by Carol Ross
“Yes,” Hazel answered with a touch of hesitancy, no doubt wondering, as was he, what Iris was up to.
“You are lucky to have such a wonderful sister. She arranged something very special for you two tonight. An appetizer, which will be out momentarily, and...”
Another server appeared with a bottle of wine, which he proceeded to open and pour into two glasses and then place before them.
Janna said, “We’ll leave you to choose your entrées, and I’ll be back in a few minutes to take your order.”
Cricket couldn’t remember ever feeling this way, which cemented how firmly entrenched Hazel had been in his heart all these years. They talked about everything and nothing, and it was remarkable how relaxed and comfortable and content he felt—and yet electrified at the same time.
When dinner was over, they hired a car to take them to the concert venue. They got out a block away to avoid the traffic and crowd of the sold-out performance.
On the sidewalk, he took her hand, and they headed for the auditorium. That’s when he recognized that as much as he’d been looking forward to seeing Rushing Tide, he was reluctant to go inside. Knowing the chaos awaiting them at home, he’d rather spend the remaining hours alone with her. No way would he spoil their first date by admitting as much, though, especially when she’d so carefully arranged it all.
They were nearing the queue at the entrance when she slid a glance at him. Slowing her stride, she said, “Cricket?”
“Yep?”
She steered him to one side, away from the crush of people. “Would you think it was awful if I wanted to skip the concert?”
Dipping his head as if to answer, he kissed her first and then whispered against her lips, “Awful would be spending our first real date together in an auditorium surrounded by other people.”
Her smile was radiant. “Let’s go,” she said.
Back on the sidewalk, Cricket watched a young couple emerge from a popular coffee shop. Strolling hand in hand, they had that dreamy in-love look about them, which he appreciated because he knew he had it, too.
“Hey,” Cricket said, “you two on a date?”
“Uh, yeah,” the guy said, glancing around a bit nervously.
The woman also looked wary but curious if slightly amused.
“Have you ever heard of Rushing Tide?”
“Um, yes!” she cried. “They are one of my favorite bands. And they are playing right there.” She pointed at the auditorium. “There’s the line. Are you guys going?”
“We have tickets,” Cricket replied. “Front row.”
“Jealous!” she returned. “Have fun. We couldn’t afford the tickets. We have a two-year-old and a new baby at home. This is our first night out in...” She confirmed with her partner, “Months?”
He nodded. “Three months.”
“You want to go?” Cricket held up the tickets.
With skepticism all over his face, the guy asked, “How much?”
Cricket glanced at Hazel, who was smiling beside him because undoubtedly, she knew exactly what he was up to. “What do you think?” he asked.
Hazel handed the woman the two tickets and said, “Merry Christmas.”
“Are you...? Is this a joke?” The woman beamed.
“Nope. Go have fun.”
After convincing the couple that the tickets were a gift and refusing any payment, the couple thanked them profusely and headed toward the concert.
Hazel pulled her phone from her pocket and tapped the app to get them a car.
“Well done,” she gushed. “That was fun.”
“It was,” he agreed. “I thought it might take a few tries.”
Hazel sighed. “It’s so awesome to make someone’s Christmas a little brighter, isn’t it?”
Cricket had to agree.
“Like how you’ve made mine. Cricket, seriously, you are the best Secret Santa in the history of the world. Thank you.”
“You figured it out, huh?”
“Iris did.”
“And she told you?” Surprising, the pang of disappointment he felt at that news. “Why would she—”
“So she could use your superior gift-giving as evidence of your interest in me.”
“Not have told you sooner?” he joked, stepping close to pull her into his arms. Their car arrived, and they climbed into the back seat for the short ride to the hotel.
Only hours ago, Cricket reflected when they’d settled inside, the last thing he would have expected was to be here with Hazel tonight. Earlier, when he’d spotted her in the lobby, he’d been overcome with joy—his usual reaction where she was concerned. On the heels of that had been curiosity and the burning hope that she wasn’t there with Kai.
