A Christmas Surprise (Second Chance Christmas)

by Hayley Wescott

  “I do try my best,” Jeremy said, pushing his glasses up on his nose and grinning at her. “I bumped into Martha on her way home, and she said it had been a tough night. I figured fried chicken, and more fries than you can shake a stick at might be required. I also got some salad if you’re so inclined.” He snickered getting the news of the availability of salad out.

  “You were absolutely right,” Kristin said, sharing the piping hot contents of the bag onto two plates, and picking at the crisp lengths of fried potato. She smacked her lips as the salty, greasy fries made her taste-buds tingle. She looked at the salad container and made a face shaking her head. “Sofa or table?” she asked.

  “Sofa,” Jeremy said, taking a plate from her and following her into the front room.

  He turned on the television and flicked it to a music channel they both liked. Kristin loved that he felt so at home, and settled down into the cushions, and began to eat. The chicken was succulent and crispy, and so delicious. Neither of them spoke while they ate, just watched the music videos and chewed in companionable silence.

  “I guess you’ve heard the rumors,” Jeremy said as he put his empty plate down onto the coffee table.

  “That Cole is coming home? Yeah, I heard.” Kristin nodded, picking the last bits of meat from the bones.

  “You gonna be okay?” he asked.

  Kristin sighed. “I don’t know. I guess. It’s been a long time, and I’m sure he barely even remembers me. I know I don’t think of him that often anymore,” she lied.

  She hated not telling the truth, but Jeremy had been touchy about the subject of Cole Wright for a long time. In some ways, it seemed that he had taken Kristin and Cole’s breakup harder than she had. Even Cole’s name was enough to have Jeremy bristling.

  “I doubt anyone could ever forget you,” Jeremy said gallantly, “nor would they want to.”

  Kristin occasionally suspected that her friend harbored more intense feelings for her than he let on, and this was one of those moments. She wished she knew how to tell him that she simply didn’t feel that way about him, without hurting his feelings.

  It was almost as if Jeremy saw Cole as a rival for her affections, even after all these years. But, if Kristin had never met Cole Wright, she wouldn’t have fallen for Jeremy Lowell. He was good, and sweet, and kind – but he simply didn’t make her heart race, or her head pound, or her stomach flutter just at the thought she might catch a glimpse of him.

  That wonderfully unsettling feeling was what she was holding out for. It was what she had felt for Cole, and she knew she would never short-change herself on that. She had dated, but none of them had ever made her feel alive that way, her skin tingling with anticipation of the lightest touch, or her lips aching to be kissed. She didn’t want Cole, but she did want to feel the way he had made her feel all those years ago.

  “Can we not talk about this,” she asked him softly. “Evelyn was in the flower store earlier, and Martha got all concerned, worried if I can cope with seeing Cole again. It simply isn’t something I want to think about. And most especially, I don’t want to talk about it right now.”

  “Sure thing, Kris,” Jeremy said. “Of all people, I understand why you want that rat out of your life for good.”

  2

  The Chinook helicopter landed at the airstrip, and Cole gave the pilot a swift salute as he pulled off his helmet and jumped down onto the tarmac, hauling his kit bag behind him. “See you in a couple weeks Staff Sergeant Wright,” the pilot yelled above the din of the engines.

  “Sure thing,” Cole shouted back, smiling at hearing his new rank on someone’s lips for the first time. “Thanks for the ride, Warrant Officer Hennings. Smoothest yet.”

  Cole crouched down and ran towards the aircraft hangar to his right, away from the helicopter as it took off again. He watched it disappear into the distance, and hauled his kit bag up onto his back. He straightened his uniform, and began to walk towards the airport building. A buggy passed him, and came to a halt a few feet ahead of him. “Want a ride?” the driver asked.

  “Thanks. It’s a long walk. I won’t say no,” Cole said smiling.

  “Army, huh?” the young man asked. Cole nodded. “Always wanted to enlist. My folks wouldn’t let me.”

