changed no matter what their
circumstances.
The drive was slow, and the snow thickened on the ground.
Lana put the radio on for a distraction from her morbid thoughts. Red lights
were in front of them from braking cars. She relaxed her head into her hand
waiting for the roads to clear. Christmas Eve was always busy. Last minute
shoppers were running to the shops to get the final gift that would make
Christmas. If it wasn’t for Kent she’d be at home or the diner working through
Christmas like she’d done every year.
“You’re very quiet,” he said.
“I’m anxious.” She didn’t feel like she belonged with the Andersons . Their family
were so large and giving. Lana felt like a fraud when she was around them.
“You’ll do great.” He squeezed her leg offering her support.
Lana took the support and hoped she could survive through this time of year
without having an emotional breakdown.
She’d not spoke to her mother since she left the trailer
after graduation. Shaking her head, she let her thought wander through her
memories.
Kent finally got
them both to his parents’ house. It was past seven, and everyone was in a state
of merriment. His brothers helped with the cases and gifts. Penny embraced her,
as did his father.
The kids watched with wide eyes as they put the presents
under the tree.
“There will be more tomorrow. Presents under the tree are
for everyone,” Kent said, explaining the process.
“Come on, dear, we’ve got to get some drink inside you.”
Penny took her hand and escorted her through to the kitchen where a glorious
spread of food was on display. The turkeys were cooking in the oven, and the
scents made her stomach growl. Penny handed her a drink and a plate filled with
food. “I heard that growl, honey. You’re getting food inside you. I won’t take
no for an answer.”
Lana laughed and took the drink along with the food. Kent made his
way into the kitchen as she was eating. His mother kept talking about plans.
She watched as his mother prepared vegetables for the following day.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
“This is awesome.” The drink had loosened her up.
“I bet.” He took the drink and had a generous sip.
They stood talking with Penny until it was time to sing
carols in the sitting room. She listened as Sophie played the piano and the
children sang the tunes. Closing her eyes, she rested her head against Kent ’s
shoulder. This was the kind of Christmas she always dreamed about, the loving,
welcoming warmth displayed by everyone.
The children were put to bed, and Kent escorted her toward the spare
bedroom. She was on the floor below him.
Her suitcases were on the bed. “My family adore you, Lana.
You’re an Anderson now.”
“I’m not.”
He cupped her cheek and forced her to look at him. “You
are.” Kent dropped down and kissed her lips. “I’ll see you when you’re done. It’s not bed
time. There is still time for a late night drink.” He stroked her lip and then
closed her door behind him.
She stared at the space he’d vacated. Her lips tingled from
the small touch.
What was going on? Kent kept confusing her. She knew
he’d stopped sleeping around and that he spent more time with her than he did
with any other woman.
Stop thinking
about it and enjoy Christmas.
****
Kent moved to his
room, but Tonya was standing in front of his door. Her arms were folded across
her chest as she waited for him.
“You took long enough,” she said.
“What do you want?” he asked, moving around her. Tonya
followed him into his room without an invitation. “I asked what you wanted. I
didn’t give you permission to come into my room.”
She shrugged. “This place hasn’t changed a bit.” Tonya
picked up one of his old teddies and cradled it against her chest. He
remembered many times when she came to visit him. Not once in all of those
years did he think she was in love with Seth.
“You’re in love with her, aren’t you?” Tonya
circumstances.
The drive was slow, and the snow thickened on the ground.
Lana put the radio on for a distraction from her morbid thoughts. Red lights
were in front of them from braking cars. She relaxed her head into her hand
waiting for the roads to clear. Christmas Eve was always busy. Last minute
shoppers were running to the shops to get the final gift that would make
Christmas. If it wasn’t for Kent she’d be at home or the diner working through
Christmas like she’d done every year.
“You’re very quiet,” he said.
“I’m anxious.” She didn’t feel like she belonged with the Andersons . Their family
were so large and giving. Lana felt like a fraud when she was around them.
“You’ll do great.” He squeezed her leg offering her support.
Lana took the support and hoped she could survive through this time of year
without having an emotional breakdown.
She’d not spoke to her mother since she left the trailer
after graduation. Shaking her head, she let her thought wander through her
memories.
Kent finally got
them both to his parents’ house. It was past seven, and everyone was in a state
of merriment. His brothers helped with the cases and gifts. Penny embraced her,
as did his father.
The kids watched with wide eyes as they put the presents
under the tree.
“There will be more tomorrow. Presents under the tree are
for everyone,” Kent said, explaining the process.
“Come on, dear, we’ve got to get some drink inside you.”
Penny took her hand and escorted her through to the kitchen where a glorious
spread of food was on display. The turkeys were cooking in the oven, and the
scents made her stomach growl. Penny handed her a drink and a plate filled with
food. “I heard that growl, honey. You’re getting food inside you. I won’t take
no for an answer.”
Lana laughed and took the drink along with the food. Kent made his
way into the kitchen as she was eating. His mother kept talking about plans.
She watched as his mother prepared vegetables for the following day.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
“This is awesome.” The drink had loosened her up.
“I bet.” He took the drink and had a generous sip.
They stood talking with Penny until it was time to sing
carols in the sitting room. She listened as Sophie played the piano and the
children sang the tunes. Closing her eyes, she rested her head against Kent ’s
shoulder. This was the kind of Christmas she always dreamed about, the loving,
welcoming warmth displayed by everyone.
The children were put to bed, and Kent escorted her toward the spare
bedroom. She was on the floor below him.
Her suitcases were on the bed. “My family adore you, Lana.
You’re an Anderson now.”
“I’m not.”
He cupped her cheek and forced her to look at him. “You
are.” Kent dropped down and kissed her lips. “I’ll see you when you’re done. It’s not bed
time. There is still time for a late night drink.” He stroked her lip and then
closed her door behind him.
She stared at the space he’d vacated. Her lips tingled from
the small touch.
What was going on? Kent kept confusing her. She knew
he’d stopped sleeping around and that he spent more time with her than he did
with any other woman.
Stop thinking
about it and enjoy Christmas.
****
Kent moved to his
room, but Tonya was standing in front of his door. Her arms were folded across
her chest as she waited for him.
“You took long enough,” she said.
“What do you want?” he asked, moving around her. Tonya
followed him into his room without an invitation. “I asked what you wanted. I
didn’t give you permission to come into my room.”
She shrugged. “This place hasn’t changed a bit.” Tonya
picked up one of his old teddies and cradled it against her chest. He
remembered many times when she came to visit him. Not once in all of those
years did he think she was in love with Seth.
“You’re in love with her, aren’t you?” Tonya
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