“Okay, fine. I’m a generous man. I’ll share credit with Dolores on that one.” Jack steepled his fingers, his brow scrunched in thought. “But…”
Luke kicked his feet up on the desk, leaning back even further as he waited for Jack to continue.
Jack grinned, his eyes sparkling with a devilish glint. “Iwant credit for telling you to propose.”
Caught off guard, Luke toppled backward, crash-landing on the floor.
Chapter 26
As Cassie sat cross-legged in front of the coffee table wrapping Christmas presents—the Calendar’s task for December 17—everything seemed right with the world.
In just over a week, she’d own the cottage and would be able to put it on the market. Assuming it sold quickly, she could enroll her mother in rehab in a matter of months, not only getting her the help she desperately needed, but perhaps paving the way for a meaningful mother-daughter relationship.
Enveloped by soft acoustic Christmas music, Cassie soaked up the ambiance around her. A bright, crackling fire danced in the hearth. Bits of ribbon and colorful wrapping paper littered the floor like confetti celebrating the stack of presents tucked beneath the tree.
Cassie only had one gift left—Luke’s cuckoo clock. She hadn’t quite decided how to wrap the oddly shaped item.
Cassie’s skin tingled as she envisioned Luke’s face when he opened it. Surely, he would remember sharing his father’s story and understand the significance. In her mind, there wasn’t a more perfect way to tell Luke she loved him. And awaiting his reaction left her breathless with hopeful anticipation.
A loud hammering on the front door caused Cassie to jump in surprise.
Suspecting it might be Luke, she raced to find something to cover the cuckoo clock. But a familiar voice made her blood run cold, rooting her to the spot.
“Knock, knock! It’s Santa!”
Chills skittered down Cassie’s spine as she made her way to the door. And even though she knew exactly who she’d find on the other side, she still blinked in disbelief.
“Hello,daughterof mine,” Donna slurred, slumped against the doorframe.
“Hi, Mom.” Cassie recoiled as the scent of alcohol assaulted her senses. Peering over Donna’s shoulder she asked, “How did you get here?”
“Ride share.” Donna stumbled through the doorway, gripping a large bottle of vodka. “A group of kids on their way to a ski resort or something. Cheap fare, and I gave them my second bottle as a tip.” She waved the vodka above her head, teetered, then clutched the hall table for support.
Cassie cringed, but at least was grateful Donna hadn’t driven herself in her present condition. She hadn’t seen her mother this far gone in a long time.
A tiny twinge of resentment pierced Cassie’s heart. Considering all she had to sacrifice for Donna’s rehab, her mother could at least avoid the binge of the century. But then, if Donna had self-control, they wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place.
Shutting the door against the cold, Cassie helped Donna struggle out of her coat. “What brings you by, Mom? I have to admit, I’m a little surprised to see you.”
“You mean that lovely Christmas card wasn’t an invitation?” Donna’s words dripped with sarcasm and, finally free of her coat, she took a lengthy swig from the bottle.
Her stomach twisting, Cassie watched the level of clear liquid drop rapidly.
“Imaginemysurprise when I saw the return address.” Clutching her purse, Donna staggered into the living room. “This place looks exactly the same. Although I didn’t expect to ever see it again. I assumed dear old Mom left it to a charity or something.” The vodka swished in the bottle as Donna collapsed onto the couch. Carelessly, she kicked her boots off and they clattered to the floor.
“I was surprised, too,” Cassie admitted, perching on the edge of the armchair. Then hesitantly, she asked, “Did Grandma leave you anything?”
Donna released a derisive snort. “Some hick lawyer called to say she left me a letter, and would I like to pick it up in person or have it mailed?”
Cassie bristled, certain the “hick” lawyer had been Luke. “And what did you say?”
“I said he could burn it for all I cared.” Donna gulped down the rest of the vodka, then scanned the room as if looking for a place to dispose of her trash.
Clamoring to her feet, Cassie held out her hands. “Here, I’ll take—”
But before she could finish her sentence, Donna lobbed the bottle into the fireplace. Shards of glass shattered against the hearth. The remaining drops of alcohol reacted with the flames, igniting a startling blaze that shot up the chimney.
Cassie flinched as Donna cackled. But at least the drinking would be over now.
