Finding Love in Christmas Creek

by Mary L. Briggs

  Finding Love in Christmas Creek

  By Mary L. Briggs

  Smashwords Edition

  COPYRIGHT © 2018 Mary L. Briggs

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com to purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 1

  The board meeting had been long. Insufferably long. But Mortimer Holcombe, president of the Sparkly Chocolate Company, always did his best to wrap up important business before the holidays started. And with Thanksgiving in a few weeks, he was taking care of business.

  “Miss Colbert? Are you listening, Miss Colbert?”

  Macy started and sat up straighter. “Yes, Mr. Holcombe.” True, she had no idea what he had been discussing, but it was best to look alert.

  An expression of disgust crossed his face. Not that it alarmed her. It was a common expression for the man. She gave a quick glance around the room. No one seemed especially alarmed. Whatever she had missed had been a non-issue. But maybe it was best to stop daydreaming and listen to her boss.

  “Now. Maybe we can get on with things,” he replied, and turned his attention to the screen on the wall. He pressed a button on the remote in his hand and an advertisement for Sparkly Chocolate Syrup began to play.

  Macy suppressed a yawn. All the Sparkly commercials were the same. Or close. But since the man making them was the nephew of Mr. Holcombe, she had no hope that they would change. And who was she to complain? She had a good job with the advertising agency. Long hours and sometimes too much travel during certain times of the year, but one had to do what one had to do.

  As the video finished, everyone gave a polite hand-clap.

  Mr. Holcombe turned and smiled at the group gathered around the table. “I knew you would all appreciate Charlie’s new work.” He paused. “I guess that about wraps things up for today. The first week of January, we’ll be back to business as usual. Everyone please do your best to finish up with your assigned projects before then.”

  Macy stretched her neck and stood, pushing her long, dark hair back behind her ears. Her ‘project’ was Mr. Holcombe. He would soon be leaving and not returning until mid-January. It was her easiest time of the year. She showed up for work every day, made sure there were no emergencies, and then was free for the rest of the day, checking in occasionally to make sure all was running smoothly at the Sparkly Chocolate offices.

  She was back in her office for half an hour, when her secretary buzzed. “Yes,” she answered.

  “Mr. Holcombe would like to see you in his office, Macy.”

  “On my way,” she said, grabbing her notebook and pen. She had a pretty good memory, but Mr. Holcombe’s thoughts tended to wander around when he was thinking aloud, and she liked to keep up with him.

  Inside the office, Gladys, Mr. Holcombe’s blonde, middle-aged secretary, gave her a weak smile. “Go on in, Macy. I’ll bring some coffee to you.”

  She found herself standing straighter and speaking clearly to the woman. Had she been a drill sergeant sometime in the past? Whatever it was, being in her presence gave Macy the feeling that she was an inferior being. She entered the office, closing the door behind her. She wasn’t really in the mood for coffee, but if that was what the boss ordered….

  ***

  She glanced at the clock on the wall. She had been waiting for over fifteen minutes. Restless, she stood and walked to the large glass wall that overlooked the city. It had been an overwhelming move for her, from the little town of Christmas Creek, Oklahoma. Her few years at college had weaned her from the small town yearnings and activities, so Oklahoma City had beckoned to her when Howard Holcombe had offered her a job as one of his assistants.

  The door of his office opened and she turned to see Gladys enter with a tray. Macy hurried to make a place on the small coffee table in front of the sofa.

  “Looks like Mr. Holcombe is late,” Macy grinned, taking a seat on the leather couch.

  Gladys nodded and set the tray on the table. It surprised Macy when Gladys took a seat opposite her.

  She reached for the china coffee pot and poured a cup for both of them. A grim smile formed on her lips as she handed a cup to Macy.

  A twinge of —what? —moved inside of Macy. Something was wrong. “What is it?” she asked.

  Gladys folded her hands in her lap and tried to smile. “I’m afraid that Mr. Holcombe isn’t coming. He. . .he asked me to stand in for him.”

  Macy set her cup back on the table. “Is he ill?” He seemed the picture of health, despite his advancing age. Last year, he had been down with pneumonia, but he had recovered completely.

  Gladys shook her head. She picked up a pink envelope that was on the tray and offered it to Macy. Macy took it and held it, without opening the flap.

  “I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, Macy, but Mr. Holcombe is letting you go. You and Crystal Stratton, both.”

  Macy tried to speak, but it was as if her vocal cords were paralyzed. Letting her go? Gladys had to be wrong. “Why?” she managed to croak.

  Gladys sighed and leaned back in her chair. “He’s been trying to hide it, but Sparkly Chocolate is not doing well. The past few quarters have been all but disastrous to us. He just can’t support a staff like this, Macy. He doesn’t have much choice. He’s only keeping Charlie because he can retire next year. You and Crystal are young enough to find another place of employment.”

