After Hours (24 page)

Curtis took the microphone Bill had handed him and motioned for them to stop. In a shrewd deal he’d wrestled control of the factory from his father’s company and gone out on his own. Using Maria’s design he’d established a specialized clothing line and garnered deals with two other companies. She and Jorge would never have to worry about money again.

“It’s good to be here,” Curtis said when they finally quieted down.

“When’s the baby due?” one of the workers shouted.

Curtis grinned and looked over at his wife, Amera, who was five months along. “In the spring. We don’t know if Maya will get a little brother or sister.” He said casting his glance at the beaming little girl who sat in a wheelchair by his side. “But I’m not here because of my family. I’m here because of you. My second family.”

They erupted in cheers again.

“We did so well this year, we can afford to shut the factory down for a week so you can spend time with your families. Happy Holidays.”

The crowd shouted their thanks and love.

“Are you sure that isn’t too generous?” Bill asked, his voice barely heard above the shouts.

Curtis just sent him a look and Bill knew it wise not to argue.

“Can I have two minutes?” Amera asked.

Curtis glanced at her then Bill. “One,” he said then took Maya’s wheelchair and left.

“Will we be seeing you for dinner?” Amera asked.

“Of course.”

The year before she’d reunited with her brother and grown close with Bill’s family. Kyle and Heidi had worked on their marriage and welcomed another boy into their family. Camille was back in her son’s life and slowly rebuilding his trust. She’d helped Curtis and Amera set up Maya’s room.

Amera walked to the car inhaling the scent of evergreens before getting inside.

“I forgot to give you this,” Curtis said pulling a box out of his coat pocket. “Susan stopped by and said she couldn’t make our dinner this year, but wanted you to have this.”

Amera opened the box, curious since they hadn’t agreed to exchange gifts. Susan had already given her a gift that couldn’t be wrapped. A friendship she’d always treasure. She opened the box and saw a crystal angel inside. The one she’d wanted to buy at the gift shop.

“Mommy, why are you crying?” Maya asked worried.

Amera brushed away her tears and looked at Maya then Curtis with such love she wasn’t sure her heart could take it. “I never thought I could be this happy.”

Curtis handed her a tissue, his eyes melting into hers. Reflected in his dark brown gaze she saw a man who loved her. A man who’d helped her build the family she’d always wanted. She’d seen him encourage Maya through every labored step in physical therapy and felt the strength of his embrace as he spun her in delight when they’d learned they were expecting. She knew defying his father had been hard, but they’d weathered the storm together. She dabbed her eyes then looked at the tissue, a realization hitting her. “You haven’t had to use these lately.”

“What?”

She waved the tissue in a gesture of triumph. His nosebleeds were gone. “You haven’t had to use these in over a year.”

He winked. “I know.”

Maya held out her hands and wiggled her fingers with childish eagerness. “Can I see what’s in the box?”

Amera placed the angel in her hands. “Be careful,” she said then she looked down at the box and saw a note card tucked under the tissue. “I told you it was never too late for love,” it read. But it wasn’t the words that made her gasp and then laugh. It was the shape of them. Susan had formed the words in the shape of a stocking.

The End

***

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Dara Girard is an award-winning, national bestselling author of more than twenty novels. Dara loves to travel, eat French pastries and hear from readers.

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After Hours

Copyright 2014 Sade Odubiyi

Published by ILORI PRESS BOOKS LLC

Cover and Layout Copyright ILORI PRESS BOOKS LLC

Cover Photo by Lukas Zmatlik /123rf

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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