A Family For Christmas

Prologue

She opened the door and listened.

Silence.

Julia Rourke expelled a sigh of relief as she swung open the door of her Chicago apartment. Four o’clock. She knew her husband Hank wasn’t due for two more hours, but sometimes he was home before her, and already drunk. Thankfully, not today. She’d have some quiet time to study for her finals.

The Fates must be smiling on me... at least for right now.

Between teaching third grade, attending courses for her master’s degree and coming home to their nightly arguments, she hadn’t had much peace lately. Sometimes she wished, in vain, for a designated arguer.

Entering the living room, she dropped her books on the couch and turned on the switch. Pure halogen light illuminated the room, and her attention was immediately drawn to her wall unit—or rather to the gaping hole in the middle where the television and stereo had been. Had been.

She’d been robbed!

Taking a quick inventory, Julia saw knickknacks still on the shelves, but spread out as though... As though trying to fill in gaps. Some of the doodads were missing: Hank’s autographed Mets baseball, his model Cessna, but not her collection of thimbles.

Oh, great. A picky thief.

Wait a minute. What kind of thief locked a door behind him?

Slowly she entered the kitchen. The kitchen radio still sat on the counter nearest the sink. And the sewing machine was here, as was her collection of antique European letter openers.

She opened the cabinets. The plates were here, but the silverware was gone. Oddly enough, given the circumstances at the moment, she recalled the time she had purchased the plates, at the little Navajo reservation she’d visited while Hank—

Hank had purchased the silverware! Whirling around, she stared at the empty microwave stand. She’d bought the stand, and he the microwave.

Walking quickly into the bedroom, she spied the air purifier she’d purchased just two weeks ago, but not the framed picture Hank had surprised her with on their honeymoon.

The television and stereo also belonged to Hank. She walked to the closet they shared and, with shaking hands, slowly opened it. Her clothes were still there. His were gone.

Did she really need more proof?

Yes, you did The same way you made them test you over and over, to make absolutely sure....

Dazed, she returned to the living room and saw a piece of yellow legal paper folded neatly in half, her name boldly printed on it. It sat on the coffee table she’d bought.

Picking it up, she read the first two words: Dear Julia.

Crossing over to the chair, she sat and ran her hand over the cool black leather. Then she continued to read.

He loved her, he wrote, he just couldn’t take it any longer. He accepted all the blame, and was sorry. He detailed how busy he was going to be as a new lawyer. He wouldn’t be able to be there for her. He wrote how he had certain expectations, and that she’d be better off without him.

Julia knew that—she just never expected it to hurt like this. Her hand rested on her stomach, and she swallowed hard.

Crumpling the note, she got up, closed the front door and walked on rubbery legs to the bedroom. She lay down on the bed, and her gaze rested on the hideously large fluorescent-green-and-orange Aztec fertility god he’d bought on their trip to Mexico.

Why couldn’t he have taken that?

He probably thought it would do her more good than him.

She closed her eyes. The floating sensation she’d had after losing their baby returned.

The doctors said the feeling would go away.

It had.

Snatching a last piece of strength before sleep overcame her, she reached a decision of her own.

It was time for her to go away, too.

Chapter 1

A perfect evening, Maxine. Tony Pellegrino opened the door of his house, and ushered the willowy blonde in out of the cold Wyoming October night. Tossing his black suede Stetson on the hall table, he helped his date off with her mink coat.

Maxine Mallone walked over to the sofa, putting a little bit of a come-hither hitch in her step. Tony admired the way her red dress hugged every voluptuous curve. She sank gracefully onto the overstuffed beige cushions.

It’s only going to get better. Her husky voice practically purred, and she patted the spot next to her. Catlike green eyes reinforced her promise.

Tony took a step toward her, his body primed. The phone in his office, off the living room, rang. Damn. The only thing to keep him from a date would be something urgent having to do with his ranches, so while he continued in Maxine’s direction, he kept one ear on the incoming message.

Tony, Maxine said with a sigh of exasperation. Go take care of whatever it is. Her glossy carmine lips settled into a complacent smile.