  “I didn’t give mine much of a choice,” Cole said wryly, wondering if anyone had ever really understood why he had wanted to do it. He knew Kristin certainly hadn’t, but then that was all ancient history now.

  Kristin Love. Choir soprano, Honor Society student, and all-round good girl. She’d made the cheerleading squad and had been one of the most popular girls in school. Of all the guys who’d made a play for her, she had chosen him.

  Cole had never been able to believe his luck when the prettiest girl in school agreed to go out with him. They’d grown up together and he’d loved her since kindergarten. He’d been sure she only thought of him as a childhood playmate, so her acceptance of his invitation to a homecoming dance surprised him. She’d turned into his real-life girl-next-door sweetheart. All these years later, the story still made him smile.

  As the guys in his unit would say, she was the one that got away. He had thought she’d understand when he explained why he had to enlist. He’d believed she would support him, come what may. He’d also hoped she’d be interested in the adventure that would come.

  She had known him for just about his entire life. She knew how tough things had been for his family, and how much Cole needed to prove himself. That he needed to have worthwhile work and do good in the world. But, when it came down to it, he hadn’t been able to make her see.

  She’d thought he had kept his decision from her, and she couldn’t get past the idea that he might be sent to a warzone. A place where he would have to kill – or be killed. Even now, he wasn’t sure which of those thoughts had scared her the most. Anyway, he reminded himself again it was all ancient history.

  “Thanks for the ride.” Cole jumped off the cart and waved to the driver and then turned to head into the small terminal. His stomach rumbled reminding him he hadn’t had time for breakfast. He had a little time before his flight into Austin and a bite to eat wouldn’t be a bad idea. He smiled and set out on his mission to find something to eat.

  * * *

  As he entered the terminal, he could hear his family, long before he could see them. Evelyn’s shrill laugh, Mom’s throaty giggle, and his Dad’s deep guffaws told him that they had all found something very funny. A group of tourists moved forward, and Cole saw them. They were huddled together by the gate.

  Evelyn was almost jumping up and down with excitement, while Mom tried to keep her calm. Dad was tapping on the barrier impatiently. Cole grinned and picked up his pace. He had been away so long that he had almost forgotten just how much he’d missed them.

  They looked so happy and it was contagious. He was glad he had let his buddy, Sergeant Jimmy Lyons, talk him into coming home. Cole had been determined to stay away. It was easier that way.

  Jimmy had given him a stern look and made him see just how much he would regret not being there to see Evie get married. Jimmy had missed both of his sister’s weddings - and the birth of his older brother’s first child when he was on ops in Afghanistan. Jimmy had been happy for all of them, but he knew the pain of not being able to be with his loved ones. His stories made Cole see that if he could be there, then he should be there.

  Evie looked up and seeing him heading towards them leapt over the barrier and hurtled towards him. “You’re here! You’re here!” She wrapped her arms around his waist as soon as she got to him. He dropped his bag and returned her hug.

  “Hey, calm down. People might think you haven’t seen me for a while.” Cole protested jokingly, as he hugged her tightly to him.

  “Then they’d know the truth. I’ve missed you so much!”

  “I missed you guys, too,” Cole said. “I can’t believe you’re finally getting married! The poor guy must be desperate.” Evie swatted at him playfully, and grinned f
rom ear to ear.

  “He’s just desperate enough. Maybe he’s a little off his rocker, too,” she admitted. “Fits in with all of use at any rate.”

  “Glad to hear it,” Cole said as he shook hands with Pop, and let the older man pull him into a bear hug.

  “I’m so glad you’re safe home. You had us worried there when you couldn’t say where you were. Kept thinking they’d sent you somewhere terrible.”

  “They did,” Cole admitted. “But, I’m safe back now.”

  “You don’t have to tell us about it,” his mom said, batting at his father. “Give him over, it’s my turn. You look so good.” She touched Cole’s cheek, then embraced him in a warm hug. Cole bent down to kiss her cheek and she reached up and took off his beret.

