Chapter Seventeen

 

NAT WOKE TO whispering next to her bed. She cracked an eye open to see Belle whispering to Mr. King. “Daddy said not to wake her up, Mr. King, but I just wanted to be sure she was okay. That fire was scary—and why is she asleep? She’s going to be so mad when she finds out. I don’t think she’ll like me after, and now that I love her, I don’t want her to hate me.”

Nat’s heart thumped when Belle said she loved her. She swallowed hard, beating back tears of joy and sorrow, wondering if there was any way they could actually work as a family. The little girl was such a sweetheart to worry about her. She listened as Belle not-very-stealthily crept from the room, and on the heels of that thought felt like the biggest bitch for making the little girl feel she didn’t want her around.

She knew she’d been snippy and standoffish in the beginning, enough to convince Belle she didn’t like her, when in reality it had been the thought of liking her too much that brought forth those reactions. She was rusty when it came to how to act around kids. But over the past couple of weeks, they’d bonded, reading together and snuggling.

Oh, for God’s sake, who on earth am I trying to kid? She could lie to herself till they colonized Mars, but the truth was she not only liked Belle, she loved the little girl. And had slid into home base with Zach, too. She, who’d never believed in love at first sight—or in a scant few months—had fallen for Zach and his daughter. Head over heals.

Belle’s words skipped through her head again. She’s going to be so mad when she finds out. Natalie thought she knew exactly what Belle meant by that. She’d had plenty of time to think about how the fire had started, and had just that morning remembered glancing at the porch while climbing out of the bathroom window, seeing the plug for the Christmas lights securely in the socket. The plug that had been lying on the porch since she’d moved in, the cord like a snake trailing behind it.

She hadn’t been the one to plug the lights in, and Belle had been in the backyard. One plus one equaled flames and smoke. She’d bet her newfound love that Belle had plugged in the lights, determined that Nat enjoy the holiday, causing something to spark and kick off the fire.

She felt sure that’s what the determination would be when the fire department finished their investigation. But she couldn’t be mad at Belle. What kid didn’t want bright, sparkly things at Christmastime? She hadn’t planned to say anything to Zach or Belle, hadn’t wanted to make either of them feel bad or guilty.

But since Belle was aware, Nat had to clear the air with both father and daughter. She also refused to continue to be coddled. She appreciated Zach’s care, but knew her own limitations and felt clear-headed and steady enough to at least get out of bed on her own. Not that she hadn’t enjoyed the heck out of being wrapped in his arms, held against those beefcake pecs and huge biceps.

Nat slid her legs over the side and climbed from bed, her leg giving barely a twinge and her head pain-free. She snagged her borrowed yoga pants from the chair and slipped them on, padding quietly into the hall and down to Belle’s playroom.

She wondered briefly where Zach was until she heard the distant clacking of a keyboard from his office a few doors down. As she paused in the doorway of Belle’s playroom, her heart was heavy to hear the little girl still worrying with Mr. King over whether Nat would be mad to find out she’d caused the fire.

“Hey,” she said softly as she walked through the door. “Is Mr. King excited about Santa coming tomorrow?” Belle looked at Nat with wide eyes, as if a growling mutt ready to bite her head off had just prowled through the door.

“He thinks maybe Santa won’t come ‘cause Mr. King and I have been bad.”

Nat felt the lock on her heart snick all the way open with affection and love at the look of abject misery on Belle’s little face. She couldn’t stand to see the little girl eaten up with guilt over something innocently done, simply because she loved Christmas.

She sat on the loveseat next to Belle and brushed a hand gently over her hair. She knew the best way to handle this was not to draw it out.

“Sweetie, I’m not mad at all about the fire. I know you think it’s your fault for plugging in the cord, but it’s really not.”

It shocked her when Belle burst into tears and jumped into her arms. “I’m sorry Nat-alie. I dint mean to, honest!”

“Shh, it’s okay Belle. Shh, don’t cry sweetie. I’m fine, I’ll get the house fixed and best of all I get to spend Christmas with you and your daddy.”

