No Ordinary Christmas

by Belle Calhoune

  The back door suddenly swung open, immediately diffusing the situation. Tess appeared in the doorway alongside Astro, her cheeks reddened from the cold. Her expression couldn’t hide her natural curiosity.

  “I’m back,” she announced with a cheeky grin and a wave of her hands. “What did I miss? Did you guys reach an agreement?”

  Lucy nodded. Since her sister was part bloodhound, Tess would find out soon enough anyway. “We did,” she said, casting a quick glance in Dante’s direction.

  “Your sister has agreed to let me film parts of my movie at the library, so I guess I’ll be seeing you around, Tess,” Dante answered, a grin lighting up his face.

  Tess immediately began jumping up and down as she shed her boots and jacket. “Oh, this is so exciting. Wait till I tell the kids at school.” She walked over to Dante and high-fived him. Lucy felt her heart lurch. It hadn’t taken Dante long to pull Tess into his web. The ten-year-old already seemed enamored of him and they’d just met. It was understandable, Lucy thought. She knew firsthand how Dante could get under a person’s skin and stay there.

  “I should get going,” he said, his gaze shifting back to Lucy. “Tess mentioned you have an appointment this afternoon.”

  Lucy gasped, then glanced at the kitchen clock. She was scheduled to get a wash and set in forty-five minutes at Rita’s Beauty Shop and she still needed to do a few things before she headed out the door. She’d almost completely forgotten about her appointment while discussing the film with Dante. “Yeah. I have to get going so I’m not late,” she explained. Dante’s presence in her kitchen had driven all thoughts about her hair appointment out of her mind. He’d been in town for only a few days and yet he was already serving as a major distraction to her orderly world.

  With a wave of his hand, Dante turned to leave the kitchen.

  “Wait! There’s one more thing. As part of this deal, I’d like you to agree to be Tess’s guest of the week at her school.” Lucy felt a smile tugging at her lips as she watched Tess’s face light up. “It’s really important to her.”

  Dante looked over at Tess and winked. “It would be my pleasure. Just tell me when and where. I’ll be there.” Sincerity rang out in his voice. “Thanks again, Lucy. You won’t regret saying yes.” Just then a little jolt ran through her body. For a moment Lucy felt as if she was in the presence of the old Dante, the one who’d once been imprinted on her heart. The playful, vibrant side of him had been on display this morning, particularly in his interactions with Tess. The rich sound of his laughter touched a part of her that had been lying dormant ever since his departure. This was the man she’d fallen in love with and cherished with every ounce of her soul. This was the man a part of her still ached for in the quiet hours between darkness and dawn.

  As Dante turned and walked out of the room, a sigh slipped past her lips. Why was it so difficult not to get sucked back into his world? A few moments in his presence and she was as pliable as a piece of clay. A cloud of doubt had settled over her in the last few minutes. Was she really doing the right thing? Had she agreed to Dante’s request too quickly? Would she be able to handle it without getting swept away by his charm and good looks? Did she have the strength to keep things on a professional level?

  Suddenly, Tess appeared in front of her, beaming up at her with a childlike smile. For the moment, all was right in her little sister’s world. “Lucy, I love you.” She wrapped her arms around Lucy so tightly she felt almost breathless. Lucy lowered her head to press a kiss against her sister’s temple. Tess smelled of cinnamon and freshly fallen snow. Lucy wished she could capture this moment for all time so she could remind Tess of it when she got older. Moments like this were so fleeting and fragile. In a heartbeat Tess would be a teenager wanting to hang out with her girlfriends and whatever boy she was crushing on.

  “I love you too, Tess,” she said. “Just remember there’s not a single thing I wouldn’t do for you. Now or ever.”

  “Same here,” Tess said in a muffled voice. “I’ll always have your back.”

  Her heart felt full, almost to the point of overflowing. Tess was going to get her wish and the library would benefit tremendously from this arrangement with Dante’s production company. It was a winning proposition for everyone, even if it made her feel as if her life had been turned upside down.

