Her Mistletoe Protector

Family photos featuring Gerald, his wife, Nancy, and their two grown sons were proudly displayed. The furnishings in the room, including the holiday decorations, were expensive and fancy—not to his taste at all but not awful, either. The place looked like something out of a fashion magazine, and he didn’t doubt for a moment that a professional decorator had had a hand in the outcome.

He’d never been to Rachel’s house and wondered if her style was similar to Gerry’s. Not that he should care one way or the other. But somehow, he couldn’t imagine Rachel raising Joey in a fancy, formal place like this.

Or maybe that was wishful thinking on his part.

He had to admit there was nothing to make him think Gerry was anything but what he seemed—a wealthy businessman who cared about his family and about Rachel. He told himself to relax and tuned back into the conversation.

“I’ll call Edward,” Gerry told Rachel, putting a reassuring arm around her shoulder. Nick had to grit his teeth to stop from going over to forcibly remove it, even though the gesture was clearly intended to be reassuring and friendly. “I’m sure we can come up with some way to get you the cash you need. But the earlier I call him, the better.”

“We appreciate your help, Gerry,” Nick said, determined to make his presence known. He was more than willing to play the role of Rachel’s boyfriend, if necessary. “Rachel said such kind things about you, I’m glad to see she was right.”

Gerry actually looked flustered by the compliment. He removed his arm from Rachel’s shoulders and pulled out his phone. “Give me a few minutes to talk this through with Edward, okay? We’ll have to sign the paperwork in front of a notary, too, and he’ll have someone at the bank we can work with, I’m sure.”

“Thanks, Gerry.”

While the older man was making the call, Nick crossed over to kneel by Rachel’s side. “Are you okay?” he asked. As far as he could tell, she was holding up pretty well, considering.

“I will be once we have the cash,” she murmured in a low voice. “At least we’re one step closer to getting Joey back.”

“Agreed. Just hang in there a little longer, okay?”

She nodded again but was still twisting her fingers together. He gently put his hand over hers, stilling her motions. “We’ll get through this, Rachel,” he said reassuringly. He wanted to invite her to pray with him but, after her outburst in the car earlier, settled instead on praying silently for her and Joey.

When Gerry returned, Nick rose to his feet. Rachel stood, too, and he stayed close by her side. Gerry’s gaze was openly curious as it moved between the two of them, but he didn’t comment. “Edward is going to do his best to pull the funds together. He’s asked that you call him in two hours. We can meet him at the bank to finalize everything.”

“Sounds good. Thanks again, Gerry.” She set the drafted forms aside. “Bring these with you, okay? I’ll see you in a little while.”

Gerry hesitated before taking the documents she’d handed over. “I feel terrible about this, Rachel, and my offer still stands. If something changes, and you still have the money, I’d be more than happy to rip this agreement up as if it never happened.”

“Thanks, Gerry.” Rachel’s smile was heartbreaking, and she reached up to kiss Gerry’s cheek before turning away. Nick followed, as they made their way back outside.

In the car, he turned toward her, half expecting tears, but her eyes were dry and her expression was determined. “What now?” she asked, as if she hadn’t just agreed to sign her life away. “We have two hours until we need to be at the bank.”

“We’ll find a coffee shop with free Wi-Fi so we can do some more research on Frankie Caruso. I also need to update my boss.” He put the car in gear, backing carefully out of Gerald Ashton’s driveway. At this moment, he didn’t think he’d ever admired a woman more than he admired Rachel. She was beautiful, smart, sincere, and the one of the best mothers he’d ever known.

And the part of his heart that he’d sent into a deep freeze after Becky’s and Sophie’s deaths thawed just a little.

* * *

Rachel gratefully climbed out of the car at the coffee shop, hanging on to her new phone with a death grip. Nick purchased two large coffees and then found a small table near a gas fireplace. It was nice and cozy near the fire, and she sipped her coffee, gazing up at the wreath hanging above the mantel as he booted up the laptop.