A Child''s Christmas (Mills & Boon Heartwarming)

  “That’s wonderful!” Daniel got up and held out a hand to Laura. “Always a pleasure doing business with you, Ms. Andrews.”

  When she placed her hand in his, Daniel thought the heck with it and pulled her into a hug, not realizing until he’d released her that he felt no discomfort over it.

  The wheels were in motion. Now he’d have to rope in Paige’s neighbors to help organize the circus, and get Paige and Jason to Hartford without letting them find out why. He’d also have to learn some magic tricks.

  *

  MAY FIRST, THE DAY before Jason’s birthday, everyone involved in the circus gathered at the Foundation’s warehouse. Six of the staff and volunteers were there, as was Chelsea. Mrs. Bennett had assisted by sewing some of the costumes, but they thought it would be better for her not to wear herself out, especially since she was charged with the important task of coaxing Paige and Jason to Hartford the next day. Mr. Weatherly was there, too. He and Laura were in a private huddle in one corner of the large space.

  Although some finishing touches were still needed, the warehouse had been transformed. They were there for a rehearsal, costumes and all. The only thing missing was the animals. There was no place to accommodate them overnight, so they were coming in the next day, early in the morning.

  A sense of anticipation pervaded the room, and everyone was eager to get going. They were waiting for Laura and Mr. Weatherly. Daniel strode over to get them.

  He was surprised to see them jump apart like guilty kids when they heard him approach. “I didn’t mean to startle you. We’re ready to begin the rehearsal.”

  “Oh, no problem. Harrison was just telling me a funny story from when he was in the merchant marine.”

  Harrison? Daniel had been acquainted with Mr. Weatherly for months now. He’d never known his first name. In fact, it had never even occurred to him to ask what it was. He stuffed his hands in his pants pockets and chuckled softly as he followed the other two back to the group.

  Once they were gathered together, Daniel clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention. “All right, team. Let’s get this show on the road.”

  *

  SATURDAY MORNING, THE DAY of his birthday, Jason was eating his favorite breakfast—chocolate pancakes with raspberries. He’d already opened his cards and gifts. They were just finishing breakfast when Mrs. Bennett arrived at their door.

  Paige didn’t expect to see Mrs. Bennett so early in the morning, dressed to go out. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes. Yes. Please don’t worry. But I do need to ask you a favor.”

  “Of course.” She took Mrs. Bennett’s elbow and guided her into the apartment.

  Mrs. Bennett waved at Jason. “Happy birthday, dear!”

  “What is it you need?” Paige inquired.

  “I have a doctor’s appointment in Hartford today.”

  “On a Saturday?”

  “Well, yes. It’s a clinic. Mr. Weatherly agreed to drive me, but he had an unexpected matter come up. I know it’s Jason’s birthday, and I’m sorry to impose.”

  “But I don’t have a car.”

  “That’s no problem. Mr. Weatherly left me his.” Mrs. Bennett took the keys out of her pocket and handed them to Paige.

  It might have been Jason’s birthday, but Mrs. Bennett did so much for them and she hardly ever asked for anything in return. Paige couldn’t refuse. “Of course. I don’t think Jason’ll mind staying with Chelsea for a while. I’ll check with her to see if it’s okay.”

  “I’m sorry, but that won’t work. Chelsea’s not available. I tried her, too. She’s not home. Jason will have to come with us. We won’t be long.”

  “All right. When do we have to leave?”

  “As soon as you and Jason are ready.”

  Paige checked her watch. “We should be ready in half an hour.”

  “I appreciate this. I’ll wait for you across the hall.”

  *

  AN HOUR AND a half later, Paige was following Mrs. Bennett’s directions.

  “Are you sure this is right?” Paige asked.

  “Yes. I have it written down here.” She tapped the piece of paper resting on her lap.

  In the back, Jason scooted up between the two front seats as far as his seat belt would allow. “I’ve been to lots of hospitals and clinics. If you ask me, we’re lost.”

  “It’s okay, dear.” Then Mrs. Bennett pointed. “There. You turn left, up ahead, on that road.”