  There was no way of sugarcoating it. She would have to deal with Dante on a regular basis now. It was unrealistic to imagine she could hide away in the library whenever he came around with his film crew. As head librarian, she was duty bound to be a professional. She needed to act as a protector of the library, to make certain nothing precious was destroyed in the filmmaking process. That would mean seeing her ex-boyfriend up close and personal on occasion. Her palms moistened at the prospect.

  Lucy inhaled a deep, steadying breath. She just had to suck it up and deal. Part of being an adult meant putting one’s own feelings aside and making decisions for the greater good. The well-being of the library hung in the balance, and she knew that to save it from financial ruin she had to put her needs last. Lucy was good at doing that. She’d been doing it for years, ever since Dante had shattered all the plans they’d made to share a life together. Ever since he had fled their hometown and disappeared from Lucy’s life his betrayal had been resting on the surface of her heart.

  Although she’d worked hard to make her life orderly and predictable, Dante’s return had already blown things wide open.

  Chapter Four

  Stepping out into the frosty December air served as a reminder that Dante wasn’t in California anymore. The sweet scent of vanilla still clung to his nostrils. That particular aroma had always hovered around Lucy like a soft cloud and this morning was no exception.

  As Dante drove away from Lucy’s house, a feeling of triumph rose up inside of him. Lucy probably still despised him, but she was on board with his plan for the movie. Based on Lucy’s initial reaction to his presence in town, he’d figured she would be a lot more resistant to the idea of him filming at her place of business. He should have known better. Lucy would do anything for her beloved library, and a few months ago he’d learned from his mother that it had recently suffered from serious cutbacks. Although he’d obtained tentative permission months ago from Mayor Finch, he didn’t want Lucy to feel as if she was being run over by a semitruck. He wanted her to be fully on board with his project, which was why he’d shown up at her door this morning dangling a carrot. If she’d said no, Dante would have backed off.

  Seeing Lucy in her cozy little house that was situated right across the way from her childhood home had tugged at him. How many times had they climbed the maple tree in her backyard or chased after salamanders in the nearby woods? He’d been a fixture at the Marshalls’ home when he was a kid. Their doors had always been open to him and he’d considered them as his second family.

  He could barely contain his excitement. Making this movie right here in Mistletoe was the result of him stepping out on a limb of faith and pushing past his action-star image. For so long he’d wanted to take a chance and do something different from his usual high-octane, adrenaline rush–producing films. It wasn’t as if he was looking to win an Oscar or anything, but he yearned to show off some of his directing skills so he could be taken seriously in the industry. Although he was grateful for his success in action films, there were only so many times he could make the same movie. He was tired of blowing up buildings and chasing bad guys. He wanted to do something that showcased his broad range of talent.

  And this film would be special. Not only because he was going back to his roots and filming in his hometown, but because he’d written the script as a love letter of sorts to Lucy and the town of Mistletoe. In making this movie, he was going to be wearing his heart on his sleeve about the woman who’d stolen his heart back when he was a teenager. It wasn’t a comfortable position for him to be in, but he’d made a promise to himself to live his life differently after the accident.

  He’d spent so
many years becoming a well-known actor that he’d deprived himself of personal connections. Sure, he had friends and important contacts in the movie industry, but he didn’t have anyone who knew him inside and out. Dante didn’t have love in his life. And there weren’t people in his orbit who would deeply mourn him if he passed away.

  He winced as the memories of his accident crashed over him. He’d been in Peru filming a movie when a stunt had gone wrong. His injuries had been severe, and he’d been in the intensive care unit for ten days. Thankfully, his PR team had been able to keep the news out of the press, who had only reported that he’d been involved in an accident on set. To this day, even Dante’s mother wasn’t aware that her son had been perilously close to death. Dante hadn’t possessed the courage to tell her after all she’d been through with his father’s illness.

