Valerie followed Wade out of the parking lot and when he turned right onto Broadway and she turned left, she felt herself being torn. Part of her wanted to be in that truck with him, heading to a home they shared, putting the kids to bed and then enjoying a quiet evening together. He was the last thing she thought about before going to bed and the first thing she thought about when she woke up. She looked for him all day at school and had loved spending the extra time with him, working on the Christmas pageant.
She hated saying goodbye to him.
“Do you like Issy’s dad?” Hailey asked from the back seat. “Did he kiss you?”
“He kissed my forehead,” she said.
“That means he kissed you.” Hailey sighed, and when Valerie looked in the rearview mirror as they passed under a streetlamp, she saw that her daughter was smiling.
Valerie hadn’t forgotten what Hailey said about wanting a dad. It was one of the many things that had been denied her daughter.
Yet—Valerie couldn’t even contemplate dating Wade if he didn’t know the truth about her and Hailey. It was already beyond the point of bringing up casually. Valerie would need to be very intentional about telling him and telling him in a way that made him realize why she had waited.
But she wanted Hailey’s permission to tell their secret. It wasn’t just Valerie’s to tell. Was Hailey ready to let people know the truth?
They drove through the quiet streets and into the alley behind Valerie’s house. After parking her car, they walked through the newly fallen snow to the back door and let themselves into the kitchen.
“I’ll let Annabelle out while you get on your pajamas and brush your teeth,” Valerie told her daughter as she flipped on a light. “I’ll be up in a bit to pray with you and tuck you in.”
Hailey was about to take off her coat when she surprised Valerie and wrapped her arms around Valerie’s waist in a tight hug.
Valerie paused and then she returned the hug, their winter coats making it a little awkward—but she didn’t mind. Tears came to her eyes as Hailey held her close.
“What’s this about?” Valerie asked.
Hailey pulled back and looked up at her. “I just wanted to hug you.”
“Okay.” She smiled. “You can hug me whenever you want.”
“I know.” Hailey wrapped her arms around her again. “Thank you for taking such good care of me.”
The tears fell from Valerie’s eyes as she reached down and picked Hailey up, hugging her tight as Hailey’s feet dangled. They had talked to her mom twice since Thanksgiving, and both times, Hailey had told her all the fun and exciting things taking place in her life. At the end of both conversations, though, Hailey had told her mom how much she missed her and how she wanted things to go back to the way they once were. It had broken Valerie’s heart, because she had thought they were making progress.
This hug was the first real indication that perhaps Hailey had accepted her.
“You’re welcome,” Valerie said as she sniffed back tears, burying her face into Hailey’s hair.
“Are you crying?” Hailey asked.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I love you.”
Hailey pulled back and looked at Valerie, eye to eye. “I love you and I’m not crying.”
“You love me?” Valerie asked.
Her daughter nodded—and then smiled.
“Oh, Hailey.” Valerie hugged her close again. “You don’t know how happy that makes me.”
“Are you still crying?” Hailey asked.
“Yes. Because I’m so happy.”
Hailey wrapped her arms around Valerie’s neck and held her close. “You don’t need to cry.”
Annabelle began to whimper from her crate, so Valerie set Hailey down. She wiped her cheeks as she said, “Run up and get ready for bed. I’ll be up soon.”
Hailey did as she was instructed, and Valerie let out Annabelle. As the small dog stepped tentatively through the new snow, Valerie stood at the back door and marveled at Hailey’s words.
Her daughter loved her. It wasn’t something that she would take for granted. She had never assumed Hailey loved her just because she was her daughter. But, to hear the words from Hailey’s mouth meant everything.
Joy filled Valerie’s heart at the knowledge—and at the tenderness Wade had shown her before they left the church. Could it be that Valerie could have everything her heart longed for? A husband, a family, a career and a home?
“Come on, Annabelle,” Valerie called to her dog as the cold began to bother her.
Annabelle scampered inside and immediately left the kitchen, no doubt in search of Hailey.
After Valerie took off her outdoor gear and locked all the doors, she turned off the lights and stopped for a second near the Christmas tree in the living room. They had left the lights on the tree while they’d been away, and they needed to be turned off now.
She admired them for a minute and then unplugged the cord before heading up the stairs to get ready for bed.
Hailey was already in bed, under the covers, with Annabelle by her side. Her lights were still on since Valerie usually turned them off when it was time to sleep. Hailey was reading a book she had borrowed from the library. Since the school shared a backyard with the public library, the school hadn’t put in a library of their own. They simply took the classes to the public library once a week to check out books.
