Holly Pointe & Candy Canes: A heartwarming feel good Christmas romance

by Cindy Kirk

  Holly Pointe & Candy Canes

  Cindy Kirk

  Copyright © Cynthia Rutledge 2019

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN: 978-1-7329601-9-0

  Chapter One

  Faith Pierson had never played a contact sport. Which meant she’d never learned how to take a hit. That’s why the body ramming into her at full speed had her stumbling.

  She’d strolled into the Busy Bean Coffee & Tea Shop in downtown Holly Pointe, intent on grabbing a coffee and something sweet. The plan vanished as Faith swayed and fought to catch her breath.

  “I’m so sorry.” A firm grip settled on her arm, steadying her. “Are you okay?”

  Faith looked up and found herself drowning in concerned hazel eyes.

  “Wh-who are you?” Still reeling, she stammered the question.

  “The father of the future linebacker who ran into you.” The man cast a censuring look at the blonde girl with innocent blue eyes who stood before Faith.

  Suddenly, where there had been one, there were now two. Faith blinked, but the mirror image remained.

  She raised a hand to her head. Had the hit knocked something loose in her head?

  “Please don’t faint.” The man spoke quickly and tightened his hold.

  Faith blinked. She blinked again. When she spoke, her voice was reed-thin with barely contained panic. “I-I’m seeing double.”

  He offered a reassuring smile. “You’re fine.”

  “I’m not,” she insisted. “You don’t understand. There’s two.”

  “Twins.” He kept hold of her with one hand and pointed with the other. “Charlotte and Hannah. Charlotte is the one who tackled you.”

  His gaze settled on the girl with a hint of mischief in her eyes. “What do you say to the lady, Charlotte?”

  “I’m sorry.” A dimple winked briefly at the corner of her mouth. “Me and Hannah were playing tag. I couldn’t let her catch me.”

  “I’ve already told you this is a coffee shop, not a playground.” The man’s stern expression shifted from one girl to the other. “You both know better.”

  Hannah hopped from one foot to the other, appearing to take the rebuke in stride.

  Charlotte didn’t hop, but her blue eyes studied Faith with a thoroughness that had her wondering if there was something on her face.

  She was ready to pull out a mirror when the child spoke. “You have dancing reindeers on your shirt.”

  “I like reindeers. Especially ones wearing ballet shoes.” Hannah stepped closer and pointed at Faith’s chest. “Does that bell ring?”

  This morning, Faith had pulled on her favorite December outfit—a red plaid corduroy jumper with a turtleneck covered in dancing reindeer. A necklace with a large jingle bell completed the festive look.

  Lifting the red braided cord, Faith held out the bell so it emitted a faint clang. “Want to give it a jingle?”

  Hannah nodded even as Charlotte wedged herself between Faith and her twin.

  “The lady asked me first.” Hannah tried with both hands to push Charlotte to the side, but failed. “Daaad, make her move.”

  Faith wrapped her fingers around the bell. She loved children, no matter how young or old. This age—she’d guess the girls to be five or six—was a particular favorite. “Christmas is about love and goodwill. Right?”

  The girls stopped shoving each other and exchanged a glance. Then they both nodded.

  Relieved, Faith grinned, conscious that their father’s scrutinizing gaze remained on her.

  “You both want to ring the bell.” Faith tapped a finger against her bright-red lips. “I believe I have a solution.”

  Lifting the necklace over her head, Faith shortened the cord before placing it around Hannah’s neck. “Don’t ring it just yet. Understand?”

  With a wide-eyed gaze fixed on Faith, Hannah nodded. Her small hand curved around the bell the way Faith’s fingers had only moments before.

  Tears of frustration filled Charlotte’s eyes, and her bottom lip quivered.

  Diving deep into the cavernous depths of her quilted purse, Faith quickly pulled out another necklace, identical to the one she’d given Hannah.