It heartened her when Belle’s tears lessened to sniffles and her sweet little face turned up to stare through glistening eyes filled with love.

“You pwomise you’re not mad?”

Nat closed her eyes and tucked Belle’s head under her chin, rocking her as she reassured, “Not even a little bit, sweetie.”

When Nat opened her eyes and blew curls out of her face, she saw Zach in the doorway, a wide smile on his handsome face, and the affection shining from his gorgeous eyes letting her know he’d heard it all, and was grateful for how she’d handled Belle. She smiled back.

“How are my ladies doing today?”

Belle snuggled against Nat’s shoulder and gave a watery giggle. “I’m not a lady, Daddy. I’m just a little girl!”

Zach strode to the loveseat and braced on one knee, leaning over to give Belle and then Nat smacking kisses, and whispered in her ear, “Thank you, sweetheart.”

As he smoothed a broad palm down first Nat’s curls, then his daughter’s ebony hair, he said, “My sister’s locked herself out of her house. Do you think you and Belle will be okay while I run over there to let her in?”

Nat looked down at Belle. “I’m sure we’ll be okay while you’re gone.” She glanced at Zach, her heart beating faster to see the glint in his eyes.

She glanced back at Belle and asked, “How about I read to you and then we watch a movie when your daddy gets back?”

Belle’s eyes lit up, and she jumped off Natalie’s lap, tugging on her hand. “Yes!”

“I’ll get you settled downstairs before I go.” He leaned closer, and she closed her eyes on a sigh when he pressed his lips softly to hers in a lingering kiss full of promises for the future.

He scooped Nat up in those powerful arms and said, “Come on, pumpkin. Downstairs with you both. And no shaking Christmas presents, either of you!”

He got them snuggled on the couch, and Nat blew him a kiss as he left the house, hugging Belle to her breast as she read one of the little girl’s Lowly Worm books. They both enjoyed the worm’s antics and were looking forward to watching The Santa Clause when Zach returned.

He’d thought of everything, even setting a pot of hot chocolate and cookies on the coffee table, admonishing her to be careful when on her feet, and with a last kiss had dashed out the door.

She read the last line of the book and pressed a kiss to Belle’s honeysuckle-scented hair. “Are you ready for hot chocolate and cookies, sweetie? Then I’ll start the movie and we can snuggle on the couch again. Your dad won’t mind missing the very first part.”

“Yes! I love when his little boy and the elves break Santa out of jail! That’s the bestest part!”

Nat chuckled at her enthusiasm, looking forward to seeing the movie again. There’d been no Christmas movies watched in her house since she’d lost Matty, and it amazed her to feel the warmth of fond memories drowning out the usual pain when she thought of her little boy.

She poured chocolate into the snowman mugs and placed the cookie plate on her lap. Belle snuggled against her side again and nibbled on a cookie. Nat told reindeer jokes to pass the time and Belle giggled, then looked up and said, “I love you, Nat-alie.”

Tears burned her eyes as she enveloped Belle in her arms and whispered back, “I love you too, sweetpea.” She wiped tears from her cheeks as Belle went back to munching her cookie. It’s just that simple, she thought. Why can’t I love Belle and her daddy? What law says I have to be miserable the rest of my life? Why am I fighting this, anyway?

What a time to have a life-changing epiphany, she thought with a huff. And why not? It was the season of miracles, after all. She brushed a hand down Belle’s tangled hair and turned back to set her cocoa cup down when shattering glass in the kitchen made them both jump.

An urgent voice came from the couch next to them. “Nat, Belle, quick. Run!”

“Gram Edna!” Belle whispered. “What was that noise, Nat-alie?”

Momentarily distracted by the fact it didn’t surprise Belle to hear her gram’s voice next to them, she turned and asked, “Can you hear my gram?”

Belle’s turned toward her, eyes wide with terror. “Yes, she reads to me at night and keeps me safe.”

Natalie had no time to dwell on that revelation, because it sure sounded like someone was breaking into the house through the kitchen door.

