Perfect Bride For Christmas (37 page)

restrooms. He felt funny going into the men’s room so he went to the ladies’ room instead. The less he had to explain about urinals the better. He didn’t know anything about taking care of a little girl’s 296

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needs. It made him uneasy, until he realized Mia had shucked off her damp clothes and stood waiting.

He yanked out a paper towel, wet it, and wiped

her down in record time.

“Here you go, a brand new outfit.” He ripped off the tags and held it out to Mia. “Do you need help?”

Mia shook her head.

He didn’t know if Zoe or his mother contacted

his brother. He pulled out his phone and called Clint. “It’s Alex.”

“Yeah?”

“They’re here. I found them. They were looking

for Santa.” Alex wiped his hand over his face, the emotions of the last couple of hours finally catching up with him.

“Okay. We’ll be there in a bit.”

“No need.” Alex paused, trying to keep his voice steady. “Actually, don’t. I’d like to be alone with them for a while. Bill is coming to get Mom and Keeley.”

“Sounds good. Give them a hug for us. I’ll let

Heath know. You probably have your hands full.”

“Yeah, I’m on bathroom duty right now. Do me a

favor, let Keeley know?”

“Sure thing. Talk to you later.”

He hung up and looked over at Macy and

Michaela. “I’ll bet you two need to use the bathroom.

Go on.”

Soon they were ready to leave with Officer

Rockwell running interference with the gauntlet of reporters awaiting them the minute they stepped out the door.

Alex made a brief statement and left Jenkins in the blast of the camera lights. The man bloomed in the attention, coming across like a hybrid of Santa Claus and Mother Theresa

Let him have his fifteen minutes of fame. Alex

wanted to see Zoe. To hold her. He was going home.

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Zoe paced in front of the window, biting her

thumbnail, her nerves a spinning top of emotions.

The fear something would happen before she could hold her children close warred with her eagerness to see them.

“Sit down,” Amelia requested as she blew into a tissue. “It’s not fair that you can wear a hole in the carpet, and I’m stuck on crutches.”

“I can’t help it.” She stopped by the window and peered out into the night. Her worried face stared back from the reflection in the windowpane.

Reporters filled the yard, even in the driving snow.

Vans with tall antennae parked along the side of the street, wherever they could find the curb. “The reporters are still out there like a pack of hungry wolves.” She’d already made a statement but they refused to leave. They were waiting for the juicy reunion to boost the late night ratings.

“They’re only doing their job.. Any news on your sister-in-law?”

“No.” Right now, she didn’t want to think about Brenda. She shoved the drape back into place.

Keeley came through the dining room with a

tray. “Anyone want some coffee?

Both Zoe and Amelia passed on additional

caffeine, but Keeley poured a huge mug for herself.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get warm again. San Francisco can get chilly, but not this bone breaking cold. Has Alex given you any idea when they’ll get here?”

“No.” Zoe began pacing again. “It feels like he 298

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called last week instead of over an hour ago. What’s taking so long?”

“A blizzard?” Keeley sat down on the couch and

drank from her coffee. “He’ll be here.”

A blast of sirens punctuated the clamor outside her window. Zoe ran to the door and threw it open, mindless of the cold. Flashing lights reflected on the snow.

The reporters changed direction with the

synchronization of a school of fish headed for a tasty morsel.

A police car pulled into the drive, directed by Officer Eldon. Alex’s Hummer followed. Her heart pounded against her ribs, her hand trembled over her mouth while she ran to the door of his SUV.

Let the people outside witness her joy at seeing her children unharmed. She wanted to hold them all night, to touch them to make sure they were

unharmed.

The police officer got out, running interference along with Officer Eldon. Alex opened his door, went to the back of the Hummer. Zoe sank shin deep in the snow, her steps hampered by its weight as she made her way to his side. Alex opened the back door, and the first sight of the three precious faces let loose a tsunami of emotions.

“Hi, Mommy.” Macy waved at her. “I’m hungry.

Can I have a hotdog?”

Zoe smothered back a watery laugh. Mia sat

next to her, quiet as a mouse.