  When Faith slipped this one over Charlotte’s neck, she was rewarded with a big smile that showed two missing teeth.

  “Now we’re ready.” Faith lifted a hand. “On the count of three, you’ll jingle.”

  “I don’t think—” Their father shot a swift glance around the shop. “The noise will disturb the other customers.”

  “No worries.” Faith flashed a reassuring smile. “This is Holly Pointe. We love all things Christmas. That includes jingling sleigh bells.”

  Returning her attention to the girls, Faith counted off. “One. Two. Three.”

  When the third finger went up, the girls rang the bells loudly.

  The jingling caught the attention of those in the shop. Instead of grumbles, the sound prompted only indulgent smiles. Behind the counter, shop owners Kenny and Norma Douglas applauded.

  “Thank you for the lovely concert, girls.” Faith turned to their father. Now that she was steady again, she realized she’d forgotten her manners. She extended her hand. “I’m Faith Pierson.”

  The smile he offered as his hand closed over hers held warmth and apology. “Graham Westfall. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m sorry it was under these circumstances.”

  Graham was a handsome man about her own age, with dark hair cut short and a firm jaw. Despite it being barely nine in the morning, lines of strain edged his eyes.

  Faith had initially thought his eyes were hazel. Studying him now, she saw a shimmer of green with gold flecks. Attraction stirred. She’d always been a sucker for green eyes.

  She wondered what had brought him to Holly Pointe. If he was visiting relatives, wouldn’t they be with him? Of course, he could have come for the skiing. Jay Peak was just down the road. Many tourists, especially those with children, often chose to stay in Holly Pointe, even while on a ski vacation, because of the community’s family-centered activities.

  As those amazing green eyes had her wanting to flirt—though flirting wasn’t her strength—Faith reminded herself that just because he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, didn’t mean there wasn’t a wife, perhaps in the restroom or even back at a hotel. “Are you visiting family in the area, Mr. Westfall?”

  “I think being tackled by my daughter puts us on a first-name basis.” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Please, call me Graham.”

  She returned his smile. There was that tingle again. One she ruthlessly tamped down.

  Possible wife in the restroom, she reminded herself.

  Still, she couldn’t stop herself from offering a teasing smile. “Only if you call me Faith.”

  “Well, Faith, in answer to your question, the girls and I arrived today.” Graham shot a quick glance at a nearby table filled with coloring books and what appeared to be a jewelry-making kit. “My mother-in-law, Ginny Blain, lives in Holly Pointe.”

  Mother-in-law.

  Suddenly, it struck Faith, a swift hammer blow to the hear
t. Ginny had had only one daughter, Stephanie.

  This was Stephanie’s husband. Though Faith hadn’t grown up in Holly Pointe, she’d met Steph as a young girl. Steph had been pretty and vivacious, with an energy that drew you to her. As Ginny was Faith’s grandmother’s best friend, Faith knew all about the tragic accident that had claimed her life.

  “I’m so sorry.” The words tumbled out before she could stop them.

  Surprise had his eyes widening for just a second. Then his expression became unreadable. He didn’t ask why she was sorry. “Thank you. It’s been a difficult three years.”

  Faith had been in Holly Pointe only a few months when Ginny had received a call that her only daughter had been badly injured in a car accident. At the time, the young woman had been living in Manhattan with her husband and twin toddlers. Before Ginny could get to New York, Steph passed away. The twins had survived the crash without a scratch.

  “Won’t you please join us? Give us a chance to make up for the trouble we caused.”

  Faith hesitated. She’d planned on this trip to the Busy Bean being a quick in-and-out. The holidays were a busy time at Faith Originals.

  Still, Ginny was her grandmother’s best friend. Graham was a visitor in her town. Making him feel welcome was the least she could do.

  She needed only one thing first. Caffeine.

  “Thank you. I’d love to get better acquainted. First, let me grab a cup of coffee.”