  Determined to shake off the grim thoughts, Dante focused on the festive shops lining Main Street. Christmas decorations were on full display in storefront windows and lampposts. A huge Christmas tree decorated the town green. Soon the town would hold the tree-decorating ceremony, complete with a live band, Santa Claus, and dancing elves. Dante grinned at the coffee shop sitting at the corner of Main and Grand. It reminded him of his favorite java spot in Los Angeles with a New England twist. A hunter-green and brown sign announced that the Coffee Bean was open for business. After parking his rental car and placing some change in the meter, Dante made a beeline for the shop. He hadn’t had time earlier for his morning cup of Joe and his body was craving its daily pick-me-up.

  On his way inside, Dante was the object of numerous stares and whispers from customers. He was used to the attention since it tended to follow him wherever he went. He waved in the direction of a group of ladies who’d been in his graduating class. If he wasn’t mistaken, one was Gillian Robinson, his seventh-grade crush. Strangely enough, she still looked the same with her shoulder-length auburn hair, full eyebrows, and big brown eyes. Back in the day he would have done anything to win Gillian’s heart. She hadn’t been impressed by his scrawny body and squeaky voice. A year later he’d grown six inches and gained twenty-five pounds of pure muscle. Then he’d discovered football right before entering high school. But by the time Gillian finally noticed him, Dante had moved on. His life had been focused on football, family, friends, and Lucy. At the time it had been all he’d wanted and needed.

  Dante stood in line behind a few other customers gazing at the menu board until it was his turn to be waited on by the barista, who let out a little squeal when she spotted him.

  “I think I’ll try the special…the hot chai,” Dante said, pretending as if he hadn’t heard her making a fuss out of him. It always ended up being a slightly awkward experience for him.

  “Hot chai coming right up. I’m Willa, by the way. It’s on the house, Mr. West.” The young woman giggled and sent him a flirty look filled with adoration. Dante had no intention of flirting back. Willa looked as if she might still be in high school.

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to get you in any trouble.” People were always giving him free stuff wherever he went. Although it was nice, it usually made him feel uncomfortable. He hadn’t really done anything to deserve such special treatment other than becoming a highly paid and well-known actor. Refusing never went over well, so he’d learned to accept with a smile and gratitude. The last thing he wanted was for people in his hometown to think he was using his celebrity status to get freebies. On the flip side, Dante didn’t want to appear ungrateful. It was all a delicate high-wire act.

  “It’s my pleasure,” she said in a chirpy voice. “We’re all so happy to see you back in Mistletoe, Inferno.”

  Inferno was the nickname he’d been given by a Hollywood director after starring in one of his movies. His agent had loved the moniker and used it to promote Dante’s action-star image. The public had eaten it up and the name had stuck.

  “Well, you’ve made me feel right at home, Willa,” he said, reaching for his cup of chai and grinning at her. “Thanks again.” He did a double take when he spotted his face on the side of the cup along with the words It’s Going to Be a Dante West Christmas.

  “Breaking hearts all over town. I see you’re up to your old tricks again.”

  The familiar voice washed over him like a refreshing rain. Dante would know it anywhere. As soon as he turned around, Dante chuckled at the sight of his old friend, Nick Keegan. His lighthearted nature always made Dante smile. Thanks to Nick, his high school years had been full of laughter and pranks. Nick was the type of person everyone gravitated toward because of his kind demeanor and jovial personality.

  “Hey there, superstar. Long time no see.” The man standing before him had always turned heads with his russet-colored skin and winning smile. He was the type of person who had a knack for putting everyone in his presence at ease. Back in the day, he’d been voted most popular boy in their class. Dante, on the other hand, had gotten most likely to get arrested on prom night. Ouch! That still rankled.

