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“What do you want?” she asked, ready to do whatever she could to help.
“Jason’s picture.”
She grabbed the framed graduation photo of the boy she’d once loved with all her heart, and handed it to his father. Joe pulled off the back and yanked out a wrinkled envelope.
“Give this to him....” His words faded into a string of coughs. “Make him read it.”
Her mouth gaped. How did Joe expect her to do this when Jason wouldn’t discuss his father, much less have anything to do with him? But she couldn’t turn her back on this man who didn’t have anyone else to look out for him. She couldn’t give up hope that somehow father and son would be reunited.
Joe reached for her arm and placed the envelope in her hand. His cold fingers squeezed hers. “Find a way. Jason has to know I regret what happened. Please, Kara.”
CHAPTER TEN
“LET ME LICK them. Please.” Samantha held out her hands for the beaters from the mixer.
“You can have one and I’ll have the other.” Kara couldn’t resist the sweet buttery taste of cookie dough.
They were both licking at the creamy batter when a knock sounded. Sunday afternoons were notorious for impromptu visits from her parents. She continued savoring the sweet treat on her way to the door. She peered through the window, finding Jason.
Jason? What was he doing here? Maybe she’d forgotten something at his place yesterday in her haste to get home.
She yanked the beater down to her side and wiped away any evidence of her childish behavior before opening the door. When she looked into Jason’s dreamy blue eyes, her heart started beating in double time. “Hi. What are you doing here?”
“Thought you might want this.” He moved to the side, revealing a lush evergreen lying on the sidewalk.
“You got us a tree?”
“You said you always wanted a real tree, so here you go.” He peered around her and she turned, finding her daughter lurking behind her.
“Samantha, you remember Mr. Greene, don’t you?”
She nodded and moved to stand beside Kara. “Is that for us?”
“Yes, it is. Do you like it?”
Samantha’s head bobbed up and down, while a huge grin showed off her pearly whites.
Kara ushered him inside. “You’re letting in all the cold.”
“I didn’t mean to stay. I just wanted to drop this off. Unless, of course, you already put up your tree.”
“We didn’t,” Samantha volunteered. “Mommy didn’t have time. Can we have it, Mommy? We’ve never had a real tree. Ple-e-ease.”
Kara eyed her pleading stare. “Fine. Mr. Greene, can I help you carry it into the living room?”
“I’ve got it,” he said.
He picked it up with ease and moved forward, favoring his leg more than usual. Concern swirled in Kara’s chest as she quickly ducked into the kitchen to drop off her licked-clean beater. She wanted to ask him about his leg but reminded herself that it wasn’t her concern. They each had their own lives to lead, and he didn’t need her nagging him about his health.
Kara held the door wide-open while he maneuvered the chubby pine through the doorway. Her living room was small and cozy. She didn’t have a clue what they’d do if the tree was too big. Samantha would have a fit. But they’d cross that bridge when they got to it.
“Put it here,” Samantha called, pointing to a
spot in front of the window. “This is where we always put the other one.”
Jason glanced at Kara and she nodded in approval. “Just give me a second to slide the chair out of the way.”
In a matter of seconds, the tree stood prominently in front of the window, with a few inches of clearance between the tip-top and the ceiling. Kara breathed a sigh of relief. Jason had already anchored it in a red-and-green metal stand, attached to a piece of wood. All she’d have to do was add water and a tree skirt.
