“I’m thinking about what you offered to do. Most people wouldn’t go out of their way to help people they don’t know.”
“I guess I’m not the same as most people.”
Leaning forward, Katie scrutinized his face. “Why do you make prosthetic limbs?”
And just like that, she cut straight to the core of who he was. “We were already manufacturing high-tech mobility aids before we started the prosthetic side of our business. When I saw the archaic limbs most people are given after an amputation, I knew we could do better.”
He lowered his spoon onto his plate. Katie deserved to know more than the generic answer he gave everyone. “I was in a relationship with a soldier whose right leg was badly damaged in a training accident. The doctors did everything they could to save it, but her lower leg had to be amputated. There was no funding for anything other than a metal pole with a shoe on the end.”
When Katie didn’t say anything, he sighed. “I sound bitter and twisted, and I don’t mean to. I’m disappointed the health system can’t fund better options for people who need help to live a good life.”
“I don’t blame you for being upset. Sometimes you need to have first-hand experience of how somethingisn’tworking before you can do anything about it. I never realized what it’s like to be homeless, to crave a hot shower and a safe bed to sleep in until I started working with Pastor John. It made me realize how fortunate I am and how much I can do for other people. Is your friend okay now?”
He took a deep breath. This was the part he rarely discussed. The part that had left him heartbroken and full of guilt. “Sandy was devastated when she lost her leg. From the time she woke up in the hospital, she never came to terms with what had happened. Two years after the accident, she committed suicide.”
“I’m sorry.”
Peter pushed aside the cloud of grief that had snuck up on him. “She was a great person. I don’t know whether one of our prosthetic legs would have changed what happened, but they’re helping other people.”
“Is the mobility van another way you can make a difference?”
“It’s either that or penance. I used to beat myself up about not knowing how depressed Sandy had become. Before she died, my team was working on the conductive gel that makes the prosthetic limbs so effective. She was excited about what we were doing, but it wasn’t enough to give her hope. If the van even makes a small difference in someone’s life, I’ll do everything I can to make it happen.”
A lump formed in his throat when he saw the compassion and understanding in Katie’s eyes. If he didn’t change the subject, he’d start crying. “Let’s talk about something different. Have you tried formatting your manuscript?”
She smiled and nodded. “I have and the software is amazing.” With tears gleaming in her eyes, she brushed her lips against his. “Just like you.”
Without knowing when or how it had happened, Peter felt himself falling into something special—and he never wanted it to end.
* * *
The following evening,Katie rolled her eyes at Peter. “You can do better than that. Smile like you mean it.” She held her cell phone higher, waiting for the moment he looked as though he was enjoying being dressed as one of Santa’s Secret Helpers.
“It’s all right for you,” he moaned in a very non-festive way. “You like dressing up.”
Dropping her hand, she sent him what she hoped was a sweet smile. “It’s Christmas. How do you think Santa feels? I’m sure he’d sooner be wearing jeans and a sweatshirt instead of the same suit he’s worn for hundreds of years.”
“He has an image to uphold.” Peter straightened his red jacket and gave a resigned sigh. “I just hope the family we’re visiting like our outfits.”
“They will.” Katie didn’t have the courage to tell him Santa’s other helpers only wore hats when they delivered the Christmas wishes. But, because it was her first year of helping, she wanted to do something special. Wearing the costume she’d worn at the Santa parade would make everyone happy. And when Ethan offered to lend Peter his elf costume, it seemed like their fate was sealed. Unfortunately, Peter had other ideas.
“Okay. I’m ready.” With a smile that had probably won the hearts of many women, he waited for her to take their photo.
Not wanting to waste another moment, Katie lifted her camera and snapped not one, but at least six photos. She wouldn’t get another chance to show everyone how cute he looked, so she wasn’t missing this opportunity.
“Are you ready to deliver your first Christmas wish?” she asked him.
“I can’t wait.” This time, Peter’s smile was genuine. “Do you know where we’re going?”
Opening her truck door, she clambered inside. “The Skelseys live in the tiny home village. They’re in house number eight. Benjamin asked for a computer so his dad could work from home.”
“That sounds like a reasonable request. What does Benjamin’s dad do?”
“He works at a call center in Polson. Over winter, the roads between here and Polson can close depending on how much snow we’ve had. The company is happy for the staff to work from home, but they need to supply their own computer. Having one will mean Benjamin’s dad can still work.” She glanced at Peter, hoping he understood why this was so important.
“And a job means there’ll be food on the table and the utilities will be paid?”
“Exactly.” On the short drive from the church to the tiny home village, Peter asked questions about the village. She answered the ones she could and suggested he talk to Pastor John about the others. It wasn’t until they arrived that she remembered to tell him about her books. “I spoke to my friend in Los Angeles. She’ll upload my formatted manuscripts to all the e-book retailers.”
