Santa, I have a wish!

Chapter 9; talk

“Annabelle.”

Troy walked into the living room to see if she was still playing with her toys.

She had fallen asleep on a blanket she had found in a pile of clothes. She looked so peaceful—I really didn’t want to wake her, even though the pancakes were ready. She seemed exhausted.

“She’s so sweet. Isn’t she a little small for being 1 year and 9 months?”

I didn’t really need to ask; I already knew the answer.

“Yeah, I found out she wasn’t eating enough. I didn’t even know I had a daughter. Her mother sent me a picture of her after she was born. I couldn’t find them. She had moved to another town. I had moved two years earlier for work and met her mother one night out with the boys! Nine months later, I had a little girl.”

I could feel the warmth and the pain inside me. He didn’t know about her, yet he never gave up. I can’t imagine not finding my own daughter, knowing she’s out there.

“Can I ask where her mother is?”

I had wondered that ever since I picked them up in the storm.

“She’s in a mental institution. I didn’t know that either. When I found Annabelle, she was sleeping in the bed, and her mother was sitting on the floor, crying.”

A tear ran down his cheek. I hadn’t expected something like this. How did he even get Annabelle out? That couldn’t have been easy.

“Does she have a mental illness?”

He looked exhausted—truly worn out.

“When I found her, she was seven months old. It was a fight. I got her into foster care, where I saw her every day. She was in the hospital for the first two months after I found her. Every month, Evey minute of every day i fought for her, I fought for custody. I had to take tests to prove I was her father. Even then, they didn’t fully believe me. When they finally said yes, I took her with me and drove away. We stayed with my aunt in another city then the past few days I decided to move even further away. We drove far from her mother, just in case she tried to take her back—which she won’t. Then the storm came out of nowhere. I checked the weather; it wasn’t supposed to snow for a few days. The car slipped off the road. The chance of anyone seeing us there was slim. I knew I had to walk as far as possible—it was either that or freeze to death in the car.”

“You are brave, Troy. And a good father who fights for his daughter. Stay as long as you want. You’re not disturbing me or anyone else. Relax for a while—her mother won’t find you here.”

I stroked his arm slowly, just to show I understood. It felt strange but good, like a spark when I touched him.

It was a big, strong arm. I wondered why he was so strong. Did he work out at the gym, or was it from physical activity? Maybe he built houses?

“I can make something else for Annabelle later. She can sleep now. She’s probably as tired as you are.”

His eyes were stunning, sparkling more than anyone else’s I’d ever seen.

“Okay, let’s eat. You looked so proud when you talked about the pancakes earlier—I have to see if they’re as good as you said.”

His little cocky smile made my heart jump a bit. God, he’s attractive.

He looks like he’s having a great day, even though he probably didn’t want to stay here.

~

I started to wash and prepare the fireplace

I thought the fireplace needed to be cleaned and lit immediately, Troy found a storage with some wooden material that we could use to lit up the fireplace

We needed warmth, so we could take off some layers. Or Troy could!!

I know… I know. No touching. I’m just going to look.

I have to keep my distance—they’ll probably be leaving in a few days.

Then I’ll be alone again.

Maybe they’ll stay over Christmas. Just 4–5 days.

They’re really sweet. It probably won’t be so bad having them here for a few days.