Christmas Gifts: Cinderella and the Cowboy / The Boss's Christmas Baby / Their Little Christmas Miracle. Judy Christenberry
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Jack and Jenny.”
“Okay, Mommy.”
She stood there watching him walk away with Tom, tamping down the emotion that threatened to overtake her. It was a welcome sight she feared she’d never get to see.
“Come on. We want to get a table.”
She looked up in surprise at Jack. “Do we need to hurry?”
“Yeah, we do. And I need to tell you something else, too.”
“What?”
“I’ll tell you once we get in the truck.” He reached down and took the baby carrier from her.
Once they were in the truck, she said, “What do you need to tell me?”
“Did you see the woman on the other side of Tom?” Jack asked as he started the truck.
“No, not really.” The woman’s car was on the far side of Tom’s, hidden by his vehicle. She took Jenny out of the carrier to change her diaper.
“Her name’s Carol. Tom was sitting with her in church. She’s the lady who comes to clean our house. Tom doesn’t want to stop that service. He wants you to not have to work so hard. And he knows Carol needs the money. She lost her husband about six years ago. That’s how she supports herself.”
“I see. I wouldn’t want her to lose her job.”
“Good. That will give you some time off.”
She didn’t think she needed time off, but arguing was useless.
Minutes later Jack turned into the parking lot of the restaurant. He came around to open her door. “I’ll get the baby.”
“That’s okay. I can carry her.”
“I’ve got her.” He reached out with his other hand and caught Elizabeth’s hand as she shut the door.
Having Jack hold her hand felt a little funny. At the same time she had to admit it felt good. Right. Exciting.
Brady was waiting in the lobby, sitting between his grandfather and the woman from church. Tom introduced Elizabeth to Carol Johnson, an attractive blonde with a warm smile. Carol was eager to commend Brady on his behavior.
“I’m glad he behaved himself. I was sick most of my pregnancy with Jenny, so we didn’t go to church much.”
“I can understand that.” The fifty-something woman nodded.
“How many children did you have?”
Carol shook her head. “I lost two babies mid-pregnancy.”
“I’m so sorry.” Elizabeth’s heart went out to the woman. She couldn’t imagine her life without her two babies.
Just then the hostess called their party.
“Come on, everyone,” Jack said. As if it was a habit, he reached out and took Elizabeth’s hand.
When he pulled out a chair for her at the table, Elizabeth had to admit this was a side of Jack she could easily get used to.
She sat down and reached out for the baby. However, Jack put Jenny in the upturned chair on the other side of his seat.
“But I need Jenny beside me.”
“I’ll take care of her today. Besides, that’s where Brady is going to sit.”
Before she could protest, Brady slid into the seat to her left, calling out to his grandfather to sit beside him.
Elizabeth studied the menu. “Everything sounds so good. I don’t know what I want.”
“I think you need a steak. You need some protein.”
Irritated, she shot Jack a narrow-eyed look. “I do not!”
“Yes, you do. You need to gain some weight.”
Darn that man! He had no idea how hard her life had been. From as far back as she could remember she’d had to be the responsible one, not only during her marriage but her childhood too. She’d taken care of her mother—who never knew Elizabeth’s father—while the woman was strung out on crack. A habit she picked up working the streets of Oklahoma City.
Not much changed when she got married.
Even when she was terribly sick during her second pregnancy, she’d made sure to care for and feed Brady. Sometimes it was oatmeal with bananas—what she could make during the limited time she could stand up. One minute.
Jack Crawford had no right to judge her.
While she was stewing, the waitress arrived at their table and Jack immediately ordered a steak for her and for himself, too.
After the orders were in, Jenny made her presence known with a fussy cry. Elizabeth started to get up, but Carol, sitting beside Jenny at the circular table, asked her, “May I pick up the baby?”
“Yes, of course, Carol. But I can come get her when you want.”
“Oh, I’d love to hold her. She’s so little.”
Jack assisted her in picking up the baby. “She may be little, but she’s got healthy lungs.”
“I didn’t realize she was disturbing you,” Elizabeth snapped.
“Come on, Liz, she’s not bothering me. Not at all.”
Elizabeth stared at the table, ignoring him.
“We love having little Jenny around. She reminds us about how lucky we are to have you and the kids come to our house.” Tom looked at Brady. “Right, Brady?”
“Right, Grandpa.”
“Do you have a bottle prepared?” Carol asked.
“Yes.” Elizabeth bent down to the diaper bag and brought out a bottle for Jenny.
Carol fed the baby, cooing to her, smiling and obviously enjoying every moment of it.
“If you ever need a babysitter, Elizabeth, keep me in mind.”
“Thank you, Carol, but I don’t think I’ll need a sitter.” She had no intention of going anywhere without her children. Besides, where would she go?
“You never know,” Jack said.
What was that supposed to mean? She was about to ask when the waitress appeared with their meals.
Elizabeth had had enough of this lunch and she hadn’t even eaten yet. Still, she forced herself to eat, not wanting to hear any more of Jack’s comments. He watched her throughout the meal as closely as she did Brady, only he made her uncomfortable.
She couldn’t endure the ride back to the ranch with him.
“Tom, may Jenny and I ride back home with you and Brady?”
Jack heard her. “Aw, come on, honey, that’s mean. That would leave me all alone.”
“I’ll ride with you, Jack,” Brady said as he ate his ice cream for dessert.
“Good. I didn’t want to ride alone. Thank you, Brady.”
She couldn’t very well forbid her son from riding with him. Especially not when the boy was so proud of his thoughtful gesture.
She sat back and drank her coffee.
When they finally got up from their meal, Jack picked up Jenny’s carry-all.
“I’ll take Jenny,” she protested.
“Don’t worry. I’ll carry her to Tom’s car.”
Then he reached out to take her hand with his empty one, but Elizabeth sidestepped him. Instead she called out to her son. “Brady, be sure to wear your seat belt.”
“I will, Mommy.”
Carol