Guarding Her Christmas Secret
highlight_author
Jill Weatherholt
highlight_reads
16.2K
highlight_chapters
17
Chapter One
It was a mistake. That was the only explanation.
Cody Beckett’s cowboy boots hit the fresh layer of snow coating the parking lot of Mountain View Academy, in Bluebell Canyon, Colorado. Hershey, his one-year-old German shepherd, barked before flopping down on her fluffy, down feather dog bed Cody kept in the back seat. “I’ll be back as soon as I can, girl.” Cody slammed the door of his extended-cab pickup truck and headed inside the school.
Stomping his feet on the rubber mat covering the tiled floor, he bent over and brushed the snow off his favorite pair of worn Levi’s. During the car ride to the school, he played the voicemail from the school secretary over in his mind. He removed his black Stetson and made his way to the principal’s office. The aroma of Tater Tots from the school cafeteria filled the air. His stomach tightened with each step.
Five months had passed since he became guardian to his best friend’s six-year-old twin girls. During that time, Cody witnessed no mean-spirited behavior from McKenzie or Madison. Now McKenzie had been in a fight on the playground—no way. Something wasn’t adding up. This had to be a big misunderstanding.
“Mr. Beckett, thank you for coming so quickly.”
The short, gray-haired woman stood from behind the L-shaped reception desk and scurried to Cody’s side. “Can I get you some water while you wait? Principal Murray is finishing up a phone conference. Miss Simpson should be here with McKenzie any minute. Madison is helping Mrs. Fletcher, the librarian, shelf some books until you finish your meeting.”
At six feet, four inches tall, Cody towered over the woman. “Water would be great, Mrs. Perkins.” Cody’s mouth felt about as dry as a three-minute egg long forgotten on the stove. With the upcoming Parents’ Night on Friday, this wasn’t how he wanted to meet the twins’ teacher. He didn’t know much about her, only that she’d recently moved to town to fill the vacant position.
Cody gripped the hat between his fingers and paced the floor until Mrs. Perkins returned with the water. He glanced at the picture window across the room. The snowfall had increased in intensity along with the wind, hiding the Rocky Mountains skyline.
“Here you go.” Mrs. Perkins handed off the water before rushing back to the desk to answer the ringing phone. “Mondays always make me question why I haven’t retired,” she called out over her shoulder.
Cody unscrewed the lid. With one long gulp, he downed half the bottle.
Moments later from outside the office door, McKenzie’s giggles echoed in the hall. Her mood certainly didn’t sound like a child summoned to the principal’s office.
Cody popped his head outside the door and spotted McKenzie. She skipped alongside an attractive brunette with shoulder-length hair that framed a heart-shaped face. Cody heard from the twins that their new teacher was young. They weren’t kidding. Or maybe being forty-five makes everyone look young.
The teacher wore black, slim fit pants and a light pink sweater paired with black boots that hit below the knee. Despite the flat boots, she stood at least five feet, nine inches tall. The woman definitely didn’t look like any of the teachers he had growing up in Whispering Slopes, Virginia. Holding McKenzie’s hand while smiling down at her student, she looked more like a fashion model.
“Uncle Cody!” McKenzie raced toward Cody, all smiles. Her shoulder-length curls bounced. She wrapped her arms tight around his waist. “This is my new teacher, Miss Simpson. Isn’t she pretty?” McKenzie stepped away, creating a private space for Cody and the teacher.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Beckett. I’m Hannah Simpson.” A pink hue filled her cheeks as her delicate fingers reached for his.
“I only wish it was under better circumstances.” Cody glanced down at McKenzie. “I’m not sure what happened today on the playground, but I can assure you, it won’t happen again. Isn’t that right, McKenzie?”
“Amber started it, but whatever.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I’m just glad you’re here to meet Miss Simpson.”
Cody wasn’t sure why McKenzie didn’t seem bothered by the fact that she was about to meet with the principal. Something wasn’t adding up. Maybe tonight he could get some information from her sister. Cody turned to Hannah. “I assume Amber and her folks will be in the meeting as well?”
Hannah nodded. “Her parents are on their way. The weather is delaying them by a few minutes.”
Mrs. Perkins stood at the desk. “Excuse me, but Principal Murray emailed me. Her telephone conference with the school board is running longer than expected. You’re welcome to use the smaller conference room, if you’d like. McKenzie can stay with me and color.” Mrs. Perkins pointed to the large bulletin board on the wall decorated with drawings and colorful artwork created by the students. “She can make a contribution to our student art gallery.”