  “Tell me what you want, and I’ll get it. My treat.” He lifted a staying hand when she opened her mouth to protest. “Please. I owe you. My daughter upended you like a nose guard going for the quarterback.”

  “That’s a bit of an exaggeration, don’t you think?” The child might have made contact, but if Faith had been paying attention, she could have evaded her. By now, she’d be at the goalposts, er, counter, with a large coffee in hand.

  Faith wished Graham would drop the idea of paying, but the determined gleam in those gorgeous green eyes told her that wasn’t happening. “Just so we’re clear—you don’t owe me anything. However, since you insist, I’d love a cup of the Snickerdoodle-flavored coffee.”

  Graham cocked his head. “Cream? Sugar?”

  “Black.”

  His grin flashed. “One coffee coming right up.”

  Faith felt the tingle again. Heck, maybe the impact with Charlotte had knocked something loose.

  Two pairs of curious eyes settled on Faith as she took a seat at the cluttered table.

  “Hi, girls. I’m Faith.” With a sweep of one hand, Faith gestured to the tabletop. “Looks like you’ve got a lot to keep you busy.”

  A partially finished bracelet made of beads sat in front of Charlotte. A coloring book lay open in front of Hannah.

  The pleasant rumble of Kenny’s laughter had Faith shifting her focus to where Graham was conversing with the shop’s owners.

  “We’re bored.”

  Faith pulled her attention from the counter and back to the twins. “Really?”

  Hannah nodded. Her gaze lingered on a window decorated with snowflake decals. “I want to build a snowman.”

  Charlotte’s mouth formed a pout. “I want to go sledding.”

  “I’m betting you’ll be outside real soon.” Though it was cozy-warm inside the Busy Bean, Faith couldn’t imagine Graham intended to keep the girls inside all day.

  “We were supposed to be at Gramma’s house,” Charlotte told her. “Uncle Shawn was there, so we had to leave.”

  Hannah nodded in agreement.

  Faith decided the child must have misunderstood. Ginny would never turn away Graham. Or her grandchildren.

  Graham returned with not only a cup of steaming coffee, but a freshly baked scone, complete with clotted cream and strawberry jam. “Norma thought you might like this. She said something about it being fresh out of the oven.”

  Faith caught Norma’s eye and mouthed, “Thank you.”

  Charlotte zeroed in on the pastry like a heat-seeking missile. “Can I have some of it?”

  Hannah’s hand shot up as if in a classroom. “Me, too. Please.”

  “Please,” Charlotte hurriedly added.

  “There’s enough here for everyone.” Faith picked up a knife and waggled it at Graham. “That includes your dad.”

  Ignoring his protest, Faith cut the scone in fourths and gestured to the twins.

  The girls needed no encouragement to grab a slice.

  When she held out the plate to Graham, he shook his head. “The scone was for you. Now it’s half gone.”

  “More than enough.” Faith gestured with the knife. “Two pieces. One for me. One for you.”

  Graham appeared to be doing his best to suppress a smile as he chose the smallest piece. “Are you always this bossy?”

  “Sometimes I’m worse.”

  “Good to know.” He chuckled. “And thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Faith added a dab of clotted cream to the top of her piece, while the girls claimed the jam.

  Moments later, Graham sat back and expelled a satisfied breath. “I have to say that was as good as anything I’ve had in the city.”

  Faith popped the last bit of scone into her mouth and let the taste roll around on her tongue. She considered the bakeries she’d frequented when she lived—and worked—in Manhattan. He was right.

  “Truer words.” She inclined her head. “Do you still live in Manhattan?”

  Surprise flickered in his eyes as he took a long drink of coffee. Surely he didn’t believe Ginny never spoke of him or the girls.

  “Upper West Side. Across from the park.” His gaze shifted once again to his daughters. “I’m amazed they have room in their stomachs after the breakfast they consumed.”

  Faith was glad to hear the girls had eaten something more substantial than a bite of scone for breakfast. “I’m not surprised. Ginny is an excellent cook.”