When she’d revealed they weren’t a couple, his relief had been so intense he could barely think straight. And then he’d realized that her revelation made his previous confession impossible to avoid. Just that fast, the decision was out of his hands. As if he had to be with her now no matter what. End of story.
But that wasn’t the end, was it? This wasn’t a fairy tale. Aside from the difficult conversation he needed to have with Tag, there was the practical issue of their careers, which would give the term long-distance relationship a whole new meaning. His life was in Rankins and Our Alaska Tours was just getting off the ground. They had a lot to discuss.
But not tonight, he thought as Hazel leaned in, cupping his jaw and urging him to look at her. When he happily obliged, she kissed him, and for a split second, he was...whole. At peace. With all of his being, he wished that this moment, this sensation, was all that mattered.
* * *
“NOTHING LIKE DIVING right into a James family dinner to get the new-boyfriend awkwardness out of the way,” Hazel joked the next afternoon as they pulled into the driveway of her parents’ house. They’d just returned from Anchorage, having spent a leisurely morning in the city. After a late, delicious breakfast at the hotel, they’d wandered around and done some Christmas shopping, neither of them eager to leave the bubble they’d created.
“Looks like everyone is here...”
“Except Tag,” Cricket amended, noting the absence of his pickup and Ally’s SUV. As the time grew closer to break the news to Tag, Cricket didn’t share Hazel’s confidence. And what if Margaret and Ben weren’t as supportive of them as a couple as Hazel believed? Any family member could disapprove and make this difficult.
“Maybe that’s a good thing,” she said. “It might be better if we tell him privately.”
Cricket parked and flashed her a curious smile. “Oh, so you are worried about how he’s going to take the news?”
“No! I’m not worried. It just seems like more of a respect thing between the two of you. I could never begin to understand your relationship. I’ve never had a friendship like yours. I’m lazy when it comes to friends because I’ve always had these built-in besties named Seth and Iris. My partners in crime and chaos. My adult life has always been too unsettled to establish and maintain a solid friendship like you guys have. I have tons of acquaintance-type friends, and that’s enough for me.
“But that’s you and Tag, right? And probably Hannah, too. The people you’d call to help you cover up the crime you accidentally committed. In your case, that would be Hannah because we both know Mr. Do-Gooder would never stand for any lawbreaking going down on his watch, accidental or otherwise.” She laughed.
Cricket realized she was watching him, a small smile playing on her lips.
“What?” he asked.
“I was just thinking that the closest thing I’ve ever had to a non-related best friend is you. You were the one I called from Colombia.”
“I’ve never had the kind of closeness we shared with anyone else either. Which explains why I couldn’t get you out of my head all these years. All I’ve ever wanted is you.”
/> “Well,” she said, lips slowly curling upward, “You have me now.”
“I certainly do,” he whispered, leaning over to slip one hand around the back of her neck. This would be a perfect time, he decided, to tell her that he loved her. That way, no matter what happened, she’d know that he’d said it without caring about the consequences. But first, he needed to kiss her.
Her eyes closed as his mouth found hers.
“Hey!” The thumping of a gloved fist on his window accompanied the shout.
Tag. He groaned. Hazel flinched. They parted.
“What is going on?” Tag asked in that too calm voice that suggested he was anything but.
“Oh, boy,” Hazel murmured as Cricket powered down his window. “Hey, Tag,” she leaned over and called cheerfully.
“Tag,” Cricket said, “we were just discussing when and how to tell you.”
“Tell me what exactly?”
“Hazel and I are together.”
“Together,” he repeated with a nod. He looked off into the distance and for a long moment it seemed as if he wouldn’t respond. Then he faced them again. “Do you have any concept of how complicated this could get? If it doesn’t work out—”
“It will,” Hazel said confidently. They both climbed out of the pickup.
“But what if it doesn’t? This is a disaster.” Tag glanced toward the house where Iris and Seth were now descending the porch. “You know what?” he added smoothly. “Let’s see how everyone else takes this news.” He swept both hands toward them like some sort of melodramatic showman. “Hey, you two, guess what? Cricket and Hazel are together.”