  Macy let her eyes wander to the glass wall. Outside, the sky was gray, with a few wisps of dark clouds floating across the horizon. A dismal day for fall. Soon, winter would set in and it would be too cold for just a sweater over her blouse. She turned her eyes back to Gladys.

  “I’m sorry that you had to do this. Why couldn’t he just tell me?” Maybe she could have worked things out. Taken a cut in pay.

  Gladys shook her head. “He didn’t want to talk about it. No matter what you might counter offer, he can’t accept. I think his heart is broken, Macy. And you’ll see that he has been very generous. I think he has given you a year’s salary.”

  Macy nodded and reached for her coffee. She didn’t trust herself to speak. It was as if her entire life had deflated in front of her. What was she going to do?

  Chapter 2

  Macy inserted the small key in her mail box and opened it to find a notice from the landlord. It was time to sign her lease. She had told Mr. Haggard last week that she wouldn’t be renewing the contract. She had found a house she intended to make an offer on. The realtor had all but guaranteed the sale. And now….

  “Miss Colbert?”

  She turned to see Mr. Haggard emerge from his office. A Christmas wreath all ready decorated the glass window on the door. Mr. Haggard was always early in his decorating, despite the fact that
Thanksgiving was almost two weeks away. Next, he would have lights strung in all the hallways. If nothing else, he kept the apartment building cheery.

  “Yes?” she answered.

  “I’m just checking to make sure that you don’t want to sign your contract. I all ready have two people interested in your apartment.”

  She sighed. There would be no house, and there was no way to keep affording the nice apartment. Landing a job in her same pay scale was unlikely. She forced her lips to form a smile. “I won’t be signing, Mr. Haggard.”

  He nodded and ran his knobby fingers through his thinning gray hair. “I sure wish you luck in your new house,” he smiled.

  A small sigh escaped her lips. “Actually, I won’t be buying the house, Mr. Haggard. I lost my job today.”

  His forehead furrowed. “I’m so sorry about that, Miss Colbert. Just remember that you have two more months here with us, if you choose to stay. Is there anything that I can do?” He hesitated. “And it’s possible that I’ll have a smaller apartment available after the New Year. If you’re interested, that is.”

  “I don’t think so, sir. But thank you,” she said, as she headed toward the elevator. The last thing she wanted was for someone to feel sorry for her. She could do that for herself.

  Inside her apartment, she tossed her sweater across the back of the couch and stared at the room around her. Most of her things were all ready packed in boxes. Only the bare necessities remained for her daily use. Without another thought, she burst into tears and melted face down onto the brown leather couch.

  A few moments later, she turned over on her back and stared at the popcorn ceiling. She could stay there on the couch and cry for hours. Or, she could get up, make something to eat, and make a plan.

  The contents of the refrigerator were limited. Finally, she settled on a grilled cheese sandwich. Searching in the cupboard, she found a can of tomato soup to go with it. The perfect meal when she was feeling down. Aunt Alta had always made it for her when she was sick. And she felt close to being sick inside, right now.

  She steered her thoughts away from Aunt Alta. She would have plenty to say about Macy’s situation. She had never liked her living off in the big city. She had tried numerous times to convince her that life was better in Christmas Creek.

  Macy smiled. It probably wouldn’t take all that much convincing. She had loved her childhood years in Christmas Creek. After her parents had passed away, she didn’t think she would ever be happy again. But her sadness had turned to joy, once she was firmly established in the little town. Aunt Alta had been more than kind to her, and genuinely loved her. It was obvious every time they spoke over the phone.

  In fact —she glanced up at the clock —her aunt should be calling at any moment. Friday night at six o’clock was their time to talk. Aunt Alta’s shop was closed for the evening, and Macy was home from work, alone for the evening.

  And Aunt Alta wasted no time in pointing it out every week. “You should be out with a nice man, enjoying yourself.”

  “Maybe soon,” she would answer. Avoiding questions about her love life wasn’t easy with her aunt. She tried to explain that she was busy, on a hectic schedule with her job. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to meet someone, it just hadn’t happened.

  And truth be told, she was what her aunt would call ‘picky’. A man like she wanted probably would never set foot inside of the Sparkly Chocolate offices. And that was where she spent most of her time.

  Had spent most of her time, that is. And now? Maybe that man was right around the corner. She laughed at the thought and flipped the sandwich over on the cast iron grill, glad to see that the first side was brown and crispy.

  Chapter 3

  Macy stared in the mirror and straightened her collar. The gray and white skirt and jacket fit her well. She looked professional, competent. And scared. She was going to have to do something about her expression. She forced a smile, but it appeared half-hearted, her blue eyes dull and the smile on her lips almost lop-sided. She sighed and reached for her lipstick. Maybe another dab would brighten her up a bit.

  She passed Mr. Haggard in the hallway. He carried a hammer in one hand, strands of lights wound around his other arm. “Good morning,” she called.

