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

by Cindy Kirk

  “You’re a slow-getter.” Charlotte pointed to her sister.

  “Nuh-uh.” Hannah shook her head. “I’m a go-getter. You’re the slow-getter.”

  “Girls.” Graham’s tone held a sharp edge, and the teasing instantly ceased.

  When Graham refocused on Faith, he studied her with curious eyes. She braced herself for more questions about her “career,” which would undoubtedly be followed by “encouraging words.” While usually meant to be supportive, such encouragement always made her feel like she should be doing more.

  Wasted potential. That’s what her father had declared.

  Faith lifted her chin. She didn’t care what anyone thought. She loved her business and the life she was building in Holly Pointe.

  She didn’t have to justify the choices she’d made. Not to her parents. Not to this stranger. Not to anyone.

  Graham shrugged. “The girls and I were disappointed with the change in plans.”

  For a second, Faith was confused. Then she realized he’d moved on in the conversation. He didn’t intend to interrogate her or make judgments. Likely because how she lived her life was of little concern to him.

  “I gave our nanny the month off for her sister’s wedding.” Graham’s fingers curved around the ceramic coffee cup. “I have a project that absolutely must be completed by the end of December. I figured Ginny would get her twin-time. I could put in the hours on the project undisturbed. Win-win for all.”

  He shot another glance at the twins, who were now intently licking out the little silver cups that had once held jam and cream. Shaking his head, he continued. “We flew into Burlington this morning, then rented a car and drove the rest of the way here.”

  “What will you do now?”

  “I’ve been calling around. Every place I’ve checked is either booked or the accommodations don’t meet my needs.”

  Curious, Faith lifted her cup. “Which are?”

  “A suite, rather than simply a hotel room.” He glanced at the girls, now busily coloring, then back at Faith. “I need space to work. The girls need space to play.”

  Faith nodded.

  “We may end up returning to the city. That would be unfortunate. I know Ginny was looking forward to spending this time with the girls. But—” Graham expelled a breath and shrugged. “Well, we’ll see.”

  Faith thought of the second floor of her grandmother’s home, an area that sat empty between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.

  The space would be perfect for Graham and the girls.

  “There’s a suite of rooms on the second floor of my grandmother’s house that’s available.” Faith’s tone turned persuasive. “There’s a small kitchen and sitting area, as well as two bedrooms, each with their own bath. Trust me when I say you won’t find anything nicer in the area.”

  Suspicion clouded Graham’s assessing gaze. “If the space is so nice, why isn’t it already rented?”

  It was a valid question and one she’d have asked in his position. “My grandmother doesn’t normally rent it out in December. With the main floor of the house turning into a Christmas wonderland, the downstairs becomes a noisy beehive. Your girls will likely love all the activity, but if you like to work in the quiet, I suggest noise-canceling headphones.”

  Interest flickered in his green depths. “How much?”

  The rates normally went up during ski season, but because Graham was with Ginny’s granddaughters, Faith gave him the summer monthly rate.

  She wanted him to take it. For Ginny’s sake, she wanted him to stay.

  Faith offered him a bright smile. “Interested in a tour?”

  Chapter Two

  Following Faith’s direction, Graham pulled into the driveway that ran alongside the massive Victorian house. Despite the falling snow, she waited for him and the twins on the porch.

  Though Graham preferred modern structures, he had to admit the home, with its towers, turrets and wraparound porch, caught his eye. For a house that had been built more than a hundred years ago, it was remarkably well maintained. A coat of fresh paint covered the cedar siding, and the roof appeared new.

  “You could have waited inside,” Graham told her as he climbed the steps and a gust of wind slapped his face. “Aren’t you cold?”

  “Not at all.” The good-natured chuckle seemed as much a part of her as her puffy red coat and striped stocking cap. She gestured to the snow-covered lawn. “Volunteers are coming this afternoon to finish decorating the exterior. The Candy Cane Christmas House is a community endeavor.”