“Mommy, Mommy.” Michaela jumped up and

down, holding out her arms to her while Alex

unbuckled her seat belt. Once freed, she scrambled out as fast as she could. “I missed you.”

Zoe grabbed Michaela before she could jump into the deep snow and held her tight, reveling in the familiar feel and scent of her child. Wet kisses rained over her face.

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Macy followed a few seconds later.

Alex had Mia securely in his arms. He turned to Zoe, squinting in the bright lights of the cameras. “I have another package for you, but I see your arms are full.” His smile warmed her, the thousand watt dimples more dazzling than the surrounding lights.

“Let’s go inside.” She moved forward, close

enough to feel his breath feathering against her cheek. “Hi, Mia.”

Mia held her hand against her eyes to block out the light and turned her face into her father’s shoulder. Questions came at them from all sides, but Zoe and Alex ignored them. Both police officers walked beside them as they hustled the children into the house, away from prying eyes and the stampede of news hungry reporters.

Zoe put Macy and Michaela on the floor and

knelt to touch them. She held out her arms while Alex swung Mia down to join her sisters. “There you go.” Mia ran to her, throwing herself into Zoe’s arms.

“Mommy, we didn’t get to see Santa. Aunt Brenda took us, but Santa didn’t come. Macy and Michaela said he would, but he didn’t.” Her body shook with emotion, her big blue eyes full of disappointment and worry.

“We waited, but Aunt Brenda didn’t come back.”

Michaela patted Zoe on the cheek. “I got scared.”

“Me too,” Macy confessed. “Aunt Brenda said it

was okay to go with her to see Santa.”

“We told her we
had
to,” Michaela’s empathic words held a touch of drama. “She said she’d take us to see him.”

“I need to get back to file a report.” The large man introduced himself as Officer Rockwell. “Ladies, it was a delight meeting you. I hope you have a merry Christmas. Be good.”

“Thank you so much.” Zoe gazed up at both

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police officers. “I don’t know how to show you how much this…” She pulled her girls closer. “What this means.”

Officer Eldon nodded and cleared his throat.

“My daughter is about their age. I couldn’t go home with your girls out there. I’m just glad we have a happy ending.” His radio squawked. “Excuse me.”

“Gramma.” Macy’s eyes lit up, and Mia lifted her head from Zoe’s breasts.

Amelia stood in the doorway that connected the

living room from the dining room. She looked as if she’d crumple if Keeley weren’t at her side, holding her up.

“Gramma, Gramma,” the girls called out as they

wriggled out of Zoe’s arms to rush to Amelia. Each one had a tale to tell at maximum volume.

“Well.” Amelia blinked the tears from her eyes.

“I hear you three had quite the adventure.”

“Be careful of your grandmother’s ankle,” Keeley admonished with a smile. “Wow.” She scrutinized the girls. “This is amazing.”

All three of them peered up at Keeley.

“Who are you?” Michaela asked.

Alex went over to Keeley, put his arm around

her shoulder, and kissed her on the cheek. “This is my big sister, Keeley. That makes her your Aunt Keeley.”

“We got an Aunt Brenda.” Michaela frowned.

Macy nodded. “She’s mean.”

“Aunt Keeley’s not mean. She went out in the

snow to look for you.” Alex gave her a quick hug.

“Didn’t you, sis?”

“You did?” Mia eyed her, her face thoughtful.

“I’ve never had nieces before.” Keeley nodded.

Her eyes skipped from girl to girl and back again, then over to Alex. “You were right, they’re adorable.”

“Clint said he was sucker punched the first time he met them.” Zoe laughed, “They think he’s the best 301

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thing since the XBox.”

“I can see why.” Keeley smiled. “Clint has a way about him.”

“Girls, come give Gramma a kiss.” Zoe joined the crowd around Amelia. “And then, I think it’s time for a bath and bedtime. It’s been a long, scary day for all of us.”

“I’m still hungry,” Macy complained. “Can I have my hotdog and milk and cookies?”

“How about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich

and milk instead?” Zoe took her daughter’s face in her hands. “Cookies only if you clean your plate.”

All three jumped up and down in agreement.

“All right, a snack before your baths,” Zoe

ordered.