Maxine was anything but submissive, so he knew she wanted something, and that something was one uninterrupted evening, which he’d been promising her for months, ever since she returned home to Silver Creek. For that reason alone, he didn’t take offense with her for telling him what to do—something most people who knew him wouldn’t think of doing.

Go on, she urged. I know how important it is to you.

I’ll only be a minute, and then I’m all yours.

And I’ll keep you, she called out as he left the room.

Tony ignored her implication—being one of the most sought-after bachelors in his small town, he’d heard more than one eager woman hint at commitment—and he strode quickly into his den. He removed his black suit jacket, dropping it on a chair, and, just as the caller began leaving a message, he lifted the receiver.

This is Tony Pellegrino. He loosened his tie.

After a momentary silence, a voice belonging to an older woman, spoke. Mr. Pellegrino, this is highly irregular for me, but I felt you had to know, before it was too late.

Tony instantly recognized the accent, the faster-than-a-bullet speech pattern. The number displayed on his identification machine confirmed it. The call was from New York City.

His birthplace.

This couldn’t be about his brothers. Matt was in Boston and Nick in Chicago. That meant... His heart raced. He willed its cadence to match the ticking of the clock on his oak desk before he spoke. This is about Anne, isn’t it? A solid lead, after all these years?

Yes. It’s a long story, but the nuts and bolts of it is, I’m a nurse at City Hospital in Manhattan, and your sister was my patient.

Was? He gripped the receiver tighter. What happened?

I’m sorry, Mr. Pellegrino. His spine stiffened at her tone. Anne died six months ago.

Six months ago? And you’re just—

Please, Mr. Pellegrino, I know this is a shock, but if you’ll let me finish...

Sorry, go on, he said.

I can’t talk too long, I’m at work, on my break, and I’m taking a big chance doing this, not knowing who you are and all, but I figured family should know. I found Anne’s knapsack yesterday, in a storage room. It must have been tossed in there and forgotten. Anyway, there was a journal, and your name and number...

Tony only half heard the nurse’s recitation.

His search was over. Pain and sorrow spiraled through his body, and twisted around his heart. How’d she die? he asked.

She hesitated slightly. Anne struggled with drugs for many years, Mr. Pellegrino.

She died of an overdose?

Not exactly, the nurse began.

Maxine sauntered into the room, one perfectly tweezed eyebrow arched gently. The words perfect evening mocked him.

He held up his hand. She approached quietly.

Go on, please, he said.

Well, I figured since I was the one who found her knapsack—I mean, I never go into that storage closet—it was meant for me to call you. You see, time’s running out. We kept her for four months—the poor little thing needed us, so there was no problem—and we even managed to extend it for another two, ’cause we fell in love with her, but we can’t stall any longer. She stopped to take a breath. They’re coming to take her away.

You mean to bury her? It’s been six months—wouldn’t that have been done already?

"Oh, I’m going on again. Not Anne, Mr. Pellegrino. Rachel. You’ve got to do something before social services come and take her away."

Rachel?

This isn’t making sense. I don’t know a Rachel, Tony said, his lack of comprehension putting a noticeable edge in his voice.

Oh, of course you don’t. Not yet. Rachel’s your niece.

My ... my niece?

Yes, your niece. Your sister died in childbirth.

Tony, I don’t know if I’m ready for this. Maxine shook her head.

Tony walked down the aisle of the grocery store, searching for the items Miss Irene said he’d need before the baby came.

That’s okay, neither do I. I’m not asking you to give up anything, Maxine. We can see each other like always, but at least Rachel will be with her family.

I still don’t see why one of your brothers couldn’t take her.

I’m sorry I haven’t filled you in on all the details. It’s been a busy two weeks. In New York, when we met to see Rachel for the first time, Matt, Nick and I discussed this. Matt’s law career is just taking off, and Nick’s police work involves him being gone for too many hours, so they can’t do it. I’m in the best position to make sure she’ll have a stable life. He took Maxine’s hand. And anyway, she’s. just a baby. How much trouble can she be?

A family could handle her better. Kids grow up and change.

Tony knew that better than most; he’d grown up with more changes in his life than any child should have to endure. After reading his sister’s journal, and discovering that although she’d been adopted as a baby, she’d had a very hard life, he was damned if his niece would have to go through a repeat performance.

