Page 32 of Unexpected Gifts

So many questions and no answers.

“You okay?” Abby asked Sophie.

“Are you on a date? With him?” Sophie’s fingers flickered in a gesture toward Luke, who was walking toward them with Hank and Jack.

“What? No. We’re just getting trees together.” Abby flushed with guilt. Sophie was too smart and observant. There would be no hiding anything from her.

“But you like him?” Sophie asked.

“Who wouldn’t like Luke?” Abby said evasively.

Nothing further could be said, thank goodness, as the men and Jack were now upon them.

“Hank, look at our tree,” Jack said. “Isn’t it a good one?”

“Ah, that is a good one, young man.” Hank ruffled Jack’s hair. “You have a good eye.”

Jack nodded as if it were of the utmost importance that Hank approved, his cheeks red from the cold. “Yeah. I guess I do.”

Hank helped them secure both trees, wrapping them in netting as he and Luke chatted about football. The kids and Abby stood close, watching as the trees were hauled into the back of Luke’s truck.

“I’ll keep my phone on all month. Don’t hesitate to call when you have a delivery,” Luke said to Hank, shaking his hand.

“You’re a good egg,” Hank said. “Can’t thank you enough for all you do.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Luke said.

“Be that as it may, both these trees are on the house. As a thank-you for the way you look out for the folks in this community.”

“Thanks, Hank. Means a lot coming from you.” Luke looked over at Abby and the kids. “You guys ready to get these home?”

Abby and Sophie nodded. Jack and Lily clapped their hands in excitement. Strangely, Abby wished the event hadn’t ended so soon. Being with Luke put her at ease and made her less afraid she was going to make a misstep with the kids. She was not accustomed to feeling as if she didn’t know what she was doing. At school, she knew the rules of the game. During her residency, it was clear what she needed to do to succeed. Here, in this scenic country town with these darling children, she was off-kilter and afraid. She didn’t like to make mistakes. She never had. Ambition had always taken precedence in her life. But now, she was in charge of something that actually mattered. Two little souls were under her care. Messing them up with her ignorance was absolutely not an option.

“I’ll meet you at your house,” Luke said. “And get your tree set up for you.”

“That would be so nice.” Abby’s voice wobbled. Why another sudden surge of emotion? This was not like her. She was known for being steady, if not a little aloof, with people. Animals weredifferent. She could let her softer side show to them. People, though? She kept her distance.

And yet here she was in Vermont, worrying about the kids. Her kids now. Good God. And kissing the boy next door after barely meeting him? This was not her. But she could get used to this new version of herself. Maybe this was the one she’d been meant to be all along.

“What’s going on?” Luke asked quietly as he walked her back to her car. The children had run ahead, singing “Jingle Bells.” Even Sophie seemed to have gotten into the spirit.

“I’m so afraid I’m going to mess this up,” Abby said. “These two deserve better than me.”

“You may think so, but I don’t think anyone else would. You’re doing a wonderful thing. An unselfish thing. Giving yourself to them like this—giving up your own dreams—trust me, you’re exactly what they need.”

“I hope you’re right. I truly do.”

“Lily’s mother left her own child. Think about that. You’re taking on someone else’s without flinching. That tells me everything I need to know about you.”

“That’s generous of you.” Touched by his kind words, Abby’s voice cracked.

“Hey now, that’s what friends are supposed to do. Lift each other up.”

“You seem to be doing most of the lifting.”

“For now.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders for a second. “You never know when I might need the favor returned. Being a single parent isn’t easy. But you have a village here, all of us rooting for you and these kids.”

Abby pulled her key from her jacket pocket and hit the button to unlock the car. Jack and Sophie climbed into the back and shut the doors behind them. Lily wrapped an arm around herdaddy’s leg, waving to them as if they were about to head out on a cruise around the world.

---