Holiday in the Heart Read online

  Appropriate? Hell, he’d be the envy of every man they saw.

  “It’s more than appropriate. On you it’s stunning.”

  She reached for her wrap and he took it from her. Frowned. “You’ll freeze to death in this flimsy thing. It’s cold outside, lady.”

  Embarrassment crept up her cheeks. “I bought the fancy dress, but never got around to buying an appropriate coat. I go out so seldom, I could never justify the expense.”

  He slipped off his suit coat and wrapped it around her.

  “Greg! You’ll be cold.”

  “Leave it on, Sam,” he ordered as she started to shrug it off her shoulders. “I’ll only be cold a few minutes. I’ll remedy this on the way to the restaurant.”

  ~*~

  Samantha looked like she didn’t know if she wanted to kiss him or knock him to the ground.

  “You can’t do this.”

  His idea of remedying the situation had been to park the car, run in to the fanciest couturier in the city and buy the most elegant coat he imagined she’d ever seen in her entire life! He’d placed it around her shoulders as they got out of the car to enter the restaurant.

  “But I already did. It’s yours, Sam.” The shocked look on her face delighted him. As did her expression as her fingers lightly caressed the elegant material.

  “Greg, I can’t afford this. It likely cost more than I make in several months.”

  “It’s a gift, Sam.” More like a year on her salary would be closer to the actual cost. “If you like it, keep it. If you don’t, wear it tonight, then give it away to someone.”

  “Give it away! I’ll do no such thing. You have to take it back.”

  “Can’t. All sales are final.”

  She looked defeated and hopeful at the same time.

  “So you’ll just have to keep it. Call it a gift from Missy.”

  She harrumphed. “Missy would choose a doll or a game—not the most elegant coat I’ve ever seen. What were you thinking? This must have cost a fortune.”

  “So you like it?”

  She exhaled frustration, a sheen of tears in her eyes. “What’s not to like? It’s beautiful, and you know it.”

  He couldn’t keep a smile from spreading across his face. “Good, then that’s settled. Now let’s go inside the restaurant before we both freeze.”

  ~*~

  Samantha had never been to Giuseppe’s, the newest Italian restaurant in the heart of the city. It wasn’t the type of place her circle of friends frequented. Whenever the menu didn’t list prices, it was waaaaaay out of their league. If they wanted Italian, they’d order from the corner pizzeria—not go to one of the most expensive restaurants in the city.

  What had gotten into Greg tonight? Sure, profits at the high priced store were probably good with all the holiday shoppers that swarmed there over the past few weeks. Still, Greg had a daughter to look after. He couldn’t be spending what had to be a large chunk of his manager’s salary on one evening with her.

  Granted, his fancy house was in an upscale neighborhood, but she imagined he was hugely in debt for that. Everyone was nowadays. Why was he throwing his money away on her?

  Did he think he could buy her affection? He couldn’t—and she had every intention of letting him know that.

  ~*~

  Avoiding Greg for the next week, Sam made a point to visit Missy at the house during the early afternoon hours. She didn’t want him there—was still too embarrassed about the coat—but she wanted to spend time with Missy.

  This afternoon they were at the skating pond. Sam helped Missy put her rented skates on while the young girl kept shaking her head.

  “I can’t, Sam. Daddy’s never taken me skating. My leg’s not strong enough.”

  “It can be if you exercise it more, sweetheart. Just look at the progress we made walking around the block yesterday. You didn’t think you’d be able to do that, either, and look how far we got. We made it all the way to the playground.”

  Missy’s eyes widened and she nodded. “That was fun, Sam. Mrs. Watson never took me there before. I loved the see-saw! You made me go soooooooo high!”

  Sam riffled Missy’s hair before she helped her to stand on the skates. “You’re going to be a little wobbly at first, but just hold on to me. I’ll help you out onto the ice and then we’ll take a spin around the pond.”

  As Sam helped ease Missy onto the ice, Missy called out, “Look at me, Mrs. Watson. I’m skaaaaating!”

  Sam turned to watch the elderly housekeeper sitting on a bench at the edge of the pond. It was cold outside, but Sam didn’t think the tears in the old woman’s eyes were from the cold.