  “Actually, once we got into town, our first stop was Rosie’s Diner.” Graham’s tone remained easy as his gaze slid to the twins, who were busy eating leftover jam with a spoon. “It seemed rude to arrive on Ginny’s doorstep with two hungry girls expecting to be fed.”

  “I bet she was super excited to see you.” Regardless of Charlotte’s words, Faith knew Ginny wouldn’t turn away family.

  “Things were a bit hectic. Steph’s brother, Shawn, and his family unexpectedly showed up last night. No notice, but none was needed. Ginny has an open-door policy when it comes to her kids.”

  Shawn and his wife, Morgan, had married right out of high school and now had three teenage boys. Though Ginny didn’t gossip about her kids, Faith knew Shawn and Morgan lived in New Hampshire and struggled to make ends meet.

  “Ginny made it clear they’d make room for us.” Graham cradled the cup between his hands, and the lines around his eyes deepened. “Shawn was all for it. He’s one of those ‘the more, the merrier’ kind of guys. Me, I gave up sleeping on sofas back in college.”

  “Air mattresses, Daddy, not the sofa.” Charlotte look up from her coloring. “I think sleeping in Gramma’s living room sounds like fun.”

  “If this wasn’t a working vacation for me,” Graham told Faith, “I might have tried to make it work. But I wouldn’t be able to concentrate with the kids and the dog and—”

  “Ginny doesn’t have a dog,” Faith interrupted.

  “Shawn and his wife have a bearded collie,” Graham informed her. “They brought him along.”

  Faith pulled her brows together. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that kind of collie.”

  “Think massive sheepdog. One that knocks over anything—and anyone—in its way.”

  Not even trying to suppress a smile, Faith grinned. “I take it you’re not an animal lover.”

  “I like them fine, just not in a twelve-hundred-square-foot house that’s already housing three adults and three adult-sized boys.”

  “Good point.” Faith understood now why he and the girls weren’t staying with Ginny. “Are an
y of Ginny’s other kids coming home for Christmas?”

  “From what Ginny said, Seth is spending the holidays with his wife’s side of the family.” Graham rubbed his chin. “Spence is still in Dubai. He won’t come back for a visit until next year.”

  “They have camels where Uncle Spencer lives,” Hannah informed Faith. “One day, I’m going to go there and ride one.”

  “Me, too,” Charlotte told her sister before turning to Faith. “It’s like riding a pony, only bumpier.”

  Faith smiled. “My brother and his friend once raced camels.”

  The girls’ eyes turned as big as saucers before suspicion clouded Charlotte’s baby blues. “Are you making that up?”

  Graham’s equally skeptical look had Faith chuckling.

  “My brother once lived in Dubai. He and his friend worked for General Mills, their Middle East and Africa division, for a time.” Seeing that the information had done nothing to convince the twins, Faith added, “I’ve got pictures.”

  “Do you remember when your uncle sent you pictures of him riding the camel?” Graham asked his daughters.

  “Maybe my uncle knows your brother.” Charlotte sat upright, and her eyes brightened. “What if they rode camels together?”

  “Stranger things have happened.” Though Faith knew in a city of three million, it was unlikely Evan and Spencer had met.

  Charlotte picked up a crayon, leaving Faith able to focus on Graham. “When did Spencer move to Dubai? Last I knew, he was in San Francisco.”

  “He accepted a job there last May.” He took a long drink of coffee. “Spence heads the marketing and communications division of a firm that deals in freight management and contract logistics on a global level.”

  “I’m not even sure what that means.” Faith offered a little laugh. “It sounds impressive.”

  “Spence is a go-getter, that’s for sure.” Graham inclined his head. “What about you?”

  Instead of telling him about her shop, Faith tapped a finger against her lips. “I’d say I’m more of a slow-getter than a go-getter.”

  An endless disappointment to my parents, she thought with a sigh.

  The girls giggled.