“Did you brush your teeth?” Valerie asked Hailey.
Hailey responded by giving her a big, toothy grin.
“Good.” Valerie picked up the clothes Hailey had been wearing and put them in the wicker basket. “You know I like your room to be tidy. Please don’t leave your dirty clothes on the floor.”
“I forgot,” Hailey said with a shrug.
Valerie switched on the lamp by Hailey’s bed and then turned off the overhead light. She took a seat on the side of Hailey’s bed and asked, “Are you excited about the Christmas program?”
“Yes.”
“Are you nervous?”
“A little.”
“It’s normal to be nervous.”
“I know. Mr. Griffin told us that. He said that the nerves help us to stay alert and be ready to do our parts.”
“That’s very true. Nerves help us to care about what we’re doing. If we didn’t care, we wouldn’t try our hardest to do the best we can do.” Valerie wanted to shift the conversation to a different topic. She wanted to talk to Hailey about sharing the truth with Wade and Issy. But was it too soon after she had told Valerie she loved her? Would Hailey get resentful? Or was it the perfect opportunity?
There was only one way to find out.
“I asked Wade if he and the kids would like to come over tomorrow after the pageant,” she said tentatively.
Hailey’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Can we bake cookies again?”
“Maybe not tomorrow night. We’ll be busy all day and then it’ll be a little late when they come over. But we can bake cookies another day soon. Tomorrow is the last day of school before Christmas break.”
“Yay!” she said. “Can Issy have a sleepover?”
The girls had been begging for weeks. Maybe now would be a good time. “I’ll ask Wade and see what he thinks.”
“Okay.” Hailey grinned as she eagerly petted Annabelle and gave the dog a kiss.
“There’s something else I’d like to discuss,” Valerie continued.
Hailey watched her closely but didn’t speak.
“I think it’s time we tell Issy and her dad that I’m your real mom.”
“Why?”
“Because we’ve become very good friends and—” She paused, not knowing how to continue. “I like Wade a lot, Hailey. And I would like to spend more time with him, but I feel like I’m keeping a secret from him, and I don’t like that feeling. You wouldn’t like if Issy and her dad were keeping a secret from us, would you?”
Hailey continued to pet Annabelle and Valerie could see that she was deep in thought.
“I think tomorrow would be a good time,” Valerie said. “After the Christmas pageant, when they come to our house. What do you think? We don’t have to tell everyone—yet—but I think it’s important to tell the Griffins.”
After another second of contemplation, Hailey took a deep breath, and then said, “Okay.”
“Okay?” Valerie studied Hailey to make sure she was certain, her excitement rising. “Tomorrow?”
“After the Christmas pageant,” Hailey clarified. “When we’re at home. And we need to tell them not to tell anyone else.”
Valerie wished Hailey would let her tell everyone—but, for now, she was happy that she’d at least let her tell Wade and his kids.
“I promise,” Valerie assured her.
“Can you pray for me now?” Hailey asked.
“Of course.”
Valerie said a prayer for Hailey, gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and then turned off the lights and left her room.
She went into her own bedroom and stood for a moment at the window overlooking the front lawn.
The snow was still falling and the soft light from the streetlamps glowed up and down the road. On the opposite corner was a large Victorian home owned by Max and Piper Evans. They used it as a bed-and-breakfast and lived in the third-floor apartment. But, with the addition of their second child on the way, Valerie wondered how much longer they would stay in the apartment. She knew them from church, but their daughter, Lainey, was too young to attend school.
For years, Valerie had looked at couples like Max and Piper, wondering when—or if—she’d ever find a love like theirs. Now, as she thought about the feelings stirring within her for Wade, she marveled at how blessed she felt. Yet a niggle of doubt plagued her. What would he say or do when he learned that Hailey was Valerie’s daughter? Would he understand? See her side? Or would he be angry and disillusioned? Would he reject her and her love?
Even though she knew better, Valerie had started to fall in love with Wade. And it was nothing like how she had felt for Soren all those years ago in high school. That had been a surface-level attraction. Nothing more. And when something difficult had come their way, the relationship had crumbled under the weight of it.
What she felt for Wade was much different. She knew that hardships would come. She knew that difficulties, trials and tests were unavoidable. But she also knew that Wade was a man of integrity, sacrificial love and commitment. He had already stood up under the test of hardship and had come out the other side a stronger man. If something difficult came their way, he wouldn’t run. He’d stay by her side and walk through it with her.