  “This can’t be right,” Paige said. “This looks like an industrial area. There’s no clinic here.”

  “Trust me. Turn here. Now pull into that drive.”

  Paige slowed the Mustang but didn’t take the turn. “There’s got to be a mistake. The sign says this is the Wish I May Foundation warehouse.” She narrowed her eyes and looked at Mrs. Bennett. “Is there something I should know?”

  Mrs. Bennett patted her arm. “Trust me,” she said again.

  Paige backed the Mustang very carefully into a parking spot. Oddly, there were quite a few cars in the lot. While she waited for Mrs. Bennett and Jason to climb out, she noticed a Mercedes that resembled Daniel’s, parked half a dozen cars farther down the row. Frowning, she narrowed her eyes again. What was going on?

  Jason slid his hand into hers as they followed Mrs. Bennett to the side door of the building.

  With an alacrity that astonished Paige, Mrs. Bennett pounded on the metal door with her fist. Not waiting, she opened the door herself and stood aside to let Paige and Jason enter first.

  They took one step over the threshold and came to a halt.

  There was a loud chorus of, “Happy birthday!” Then silence.

  Jason’s whispered, “Mom, look,” echoed through the cavernous space, before carnival music blasted, and lights, motion and the scent of buttered popcorn filled the air. Jason tightened his grip on Paige’s hand and pulled her forward.

  In addition to some of their neighbors, a number of Jason’s friends from school rushed over to greet him and wish him a happy birthday. There were people Paige didn’t recognize and others in colorful costumes that concealed their identities.

  A multihued tent had been erected inside the warehouse, creating the feel of being under the big top. Hay was scattered across the concrete floors.

  Further inside, the aroma of the popcorn mingled with the sweet scent of candied apples and the ripe smell of live animals.

  Jason let go of Paige’s hand and turned in a slow circle, trying to take it all in. Something caught his attention, and he gave a little whoop, then raced over to a fenced enclosure, followed by his friends. Four piglets were foraging inside. A tall clown, sporting a bushy red wig and a large round plastic nose gamboled over, dressed in baggy polka-dotted pants. He made all the kids giggle. Sounding oddly like their neighbor Mr. Weatherly, the clown peered down at Jason with his blackened eyes and exaggerated red lips on a white-powdered face and asked, “Would you like to come and play with the piggies?”

  He didn’t have to ask Jason twice. In seconds, Jason was inside the enclosure, stroking and feeding the piglets, laughing at their squealing.

  “Young master,” the clown announced a while later. “Your presence is requested at the center ring. Our entertainment is about to start.”

  Jason, his friends, Paige and Mrs. Bennett sat on wooden benches beside a makeshift ring with a sand floor. They all had bags of popcorn and paper cups of soda, and watched acrobats, a juggler and—to Jason’s great delight—a masked magician who spoke with an odd accent and even pulled a pink-eyed, snow-white rabbit out of a hat.

  After the magician’s act, the clown reappeared and escorted them to a group of tables, where they were joined by all the performers for a lunch of French fries and hot dogs cooked on an electric grill.

  Jason had confetti in his hair and mustard smeared around his mouth. His face was aglow as he chatted with his classmates and new circus friends.

  When all the kids seemed to have had their fill, the clown announced th
at there was one final attraction. Jason took one look at the center ring, and his mouth fell open. He ran full speed toward the magician, who was holding the reins of a chestnut-brown pony with a pale blond mane and tail. The pony had a blanket and a small saddle on his back, an old straw hat on his head with his ears sticking through, and a garland of flowers around his neck.

  Jason came to a skidding halt at the edge of the ring, his friends around him. The excited chatter made Paige smile. She sensed that Jason would be a hero to his school friends for the foreseeable future.

  “You’ll all get your turn,” the magician assured the kids, “but let’s start with our birthday boy.” He motioned for Jason to hop the low, wooden barrier and join him inside. “Meet Bertie.”

  The pony’s back was slightly higher than the top of Jason’s head.

  “You can pet Bertie, if you like,” the magician said.