She’s not going to strangers, he said through clenched teeth, then took in a calming breath and smiled. Besides, when she grows up, you know, two or three years old, she’ll be able to do practically everything on her own. You’ll see. He patted her hand, confident he’d be able to maintain the status quo he’d worked hard to acquire, and reached for the Pampers. She’s barely six months old. She’ll spend most of her time at home, sleeping. Now, have you got any idea where the bottles are?

Are you serious? Maxine walked to the next aisle, looking at the shelves, muttering, Bottles. Bottles of Moet, yes. Baby bottles...

Tony chuckled and continued down his aisle. Within a few minutes, he was surrounded by friendly neighbors who’d heard about his news.

What’s the story, boy? Mr. Milligan asked, patting him on the back good-naturedly. Are you a father, yet?

When’s the young’n due to arrive? Mrs. Stover chimed in.

Tony shrugged. Well, I met with the judge in New York last week, and now John is there, putting the finishing touches on the paperwork. He trusted his lawyer and friend John Lewiston implicitly, and was waiting to hear from him any day now.

Tony, you’re gonna get her, aren’t you? Mrs. Winslow asked, her kind face looking at him in serious concern. She’s kin.

Tony’s neighbors had loved him ever since he came back to this dying town ten years ago, bought the old Crowley Ranch—now called Pellegrino Ranch—expanded it to include the one next door, and hired only local workers to run it, reviving the economy. The town never failed to let him know how much they cared about him.

He put a hand on her arm. I can only tell you what John told me. He believes the judge will make me her legal guardian. Tony felt an ache in his gut at the possibility that something might go wrong, that he might not get Rachel. He’d seen her only twice, and he couldn’t have said anything about her other than she was indeed a baby—and that maybe her eyes were just like Annie’s. He couldn’t be sure about that, but he did know that losing her would be like losing Anne all over, and he didn’t want to go through that again.

Mentally shaking himself, he looked up over the heads of his well-wishers and spotted a woman, about thirty-two or -three, with angular features, large red-rimmed glasses, and light brown hair pulled tightly into a bun, peering at him from the corner of an aisle. She wet her full lips, and he caught his breath.

Once you get her, don’t let her go, Tony, Mr. Milligan said, slapping him on the back.

What? Tony said, momentarily distracted by the woman’s quiet allure. When he looked back at aisle four, the woman had disappeared.

When was the last time he’d been so affected by a woman? He didn’t know, and the conversation around him didn’t allow him any time to ponder it. Tony listened patiently to the advice of the women on child care, the bragging of the men on their grown children’s accomplishments, and finally managed to extricate himself. He grabbed the diapers and headed for the cashier.

Maxine was waiting for him with some bottles of food and toys. I guess she’ll need these. She saw Tony’s eyebrows go up, and sighed. What’s wrong?

That’s solid food. She doesn’t have any teeth.

There, you see. I don’t know babies, Tony.

What’s to know? Don’t worry so much, Maxine. She’s a quiet kid, and before we know it, she’ll blend right in. Nothing much has to be different.

Oh, are you kidding yourself. This is going to be a major upheaval, and I’m not all that sure I’ m ready for another one, having just moved up here, and settling in and...

Maxine continued talking, but a sudden flash of memory replaced her words in Tony’s mind. As he went through the checkout line, the sounds around him blurred into background noise....

I just can’t take it no more, Tony. It’s best this way. Someone will come for you all soon. Make sure your brothers and sister is okay till then.

His mother had kissed him, and then she’d been gone, her two suitcases clanking against each rickety wooden step as she ran down the stairs and jumped into the waiting car. The man driving it hadn’t even turned his head, but his mother had.

She’d waved goodbye....

Well, I guess this doesn’t have to be goodbye, either, Maxine said. So maybe you’re right. I think we’re good together, so maybe we’ll just work something out later.

Yeah, he muttered, knowing she was blissfully unaware of the memory he’d just endured. Maxine wasn’t interested in his past. Just his future. She never pretended to be more than she was—a woman who liked the good life, and all it could offer her. Just like all the women he’d dated over the past few years. There were no surprises, no bumps in the road emotionally, with Maxine. That was the way he liked it.

No more changes. No more surprises.