“I want to draw a picture of Uncle Cody’s dog.” McKenzie looked up at her teacher and smiled.
“That sounds like a wonderful idea. What kind of dog is it?” Cody watched as Hannah took McKenzie’s hand and guided her to the round walnut table in the corner of the office. Mrs. Perkins busied herself setting out the crayons, markers, colored pencils, and some paper.
“A German shepherd. Uncle Cody named her Hershey. He thinks she looks like a big chocolate candy bar since she’s dark brown,” McKenzie giggled before settling into the chair and reaching for the brown crayon and pencil.
“I’d like to see your picture when you’re finished,” Hannah said, flashing an endearing smile.
McKenzie nodded, already focused on her drawing.
“Shall we go have a seat in the conference room?” Hannah tipped her head toward the half-opened door.
“Sounds good. I’d like to hear what happened today. My guess is just typical playground mischief.” Cody attempted to downplay the situation. He strolled casually inside the small room and hit the light switch. The fluorescent bulb overhead buzzed and flickered, casting a sterile glow over the room. He took a seat at the table.
Hannah followed him inside, her expression serious. She sat down across from Cody and squared her shoulders. “It wasn’t exactly typical mischief, Mr. Beckett.”
“Please call me Cody,” he said.
Hannah nodded. “Since it’s only you and I, you can call me Hannah.”
“Will do. So what happened today?”
“McKenzie got into an altercation with Amber during recess.”
Cody rubbed the back of his neck. He placed both hands on the table and clasped his fingers together. “Kids will be kids. I’m sure it was just a minor disagreement or something. McKenzie doesn’t have a mean bone in her body.”
Hannah folded her arms across her chest. A small grimace lined her lips. “McKenzie and Amber had a physical confrontation. Amber ended up with a scratch on her face, and McKenzie has a torn coat.”
Cody shifted his weight in the chair. “Kids roughhouse sometimes. It’s a part of growing up, right?” According to his father, Cody and his brothers—Luke, Jake and Logan—used to get into scuffles with classmates, but they turned out okay.
Hannah leaned forward, resting her hands on the table. “I understand children have conflicts, but physical aggression is not something we can ignore. It’s important to determine the underlying reason behind her anger. We want McKenzie to learn ways to handle her emotions.”
Cody shook his head, but remained quiet.
“You don’t agree?” Hannah’s eyebrows drew up on her forehead.
Cody released a long breath. “Look, I appreciate your concern. I know you’re doing your job, but I don’t want to blow this out of proportion. McKenzie’s just a kid. I want her and Madison to enjoy their childhood. They’ve both been through so much in the past year. I don’t think it’s necessary to turn this into a big lesson. I can take care of this privately, at home.”
Hannah’s expression softened. “I’ve read the girls’ file, so I’m aware they lost their father. It’s tragic, but as McKenzie’s legal guardian, it’s important for you to guide her and set boundaries. Part of your responsibility is to teach her how to resolve conflicts peacefully and express her emotions appropriately. Fighting is never a solution.”
Cody leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. He considered Hannah’s words. Raising children came naturally to his brothers. Much like how his younger brother, Luke, made being a popular bull rider appear easy. Cody’s bull riding career was never as successful. Maybe he wasn’t the right person to raise his best friend’s kids? “I’m doing the best I can. McKenzie and Madison hardly know me. I want the girls to like me and to feel comfortable coming to me with their problems. We can handle this without making it a big deal.”
“I understand you want to be their friend.” Hannah softened her tone. “But it’s important to find a balance between being a friend and a parent. As their teacher, I want them to like me too, but I must set boundaries. I believe we can work together to find a middle ground. I’d like to help you.”
The knock on the door brought their discussion to an end—at least for now.
Mrs. Perkins peeked her head inside. “Principal Murray’s telephone conference has concluded. She’s in the larger conference room with Amber’s parents whenever you’re ready.”
Cody pushed away from the table. His mind swirled with doubt. As they headed to the meeting, Hannah’s concerned expression lingered in his mind. Was he capable of being the parent these girls needed? The weight of his responsibilities as McKenzie and Madison’s legal guardian bore down on him, reminding him of the challenges that lay ahead. After the New Year, he’d face one of the biggest decisions in his life. Should he adopt the twins, or would they have a more promising future if raised by someone more capable? Cody took a deep breath and stepped into the conference room.
