Free It Really IS a Wonderful Life: The Snowflake Falls but Hearts in Love Keep a Home Warm All Year Long by Linda Wood Rondeau

I taking us?”
    “The Pines on Fuller Road. Do you know how to get there?”
    “I had dinner there with Mom and Dad last month. You go down Main until you get to Route 47, then turn left at the Antique Barn.”
    “Well, that’s as good a way as any I suppose. I normally take the back roads, but that’ll get us there.”
    As Dorie eased the car out of the driveway, Emma screamed. Dorie slammed on the brakes, pitching everyone forward. Gabe’s head grazed the dashboard. “That’ll teach me not to buckle up.”
    Emma’s sobs echoed throughout the car. “Mr. Bear fell down. I think he’s hurt.”
    Rubbing his head, Gabe got out of the car and opened Emma’s door, retrieving Mr. Bear from the floorboard. “So happens I always carry a stethoscope in my jacket pocket in case of an emergency like this.” He moved the stethoscope around Mr. Bear’s chest. “And I’m happy to say Mr. Bear is fine. Now hold on extra tight so he doesn’t fall again. I’d hate to miss dinner because I had to stop and put a cast on his leg.”
    Emma kissed Mr. Bear on the top of his head. “Now you be careful, Mr. Bear.”
    They arrived at The Pines without any further injury to Mr. Bear, although Josh seemed unusually quiet.
    “Mr. Bear doesn’t have a blanket in our car, Mommy,” Emma said. “He can’t take a nap.”
    Was there any hope for the evening? She shot Gabe a plea. “I know it’s not polite to bring a stuffed animal into a nice restaurant, but she’ll self-destruct if we have to leave Mr. Bear in the car.”
    “Do I have a choice?” Gabe led the way behind the waiter, who seated their group at a table for six under the chandelier, then handed Gabe two menus. Some people said kids behave better when dressed up. Must be true since hers settled into their chairs with the grace and gentility of a lord and lady.
    When the waitress came over, Gabe set down the menus. “We’ll have rib-eye steaks all around. The lady will have decaf mocha latte, and I’ll have decaf regular blend with cream.”
    “And what will the children have?”
    “Milk.”
    Lord Fitzgerald banged the table with his fist. “I hate milk.”
    The six-year-old returns . “You have milk for supper every night. And you know better than to slam the table like that, young man.”
    “I hate their milk.”
    “You’ve never tasted their milk.” Dorie grabbed Josh’s shoulders. “I don’t want to hear another word of complaint. Do you understand?”
    He nodded with bugged eyes. Before Dorie could lean back into her chair, Emma tipped over her water glass. Dorie snatched their cloth napkins, sopped up the excess water, and swept the ice cubes back into the glass while Emma screamed.
    Gabe’s cheeks bulged. “Now what’s wrong?”
    So he was human after all. “She’s scared.”
    “Of water?”
    “She’s afraid she won’t get any more. She’s only three, Gabe.” Dorie stroked Emma’s hair. “It’s okay, honey. I’ll ask the waiter to bring you another glass.”
    “Better ask for it only half full.”
    “You’ve never tipped over a glass before? Accidents happen, Gabe. Even to surgeons.”
    “I’m sorry. It was a bad joke.” Gabe raised Dorie’s chin. “Look, I adore your kids. And I adore you.”
    Josh’s lip curled like the sinister gunslinger in a bad Western. Gabe returned the snarl with one of his own, inviting a showdown.
    You’re moving way too fast, Gabe . She’d get through this night. Tomorrow, she would end this thing between them, whatever this thing might be.
    A breeze from an open window stirred the curtains near their table, and Dorie felt as if she heard Devon say: “Is he the one you’ve chosen to take my place?”
    “No one can take your place, my darling.”
    “Pardon me?”
    You really need to stop talking to yourself, Dorie.
    “I said that this is a nice place.” Dorie tested her checks with the back of her hand. Warm, and probably as scarlet as the table napkins. The conversation changed to the