by Cindy Kirk
Faith thought of the cubicles, the time clock, the routine. “I didn’t like it. Or living in the city.”
“Yet, you learned a great deal from that experience, so the time wasn’t wasted. I believe every experience—good and bad—molds us into the person we’re destined to be.” Mary’s gaze turned pensive. “Your unhappiness in that situation made it easy for you to quit and come to Holly Pointe to care for me.”
“I found who I was meant to be here, what I was meant to do.” Faith gazed into the crackling fire. “Here, I had the time to take the ideas in my head and bring them to life.”
“I’m proud of you, Faith.” Mary’s words were as soothing as the stroke of her hand. “You’ve built a business you can be proud of, a business making products that bring joy into the lives of others.”
Her grandmother’s pride had Faith blinking back sudden tears.
“What I don’t think you realize is, if you were truly unlike your family, making a success of your business wouldn’t have been such a priority.” Even as Mary sipped her cider, her gaze remained on Faith’s face. “When you moved here, you had a place to live. You didn’t need to soar to survive. But just getting by wasn’t enough for you.”
Faith inclined her head, the gesture encouraging Mary to continue.
“You’re president of the chamber. You’re active in other civic organizations. You’ve built a successful business that’s drawn the attention of two hot movers and shakers.” Mary tried to suppress a smile, but gave up. “You, my dear, are every bit as driven as the rest of your family. The only differences are you have a more creative bent and are determined to live a balanced life.”
Faith opened her mouth, then shut it without speaking. Was her grandmother’s assessment correct? She loved her family. Was being like them really such a bad thing?
“Dustin and Krista have offered you the opportunity to do what you love.” Mary leaned forward, and her eyes remained locked on Faith. “Whatever you decide, I know it’ll be the right decision for you.”
Reaching over, Faith squeezed Mary’s hand. “I appreciate your faith in me, in my judgment.”
“I’m really looking forward to the Mistletoe Ball on Saturday,” her grandmother said, obviously deciding it was time to change the subject.
The planners of the annual event, held the weekend before Christmas, knew how to throw a holiday party. There would be a band and dancing under a rotating mirror ball. Christmas decorations would breathe holiday spirit into the large room.
Romance would be in the air.
Faith’s heart gave a tumble. There would be no holiday romance for her this year. No dancing with Graham under the glittery ball as it shot out colored beams of light. No kissing under the mistletoe.
She expelled a sigh. “I’ve decided not to go.”
Mary studied her with thoughtful eyes. “Because of Graham?”
Faith lifted a shoulder, let it drop. “I guess you could say I’m not in a party mood.”
* * *
After dropping the girls off at Ginny’s house, Graham drove up the mountain. Because of a brisk north wind, it was slow going. While the lane had been cleared, the wind kept whipping the snow back onto the road.
Graham nearly turned back. But he needed to clear the air with Dustin before presenting his proposal.
Lights blazed inside the cabin, casting a welcoming glow in the darkness. Graham glanced at the time. By now, the boys should be in bed. Which meant he’d have Dustin’s and Krista’s full attention.
Even before he reached the front steps, the door opened.
“Graham.” Surprise skittered across Dustin’s face. “I didn’t expect to see you this evening.”
Graham gestured to the door Dustin blocked. “May I come in?”
“Of course.” Dustin stepped to the side.
“Who is it?” Krista’s voice rang out from inside the cabin.
“It’s Graham.”
Krista stepped into the foyer, wearing a plush robe over silky pajamas in the same shade of ice blue.
Unlike Faith’s nighttime attire, not a single penguin or Christmas tree dotted the fabric.
“Is something wrong?” Krista’s gaze shifted from Graham to her husband and back.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your evening. This won’t take long.” Graham gestured with a hand toward the great room. “Can we sit?”
In seconds, Graham sat in a plush oversize chair that was positioned opposite Krista and Dustin, who sat on a love seat.
Graham placed his bag, holding his laptop and presentation, next to his chair on the floor.
“I’ll get straight to the point.” Graham focused on Dustin. “As you are obviously aware, Faith knows everything.”
Dustin glanced at Krista, then nodded.
“I came here to clear the air. That needs to happen before I present my new proposal.”
“Faith said you think you nailed it.” Krista spoke to him directly for the first time since he’d arrived.
Graham remembered how excited he’d been. He couldn’t wait to show his revised campaign to Faith, couldn’t wait to share his life with her…
Now those dreams were in ashes, and Graham had no one to blame but himself.
Bearing down hard against the pain in his heart, he continued. “I should have been upfront from the start. I never intended to pressure Faith. You both need to know that whatever Faith decides it will be her own decision. It will have nothing to do with me.”
Dustin rubbed the scruff on his chin. “I shouldn’t have put you in that position in the first place.”
“I should have never—”
“I think we can all agree that you’re both idiots,” Krista interrupted. “I hope you’ve learned from this. Now, Graham, let’s see what you’ve got.”