Wednesday after school, Hannah stepped inside the Bluebell Canyon post office. Two weeks earlier, she’d left Phoenix hoping for a fresh start and purchased a post office box. So far, the secrets from her past clung to her like gum on the bottom of a shoe.
During Hannah’s first week of settling into her small, rented cottage just outside of town, a parade of neighbors stopped by to welcome her to town. No one came empty-handed. She had enough home-cooked meals and baked goods stocked in her freezer to last her until next Christmas—if she stayed that long. With an option to purchase, the home was a perfect choice to give her an opportunity to reinvent herself and hopefully bury her past.
The soft hum of conversations mixed with the clatter of packages being sorted in the back room filled the air. Hannah slipped her key inside the box and pulled out a stack of various sized envelopes.
She fingered through the pile of mostly bills and junk mail. Her hands froze. Wilma Simpson. Hannah’s heart hammered against her chest at the sight of her mother-in-law’s return address. The weight of the envelope hinted at something more than a letter or card.
“Hello, Miss Simpson.” Ben Willis, the postmaster, threw up a hand. He smiled from across the room. “I hope you’re doing well today. Let me know if you need any mailing supplies.”
Barely hearing the portly gray-haired man, Hannah managed a weak smile in return. She staggered to the counter in a quiet corner. Her legs struggled to keep her upright. An uneasy dread seeped into her veins. She pulled her index finger through the envelope’s seal. Three photographs escaped the folded letter that simply read, I thought you’d enjoy these. Call me when you have time. Love, Wilma. The photos fluttered onto the tiled floor.
Hannah’s gaze fell upon the image of her deceased husband’s warm and genuine smile, now scattered on the ground. Time slowed. Beside him stood their eight-year-old daughter, Jenna, once full of life. The child’s smile radiated from the glossy colored print. Hannah had captured the moment of what would be their last family trip to the sandy beach of coastal Carolina. Rick’s hometown and favorite vacation spot.
Emotions erupted like an active volcano. Hannah’s surroundings closed in, feeling like a weighted, suffocating blanket. Her breath grew shallow. Panic squeezed her senses like a vise.
Not here. Not where everyone could see her.
She’d come to Bluebell Canyon to bury her past, not to have the townspeople take pity on her. The looks of pity were unbearable.
As grief threatened to pull her under and steal her last breath, Hannah scanned the room for a quick getaway. A restroom. Any place to hunker down until the panic attack passed. The post office, now a disorienting maze, made an escape impossible.
Her eyes welled with tears, blinding her to the other two photos on the floor. Yet she didn’t care. Hannah didn’t want any reminders of the past. It was the reason she’d crated all evidence of the family stolen from her in the horrific carbon monoxide incident. A once happy life now stuffed into twenty sealed boxes and stacked against the cinder block wall of her rental home. Unpacking them would only cause more pain.
Following the advice of her therapist, she inhaled several deep breaths to ground herself into the present. With great effort, she bent over, scooped the pictures between her fingers and crammed them into her purse, ready to make her escape.
“Hannah. Are you okay?”
No. Please. Not him. Not now—anyone but him.
Hannah looked up and confirmed the deep, familiar voice was indeed Cody. She brushed her hair off her face and forced a smile. “I’m just a little overwhelmed by the pile of bills and junk mail today. You know how that goes.”
Cody blinked rapidly. He moved closer and leaned in. “You seem upset.”
His dark brown hair smelled like a freshly cut Christmas tree. “I appreciate your concern, but I promise I’m fine.”
“You’re shaking. Do you want to go outside and get some air?” His eyes narrowed.
Fresh air. It was definitely what she needed, but not his company. She couldn’t be rude, but Hannah didn’t want her behavior to expose her secret. Telling Cody about that part of her life would create more panic. She’d seen the horrified look in others’ eyes when she’d told the story of her loss. They couldn’t imagine how anyone survived such a tragedy. Hannah often wondered that herself. She couldn’t risk a panic attack in front of Cody. It could cost her the job that she’d grown to love. In the short time since filling the teaching position, being with the children filled a hole left in her heart. “That sounds good.” Hannah adjusted her purse strap over her coat.
Outside, the frosty blast of air provided a welcome relief. Wispy, fair weather clouds meandered across the vibrant blue sky. “This feels good.” Hannah took a deep breath while they walked with no particular destination.
“So you’re a cold weather gal?” Cody slipped his hands into the back pocket of his jeans.
“It’s not too bad if you dress properly.” She needed to keep the focus off of her and what had happened in the post office. “Did you grow up in Bluebell Canyon?”