  Missy was wobbly and her feet kept slipping out from under her, but Sam kept a firm grip on her. Each time they passed the bench where the housekeeper sat, Missy shouted, “Look at me, Mrs. Watson!”

  After about an hour, Sam finally led Missy to the side of the pond and sat her beside Mrs. Watson to help remove her skates.

  “Did you see me, Mrs. Watson? Didn’t I skate good? I can’t wait to tell Daddy.”

  The elderly woman’s eyes locked with Sam’s. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I think we shouldn’t say anything about today. Just like we didn’t mention everything you did with Miss Samantha the rest of this week.”

  “But I want Daddy to come skating with me and Sam tomorrow. I bet Daddy can skate reeeeeeeeeally good. Did you see that lady in the middle of the pond who kept doing circles? I’ll bet Daddy can do that!!!”

  When Sam drove up to Missy’s house to drop them both off, Mrs. Watson drew in a deep breath. “Mercy me. Mr. Giovanni’s already home. We’re in for it now.”

  As soon as Samantha pulled the car into the driveway, Greg walked outside. “Where have you been? I’ve been calling for over an hour. I thought something horrible happened to Missy when I couldn’t get an answer.”

  Missy rushed up the driveway and into her father’s arms. “Daddy, Daddy, guess what? Sam took me ice skating!”

  Mrs. Watson groaned aloud, and Sam didn’t move away from the car. Her feet were rooted to the ground.

  Greg looked into Missy’s upturned eyes. “Ice skating?”

  “Yes, Daddy. Down at the pond. Sam rented me skates, ‘cause I don’t have my own. Mrs. Watson said she’s too old to ice skate, so she just sat on a bench and watched us. You should have seen me, Daddy. I went round and round the pond with Sam.” She giggled as she turned to look at the housekeeper. “I yelled ‘hi’ to Mrs. Watson every time we went past her. Didn’t I, Mrs. Watson?”

  Samantha could tell the elderly lady wanted to drop through the ground. Her face was flushed, and Sam knew it had nothing to do with the cold.

  Greg set Missy back on the ground. His eyes filled with anger, he calmly told his housekeeper, “Take Missy inside so she can get warm. We will discuss this later.”

  As Mrs. Watson took Missy’s small hand in hers, Samantha stepped forward. “No, you’ll discuss nothing with Mrs. Watson. If you want to fight, do it with me. Right here, right now.”

  He waited until his daughter and housekeeper had gone inside, then turned to Sam. “Do you want to tell me what you thought you were doing with my daughter?” The only telltale sign of his anger was a vein in his neck twitching. Sam knew the warning sign well. It’s what her father did when he’d wanted to throttle her, but held himself in check.

  “I know exactly what I was doing, Mr. Giovanni. Ice skating with Missy. She had a wonderful time playing outside and exercised her leg in the process.”

  “Exercised her leg?” His hand fisted at his side. Though he didn’t raise his voice, his anger was palpable. “Did I not tell you there was nothing that could be done for it?”

  “Yes, you did, but I don’t believe that. Remember when I once told you that you’re holding her back? Well, it’s true. You’re not allowing her to try different activities to see what her body—her leg—can tolerate. You’re looking at her as a father who doesn’t want to see his child in pain. I
’m looking at her as someone who believes it will get better if she’s made to use it.” She raised her eyes skyward when he glared at her. She shook her finger at him. “Don’t you give me that look. I know exactly what I’m talking about. Why, just this week alone—”

  Greg’s eyebrows rose. “This week? This isn’t the first day you’ve forced my daughter to use her leg?”

  Standing straighter, Sam raised her chin. “I forced Missy to do nothing. I’ve merely looked at this situation as an outsider and suggested activities she could do to have fun while strengthening her leg.” She moved the tip of her boot back and forth in the snow. “Greg, I know what’s it’s like. Working at the nursing home, I’d love to help each elderly patient with things they’re trying to do. But I have to stop myself and remember that they still need to try things for themselves. Let them exert their own independence.”

  “Independence? We’re talking about a five year old girl, not some senior citizen!”