  Jason stroked the pony’s coat, then ran a hand along his silky blond mane. “Wow! I’ve never touched a horse before!”

  “Technically, he’s a pony. He’s full-grown, so this is as big as he’ll get. Would you like to ride him?”

  “Yes, please!” Jason bounced up and down with enthusiasm.

  The magician showed Jason how to mount the pony and adjusted the stirrups once he was in the saddle. He instructed Jason to hold on tight to the pommel and produced a small cowboy hat, which he plopped on top of Jason’s head. “Ready?” At Jason’s vigorous nod, the magician proceeded to walk the pony around and around the ring before venturing beyond and ambling through the warehouse.

  Paige felt undeniable pleasure and immense gratitude watching her son whoop and holler. As they took one final lap around, Paige knew she’d have to thank the magician for the incredible day. While the clown was the master of ceremonies, there was no doubt in her mind that the magician was the ringmaster.

  *

  JASON BARELY TOUCHED his dinner that night, and for once Paige was okay with that. All the excitement and exertion—not to mention popcorn, hot dogs and candied apples—had gotten to him. He was in bed by eight-thirty, and their nightly reading ritual lasted no more than ten minutes before he was sound asleep.

  With the rest of the evening to herself, Paige indulged in something she loved but rarely had time for—snuggling up on the sofa with a mug of tea and a good book. She was so engrossed in her book, she jolted when the phone rang. Lunging for it so it wouldn’t wake Jason, she curled her legs under her, smiling when she heard Daniel’s voice on the other end.

  “You sound tired,” he commented.

  “Tired but happy. Thanks to you.”

  “Me? What did I do?” he asked innocently.

  She tugged at a loose thread in the seam of her sweater. “Well, for one, you pulled a rabbit out of a hat. I mean literally and figuratively. Today had to be the best day of Jason’s life. I don’t know how you did it, but I’m very grateful. It was a wonderful thing to do.”

  Daniel gave up the charade. “I’m glad he enjoyed himself. I had a lot of fun with it, and a lot of help. Are you upset with me for not checking with you first?”

  She chuckled. “It would hardly have been a surprise if you had.”

  “I’m glad—and a little relieved—you see it that way.”

  “I do have one question. Where did you learn to do those magic tricks?”

  “I bought a really good how-to book.” After a brief pause, he added, “You might want to keep an eye on Mr. Weatherly.”

  “What’s wrong with him?

  Daniel laughed. “Nothing’s wrong with him. As it turns out, he’s quite the charmer. I think he and Laura have a thing going.”

  “You’re joking.”

  “Mark my words. You’ll see.”

  They hung up shortly after. Rather than returning to her book, Paige leaned back, sipped her tea and thought about Daniel.

  She’d been worried about getting involved with him for so many reasons. The timing was wrong. He’d be a distraction when her entire world was focused on Jason. He wouldn’t understand her or Jason. She shook her head. How misguided she’d been! He was bringing so much to her life and Jason’s, just when they needed it most.

  She inserted the bookmark and closed her book, took her mug to the kitchen, and for the first time in a long while, went to bed with a smile on her face and lightness in her heart.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  JASON WAS NEARING the end of his treatment regimen. Decision time regarding surgery was fast approaching, and Paige was starting to feel panicked about it.

  Jason was having dinner at a friend’s house after school. Paige had arranged the playdate so she could meet with Jason’s oncologist in the afternoon to discuss the latest MRI. The scans were critical to determine whether the treatments were having the desired effect of shrinking the tumor.

  The good news was that the tumor had shrunk again. The bad news was that the doctor still believed Jason’s only chance to be cancer-free was to undergo surgery once the tumor was small enough. There was considerable risk, and the surgery didn’t come with any guarantees that he’d be free of cancer.

  Paige let herself into their apartment and went into the kitchen. She plugged in the kettle, then picked up the phone to call Daniel, planning to cancel their dinner date. She knew she’d be miserable company. She really needed to process what the oncologist had told her and decide what to do.

  “How did it go?” Daniel asked.

  It always warmed her heart that he thought of Jason first. “Pretty well. The tumor’s shrunk another half centimeter.”