Macy, Michaela, and Mia each gave Amelia a

goodnight kiss. Keeley smiled at Zoe. “Why don’t I get the sandwiches and oversee the bath? I’ll let you know when they’re ready to be tucked in. That way we can all get to know each other. Okay?”

The girls appeared dubious at first, but Zoe

nodded. “I’ll be up as soon as Aunt Keeley says it’s time for goodnights. Now show Aunt Keeley the

kitchen.”

Macy led the way to the kitchen with Mia and

Michaela holding on to Keeley’s hands. “Come on, Aunt Keeley.”

“You’ll have to show me where you keep

everything.” Keeley peered over her shoulder and mouthed,
I love them.

Zoe watched, her heart full, as her girls

chattered like magpies. Never again would she wish for peace and quiet or get angry over the mess

created by three active girls.

Amelia’s cell phone rang. “It’s Bill, he’ll be here in about fifteen minutes.”

Zoe loved having Amelia and Keeley here but

right now, she wanted to be alone with her children, 302

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to check them over, to spend a bit of time with Alex.

Officer Eldon came out of the dining room,

zipping up his jacket. “The state trooper picked up Ms. Bennett at a truck stop on Interstate 70,

halfway to Columbia. They recovered your credit cards, but she went on a spending spree at the mall.”

“Did she say why she left the girls by

themselves?” A sick feeling settled in the pit of Zoe’s stomach. Had Brenda done this on purpose?

“Go on.” Alex’s grim expression didn’t bode well for Brenda. “I want to know what she had to say for herself.”

“Ms Bennett stated she went back to get the

credit cards and saw the children. They begged her to take them to see Santa.”

Brenda had a vindictive streak. She never really considered the girls her nieces. What better way to get back at Zoe?

“Brenda doesn’t have car seats.” Zoe ran her

hand through her hair. The thought of her children out in this weather, unprotected added to the anger and anxiety of the last few hours.

“She told them to hide.” Officer Eldon’s face

twisted into disgust. “When they got to the store, the line for Santa was too long, so she left them there, went to the bar and grill down the concourse—

thought they’d be okay while she got something to

‘refresh’ herself. Said she didn’t realize they’d close the store early.”

“I think she knew exactly what she was doing.”

Zoe didn’t care what excuse Brenda used, she still endangered the girls’ lives.

“She left them there?” Alex face burned with

anger. Zoe watched his hands ball into fists. Maybe it was a good thing Brenda wasn’t here to receive the punishment Alex would wreak. “The bitch left them there to fend for themselves?”

“Sir, when they found her, she’d had so much to 303

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drunk, she doesn’t remember much. I understand

she’s being held for theft and child endangerment, not to mention DUI. There may be other charges as she sobers up and they can get more information.”

Zoe pulled in a deep breath. Let the law take

care of the consequences of Brenda’s crime spree.

Leave her and Alex out of it. “Thank you, again.” Zoe took Officer Eldon’s hand in hers. “I’m getting out of here and leaving you to enjoy your family.” He

tipped his hat and smiled. “Merry Christmas.”

Once he’d gone, Zoe turned to speak but found

herself in Alex’s arms. The scent of his skin, the feel of the soft gray sweater against her cheek felt like

next best thing to heaven.

“Let me hold you for a moment,” he whispered

into her hair. “I need this.”

Together they stood in silence, leaning into each other with their hearts thumping a matched rhythm.

It didn’t matter if Officer Eldon was in the dining room talking into his radio, or if Amelia sat in the blue chair watching their every move. Zoe reveled in the feel of his hand rubbing up and down her back, pulling her closer.

“I don’t want to let you go, but there’s something I need to do.” He moved away, depriving Zoe of his warmth, the solidness of his body. He thrust his hand into his coat pocket and dropped to one knee.

“What’s going on?” Amelia asked and reached

for her crutches.

“Sit down, Mom.” Alex peered over his shoulder

at Amelia. “I’m trying to propose.”

Zoe’s heart ricocheted against her ribs and

bounced around like a Super Ball. She couldn’t catch her breath.

Alex reached up to take her hand in his. “Zoe

Ann Hillman King Bennett, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife—again? This time for all the right reasons. I love you. I was stupid before and 304