  Greg’s eyes narrowed. “And yes, outsider is right. What right do you have to come here—when you knew perfectly well I wouldn’t be here—and force my daughter to do something I didn’t want?”

  “I came when you weren’t here because I didn’t want to see you. I knew you wouldn’t let Missy do anything if you were here. And you embarrassed me the other night when we had dinner and went dancing.”

  His voice as cold as a polar ice cap, he said, “I don’t remember stepping on your toes.”

  “Blast it! I’m not talking about your dancing—and you know it.” By now Sam’s temper was probably as hot as his. “I’m talking about you buying me that coat. What were you thinking? Do you really think me so shallow I would want you to spend your hard-earned money on me in such a frivolous fashion?” Frustrated, she paced up and down the driveway. “I don’t understand you. I’ve heard you’re backing the War Bond drive. That you offered to match the amount every employee has payroll deducted. How can you afford that? How can you afford to waste money like you did on that coat? I know how difficult it is for everyone with the war going on. Most people barely have enough money to make ends meet. Yet you—”

  “I don’t need to explain myself to you, Miss Noelle. You overstepped your bounds—our friendship. I don’t want you around Missy again. As a matter of fact, I don’t ever want to see you again. You’re fired. Don’t bother coming back to the store to get your final wages. My secretary will mail a bank check to you.” With that, he spun on his heel and headed inside his house.

  Sam watched him, heartbroken. She didn’t care about the job—although she’d miss seeing Joe. More importantly, her heart told her she’d miss seeing Greg.

  She’d avoided him this week. Purposely had gone out of her way not to see him at work. She’d sensed when he’d been around, but she’d made a point of ignoring him.

  She’d done it again. Lost someone that mattered to her. Only this time it was her own fault. He wasn’t leaving her to further his career. He was leaving her because she’d pushed him away. And interfered with his life.

  Deep in her heart she believed Missy would get better if she used her leg. But Greg was right. It wasn’t her place to make that happen. She’d just wanted to do something wonderful for them both at this special time of the year—and helping Missy to walk without pain seemed the perfect Christmas gift to give them.

  Wiping the tears from her cheek with the back of her fingers, she opened the door to her old car and got inside. Starting the engine, she eased away from the driveway to head home to an empty house.

  ~*~

  Greg stood at the window and watched her drive away. He wanted to yell at her and comfort her at the same time. She’d looked so hurt when she got in her car and swiped away her tears.

  Damn it all, why had she hurt his daughter? He’d thought she was perfect for him. Believed he was actually falling in love with her. No, there was no doubt about it—he was in love with the stubborn woman. And she seemed to really care for Missy. Why would she do something so foolish—so cruel?

  It didn’t matter. He’d ordered her out of Missy’s life. Out of his life. He’d missed being with her this week while she’d avoided him. She’d been outraged when he bought her that silly coat. To her the cost had been astronomical. To him it was nothing. It had been a means to an end. He’d wanted to find out once and for all if she really wanted him, or only wanted his money.

  She’d put him in his place quickly enough. Told him she’d allow no one to waste their hard-earned money on her. That he needed to save it for Missy.

  Missy. Yes, he needed to think about his daughter. Needed to forget about the woman who’d caused her so much pain.

  When he walked into his living room, he was surprised to see Missy on the floor, her Lincoln Logs sprawled all around her. She didn’t seem to be hurting—certainly wasn’t crying. She chatted away to Mrs. Watson like nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.

  She looked up when he walked into the room. “Come help me, Daddy. Mrs. Watson and I are playing with my Lincoln Logs. But she’s not doing much. She keeps crying.” She put her small hand on the housekeeper’s arm and patted it.

  “I asked if she has an owie, Daddy, but she keeps shaking her head no. But she won’t stop crying. Can you make her stop, Daddy? You always make me stop crying when I have an owie.”

  This was his opening. “Do you have an owie now, Missy?”

  She furrowed her brows as she raised her head to look at him. “No, Daddy. That’s silly. I’m not crying. Mrs. Watson is crying.”

  “Your leg doesn’t hurt from standing on it so long while you were ice skating?”