* * *
With Christmas less than a week away, Graham and the girls spent most of their time the next couple of days at Ginny’s house. Faith worked long hours at the shop, leaving first thing in the morning and not returning home until late in the evening.
“I won’t miss this,” she murmured, slapping the last shipping label on a package.
She realized with a start that she’d spoken to an empty room. Everyone had already left to get ready for the Mistletoe Ball. She’d stayed behind to finish up.
While she loved this building and everyone she worked with, she realized the majority of her job had become mundane. Billing issues, packaging, supervising employees, everything except the creative.
As the thought rushed over her, Faith realized she’d made her decision. Or, rather, almost made her decision.
The trip to Gatlinburg in ten days would solidify it. If she liked the area and the people, Faith would move there, start a new life there.
Without Graham.
The initial hurt and anger had faded. She realized Mary had been right about one thing. She did need answers. Okay, and her grandmother had also been right about the fear. She’d been afraid to tell Graham how she felt. To reach for the dream.
What had Mel told her? People reach their dreams by going for those dreams. They don’t settle. They don’t let things happen to them; they make things happen.
Once the packages were loaded onto the van and on their way for a before-Christmas delivery, Faith drove home with Mel’s words echoing in her head.
It was time to speak with Graham. Would he be at the party tonight?
Faith hadn’t planned to go. Last night, she’d realized that all she’d done the past couple of days was think. About her business. About Graham. About how difficult it would be to leave Mary and her friends.
This might be the last ball she attended as a member of the Holly Pointe community. Even if she came back next year, she’d be an outsider…
She snorted out a laugh as she entered the house. Sometimes she could be so dramatic. This community would always be home. Her family and friends would always be there for her.
It was Graham’s place in her life that w
as a question mark.
He remained at the forefront of her thoughts as she dressed for the evening. The red velvet gown, its scoop neck edged in satin, dipped low. The sparkly jewels that rested around her neck were family heirlooms given to her by Mary to wear this evening.
The only nod Faith gave to the unique was the ribbon in her hair, subtly imprinted with tiny Santa figures.
Mary was in a jovial mood as she rode with Faith to the party.
“You look absolutely lovely,” she told her grandmother for what had to be the zillionth time.
The dress Mary had chosen for the evening’s festivities was long and tailored with lace at the top. The cut and sugarplum color suited her grandmother’s slim frame and ivory complexion.
“I feel like my old self.” Mary slanted a glance at her granddaughter as she pulled into the already crowded parking lot. “I’m ready to party like it’s 1965.”
Faith laughed and looped her arm through Mary’s as they strolled to the large building. She held tight to her grandmother, not because Mary needed the support, but because they cared about each other, and this evening was about celebrating friends, community and family.
Once they were inside, Mary spotted friends gathered by the punch bowl. She patted Faith’s arm. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
Faith brushed a kiss against her grandmother’s cheek, then took a moment to study the room. It was as beautiful as she’d expected. The romantic lighting, the mirror ball over the hardwood dance floor, flowers casting their sweet scent throughout the room. Mistletoe, adorned with red ribbon, hung everywhere.
Mel had been in charge of mistletoe this year and had obviously gone overboard.
“What do you think?”
As if thinking about Mel had conjured her, Faith turned, and there stood Melinda. Her satiny green dress was the perfect foil for her auburn curls.
“I think,” Faith returned Mel’s hug, “you look amazing. But you went a little crazy on the mistletoe.”
“Tell me if you still feel that way by the end of the evening.” Mel laughed, a rich, throaty sound. “If you’re looking for lover boy, I believe I caught sight of him chatting with Kenny by the appetizers.”
Faith hesitated. She’d yet to tell Mel what had happened between her and Graham.
Before she could reply, Mel gave her arm a squeeze. “I gotta go. I’m on a Mom errand. I’ll catch you later.”
The band had already launched into one of the romantic love songs that would be a staple of the evening. Elegantly attired dancers and others in their Sunday best crowded the dance floor. Though the music was slow and dreamy now, Faith knew upbeat crowd favorites would be liberally sprinkled into the mix during the course of the evening.
Faith didn’t search out Graham. Tonight wasn’t the time for them to talk. Not about something so important.
She accepted Derek’s offer to dance. For the next hour, Faith flitted from partner to partner.
Once the band took a break, Faith made her way to the refreshment table. Or, rather, she tried to get there. Everyone else seemed to have the same idea.
She changed course, heading instead for a table offering only nonalcoholic beverages. The punch bowl was in sight when she felt a hand on her arm.
“Faith.”
For a second, her heart skipped, until she realized the voice was Dustin’s, not Graham’s.
He held out a hand. “Would you care to dance?”
Faith stared at the outstretched hand for several long beats. Then she smiled.
Chapter Twenty-One
Until the last minute, Graham hadn’t been certain he would attend the ball. Things were still rocky between him and Faith. He’d given it a few days—the longest of his life—to settle his thoughts and let her settle hers.
Shawn and Morgan had left with the kids this morning to return to New Hampshire, so they’d done the family Christmas festivities at Ginny’s house last night.
