Coming Home For Christmas

By Sandra Bonaldi

Melanie was sprinkling salt on the sidewalk when Gran stuck her head out the front window. “Your dad is on the phone.”
“I’ll be right in Gran.” She took in a deep cleansing breath as she looked up and down the street before heading inside to take the call.
“We’re having a lovely time Antonio. You should consider coming home for Christmas. You still have time to make it here.” Gran gestured towards the steaming cup of tea on the counter. “I am taking good care of Melanie.” She chuckled with good nature. “She might not want to come home after this visit...” She paused as she seemed to be listening intently. “And please tell Miranda that I was asking for her. I love and miss you too.” Gran handed her the phone and quickly turned away as a stray tear made its way down her wrinkled cheek.
“Hi Dad.”
“How are things?”
“Fine.” Then, as expected, the conversation fell flat. “How is mom?”
“She’s fine. Busy with preparations with the women’s tea group at church.” He paused. “We have almost a foot of snow up here.”
“We only have an inch or so...”
“Small potatoes.”
“Well, it’s all they can handle in these parts.”
“A bunch of lightweights.”
“You can say that.”
“We’ll miss you for Christmas.”
“I’ll miss you too.”
“Have you seen him yet?”
Melanie had wondered how long it would take before the question had been broached. “Well, have you?”
There was no hedging the truth. “Yes.” Her breath caught. “I’ve seen him. She closed her eyes at the memory of seeing Robert again for the first time.
“We did what was best for you.”
You did what was best for you, was what she had wanted to say, but instead. “I know you did.”
“Just remember that before you...”
“I will.” She forced a smile into her voice. “I have to go now...”
“Fifteen years is a long time. He won’t understand...”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sandra Bonaldi
• Release date: Oct 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463371626

Book preview

Coming Home for Christmas

by: Sandra Bonaldi

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Dedications:

The Lord above first and foremost – Thank you for the gift.

Antonio – Duck Baby Jr. – AKA Baby Prince Ingalis

Mark, Joe, Vin and Nic – AKA My Boys

Sariah, and Aria – AKA My Two Pretty Princesses

Chase & Chelsea – Two spoiled rotten Ratties with gumption.

Acknowledgements:

My husband Tom – We make a great team! The cover came out just as I had envisioned.

My daughter Jackie – Not only are you my favorite Spell Checker Extraordinaire but you’ll always be my best girl!

Linda Rettstatt – Thank you for helping me with my many formatting issues. Words are simply not enough to show my gratitude.

Foreword

Fifteen years was a long time to stay away. Melanie Winston realized that blatant fact the moment she stepped foot onto New Jersey soil. She had been gone for far too long and so much had changed. The cab ride from the airport had certainly proven to be an eye opener. There was no time for nostalgia she realized as a small snow flurry surrounded the cab as they sped into the night heading straight back into a history she had long ago thought buried.

~ * ~

Normally Robert McGowan did not work weekends but this had been an urgent request that came into the home office late last night regarding one of McGowan and Sons most prominent customers. As he finished loading his tools into the van he flexed his shoulders while assessing the snow accumulation from the night before. Thankfully it had been only a light dusting. Not enough to be worrisome but it was definitely cold enough to make going without heat for even a couple of hours intolerable.

~ * ~

Leaving town hadn’t exactly been a choice for Melanie. Her parents had made a rash decision and in doing so it had impacted so many people. Truth be known, she had missed her grandmother terribly so when Gran had requested that Melanie make the trip Melanie had jumped at the opportunity. Coming alone was just an added bonus. Now she was rethinking that decision. While her plan was to slip in and out of town unnoticed she did know a little something regarding the best made plans. How one simple secret could be unearthed and change everything was now first and foremost weighing heavy on her heart. One thing she did know was that when she returned upstate she wanted to do so with her sanity completely intact.

Chapter One

Melanie and Gran had stayed up talking and laughing well into the wee hours of the morning. It had been too long since they’d had such a good time as Gran had stopped making the trek last year. Although she vehemently denied age being a factor Melanie knew better. It felt wonderful to be home again and Melanie realized that she had stayed away entirely too long. Gran claimed that they were going to have the best Christmas ever and Melanie actually believed her.

Although Gran had a nice blaze going on n the fireplace it was still drafty in the large colonial. All around there were sounds of the wind howling through the giant oak trees. The house was exactly as Melanie remembered. And for that matter so was Gran. They were just a little older Gran had chided as she hugged her granddaughter tightly. Her room was exactly as it was when she’d been a teen. It was a comforting sentiment that didn’t go unnoticed as Melanie had finally succumbed to sleep between the comfortable flannel sheets.