  “Candy Cane Christmas House?” Charlotte perked up. “Will there be lots of candy?”

  Hannah raised her hand. “I’d like a candy cane, please.”

  “You’ve both had enough sweets for now.” Graham kept his tone matter-of-fact even as his heart gave a ping. Steph had loved candy canes.

  Faith pushed the door open and called out, “It’s just me. I brought guests.”

  “I’m in the kitchen,” a distant voice responded.

  After stepping into the foyer, Charlotte paused to study a nutcracker that topped her by a foot. Hannah appeared more interested in the garland wound around the banister.

  Graham had to admit the greenery was eye-catching with its red ribbons and red-and-white candy ornaments.

  The candy and peppermint theme continued down the hall. When they entered the second parlor, his gaze was drawn to a large evergreen in the corner.

  “Oh.” Hannah’s eyes went wide. “It’s be-u-ti-ful.”

  Faith smiled, obviously pleased by Hannah’s reaction.

  Graham wasn’t surprised his daughter was impressed. The tree had everything a child loved—rotating ornaments, twinkle lights and lots of glitter.

  “We call it our Candy Land Christmas Tree,” Faith explained with an indulgent smile. “What do you think of the elf ladders? They’re new this year.”

  Two small ladders nestled into the branches on each side of the tree. Stuffed elves were posed on the steps as if in the middle of decorating the tree.

  Graham struggled for a polite, yet suitable response.

  “That one is my favorite.” Charlotte made a beeline for one of the elves.

  “You brought guests.”

  The unexpected voice had Charlotte stopping in her tracks and whirling.

  An older woman with white hair and skin so pale it appeared translucent stepped into the room, a silver tray wobbling in her hands.

  “Let me help you with that.” Graham hurried to take the tray from her. “Where would you like me to set this?”

  “On the credenza would be lovely.” Brushing a strand of hair back from her face, the woman lowered herself into the closest chair as if she couldn’t stand for a moment longer.

  “You’ve been baking.”

  Instead of concern, Graham heard pleasure and approval in Faith’s voice.

  “I can’t claim credit.” The older woman chuckled. “Stella and Melinda stopped over. They insisted on baking cookies for this afternoon’s volunteers.”

  “That was nice of them.” Faith’s voice might be easy, but the light in her eyes had dimmed. “Did you help?”

  “I supervised.”

  “Ahh.” Faith gestured to the woman. “Girls, Graham. This is my grandmother, Mary Pierson.”

  Graham studied Mary. The shape of her eyes reminded him of Faith’s. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Grandmother, this is Graham Westfall and his daughters, Charlotte,” Faith pointed to the one girl then to the other, “and Hannah. These two cuties are Ginny’s granddaughters.”

  “Ginny has talked of little else but your arrival. It’s kind of you to bring the girls over to meet me.” Mary gestured to the credenza. “I realize it’s nearly time for lunch, but would you like a cookie?”

  Charlotte and Hannah cast imploring looks in Graham’s direction.

  Christmas, he reminded himself. “I’m sure the girls would love a cookie.”

  Graham realized when they eac
h took two that he should have specified only one.

  “Can we look at the train?” Hannah pointed with a cookie toward the track at the far end of the parlor.

  A Christmas-themed train chugged around a festive holiday village. Graham understood why it captured his daughters’ interest. There were decorated trees, elves and even Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

  “Puh-leeze, Daddy.” Charlotte put a hand to her throat in a dramatic gesture.

  “Look, but don’t touch. And what do you say to Mrs. Pierson?”

  “Thank you for the cookies,” the girls chimed in unison.

  Mary’s lips curved. “You’re very welcome.”

  Faith’s gaze followed the children across the room.

  “They’re darling.” Mary’s smile grew wistful. “I remember when my children were that age. Christmas is a magical time for the young.”

  “The holiday magic can continue into adulthood…if we embrace the season.” As Faith took a seat on the sofa and gestured for him to do the same, the edge to her voice took Graham by surprise.

