Betting On Santa. Debra Salonen

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СКАЧАТЬ water. Each contained an unbleached muslin bag filled with fragrant herbs. “So…you’re wondering if I can shed any light on this mystery man.”

      Tessa nodded. “I have Sunny’s diary, but it hasn’t been a lot of help. You know how… convoluted she could make things.”

      Amelia chuckled softly. “Always. I once asked her why she didn’t write things down in order as they happened, and she said, ‘Where’s the fun in that? If I ever look back at my life, I don’t want it to read like some boring textbook.’”

      Tessa had heard that before, too. A creative trait Sunny had inherited from her father, Zebulon Barnes. Poet, musician, troubadour, troubled human being. A sweet, ineffectual man who gave up on his dreams way too easily and took his family down with him.

      “Do you have any idea what happened to Sunny after she left here?” she asked.

      Amelia was silent a moment. “She went to San Antonio with Cole Lawry. He was the Realtor handling the purchase of a piece of land for us. He said he could get her a job answering phones at his office. He was a nice man. I didn’t think he was trying to…I guess they say ‘put the make’ on Sunny, but you know how beautiful she is. Men can’t help themselves.”

      Something in her tone made Tessa wonder if Amelia’s husband had fallen for Sunny’s charms. That could explain why Amelia hadn’t known about Joey. Her sister might have been embarrassed to return any correspondence.

      “I met Cole Lawry last night,” she said. “He seemed genuinely upset about her accident. He admitted that he and Sunny were friends, but when I asked him to take the paternity test, he said he had to think about it.”

      “Cole? He was our go-to guy. Never pussyfooted around with our land deal. I wonder what happened to make him change?

      The baby made a mewling sound and Amelia adjusted the tie to give him access to her breast. She smiled beatifically as the baby nursed. “I guess I shouldn’t think too badly of him until we know the truth. He went out of his way to help the Spirit of Harmony families buy the adjoining farm. We never would’ve been able to do it without him.”

      “He said he’s not a real estate agent anymore. I gather he’s divorced.”

      “That’s unfortunate. I hope Sunny didn’t have anything to do with that. I mean…since I introduced them and all.” Her hand popped up to cover her mouth and her cheeks turned apple red. “I shouldn’t have said that. The poor girl is fighting for her life and I’m thinking the worst. Just because she wasn’t happy here doesn’t mean she wasn’t a good person.”

      Their conversation ended when Amelia’s husband returned, hungry and obviously not pleased that a hot lunch wasn’t waiting for him on the table. Although Amelia invited her and Joey to join them, Tessa declined. “We need to get back to check on Mom and Sunny.”

      “This is one of those rare times when I hate not having a phone. Will you let me know what happens? I’d like to help any way I can. If you need someone to watch Joey for a few days, he’d be very welcome here.”

      Tessa was touched. “If the prognosis changes for the worst, I might take you up on that. Mom can’t spend the whole day with Sunny then watch Joey while I take a shift. She’s just too drained. Thanks for the offer.”

      She and Joey left a few minutes later, and as she drove back to the city, she thought about Cole. Who was he? Santa? Nice-guy Realtor? Good Samaritan? Or someone very skilled at playing whatever role was handed him?

      He’d told her he wanted to see Sunny today. If he showed up, she might be able to draw a more reliable conclusion about the real Cole Lawry.

      CHAPTER FIVE

      TESSA WAS READING a book to Joey when the door to the motel suite opened. Her mother rushed inside, letting her bag fall to the floor. Her lovely silver hair, windblown and free of its usual braid, flew about her face as she hurried to the wing chair where Tessa and Joey were sitting.

      “You’re here. I was so worried.”

      “I called Sunny’s room as soon as we got to town, but you didn’t answer. Is everything okay?”

      Autumn’s eyes filled with tears, but she nodded. Dropping to her knees beside them, she held out her arms to Joey. “Hello, sweetheart, Grandma missed you something fierce. Do you have a hug for me?”

      Joey threw himself into Autumn’s arms and the two rocked back and forth. Joey wasn’t nearly as demonstrative with Tessa as he was his mother and grandmother.

      “Any change?”

      Autumn looked over Joey’s shoulder. “Not really. Another specialist came by this morning. They were worried about her kidneys. I guess they changed her medication and fixed whatever was causing the problem. My head felt like it was going to explo—” She stopped speaking and faked a smile for Joey’s benefit. A moment later she added, “I went for a walk. I just couldn’t breathe inside that building anymore.”

      Tessa reached out and touched her mother’s shoulder. “It’s not easy seeing someone you love in a hospital bed.”

      “Especially Sunny. This would make her crazy.”

      Autumn smoothed back her grandson’s hair. “So, tell me all about your great adventure, Joey boy. Did you get to see Santa?”

      “Sanna,” Joey said, looking around excitedly.

      Tessa picked up her purse and poked through it until she found her camera. “I think I got a couple of shots before…um… Joey had an upset stomach. As I said, we didn’t stay long. They’re not great, but one or two might be worth printing.”

      She turned on the power and tapped the control button back to the image she wanted. “See?”

      Autumn held the display at arm’s length. “I don’t have my glasses, but…oh, yes, there you are, Joey. With Santa. Very nice.” She handed the camera back to Tessa. “I’d like to look at them later. Do you have any of you-know-who?”

      “No. The situation didn’t exactly lend itself to that kind of thing. But he said he wanted to visit Sunny today, so you’ll get to meet him.”

      “Are you serious? He’s coming here?”

      She’d known her mother wasn’t going to be thrilled with this news. Tessa stood and walked into the kitchen area to put away the few groceries she and Joey had picked up on the way into town. “Cole said—and Amelia confirmed—that he and Sunny were friends. He helped her get a job and find a place to live.”

      Her mother didn’t reply, but a few seconds later Tessa heard the chatter of a children’s video, and her mother joined her.

      “I bought more water. Do you want one?” Tessa offered.

      “Yes, thank you. I keep forgetting to drink.”

      “You’ve always been a stickler for staying hydrated.”

      “I think my brain is only working at half speed. Every time I step through the doors of that hospital, I feel like I’m going into a parallel universe.”

      Tessa cracked open a bottle, too. СКАЧАТЬ