“Friends from high school?” Mom asked.
“No,” Willow said. “New friends. But they’re the best. I can’t wait for you to meet them.”
“Okay, sweetheart,” Mom said. “Well, we’re going to head home now. Take care of yourself and give your brother and the kids big hugs from us tomorrow.”
Willow winced, but didn’t have the heart to tell her mom about anything that was going on. She had most likely called Ransom first, since the grandkids were there. If he hadn’t said anything, she probably shouldn’t either.
“Love you, Mom,” Willow said. “Send my love to Aunt Rhonda. Merry Christmas Eve.”
When they signed off the call, the others were all setting up a movie on the television in the living room, with Reggie navigating because of his claim that he was “the best with the clicker.”
She was surprised and pleased when they decided onHome Alone.
With her friends surrounding her, a big plate of warm cookies on the table, and a glass of milk in her hand, Willow found her broken heart was soothed just a little bit.
I can do this,she thought to herself proudly.I can do it for Ransom. My big brother is worth a broken heart.
23
WILLOW
Willow awoke on Christmas morning to sunlight streaming through the windows. She felt good, in spite of the ache in her heart. Spending the day with her new friends yesterday had been a balm to her soul, and she was finally ready to put in the work to win her brother back.
Grabbing her phone from the bedside table, she wasn’t sure what she expected to see, but it definitely wasn’t a missed call and two texts from Ransom.
Ransom
kids and i were hoping you’d come by this morning to open presents
and Merry Christmas
She stared at the screen in complete awe for a moment, then tapped out a quick reply before she lost her nerve.
yes!
see you in a few!
Her mood was lifted enough by the simple exchange that she was humming a happy tune as she headed into the bathroom for a quick shower.
She already missed Jensen and Henry like there was an empty cavern in her chest. But if she could make things right with Ransom, then at least half her heart could be full.
And she had been so looking forward to seeing Travis and Mae today. She sensed that her niece and nephew needed her in their lives, and she needed them too. It was a relief that Ransom wasn’t going to cut her out after all.
When she was dressed and ready to go, she grabbed the container of homemade cookies and the bag of gifts she was bringing over. Hopefully, the kids would like the stuff she had picked out. And she knew they would love her famous chocolate chip cookies, even if they weren’t exactly Christmas themed.
The fire escape stairs were covered in snow and ice, so she headed down the main staircase. It was still dim inside, with the curtains pulled closed, meaning no one had been to the house yet this morning.
It made her happy to see that Carla’s Place was empty. It was good to know that all her friends had someplace to be on Christmas morning. Though she hated the idea of anyone coming into a dark and empty house on Christmas, so she decided to brighten the place up, just in case.
She placed the extra plate of cookies she had made on the kitchen table and took a moment to start a pot of coffee, open the curtains, and plug in the tree. This way ifsomeone stopped by the place would look cheerful, and they would have a nice treat to enjoy. Once she was satisfied that the place was as warm and welcoming as she could make it, she headed out.
The drive to Ransom’s house was peaceful. Not too many people were currently on the roads, though lots of driveways were full of cars. It reminded her of when she was little, and they sometimes had a house full of cousins for the holidays.
Maybe that will be my kids hanging out with Ransom’s one day…
But when she tried to picture her future children, she kept seeing Henry’s sweet smile in her mind.
She flicked on the radio, hoping to distract herself from self-pity. She was a very lucky woman in almost every possible way. It was silly to moon over what might have been.
