Sawdust and Mistletoe

by Michelle Pennington

  “I know I will,” Mrs. Trundell said. “I only used your company because I like Ava so much. I never liked you.”

  The old lady looked furious, and her defense warmed Ava’s heart as much as Olivia’s loyalty. But this situation was getting way out of hand. She could not afford to get fired right now. She was still about five thousand dollars away from starting her own design business.

  Ava looked at Marcia, hoping she was regretting her rash decision, and said, “Maybe we should all take some time to think about things.”

  “I’ve been thinking about firing you for months as it was,” Marcia said coldly. “You haven’t been pulling your weight. You take too much time on your projects. I need a faster turn-around.” Then turning to Mrs. Trundell, she said, “And I’m sure we can do without your little account, Mrs. Trundell.”

  The click of her heels along the pavement and the gunning of her engine were oddly anti-climactic. The four of them stood frozen, until Olivia said, “Did anyone else notice she had lipstick on her teeth?”

  “I did,” Hunter said. He looked at Ava. “What a witch. I’m sorry. If I’d had any idea where that was heading, I would have handled it differently.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  He shook his head. “You didn’t do anything to deserve that.”

  Olivia came over and hugged her. “Forgive me for thinking this is a good thing.”

  “Explain, please,” Ava said.

  “You never would have gotten up the courage to quit and start your own business.” Ava opened her mouth to argue and Olivia hurried to say, “I know you think you would have, but I don’t. And now you don’t have any more excuses. You have to. And I’m going to be your first employee, just like we always planned.”

  “And I’ll be your first client.” Mrs. Trundell said, her chin sticking up in the air.

  Ava smiled and fought back the tears in her eyes. There was so much to process and think about, but she didn’t have time yet. “Well, what do you say we finish up what we came to do and figure out the rest later?”

  All the rest, like where she was going to get another five thousand dollars.

  Chapter Seven

  A knot of apprehension twisted Hunter’s stomach as he finished putting up the Trundell’s Christmas lights. Now what? This might be goodbye for him and Ava now that they wouldn’t be working together.

  And how could that lady be idiotic enough to fire Ava? She was such a perfectionist and obviously talented, she had to be an asset to Marcia’s business. Being a hard-worker himself, he appreciated Ava’s attention to detail and her unflagging energy while doing her job. It had been one of the first things that attracted him to her. But today had shown him another, even more admirable side to her. Going to so much effort to make Mrs. Trundell happy showed how warm and generous Ava was. Marcia might not appreciate those qualities, but he did.

  Why hadn’t he asked her out on a date yet?

  Well, he knew why. One date wouldn’t be enough. Neither would ten, and he was going back to Colorado eventually. He was here to get his brother through a tough time, not drag himself through one of his own. Ava was not the kind of girl you could date casually and say goodbye to without inflicting damage to someone’s heart.

  He wasn’t sure what to do about it, but there was no way he could just stay away from her. He wanted to be there for her, so he tried to figure out how to do that while he worked the rest of the day. It wasn’t until his stomach growled and informed him it was dinner time, that Ava and Olivia came outside, wearing coats again like they were ready to leave.

  “So, are you done?” Ava asked.

  He nodded. The sun was setting, so he said, “Shall we do the big reveal?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Olivia turned back inside, calling back, “I’ll get the Trundells.”

  A few minutes later, when everyone was positioned on the front lawn, Hunter flipped a switch and the driveway flooded with light. Even though he heard appreciative oohs from the others, he stepped back to look it over with a more critical eye. Somehow, miraculously, all the lights were on, even the last string of icicle lights over the porch that had given him so much trouble.

  “You did such a nice job, Mr. Newman,” Mrs. Trundell said.

  “I was happy to do it,” Hunter said, shaking her hand gently.

  Mr. Trundell rubbed his chin with an open palm. “I don’t know why we need so many lights, but they do look nice.”

  “Oh, stop being grumpy, Victor.” Then she turned back to the rest of them. “Would you all like to stay for dinner?”