  “Thanks, Mom. You look good, too. It’s good to be back in Georgia.” He smiled at each one of them.

  “I miss your long, shaggy hair,” his mother said wistfully.

  “You used to fuss about it constantly. I hardly remember a week going by when you weren’t telling me to go get a haircut when I was in high school.” He laughed out loud and shook his head. He looked over at his sister. “Have they changed this drastically?”

  Evelyn laughed with him and nodded. “You’ll be surprised when it hits you full force.”

  “Oh, now shush with all that.” Geri Wright put her hands on her hips and sighed, but she couldn’t hide her teasing grin.

  “You look like you’re in the shape of your life, son. Your mom will always see you as her baby boy, even though the military clearly sees you as a man they can depend on. Is that another promotion I see on your chest?”

  Cole couldn’t contain his smile as he nodded. “It is. I was informed last week. I would have called to tell you, but I wanted to show you in person. You’re looking at Staff Sergeant Wright,” Cole said proudly.

  “Well, Staff Sergeant, let’s get you home,” his mother said. “I’ll bet you’re starving.”

  Cole grinned. “Always, Mom. I hope you made blueberry pie. I’ve told the entire platoon how good it is. They want me to take some back.”

  “So, where is your husband-to-be? Thought he’d be with you,” Cole asked, turning to his sister.

  “Oh, he’s here. He’s minding the car. You’re not to tease him, or be mean,” Evelyn warned him, her eyes telling Cole that she would not accept any disapproval of her man.

  “As if I would?” Cole protested. “You know I am the most personable fella alive.”

  They made their way to the baggage pick up curb, where a lanky young man was lounging against a brand new minivan. He leapt to attention when he saw Evelyn, so Cole could only presume that this long tall drink of water must be Kyle Olson, the man who would soon be his brother-in-law. Evie hurried forward and kissed her man on the lips, letting him drape an arm around her shoulders as Cole approached.

  She turned around and smiled at her brother. “Cole, this is Kyle, though you probably figured that out already.” She was giddy and giggling. A sure sign she was nervous.

  Kyle stepped forward, looking Cole in the eyes evenly. “Cole, it’s a pleasure. I think we met at summer camp once.” He held out his hand. Cole took it and was surprised at how firm the guy’s handshake was.

  “Maybe so. Truth is, I have a foggy memory of summer camp from back in the day. As long as you keep Evie happy, all’s fine by me,” Cole laughed. “She’s the pitbull in the family, after all. Stay on her good side and I think you’ll be ten steps ahead of the game.”

  Kyle smiled awkwardly, and hurried to open the door for his future mother-in-law. “He’s eager, but he’s a good man,” his dad whispered as he opened the driver’s side door and eased himself inside the car. He popped the read lift back, and Cole peeled his kitbag off his back, and dropped it inside. He squeezed into the back, behind his dad.

  “This is the best day,” Evie said clapping her hands. “Stuck in the back seat with my two favorite guys, and the best parents in the world up front.”

  Cole was surprised to see a tear form in her eye. “Are you getting sentimental in your old age?” he teased.

  “Something like that,” she admitted. “I think it’s the exhaustion from trying to get everything done on time for the wedding.”

  He put an arm around her shoulder and gave her a squeeze. “It’s nice to know that you’re a marshmallow inside after all. Boy, go away for a few years and see what happens?”

  His sister punched him in the arm. Hard. He’d forgotten she put some muscle behind her arm punches.

  The ride back to Sandy Cove took a little over two hours. Once the initial over-exuberance had died down, much of the trip was passed with questions and answers about latest news. Of course, some things were different—people change, things happen. That’s a given. But Cole was glad to find that some things hadn’t really changed much, even though he knew that he had.

  He pondered whether he would find Sandy Cove to be as comfortable as he remembered. Would it feel like home? Would he be welcomed? He had once been one of the most popular guys in school, part of the winning high school football team. High school football was king in Georgia and any boy talented enough to play was revered. He’d been used to being recognized, though it didn’t hurt that the town wasn’t that big.

