by Jenna Mindel
“Is she okay?” Cat stood on the ladder, adjusting the garland. According to her, he’d hung it lopsided.
“Yes. She can’t quite reach those rattles, but she seems to be enjoying the challenge.” Simon smiled up at her.
She wore that big puffy coat, along with a bright red knit hat and leather work gloves. Snow fell softly from the sky, sticking in her hair as it landed. She looked beautiful and he didn’t quite know what to do about that.
She climbed down from the ladder. “Where do you want the wreaths?”
He didn’t care about wreaths.
“Simon?”
He snapped out of it and stepped back, looking over the pine garland twined with cedar and pinecones. That fresh evergreen and pine-sap smell stuck to both him and Cat. He liked it. “Three wreaths across the top, where the garland is affixed, don’t you think?”
Cat studied the storefront. “Yes, that would look nice and then you’d still have the fourth wreath for the door. I need to fill the window box with more greenery, though.”
“Where will you get that?” Simon climbed up the ladder before he gave in to the urge to pull Cat close enough to see if she smelled as good as all this pine and snow.
She handed him one of the wreaths. “I can cut a bunch of pine boughs and evergreen and even some small birch branches in the woods behind my parents’ place.”
“Perhaps we should do that together, as well. Sounds like a big job.” He didn’t like the idea of her out in the woods, alone, cutting down things.
He affixed the fragrant balsam wreath on the nail that held up the garland, pleased with the long tails from the red velvet bow. Cat had insisted on buying plenty of ribbon at the market, and she’d been right.
“Your help would be welcome. We’re going to need a lot to fill this in.”
The window box ran the length of the window at sidewalk level. “I could hire the same people who filled it with flowers for the summer.”
Cat shook her head. “Too costly, plus it will be fun to do it ourselves. Since you’re not getting a tree, I thought maybe a big vase of pine and evergreen on the counter would bring a little Christmas inside.”
“Hmm.” She was bringing a little Christmas into everything.
He’d never celebrated the holidays. Never had a reason to, or anyone he’d wanted to share them with. He wondered what this Christmas might provide. Most likely a repeat of Thanksgiving at the Zelinsky house, and that didn’t quite do it for him.
“What about lights?” Cat handed him another wreath.
“I want to keep it simple. I have the window lit from inside.”
Cat peered in the window at the baby.
He did too. Opal had her whole fist in her mouth. “Is that normal?”
“She’s been doing that a lot lately. I don’t know, maybe she’s hungry.”
The image of Cat in his rocking chair, wistfully staring out the window as she fed Opal, hit him, filling him with longing. The scene changed to the three of them in his home for Christmas, with simple decorations and a fire and happiness. The image sliced through him with uncomfortable clarity. Maybe it could happen...but he was sure it couldn’t last. He’d mess that picture up eventually. Better not to risk it.
Simon quickly moved the ladder, trying to erase the lingering images. “She’s not the only one. Let’s finish up here, and I’ll purchase a couple sandwiches at the place across the street. What would you like?”
Cat hung the final wreath on the door and fiddled with the ribbon. “It doesn’t matter, anything with turkey will do.”
He climbed down, folded the ladder and leaned it against the wall. Taking in his storefront, he saw that Cat was right about the empty window box looking, well, empty. But the garlands and wreaths set off the store nicely without looking cluttered. “This looks good.”
“It will look even better when that window box is full.”
“Quite so.” He nodded.
This reminded him of that one Christmas in London when the master jeweler he’d apprenticed under had invited him to spend the holiday at his home. The man’s wife and daughters had stuffed pine and boxwood and holly everywhere. They’d given him gifts too, in an attempt to make him feel like part of their family. He’d felt out of place with nothing to give in return.
He’d buried warm feelings of hearth and home so deep, it hurt when they resurfaced. He’d never had a normal family life, but if the truth were told, he’d always wanted one. He’d tried to provide some stability for his siblings, but it had fallen apart fast. He’d failed them, just like he’d fail Opal.
He glanced at Cat and his gut twisted. He’d fail her too. She smiled at him. “We could gather those greens at my parents’ tomorrow if you don’t have other plans.”
“No plans.”
A bald-faced lie. He’d always planned to steer clear of deep connections in his life. Stepping into family life put him in way over his head. Deep enough to drown, for sure.
* * *
Cat finished feeding Opal and then shifted to pat the baby’s back. She heard Simon return with their lunch. “We’re back here.”
Simon entered the workshop area and set a big paper bag on a small table.
Cat shifted Opal to her other shoulder. “She took a bottle for a little bit today.”
Simon’s brows drew into a frown, but he didn’t say a word. The tension over that development book’s recommendations still hung between them.
Cat needed to make her return to work a smooth transition. Simon had voiced his disapproval in her bringing Opal to work. Once he was gone, depending on customer traffic patterns, she might be able to swing it some days. But at least some days, Opal would be home with Cat’s mother, and she needed to be able to eat.
When he still didn’t speak, she pushed a little harder. “I have to get her used to a bottle. I don’t want to leave my mom with a cranky baby.”
