Be Mine at Christmas by Brenda Novak

Angela had made some calls, trying to locate her. It was so difficult to give up hope. She’d thought maybe Stephanie was ready to get clean at last. But when she’d finally made contact with the shelter where Stephanie had been staying, she’d been told that a man named Jaydog had picked her up late last night.
    That was where the trail had gone cold. Stephanie was probably right back on the streets, doing anything she could to feed her addiction. Angela had been through the cycle enough times to know that—and yet she felt so guilty for loving Matt, for wanting to be with him. Could she really move back to Virginia City with Stephanie’s daughter and agree to marry the boy Stephanie had wanted so desperately?
    She didn’t think so.
    “He’s asked her to marry him,” Angela heard Sherry whisper to Ray, Ray’s wife and Claudia, her sister, in the kitchen. “Can you believe it? He’s in love!”
    Angela glanced worriedly at Kayla, afraid she might overhear. But Kayla didn’t even look up. She was too busy burrowing under the tree.
    “What did she say?” came Ray’s murmured response.
    “She’s thinking about it.” Sherry lowered her voice, but Angela could still make out the words. “So be really nice to her.”
    Evidently, Matt had heard his mother, too, because he squeezed Angela’s hand and Angela couldn’t help laughing softly to herself.
    “So where would they live?” Claudia asked.
    “I’m praying it’ll be here. What good is getting my first granddaughter if I never get to see her?”
    Matt’s mother had a point. If they got married, they’d live in Virginia City. Angela knew that already. But even if they didn’t marry, Kayla would stay with Matt. Angela felt certain she’d be happier here than she’d been in Denver. The only decision left was whether or not Angela could allow herself to be part of the idyllic picture. Could she say yes? After everything Betty had done for her, did she have that right?
    “We’re ready!” Kayla shouted.
    Sherry ushered in the group from the kitchen, while Claudia’s children rounded up their dad andMatt’s father, who’d been checking out the new computer in the other room.
    Matt let go of Angela’s hand and leaned his elbows on his knees, watching Kayla as she sat next to her presents.
    “Do we take turns like before? Or do we all open at once?” she asked.
    When Matt stood, Angela knew he couldn’t wait any longer. “Before we get too carried away with all the gifts, I have something to say.”
    Sherry grabbed her husband’s arm excitedly, Ray grinned at his wife and Claudia motioned for complete silence. Obviously, except for the children, they all thought they knew what he was about to announce. But this would be a surprise.
    Angela clasped her hands tightly in her lap.
    “I have a special gift for Kayla. One I’d like her to open now,” Matt said.
    Kayla sat up straighter. “But you already gave me a gift, Matt.” Her hand went to her throat in search of her locket but, finding it missing, she turned worried eyes to Angela. “My locket! It’s gone!”
    “You haven’t lost it,” Angela said. “I took it last night. Matt’s giving it to you again.” She cleared her throat to help steady her voice. “Only this time it has your father’s picture in it.”
    Silence as thick as the snowdrifts piled outside descended on the room as everyone stared at Kayla, who was still gazing in shock at Angela. “That can’t be true,” she said.
    “It’s true,” Angela said.
    Matt crossed the room and pulled the plush blue box from his pocket.
    “Are you sure I should open it here?” she asked him.
    He knelt down beside her so everyone could see. “It’s okay,” he murmured. “Go ahead.”
    Kayla’s trepidation showed in the stiff set of her shoulders. With a final glance at the people watching, she slowly, carefully withdrew the locket.
    Angela’s pulse raced as Kayla opened the tiny clasp. Then the girl’s jaw dropped and her