Unlikely Allies

"Mom, I don't want to talk about it, okay?" I interrupted, not wanting to hear how obsessive it seemed to have a sketchpad half-full of drawings of some guy who didn't want me. I knew it bordered on crazy, but I couldn't help the urge I kept getting to draw him over and over again. "I'm kind of tired from the drive. I think I'm going to take a nap. I'll eat when I get up if that's okay?"

She nodded, biting her lip. I knew it was killing her not to say anything, so I made it easier by turning my back and facing the wall. She left without a word.

***

Over the next few days, she looked on the verge of mentioning it, but I cut her off each time she tried until she grudgingly let it go. I tried to make up my silence on the subject by throwing myself into helping her decorate the house for Christmas. The prospect of having company spurred us to deck out the house inside and out. Christmas lights twinkled on every tree outside and lighted garland adorned the fireplace and arched doorways. Mom baked every cookie imaginable while I strung popcorn and cranberries for the tree. Spicy ci

"Well, what do you think?" Mom asked as she stacked the last present under the tree.

"It looks like Santa's Workshop threw up in here," I teased. "Kidding," I said when she shot me a dirty look. "It looks amazing."

"I think so too," she said, sinking down on the couch next to me with her cup of coffee.

"Thanks for letting Dad spend the holidays with us," I said, laying my head on her shoulder like I used to when I was little.

"I think it's the least I can do," she said.

"Well, I appreciate it," I said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

She patted my knee while we watched the Christmas lights on the tree twinkle off and on.

"This is nice," I said after awhile.

"Yes, it is," she said, sounding sad.

"I'll visit, Mom, and you can come visit me. The mountain air will do you some good," I teased, expecting her to scoff at my suggestion.

"Maybe it would," she said thoughtfully.

"What? Seriously? Where's my beach-loving mom, and what have you done with her?"

She chuckled. "I'm just thinking, instead of hanging out at the beach on my summer vacation, I'll head up to camp Unlikely Allies and see if I can be of some help."

"Mom, that's so cool," I said, giving her a tight hug.

"Well, you've been singing its praises for months. I figured it's something I should be a part of."

"That's so awesome. Does Dad know?"

"Yes, we've chatted about it quite a lot on the phone," she admitted, sheepishly.

"Really?" I asked, taking in the pinkish tint that was creeping up her cheeks. "Is there something going on I should know about?"

She opened her mouth to answer, but was cut off when the doorbell rang. "Saved by the bell," she muttered as she hurried to the door with a definite bounce in her step.

"I wouldn't count on it," I warned.

She rolled her eyes uncharacteristically, making me laugh. "Rick, it's nice to see you," she said, opening the door for him.

"Kate, merry Christmas," he said, pulling her in for a warm hug that lasted longer than the traditional hug. I watched their exchange from across the room. I was definitely missing something. After a moment, they reluctantly parted and Rick turned to me.

"Merry Christmas, kiddo," he said, pulling me in for a hug.

"Merry Christmas, Dad," I said, fighting the sudden tears that sprang to my eyes. I was so glad to see him, but at the same time, my heart twisted painfully inside me. He represented a part of something I could no longer have. I needed to learn to separate him from the category that I grouped both him and Mason in. Mason was part of my old life and held no place in my new life, but Rick would forever be a part of me.

"It's good to see you," he said warmly, pulling back.

"You too," I said. "Of course, I'm sensing I'm a little out of the loop on a few things," I said, quirking my eyebrows at them both.

Both feigned i

"Kim, can you get that?" Mom said, leading Rick into the room to see the tree.

"Sure, it's probably Car. We said our goodbyes the other day, but..." I started to say, but my words stuck in my throat when I threw open the door. I stared speechless at the person on our porch as if he was a ghost.

"Hello, beach bu

"You're late," I said, holding back my tears, taking in his appearance. His light hair was longer than it was the last time I'd seen him, and he looked leaner, but the rest of him was all the same. Looking at him, I realized that all my drawings hadn't done him justice.

"It took a little longer than I thought to find my way," he said, taking a step toward me. "I needed to be able to walk to you on my own," he added, taking yet another step closer to me, bringing us a breath away from each other. "That's if you'll have me," he added quietly, studying me intently.

"If you ever do that to me again, I'll hunt you down and make you sorry," I threatened as a single tear streaked down my cheek.

"Trust me, bu

I sighed with pleasure when his lips claimed mine. Here was the spark I had been missing. He ran his hand up behind my neck, anchoring me in place as he deepened the kiss.

I lost all track of time until in the foggy recesses of my mind I heard someone clearing their throat.

"Oops," I said, pulling back slightly, but not releasing my hold on him.

He slid an arm around my waist and we walked into my house to find my parents eyeing us, knowingly.

"You knew?" I accused my mom, feigning anger.

"Yes, I knew at Thanksgiving, but I had to be sure that you were basing your life on choices you wanted, and not ones that were ruled by some feelings about some guy," she answered. "Call it my motherly right. I wanted to tell you after I realized that despite thinking things were over with Mason, you still pla

"I appreciate it, Ms. Hanson," Mason said warmly.

"I've told you, call me Kate," she chastised.

"Okay, I appreciate you keeping my secret, Kate," he said with the twinkle I loved in his eye.

"Just don't hurt my girl again," she warned.

"I promise," he said, tucking me more securely under his arm.

"That's all I ask. Now, let's get your stuff and we can eat some lunch," she said, heading for the door. Rick followed behind and I watched as he reached for her hand and laced his fingers through hers.

"What do you think of that?" Mason asked, following my stare.

"I think it's pretty fabulous," I admitted, facing him.

He dipped down to place a kiss at the corner of my mouth before trailing his lips along my jaw line. Goose bumps popped up along my arms and my breath quickened at the feelings he was evoking in me.

"I've been dreaming about doing this for months," he mumbled against my neck right below my ear and I shivered in anticipation.

"I have to tell you something. I lied to you this summer," I told him.

"You did?" he asked, puzzled.