by Melissa Hill
She trusted Colm to handle the staff in her absence. He had, after all, worked for her since he was an awkward teenage boy nearly fifteen years ago.
The lights of Joseph’s truck suddenly flooded the kitchen’s back window and Joseph raced inside. “Okay,” he said, a braced look on his face, “I know it’s not the best plan, but I need to get you into the jeep, so I’m going to have to pick you up.”
“No,” she said, blushing again. “I’m like a sack of spuds.”
“You have a better idea?” he asked.
“Crane?” she joked.
Joseph smiled and shook his head. “I’m not taking ‘No’ for an answer,” he insisted. Without another word, he reached for Ella’s arms and gently stood her up out of the chair. Then with one quick and steady motion, he picked her up. He even grabbed her handbag as he carried her out the threshold of the cafe and into his humming vehicle.
The drive to the hospital was beautiful and breathtaking. Rarely had Ella taken the moment to look around at the beauty of her home town. But as the snow fell sparingly on the windshield and the old fashioned street lamps glittered in the darkness, Ella felt a fondness for Lakeview that she had not felt in years.
Christmas here had always been a beautiful and special time growing up.
The ice skating on the frozen lake, the hot chocolate, and the town’s festive parades.
As a teenager, her future father-in-law’s café would transform into a gathering place as the then much smaller community came together and celebrated the festive season.
There was a jolly Santa Claus, plenty of mince pies, homemade mulled wine, and general joviality through the streets. At the end of the night, local musicians would play a combination of traditional Irish and Christmas music—the kind that made you fall in love all over again, and she remembered dancing cheek to cheek with Gregory, her soon-to-be husband.
“Your ankle must not be hurting you much,” Joseph proclaimed.
“Hmmm?” Ella broke out of her sentimental memories to acknowledge him.
“You’re smiling.” He winked at her as he took his eyes off the road momentarily.
“Oh, I was just remembering those old Christmas parties on Main Street and how special they were. Were you around for those?”
“I was for the last couple, I believe. They were great. Always loved that mulled wine—especially the stronger version that came out after the children left.” He laughed heartily at the thought. “Why don’t we throw them anymore? I’m sure the village would love to have something like that again.”
“Gregory used to drive them mostly. That all stopped after he died.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. She hadn’t said her husband’s name out loud in years.
“Oh, I’m sorr—”
“Don’t be. Once he passed away, his father and I didn’t have it in us to take on the organising of it. Those were the days though.” She looked off into the distance hoping to spot something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
“So, why not now?” He asked, breaking a short silence.
“Why not now what?”
“Why not think about another Christmas party now?” He looked at her earnestly.
Excitement glimmered in his dark brown eyes. His wide, mischievous grin was unavoidable. “By my reckoning, the café is coming up to thirty years in business with you at the helm. Good enough reason to celebrate.”
“Ah, I’m way too old for that. I would need so much help, and I can’t—”
“Can’t imagine asking for help?” Joseph rolled his eyes. “When are you going to understand that Lakeview loves you, Ella? They love the café and they adore you. I’m pretty sure that everybody, including myself would love to get involved. Just think about it, okay?”
Ella sank back into the jeep’s heated seats. She had to admit the idea of throwing an old-fashioned party was very tempting, especially given the year that was in it.
Joseph was right; she had indeed been in business in Lakeview for thirty years and it would be a lovely way to show some gratitude to the community for their support over that time.
But if she was going to do this and do it right, she would have to ask for help. She could do that, surely.
Just like Joseph said, there wasn’t a soul in Lakeview that Ella couldn’t turn to.
It was all about finding the right people.
As the two pulled up to the hospital’s Emergency Room doors, Joseph idled the jeep in the entryway. He swung around to Ella’s passenger side door and offered his arm to her. As he lifted her effortlessly out of the seat, she sighed.
“You know what, Joseph. I’m going to do it. I am going to organise a thank you Christmas party for my customers this year. You’re right, it’s would be amazing. But I’m going to need your help with one particular task.”
“What’s that?” He asked as he carried her like a child into the ER waiting room.
“Oh, you’ll see soon enough. First, I need to find the rest of my help.” Ella smiled brightly as the thought of all that she needed to do and prepare danced in her head.
She always did love a challenge.
End of excerpt.
Continue reading CHRISTMAS AT THE HEARTBREAK CAFE or visit Melissa Hill’s Amazon page to see more of her books.
About the Author
International #1 and USA Today bestselling author Melissa Hill lives in Dublin and is one of Ireland's most popular female fiction authors.
Her page-turning contemporary stories are published worldwide and translated into 25 different languages. Her titles are regular chart-toppers in Ireland and internationally. SOMETHING FROM TIFFANY'S (aka A GIFT FROM TIFFANY'S) became one of Italy's 2011 Top Ten bestselling books overall, and THE CHARM BRACELET was a USA Today bestseller.
One of her novels has been optioned by a major Hollywood studio and another is currently in production for a US TV Christmas movie.
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