  They all thanked her but declined. Mrs. Trundell’s eyes were tired and her husband seemed more than eager to have his house quiet again.

  “Well, if you’re sure. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Mrs. Trundell said, letting her husband lead her back inside.

  “She’s so nice,” Olivia said, breaking the awkward silence that the Trundell’s left behind.

  Ava nodded. “So, Olivia, since you quit, don’t worry about coming in tomorrow. I’m not sure Marcia would pay you since you’re hourly. I can finish it myself in the morning.” Then she looked up at Hunter for a split second before her eyes shifted to his shoulder. “And Hunter, good luck getting another job tomorrow. In fact, good luck with everything. It was wonderful working with you.”

  Olivia looked between them, and Hunter sent her a look, hoping she’d know he wanted a minute with Ava. She was quick on the uptake and said, “Well, I’m going to go get the van warmed up.” She took the keys out of her pocket and shook them for emphasis.

  When Olivia was in the van, he said, “Just because we won’t be working together doesn’t mean we have to say goodbye.”

  Ava looked up then and said, “No, but we have to say goodbye eventually, right?”

  Hunter nodded slowly. Hadn’t he realized that himself? “But not yet.” Even if he regretted it later, he knew she didn’t need to be alone tonight. It wouldn’t be a date. Just hanging out. “Look, why don’t you come hang out at my brother’s house for a while? Just to get your mind off things?”

  That the invitation surprised her was obvious, but she didn’t say anything for several seconds. “Will they mind?”

  He laughed. “No way. Wait till you meet them.”

  Her shoulders relaxed. “I would like that. Somehow, I can’t stand the thought of going home and being alone with all those Christmas decorations right now.”

  “Not very good company, huh? You’ll love Josh and Krista, and their daughter, Molly, is just what you need to take your mind off things.”

  “I need to drop Olivia off to get her car. Should I meet you there?”

  “How about if I go pick up some dinner? I’m sure my brother’s family has already eaten by now. I’ll swing by to pick you up at your house.”

  “Okay. There’s a pizza place on White Street near the turn-off to my house. They make awesome spinach Alfredo pizza.”

  Hunter smiled. “I’m on it.”

  They stood for a few seconds looking into each other’s eyes until Ava shifted. “I’m freezing. I’ll see you in a little while.”

  By the time Hunter found the pizza place and waited for their order, he worried that he’d taken too long. She was probably exhausted and he wouldn’t blame her if she changed her mind and went to bed. But she came straight to the door when he knocked.

  She had changed into a long, flowing black shirt and white jeans. With her hair down for once, instead of pulled back into a ponytail, the contrast of dark around her pale face and light hair drew his attention to her red lips. “You look nice.”

  “Thanks. Are we eating here or at your brother’s?”

  “I thought we’d eat over there so you can meet Molly before she goes to bed.”

  “Okay. Let me get my coat.”

  Still new in town, he glanced at the GPS on his phone to get his bearings. “Wow. I hadn’t realized how close you live to my brother. It’s only half a mile or so from here.”

&n
bsp; “Good,” Ava said. “I’m hungry and that pizza smells divine.”

  When they went through the front door, Molly came tearing out of the hallway. “Unco Unter!” She hugged his leg then stepped back and studied Ava. “I like your friend. She’s pretty.”

  Hunter picked her up, grinning like the proud uncle he was. “She is, huh? This is Ava. And Ava, this little stinker is Molly.”

  “I’m not a stinker. You are,” Molly said, looking indignant.

  “You’re right. He is,” Ava agreed with her. “I love your pajamas. Do you like cats?”

  Hunter looked down and saw that there were indeed cats all over her pajamas. She pointed out her favorites to Ava, while Josh and Krista came in from the kitchen.

  “Okay,” Krista said, taking Molly from him. “Let’s let them get out of the doorway. They want to go eat their dinner.”

  “You haven’t eaten yet?” Molly asked. “I ate a long time ago.”