  “How long will you be in Holly Pointe, Graham? I know Ginny was hoping you’d stay through Christmas.”

  “The girls and I were planning to stay the entire month.” Graham hesitated. “We’ve run into a bit of a scheduling snafu with lodging.”

  “Shawn and his family arrived last night,” Faith told her grandmother. “They’re staying with Ginny.”

  The look in Mary’s eyes told Graham she understood. “Ginny’s home isn’t big enough to house two families.”

  “It isn’t,” Graham agreed.

  “I offered Graham the use of the second floor while he’s in town,” Faith explained. “I warned that it’ll be hectic on the main floor.”

  “What exactly goes on here?” he asked.

  Before Faith could answer, the twins were back, bored with watching a train they couldn’t touch.

  “People come to bake cookies together, to make ornaments and wrap gifts for underprivileged children and soldiers.” Faith paused. “We have classes in candy-making and wreath-making. The gingerbread-house-making is especially popular. Santa comes here for pictures. There’s—”

  “Santa comes here?” Hannah asked, her eyes wide.

  “To this house?” Charlotte clarified.

  “He does indeed.” The twinkle returned to Faith’s eyes. “The Candy Cane Christmas House is one of the busiest places in Holly Pointe during December.”

  “That tree,” Charlotte pointed to a bare evergreen in the far corner, “doesn’t look very Christmasy.”

  Hannah expelled a heavy sigh. “Poor, sad tree.”

  “That is a memory tree.” Faith gestured with one hand. “During the month, people will place something on the tree in memory of someone who has passed.”

  “I never decorated a tree before,” Charlotte announced.

  Surprise skittered across Faith’s face. “You don’t put up one at Christmas?”

  “People bring the tree to our apartment and decorate it. They’re experts,” Hannah’s expression turned earnest. “We’re not allowed to touch.”

  “Or help,” Charlotte added. “Sometimes Tiffany lets us watch them put it up.”

  “Tiffany?” Faith asked.

  “Our nanny,” Charlotte explained.

  “We love her,” Hannah added. “She’s taken care of us since we were itty-bitty babies.”

  “Tiffany is a gem.” Graham spoke in a hearty tone, then turned to the twins. “This year, we’ll put up a tree, and you can help decorate it.”

  Hannah clapped. “Yay.”

  “Can we do it now?” Charlotte asked.

  “First, we need a place to stay,” Graham reminded her.

  Faith turned to her grandmother. “Mary, would you mind watching the girls while I show Graham the upstairs?”

  Mary smiled at the twins. “Perhaps you can help me load the dishwasher.”

  “We’ve never done that before.” Charlotte glanced at her sister. “We don’t know how.”

  Mary awkwardly rose to her feet. “There’s always a first time.”

  Leaving the girls in the older woman’s hands, Graham followed Faith up the stairs.

  When they reached the top, she pulled out a key and unlocked a wooden door.

  A thought struck him. “Do you live here, too?”

  “I do.” She inclined her head, her expression puzzled. “I thought I made that clear.”

  He shook his head. “You said this was your grandmother’s house, but never mentioned you live here.”

  Graham realized that while Faith seemed to know much about him via Ginny, he knew little to nothing about her. “Are you married?”

  The abrupt question, coming as it did out of left field, appeared to startle her as much as it did him.

  She quickly rallied, shaking her head. “No husband. And, though you didn’t ask, no children.”

  “How long have you lived in Holly Pointe?”

  “Why all the questions?”

  “It struck me that I’ve been doing all the talking.”

  She waved a dismissive hand. “We’ve been getting acquainted.”

  “Getting acquainted is when both people share.” He offered an encouraging smile and repeated, “How long have you lived in Holly Pointe?”

  She shut the upstairs door behind them before answering. “Three years ago, my grandmother came down with a bad case of pneumonia. It hit her hard. She tried to carry on as usual, but was weaker than she realized and fell. I quit my job and came to help her recuperate. I liked it here so much, I stayed.”

