18

 

They parked in the mall. Sara was amazed they found a space. She shook her head as Luke and Dave did the usual getting out of the car and checking the area trick. “Don’t you get tired of doing that, Luke?”

“Yes, but it needs doing.” Luke locked the car and took Sara’s hand.

Sara glanced down and tried to shake him off. “Hey, do you mind?”

“Not at all. You’re my wife. Remember? So if I want to hold your hand, I’ll do so. Besides, Darren and Amy always hold hands when they go out.”

Sara stifled a smile. She ought to be cross with him, not find him amusing. Why was it so hard to stay mad at him, and why was the thought of holding his hand making her feel this way? “Even with four kids in tow?”

“Yes. Plus, this way I don’t lose you.”

Sara left her hand in his. It felt nice. Jamie’s hand was always cold and loose, and it had always been her holding onto him. This was Luke holding onto her. Her mind went back to the last walk with Jamie the night he’d died. That wasn’t going to happen this time. They had backup, and as long as Luke was there, she was safe.

Sara took Luke into a dress shop. She made him and Dave stand guard while she tried on and bought a couple of maternity outfits. The first was a dress that would do for both church and Antonia’s party. The other was an everyday outfit of leggings and a top. In the next store, she bought a scarf and glove set and a pen inscribed ‘Special Aunt’ for Aunt Mary.

They went into a card shop, and Sara took in all the Christmas cards. How many would she need? She listed them in her mind. They’d all be late, but it didn’t matter. She picked a box of twenty-four traditional ones with robins and snowmen.

She glanced around at Dave. “Dave, could you post a couple of these from somewhere for me?”

Dave smiled at her. “Sure.”

“Thanks.”

Luke frowned, his tone dropping an octave. “Sara, is that really a good idea?”

She bit back her automatic response. “Luke, please, humor me a little. They’re for church members, except one or two.”

Moving along the aisle a little, Sara chose a card for Aunt Mary. Another card caught her eye. For the one I love at Christmas. She picked it up and read the inside. It said what she wanted to say in such a perfect way, she had to get it. Glancing at Luke, she added it to the pile in her hand.

“You do realize the last posting date to the US was two weeks ago.” She angled her head at the pile of cards he was holding.

“I’m posting early for next year.” He winked and gave her a smile. “Your enthusiasm is rubbing off on me. Let’s pay.” He led the way to the till, holding her hand again. The queue moved at a reasonable pace, and once they’d paid, Luke took the bags.

“You can’t take all of them,” Sara protested.

“Sure I can. What’s that British expression of yours, now...oh yeah, donkeys go best laden, don’t they?”

She wiggled her eyebrows at him. “Come on then, Dobbin. Giddy-up.”

She laughed as he poked his tongue out at her, then took her hand and led her towards the door. As they came out of the mall into the High Street, she spotted a baby shop across the road. “Can we go over there?”

“Sure.” He gripped her hand as she almost slipped on the ice in her haste. “Hey, slow down. You’ll fall and hurt yourself. You don’t want to be back on the crutches again for Christmas.”

“Not particularly.” They crossed the road, and she peered in through the window. “Oh, look at the teddy bear. He’s gorgeous.”

Luke grinned at her enthusiasm. “He is kinda cute.”

“I want him.”

“You want him?”

Sara didn’t answer, just blushed.

Luke’s grin broadened. “Let’s go see.”

Sara led him over to the shelf of bears. There were so many to choose from, all with different colored ribbons. It took her a minute before she picked up one with a yellow ribbon. “This one.”

Luke laughed. “Is he for you or the twins?”

Sara hugged the bear and gazed at Luke over the top of its head. “His name is Fred, and he’s mine. Why?”

“Fred?”

“Fred Bear, threadbare. Get it?”

Luke groaned and held out his hand. “Give.”

“No.”

“Give me the bear. My treat.”

“I can’t let you do that.”

“Don’t argue. Hand over the bear.”

She sighed and relinquished the bear with a fair amount of reluctance.

“You’ll get him back.”

“I’d better. Buy your own bear.”

Luke grinned and picked up two more. One had a green bow and the other a red bow. “The twins had better have one each, too. Can’t have you all fighting over them, can we?”

“Luke…”

Ignoring her protests, he put the three bears in a basket and gave it to her to hold.

Catching sight of the baby clothes, Sara wandered over to them. She touched the fabric, lost in thought for a moment.

Luke stood beside her, his hand in hers. “Do you want clothes for the babies?”