His frown deepened as he emptied the contents of the bag. “I got you a turkey club.”
The change of subject wasn’t lost on her. He still disapproved. “Thank you.”
Opal burped. Loud.
It made Cat chuckle.
Simon smiled as well but suddenly gathered up the sandwiches and placed them back in the bag. “It’s too cold in here. Why don’t we have lunch at my house, where we can build a fire? I have something for Opal.”
“You do?” Cat tipped her head. “What is it?”
“A baby swing.”
Cat stared at him.
He quickly looked away. “So there’s a third choice between car seat and floor.”
“That’s wonderful. Thanks.”
Simon looked uncomfortable with her gratitude. “Let’s go.”
She gathered up her things and bundled Opal back in the car seat while Simon turned off the lights and placed the ladder inside.
He held the door open for her.
“Thank you.”
He gave her a hint of a smile as he set the alarm and locked the door. “Sure thing.”
Could Simon be a sure thing for her and Opal? Babies came with a lot of clutter that would challenge his decluttered world. Yet he’d purchased a swing for Opal and that development book. He was trying.
Less than ten minutes later, Cat pulled into Simon’s driveway. When they got out, the snow that had been light had turned a little heavier, blanketing the ground with a hushed crumpling sound as the thick flakes hit piles of dried leaves. “This looks like it’ll stay.”
“You think so?” Simon held open the door to his rental.
Cat nodded. “It’s pretty, don’t you think? The snow. It doesn’t get all dirty like in the city.”
“True.” Simon set the brown bag with their lunch on the table. “I’ll get a fire started.”
Cat sat on the plush living room rug. She spread out the f
leece blanket and placed Opal on her belly, since she hadn’t fallen asleep on the way over. The baby gurgled and cooed and kicked her legs.
Cat glanced at Simon, crouched in front of the fireplace, stacking sticks and kindling. Even the way he built a fire was neat and tidy. He didn’t toss the small sticks in a pile but stacked them carefully before using a long fireplace match that he touched to the kindling. The wood caught quickly, snapping and crackling.
Opal squealed, drawing Simon’s startled gaze.
Cat laughed. “I think she likes your fireplace.”
“Look but don’t touch, Opal.”
Her heart warmed at his firm voice. He was serious about keeping her safe and that was sweet. It’d be months before Opal could crawl close to the hearth. Chances were they wouldn’t be here then. Her mood took a sharp nosedive. Getting to know Simon a little more, she didn’t want him to up and leave and that wasn’t only for Opal’s sake. Cat realized she’d miss him too.
“I’ll get that swing so we can eat.” Simon stepped down the hall, returning with a very solid, safe baby swing.
Cat hadn’t moved. She watched as he placed the swing near the table. She knew the model because she’d researched them all. “When did you do this?”
“Last night, after I left Zach’s.”
Had he gone all the way to the next town over simply for this? “It’s a good one, Simon. Thank you.”
“No problem. I figured that it might be helpful when you’re here.” Again he looked away as if uncomfortable with her thanks. “Come on, let’s eat.”
She got up with Opal, settled her into the swing and secured the strap with a soft click. Simon tossed a couple more logs onto the now blazing fire. She joined him at the table with one glance back at Opal, who was staring at the dangling yellow plush flower rattles overhead. The baby kicked and reach for the flowers and missed.
“Soft drink?” Simon held up two different cans of pop; both were without caffeine. Probably due to more reading of that development book. Another hit to her heart. He was definitely trying.
“I’m fine with either one, so you choose.”
He took the ginger ale and offered her the root beer. Then he bowed his head, but he didn’t pray aloud. In seconds, he was done.
Cat wasn’t sure what to make of this praying Simon. She often found it hard to pray because she didn’t think she should approach God with the small stuff. He had bigger concerns to deal with and yet even prayers for big stuff seemed like she overstepped her bounds. Cat didn’t believe she deserved answered prayers.
She closed her eyes for a second and sighed. “I love how quiet it is here.”
Simon looked up from unwrapping his sandwich. “Neighbors aren’t too close. Summertime you can hear the road more with the windows open.”
“Still, it’s nothing like New York or my parents’ house. My little sister Erin moved back in and soon my brother Luke will be home from college for Christmas break. Between the TV and radio and everyone—” Cat shook her head. “I’m too used to having my own place.”
He looked at her. Through her. “I’ve been thinking about how to best support you and Opal. What if you moved in here after I’m gone? I have a lease until May. That way, I’ll have a place to store my things, and you’ll have your own space.”
Tempting. She liked this house. There was the view and the quiet and— “What about when you come back?”
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“You.”
Cat’s stomach flipped. “Me? How?”
His dark eyes suddenly looked merry. “Your sales.”
“But managing your jewelry store is only temporary, even after my trial period.”
He leaned back. “I’m rethinking that.”
Cat gripped her sandwich so hard, the avocado slipped out from under the bun. “What about gem hunting?”
“I’m not giving that up. I like the idea of purchasing my own gems too much. Besides, working with investors to find theirs will partially fund mine with travel expenses at least. I decided not to break my lease early, so I’ll have more time to figure it out. Having you manage the store might work perfectly.”
