His confidence in me was reassuring.

After about thirty minutes, Drew and the kids announced that it was time they left. I didn’t want them to go, which was selfish of me. Drew led a busy life and I had no reason to detain them. I walked them to the reception area. “Thank you again for coming.”

“You’ll braid my hair tomorrow, right?” Sarah asked, wanting to make sure I’d keep my promise.

“I wouldn’t miss it. And I’ll sleep in mine so you can see what it looks like on the second day.”

The youngster nodded eagerly.

I stood by the window and watched them walk away in the drizzling rain. It wasn’t even four yet and it was already dark.

“He your dream man?” Sydney, another one of the residents, asked.

I shook my head. “I wish,” I whispered.

“He brought you the flowers?”

I glanced down at the bouquet in my arms. “Yes.”

“I think you should keep wishing then, girlfriend. A guy who brings you flowers is more than a friend.”

It was a nice thought, but I knew a romantic relationship between Drew and me wasn’t likely. Then I remembered that he knew about me taking the accounting class. I doubted that Dr. Forester would have volunteered the information. It could only mean that Drew had asked.

Sunday morning Linda Kincaid waited for me following the eleven o’clock worship service. Over the last few years, I’d come to rely on her more and more. In addition to being a tireless volunteer, Linda had become a sounding board and a wonderful help to me as a single father. Since Katie’s death, Linda had stepped in and bought Christmas gifts for the children, a task I found heart-wrenching.

Not that I avoided shopping. I actually enjoyed it. Well, for the most part. Shopping without Katie was what I found especially hard. Buying Christmas gifts was something the two of us had always done together. We’d looked forward to it.

Without Katie, Christmas and all the other important holidays had become just another slap in the face that reminded me I was alone. For the past three Christmases, I’d barely held it together. If not for Linda and a few others in my church family, I don’t know what I would have done.

This year felt different, and in a good way.

“I met your friend,” Linda said.

“Which friend would that be?” I asked as I finished checking over the deposit slip for that week’s contributions. Lloyd, Linda’s husband, was the one who counted out the money each week.

“That woman,” Linda continued, “the one at Hope Center.”

Just thinking about Shay brought a smile. “I hoped she’d introduce herself. The children and I attended her graduation.”

Surprise flickered in Linda’s eyes. “Really? That was kind of you.”

“She’s come a long way. I’m proud of the positive changes Shay has made in her life.” I was tempted to explain that finding Shay that morning in the church all those months ago had been a turning point for me, too. That meeting had reconnected me to Kevin, which led to gym time with the guys, which had resulted in a small group gathering with fellow pastors where we encouraged and supported one another. It’d been like watching a series of dominoes falling. One event led to the other.

“I understand you brought her to the house,” Linda said, and her eyes bore into mine as if waiting to hear if that could possibly be true.

“I did,” I admitted, surprised by the censure I heard in her voice.

“Is that wise, Drew?” she asked.

“How do you mean?”

“Is this really someone you want to expose your children to?”

Linda looked mildly uncomfortable. Knowing her as well as I did, I realized this wasn’t a casual question but one she’d been mulling over for several days.

Immediately my hackles went up with the need to defend my decision. “Shay has been nothing but wonderful with my children. I’m surprised at you, Linda. I would hope you wouldn’t prejudge someone by their past.”

She took my criticism with a gentle nod. “I’m prone to err on the side of caution. It surprises me that you haven’t, is all.”

“In this case, I don’t feel it’s necessary.”

“Perhaps,” she agreed with some reluctance and followed me out of the church.

As far as I was concerned it was a closed subject. I was eager to get to the parsonage, where Mark and Sarah were waiting. We had plans to decorate the tree this afternoon. Later, Shay was due to arrive to fix Sarah’s hair with those fancy French braids my daughter had admired. In fact, Sarah had talked of little else all morning. In light of Linda’s feelings, I didn’t mention Shay’s visit.

“Actually, I stopped to ask what you had in mind for the children this Christmas. I’d like to do the shopping a bit earlier this year instead of waiting until the last minute.”

This was in reference to the previous year, when I’d left everything until three days before Christmas. Thankfully, Linda had stepped in anyway. While I was grateful for the help, Linda was more the age of my parents and really didn’t have a clue when it came to appropriate gifts for their age group. The children were thankful for the gifts under the tree, and they didn’t complain, but I knew they would have appreciated videogames and electronics more than stuffed animals and board games geared to a younger age group.

“You know, Linda, I think I’m up to doing my own shopping this year. I’m thankful for the offer. Your willingness to help has made a big difference in the last several years.”

In a gesture of friendship, she patted my back. “If you need me to do anything, don’t be afraid to ask.”

“I could never thank you enough for all you’ve done for me and my family.” I would reach out if needed, but I felt good—better than I had since I’d lost Katie. I trusted Linda and relied on her, probably more than I should. When it came to Shay, however, she was off-limits. I’d seen the changes in her from when we’d first met, the personal growth. I believed in her.

Mark and Sarah were impatiently waiting for me when I finally made it back to the house. Early that morning, I’d pulled out the tree decorations and, unable to wait, the two had already started placing the ornaments on the tree.

For practical purposes, I’d purchased an artificial tree and hoped Katie would forgive me for not getting a fresh one. I’d set it up in the corner of the living room after the kids had gone to bed the night before.

“Did we do good, Daddy?” Sarah asked, proud of their efforts.

“You did great.” I would need to add the ornaments that were higher on the tree and out of their reach. The tree already had the lights attached, so it was easier to decorate. I’d add a couple of those sparkly garlands and that should do. It was almost hassle-free.

An hour after I arrived home, we sat down to a late lunch and I was more than ready to put my feet up and relax in front of a Seahawks football game. They were playing a prime-time game on the East Coast and kickoff would start at about five-thirty.

“When will Shay get here?” Sarah asked anxiously.

I checked my watch. “Any time now.”

That was all the encouragement Sarah needed. “I’ll get my hair stuff ready,” she called as she raced toward her bedroom.

Glancing at Mark, I saw him roll his eyes at his sister. “You going to watch football with me, buddy?” I asked. We never missed a game.

My son had grown quiet and distant the last few months after school had started. I’d tried talking to him about it, but he’d remained tight-lipped. I knew his lack of height troubled him. I hoped in time that he’d open up. Because I was concerned, I’d stopped off at the junior high and asked the school counselor to keep an eye on him. To this date, I’d heard nothing back. I had to assume it was the transition Mark was making from boyhood to being a teenager. It didn’t help that he had been especially close to Katie.

The doorbell chimed, and even before I could get out of my recliner, Sarah raced toward the front door so fast she become a blur as she sped past Mark and me. Seeing her enthusiasm, I grinned.

Just as I suspected, it was Shay. Sarah grabbed her hand and nearly yanked her over the threshold and into the house. “I didn’t think you’d ever get here,” my daughter said, bubbling over with enthusiasm. “I’ve got everything ready in my room for you to do my hair.”