That was the kind of man she wanted to love—and, perhaps, marry.
As she got ready for bed, she prayed that he would understand why she hadn’t told him the truth about Hailey. And that he would be willing to overcome the past with her, so they could have a future together.
Friday morning and afternoon felt like a blur to Wade as he finished his last day of school before the break. He had three class periods that day, and in between playing holiday games, like musical chairs with the “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” song, they also ate treats and practiced a few of the songs they would be singing at the pageant that night.
Between classes, Wade was in the church sanctuary, working on last-minute changes to the set, lights and sound.
The only part of his day that didn’t feel like a blur was seeing Valerie. When they were together, it felt like time stood still—for just a minute—and he loved it. Since she oversaw all the lunch periods, he didn’t get to see her during his lunch break, but they did bump into each other getting coffee in the morning and afternoon. He knew exactly when she refilled her cup—and he was there every day to spend a few stolen moments with her.
As he drove home from school that afternoon with Issy and Brayden, his thoughts should have been on the program that evening. Instead, they were on Valerie and the sweet moment they had shared behind the church the night before. As well as the tender smiles she’d offered him today at school. There was an excitement in her gaze that made her eyes sparkle. He hoped it was because of him. As much as he was looking forward to the pageant tonight and showcasing the kids’ talents to their parents—he was more excited about going to Valerie’s house afterward and spending some time with her. Maybe they could light a fire in the den fireplace and have a few moments alone.
His thoughts were so distracted that as he pulled into his driveway, it almost didn’t register that his mom’s car was parked there.
“Grammy!” Brayden said when he saw it.
Wade frowned, not sure why his mom would be at his house when she knew they would be at the school until now.
The kids ran toward the house as Wade took his shoulder bag from the passenger seat.
“Grammy!” he heard his kids calling as they opened the front door.
Wade finally made it inside and closed the door to the chilly afternoon air. It had stopped snowing, but the forecast was threatening snow again. Wade just hoped it wouldn’t interfere with the Christmas pageant that evening. After today, he didn’t care about the weather—but it needed to hold off for a few more hours.
“Mom?” Wade asked as he hung his coat and bag on the coat-tree by the door.
“We’re in here,” his mom called, probably from the kitchen.
When Wade turned the corner, he found his mom standing at the island, chopping a carrot, and his dad was sitting on a stool.
Why were both his parents here?
“What’s going on?” Wade asked, not surprised they had let themselves in. Ever since Wade had become a single dad, his parents had been there to help him. They had an extra key and were known to pop in from time to time or pick up the kids when there was an emergency and Wade couldn’t get them in time. Other times, his mom would run over and do a couple loads of laundry, or vacuum, or clean something that needed attention. Wade had never complained. He knew she wasn’t doing it to be critical of his own housekeeping skills, but to be helpful.
“We knew tonight was going to be busy for you,” his mom said as she put the chopped carrots into a large stockpot on the stove. “I thought I’d make supper here and you won’t have to worry about feeding the kids before you leave for the church.”
“That was thoughtful,” Wade said as he gave her a side hug. “Thank you.”
“I came to ask you when you’ll be coming back to work,” his dad said as he picked up one of the peeled carrots and took a bite. “We have a remodeling job that came up and I need to have every man on hand to help.”
“Is Mrs. Cole coming back after the first of the year?” his mom asked.
Wade took a seat next to his dad, needing to be off his feet while he spoke to his parents about this sensitive topic.
Especially because he had spent all night thinking about Valerie’s offer, and he wanted to pursue the option. See what it would look like to be a full-time music teacher. It wouldn’t pay as much—but teachers received free education for their children, which was a big chunk of Wade’s expenses. And, with some good budgeting, he could easily make ends meet.
“Mrs. Cole isn’t planning to return at all,” Wade told his parents.
“Is it that bad with her daughter and granddaughter?” his mom asked.
“No. The baby is doing well, but she won’t be able to come home until February. Mrs. Cole wants to stay with her even after the baby is released from the hospital. She was going to retire this year anyway and decided to do it sooner than later.”
“What does that mean about the teaching position?”
“It means that it’s up for grabs. Valerie will be looking for a permanent replacement.” He looked from his mom to his dad—knowing that his dad wouldn’t take the next part easily. But he had to say it, not only to stand up for himself—but to stand up for his children, too. He didn’t want to saddle them with Griffin Construction Company like his dad had tried to force it upon him. “She asked me if I’d be interested in the position.”
