“I wish you’d stick around.” She pulled on her coat then smiled. “You’re the closest thing we have to family right now.”
He smiled back. “That’s nice to hear.”
After a silent drive home, the three of them sat in the living room with the Christmas tree twinkling cheerfully on one side, the fireplace crackling on the other, and Oliver sleeping peacefully by the hearth. But with somber faces and downward glances, no one looked likely to speak.
Finally, Wendy decided to initiate the conversation by confessing and apologizing to Jackson. She poured out her story, explaining how being disingenuous had been tearing her apart. “I kept meaning to make you understand we could never stay here,” she finally said. “But I knew it would only make you miserable.” She wiped a tear. “And it was so nice seeing you happy. I love you so much. I just wanted you to be happy, Jackson. And if I could pull a miracle out of thin air, it would be for us to stay here forever, but I’m sorry, I just can’t do—”
“I have a confession to make too, Mom,” Jackson interrupted. “I knew all along you planned to sell the cottage.”
“You really knew?”
“Yeah. You pretty much told me from the start,” he reminded her. “And you tried to remind me lots of times, but I kept twisting it into whatIwanted to happen. I thought I could convince you, make you want to stay. And it seemed like I was making good progress.” He jerked his thumb toward Caleb. “I even tried to get you interested in him, hoping that would make you want to stay.”
“Really?” Caleb’s brows rose.
“Remember the night I wanted to stay home with Oliver?” Jackson’s smile grew mischievous. “I just wanted you two to have a real date.”
“I suspected as much,” Wendy admitted.
“We did have a nice evening,” Caleb reminded her. “And since everyone is making confessions, maybe I should make mine too.”
“What?” they both said in unison.
“When I asked for Jackson to help me with the lights on my store that day, well, I didn’treallyneed help. I just wanted an excuse to see Jackson’s mom again.”
“Oh, I knew that.” Jackson waved a hand.
“But then I saw what a hard worker you were,” Caleb continued. “And I really did want your help in my woodshop. In fact, I missed you today.”
“I’m sorry.” Jackson turned back to Wendy with sad eyes. “So, it’s really true, Mom? You sold this place to some rich people?”
“Well, it’s not sold yet. But we do have a potential buyer.”
“And we’re going back—back to Ohio?” His eyes were filling with tears now.
“We don’t really have a choice, Jackson.”
“What about Oliver?” Jackson pointed to the oblivious dog sleeping by the fire. “Does that mean I have to give him up? I don’t get my dogandI have to go back to Ohio? This is going to be the worst Christmas ever!”
Wendy didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry, son. I was imagining ways we could try to make this work—and I was taking your advice about trusting God to take care of us. I made those items to sell in town.” She felt a painful lump in her throat. “But the fact is—I’ve got to make the responsible decision here. It’s not easy being an adult. Someday, you’ll understand that better.” She swallowed hard as she reached for her son’s hand. “I really don’t have any other options. I’m expected at work. We have to go back.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it,” Caleb declared.
They both turned to stare at him.
Wendy noticed that his cheeks were flushed, probably from the fire. But it was his eyes that drew her attention. They were clear and bright—and intense.
“What do you mean?” Jackson demanded.
“Well, I’ve been thinking about your, uh, situation too,” Caleb said slowly, looking from Jackson to Wendy. “I’ve actually given it a fair amount of thought these past two weeks.” He pointed to the Christmas tree. “For starters, Wendy, I never got the chance to tell you that in just one day I must’ve sold a couple dozen of your Christmas tree ornaments.”
“Really?” She felt a tinge of hope.
He nodded. “Maybe more. And remember the couple that you helped in my store the other day, the ones who ordered the dining table?”
“Yes.” She waited.
“Well, they loved your mirror and the husband told me on the sly that he plans to come get it for his wife for a Christmas present.”
