What Child Is This

What Child Is This: Chapter One

 What Child Is This by C.J. Carmichael

CHAPTER ONE

Most people looked forward to Christmas, but for Garret Frost, the last one had been hell and he wasn’t expecting much from the upcoming one either. Christmas was for families, right? But Sara was dead, and now he was a single father. It was up to him to make sure their five-year-old son had a wonderful Christmas—never mind the fact that he didn’t have a mother anymore.

It had been just over two years since Sara died, along with their unborn child. For Garret most of the pain had faded into sorrow. But he couldn’t be sure about Duncan. His son seemed like a normal little boy who loved exploring and playing with his best friend Nathan.

But Garret knew children could hide their wounds—and hide them very well. Because when he was four, he’d done just that. And he didn’t want the same for his son. An awesome Christmas, that’s what was needed. And for an awesome Christmas, he needed the perfect gift.

Garret pulled out the toy store flyer he’d saved from the Burlington Free Press. He was at his desk in one of the offices that had been added to the Old Sugar Shack. This was where his grandfather had originally boiled the sap to make the maple syrup for which Frost Farms was famous. Now all that work was done in a modern new barn and the Sugar Shack was used to host events for visitors and guests. The addition of offices to the back of the barn had been made by Garret’s father, Harold, who had officially retired this year, making room for his eldest son to step into his place. Garret loved the family business, but had to admit the work load was a little overwhelming at times.

Another reason a great Christmas for Duncan was really important this year.

Garret flipped through the pages of the catalogue. He wasn’t foolish enough to think that the right toy could make up for Sara’s absence, or the many hours he put in at work. But it couldn’t hurt, either.

So far, his attempts to subtly question his son about what he wanted had been unsuccessful. But he knew Nathan, Frost Farm accountant Peter Boychuk’s son, was getting a Wii.

Would Duncan like one, too? Garret circled the game in the flier, as well as an age-appropriate Lego set and a remote control car that looked kind of cool. A toy telescope had just caught his eye when he heard a terrible crash from the front of the barn.

“Are you okay, Duncan?” Lily Parker, their new public relations manager sounded concerned but not panicked.

Garret hurried to see what had happened.

The commotion had come from the main event room, which still contained the original fireplace and iron vat from his grandfather’s years. But Garret’s attention was drawn to the big oak door, where his PR manager lay on the floor, a toppled stepladder, basket and several bundles of mistletoe around her. Right there, at the scene of the crime, was his son. Unharmed, but clearly beside himself with contrition.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Parker. I was coming to talk to my dad and I didn’t see you.”

“That’s okay, Duncan. But maybe you should walk, rather than run next time.” Lily gingerly shifted to a sitting position. He wouldn’t have blamed her for being angry—who wouldn’t be after getting knocked off a ladder—but he could tell she wasn’t.

“Are you hurt?” Garret offered his hand to help her stand.

“I’m fine.” Lily normally wore skirts and blouses to work, but today, because of Frosty Frolics—a holiday event hosted by the farm that would be starting in about two hours—she was in jeans and a sweater the same light blue as her eyes.