“You told her no, right?” his dad asked.
“I told her I’d think about it.”
“You can’t be serious, Wade.” His dad sat up straight on his stool. “You’re taking over Griffin Construction one day. You’ve been working your whole life to run the company.”
“No.” Wade shook his head, digging deep to find the courage to speak to his father. “You’ve been working your whole life for me to run the company. You’ve never asked me what I want.”
“You’d be foolish to turn down the offer to take on the family company,” his dad continued. “Some people would give their right arm for this opportunity. It’s a well-established business and it’s given your mom and me a good life. Why would you want to throw away all our hard work for you to become a music teacher?”
“I’m sorry.” Wade shook his head. “The company business was your dream, Dad, not mine. I would never assume that my dream is Issy’s dream or Brayden’s dream. I wouldn’t start a business and then expect them to take it on, without wondering what they want to do with their life.”
“I’ve worked hard to have a legacy to pass on to you.” His dad’s face had turned red as he listened to Wade’s impassioned speech. “It wasn’t about me—it was about you.”
The guilt from his dad’s words weighed heavily on Wade—but it wasn’t justified guilt. “That was your choice. Not mine. I’ve wanted to work with music since I was a kid. I love teaching and I’ve enjoyed coordinating this upcoming Christmas pageant. It’s something I could see myself doing for the rest of my life. It’s fun to shape the minds and hearts of students. It’s the legacy I want to pass down.”
“This is your fault.” His dad turned to his mom. “If you hadn’t encouraged him to take the temporary position, maybe he’d still be working for me.”
“My fault?” His mom’s face filled with indignation. “If it wasn’t now, it would be later. Can’t you see Wade’s been unhappy all these years? You and I thought we were doing him a favor, but he’s hated working for the family business. There’s nothing we can do about that.”
“Who will take it over?” his dad asked as he turned back to Wade.
“I don’t know.” Wade wanted to tell his dad it wasn’t his problem to worry about, but he felt some sense of responsibility. After all, he’d been working for his dad for years under the understanding that someday Wade would take over the business. It wasn’t what he wanted, but it was understood, nonetheless.
His dad stood. “I can see that my sacrifice has meant nothing to you. All these years, I worked for what? For my ungrateful son to throw it all back in my face.”
“I’m not ungrateful—”
“You’re the epitome of ungratefulness. You’ve made a mockery of my life’s work.”
“I’ve done no such thing.” Wade was starting to get angry. “You have a lot to be proud of, Dad. You’ve provided well for Mom, and you’ve employed dozens of people who have been able to take care of their families. You’ve helped countless citizens with hundreds of home and business projects. You have nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of. The best thing might be to sell the business when you and mom want to retire and live comfortably for the rest of your lives.”
“That’s easy for you to say.” His dad shook his head. “You don’t care.”
“Fred.” His mom sighed. “You know that’s not true. And just like you, Wade needs to make his own choices. Your father didn’t force you into a career or profession that you didn’t want. Can you imagine if your dad had guilted you into taking over the sanitary pumping business? You would have been miserable driving a sewage truck all over town and doing the same work over and over again. Why would you assume Wade would want your business?”
His dad had nothing to say to her logic, so he simply scowled.
His mom turned to Wade. “If this is what you want, then go after it. You only live once. God has given you the talent and the ability to make and teach music. And He’s provided an opportunity for you to pursue your passion, while providing a good education for your kids, a comfortable home to live in and a sound income. I know you’ll need to make some adjustments, but just think, you could still work for Griffin Construction during the summer months when school is on break, if you like.”
“I would like that,” Wade said as he focused on his dad, “if you’ll let me.”
His dad shook his head and waved a hand at Wade, as if to tell him to move along.
“I don’t need it,” Wade began, “but I would like your blessing, Dad. I’ve made up my mind and I’m planning to pursue this opportunity, but that doesn’t mean that your opinion doesn’t matter.”
His dad harrumphed, but his mom said, “You have our blessing, Wade. Maybe not Dad’s at the moment, but he’ll come around. I’ve known him for four decades and it takes him some time to accept change. But he does. And he will.”
“Thanks.” Wade smiled at his mom.
“Now,” she said. “Let’s get this soup made and then I will help Issy and Brayden get ready for their performance tonight.”
Wade couldn’t wait to tell Valerie what he had decided. He would have a lot of work in the near future to get all the licensing he needed, but it would be worth the trouble.
He was about to start a new chapter in his life and he hoped and prayed Valerie would be at the center of it all.