Read Online A Christmas Family Wish by Helen Scott Taylor - Free Book Online Page B

for the ding that meant she had a text. Ian
had said he would let her know when he left Cornwall, but she hadn't heard from
him yet. If he didn't start the journey soon, he wouldn't make it back for
Christmas Day.
    She let Max out after dinner. At the sight of thick, fluffy
snowflakes tumbling from the sky, her heart dropped. Already another inch of
snow had fallen since they came home. By the time Ian arrived, road conditions
might be so bad the country lanes would be impassable.
    The house phone rang. She dashed inside, dragging Max in by
his collar so she could shut the door to keep out the cold. "Hello, Ian.
Is that you?"
    "I'm leaving now," he said, his voice strange. She
wasn't sure if he sounded happy or upset.
    "How did it go?"
    "I'm bringing Ella home with me." Ian's voice
cracked and he cleared his throat. "She's going to stay over Christmas,
maybe longer."
    "That's wonderful. I'm really happy for you."
    "Could I ask you a favor? Will you turn up the radiator
in the small bedroom at the end of the hall and make up the bed? You'll find
little girls' bed linen in the linen closet in the bathroom."
    "Sure. Drive carefully. It's snowing here again."
    "Will do. See you later." Then the phone cut off.
    "I love you," Rachel whispered. Her euphoria at
hearing Ian's happy news faded to be replaced by doubts. Now Ella was coming,
would Ian would want her and Toby to move out?
    She stared at a painting of a chicken on the kitchen wall,
her heart thumping so hard it hurt her chest. Just when Rachel thought she and
Toby had found some stability, fate had turned everything upside down again.
    ***
    Ian couldn't stop smiling. Even though he'd driven for
fourteen hours, and his eyes were gritty with fatigue, he had never been
happier in his life. His little girl was with him! Tonight she would sleep in
her bedroom at Meadow Sweet Farm for the first time in over two years.
    Ella had been such a good girl, no tears or tantrums when he
carried her away from her mother and put her in his car. It was almost as if
she was pleased to get away from Jane and Eric.
    At that thought, conflicting emotions tore through Ian, a
potent mix that clenched his gut with anger one moment and filled him with joy
the next. He loved having his little girl with him, but it tore at his heart to
think his baby's mother might not want her anymore.
    The strange way Jane had behaved recently all made horrible
sense now. She was pregnant, expecting Eric's child in a few weeks. That meant
Ella was suddenly in the way.
    Reaching across, Ian touched his daughter's chubby hand
where she hugged her dolly. It took a lot for him to get emotional, but tears
filled his eyes as he drove down the lane to Meadow Sweet Farm and stopped
outside his house.
    He had dreamed of this moment, longed for it. Ella was back
home with him, where she belonged. If Ian had his way, this was where she would
stay for good.
    The security lights blinked on, casting a bright glow across
the yard. A thick blanket of snow coated everything, smoothing out corners and
covering the dirt. Everywhere was pristine white, and sparkling.
    The back door opened and Rachel's slim silhouette appeared
in the doorway. He'd had plenty of time to think while he drove. He'd realized
he wasn't only desperate to bring Ella home, he badly wanted her to meet Rachel
and learn to love her. Rachel and Toby had become the most important people in
his life along with Ella.
    This was a tricky situation, but the four of them would be
happy together. He'd make sure of it.
    "We're home, precious." Ian leaned over and
pressed a kiss to Ella's temple. Her eyelids flickered and she made a sleepy
sound.
    He released the straps securing her and pulled her into his
arms. She curled against him and yawned. She was so tired she hardly knew what
was happening.
    "Let's get you inside where it's warm and up to your
bed."
    He opened the door and climbed out, being extra careful as
he carried his daughter in case the snow underfoot hid