  “That’s wonderful news!” He paused. “But you don’t sound happy. Why?”

  When had he come to know her so well? “Of course, it’s great news, but the oncologist still thinks surgery is Jason’s only chance.”

  His voice sobered. “Why don’t we talk about it when I get there tonight?”

  “Actually, that’s why I’m calling. It’s probably best if we reschedule. I’m going to be poor company, and I’ve got a lot to think about.”

  “Whatever you want to do is fine with me, but I’ve got a good pair of ears. Is Jason still at his friend’s house?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “I’d prefer that you weren’t alone this evening. Whether you want to talk about it or not, I’d like to see you tonight. Are we still on, then?”

  She unplugged the kettle and poured the hot water into her mug. Maybe he was right; maybe it would help to talk it through with him. “Yes, we’re on. Thanks.”

  He had a good point about not being alone. She felt relieved when she hung up the phone, knowing she wouldn’t have to be. Checking the stove clock, she realized she’d better hustle if she wanted to change and get dinner started before Daniel arrived.

  By seven o’clock, she was dressed in her taupe pants and the lilac wool sweater he’d given her for Christmas. Her hair was coiled in a chignon, and she’d taken the time to apply a pale pink lip gloss, one of the few cosmetics she owned.

  She had the carbonara sauce for the spaghetti simmering on the stove and a pot of water ready for the pasta. She’d made garlic bread, which was waiting to be put in the oven. And she’d set a couple of wine glasses on the counter, as Daniel had said he’d be bringing a bottle of wine and dessert.

  When Daniel arrived, he took her in his arms. “How are you holding up?”

  “Better, now that you’re here.”

  He gave her a tender kiss. “I’m glad.”

  She went back to the kitchen and he followed her, inhaling deeply. “Smells wonderful.” He uncorked the bottle of wine and poured while she turned on the burner under the pot of water and slid the garlic bread into the oven.

  When she’d finished, Daniel handed her a glass of wine, and she leaned back against the counter.

  She took a sip. “I know with my head that the right thing is to go ahead with the surgery,” she began. “But my heart? I keep struggling with the thought of gambling away what little time Jason may have, risking his
life for a surgery that could...” As she battled to compose herself, Daniel gathered her in his arms again. “It’s just such an enormous decision. It terrifies me that I could make the wrong choice.”

  She slipped out of his embrace, reached for the wooden spoon and turned to the stove to stir the sauce. “I just don’t know what to do.”

  “I think you do.”

  She glanced over her shoulder, furrowing her brows. “What do you mean?”

  “I think you’ve made your decision. You’re just not ready to admit it yet.”

  She knew he meant going ahead with the surgery. She thought, again, about the potential consequences. “No, I haven’t,” she objected, her voice rising.

  “Why don’t we sit down and talk about it?”

  She didn’t want to sit down. She didn’t want to talk about it. If they did, it might mean she’d actually have to make the decision. He was right—she wasn’t ready for that. Once she decided, the course would be set. Her child’s fate sealed. A flood of panic surged through her. “I don’t want to sit down. I’m making dinner.”

  “Paige.” Daniel put his glass on the kitchen table and moved behind her. He placed his hands on her shoulders, kneading gently. “You know what you have to do.”

  “I do not.” What if she made the wrong decision? Could she live with herself? If Jason had the surgery and something went wrong... But if he didn’t, she’d never know.

  Daniel dropped a soothing kiss on the nape of her neck. “You have to go through with the surgery. If you need money, I’d like to help.” His statement was definitive. His tone calm and matter-of-fact.

  Paige wasn’t sure which annoyed her more. And he thought he’d just casually toss in that he’d pay for the surgery? Her temper simmered and threatened to turn into a rapid boil. She threw Daniel a smoldering look over her shoulder.

  Daniel took a step back. “I’m just trying to be logical here.”

  Paige whirled around. Carbonara sauce dripped from the wooden spoon and splattered on the floor as she jabbed it toward Daniel. “Logical? How am I supposed to be logical about an eight-year-old kid having cancer for the third time?”