Page 75 of Here Comes Santa Paws

I tapped the name from my recent calls, and she answered on the second ring.

“Hey, Mom. You got a few minutes?”

“I’ve always got time for you, honey. What’s up?” I heard her whisper to Dad that it was me, and then it sounded like she was turning down the television in the background.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.” She sounded concerned.

“Why did we always move when I was a kid? Why do you guys keep doing it now?” If he’d wanted to, Dad could’ve found a different line of work or a more stationary way to do what he did.

She was silent for a moment. “I don’t know. It’s just what we do.”

I gritted my teeth at that answer, but I couldn’t be mad at her when I’d been doing it myself.

“Why not stay?”

“His job takes him all over, and that’s what I signed on for when we said ‘I do.’ Unfortunately, his job isn’t like yours, where we could stay in one place if we wanted.”

I blinked. “You’d want to stay somewhere?”

“Sure. It would be a new type of adventure.” I could hear the smile in her voice.

I’d always thought my parents kept moving because they enjoyed the lifestyle. They always talked about it like they did and treated it like a series of grand life adventures. Had I misunderstood this whole time? Had they treated it that way for my benefit?

“Honey, what has you asking about this?”

I relaxed into my seat and told Mom about the Tucson job, Elias, Carol, and possibly staying in Christmas Falls.

“Why wouldn’t you want to stay in Christmas Falls since you’ve got a nice young man there? Life’s more fun if you have someone to share it with. Sure, moving as often as we do is stressful, but I always have your father to do it with.”

If I stayed in one place, I could build a life with Elias. I wouldn’t be alone.

At my silence, she continued, “And a dog? I can’t believe you haven’t sent me a photo of that sweet thing. You’d better send me pictures of her puppies. You wanted a dog so badly when you were a kid. Back when we lived in that adorable small town. What was it called? Peony Falls?”

“Dahlia Springs.”

“I’m so sorry we couldn’t do that for you.” Her voice broke.

“Don’t be sorry, Mom. You guys did the best you could. My childhood was great. So many adventures.” My own voice cracked.

She cleared her throat. “Well, if you wanted, you could have lots of your own with your young man and that dog around Christmas Falls. Who knows, maybe your father can take a long vacation between jobs and we can visit.”

“I’d love that, Mom.”

“Us too, sweetheart.”

“Thanks for talking. I feel better.”

“I’m glad.” The smile was evident in her voice. “Now, use that video thing to call us on Christmas so we can meet Elias and Carol. Promise?”

“I promise. Talk to you soon.”

I still had a thousand worries and questions ping-ponging in my mind, but a plan began to form. Talking to Mom had helped me focus on what was important, and if I was going to pull it off, I’d better get to work.

Chapter 31

Elias

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