One More for Christmas

“I feel guilty saying she can’t spend Christmas. It’s family time.” Ella fiddled with the buttons on her dress. “I know she hurt us, but she is reaching out and trying to make amends. We can’t reject that.”

“Fine. But we take back control. We will visit again tomorrow as planned, and tell her that we already have plans we can’t change, but we can meet her for a celebration dinner in the city if that’s what she’d like. I’ll book somewhere fancy.”

“All right.” Ella uncurled her legs. “Keep talking. This is sounding good.”

Samantha pulled open the minibar and removed a couple of bottles.

Ella frowned. “I thought the minibar came after the pizza and shower in your plan for the evening?”

“I’m changing the order.” Samantha twisted the top off one of the bottles and emptied it into a glass. Normally she wasn’t much of a drinker, but it seemed that an embarrassing phone call and an encounter with her mother could change that. “You have to tell Michael the truth before you tell Mom.”

“Right. I agree. Any idea how?” Ella’s phone rang and she jumped up and grabbed her purse. “That will be him. I feel guilty. Look—my hand is shaking...” She held out her hand as evidence and then dug out her phone.

“Tell him.”

“I can’t tell him over the phone. This is huge. It has to be in person. I’ll tell him as soon as I get home.” She answered her phone, a huge smile spreading across her face. “Tab! Hi, sweetheart. I miss you so much. I’m here with Aunty Sam...of course...” Ella thrust the phone at Sam. “Your niece wants to say hi.”

Samantha took the phone. How did life get this complicated? “How is my princess...? You slayed the dragon? Well, go you...” She reached out and tugged Ella’s hand away from her mouth to stop her biting her nails. “How many sleeps until Christmas?” She kept a tight grip on Ella’s hand to stop her ruining her nails. “I am so looking forward to it...yes, you can snugg

le in my bed...we will totally read that story about the rabbit in the snow that you love...” As she listened to her niece’s excited chatter, she grew steadily more determined not to let their mother ruin the holidays.

They chatted for a bit longer, and then Michael came on the phone and Samantha held it out to her sister.

Ella took it. “Hi, honey... I miss you.”

Samantha tried not to listen, but it was hard not to in the confined space.

Ella turned away slightly. “It was upsetting seeing her. I was literally shaking—”

Ella might be secretive about some of the facts in her life, but not about her emotions, Samantha thought. She shared the way she was feeling without hesitation.

“I love you, too,” Ella said. “They’re keeping her in another night. Is there any chance you could take tomorrow off, too, to be with Tab? I’m sorry. Samantha and I are going to stay another night...”

Samantha grabbed her robe and her nightdress and walked into the bathroom to give her sister some privacy.

Why was Ella worried about telling him? Michael adored Ella. Their relationship was solid.

She secured her hair on top of her head, turned on the shower and stripped off her clothes.

There was a heavy feeling inside her chest.

Envy? No. This was her sister, who she adored. She was pleased she was happy, but still...

Samantha swallowed. She was envious. She wanted to be the way Ella was. She wanted to be open about her feelings. She wanted to trust someone with her heart.

Because she didn’t want to think about that, she thought about her mother.

Why had she reached out? Was it simply because she’d had an accident and felt vulnerable? Did she want something from them?

Gayle Mitchell’s relationship with people tended to be transactional.

Samantha would have felt more comfortable had she understood what the transaction was.

Through the door she could hear Ella and Michael arguing about who loved each other the most.

Love you more...no, I love you more...

Samantha stepped into the shower and let the flow of water drown out the sound. The warmth and fragrance soothed and strengthened her. If she wanted a relationship like her sister’s, then the first thing she had to do was try and be as open and honest as her sister.