Chapter Nine

“Delicious.” Harmony pulled the tray from the oven. The scent of freshly baked sugar cookies teased her nostrils. Her belly grumbled. She hummed along to Ella Fitzgerald’s holiday classic about Santa Claus and mistletoe as it played from the stereo. After letting the cookies slightly harden on the pan, she transferred them to a metal cooling rack, then rinsed the dirty dishes in the sink.

“I got the dishes, babe.” Birley wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her shoulder. “You didn’t have to bake Andy and Kay treats.”

“I wanted to. Mom always did when I was little and we were decorating for Christmas.” She dried her hands on a small towel and faced him. The smile stretching his lips stopped her heart. A twinkle lit his eyes, and she couldn’t blame it on the overhead light. Hope, happiness, love—it shone in the dark depths of his irises. She swallowed hard. “Besides, you made dinner. Dessert was the least I could do.”

“Thanks, but you’re plying my kids with sugar before bedtime.” He laughed dryly as she blushed. He skimmed his knuckles down her cheek. “I’m glad you’re having fun.”

“I am, a lot. Claude hated the scent of pine and broke out in a rash whenever around synthetic firs, so I haven’t celebrated Christmas with a tree in years. I’m relieved you’re using an artificial one. It’s always so sad to see real trees discarded on the roadside after the holidays, though most people around here chop them up for firewood.”

“Yup. Thank goodness for freezing winters.” He pulled her back to the living room.

Kay waved at them and hung a cat-shaped ornament on the large tree in the corner.

“Are the cookies ready?” Andy jumped up from the floor, the knotted ball of evergreen-and-ribbon garland falling from his lap.

“Soon. They need to cool. Make sure you thank Harmony for baking them.” Birley tousled his son’s hair. “You, too, Kay.”

“Thank you!”

The children’s singsong voices rang out in tandem. She laughed softly, her heart tugging.

Meeting the children had been a little stressful, but she found common ground with them when Andy showed her his favorite action figures and Kay showed off her doll collection. After dinner, the children begged Birley to set up the tree. Since Christmas was only a few weeks away, she’d sided with the children and helped Birley drag the cardboard boxes from the attic.

Birley yawned and tried to hide it behind his hand.

Poor man. His shower earlier had lightened the luggage he was carrying under his eyes, but she pushed their stress to the backburner when she jumped in the stall with him. The quickie would have to tide her over until she got him alone for a long night in between the sheets.

Kay stretched her arm up toward a bushy, unadorned tree limb. She whined, teetering sideways, then placed the ball on a lower branch.

“Want some help?” Harmony pulled a small container of glass balls from one of the bigger boxes. She picked a blue one and eyed the limb Kay couldn’t reach.

“No, no. The big red one.” Kay pointed at the coveted limb.

“How about silver?” She set the blue ball back in the container and picked up the glittery silver ornament. “It would look great next to the gold angel already up there.”

Kay tilted her head as she perused the tree. Then she scrunched her nose. “Nah. The red one’s prettier.”

She hooked the child’s preferred ornament on the limb. The ball shone like a ruby from the strings of colored light wrapping around the tree. “You’re right. It’s perfect.”

The girl beamed and bounced, her dark-blonde pigtails flying about her shoulders. “What do you think, Daddy?”

“Love it. Be careful, though. Let Harmony and me get the top branches, or ask us for help.”

“Okeydokey.” She grabbed a snowflake-shaped ornament.

“Stupid thing.” Andy yanked on the garland. The more he pulled, the tighter it became.

Harmony bit her lip. Ooh. If he wasn’t careful, he’d rip the décor in two. Green needles already covered the floor around him. She reached for the tangled rope. “Here. Let me. Why don’t you check the other boxes?”

“All righty. Good luck.” He handed it over, then dug through a box.

She sat in an armchair and plucked at the knot. Damn. It was tighter than she expected. After twisting her fingers and finally loosening the tangle, she pulled gently on one end of the long garland. Sudden heat prickled her neck.

Birley smiled at her and picked up Kay. After the little girl placed Harmony’s glittery silver ball on the opposite side of the gold angel, he kissed Kay’s forehead and set her down.

A loud knock echoed from within the kitchen.

Was someone at the back door? This late? The digital clock on the end table flicked to seven thirty, and she frowned at Birley. “Are you expecting someone?”

“No. I’m not sure who it could be.” He turned down the volume on the stereo and strode into the kitchen.

Harmony tucked one end of the garland at the base of the tree and worked her way around, careful of the ornaments and lights in her path. There. She hid the tail end within the branches and pulled a box closer to search for more garland.

“Mom!” Andy squealed and raced across the room.

Harmony’s heart slammed against her ribcage. Susannah? She cringed as Birley’s tall, curvy ex-wife walked into the room.

“Look at how big you are.” Susannah tossed her parka in a chair, then clasped Andy’s face and smiled. “Just as handsome as your daddy.”

“Where have you been? I’ve missed you. Are ya gonna stay for Christmas? Did you bring me anything?” Andy rattled off the questions in one breath.

The dark-haired woman kissed his cheek and grinned at Kay, waving her over.

Kay shuffled her bare feet, then leapt into the woman’s arms.

Birley scowled from the kitchen doorway. Deep lines stamped his red face.

The apology in his eyes froze the air in Harmony’s lungs. Time to go. This was a family thing—a family she didn’t belong to. The ball in her throat threatened her air supply. She dragged in a deep breath. Why did this have to happen?

Susannah rose, her children clinging to her. Her finely plucked eyebrow sprang up as though she just now noticed Harmony.

“Hello, Susannah. It’s been a while.” She swiped her dusty hands on her jeans.