~ * ~

Robert hesitated at the back door of Mrs. Evelyn Winston’s home. He hadn’t been there in a while as his brother Ryan took care of that part of town. The only reason Ryan had handed over the job in the first place was because he was taking the girls to the indoor water park. And by girls, it would be Ryan’s two girls, Liv and Katie and Robert’s daughter Jenna. He’d promised to take them for the entire weekend and the teens had talked about little else. Thinking about it again, this job was going to be cake.

Good morning Robbie. Mrs. Winston held the door for him with a twinkle in her bright brown eyes. How nice to see you. She stepped aside as he hauled his tool bag inside her bright sunny kitchen. So sorry to make you come out on a beautiful Saturday.

Can’t have one of our favorite customers without heat this close to Christmas. He paused. I think I should check the furnace first.

One of the radiators has been banging a lot. She offered. Maybe you should check that first. It’s in the bathroom upstairs.

Robert believed the problem was the furnace but he faced the older woman with a smile. You go on up and I’ll be right there after I pull the biscuits from the oven. I don’t want them to burn.

With a smile he grabbed a wrench and started up the carpeted stairs noiselessly.

~ * ~

It was a little past eight when Melanie had awakened by the sounds of a radiator banging nearby. Although there was a distinctive chill in the air she hadn’t bothered with a robe as she was wearing a heavy pair of gray sweat pants and a long sleeved red checkered flannel that screamed country girl in neon. As she headed for the bathroom she knew she looked a sight. Not only was she still sporting yesterday’s makeup but she hadn’t pulled a brush though her long chestnut tresses either.

However she stopped short when she happed upon a man in the bathroom hunkered down beside the radiator twisting a knob close to the floor. Sorry. She mumbled as she came up short just over the threshold.

No problem. A faintly familiar voice returned as he gained his full six feet plus and pivoted on his heel to face her.

Oh God! If Melanie could not find her voice before she certainly could not find it now! No! She had to be dreaming! As she took a deep calming breath she prayed that in just two short seconds she would open her eyes, wake up, and find herself safe in her own bed in good ole Norfolk, New York.

Melanie. His eyebrows rose a fraction in recognition and he seemed just as surprised as she by this turn of events.

Robert. She found her voice at last.

The biscuits are on the table. Gran came ambling into the spacious bathroom just then. I see you’ve found each other. Well, come on down and get some breakfast, both of you. She paused briefly. Or are you going to stand there with your mouths open and stare at each other all day?

Mrs. Winston…

Gran…

She brushed them both aside. Come on. I’m not getting any younger. With that said she walked out and left them standing there.

~ * ~

To say Robert was shocked would have been the understatement of the year! Melanie Winston, the girl who got away. Correction! She’d been the girl who had run away. But that had been fifteen years ago. She’d been a girl. Now she was a woman and she had curves in all of the right places to prove it! You look well. She said softly as though finding her voice at last.

So do you. He rocked back on his heels his intent blue eyes never leaving hers. It’s been a long time.

Yes, it has. She breathed.

God, she was still beautiful. Time had been kind to her. Even though her hair hadn’t seen a brush that morning it was still as lengthy and luxurious as he remembered. It had been awhile since he had allowed his thoughts to take this sort of path. Now his imagination was running wild as he visualized taking her into his arms and running his fingers though those silky tresses like he had done so many years ago. Slowly he met those lovely almond shaped eyes that were the same shade as dark melting chocolate. If he hadn’t known her at all he would have sworn that she might have set up this chance meeting but he did know better. This had Mrs. Evelyn Winston’s pretty little signature all over it. I think we’ve both been had.

No. Melanie’s eyes went wide. You think?

He gave her a broad knowing smile as Mrs. Winston’s voice floated up to them from the kitchen. I’m waiting.

Please go ahead. I need to grab my robe.

Robert watched her turn away and head back down the hall while trying desperately to shake the sudden shock from his muddled brain. He’d thought about seeing Melanie again, almost knew it was inevitable, but seeing her now… He suddenly felt winded, as though he had run a marathon at full speed. And to think that he had just been bested by an eighty year old woman. He needed to get himself together and fast. His past was now staring him in the face, and she was even more beautiful than he remembered.

~ * ~

Melanie yanked a brush though her tangled hair before pulling on her pink terrycloth bathrobe. Her hands were noticeably shaking as she tried to belt it at her waist. Damnit. She swore under her breath as she glanced at her reflection in the mirror that encompassed the large double doors of the walk in closet. Just seeing Robert again had brought all of those tamped down feelings racing to the surface.

