Page 82 of The Christmas Keepsake
Mickey and I exchanged amused glances. “Why don’t you go see?” I suggested with a chuckle.
Maddie shot up, knocking an ornament from our tree as she bounded to the door. I reached for the ornament, a frown settling on my face.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
“The compass. It’s broken.”
I remember that he’d placed the compass on the tree a few days earlier. It wasn’t a traditional ornament, and I remember finding it odd that he’d looped an old compass with a piece of ribbon and hung it, as if it was the most natural thing to do. I’d been meaning to ask about his reasoning.
“The face is cracked,” I told him as I handed it to him. “Looks like the arrow doesn’t know which way to go.”
Mickey didn’t seem bothered. “It was already broken when my father gave it to me.”
Before I could reply I heard a squeal from the front of my house that sent me racing in that direction.
There, illuminated by the porch light and dusted with snow, was Daisy.
Time stood still. Daisy was older, of course, but her eyes were clearer than I’d seen them in years. There was a hesitance in her stance, a vulnerability I’d never associated with my headstrong daughter.
“Mom?” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Dad? I… I’m h-home.”
I couldn’t speak. Couldn’t move. I was Daisy’s mother. I was supposed to welcome her with open arms, heart bursting with joy. But I also saw myself as Mallory and Madison’s mother now. And some part of me saw Daisy as the enemy. A person who could possibly steal away these two treasures in my life.
Mickey eventually broke the silence. “Welcome home, sweetheart.” His voice was thick with emotion as he hesitated, looking unsure about whether he should stay put or give his prodigal daughter a hug.
“Mom!” Mallory burst onto the porch, more excitementin her eyes than if it actually had been Santa at the door. “You’re here. You came back for us.”
The hope in my oldest granddaughter’s voice just about broke me. As I watched Daisy tentatively return Mallory’s embrace, her eyes met mine. There would be explanations needed, wounds to heal, trust to rebuild. And I wasn’t going to make it easy for her. No way. I loved my daughter, I did. And I respected her leaving if that’s what she felt was best for Mallory and Maddie. I needed to trust that whatever was happening now was still best for them, and I didn’t.
Mickey stepped up beside me, the broken compass in his palm. He slipped it in my hand and whispered in my ear. “Read the inscription.” Then he moved forward to hug Daisy.
Squinting my eyes, I angled the compass trying to let the inscription catch the light.
WHEN YOUR COMPASS IS BROKEN, FOLLOW YOUR HEART.
Looking up at Mickey with Daisy in his arms and our grandchildren gathered around, I couldn’t help but hope that’s what this was. Daisy’s long-broken compass had led her away, but now, here she was, hopefully home to stay. I didn’t want to think about what it would do to Mallory and Maddie otherwise.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.
—Twyla Tharp
Hollis stood in the living room of Pop’s house, his few belongings packed into a duffel bag by the door. The weight of disappointment and failure pressed down on him, making even the familiar surroundings feel alien and unwelcoming. He’d let everyone down—his foster family, Mallory, and even Duke. The thought of facing them all seemed impossible.
Outside, he could hear the seasonal employees moving about the Christmas tree farm. The once-bustling lot was now quiet, most people having already selected their trees for the season. It was a stark reminder of how quickly things could change, how easily the warmth and excitement of the holidays could fade into loneliness and regret.
His phone buzzed with a message from Sandy, confirming she’d passed along his message to Mallory about the play. Hollis’s stomach twisted with guilt. He could picture the hurt and confusion in Mallory’s eyes. He’d disappointed her, just like he’d disappointed everyone else.
The shrill ring of his phone cut through his thoughts. Dr. Lynch’sname flashed on the screen, and Hollis’s stomach dropped. This was it—news about Duke. Hollis had stayed up last night bargaining with God, knowing that didn’t work. As a kid, he’d made a lot of bargains with the Big Guy upstairs and usually his prayers weren’t answered, but even if they were, Hollis never upheld his end of the deal.
Hollis would do whatever it took for Duke to get better though. If there was a deal to be struck, he’d make it.
Last night, Hollis had promised God he’d do better. He’d even offered to give up his dream of opening his dog-training business if that’s what was needed. Taking that out of the equation took Pop’s offer out as well—kind of. Family mattered most, and that was the biggest ask Hollis had ever made from the man upstairs. All he’d ever wanted was a family and he’d got one in Matt and Sandy. And Pop. He didn’t want to lose them. He’d get back on track, butplease God. Let Duke be okay.
Hollis’s hand shook as he tapped his phone’s screen and connected the call.
“Hollis!” Dr. Lynch’s voice was urgent. “I found Buster.”