“No, I’m originally from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. My family moved here after inheriting some land.”
“My best friend in college was from Virginia. It looks like a beautiful state.” Hannah was relieved she’d been able to bounce back from the panic attack. Previous episodes often had lingering effects, particularly the ones that hit her in the middle of the night. They were the worst. A week following the death of her husband and daughter, Hannah experienced the first attack. She thought she was going to die.
“I love Bluebell Canyon, but Virginia will always be home.” Cody stopped in his tracks. “Would you like to grab a cup of coffee? Sally makes a great brew.”
“The Hummingbird Café—I love hummingbirds. I saw the place when I first moved to town. I’ve been meaning to pop in there.”
“No time like the present. You can give me an update on McKenzie. You’ll probably be too busy to discuss her classroom behavior on Friday at Parents’ Night.”
Hannah glanced at her watch. With no other plans and a half hour before a meeting at school, she nodded. “Let’s go.”
Cody scaled the front steps to the porch and opened the gate. Black wrought iron fencing surrounded the spacious covered patio area.
Hannah followed, admiring the quaint bistro tables.
“Since the sun is warm, if you’d like, we can sit outside. There are overhead heaters we can request to be turned on if it’s too cold for you,” Cody explained.
“Outside sounds nice.” At times, being outdoors following a panic attack was better for her.
Cody pulled out a chair for Hannah. She settled in and tipped her face to the sky. “This feels great.”
“I’ll go inside and grab some coffee. How would you like yours?”
“Two sugars and two creams,” Hannah answered.
“Sounds more like a milkshake to me.” Cody laughed and headed inside.
Milkshake.
Hannah’s husband always teased her about the way she liked to drink her coffee. He said it was like drinking a chocolate milkshake.
Despite the cold air, beads of sweat swept across Hannah’s brow. Her heartbeat echoed in her eardrums.
Relax.
Breathe.
The sounds of passing cars and people moving along the sidewalk amplified. Determined to ground herself, Hannah took slow and deep breaths. Her fingers quivered while she reached inside of her purse for a piece of peppermint gum. She ripped open the foil wrapper and raised the piece to her lips. A minty aroma wafted up her nose before she popped the gum into her mouth.
Hannah closed her eyes and kept her focus on the rhythmic motion of her jaw, allowing it to fill her mind with fond childhood memories. As a young girl, her mother would give her peppermint gum to settle her nerves before the first day of school, or when she got anxious about an upcoming test.
The coolness of the peppermint slowed her breaths while her muscles relaxed. This one wasn’t as bad, she continued to tell herself until Cody returned carrying two cups of coffee in oversize foam cups.
“You’ll never taste a better brew. Sally Raphine, the owner, is like a coffee bean magician.” He offered the beverage along with a broad smile that brightened his hazel eyes.
Hannah discreetly slipped the chewed piece of gum back into the foil and tucked it into her purse to be thrown away later. She lifted the cup with both hands, allowing the heat to warm her palms. She inhaled before taking a drink. “It smells wonderful.” She took a sip. “You’re right. It’s delicious.”
Cody leaned in, clutching the sides of his cup. “So be honest, how has McKenzie been behaving in school the last few days?”
The last thing Hannah wanted to do was to steal Cody’s gorgeous smile. Frankly, she was enjoying it way more than she should, but he asked for honesty. “She’s had a few outbursts that have disrupted the classroom.”
Cody’s shoulders slumped. “She’s been a bit of a handful at home, too. Since our meeting on Monday, I’ve made a point of asking her about her day at school. She never says anything, so I was hopeful things were better. Madison was tight-lipped when I asked her about McKenzie’s behavior. I guess they work as a team.”
“I think that’s fairly common with twins.” Hannah took a quick sip of her coffee. “I don’t know many children who come home from school and confess they misbehaved.”
“Why didn’t you call me down to the school?”
“My mother was a single parent. I know it’s difficult trying to juggle everything. Calling you to the school each time McKenzie acts out won’t solve the problem.”
Cody raked his hand through his thick brown hair. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but before you took over as her teacher, none of this was happening. School was a place where she excelled. You can ask Mrs. Howard. She was McKenzie’s teacher before she retired and you took over.”
Hannah learned early in her career not to take things personally. By doing so, it helped to keep the lines of communication open between her and the parents. “Actually, I spoke with Mrs. Howard yesterday. I’m aware this behavior isn’t normal for McKenzie.”
“So what do we do?” Cody leaned back and sighed.