She was still sporting what was left of yesterday’s makeup she noticed as she took a tissue to her smudged eyeliner. After brushing her teeth, a couple of deep breaths, and a quick touch up to her mascara she headed downstairs.

You know my sweet Melanie. She is probably just making herself pretty. Gran had just finished saying as she entered the kitchen. Robert was already seated at the worn oak table with a heaping plate of bacon, scrambled eggs and Gran’s famous buttermilk biscuits. The odd feeling about this entire scene was that Robert looked as though he belonged there. He gained his feet in a gentlemanly fashion and held the chair for her; a gesture that did not go unnoticed by both women. Once Melanie was comfortably seated Gran cleared her throat. Now that we are all settled… She began on a light note. We can talk about the upcoming Christmas holiday.

Melanie’s heart took a nosedive. Gran, I am sure that Robert would like to fix the heat and then go home and spend the day with his family rather than discussing…

That’s fine. Robert interjected. The biscuits are delicious.

Thank you. Gran was positively beaming and while Melanie was trying to get a handle on what was going on around her she quickly realized that Gran was enjoying the company. McGowan and Sons have always handled all of our heating and plumbing. Even before Grandpa, I believe... They go back generations.

Melanie pushed her eggs around on the plate while Robert dove into his breakfast with gusto. Hank always insisted on McGowan and Sons. Who is running the shop now?

For a moment Melanie was mortified but Robert did not seem offended by her line of questioning. My dad is taking it easy these days but he still overseas everything. Ryan and I do the major jobs but in the last couple of months we’ve had to hire more help. Robert paused. You’ve been one of our favorite customers. He smiled warmly before sipping his coffee.

You only say that because you dated my beautiful granddaughter…

Gran… Now Melanie was mortified. If she could just disappear right now the timing would have been perfect. Talk about humiliation on the highest level this certainly took that title and ran with it. That was a long time ago. Her breath caught. A lot has happened since then… Shut-up Melanie! Her mind was screaming as she caught sight of Robert’s amused grin.

It’s okay Mel. He said around a forkful of cheese laden scrambled eggs. A lot has happened. He paused. I have a fourteen year old daughter. Her name is Jenna. Another pause. I recently bought a house in town to be closer to my folks. It was easier for Jenna to adjust once Lucia passed away…"

Melanie’s breath caught and Robert looked up quickly. She could feel the blood draining from her face. I’m so sorry Robert. I didn’t know.

He gave her a single nod as the silence that filled the kitchen suddenly seemed deafening. Melanie had known that he and Lucia had a daughter but she had not known about Lucia’s passing. Jenna must be a beautiful young lady. That came from Gran as Melanie was still trying to digest this latest bit of information that had her head absolutely spinning.

What about you Mel? He met her eyes evenly. Are you married?

Talk about straight to the point. She was still reeling from this latest revelation. No. Was all she could manage at the moment.

Imagine that. Gran cooed. The both of you… Unattached…

Melanie shot Gran a look that spoke volumes. Unattached! I’m sure Robert would like to fix the furnace Gran. He didn’t come out on a weekend so that you can ask twenty questions.

If I didn’t ask any of these questions we would be dancing all morning.

Melanie bit her lip as she knew Gran was on a mission. Instead of protesting any further she knew when it was time to back down. Besides, I don’t think you need for me to play matchmaker. I think you will both do fine on your own. She gained her feet. Time is a factor in all things. People don’t usually get second chances in life. They are lucky if they get one go around…

Robert seemed to be watching Gran intently; as though hanging on every word. Now, I’ll admit it wasn’t normal circumstances why your parents had up and left the state…

Please Gran. She pleaded silently. Now is not the time to talk about family. Especially not her dysfunctional family; which Gran had now catapulted herself straight to the top of that list.

When will the time be right? Gran demanded in a huff. Besides, we both know that you didn’t want to go…

It’s not like I had a choice.

Exactly. Gran went on. I think Robert deserves to know that.

Melanie put her fork down. And now he does.

You’re angry? For a brief moment Gran had the good grace to look hurt and Robert seemed to be squirming in his seat.

I think I’ll just go and take a look at that furnace now. He got up, grabbed his tool bag and headed downstairs.

For the first time in a long time Melanie could not find the words to right this situation. So much for coming back and no one finding out! The one person she would surely have steered clear of would have been Robert McGowan! I’m sorry Melly. I just thought you would be happy to see a friendly face.

Melanie remained quiet. Not twenty four hours back in the state and she would have to come face to face with the boy – correction – the man, she had fallen hopelessly in love with so many years ago. The only one who’d ever held the key to her heart. Sure, she had dated plenty but she had never felt anything close to what she had