One Special Christmas & Home for the Holidays by Irene Hannon Page B

ready to make those cookies.”
    A slightly subdued Sarah walked to the door. “We were waiting for you, Mommy,” she pointed out in a hurt voice that only made Kate feel worse.
    Sarah talked nonstop to Eric during the short drive, and when they dropped her off, Anna wished them a pleasant evening and told them not to hurry. “We’ll have lots of fun, won’t we, Sarah?”
    The little girl nodded vigorously, and Kate bent down beside her.
    â€œYou be a good girl, now. And Mommy will be back soon.” Her voice sounded artificially bright, and the slight, almost-unnoticeable catch at the end tugged at Eric’s heart.
    â€œOkay.”
    It was Kate who seemed reluctant to part, he noted. Sarah seemed perfectly happy to spend the evening with his mother. Kate confirmed his impression as they drove away.
    â€œYou know, this is the first time I’ve ever left her with a sitter, except for day care,” she admitted, her voice slightly unsteady.
    â€œShe’ll be fine,” he reassured her. “She and Mom get along famously.”
    â€œI know. And I’m grateful. But I feel guilty for leaving her with someone when I don’t have to.”
    â€œYou need a life, too, Kate,” he gently pointed out. “Apart from Sarah. When was the last time you went out socially?” He caught her surprised glance out of the corner of his eye and turned to her apologetically. “Sorry. That’s none of my business. But I have the impression you don’t get out much, other than to your job. That’s not healthy.”
    â€œIs that your professional opinion?”
    â€œI’m not a psychiatrist. But balance is important to a healthy lifestyle.”
    â€œFrom what your mother has told me, it sounds like maybe you need to take your own advice.”
    He grimaced. “Touché. I do spend a lot of hours at work. But I also take time occasionally to socialize. Like tonight.”
    Kate turned to stare out the front windshield. “I want to be with Sarah, Eric. It’s not a chore. Besides, I don’t know that many people here. We lived in Cincinnati until a few months before Sarah was born. When we first moved to St. Louis we were too busy fixing up our house to socialize. And afterward… Well, I had no time to make friends. I was with Jack every minute I could spare. Since he died, I simply haven’t had theinterest or the energy to meet people. Besides, Sarah is all I need.”
    â€œHave you ever thought that maybe she needs more?” he suggested carefully.
    Kate frowned. “Like what?”
    â€œFriends her own age. Is she involved in any activities with other children?”
    Kate stiffened. “There aren’t many children in our apartment complex. And there’s nowhere for her to play unless I take her to the park down the street. We get along, Eric. It’s not ideal, but then, nothing is.”
    Eric could sense Kate’s tension in her defensive posture. Not a good way to start their evening, he realized. It was time to back off.
    â€œI didn’t mean to be critical, Kate. You’re right. Nothing is ideal. And your social life is none of my business. But I appreciate your willingness to help me out tonight. You’ll like Frank and Mary. And maybe we’ll both have some fun.”
    There was that word again. “Fun.” It seemed so foreign, so distant. She could hardly remember what it was like to indulge in pure, carefree fun with other adults. And she didn’t expect her memory to be jogged tonight.
    But much to her surprise, it was.
    Kate wasn’t sure at exactly what point she began to relax and enjoy herself. Maybe it was when Frank told the hilarious story about how he and his wife met after Mary ran into his car. Or maybe it was when Mary learned that she and Kate liked the same author, then loaned her the woman’s latest book, even though Kate protested that she never had time to read