Christmas Wish Come True: All I Want For Christmas / Dreaming of a White Wedding / Christmas Every Day. Gina Rochelle
would be good for Tyler to have as much support as possible during this difficult time in his life. So, I’m staying in the guesthouse until after the holidays.”
“But why you – his teacher? Or are you and Jordan…?”
“Abigail.” Zach’s voice was low but firm. “That’s none of our business.”
Isabella took a deep breath. She’d expected this question, as well. “It’s all right, Mr. Forrester. And please, call me Isabella.” She smiled again.
“Call me Zach,” he returned.
“All right,” she agreed. “And since we’re on a first-name basis now, I’ll answer. I understand your concern for Tyler’s welfare.” She looked at Abby. “I’m staying in the guesthouse, and I’m here for Tyler. Jordan asked me to stay, to help Tyler get through his first Christmas without his parents.” She met Abby’s cool stare. “Jordan and I are not a couple.”
“That’s right.”
Everyone turned to the front door as Jordan entered. His eyes were guarded, and Isabella found it impossible to read them. But, she imagined he wasn’t pleased that she had guests without his knowledge. Especially these guests.
“Zach, good to see you again.” Jordan moved into the living room. Zach stood and the two men shook hands.
“Good to see you, Jordan,” Zach replied. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
Jordan hesitated, then looked down. “I didn’t have a chance to talk to you at the memorial. Thank you for arranging it.”
Isabella sensed his uneasiness and made an attempt to change the subject. “The Forresters were Christmas shopping in Denver and stopped by to drop off some gifts for Tyler,” she explained. “It’s a shame he’s out with Emily at the moment.”
Jordan regarded her suspiciously, and Isabella was shocked at how well he seemed to know her already – that she was happy Tyler wasn’t here, on display for the couple who wished to take him home with them.
“Oh, Emily,” Abby chimed in. “How is she?”
“You and Emily are friends?” Isabella was stunned. Emily hadn’t mentioned knowing the woman who might become Tyler’s new mother.
“Oh, no – just acquaintances,” Abby said. She looked out the corner of her eye at Jordan, who was chatting with Zach about business on the other side of the room. “I met her here, in fact.” She lowered her voice. “When I came over to help Kim move her things out.”
If Abby Forrester broke even on points a few moments ago, that comment definitely put her in the hole. Isabella moved to clear the empty coffee cups from the table. She walked to the kitchen with them, and Abby followed, making it all the more difficult for Isabella to refrain from engaging in conversation that bordered on gossip. But Abby kept talking, trying to draw her in.
“It’s not your concern, but I was wondering if you could ask Emily a question for me?” she asked sweetly.
I’ll decide if it’s my concern or not. “What is it, Abby?” Isabella’s tone held the same false sweetness.
“Well…” Abby hesitated for the first time, which spiked Isabella’s interest more. “I’m not even sure if Emily would know about it, but I believe Kim may have had something with her when…well, you know. I was informed by the police that their personal effects from the accident were brought here.”
“What are you looking for?” Isabella asked quietly, holding her breath.
“Kim would have wanted me to have it. But when I went through her things at their home in Boulder, it was nowhere to be found.”
“Abby, what would Kim want you to have?”
Abby was quiet for a moment before meeting Isabella’s stare. She dropped her voice to a whisper and looked into the living room to be sure the men wouldn’t hear. She turned tear-filled eyes back to Isabella.
“The silver jewelry chest.”
Isabella nearly dropped the cup she was holding, which didn’t go unnoticed by her guest. Abby put her hand on Isabella’s shoulder.
“You do know about it.” She sounded relieved and worried at the same time, especially when Isabella didn’t immediately confirm it. “Please, Isabella. The chest is filled with old photos. I’d like to look through them – for one, in particular.”
“Well,” Isabella conceded, “I have the chest.” She searched Abby’s face. Abby genuinely seemed to miss her best friend, judging by the enormous importance she placed on a few photos. “But – Jordan said the pictures belong to Tyler, when he’s old enough…”
“And I shouldn’t have any of them. Is that it?” Abby’s remark startled Isabella, who eyed her suspiciously.
Abby immediately apologized. “I’m sorry, I’m just stressed-out over…all this. I don’t want all of them…” She looked toward the living room again, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Kim was a notorious pack rat – she never threw anything out. There are even a few photos of her and Jordan in there that might confuse Tyler. I don’t think Jordan would want them, but…whatever you decide. There’s really just the one that’s extra special to me. It’s of Kim, baby Tyler, and me. It was taken at the hospital, right after he was born.”
Isabella had wondered about the photos, but didn’t give in to her curiosity. As much as she wanted to know more about Tyler’s mother, she couldn’t convince herself to invade Kim’s privacy. And she wasn’t sure if Abby had the right either.
“I think we should clear it with Jordan first.”
A cold glint flashed in Abby’s eyes. It made Isabella uneasy – and unsure of Abby’s sincerity. As if reading Isabella’s thoughts, Abby sighed softly.
“I’m not here to argue. I’ll ask Jordan, if that’s what you want. But why open old wounds? I’ll leave any photos with Jordan in there, and just take the one. There should be several others of Tyler and his mother, without me in it.” She smiled warmly when she noticed Isabella’s softening expression. “It would mean so much to me.”
Isabella’s better judgment told her to refuse. But Abby was right. Kim would probably want her best friend to have the photo. “All right. You can look through them, see if it’s in there.” But she wouldn’t allow her to take any others, without Jordan’s permission. “Follow me. The chest is in the guesthouse.”
As the women made their way past the men, Isabella caught Jordan’s curious look. “Just girl stuff,” she said vaguely in explanation. Jordan nodded, then turned back to his conversation with Zach.
Abby stepped just inside the doorway as Isabella retrieved the box from the bureau.
“I hope it’s in there,” Isabella said.
Leaving her post by the door, Abby quickly stepped forward. “I do, too.” She took the chest from Isabella and sat down in a chair by the door. When she opened it, Isabella thought she saw a touch of disappointment flash across her features. Abby glanced up, catching Isabella’s stare.
“It’s bittersweet seeing her so happy, and knowing how it ended. I hope I don’t break down… We were so close.” There was something resembling desperation in her eyes. “You understand?”
“Of course,” Isabella replied as she watched Abby remove the photos from the box. After such a heartfelt statement, she was surprised when Abby shuffled through them so quickly, without lingering too long on any of them. When she’d finished, she set the stack on the side table and inspected the empty chest. “It’s not here,” she whispered, almost to herself.
“Oh,