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“Why did you do this?” she whispered.
Clark’s ire rose and he reached for the pictures. “If you don’t want them—”
“Why did you have to make this so hard?” She held the pictures away from him and put the money envelope in his hand. “Keep your money.”
Merry got up from the bed. “Is everything all right?”
“It’s fine, Mer. We’re just talking.” Clark kept his hard gaze on Patrice. “I don’t understand. I thought you needed it.”
“I can’t take that money. What is it, his college fund?” She dropped the pictures on the bed, covering her face with her hands for several ticks and then she brought them down and Clark saw the tears in her eyes. “I didn’t want to see him.”
“That was an accident.”
“I know. And I’m not saying I suddenly want a relationship with him. Merry wasn’t wrong, though,” Patrice said, shooting Merry a trembling smile. “He’s a great kid. Kind. Considerate. He deserves everything you can give him, which is why I can’t take that.”
“I pulled it out for you. It’s done.”
She shook her head. “Put it back, then.”
“What about her?” Clark asked. “You said you had nothing left. If you don’t take this, how are you going to find a safe place for you both?”
“I’ll figure something out.”
“Patrice, I’m glad to see that you have a soul. I may have compared you to a heartless demon a few times over the years.” She chuckled quietly and he smiled, holding the money out. “You are going to need money for car repairs, first and last month’s rent, utilities, gas, groceries… I made you a budget spreadsheet. If you follow it, you should be able to make it a few months comfortably until you can find a job. I also put an investment outline for whatever is left after things settle down. If you continue to add ten percent of your income to it, it will grow at a steady rate.” Clark lowered his voice so Jillian wouldn’t hear, although she seemed preoccupied naming off all the ponies on the screen for Merry. She really was the kid whisperer. “Christmas is also in the budget, including a tree.”
Patrice pulled out his budget sheet and before he knew what she was about, she’d counted out what he’d told her to invest and handed it back to him. “I’ll follow your advice, but I don’t want to take more than what we need.”
“If that’s what you want,” he said.
“It is. Thank you for this. I will try to pay you back.”
“Honestly, Patrice, consider it a gift. Just text me when you get to wherever you’re going so I know you’re safe.”
“I know I don’t deserve it, but thank you, Clark.”
“You’re welcome. When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow. I’m thinking somewhere East of the Mississippi. I hear Kentucky is pretty.”
“Safe travels then. Mer, you ready?”
Merry got up from the bed. “Goodnight, Jillian. Thank you for letting me watch ponies with you.”
“Night.” The little girl gave her a smile, but when she caught Clark watching, she looked away.
“I guess you have the touch with kids, huh?” Patrice said.
“She’s a sweetheart.” Merry reached out to Patrice and took her hands. “It was nice to meet you. I hope you have a merry Christmas and you take really good care of each other.”
“Thank you.”
Clark held his hand out to Merry and she slipped her smaller one into his. The hotel room door closed behind them as they walked back to the Jeep in silence, the wad of cash burning a hole in his hand.
“If it’s any consolation, I think she’s already changing for the better,” Merry said softly as he got into the driver’s seat.
“I think so too. I’m going to go deposit this in the bank before we head over to the Parade of Lights.”
“Fine by me, but don’t dawdle. Mrs. Claus cannot disappoint her subjects.”