The girls had been thrilled with the gifts they’d received and the corny games Ginny had insisted they all play. But on the way home, the girls had asked about Faith and why she hadn’t been there, too.
Her absence had been easy enough to explain. This was a family Christmas. Even if he could have invited her as a guest, this was her busy season at work.
He found it sad that the twins accepted the work excuse so readily. If they’d noticed any tension between him and Faith, they hadn’t commented on it.
The truth was, he and Faith had been the proverbial two ships passing in the night. He’d seen her coming and going, but never for more than a few seconds.
Tomorrow, he told himself, he would find a time that worked for her, and they would talk.
He almost wished he hadn’t finished the campaign, the one he’d previewed for Dustin and Krista, both of whom had given two big thumbs-up. Their enthusiasm hadn’t surprised him. The new campaign was as different from the old as he was from the man he’d been when he first arrived in Holly Pointe.
His experiences here had showed him the importance of a balanced life, of melding work with family and fun. That was one of the reasons he’d decided to attend the Mistletoe Ball.
Last night, Ginny had chattered on about how much she was looking forward to having the twins all to herself tonight.
He took a sip of punch and slowly lowered the cup when he spotted Dustin and Faith dancing.
“Hello, Graham.”
He turned, and there was Krista, looking like a fairy princess. Except, instead of the pink gown favored by the twins’ princess dolls, Krista wore all black with silver accessories.
“It appears they’ve made up.” There was satisfaction in her tone as her gaze remained riveted on her husband and Faith.
“Think if she can forgive him, she can forgive me?”
“Have you asked?”
“I haven’t been given a chance.” Seeing her with Dustin only emphasized to Graham that he was the big loser in this episode. Worse, he had only himself to blame.
Even if she refused to forgive him, he had to ask. For himself. More, for her.
He couldn’t wait any longer. Graham knew Faith’s tender sensibilities. He’d hurt as much as angered her. That knowledge brought an ache to his own heart.
Graham set his drink on an empty table and turned to Krista. “Would you care to dance?”
Long lashes swept over cobalt-blue eyes as she gave him a speculative look. “You have a plan.”
He only smiled.
She slipped her arm through his. “I have a feeling our dance is going to be the shortest on record.”
* * *
Faith normally loved romantic ballads, and Dustin was an excellent dancer, but she just wasn’t feeling this song. Maybe she wasn’t in the party mood.
“Mind if I cut in?”
Pulling her thoughts back to the present, Faith saw Graham and Krista standing beside them.
The green eyes that met hers were solemn. Just like on the day they’d met, Faith couldn’t look away. He wore a dark suit, white shirt and… Was that a Bullwinkle Christmas tie?
Faith’s lips quirked upward for a second.
“Faith’s call,” Dustin said smoothly, not releasing her.
“Your husband is an excellent dancer.” Faith smiled at Krista. “But I’ll give him back.”
Krista chuckled, a low, sultry sound. “The man does it all.”
Dustin abruptly released Faith and stepped to his wife. “I’ve got more fancy moves to show you.”
Krista trailed a long, glittery silver fingertip down his cheek. “Save the moves for later. Right now, let’s dance.”
Graham cleared his throat, held out his hands to Faith. “Shall we?”
In a second, Faith was in his arms. It was oh-so-familiar, but instead of relaxing and cuddling close, as she would have only days earlier, she stiffened.
She knew he noticed. How could he not?
“Are you enjoying the party?” he asked.
“I was actua
lly thinking of heading home early.”
“I was thinking the same. Great minds and all that.”
She found herself smiling and relaxed just a little.
“I want to tell you how sorry I am.” He continued quickly before she could say a word. “You were right. I should have let Dustin know immediately I was offended by his offer.”
“Why didn’t you?” Faith asked bluntly.
“I knew I wouldn’t pressure you. You have my word on that, though I don’t know why you’d believe anything I have to say.” He continued to ramble without taking a breath. “But I wouldn’t have. Swear to God. If you look back on all our conversations, I hope you’ll see that I didn’t.”
“I thought maybe you were just going for the ease-into-it- slowly approach.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Okay.” She blew out a breath. “It still doesn’t explain why you didn’t shut him down.”
The green eyes that met hers were filled with clouds.
“Dustin told me if you accepted his offer, they’d tell my boss they wanted to continue to work with me. I figured, what did I have to lose by pretending to go along? I wouldn’t push you, but if you did end up deciding—on your own—to take the position, I’d get a free pass.” Graham’s chuckle held no humor. “The crazy thing was, the thought of having a free pass was enough to free my creative juices. I came up with a campaign they loved in a matter of days.”
He paused and searched her eyes.
When she remained silent, pain crossed his face. “You’re right. That doesn’t negate that it was disrespectful to you. To my character as well. I know it’s a lot to ask, but I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
Faith’s breath came hard and fast.
It was decision time. When she was growing up, her father had always told Faith that, when she made a mistake, she should take ownership and learn from it. That’s what Graham had done.