“Yes, it has.” An edge sharpened Susannah’s syrupy, high-pitched tone. “Have I interrupted something?” She directed the last to her ex-husband.

“You have. I don’t like it when you stop by unannounced.” He snatched his cell from his pants. “No missed calls or messages.”

“I got a new phone and lost a lot of my old contacts, including your number. Besides, I heard about the arson from the news. I wanted to check on my children.” She grasped Andy’s and Kay’s hands and drew them to the sofa. “Tell me what you’ve been up to.”

Harmony pulled Birley into the kitchen and lowered her voice. “What the hell?”

“I’m sorry.” He scrubbed his hand down his drawn face. His chest heaved. “I’ll let her visit for a few hours, then kick her out. Goddamn it. The kids are going to throw a fit.”

“Should I go? I don’t want to intrude.”

“No, please. I need you.”

“Why did you let her in?” She glared at the back door as though it was the cause of the whole messed-up situation. “You could’ve left her on the stairs.”

“Had I done that, she would’ve banged until I opened up. The kids would’ve heard.”

She stepped back. He had a point, but he still shouldn’t allow the cold woman to give Andy and Kay hope when nothing would come from it. She blew a long breath through her clenched teeth. “What should we do now—smile and make pleasantries? Act like the wicked witch of the west isn’t ruining our night?”

“That would be best. I always put on a front to not upset the kids when Susannah is here.”

Oh my God. Was he serious? Playing nice she understood, but how far did he take it? “There is a fine line between protecting your children and flat-out deceiving them, Birley.” She forced down a growl as he rolled his eyes. She smacked her chest. “Think about me for a second. I’m the outsider here. I’m nobody to your kids.”

“You’re my support. I need you to keep me calm.”

“Support? Ha! You’re putting me in the middle of an awkward situation. Susannah hates my guts.” She walked across the room and grasped the counter, her hands trembling. The happy green sprinkles on the cookies mocked her. She flipped back around. “I want to support you, but I’m not going to keep my mouth shut when things need to be said. Why does she think she has any right to barge into your life—their lives? Will this time be any different from the last? You’re allowing her to hurt them.”

He snapped his shoulders back. His brow furrowed. “I can handle the fallout. I’ve been doing it since before the divorce.”

“There shouldn’t be any fallout. Why—”

“Damn it, Harmony. Enough. I’m their parent. Not you. I know what I’m doing.”

He couldn’t have hurt her more if he slapped her. Tears smarted her eyes. She ducked her head before he could see the waterworks.

“Hell, I’m sorry.” His voice softened.

She drew back, lifting her hand. “You’re right. I’m nobody’s mother, so I shouldn’t lecture you. Thank you for reminding me.” She patted her warm cheeks. “What am I doing here? I shouldn’t be getting involved with you and the kids. I’m like Susannah. I’m spending time with them, making them happy, and I have no intention of sticking around.”

“You are nothing like her.”

“Maybe, maybe not.” The sight of Susannah cuddling with Kay and Andy heaved chunks in Harmony’s stomach. She rubbed the back of her tight neck. “At least when I’m gone, it won’t hurt them. I’m just the random woman Daddy brought home who baked them cookies and helped them decorate a tree. If you think letting Susannah drop in whenever she wants is a good idea, fine, but I won’t watch the house of cards fall on your head.” She grabbed her purse and jacket from the hook by the door.

“Wait.” He rushed after her and grasped her elbow. “Please don’t go.”

Her heart clenched. Freedom beckoned. Go for it. Open the door. Cross the threshold. Have a good cry. She sighed heavily. The plea in Birley’s eyes chained her to his side. Her shoulders sagged.

“Thank you.” He hung her belongings back up and guided her into the living room. He cleared his throat, squeezing Harmony’s hand. “Susannah, where are you staying? The Deerbourne Inn is likely booked solid, but I’m sure you could find a hotel in Waterbury.”

The woman kissed Kay’s forehead, then raised her eyebrow at Harmony’s and Birley’s joined hands. She shrugged. “I was hoping to stay here.”

Hell no. Harmony bit back the words. It wasn’t her place to say them.

“That would be awesome!” Andy jumped to his feet. “Can Momma stay, Daddy?”

Kay giggled and hugged the smiling woman.

Birley stiffened. “No, Andy. It’s not a good idea.”

“Oh, c’mon. Daddy, please. We never get to see her.” The boy ran to him and clutched his father’s pants. “Let her stay.”

Birley released Harmony’s hand to lightly grasp his son’s shoulders. “Your mom can visit, but she needs to leave soon. We don’t have an extra bed.”

“No, Daddy.” Tears welled in Kay’s big blue eyes. She climbed on Susannah’s lap.

Andy lifted his chin. “B-but… Momma can have my bed. I’ll sleep on the floor.”

Harmony opened her mouth, then snapped it shut. So much for speaking her mind.

“You won’t sleep on the floor, Andrew.” His tone deepened as he said the child’s given name. “She’ll be fine—”

“Then she can sleep in your bed. Or I can. You got a great big bed. Aren’t parents supposed to sleep in the same room?” Andy pointed in the direction of the hall.

Harmony backed up. She couldn’t take this anymore.

Birley whipped around and reached for her, his hand freezing in midair. Panic flared in his eyes.

“The sofa works.” Susannah wrapped her arm around Kay and stroked the cushion with her other hand. “It’s soft and comfortable. I’ll be fine here.”

Both kids peered at Birley with wet, imploring eyes. Kay’s bottom lip trembled.

Dear God. He was railroaded. The resignation scrunching Birley’s face crushed the tiny bit of hope in her heart.

Harmony turned, grabbed her things, and headed out the door.