The Christmas Family. Linda Goodnight

look, almost of panic, flamed in Abby’s eyes. Again, Brady wondered what her problem was.

      “Lila and I are okay, but thanks. Anything else on these orders?”

      The twins lifted their fingers off the table in an identical gesture. “We’re good.”

      And Abby whirled away, leaving the Buchanon brothers staring after her.

      “Stubborn,” Brady muttered as he reached for the steaming cup.

      “Embarrassed,” Dawson said. “Did you see how she blushed?” Intuitive and empathetic, Dawson was the brother who always noticed things like that.

      “Nah,” Sawyer said, and laughed. “She was overwhelmed by my charm. Girls always turn pink in my studly presence.”

      His brothers hooted.

      “Dawg’s more charming than you.”

      “Prettier, too.”

      “Aw, thanks, guys.” Sawyer hung his head in mock offense.

      “Kidding aside, do you think we embarrassed her?” Brady asked.

      “What’s this we business? You’re the guilty party.”

      The concept gave Brady pause. He’d never purposely embarrass someone, but maybe Dawson was right. Maybe Abby somehow mistook his intentions. Maybe she thought he was putting her down.

      Man, he’d never considered such a thing.

      “I think I should talk to her again, show her the possibilities.”

      The twins exchanged looks. “Can’t take no for an answer, can you, Brady?”

      Never had. Never would. Not when someone needed him, and he was convinced Abby and Lila needed his help.

      Before he left, Brady slid a twenty-dollar bill under his plate.

      * * *

      He’d left her twenty dollars. Abby didn’t know whether to be pathetically grateful or even more humiliated than she’d been last night.

      “Wow, girlfriend, you must have been on your game this morning. Twenty bucks,” Charla Patterson, one of the other waitresses and Abby’s friend said as she helped clear the Buchanon table. “Have you caught the eye of one of Gabriel’s Crossing’s most eligible bachelors?”

      Abby shook her head at the ridiculous notion. “Like that would ever happen.”

      “Hey, don’t sell yourself short. You have lots to offer.”

      “Tell that to Warren.” She’d trusted her ex-boyfriend, a man who’d promised love and marriage but bolted when he learned the child Abby carried would be special-needs. Now, she only felt loathing for the man who had never once laid eyes on his beautiful daughter.

      “Warren was a user. It’s time for you to stop beating yourself up over him and move on.”

      “I’m not beating myself up. I’m glad he’s out of our lives.”

      “And I’m thankful for that. I never liked the guy, even though I still think you should force him to pay child support. You could use the money.”

      “No way. I don’t want him involved with Lila any more than he wants to be. He doesn’t deserve to be part of her life. Him or his lovely wife.” She sounded bitter and didn’t want to be. But his cruel rejection had stabbed deep and left her uncertain and bruised.

      “There are good guys out there, hon. Guys like Brady Buchanon. His cute twin brothers, too.”

      A funny little twitter went off in Abby’s belly. She clattered a fork onto a plate and ignored the feeling. “I have Lila. She’s all I need.”

      “So why did Brady leave such a fat tip this morning?”

      “Not because he’s after me, that’s for sure.” She forced a laugh, surprised to be bothered by that truth. “Remember how the Buchanons give away a home makeover every Christmas?”

      “Sure. The makeover is a big deal. A really big deal.” Charla slapped a bleach rag against the tabletop as her eyes widened. “You don’t mean—”

      “Brady offered it to me.”

      “Abby! That’s amazing. Congratulations. No one deserves a new home more than you.”

      “I turned him down.”

      “What? Are you out of your mind?”

      “I don’t need their help, Char. I can take care of my daughter and my house and my life without anyone.”

      “Oh, Abby.” Charla looked at her with sympathy. Dishes rattled as they stacked them on the cart. “Sometimes you’re too independent for your own good. Warren really did a number on you.”

      Warren wasn’t the only one though, admittedly, he’d been the latest in bad decisions that had come back to bite her. Abby was smart enough to know her background made her wary. Nobody did something for nothing. Stick your heart out there and it would get tromped. Every time. If trying to fit into a family and failing at age thirteen hadn’t proved that, Warren had.

      Big, beautiful Brady Buchanon would have to find someone else to feel sorry for.

      She stuck his twenty dollars into her pocket and debated on giving it back.

      * * *

      Lila’s play school telephoned an hour before Abby’s shift ended.

      “For you, Abby,” Jan called, holding her hand over the mouthpiece. “Christina at the play school.”

      The café was in the lull shortly before dinner hour and Abby was in the middle of filling and wiping down saltshakers. She recapped the latest one and went to the phone.

      “Sorry,” she said to Jan. “I’m out of minutes for my phone.” But with Christmas coming, she was holding off on the purchase as long as possible.

      “You know I don’t care when it’s important.” Her boss, a sturdy, energetic woman with close-cropped blond waves, winked. “Lila’s always important.”

      “Thanks, Jan.” Her boss was good to her so Abby never wanted to take advantage. She took the phone and said, “Hello.”

      A minute later she hung up. “Jan, Lila had a bathroom accident at school. I really have to go over there, but I’ll come back as soon as I take care of her.”

      Jan glanced around the quiet café. “Charla and I can handle it for an hour until Mercy gets here. Get Lila and go on home. Tell her accidents happen to everyone.”

      But they happened to Lila more than most. While her potty training had progressed to a good schedule considering the nerve damage below the waist, on occasion she had an accident.

      Abby didn’t know whether to be grateful for her boss’s understanding or worried. She needed the hour on her paycheck, but Lila came first. “I’ll see you at five-thirty in the morning then?”

      “Deal.” Jan waved her off.

      The streets of Gabriel’s Crossing bustled with Christmas preparations. City workers in cherry pickers were draping strands of green lighted garland from one side of First Street to the other. In the center of each garland was a huge green wreath with artificial candles and a big red bow.

      Just looking at the decorations going up everywhere filled her with excited dread. She loved seeing Lila’s excitement but wished she could give her more. Lila didn’t even have grandparents or other relatives to spoil her and buy her things.

      But that was okay. They didn’t need anyone else. They had each other.

      She swung by the house to pick up a change of clothes and reached Huckleberry Play School soon thereafter.

      Greeted by Christina,