  “No we haven’t, and we’re starving,” Hunter told her, walking into the kitchen with the two pizza boxes. He put them down on the table and motioned for Ava to choose a seat while he grabbed some plates and napkins.

  Ava sat down and Molly pulled out the chair next to her with surprising strength since the chair was taller than she was. She climbed up and settled down on her knees so she could reach the table. Her eyes were hopeful. “I like pizza.”

  Krista shook her head. “You already ate dinner.”

  “Not very much of it. It was yucky.”

  Looking exasperated, Krista said, “She suddenly decided tonight that she doesn’t like chicken noodle soup.”

  “She can have some,” Hunter said. “There’s plenty. Unless Ava is hungrier than I know.”

  She smiled. “I don’t think I could eat a whole pizza even if I was starving.”

  “She’s already brushed her teeth,” Krista said.

  “Oh, relax, honey. She can brush them again,” Josh said, coming in. He brought Molly a plastic plate.

  Hunter opened the pizza boxes and Molly peered down at them, then scrunched up her nose. “What is that?”

  Ava laughed. “Spinach Alfredo.”

  “And that? What are those green things?”

  “Those are jalapeños,” Hunter said.

  “That looks yucky.”

  “Sorry,” he said. “We didn’t have a three-year-old in mind when we got the pizza. You can take off the jalapeños and it will be just like pepperoni pizza.”

  “I hate pepperoni,” she informed him. “I want the pinage pizza.”

  Krista looked doubtful, but Ava gave her a piece, saying, “You’ll like it. It’s my favorite.”

  Molly took an infinitesimal bite and said, “Hey, it’s good. Mommy, look. I’m eating pinage.”

  They all laughed and Ava and Hunter ate while Krista got them tall glasses of ice water. Hunter offered Josh a piece, and he accepted, leaning against the kitchen counter while he ate it. “Why did I bother making dinner?” Krista asked.

  “You know you want to try some,” Josh teased her.

  “Please do. I can’t eat much more, even though I want to,” Ava said, waving to the half a pizza in front of her.

  Krista hesitated only a moment before she gave in. “This is good,” she said after tasting it. “I’m not surprised Molly is actually eating hers.”

  Molly ate most of her pizza, but then her eyelids began to droop. Hunter watched as her eyes finally closed while she chewed. After she swallowed, her head began to bob forward.

  “Uh-oh. Looks like it’s time for bed,” Hunter said, chuckling.

  Josh scooped Molly up and gently pried the pizza crust out of her grip. “I’ll tuck her in. You ready for bed, honey?” he asked, looking up at Krista.

  Throwing away her napkin, Krista said, “Yes. I’m right behind you.” She winked at Hunter and Ava. “Aren’t we lame, going to bed at the same time as our toddler?”

  “It sounds lovely to me,” Ava said. She stood up and began clearing away the rest of the table.

  “I’ll take the boxes out to the recycling,” Hunter said, holding out his hand to take them from her. When he came back in, she wasn’t in the kitchen. He found her in the living room looking at the Christmas tree in front of the window. Walking around to stand beside her, he watched the way the colored lights on the tree lit her face.

  A soft smile lingered on her lips. “This is what my tree looked like when I was growing up.”

  Her meaning was clear. This was completely different from her professional, perfectly symmetrical and coordinated trees. It was artificial, the lights were strung on unevenly, and most of the ornaments were clustered around a few boughs at the bottom. There was even a man’s watch hanging on one limb. Molly had been decorating again. “It’s adorable, huh?”

  She nodded. “I have an older brother who liked to help decorate the tree but I didn’t think he did a good job. It used to frustrate me and I’d move the ornaments around—you know, even them out. But he always knew and moved them back. Finally, I figured out that he took just as much pride in it as I did.”

  Hunter nodded, glad she was talking. It seemed like a perfectly safe conversation until he saw a tear running down her cheek. She wiped it away quickly and turned to him with a brave expression, her jaw set.