“No. It’s too soon.”

“Maybe, but it wouldn’t hurt to start getting some, would it?”

“I don’t want buy anything yet.”

“We’ll just get the bears, then?”

Sara hesitated. It was so tempting, but she wasn’t sure if the twins were boys, or girls, or perhaps one of each. “I don’t know if I’m having boys or girls.”

Luke squeezed her hand. “Do you want to leave the bears?”

“I guess the bears won’t hurt.” She took a deep breath. “And maybe the baby-grows with the penguins on. Just one each.”

“Baby-grows?”

Sara picked up the smallest size they had on the hangers. “These.”

“Onesies. Both the same color?”

“One pale green and one lemon. Just so we can tell them apart after they’re born.”

He smiled and put them in the basket. He led her to the till and paid for the bears and clothes before she could object. He reorganized the bags and took Sara’s hand again. “Coffee?”

“Please. I’m starting to wilt, and I’m sure Dave is, too.”

Dave laughed and rolled his eyes. “Remind me never tae let ye and Carole loose in the shops taegether. There’d be nothing left, either in the shops, or in the bank accounts.”

“That sounds fun.” Sara grinned at the expression on the men’s faces.

Luke shook his head. “That’s a strange definition of fun if you ask me.”

“I didn’t, but I will if you like.” Sara laughed. She was enjoying herself for the first time in months.

Outside the snow was falling, gentle flakes this time, without the harsh wind of the night before. Luke led Sara into a warm café and sat her at a table. Christmas music played in the background, and tinsel hung over all the pictures. Lights twinkled in the windows and on the tree in the corner.

Sara smiled. “This is what I was talking about.”

A waitress, whose name tag introduced her as Beth, came over and took their order. Sara took her coat off, putting it over the back of her chair.

Luke followed suit. “So what are you calling the other bears?”

“Stop and Go, in honor of the colors of the bows.”

He smiled. “Why not Red and Green?”

“Rain and Bow. Sun and Shine. Moon and Ray.” Sara played the name game along with Luke until their coffees and mince pies arrived. Sara dug into hers with enthusiasm.

“What are you doing for Christmas, Luke?”

“Keeping you safe and secure.”

“What about your family? Aren’t you seeing them?”

“They’re back home. I’ll call them.”

“Don’t policemen get holidays?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Of course, but Sara, we’re supposed to be married. It’d look a little odd if I went home for two weeks instead of spending our first Christmas together.”

“Good point.”

He picked up his coffee and sipped it. “Besides I don’t get white Christmases at home. I intend to make the most of this one.”

“I’ve never had one either. Down south we get snow in January if at all.” Sara raised a hand in greeting as she saw Antonia, Daniel, and another man sitting across the café. She did a double take at the sideways profile of the stranger with them. Then shook her head. She really was seeing Jamie everywhere. Maybe she was crazy after all.

Antonia came across. “Hi. How are ye?”

“Fine.” Sara smiled. “Join us?”

“No’ this time. We have a business associate of Daniel’s staying while he has the builders in his place. I wanted tae give ye this. It’s an official invite for the twentieth.” She handed invites to Sara and Dave.

Luke started to refuse. “I’m afraid—”

Sara spoke over him. “That would be lovely. Thank you. We’ll come.”

Luke raised an eyebrow and put a hand on her arm. “Don’t forget how ill you have been, Sara.”

Sara removed her arm from under his hand. “Like you’ll let me, but I’m fine now. Ignore him, Antonia, we’ll be there. Thank you.”

“Good. See ye later.” Antonia went back across to where the others were sitting.

Luke glared at Sara. “I suppose you think you’re pretty slick.”

“It would’ve been rude to refuse, and I bought a dress to wear.”

“You said it was for church.”

“It’ll do for parties, too, and it’s only next door. We don’t have to stay long, and Dave and Carole will be there, as well as the guy in the cop car. He can watch their house instead of ours for once.”

They glared at each other across the table, the comfortable feeling replaced by the reality of the situation once more kicking in.

Dave wisely remained silent.

Luke sighed. “Anywhere else you want to go?”

Sara shrugged, all the magic of the trip gone. She pushed her half-full coffee away. She couldn’t even ask him to take her home. “No. The house will do.”

“Sara.” Luke reached across the table. “Things were going so well. Don’t let this spoil it.”

Sara put her coat back on. “It’s a little late for that, don’t you think? Take me back to the house.”

Luke pulled his hand back. “Sure.”