She rose to her feet and pulled Belle up with her. “I want you to go lock yourself in the bathroom, Belle. Don’t come out for anyone but your daddy or me.”

“No, I don’t want to leave you!” she wailed.

Natalie cringed, knowing if anyone was in the house, they’d have heard the little girl.

“Sweetie, I don’t know what that noise was, but until I find out, please just go into the bathroom. It’ll be okay.”

A raspy voice from the hallway door contradicted her reassurance. “Well, bitch. I don’t know as how things are gonna be okay.”

Nat stood and pushed Belle behind her. The woman in the hallway was rail thin, her gaunt face riddled with acne scars. She had a feeling she knew exactly who they were facing.

Belle tugged on her tank top and whispered, “That’s the bad lady. Don’t let her take me again!”

The woman pinned her eyes on Belle. “Bad lady, my ass. I deserve a present at Christmas, and you’re it this year, brat.”

Rage filled her. No one is taking this little girl! If she had to die protecting her, she would.

“Zach is going to be home any second,” she bluffed and fervently hoped she was right. That he didn’t get caught up visiting with his sister. “You need to get out before he returns. You don’t want on his bad side, believe me.”

“Who you kidding, bitch? I left him a little present. He’s gonna have to fix that flat tire at his dear sister’s house first.”

“Didn’t you learn your lesson the last time you tried this?” Nat wasn’t the least bit interested in her answers, but figured keeping her talking was her best bet for now.

“I been watching for a few days, waitin’ for him to leave you two alone. Knew he’d eventually have to leave the little brat with gimpy you, and BAM! I’d have my chance.” She crooked a finger at Belle and rasped, “Get over here, brat. We’re leaving.”

“Not going to happen.” Nat never wished more for a baseball bat or a tire iron. She glanced quickly around the room and didn’t see a thing she could use.

Best bet was to get Belle out of the house and hope a neighbor was home, or Zach would miraculously appear.

Nat turned and pushed Belle ahead of her toward the front door, exaggerating her limp and glad the woman evidently didn’t realize her leg was much better.

She’d apparently seen Zach carrying her around and thought Nat’s injury was worse than it actually was. As she scooted Belle out the door, she turned at the sound of the woman following them.

The only good thing was that the crazy bitch thought Natalie wasn’t a threat and wasn’t moving fast to stop her. She leaned down and whispered, “Run next door to Mrs. Maguire’s and go right into her house. Go now! Be fast!”

She gave Belle a nudge and watched anxiously as she ran down the porch steps. “Dammit!”

The woman shoulder-checked her, causing Natalie to lurch forward and grab the porch railing to keep from falling. A kick to the thigh of her injured leg almost took her to the ground, and when the woman’s fist connected with a glancing punch to her temple, Nat’s leg buckled. Seeing stars, she shook her head to clear it. There was no way she was losing Belle to this bitch. Natalie made a grab for her as she scooted past and caught nothing but air.

“You don’t touch her!” Her scream rent the air, and she prayed a neighbor was outside and would come to their aid.

Belle didn’t make it ten yards before the woman grabbed her from behind and jerked off her feet. Natalie roared again in anger and ignored the twinge of pain in her shin and knee as she ran after them, snatching up a garden gnome on her way. “Let her go!”

“Nat-alie! Nat-alie!” Belle was pounding her little fists on the woman’s shoulder and screaming like a banshee.

Natalie caught them halfway across the yard and smacked the woman upside her head with the sharp ceramic lantern clutched in the gnome’s gnarled fist.

As she wrapped her other arm around Belle and pulled, she brought the gnome down on the woman’s head again in a crushing blow. Belle came free into her arms and the horrid woman toppled.

Nat clutched the sobbing child tightly to her chest and ran toward the neighbor’s house. The old woman never locked her door, and she knew if she could just get inside and lock it behind them, they’d be safe while waiting for the cops.

She’d almost made it to Mrs. McGuire’s porch when she heard the squeal of tires and what sounded like a lion’s roar. When she glanced back, relief made her dizzy to see Zach jump from his truck and run toward them, veering off to where his ex lay crumpled on the ground.

