LITMIR.BIZ

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thoughts. “Would you help me with the dishes?”

      “Certainly.” Isabella stood, collecting the plates as Tyler finished drinking his milk. She quickly settled him on the couch, switched on the TV, and found a coloring book to keep him busy. When she was sure he was content, Isabella returned to the kitchen. To her surprise, Emily had already finished washing the dishes.

      “Oh – you’re quick! Let me dry and put them away.” Isabella found the towel in the drawer, and began the chore. “Tyler’s watching a holiday cartoon,” she said, making conversation.

      “You’re very good with him, you know,” Emily replied.

      Isabella was touched by the compliment, but wondered what was really on Emily’s mind.

      Emily didn’t waste time, or words. “You’ve gone above and beyond a teacher’s duty, though. Moving into the guesthouse, helping to fill the void in Tyler’s life.”

      Isabella hesitated slightly, then continued drying the dish in her hand. “What are you trying to say, Emily?”

      “Oh, I’m not insinuating anything.” The older woman smiled kindly, patting Isabella’s arm. “I certainly understand the desire to help others, without wanting anything in return.”

      “I don’t want anything in return,” Isabella repeated Emily’s words. “Except for Tyler to be happy.”

      “We all want that. But…” Emily hesitated.

      “Please, Emily,” Isabella prodded. “What’s on your mind?”

      Emily took Isabella’s hand, leading her to the dining room table, speaking in a hushed tone as she looked past Isabella to Tyler, who was still engrossed in the holiday TV special.

      “Tyler has suffered an unthinkable loss,” she said. “But he seems to be doing much better, thanks to you.” Her smile didn’t hide the concern lurking in her hazel eyes.

      “What is it then, Emily?”

      “You’re Tyler’s teacher, and he’s your priority, of course. But Jordan…oh, my.” She sighed sadly. “He’s a lost soul. Sometimes I think he’s in a much worse state than his nephew. He refuses to live, Isabella. All he does is work. He’s been hurting for a very long time now and, even though he says he doesn’t care about Derek or…Tyler’s mother, I know their sudden deaths were a shock to him. So, I won’t deny that I’m delighted you’re here for him, too. I’ve seen how he looks at you…”

      Emily smiled at the surprise in Isabella’s eyes. “He likes you, Isabella,” she continued. “That’s a big step for him after…what he went through.” She shook her head and sighed but forced another smile to her lips as she covered Isabella’s hands with hers. “For years, I’ve prayed for someone like you to bring him back to life.”

      “Emily,” Isabella rose from her chair. “This arrangement is nothing like that!”

      Emily stood, too. “But you are helping him, my dear,” she insisted, then shrugged sadly. “I’m sorry if I’ve offended you. I hope you’ll forgive an old romantic?”

      Isabella felt guilty for being secretly thrilled. Jordan liked her? Well, if their kiss was any indication, he was as attracted to her as she was to him – but she was certain his feelings ended there.

      “Don’t be silly, Emily,” she reassured her new friend. “You care about Jordan. I understand that you want him to find happiness – I want him to be happy, too. But…he’s not looking for a relationship. And, quite frankly, neither am I.”

      Emily sighed again, but didn’t pursue the subject. Instead, she stared out the window at the new-fallen snow. Isabella’s gaze followed hers as Emily asked, almost to herself, “Where has that young man gotten to?”

      “I’m sure he’ll be back soon. Will you stay awhile longer and watch Tyler put the star on the tree?”

      Emily nodded. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

      They went to the living room and took seats on opposite sides of Tyler. Together, the three of them became happily immersed in the animated world of snowmen and forest animals while they waited for Jordan to return.

      ***

      Jordan wasn’t ready to go inside and face the disapproving glares from Emily and Isabella. He’d had good reason to leave over an hour ago, good reason to rethink the way he’d been conducting himself. What the hell was he doing – letting his guard down, allowing himself to begin to feel something again? This had to stop – the way he’d been running around, acting all father-like lately. And even kissing the one woman he had no business kissing.

      Seeing the silver chest sitting in the box amongst the ornaments woke him up.

      Maybe he should go back to the coffee shop. He’d sat in his truck across the street from it for over an hour. But he hadn’t had the nerve to go in there either. Nevertheless, it was a hard reminder of how much loving someone could hurt. He’d hoped it would stop the regret that had gnawed at him since losing his brother. Or wipe away the nighttime cries of the little boy who’d unexpectedly entered his life. And, not least of all, erase the memory of Isabella’s sweet lips.

      But not even visiting the place where he’d first met Kim and began this long, sad course in his life had helped him forget any of that, or the people in his house now – happily decorating the tree, probably waiting for him. If he just hadn’t seen the jewelry box – bringing to mind the last Christmas he’d had faith in love. Seven years ago. Kim found the engagement ring nestled under layers of tissue paper inside. She said yes. He thought they were happy.

      Then Derek arrived.

      Jordan turned off the engine. Man up, his inner voice shouted. He heard the faint sound of laughter coming from inside the house. Before he realized what he was doing, he was at the front door, pushing his way inside, like something had pulled him there. He looked at the small group, his gaze resting on his adorable nephew sitting between the women on the couch, laughing at a Christmas cartoon Jordan remembered watching as a child. His heart did a flip. It took him by surprise. But, even worse than that, it worried him.

      ***

      Isabella saw him first, but it was Tyler who jumped up to greet his uncle when Jordan entered.

      “Uncle Jordan! We waited! We waited!” He ran to the box and retrieved the star, then went to Jordan. “Lift me up!”

      Jordan dutifully obeyed, hoisting Tyler to the top of the tree. “Now the lights, the lights,” Tyler insisted, waiting in gleeful anticipation as Isabella plugged them in. They all stood together, gazing at the beautiful spectacle in the middle of the living room. Emily, pleased by the sight of the three of them looking like a happy family, decided to slip out quietly.

      She stepped past the coffee table, catching her knee on the edge of the ornament box, tipping it over. The silver chest slipped out, falling with a thud on the hard wood floor. The three adults looked toward the noise simultaneously. The lock was sprung and the chest popped open. Jordan’s expression was fixed on the diamond solitaire ring that rolled out, watching as it twirled to a stop by the wall. Isabella picked up the chest, quickly tucking back some photos that peeked out.

      “Oh no,” Emily exclaimed, moving to the ring and scooping it up. She stood there holding it, her eyes filled with concern. “I’m so sorry,” she said to Jordan.

      Jordan clutched Tyler a bit closer, as if to shield him. “No worries. It’s not doing any good in that box anyway, Emily. You take it – sell it. Donate the money to the shelter.”

      “Well, all right – if you’re sure?”

      “I’m sure,” he said firmly.

      “What about these?” Isabella asked quietly, holding the box open to reveal the stack of photographs. Jordan barely glanced at them.

      “They

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