  He replied, but it was hard to understand with his mouth full of tacks.

  ***

  Macy stepped out of the office door, and into the glass-fronted lobby of Packard Homes Industry. Another wasted interview, or so it had seemed. She was either over-educated, over-qualified, or lacking in the exact skills the job might call for. Whatever anyone was looking for, it wasn’t her. And she had a good idea her former pay had something to do with all the rejections. None could say she hadn’t been a good employee. An exemplary employee. But no one was going to match Mr. Holcombe’s pay scale. At least, not in this economy.

  She had one more appointment today, and then she was off for the weekend. Maybe for a week. Maybe for the rest of her life. Going to interviews was starting to get her down. There seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe she should give it a rest until after the New Year. After all, it was only two weeks until Thanksgiving, and a nice, long visit with Aunt Alta might just be what she needed. She could help inside Aunt Alta’s store for the next week, or so.

  A couple of weeks in Christmas Creek might cheer her up. Something stirred in her heart and she ignored it. Falling in love with a small town wasn’t exactly on her agenda. She had a living to make, and the pay scale in Christmas Creek was never going to add up to what she needed. But then, it wasn’t as expensive to live in Christmas Creek. It was something to think about.

  She arrived at Parker’s Candy Palace on time. The interview was satisfactory, but, as usual, the job opening was closed for her. Though, the woman that did the interviewing did wish her well in her search. What was that old saying? If wishes were. . .something?

  Her car started with the first turn of the key, and she turned toward home. Well, her temporary home. She would only stay in the apartment until her lease was up. That only left her a few weeks to find a new apartment.

  She by-passed all of the eating places. Even with the year of salary from Mr. Holcombe to pad her expenses, she had to be careful. Eating lunch out was a no-no, at least for now. She pulled into the A&E Grocery store and parked. Time to stock up on more soup, salad, and sandwich supplies. It thundered overhead as she exited the car. She shook her head. Maybe Oklahoma City just wasn’t the place for her.

  The phone was ringing as she inserted the key into her door. By the time she was inside, a voice talked into her answer machine. “Miss Colbert? This is Linda Mason, of Christmas Creek County Hospital. Your aunt, Alta Colbert is a patient of ours….”

  Macy grabbed up the receiver. “Hello?” She swallowed hard and listened as the woman explained.

  “Possibly a broken arm and sprained ankle. She’s having a CT scan at the moment and is in and out of consciousness, incoherent at times. Probably a concussion, and she is in pain, as they can’t give her any pain medication, just yet. The doctor feels there is a good prognosis for her, but it will be a few days.”

  “If she’s conscious, please tell her that I’ll be there.” Macy glanced up at the clock, adding, “In a few hours, Mrs. Mason.”

  Chapter 4

  A small plane crash? That was what the woman on the phone had said. Just when had Aunt Alta taken up flying? She shook her head and took the exit that would send her in the right direction. There were just too many questions buzzing around in her head. Not to mention worry. Please, Lord, take care of her. Heal her body. Comfort her.

  As she skirted around Tulsa and headed towards Bartlesville, she felt her body relax, glad to leave the lights of the city behind. Guilt flowed through her as she thought about her aunt. She could have come up to Christmas Creek earlier. It wasn’t like she didn’t have the time, and with Thanksgiving right around the corner, she should have known that job opportunities were scarce. Everyone knew that finding a
good job around the holiday season was impossible. Now, she had wasted a chance to catch up with her favorite person without all the rush of Thanksgiving or Christmas.

  She glanced at the back seat of her SUV. It was packed with boxes from her apartment. She hadn’t left much behind. From the description of Aunt Alta’s injuries, she was going to be in Christmas Creek for a long time. There was no way Aunt Alta would be able to run her store without help. And that would mean another quick trip back to Oklahoma City to get the rest of her belongings.

  ***

  The hospital corridor smelled of rubbing alcohol and bleach. Even the twinkling lights on a small Christmas tree near the entrance failed to add cheer to the place. She shuddered and longed for the spicy scent of orange and cinnamon that she had left in her car. Christmas Candy was the name of the little hanging deodorizer. She hadn’t realized how much she appreciated it until this moment. She blinked back a wayward tear as she glanced at the sterile, all white interior. How would Aunt Alta ever get well in a place like this?

  Macy stepped into room 203, quietly closing the door behind her. Alta Colbert was on her back, her blue eyes closed. Her dark hair was pulled back behind her neck, and her face was pale enough to match the all-white walls in the hallway. Macy’s stomach clinched as she looked at her aunt’s left arm, wrapped in a soft cast, as well as her right leg, making a bulky mass through the thin sheet that was pulled to her waist. A light blanket rested across her feet. Macy swallowed and stepped closer to the bed. Her aunt’s eyelids fluttered.

  “Macy?” Her voice was low and husky.

  Macy reached and took her right hand, being careful of the IV line that was taped to her arm. “I’m here.”