A Forever Christmas. Missy Tippens

      As soon as Harry’s car turned the corner, she dug her cell phone out of her purse and called Donna Rae. “How are you feeling?”

      “Bored.”

      “Well, try to rest and enjoy the break.”

      “Yeah, right.”

      Though she didn’t want to worry Donna Rae, she knew she had to bring up the incident with Hunter. “Hey, I had a little problem with Hunter today. He refused his speaking part. Then when he found out Harry was taking him home to spend the night, he threw a fit and cried.”

      “Poor little guy.”

      “Do you think it’s the fact that Lindsay is gone, or is it the time Gregory’s away because of work?”

      “Both, I imagine. He needs Gregory now more than ever.”

      Yes, Gregory needed to know what his overtime was doing to his son. Maybe it would help if she told him about Peter. About how he’d spent most of every day at school or with a nanny. How his parents had provided all the best, but he’d had no interest in the “stuff,” had wanted only time with his mom and dad. And how his parents learned the hard way—after it was too late.

      “Donna Rae, could you give me Gregory’s phone number? I think I’m going to have to talk to him.”

      “Sure, hon. That’s probably a good idea.”

      She jotted the numbers on a slip of paper, then after hanging up, programmed them in her cell phone.

      Money, or the lack thereof, had always been important to Gregory. But it seemed he was doing fine now. Why work all that overtime for gifts that would mean nothing to the boys after the first five minutes when what was truly important could be taken away at any time?

      She climbed into her car, pressed a hand against her thumping heart and forced herself to dial his cell phone.

      “Gregory Jones.”

       Oh, my. His deep, baritone voice had always done crazy things to her stomach. “Hello, Gregory. This is Sarah.”

      “Hey, I’m sorry I was late. Did Dad get there yet?”

      “Yes. But we had a little problem today, and I thought you’d like to know about it. That is, if you have a minute.”

      “Can’t right now.” He huffed as if he was lifting something. “But I’ve got to run to town in an hour.”

      She could visit Donna Rae and gather her thoughts. “Okay. How about meeting in the church parking lot in an hour.”

      “Fine.” He cut off the connection.

      

      Gregory found her lone car in the back parking lot. He hopped out and went around to her passenger side, opened the door and climbed into the pure luxury.

      The car wasn’t brand spanking new, though. He’d heard that her dad bought it for her when she graduated from college. Or maybe it was when she got her master’s degree. He’d tried not to listen to town gossip through the years.

      Especially when it had to do with Sarah. It was too painful.

      “So Hunter gave you a hard time?” he asked.

      “No, he didn’t act out. He just didn’t want to have a speaking part.” Then she described his refusal and the fit he threw for his granddad.

      He ran a hand through his hair. “He’s been like a different child since Lindsay moved. Quiet, sad…”

      “Donna Rae told me it’s been hard on them. Is he usually as sunny a personality as Chase?”

      “Well, no. He wasn’t so affectionate. But he was very active and talkative.”

      And now he walked around like a pitiful, quiet little thing. And Gregory had no idea what to do about it.

      Could Sarah, with her experience, maybe help?

      Was he desperate enough to ask?

      Even though the car was off and she wasn’t driving, she gripped the steering wheel tightly and faced out the front window. “I hate to seem like I’m prying, but I’m wondering if there’s more to it.”

      “Like what?” he snapped.

      “I’m not trying to be accusatory. I’m just concerned.”

      “Well, they’ve had a rough few years.”

      She faced him, but still didn’t quite meet his eyes. “Has Delia had any contact with the kids?”

       What a question for her to ask. How could he tell Sarah, of all people, that he’d failed as a husband? That no matter what he’d done—including marital counseling—he hadn’t been able to keep his wife happy, because she knew he only asked her out because Sarah hurt him. That no matter how hard he tried, he’d never love Delia like he’d loved Sarah.

       It might help Hunter. She might have advice.

      “No contact at all for the last couple of years. And she’s been gone since right after Chase was born. So he doesn’t even remember her.” He sighed as he shook his head. “But Hunter does. And now with Lindsay—married and living far away, he’s had a terrible time.”

      “Your dad told me Lindsay was like a mother to them. I imagine it’ll take a while to adjust.”

      “I knew it wasn’t good to depend on my sister so much, but she was single and had the time. And she loved them like they were her own. When she left, they both cried every night, so we’d have to call her and have her tell them goodnight. But then it got better. Briefly.”

      She looked right at him with her gorgeous brown eyes. “Have you been working more overtime lately? Maybe it would help if you spent more time with them.”

      He saw it, then. The pity.

      He hated pity. “My work schedule has nothing to do with it.”

      “Well, I think maybe it could. Please just think about it.”

      Of course, she’d only seen the worst—hungry kids at a meeting and him standing up his family at Minnie’s. He slung open the car door. “Why do you suddenly seem interested in my life, anyway? You haven’t been around in years.”

      “I, uh…well, I’ve had students with parents who work all the time. I’ve seen them regret it later.”

      If there was one thing he’d learned from his past, it was to not let Sarah’s opinion sway his decisions. But it galled him to have her think badly of him. “My boys aren’t your students. So leave them well enough alone.” He got out and closed the door nicely when he wanted to slam it off the hinges.

      He steamed all the way to his truck and indulged in slamming his door. But once inside, he realized he was steaming mad because she’d pretty much hit the nail on the head.

      He had been working a lot of evenings lately. But there wasn’t a thing he could do about it. He had employees to take care of. Customers to take care of. A business to run—and to grow. Not to mention a household to run.

      He was doing the best he could for his boys, and he didn’t need his ex-girlfriend telling him how to raise them.

      

      Sarah’s hands shook as she drove home. Was she meddling as he’d insinuated? He was right that she hadn’t been around or involved in their lives.

      So why did she care what he did?

      Hunter’s dejected expression plastered itself in her mind, and she couldn’t shake it loose.

       Miss Radcliffe, why do Albert’s and Tyrone’s and a bunch of other moms and dads come to our class parties but mine don’t? Peter’s little voice echoed in her head.

      She’d tried to explain how they were working to give him