And that was good.

You’re hired. You can start on Monday. Welcome to Pellegrino Ranch, and welcome home, Julia.

Thanks, Rose. Julia Rourke shook Rose Shepherd’s hand and relaxed in her seat. She and Rose had been friends from their sophomore year in high school until Julia left Silver Creek to find her happiness in Chicago. It was great to see her again, and especially to know she’d be working with her. Rose was also thirty-four, and with her curly mop of honey-blond hair framing her pixielike face, she still looked like the girl Julia had left behind.

Do you think you can be happy here again, Jules?

Julia smiled at how easily her old nickname slipped from Rose’s lips. In the past seventeen years, nothing had really changed. After spending most of my time in high school hanging out with you and your cowboy brothers, I think I’ll be able to settle here without much trouble. You know, once a cowgirl, always a cowgirl. She pushed back the glasses that constantly slipped down her nose. Besides, it’s a moot point, anyway. My mother needs me now that my father... Blinking back the tears that still formed at the mere thought of her father, Julia smiled wistfully.

Rose’s oval face softened, and her eyes clouded over. I’m mighty sorry about your daddy, Jules. He was a good man.

She nodded. I still miss him.

Sugar, it’s only been a little over a year. Give yourself some time. The pretty woman patted Julia’s hand. But you’re back home again, and now you’ve got yourself a great job. With me at the cattle ranch next door, and you here at the stud ranch, we’ll see each other often. It was pure good luck that made you turn up the same day that Cindy had to leave.

Straightening the collar of her white blouse, Julia said, Luck had nothing to do with it. While in town with my mother, I met Cindy’s husband, and he told me about them relocating. My mother mentioned that Cindy had been the office manager here, so I hurried over. Julia knew it was more the hand of fate at play here than it was luck.

Well, whatever you think it is, I think it’s grand luck. She looked at the ground and whispered, It’s good to have you to talk to again, Jules. Rose rummaged in her purse, walked over to the pop machine in the hallway and plunked in her three quarters.

What’s wrong? Is everything all right between you and Tom?

Yes. Rose retrieved the can from the machine, snapped open the top and took a sip, before walking back to her desk and sitting on the chair near Julia. Her hands shook. I hope I don’t bring up old hurts. I know it was over a year ago that it happened to you....

Bitterness found its way to Julia’s mouth. Oh, Rose. A miscarriage?

Rose nodded. Our third.

Julia swallowed the acid taste. You must be devastated.

We are.

What can I do?

Just what you’re doing. Just listening. Don’t go on, like my other friends, telling me about how I should put it behind me, keep trying, that it wasn’t meant to be, and so on. She paused. I hope it’s not too hard for you, since you... you know.

It’s okay. Like you said, it’s been over a year, and time heals...some pains. Julia’s voice hitched, but it went unnoticed. The town didn’t have to know everything.

Rose smiled shakily. Well, we are still trying, and now we’re talking about adoption.

Adoption? Are you sure that’s what Tom really wants?

Rose shrugged. He says so, and I believe him. He’s great with kids.

But they won’t be his.

Julia was grateful that the door to the outer office opened at precisely that moment. She was spared having to think of something supportive to say, and she didn’t want Rose asking any probing questions about her life.

They turned at the sound of a man’s annoyed voice.

For the last time, Maxine, I’m sorry we had to leave New York early, but I wanted to get home today.

Rose sprang to her feet, wiped her eyes and hurried toward the voices. You got her! Rose stopped in front of Tony Pellegrino and reached for the bundle in his arms. Give me that little sugar-child.

Julia watched as the baby girl eagerly kicked her feet and jerked her arms at the sound of Rose’s voice. She happity went into her arms. Julia knew she would make a wonderful mother, and hoped she’d have another chance.

With her own kids...

She clenched her jaw, her attention drawn to the man who stood proudly looking on, then clutched the bag on her lap. Six-plus feet of raw masculinity leaned back against the desk in the outer office, his arms crossed over his chest, muscles stretching his expensive suit.

Tony Pellegrino, all grown up.

Julia recalled when he’d been the new kid at their small high school. After a rocky start—always in trouble, always testing everyone around him—he’d seemed to settle down a