Christmas Gifts: Cinderella and the Cowboy / The Boss's Christmas Baby / Their Little Christmas Miracle

“Yeah, that would be good,” Jack said. Tom nodded, too.

Elizabeth poured coffee for the two men. She poured some juice for Brady. Then she began fixing some vegetables to go with the casserole.

When Carol finished feeding Jenny, Tom moved over to visit with Carol and the baby. She put Jenny in his arms, and he cooed at her, patting her smooth cheek and letting her grab his pinky as he did so. “I’m your grandpa, Jenny. Grandpa Tom.”

The baby’s eyes were wide as she listened to her grandfather.

“She seems mesmerized,” Elizabeth said. “I guess maybe because she doesn’t hear a man’s voice very often. It’s just been me and Brady around her since she was born.”

“We’ll have to change that, right, Jack?” Tom asked without taking his eyes off his granddaughter.

“Yeah, we will. She needs to get used to both of us.”

Elizabeth didn’t say anything.

Jack had served himself and started eating, but he noticed that Elizabeth didn’t come down after taking Jenny back upstairs. After a few moments he excused himself and went to get her. He found her in Jenny’s room, slowly rocking the sleeping baby.

Instead of saying anything to Elizabeth, he sat down on the small bed and waited a minute. Then he called her softly. “Elizabeth?”

Her eyes opened and she cleared her throat before finally responding. “Yes, Jack?”

“I wondered when you were coming down for lunch. It’s getting cold.”

“I was just rocking Jenny.”

“She seems sound asleep. I’ll put her in her bed.”

Elizabeth wanted to protest, but he was being helpful.

After he’d put the baby down, he pulled her up from the rocker and led her out of the baby’s room. “Were you planning on skipping lunch?”

“No, but it’s so peaceful, holding a sleeping baby. Today had a lot of disturbing situations.”

“Yeah. I’m glad you thought of the pregnancy test.”

“I’m sorry it caused you some embarrassment.”

“It irritated me most of all.”

“I’m glad we now know.”

“Yeah, she didn’t seem the mothering type.”

“People change. She might have turned into a good mother.”

“Yeah, right.” He took her hand and led her down the stairs.

“Did you think I couldn’t find the table without your assistance?”

“You seem all too ready to skip meals. I think you need to eat a good lunch.”

When they entered the kitchen, Carol made her a plate and Tom pulled out a chair for her.

“What is everyone going to do this afternoon?” she asked as she sat.

“I’m going to be sure you eat your lunch.”

“Jack, you don’t need to help me.”

He just looked at her but he didn’t budge from the chair opposite her.

Carol offered her plan. “I’m going to actually do some work. I didn’t get anything done besides making the beds.”

“There’s too much else needed, Carol. I think you should relax and entertain Tom. Brady is going to take his nap, and Tom won’t have anyone to talk to.”

“Aw, Mommy, I don’t need a nap,” Brady said as he tried to hide a big yawn.

Everyone chuckled.

“I’ll come up and cover you up, sweetie.”

Jack spoke up. “Not until you finish your lunch. I’ll go tuck him in.”

When she started to protest, Brady expressed enthusiasm about Jack helping him. So she remained seated as the two males went upstairs together.

“That was nice of Jack,” Carol said.

Elizabeth said nothing.

“Do you have some laundry ready to be washed?” Carol asked her. “I could do some laundry for you.”

“Yes, I do. You always have laundry when you have children.”

“I’ve heard that,” Carol said, a wistful look in her eyes.

Poor Carol had never had children after losing two babies. Elizabeth’s heart went out to her. She felt even more grateful for her children.

“Do you need to get home early tonight, Carol, or will you stay for dinner?”

Carol turned bright red. “You don’t have to include me for dinner.”

“You always stay for dinner, Carol,” Tom said. “Though I appreciate you asking her, Elizabeth.”

“I’d love to stay, Elizabeth. Thank you.”

“Okay, I’ll get started on cleaning the kitchen, if you’ll gather the laundry. Be sure to look under Brady’s bed.”

“Just like the other two men!” Carol chuckled.