Even if it was only until the end of May, five months of peace and quiet might be worth it. Surely he wouldn’t be gone that long? She could always head back to her parents’ house when needed. Keeping his shop open meant sales. The more jewelry she sold, the more he’d have to replace. The sooner he’d have to return. “What about inventory? Do you have enough stock to last through May?”
He shrugged. “I have a month to make more.”
She smothered the urge to smile. “Let’s talk salary.”
Simon’s eyes gleamed with approval. “Very well, Catherine, let’s do that.”
The sound of her given name spoken with that buttery voice of his sent a tremor through her. Something was happening between them. As if that connection they’d had when they’d first met was rewiring itself, trying to fire up and pulse with new energy. Should she spur the process or pull the plug?
As tempting as the idea was, pursuing a romantic relationship with Simon wasn’t something to be taken lightly. They had Opal to consider, which meant they’d always have a relationship. She’d prefer it to be a friendly one. Cat wasn’t ready for better or worse.
Or was she?
Simon itched for gem hunting and that wouldn’t change. He’d be away more than he’d be home. Could he even commit for the long haul? Could she? It was much too soon to tell.
Chapter Seven
Monday morning, Simon stared out the window as he made tea. It had snowed more overnight, leaving mounds of the fluffy white stuff piled in his driveway. He should shovel before going anywhere.
Cat thought snow was pretty and that made him smile.
She and Opal had stayed only for a bit after lunch and his place seemed terribly empty after they’d left. That emptiness still hung in the air. He didn’t know what had possessed him to offer her this little rental for her and Opal to live. Hearing her complaints about her parents’ home resonated. He didn’t care to hang out there either.
It certainly stalled his plans to cut ties to Maple Springs, but he had some breathing room. Six months to reconsider leaving or following through. A lot depended on Cat and her abilities with the shop. A lot depended on what she wanted from him.
She hadn’t once pushed for support, making him believe what she’d told him when they’d run into each other at church. She wanted nothing from him—other than a job.
Opal was young. If he left her behind in six months, she wouldn’t miss him, would she? What if he missed her?
Gathering up his insulated mug of tea, Simon pushed all thoughts of wanting and missing aside. Those desires led to disappointment. He was good at taking care of himself, but not other people.
He headed for the door and a morning spent with Cat gathering greens from the woods on her parents’ property. He’d always been one for a treasure hunt and this might turn into one. He threw a couple of large laundry baskets in the back of his car, hoping they’d find enough for the window box in front of his shop.
The better he knew Cat, the more confident he’d feel leaving his shop in her hands. She’d done well with the customer looking for something less expensive, but Simon needed to see how Cat did with the other customers across the spectrum. He’d had some high-end sales since opening his doors here.
When he pulled into the Zelinsky driveway, Simon thought the snow cover made the lawn look even more expansive. Cat’s parents were outside, hooking up an extension cord to lighted deer figures. Made out of twisted wood, the deer were garnished with fresh greenery and large red bows tied around their necks. Evergreen garlands hung along the roof of the front porch and two wreaths graced the skinny windows on either side of the front door. The house looked like something he
’d see on a Christmas card. Warm and inviting.
An image of Opal as a toddler on this lawn, bundled in a snowsuit and playing with her grandparents, suddenly flashed in his mind. Opal belonged here, in this town, with her grandparents nearby. He’d never known his grandparents.
“Hi, Simon.” Helen waved him in. “Go on inside. Cat’s waiting for you.”
“Thank you.” He gave Cat’s father a nod, grateful the man gave him a friendly nod in return.
As he stepped inside the house, the deep bass beat of a stereo playing upstairs hit him first, the television second and then a gasp, followed by a baby’s ear-splitting cry. Opal.
Then Cat’s frantic voice. “Erin, get Mom!”
Cat’s sister ran by him, flinging open the door and yelling for their mom to come quick.
Simon rushed into the living room. “What happened?”
Cat looked up, her face pasty white. She held a howling Opal, rocking her back and forth. “She rolled off the couch.”
Simon drew closer and knelt down. “Let me see.”
“No.” Cat tightened her hold.
“Cat—” he gently coaxed. He didn’t like the wild look in her eyes.
“What happened?” Helen came in, followed by Cat’s father. She immediately reached for Opal, whose cries had quieted to a mewling whimper.
Was that a good sign or bad? Simon didn’t know and looked at Helen to find out. She seemed calm in the face of Cat’s terror.
After handing over the baby to her mom, Cat pulled her legs up to her chest and kept rocking. “I was changing her and reached for the powder from the diaper bag and down she went.”
Helen laid Opal on another couch and checked her over, gently shushing the baby. “There there, Opal. You’re okay.”
Opal did indeed look uninjured as she kicked her legs and reached with her arms.
Simon glanced at Cat. She still teetered like a woman gone mad. He took in the surroundings. Powder sprinkles smeared across a square mat draped on the couch. A rolled-up diaper lay on the floor, next to a thick fuzzy blanket. “Cat, where did she hit?”