Chapter 33 #2
Samantha entered. Seeing her problem, she went to work. “Let me tie this side. Keep it tied when you take it off and then you’ll be able to get yourself into it alone.”
“Do you think it’s…appropriate?” Hannah asked, uncertain.
“I hope not, or it won’t get you what you want,” Samantha teased. “You’re stunning in this color.”
Hannah turned and twisted in the mirror, viewing the back. It didn’t reveal as much as it flattered certain parts of her body and covered many of her scars. The color suited her and she felt… pretty.
“Can you put this in a bag?” Hannah asked as she moved to her purse to grab some cash.
“Scarlett already took care of it,” Samantha informed her. “I’ll have it sitting at the register when you check out.”
“Thank you,” she said, as Samantha slipped out.
Hannah took it off and hung it on the hanger, stroking the delicate material for a moment before getting dressed and searching for her mom. She sat down and slipped off her shoes, placing her feet in the warm water covered in flower petals.
“I wondered where you went,” her mother said, peering at her. “I’m glad you suggested this. It’s pure heaven.”
Hannah smiled, missing these moments with her mom.
When they finished, Samantha checked them out.
“Leo paid the tab for a job well done,” she announced, ensuring her mother overheard.
“I placed your order for the shampoo and the other products in the bag.” She handed it over the counter and passed a small goodie bag to her mom. “Here’s a welcome bag for you.”
“Oh, how sweet,” her mom exclaimed as she took the package.
Hannah helped her inside the truck and drove them back to the bed and breakfast.
“I don’t know about you, but I feel like a new woman.” Her mom sighed.
“My feet feel like silk,” Hannah admitted.
“How about dinner?” Brenda asked.
“Oh, I can’t tonight. How about breakfast tomorrow?” she suggested.
“Can I text you later? Your father disappeared before I got up this morning. I want to check with him.”
She pulled into the bed-and-breakfast’s driveway and helped her mom out of the truck. “Absolutely. I’ve missed you, Mom.”
Brenda wrapped her arms around her and hugged her tightly. “I’ve missed you, my sweet girl.”
She watched as her mom went up the steps, moving more slowly than usual. When she disappeared, Hannah climbed into the truck and headed back home. She hoped Cole’s day went as well as hers.
At the cabin, Cole and Archer struggled to get the Christmas tree through the door.
“Did you pick the biggest one?” Archer asked.
‘Second largest,” Cole huffed out of breath. Thanks for helping me with it. I want to surprise Hannah with it.”
“Where do you want it?”
“Let’s put it in the corner by the fireplace,” he said pulling the tree the rest of the way inside and shut the door. “It’s freaking cold out there. I’m glad the seniors will get those baskets on Saturday. There’s a blizzard forecast for later in the afternoon.”
“If it gets dangerous, Kassie will have a backup plan,” Archer assured him. “With the extra police the town hired a few months ago, we’ll be able to ensure everyone stays warm or they’ll bring them to the hospital.”
“Hopefully we’ll have them all home before it starts,” Cole said, taking out the light strands and packages of ornaments.
He bought a special one for Hannah. He ordered it two weeks ago and it finally came in.
Imagining her face when she opened it, he rushed to get the lights on the tree before she returned.
“If you don’t need me, I’ll head back to the facility,” Archer said, pouring the water at the base.
“I’m good, thanks, man.”
Archer left and a minute later, Cole heard a knock at the door. Tangled in wires, he called out, “Come in.”
Conrad Bailey entered and scanned the room. Cole took a deep breath.
“Hannah’s not here. She’s with your wife,” he greeted the man coldly.
Conrad stuffed his hands in his pockets, appearing uncomfortable. “I came to talk to you.”
“I don’t think we have much to talk about,” Cole replied as he cursed the string of lights which seemed to have tangled inside the tree.
‘Here, son. How about we work and you listen. Once I say my peace, you can say yours,” he reasoned.
“Fine. I think they’re tangled on a branch on your side.”
“Yep, I got it,” Conrad said briskly while removing the knot and passing the strand around to Cole.
“Thanks.”
“Did you get this for Hannah? She loves tons of lights. I think the last one we decorated, they probably saw us from space.” Her father chuckled at the memory. “I loved to watch her and her mother come up with new ideas every year.”
“Did you criticize her for that, too?” Cole asked sarcastically.
Conrad sighed as he looped the next strand. “I deserve your attitude, but I came here to talk about my daughter.”
“What about her?”
“I’ve made my share of mistakes and I’ll admit I’ve made a doozy with Hannah and can’t seem to get myself out of it,” Conrad admitted while lowering the lights along the limbs.
“Having a conversation with her might help for starters,” Cole snapped.
“If it were only as easy as that,” Conrad said sadly.
“I’ve let this go on for too long, and then she went off and got hurt in Afghanistan.
I’m afraid I’m at a loss for words with her.
We want her to come home so we can care for her.
We’ve missed her and nearly lost her to some misguided notion,” he said, shaking his head.
“Her mother and I only want what’s best for her. ”
“Then why do you insist she return with you when she’s getting the best care possible? I visited her more than you ever did in eighteen months. No wonder she doesn’t want to talk to you,” Cole retorted.
“We have our reasons for not coming. Brenda thinks we ought to tell Hannah, but she’s already suffered enough. I don’t want to see her upset.”
Cole dropped the wires and walked around the Christmas tree.
“She needed you and you let her down. I’m not talking about her time here.
She mentioned she spent time at other hospitals before you sent her here.
Did you drop her off and leave her there, too?
What about when she decided on a military career?
Did you ever think about why she chose it?
Hannah’s brilliant, funny, beautiful and capable.
Not many people can come out on the other side as she has.
You don’t give her enough credit. You’ve made her believe she’s weak when she’s one of the strongest women I know.
Stop questioning her decisions and, for once in your life, act like a father to your daughter. ”
Conrad’s eyes filled with tears as he nodded and left through the front door. For a minute, Cole almost felt sorry for the man. Then he recalled the stories Hannah told him when they lay underneath the stars. Conrad Bailey didn’t know what a blessing Hannah truly was. He didn’t deserve her.
He finished the lights and waited for Hannah. His mind recalled the tears in the older man’s eyes, seeing the years of regret and lost time. Christmas seemed like a season of miracles, and he prayed the man would find a way to reach his daughter.
A key shifted in the lock and Hannah walked in. Her eyes lit up when she saw the giant tree. Brody and Brownie barked from their kennels, adding to her happiness. She kissed Cole and hurried to let the animals out for a bathroom break. When she returned, she hugged Cole.
“You gave me a tree with lots of sides,” she teased.
He held out the velvet box tied with a red satin bow. She unwrapped it and her eyes filled with tears at the glass German Shepherd dog holding a pinecone in his mouth.
“It’s beautiful,” she murmured as she gently removed it. “It’s the start of our story.”
“It’s only fair we put it on the tree first,” he told her, setting the box down.
He held the branch as she slipped it over the needles. His arm went around her as they admired it. Hannah rested her head on his shoulder.
Cole imagined them adding the ornament every year at Christmas and telling their children the story of how Brody acted as his wingman.
Hannah Bailey pressed all of his buttons in the right way.
When he left his childhood home, he never considered landing a job, a loyal team, and good friends.
Hannah became the angel on top of his tree, giving him a future he now looked forward to.