“We’ll keep a close eye on her and continue to keep each other informed.” Hannah reached inside her purse. She removed a pad of paper and pen to jot down her contact information. “Here’s my cell number and email address. Please reach out with questions or concerns.” She tore away the paper and slid it across the table.
Cody picked up the information. “Can I borrow a piece?”
Hannah passed the paper and waited while Cody wrote down his contact info.
“I hope I didn’t offend you by my comment about McKenzie not acting out until you took over the class.” He reached across the table with the piece of paper. “I wasn’t casting blame on you. I’m just trying to figure out why the sudden change.”
Hannah accepted the paper and tucked it inside her purse. She looked up and smiled. “No offense taken. We’re on the same team. I hope you’ll remember that. I only want what’s best for your daughter.”
She couldn’t miss the tightening in Cody’s jaw. “Did I say something wrong?”
Cody shook his head. “No. It’s just McKenzie and Madison aren’t legally my daughters. I can’t help but wonder if that’s part of the reason McKenzie’s behavior changed. After the New Year, the law will allow for me to file for adoption. Lately, I’m conflicted about my decision. Do you think McKenzie can sense it?” He looked up, maybe hoping for an answer.
Hannah nodded. “It’s possible. Children can be quite perceptive. I don’t want to pry, but would you like to share the story behind your becoming the girls’ guardian?”
Cody took a swig of his coffee and placed the cup on the table. “Scott, their father, was my best friend. We grew up together in Virginia. After his parents died, we were like brothers since he didn’t have any other family. He was happily married to Lisa. Out of the blue she’d become distant. Scott begged her to go to counseling, but she refused. She told Scott she was pregnant with his twins, but didn’t want them because she’d fallen in love with someone else. Neither she nor her new partner wanted children. With the help of an attorney, Scott ended up paying her a large amount of money to carry the twins and turn over her parental rights. After the girls were born, Lisa signed the papers, but shortly after, she drowned in a boating accident. Life moved on. For almost six years, Scott and the girls were a happy family until he was crossing the street and was hit by a car. He suffered a severe head injury and passed away a week later.”
Hannah could see the pain was still fresh for Cody. “I’m so sorry.”
Cody nodded. “A year before the accident, he’d been preparing his will. He called to ask me if I would be the girls’ guardian if something ever happened to him. When I agreed, I never imagined he’d be gone a year later. Maybe I was wrong to not take the position more seriously.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. Most people don’t expect the worst will happen when making such arrangements.” Hannah never dreamed when she left for her trip and said goodbye to her family, it would be the last time she’d ever see them.
“I want to honor Scott’s wishes, but lately, I don’t feel like I’m the most qualified person to raise the girls.”
“McKenzie and Madison have both talked endlessly about your business training dogs. Maybe you could get them involved. It might be a way for you to establish a stronger bond and get to know them better.”
“Funny, I discussed that very thing with my brothers the other day. We thought it was a good idea, too.”
“It might help McKenzie channel some of her emotions in a positive way. She may find some solace and responsibility in caring for the dogs.” Hannah glanced at her watch. “I hate to be rude, but I have a meeting at school.” She fished in her bag, removed her wallet and laid a ten-dollar bill on the table.
Cody extended his hand across the table. “Your money’s no good here. After all of your free advice—it’s my treat.”
“Thanks.” Hannah grabbed her cup. “I guess I’ll see you on Friday evening?”
“Right—the Parents’ Night. I’ll be there.”
Hannah pushed away from the table. “Oh, I almost forgot to ask you. If you’d like, I’d love to have you come speak to the class about your work. Maybe bring a dog with you? The children would love it,” Hannah said.
“Name the date and time—I’d be happy to visit.”
“Is Monday morning at eleven o’clock too short of notice? The children usually have show-and-tell that day. I thought maybe I could surprise them with my show—a professional dog trainer.”
Cody nodded. “You got it.”
Hannah inhaled a deep breath. Cody had a big decision to make about the girls’ future. He was a good man and certainly easy on the eyes. Maybe exchanging personal contact information wasn’t such a great idea, but she wanted to help.
She shook away thoughts of Cody and scurried down the sidewalk for her meeting at the school. Afterward, she planned to contact the mayor’s office to schedule an appointment to meet with him. Thanks to Nellie Garrison from the local mercantile, she’d learned the town was in need. If the mayor accepted her offer to take over as coordinator of the annual Christmas festival, Hannah could make a bigger contribution to the community. Maybe then she could put her past behind her and hopefully put a stop to the panic attacks.
