Maggie hadn’t been particularly sorry when Samantha divorced Josh. That was a terrible thing to admit, given how distraught Josh was over the demise of his marriage. But Maggie never felt the woman was good enough for her brother-in-law. And the fact that she served him divorce papers barely a year after he’d lost his brother said it all.
Josh had initially tried to reason with Samantha, but in the end he didn’t contest the divorce. Didn’t dispute her demand for their Seabrook home. Didn’t even object to her request for spousal support. It drove Maggie crazy that he rolled over to Samantha’s every demand, though she tried to hold her tongue since he was so despondent.
When Ethan had died, Josh made the trip to Fayetteville every other week to visit Maggie and later to help with Zoey, who even as a baby lit up at the sight of her uncle. But his trips soon dwindled to once a month or less, punctuated by phone calls. Josh never said so, but Maggie suspected Samantha put a stop to his frequent visits.
Upon succumbing to the divorce, he resumed his frequent trips, but he was not at all his charming self. Oh, he put up a good front. But his smiles were forced, his laughter absent. He obviously missed Samantha terribly, though he didn’t confide much in Maggie. Heresisted her attempts to pry him open, and eventually she stopped trying. Put her efforts into trying to cheer him up instead.
North Carolina required that a separated couple live apart for a year before obtaining a divorce decree, which took another sixty days. By the time it was all finalized, Josh was more his old self. Though his eyes had lost their twinkle, and Maggie hadn’t seen that little brow hitch in months. As far as she knew he wasn’t dating again. Maybe that was what he needed—another woman in his life.
A few months after the divorce had been final, the holidays were upon them, and Josh arrived with plans to do his shopping in Fayetteville with Maggie and Zoey. In a few weeks, Christmas would find them gathered in Seabrook at Brad and Becky’s house for the last time as they’d just purchased a seaside cottage.
Josh arrived on Saturday morning, and Zoey ran to him all smiles, yelling, “Yosh! Yosh is here, Mommy!” They’d just celebrated her second birthday and her vocabulary was increasing by the day.
Maggie had done most of her shopping, but Josh was on a mission to complete his list in one day. So they hit what seemed like every store in Fayetteville. Zoey napped in her stroller while Josh picked through jewelry displays for his mom and coatracks for his dad. The toy store was next. Josh purchased enough gifts to spoil his nieces and nephew rotten, despite Maggie’s admonishments that Zoey didn’t really need a backyard swing set just yet.
She didn’t fight too hard as he charged up his credit card, but only because she hadn’t seen him so happy in months. He had such a generous heart. His business was profitable, and if spending his hard-earned money on his family made him happy, who was Maggie to deny him?
They grabbed dinner out and returned home by Zoey’s bedtime. She’d fallen asleep in the car, so Josh carried her inside and laid heron the bed. Maggie covered her with her Winnie the Pooh blanket and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“We wore her out,” Josh whispered as they left the room.
“You woremeout. Who does all their Christmas shopping in one day?”
“Smart people, that’s who.”
Maggie pulled Zoey’s door almost closed. “I’d offer you some eggnog, but you think it’s gross.”
“It is gross. But I’ll pour you a glass.” He nodded toward the living room. “Go relax. You’ve earned it.”
“I’ll take you up on that.” In the living room she turned on the Christmas tree lights along with the garland and candles on the mantel. This was their third Christmas without Ethan and the first she’d gone all out with decorations. Zoey was old enough to enjoy the lights and hopefully stay away from the ornaments.
Maggie sank onto the sofa, her back loosening painfully. Even though teaching kept her on her feet most of the day, it hadn’t prepared her for a full day’s shopping with Josh. She smiled at the memory of him tackling the toy store aisles like Santa on a Christmas mission.
“I can’t stay long.” Josh returned, handed her a glass of eggnog. “I have a part in my church’s Christmas program tomorrow.”
“Do tell.” She took a sip. “Are you playing a wise man?”
He cut her a wry grin. “There are better men for those roles.” He took a gulp of water, looking a little sheepish. “I’m actually singing ‘O Holy Night.’”
She did a double take. “Wait. You can sing? That’s a hard song!”
“Tell me about it. I’ve been kicking myself ever since Jeff Watkins talked me into this.”
“How did I not know you can sing? Does your family know? Ethan never said a word.”
“I’ve been careful to avoid letting anyone know. And if Jeff hadn’t caught me belting out a tune when I thought no one was around, my plan would be working just fine.”
“I can’t believe I didn’t know. Sing me something.”
“No.”
“Oh, come on. It’s just me.” Even in the dim lights she could see the mottled red suffusing his neck. “Are you blushing? That’s so cute.”
“It’s not cute. I don’t like singing in front of people.”
A laugh burst from her chest. “It’s a little late for that, my friend. Come on, just one line. It’ll be good practice. Please? I won’t laugh.”
He pulled a face. “You think it’s gonna be funny?”
