Christmas Wish Come True: All I Want For Christmas / Dreaming of a White Wedding / Christmas Every Day. Gina Rochelle
me what I wanted last Christmas,” Tyler continued. “But I wrote him a letter anyway, because you did, too.”
Isabella absorbed his words. Tyler believed Santa let him down last year. And this year, he’s asked for the impossible. She struggled for a solution as a new dread gripped her. She let her instincts guide her and asked, “What did you wish for last Christmas, Tyler?”
Tyler peeked at her, hesitating to trust her with such precious information. He kicked his foot up and down. Isabella reached over to smooth a lock of hair from his eyes and he stopped the nervous action.
“I wished for a dog,” he blurted. “But I didn’t tell Mommy, ’cause she would say no.”
Isabella felt a slight spark of hope. A dog was possible! Gently, she asked, “Why wouldn’t your mommy let you have a dog, Tyler?”
“Because they make her sick.” The words poured from him now. “I asked Santa for a magic dog that wouldn’t make her sneeze – but all he brought me was toys.” Tyler turned to Isabella and put his head against her shoulder. “I still want a dog,” he stated softly. “But I didn’t ask for one this year, ’cause then Mommy won’t come back.”
When Isabella and Tyler returned that afternoon, Jordan pulled into the driveway just moments behind them. As he unlocked the door, his eyes moved to Tyler’s sleepy face, then back to Isabella. She smiled guardedly but remained silent as she led Tyler to his room. “Are you gonna stay here again, Miss Stevens?” he asked sleepily as Isabella tucked him in for a nap.
“Not tonight, Tyler. But you’ll have lots of fun with your uncle and Emily this weekend, won’t you?” He nodded and yawned. “I’ll see you Monday, at school,” she said. But he was already asleep as she smoothed the hair back from his forehead. She sought Jordan out on the back patio. He was standing there, staring at the sun shining on the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies, strikingly attractive in his black cargo pants and black shirt, casually unbuttoned at the neck.
Focus.
She had to talk to him about Tyler and his disturbing, unwavering belief that his mother was coming back for Christmas. Jordan seemed to pick up on her stress and took a deep breath as she stood next to him.
“Did something happen today?”
Isabella faced him, her shoulders squared. “Your nephew is very confused, Jordan.” She shook her head, feeling suddenly helpless. “He wants a dog for Christmas. But he didn’t ask for one because his mother’s allergic, and he’s worried she won’t come home if he gets one.” She sighed. “I’m afraid he needs more help than you or I can imagine.”
Jordan absorbed her statement, then spoke carefully. “Don’t you think I know that, Isabella?” His voice was intense, and he let out a humorless laugh. “I don’t have a clue what to do for him. That’s why I asked for your help. My God.” He raked his hand through his hair. “I know he’s my nephew – and I want him with me through the holidays. But this is just further proof that he needs people who are prepared to fill the enormous void in his life.”
Jordan’s words hung in the frigid air, and Isabella was crushed by a wave of sickness and anger. “Why not you?” she lashed out in frustration. “He’s just a little boy. What would it do to him if you send him away?” Her question failed to knock the firm resolve from his face. “Why should I waste my time trying to help him? Any progress you or I make in the next few weeks could be wiped away if he loses you, too.” She speared him with her accusation. “What you’re considering could damage him further.”
“I’ll be giving him a family, Isabella. He wished for his parents. He wants a mother and father more than anything else.”
Isabella couldn’t argue with that. But, despite the fact that Jordan was partially right, she wasn’t convinced he should give up on keeping his nephew with him.
“You’re his family, Jordan. He needs you…not strangers.”
“Just leave this alone, Isabella.” Jordan’s words, low and deep, sent a warning. “You don’t understand.”
“Jordan, please…” Isabella’s plea was cut short.
“My nephew’s mother was my fiancé.” He caught her quick look, a bitter smirk on his lips. “She left me for my brother, Isabella.” He stepped close enough so that she could see the flash of pain in his eyes. “Tyler – their child – is a constant reminder of that betrayal.”
Isabella’s first instinct was to defend Tyler, but her heart ached equally for Jordan. Still raw from her torn engagement, being betrayed was something she could relate to.
“I’m sorry they did that to you.” The conviction in her words grabbed Jordan’s full attention. “You’ve been hurt, in the worst way. But it’s not Tyler’s fault,” she asserted. “Please, Jordan. Don’t punish him for something he had nothing to do with.” Isabella finished, then looked away from his burning scrutiny. He reached out and touched her cheek, turning her gaze to his.
Damn those eyes. They drew her in, held her there – though every warning bell told her to run.
“Isabella…” he whispered, tortured. He pulled her to him; his eyes fell to her lips. Their hearts did a dance, chest to chest. She felt so alive when she was this close to him – so dizzy with desire. This man – this exasperating stranger – somehow reached her in a way Phillip never had. He churned a fire within her, brought her to the point of losing control of her judgment. God help her, she wanted him to kiss her.
Yes…
The thought of Tyler’s sad face today brought Isabella crashing to reality. No! She couldn’t let this happen between them. Not now…not ever. This was wrong – on so many levels.
There was Tyler to consider, and Jordan was still pining for the woman who left him for his brother. Not to mention, she was a jilted bride…
Isabella mustered her strength and pushed against Jordan’s chest. A shock of wintry air came rushing between them as his arms released her. Jordan stared at her in the early evening shadows, exhaling slowly. Isabella wrapped her arms around herself and tore her eyes from his tormented expression. If she looked at him one moment longer, she’d crumble. She didn’t trust her own urges right now. The last thing she needed, or wanted, was a rebound roll in the hay. And certainly not with her troubled student’s uncle!
“This,” she hissed. “This thing between us is exactly why I’m not comfortable with the idea of moving in!” She shocked herself with her brutal honesty. “But after today…”
“After today – what?” he asked quietly. “You’ve decided to stay?”
She pushed her hands through her hair and stared into the doorway, as if expecting Tyler to appear. “I thought I had. But then you started talking about sending him away again. Because his mother broke your heart, you’re going to break his, as well. And I won’t stick around to see that.”
“It’s not set in stone,” he said quietly, surprising her.
She speared him with a laser glare. “Don’t play me, Jordan. I won’t waste my time. And I won’t forgive you if you hurt Tyler in any way.”
“This isn’t a game, Isabella. Can’t you see I just want to do what’s right?”
She set her jaw, forced herself to say the words she knew she might come to regret after Christmas. “If that’s true, then I’ll help you. You made a proposition to me, now I’m making one to you. If you promise to at least consider making this Tyler’s permanent home, I’ll stay.” She held up her hand as he let out a relieved puff of air. “I still have to clear it with the school – I’ll let you know definitively on