A Seagrove Christmas (South Carolina Sunsets #6) - Rachel Hanna Page 0,42

mean he just had a stomachache and had to go to the bathroom?” Julie said, feeling kind of stupid.

“I’m really sorry that we worried you. I don’t have a cell phone so…”

Julie shook her head, hanging it in embarrassment. “I’m so sorry for lashing out at you like that. When you didn’t meet us, and then we couldn’t find either of you, I just assumed the worst.”

“I totally understand. I should have come and told you what was happening, but it seemed like time wasted of the essence. In fact, we barely made it.”

“No apologies necessary, Tina. Thank you for taking care of him,” Dawson said.

As everybody walked away, Julie was left standing with Tina. Dawson put Dylan on his shoulders and headed back over to show him the Christmas tree.

“I’m so sorry again. I should’ve given you a chance to explain, but I was just so terrified that something happened to him.”

“I understand. You don’t really know me. I mean, we’re not really friends or family or anything like that.”

“But we are,” Julie said. “I think of you as a friend. And I just should’ve trusted that you wouldn’t hurt my child. It’s just, I don’t really know a whole lot about his past. I don’t know if a long lost aunt or cousin could come here to try to take him from us.”

“I’m really sorry that I made you worry. I have to get a phone so I can be in communication with people. I would’ve let you know, but I didn’t want him to have an accident.”

“You did just the right thing. Thanks for making sure he was taken care of. Do you want to go look at the tree?”

Tina smiled and nodded. “That would be great. I’ve been looking forward to seeing it.”

* * *

Harry stood in the foyer, looking at his daughter. It was time for Carrie to leave, even though it was early on Christmas morning. She had other friends and family to see before the day was over, so she had an early flight to catch. They had done all of their Christmas celebrations on Christmas Eve just so she would have time to catch her flight.

“I can’t believe you’re already leaving,” Harry said, holding her hands.

“Me either. But now that I see where you live and I’ve met your wife, I feel so much better about leaving you here.”

“I’m a big boy, Carrie. I can take care of myself. But I’m going to miss my daughter.”

“And I’m going to miss my dad. You better do the video chat now that I’ve shown you how.”

He laughed. “I promise. Video chats every Thursday night. And texts at least three times a week.”

“The first person who breaks either of those rules has to buy the other one a fifty-dollar gift card to our favorite coffee shop.”

“You have yourself a deal!” Harry said, hugging her tightly. As he backed up, Dixie stepped forward.

“I’m so happy that we finally got to meet, Carrie. I feel like I have a brand new daughter.”

Carrie smiled. “I know we started off kind of rocky,” she said, quietly. “But I truly believe you’re the best thing that has ever happened to my dad, and I know you’ll take good care of him.”

“I promise you I will.” Dixie gave her a long hug. “Did you grab a couple of those fruitcakes?”

“I did! But I will not eat any if I plan to drive because I swear you loaded them down with rum!”

Dixie laughed. “That’s the best part of it!”

As they watched Carrie walk out the door and down to her rental car, Dixie couldn’t help but feel a little melancholy. Even though Carrie wasn’t her daughter by blood, the two of them had become very close while she was visiting, and Dixie hoped that would continue. They had already made plans to fly out to California in a couple of months and spend some time getting to know the area where Carrie lived.

They waved goodbye, and she drove down the road out of sight.

“Well, what would you like to do for Christmas?” Dixie asked as Harry put his arm around her.

“How about we just have a very quiet day here at home?”

She smiled. “How did you know that was exactly what I wanted for Christmas?”

Chapter Eleven

It was Christmas morning, Julie’s favorite day of the year. She was so excited she could hardly wait for Dylan to wake up. The sun was just starting to rise, and she knew as soon as he