“What happened with Baker?” Ken asked as Cierra walked him to the door.
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
He lowered his voice. “Did he attack you?”
“Ken…”
“I’m calling the police.”
“No! He told me I cannot…press charges? Is that the right words?” When he nodded she went on. “They will send me back to Guatemala if I try.”
“Then I’ll handle it on my own.”
“By fighting? You will go to jail, and I already have a brother in prison. It is not worth it. I am fine now.”
“Only because—”
“Please…let it go,” she broke in. “He did not hurt me. You see I am fine.”
He blew out a sigh. “I’ll think about it.”
She tilted her head. “Please?”
Finally, he jammed his hands in his pockets. “I’ll try.”
“Thank you.”
“You like it here okay?”
“Yes. This is a good place, a good job. And I thank you for it. You have been very kind. I will send the money for this dress and these shoes and the other clothes. Please thank your mother, too.”
He cupped her face. “This isn’t goodbye, Cierra.”
He said that now…. “Sí, but…even if it is, I want you to know that…I understand. There is no—how do you say—obligation? It is okay if you do not come back. Just…be happy. Always.”
The wind had picked up. When she shivered, he pulled her into his arms to warm her, and she felt his lips brush her temple. “You know what would make me happy?”
Unable to resist, she rested her cheek against his chest. “What?”
“Knowing you’ll be here waiting, excited to see me when I return.”
She angled her face up. “You think I should wait? For how long?” she teased.
“You don’t believe I’ll come.”
“I am sure you mean to. But…who knows what will happen on the ski trip? You might change your mind, eh?”
He touched the tip of her nose. “I’m not going on the ski trip.”
“Why not?”
“Because I asked Brent to take my place, and Tiffany agreed. I’m not interested in her.” Chills traveled down her spine as he pulled her even closer and his lips moved against the rim of her ear. “I’m interested in you.”
Was he making fun of her? If so, it was cruel. “An illegal immigrant from Guatemala?” she said doubtfully.
“I might be a dumb jock but I know when I’ve found someone special,” he said, then he kissed her like he meant it. “When I’m with you I don’t miss football. I don’t miss other women. I don’t miss anything. I feel…content. I’m coming to take you to Dundee for Christmas, Cierra, so be ready.”
As he left her standing on the stoop, even the chill wind couldn’t diminish the warmth that radiated from somewhere deep inside her. He was coming back. She could trust him. But she wasn’t sure she really believed that until he turned around.
“Oh, you dropped this.” Reaching into his pocket, he held something out to her.
Curious, she met him halfway down the walk to see what he could possibly mean.
Tears filled her eyes when he set the Christ child in her palm and closed her fingers around it. “We’ll need that for the manger, so don’t lose it.”
“I won’t,” she breathed, and she didn’t. She kept it safe in a drawer in her new bedroom until he returned for her on Christmas Eve. Just like he promised.