“Heard from Cole lately?”The question came with deceptive casualness from Robert.
“Every day,” she replied and focused her attention on the gaily decorated Christmas tree rather than meet her brother-in-law’s questioning regard.
“He’s still coming for Christmas, isn’t he?”Terry quizzed.
“I hope so.”
“Do I detect a note of doubt?”Robert raised thick brows with the question.
Lesley shook her head lightly.“Cole claims he’s coming, but I don’t know how.His schedule seems impossible.He’s meeting with his attorney Wednesday morning in Detroit, then flying into Spokane, weather permitting, and renting a car there.”
“Thank goodness he had the common sense not to have you come get him.Not on these roads.”
She’d wanted to meet him, had pleaded with him to let her drive to Spokane, but Cole had refused.
Robert and Terry were having a small Christmas gathering with Robert’s parents.With road conditions so hazardous, it wasn’t a time to be traveling.Lesley had also been invited to the family gathering, but had declined.She wanted to spend as much of her time with Cole as possible.He couldn’t stay long and planned to fly out again on the twenty-sixth.
The phone was ringing Wednesday afternoon when Lesley walked in the door.
“Hello,” she answered breathlessly.
“Hi, honey.”
“Cole,” she cried, dismay creeping into her voice.“Where are you?”
“Detroit.”
“Detroit,” she echoed, her heart sinking.She closed her eyes at the painful rush of disappointment.“You can’t make it.”She made the announcement for him, her voice unbelievably calm.
“Honey, I’m sorry.”
A thick lump was blocking her throat.“This really is a terrible time of the year to plan on any traveling.”Her voice was soft and quivering.“Jesus did have to pick the coldest month of the year to be born,” she said, attempting a joke.“Did I tell you it’s snowing again?All the kids in town love it.A white Christmas.Everyone’s dream.”She continued chattering because if she stopped she’d burst into tears.
“Lesley.”Cole’s voice was husky with appeal.“You know how much I want to be with you.”
“Yes.”Her hand bit into the telephone receiver as a fresh wave of hurt and frustration rippled through her.
“It’s been over a month since we’ve been together—the longest month of my life.”
“Mine, too,” she muttered, and to her horror a sob escaped.“I’ve got to hang up now...I’m baking cookies and the timer just rang.”The lie was outrageous, but she had to get off the phone before she disgraced herself further.Cole’s disappointment was as keen as her own, so listening to her tears wouldn’t make it any easier on him.
“Lesley, I love you.Don’t ever doubt that, not for a minute.”
“No, of course not.Good-bye, Cole.And merry Christmas.”Her hand covered her mouth as she attempted to hold back the sobs.The drone continued as she replaced the telephone, her hand gripping the handle until her fingers ached.
The bank closed at noon Christmas Eve.If Terry knew about Cole’s call, she’d insist Lesley come with them to Robert’s parents.But their plans for the holidays were already set, and Lesley preferred not to intrude on the family gathering.In the light of Cole’s call she wasn’t in a celebrating mood and decided to spend the time alone.
The soft Christmas music from the record player helped to lighten her mood as she fixed herself a special dinner of chicken cordon bleu and fresh spinach salad.The small Christmas tree was decorated with a hundred starched snowflakes she had crocheted in lace.The few presents her parents had mailed, and the one Terry delivered the day before, were stacked under the tree beside the one she had for Cole.
The inspiring notes of theMessiahfilled the small duplex.Lesley hummed as she washed her dinner dishes, then sat with her feet propped up on the coffee table, her eyes closed.The music satisfied her loneliness.
The pounding on the front door nearly caused her to fall off the couch.Christmas Eve.Who would possibly be out this time of night?Her eyes flew to her wristwatch.It was after eleven.
“Lesley,” the dear, familiar male voice shouted.
Cole.Her heart somersaulted as she rushed to the front door.“Cole!”Her arms flew around his neck and she spread a multitude of tiny kisses over his face.“You’re here, you’re here,” she repeated again and again, her joy overflowing.“You must be freezing,” she murmured and lovingly held his face with her hands.“Come inside.”
He pounded the snow off his boots and followed her into the duplex.She watched him as he removed his thick coat and scarf.His face was red with the cold, his hair wet from the snow, but he looked marvelous...wonderful.