  “No, Daddy. Sam held me the whole time we went around the pond. She’s such a good skater. She held me there just like she held me when I climbed the slide at the park yesterday. It was really cold when I sat to slide down it. You should have been there, Daddy. I wasn’t scared at all. Sam reached up to hold my hand—and she held it all the way down! It was so much fun, Daddy.” She held out a Lincoln Log. “See, that’s what I’m making now. A playground like Sam and I were at yesterday.”

  “You went to the park?” He turned his head and saw Mrs. Watson’s embarrassed face.

  “Yes, Daddy. We had a good time. Mrs. Watson only sat on the park bench and watched, but Sam played with me the whole time. And she bounced me on the see-saw, Daddy. Want to go do that now? I’ll show you where the park is.” She paused, and frowned. “Oh, I don’t know where it is. But Sam does. She can take us.”

  Looking around the living room, she stopped again. “Where is Sam, Daddy? I want to show her what I’m building with my Lincoln Logs. She’ll be proud of me. She always tells me that when I try something new. She makes me feel so good, I always want to keep trying new things. It makes her happy, and she always thinks of such fun things. Why didn’t we do those before, Daddy?”

  “Sam went home.” Ignoring his daughter’s question, he turned to his housekeeper, kept his voice low. “Mrs. Watson, if I may see you in the kitchen.”

  “Call Sam, Daddy. See if she’ll come back and have supper with us. I love her, Daddy. Can you marry her?”

  Marry her? He’d ordered her out of his life. Forever.

  ~*~

  He bade Mrs. Watson good-night and closed the door behind her. He’d been angry enough to fire her, just like he had Sam. But common sense had prevailed before he’d made the same mistake twice.

  Hell, what was he going to do now? Once he’d finally gotten his housekeeper to quit crying, she’d told him everything Sam had done with Missy throughout the week. He watched his daughter walk into the kitchen holding her favorite doll. She should be tired. Should be crying from the pain. She seemed to be neither. And she wasn’t dragging her leg!

  Could Samantha be right? That all it would take to help Missy walk correctly was to do exercises with her? But make them fun, like Sam had done?

  He felt a fool. This woman had come into his life—wormed her way into his heart—and saw instantly what he�
�d been too blind to see. That Missy really could walk. Just like all those fool doctors had told him all along. And he’d been too hard-headed to listen to anything they’d said. The break may have healed incorrectly, like the physicians had said, but it didn’t have to be debilitating. In wanting to coddle her—protect her from more hurt like she’d experienced when her mother walked away—he’d not done the best thing for his daughter. And in truth, Missy hadn’t been hurt by Amanda leaving. She’d never known her mother. He was the one that carried the hurt—the anger.

  And now he’d lost the best thing that had happened in his life since Missy was born. Lost her? No, it hadn’t been that simple. He’d accused her of mistreating his daughter. Ordered her out of his life.

  Now he just had to figure out how to get her back. Please, God, let her forgive me.

  ~*~

  “Giovanni, tell me the rumor I just heard isn’t true,” Joe said as he stormed unannounced into Greg’s office.

  Greg wasn’t going to back down. Joe and Sam had become fast friends, but he didn’t have to explain himself to a man dressed in a Santa costume.

  “Actually it is. I fired Miss Noelle.”

  “Of all the moronic things to do. First you insult her by buying her some extravagant coat, then you yell at her for helping your daughter, and to top that off, you fire the best elf this store has.” He raised his hand to stop Greg’s protest. “Don’t try defending yourself to me. I saw Sam yesterday. Took a pound cake over to her that my daughter made.” He glowered at Greg. “Do you know what you’ve done to that young woman? She cared for you. Cared for your daughter and you slapped her down as if she was no better than yesterday’s trash.”

  He turned and walked to the door. Stopped with his hand on the doorknob. “If I thought you could find someone to replace me between now and the holidays, I’d quit right now. But I won’t leave the children in the lurch. Our world is in enough turmoil with most of our men overseas fighting. I won’t allow them to come here expecting to see Santa and be disappointed. But you’re a disappointment, Giovanni. What you did to Sam was unspeakable.”