  “Nick! I was hoping to run into you.” Dante leaned in for a quick hug. Nick and his brother Luke had been two of Dante’s closest friends in high school. Troy had also been part of their friend group. For years they’d played football together with Dante playing quarterback and Nick being tight end. Their friendship had continued well after Dante’s departure from Mistletoe. To this day, Nick was one of his dearest friends, despite the miles that stretched out between them. With his rugged frame and a height of six foot three, Nick had been an all-star athlete. His plans to enter the NFL draft had been sidelined by a serious injury. His future adrift, Nick had devoted himself to another passion—search and rescue. It was yet another thing he was great at doing.

  “Do you have time to sit down?” Nick asked, tightly gripping his cup of Joe.

  “Sure. I’ve actually got some time on my hands,” he said, feeling fortunate he’d walked into the Coffee Bean this morning. Back in California he never had much time to unwind with friends because of his hectic filming schedule. Even though he was going to be busy filming here in town, he’d carved out time to simply experience the wonders of Mistletoe.

  “Cool logo,” Nick drawled as he smirked and pointed toward Dante’s face on his coffee cup. “I want to be you when I grow up.”

  Dante shook his head. “Trust me, your life with Miles is way cooler.”

  Nick led the way to a table by the window. Dante unfolded himself into a chair and took a moment to enjoy the wintry view as he took a sip of his drink. It rarely snowed in California and he missed the fluffy white stuff. There was never that scent of impending snow hovering in the air. Across the street sat the Lobster Shack, a favorite seafood restaurant with a devoted following. Kyle Williams, the owner, had come up with an award-winning menu. Dante couldn’t think of the last time he’d eaten a Maine lobster drizzled in melted butter or gone crabbing at Blackberry Beach. The marina glimmered in the distance, the ocean full of ice chunks and fishing boats. There had been that time back in sixth grade when he, Nick, and Troy had snuck on board one of the fishing boats and enjoyed the adventure of a lifetime. There’d been hell to pay when they were discovered, but it had been well worth it. He hadn’t realized how much of this town had been imprinted on his heart and soul. It was indelible, like a permanent tattoo.

  “I’m sorry we missed you at the parade the other night,” Nick said, his voice tinged with regret. “We’d just gotten back from New Hampshire. It’s important for Miles to connect with his grandparents.” He made a face. “We don’t see them too often.”

  “No worries, although I’m still waiting for you to come to California with my godson. I want to take him hiking in the canyons and to my favorite hibachi place on Sunset.”

  “I’ve been meaning to take you up on your offer,” Nick said with a grimace, “but things have been a bit rough lately.”

  That was putting it mildly. Nick’s wife, Kara, had been killed in a horrific car accident a few years ago. Their love story had been a beautiful
one, and it had been a devastating blow to Nick and Miles to lose their center. Clearly, things hadn’t improved much. It was unimaginable that Miles had lost his mother at six years old.

  “No need to apologize. I know how tough things have been since you lost Kara.”

  Nick winced. “It’s been two years, but it still seems as if we’re stuck in this strange limbo. Unable to move forward and terrified of sliding backwards.”

  “She was a huge part of your life, Nick. It’s going to take some time to heal. You two were the real deal.”

  A wistful expression crept over Nick’s face. “We had it all, didn’t we? I couldn’t have asked for a better woman. I just wish we could have grown old together.”

  Dante nodded, knowing there were no words he could say to fully capture what Nick had lost. A thick lump gathered in his throat. He’d missed so much of their love story being so far away from Maine. It wasn’t the only thing he hadn’t been able to witness up close and personal. When his dad’s illness had taken a turn for the worse, he simply hadn’t been around. It was hard to process that he would never get a do-over. Those precious moments had slipped through his fingers. That’s why he had to make the most of the time he had in Mistletoe. An opportunity like this might never come his way again. He wasn’t going to leave with a host of regrets.

  “Speaking of the real deal, have you seen Lucy since you’ve been back?” Nick asked, curiosity in his tone.

  “Yes, we’ve talked,” he admitted with a nod. “Needless to say she wasn’t too thrilled to see me. I almost got frostbite when we came face-to-face.”