  His heart felt heavy for her. “If you need a good cry, don’t hold back on my account.”

  “That’s ridiculous. I’m fine.”

  “You don’t have to hide your feelings from me, Ava.”

  Then her tears puddled in her eyes, dripping swiftly down her cheek. As she drew in a ragged breath, he wished he could fix her world. He couldn’t, but he could offer his arms. She turned into him, her face covered with her hands. Hunter put his arms around her and stood perfectly still as she cried softly, but with deep shuddering breaths. She calmed down but continued to sniff frequently.

  “Need a tissue?” he asked.

  “Please. I’m so sorry.”

  Hunter walked across the room and brought the box over to her. “Getting fired is always a shock.”

  She wiped her nose as she sat down on the couch. “I suppose so. It’s never happened to me before. How could she do that after all the years of hard work I’ve put in with her company?”

  “She’s clearly crazy.”

  “No, just hard and calculating. Something I’m not. But I always thought I was ready to run a business. Now I don’t know.”

  “Why?”

  “I think I’m scared of the risk. I’m good at design, but I know very little about the business aspect of it. All the legal and financial stuff. And could I fire someone if I needed to? I don’t know if I could. I mean Marcia had no problem, but I’m not like her.”

  “What about finding another company to work for? Just because you didn’t get along with this boss, doesn’t mean you would have the same problem elsewhere.”

  She gave a jerky sigh. “There are only a few designers in town and most can’t afford employees. Besides, I want to be in charge. I want to be free to branch out or slow down or follow things wherever they take me. And the only thing holding me back, besides the fact that I’m a chicken, is that I need $5,000 to get to my goal. I sat down with some people I trust and we pared down my budget as low as we could manage to cover operating costs for the first year. It may not sound like much money, but I’ll be in trouble without it. I was waiting to quit till I had what I needed.”

  “Well, I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Maybe you can work somewhere else, just for a little while.”

  “I can afford to take a couple of weeks off, and I don’t want to lose possible clients by not being available. No, I just need to do it. But I think I’m going to take the rest of the year off. I haven’t had a vacation in years. I think I’m going to clean out my house and just chill for a couple of weeks.”

  “That’s perfect.”

  She nodded then tilted her head and looked at him suspiciously. “Why?”

  “Because I’ve b
een wanting to ask a favor of you since I thought of it yesterday, but I didn’t because I figured you’d be too busy.”

  “What is it?”

  Even though he was sure Molly was sound asleep in her room, he leaned closer and spoke just above a whisper. “I’m going to build Molly a dollhouse for Christmas, and I was hoping you’d help me decorate it.”

  Her eyes lit up. “Wow. That would be… fun. Sure.”

  “Great. Oh, one more thing. Can I build it in your garage? I know that’s asking a lot, but I don’t want to take a chance on her seeing it.”

  Her eyes shifted around as she thought for a moment. Then she said, “It’s a deal if you’ll trade favors with me.”

  “Sure. Name it.”

  “Help me clear all the decorating junk out of my living room?”

  “No problem. My mom always says the only thing I’m good for is my muscles.”

  She laughed then clapped her hands over her mouth and looked toward the hallway where Molly was sleeping. “She does not.”

  “Yes, she does.”

  “I don’t believe it.”

  “Ask Josh next time you see him.”

  “I’d like to see them all again. Your family is nice. Maybe not so late next time though.”

  Shrugging, he said, “They don’t care. But maybe we should get out of here.”

  Ava nodded and he led her to the door. She took one more lingering look at the tree like she didn’t want to leave it.

  Though Hunter was worried about her, he was glad he’d been able to be there for her when she needed someone. And he was thankful they would be saying goodnight and not goodbye.

  Chapter Eight

  Ava was so over Christmas. Too much glitter and plastic. Too many Santas and candy canes. Too much festive music. Christmas screamed at her from the radio, from every store, every restaurant, every street corner. She couldn’t escape it. Not even in the gas station with the stupid dancing snowman on their checkout counter.