She grunted as her calf muscle spasmed, and she twisted in midair as her leg collapsed so she would be on the bottom when they crashed and not crush Belle. “Crap!”

She squinted through her pain and saw Zach reach the woman as she was trying to crawl away. He grabbed her arm and flipped her onto her stomach, pulling her other arm behind her back.

He pinned Nat and Belle with stormy eyes brimming with rage and fear. “Are you okay?” he asked hoarsely. “Tell me you’re okay.”

Nat smoothed a hand down Belle’s back, trying to quiet her sobs. She nodded to reassure Zach and whispered, “Shh, it’s okay, sweetpea. She’ll go away forever now. Shhh, didn’t I tell you I’d never let anyone take you away from your daddy? Or me.”

Belle turned her sweet, tear-stained face to Nat and wrapped both chubby arms around her neck in a stranglehold. “Don’t ever let me go, Nat-alie. Please don’t ever leave me.”

Natalie fully lost her heart at that moment. It belonged to this little girl and her daddy, and thank God she’d come to her senses and embraced her feelings.

“I’m not leaving you, Belle. Ever.”

She kept Belle snuggled in her arms and watched while a police cruiser slid to the curb and an officer jumped from the car to relieve Zach, cuffing the cussing woman and moving to the side for EMTs to check her out. Natalie hoped she had a concussion, and they put her away for good this time.

 

❄ ❄ ❄

 

ZACH RAN over to Nat and Belle, sure he’d lost twenty years of his life when he’d turned the corner to see Natalie smack Jo Ann. To see her defend his child, risk herself like that, filled his heart with fierce pride. She’d fought as if Belle were her own child. He dropped to his knees and wrapped them in his arms.

“Daddy, you’re squishing me,” Belle complained.

He loosened his hold and leaned back to press a kiss to Belle’s forehead, then brushed Nat’s lips with his and groaned. “I could have lost you both.”

“We’re fine, Zach. I promise. Belle’s a champ. Aren’t you, sweetie? You were so brave.”

Zach nodded. “You both were. Let’s get you in the house. The police can come in and talk to you there.”

Nat nodded and said, “There’s glass on the kitchen floor. We heard glass break…”

Belle interrupted excitedly. “And Gram Edna warned us, too!”

When Nat nodded, Zach looked incredulously from one to the other, not realizing until just this second that their sneaky adopted grandma had been talking to and watching over all three of them, not just him and Natalie.

“Your grandma is a hell of a woman, Nat. Apparently she’s been haunting all three of us.”

At Nat’s grin, he grinned back and shook his head in wonder.

“Jo Ann came in from the kitchen,” Nat continued. “Must have broken the panes to get in the door.”

“I’ll put a solid core door in tomorrow—no glass. I couldn’t believe it when I saw you running, sweetheart. Thank you for keeping Belle safe.” He swept a hand down her curvy waist and tucked her against his side.

“I would never let anything happen to her, Zach.”

“You were fierce as hell.” He shook his head in wonder.

Nat turned burning eyes toward him. “There was no way I was letting her get away with your little girl.” Her gaze gentled as she turned shimmering eyes to his daughter. “She’s burrowed her way right into my heart.”

He kissed her again and hoped he’d burrowed his way into her heart, too. There was a question he was dying to ask, but ruthlessly squelched it, brushing a finger across her shin instead. “How much pain are you in?”

“It’s pretty sore, but I don’t think I actually re-injured anything. Think you can do your he-man thing and carry us both again?”

It surprised Zach she could joke at a time like this. She continued to amaze him with her resiliency. “Sweetheart, I’m just the he-man to do it.”

He scooped her into his arms, pausing when she placed a slender hand on his cheek and kissed him softly. He didn’t know what to make of the expression in her eyes. Was afraid to hope what he saw shining through was love.

He strode past the pitiful woman on the lawn and up the steps to their home. And it was going to be theirs, dammit, if he could just get holiday hearts awakening—her heart to awaken—to his and Belle’s love.