Page 39 of Christmas Wish
“Of course not. I guess it’s good for people who need to be reminded to open up their hearts a little. For those who do it all year, it really doesn’t matter if it’s Christmas or the tenth of August, right? For me, it’s about the family and the traditions. Traditions connect us to our loved ones who have passed away, and help to keep them alive for generations through honoring some of their traditions while adding our own for the future. Community events, like lighting the tree, brings people together for a night filled with fun and good feelings. We need that, especially in a world that is wrought with so much violence and sadness and loneliness. I don’t know. When I think of Christmas, I think of family, favorite dishes to prepare, making cookies with Timmy, going to church, and taking a temporary break from all the ugliness in life.”
“Good for you. To me, it’s just another day of the year.” He turned away.
“Didn’t you like it as a kid?”
“I was a fucking kid, but then you grow up and see that life is full of shit.”
“So, you always stay alone on the holiday?”
“Sometimes I go to my parents or my brother’s house, but they know not to buy me shit or try and push me into the whole holiday trap.” He threw her a warning look.
“Cara invited us over to their Christmas Eve party. Do you go to that?”
“Never been to it.”
“Is it something that you’d like to go to?”
“Right now … no, but you go if you want.”
“It’d be nice to go to a party, and I know Timmy would enjoy it. I feel so bad about him not being with his Grammy and Grandpa this year.”
“Then go.”
Savannah nodded as she twirled a strand of hair around her fingers. “Would you like to go to the tree-lighting ceremony with us?” She held her breath.
Ryder shook his head. “You can take the Jeep and go, or I can ask one of the brothers to pick you and Timmy up if you don’t want to drive on your own.”
Disappointment mixed with sadness swirled inside her. “I was hoping you’d want to come with us. I know Timmy will love it.”
Ryder turned away and stared at the fire. She saw a muscle jump in his clenched jaw.
“Is it okay if I decorate a little? If you don’t want me to, I can decorate Timmy’s room only.”
A long pause stretched between them, and just when Savannah didn’t think he was going to answer her, his deep voice said, “It’s fine, but don’t overdo this shit.”
“Okay, thanks,” she said softly as she rose to her feet. “I’m going to start wrapping Timmy’s gifts before Hawk brings him home.”
Ryder sat with clenched jaw, looking straight ahead.
Savannah picked up the bags and walked quietly out of the room. She took out three rolls of wrapping paper and a bag of bows then sat cross-legged on the floor and began sorting through the gifts she’d purchased. She opened a black box and stared at the sterling silver and white gold motorcycle chain bracelet with skulls that she’d bought for Ryder. She’d noticed that he sometimes wore a silver chain or a leather rope bracelet on his wrists, so she took a chance and bought him one for Christmas. She groaned and put the cover back on the box. Due to his Christmas rant, Savannah wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to give him the gift.If he throws it back in my face, I’d be mortified then pissed as hell, and that wouldn’t be something I’d want Timmy to see.She put it aside then began wrapping the presents she’d bought for Timmy.
After an hour, Savannah straightened up and moaned softly as her achy muscles stretched out. She glanced at the elaborately wrapped gifts and smiled just picturing how bright Timmy’s eyes would be when he saw the gifts displayed under the tree.The tree. Shit. Timmy and I can go get one tomorrow. I can ask Cara to help me with that.Ryder was going to a counseling session at the VA. He’d told her how he missed seeing his buddies since the blizzard had shut everything down for over a week. He still hadn’t told her what had happened over in Afghanistan. From what she could piece together from that night when she’d comforted him, he must have stepped on a landmine and someone named Jeremy was following, which had made Ryder very upset. Savannah wished he’d let her in, but then who was she to talk? She changed the subject the minute Ryder had asked her about why she ran away from Bret.
“No … I don’t want to remember that now,” she said out loud as she wadded up the small bits of ribbon and wrapping paper. After hiding the presents in the closet, she picked up the bag of trash and left her room, heading to the bin in the kitchen.
When she entered the family room, she saw a pretty brunette sitting close to Ryder on the couch, too close in Savannah’s opinion, and both of them were laughing.
“Oh,” she muttered too loudly.
Ryder craned his neck and flashed her big smile.
“I didn’t know you had company.” Holding up the bag, she mustered a small smile. “I’m just passing through to throw this out.” She skittered across the floor and went to the large receptacle in the garage.Who the hell isshe, and how long has she been over?Not wanting to go back into the house, she leaned against the cold wall and waited until her trembling body couldn’t take it anymore.I’m acting like an idiot. Her teeth chattered incessantly, and she walked into the mud room and sat on the bench as she tried to warm up.
A woman’s soft voice lilted through the air accompanied by Ryder’s deep chuckles. When Savannah finally stopped chattering and trembling, she pulled down her knit top and shuffled through the kitchen. Hoping that Ryder didn’t see her, she walked carefully behind the couch and almost made it to the hallway when his voice called out, “Savannah, come over here.”
Dammit.She inched over toward the couch and the pretty woman with waist-length straight brown hair and big eyes of the same color met her gaze. The woman’s berry stained lips spread into a smile.
“Hawk called and asked if it’s okay for Timmy to stay for supper.”