  The army had cured him of expecting to be known and respected just for being able to play a game. Now, he was just one of the guys. Like most of the others, he was a small cog in a very big wheel that needed every man to pull his weight.

  They passed the town sign, and Cole couldn’t stop himself from smiling as they drove along streets he remembered so well. The strip of shops on Main Street was the same as always. People were milling around seeing to their chores, running errands, and picking up their groceries. He saw a few familiar faces, most of whom waved when they saw the car go by. He sighed. It was great to be home.

  “Not much changes,” Evelyn said, noticing his expression. “Sandy Cove will probably be the same in a hundred years.”

  “You say it like it’s a bad thing,” Cole said. “To me, that’s just part of its charm.”

  “That’s because you escaped,” Evie teased. She fell quiet for a moment. Then looked at him apprehensively. Taking a breath, she continued. “Kristin stayed. You know, her parents retired up to the lake. She bought their house.”

  “Hmm,” Cole said, hoping that Evie’s sharp eyes wouldn’t notice how his heart skipped a beat at the mention of his old girlfriend. “She always said she never wanted to go anywhere else, though I’m not sure why you’d mention it.”

  “Oh, no reason,” Evie said, winking at him.

  They passed the White Bouquet Florist. “Oh, that reminds me, I have an appointment with Martha to sort out my final choices for my flowers tomorrow. You’ll come with me, won’t you?”

  Thinking she was talking to Kyle, Cole just stared out the window, wondering what Kristin looked like now, if she still had those big blue eyes, and her impossibly shiny pale blonde hair. A sharp nudge in his ribs brought him back to the conversation.

  “Cole? Will you come with me tomorrow?”

  “You want me to come with you to talk about flowers?” he asked. “What in the world can I offer to that conversation?”

  “I just want you to be involved with something, and everything else is taken care of. You’ll come, won’t you? Please?”

  “Sure, why not,” he said, hoping that acquiescing would get Evie to shut up for a moment, so he could think.

  “Yay! We’ll have fun. Maybe stop for lunch. Okay?”

  “Sure. Whatever you want to do.”

  Sinking back to his thoughts, he wondered if Kristin ever thought of him. He hated to admit it, and would never even acknowledge it to anyone, especially not Evie, that he still loved her. Just the thought of her kept him awake at nights, wondering if she had achieved her dreams.

  Was she now married and settled with a good man and a family? Was that why she needed that huge old house down the street? Did she hav
e that horticultural career she had always longed for? Had she turned her parent’s garden into the English-style cottage garden she had always longed for?

  3

  The bell over the door jangled loudly, announcing a customer had entered the store. Out in the back room, Kristin put down the rose she had been about to insert into the bouquet she was working on. “I’ll be with you in just a minute,” she called out.

  She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and made her way through to the counter. She could hear voices as she approached, one was definitely Evelyn’s, but the second one was too low for her to hear.

  “Oh, do stop moaning,” Evelyn said, just as Kristin entered the main part of the shop.

  Kristin gasped. Cole Wright stood in the middle of the flower shop.

  “H-h-hi,” she stammered. “You’re early. Um, Martha isn’t back from the flower market.”

  “I know, I’m sorry,” Evelyn said. “I just couldn’t wait.” But, she didn’t look sorry at all. She had a mischievous look in her eyes that told the story quite clearly. Kristin and Cole both knew they’d been set up.

  Over the years, it had become very clear to Kristin that Evie still had hopes that her brother, and her friend would come to their senses. She had been disappointed when they’d broken up since she thought they’d been a perfect couple. But she was older now, supposedly wiser. She should know better than to meddle in things that had been so painful for everyone concerned. It was certainly clear enough to Kristin that Cole would rather be anywhere else in the world than here in a room with her right now.

  “Interesting, how much gossip you’ve imparted in the past twenty-four hours, Evie, but left out that Kristin works here now.” Cole said drily, looking as though he would like to wring his sister’s neck.