  “She’s still unsteady.”

  “She’s much better.” Faith’s gaze turned distant. “You should have seen her before, so energetic and full of life.”

  “Have you considered physical therapy? My uncle had hip surgery, and working with a therapist made all the difference.”

  Faith rested her back against the doorjamb. “Mary has seen lots of different therapists. She’s physically capable of doing more. She just can’t seem to motivate herself. And yes, before you suggest a counselor, I’ve tried, and she won’t go.”

  “I’m sorry to hear of her troubles.” Graham nearly reached out to squeeze her hand. He stopped himself just in time. “She’s lucky to have someone like you in her corner.”

  “Thank you. I’m hoping this will be the Christmas she decides to embrace life again.” She expelled a breath. “Let me show you around.”

  Graham glanced back at the parlor. “You said you rent this area out. Do you ever worry about giving strangers such easy access to your personal space?”

  “We normally keep the door locked. There’s an alternative entrance guests can use that takes them directly outside.” Faith flicked on the lights in the sitting room. “If you decide to stay with us, you can come in through the front.”

  His gaze flickered over the furniture, then shifted to the flat-screen television mounted on one wall. With the exception of the TV, the room had a comfortable, vintage feel.

  The tour took less than five minutes. “We updated the electrical two years ago and added more outlets.”

  “This is nice.”

  Faith lifted her hands, palms out. “I need to warn you that the internet can be unreliable. Most of the time, it isn’t a problem, but when it is, it’s a hassle.”

  Recalling how his GPS had gone wonky during the stormy drive to Holly Pointe, Graham understood.

  “We’d love for you and the girls to stay with us. As long as you’re sure the noise won’t bother you.”

  Graham’s lips quirked. “As long as the noise from the twins won’t bother you.”

  “They won’t be a problem.” She returned his smile. “I assume they’ll be spending a lot of time at Ginny’s anyway.”

  “Well, despite the warnings, I’d love to take you up on your offer and stay.”

  Her smile returned, bright and hot.

  Something inside him stirred.

  “If you need any
thing, please let Mary or me know.” Faith’s phone buzzed, and she pulled it from a pocket. After glancing at the screen, she offered an apologetic smile. “I need to take this.”

  Graham watched her disappear down the stairs. Through the open door, the sounds of the twins’ laughter drifted up. Though he knew he should head down and get the bags from the car, Graham dropped into a chair and exhaled a heavy breath.

  He liked order in both his personal and business life, yet during the past few weeks, nothing had gone as planned.

  The campaign he’d presented to one of the firm’s top clients had bombed. He’d gone into that boardroom confident they were going to love his ideas.

  When they’d only glanced at each other when he finished, a cold chill had engulfed his body. Apparently, he’d failed to capture the “feel” of their brand. His boss had given him thirty days to come up with a totally different campaign, one they loved, or he was off the project. And though it hadn’t been said, his promotion to partner would be delayed. Which meant this had to be a working vacation.

  That had suited him just fine, until he’d realized Tiffany would be gone the entire month. That was when he’d come up with an alternative plan. He’d take the twins to Vermont, and Ginny would keep them busy.

  Now, due to Shawn’s unexpected appearance, Graham was once again forced to regroup.

  At least he’d found a decent place for them to stay. Graham surveyed his surroundings.

  Faith had warned it could get noisy downstairs…

  Faith. She was a refreshing change from the women he’d known since Steph’s death.

  Not that Faith Pierson fell into the category of someone he’d like to date. She wasn’t his type.

  Still, the woman exuded a refreshing calm that drew him in.

  He chuckled. Drew him in? He must be more tired than he’d thought.

  With the sounds of Faith’s voice and his children’s laughter wafting up the stairs, Graham trudged down to the car to get their luggage.

  Chapter Three

  Graham knew he should have texted Ginny immediately once he’d found a place to stay. But unpacking had taken more time than he’d anticipated. Then he’d needed groceries.