“Yes, we know,” Seth said slowly, taking a cue from Tag’s tense tone and body language. “And we support them.”
“We’re very happy for them,” Iris chimed in. “They’ve been—”
Tag interrupted with a scoff. “What was I thinking? Of course you two are! Hazel could rob a bank, and neither of you would bat an eye. How was I the only one who didn’t know about this?”
“First of all,” Iris said in an overly serene tone that did little to hide her obvious irritation. “If Hazel robbed a bank, there would undoubtedly be an excellent reason for her doing that. So, yes, I would drive the getaway car. But secondly, what I was trying to say is that Cricket and Hazel have cared about each other for a very long time. They were both concerned about how the family would take the news. Cricket was extra concerned about your reaction.”
Tag was shaking his head. “Well, Cricket was right to be worried. Because he understands how many relationships and connections are on the line here.”
“As do I,” Hazel replied smoothly, “but this relationship is no one else’s business but ours.”
“Wouldn’t that be nice?” Tag asked. “If relationships actually worked that way? But that’s just it, Hazel—you don’t get it. You’re never here. Your visits home last about as long as your relationships. Our family dynamics don’t affect you on a daily basis. But Cricket is here. He lives here in Rankins and you don’t. His work, his life, is tied to all of us.”
Looking at Cricket again, he added, “You are invested in this family, and when this relationship, or whatever it is that you’re doing with my sister, goes south, it will affect all of us. And you more than anyone.” Then, without waiting for a response, he glared at them, marched back to his pickup and climbed inside.
* * *
“SHOULD I GO after him?” Seth asked.
“No,” Iris and Cricket said at the same time.
Iris added, “He needs to calm down. I haven’t seen him this upset since he was dating Ally and she got called before the hospital board.”
Cricket agreed. He knew better than to try to talk to Tag when his friend was this worked up. Truthfully, he couldn’t blame him.
Tag drove away. Hazel looped her arm around his elbow, and the four of them went inside.
“Cricket!” Margaret said. “I have the best news!”
“Let’s hear it,” he replied, managing to feign enthusiasm.
“Missy from Bellis Tech just called. At some point, you emailed her on behalf of Operation Happy Christmas?”
“I did. Way back in September, but I never heard anything.”
“Missy apologized for that. The email was forwarded and overlooked—an assistant got fired, and etcetera, before she finally saw the message. Long story short—they’ve donated two hundred tablets.”
“Two hundred?” he repeated, now understanding Margaret’s excitement. “I requested fifty, hoping for half of that.” They were for a rural school district where Ally had been raised. “That’s enough for every student K through 12.”
“I know! Can you believe it? Someone from Bellis is delivering them to the church tomorrow. I called Rebekah, and she said she’d meet them there, so we can pick them up anytime.”
“Margaret, that is outstanding. And I’m going to add my own bit of good news. I have three dozen Squixits getting dropped off today.”
“Oh, my! This is so great!” She gave him a quick hug. “Do you know what this means? We have nearly every item on our wish list. And what we don’t have, we have enough in cash contributions to purchase.”
Not even the confrontation with Tag could squelch his satisfaction. They’d done it. Or at least the most challenging aspects, anyway. They only needed to pick up this final load of donations, then organize, wrap and deliver. Cricket was confident these last steps would be a breeze with the network they’d put into place.
Reading his mind, Margaret said, “Cricket, I believe we’re going to pull this off. Operation Happy Christmas indeed!”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
OPERATION HAPPY CHRISTMAS INDEED. Hazel silently repeated her mom’s declaration with a particular glow in her heart. This was shaping up to be the best Christmas ever aside from the temporary setback called Tag. But even that episode couldn’t crush her joy. Her brother would come around. What choice did he have? Once he calmed down and heard the whole story, he’d see reason.
Hazel tucked the Secret Santa gift Kai had bought for Cricket into her bag and drove to Cricket’s house early the next morning before work. He was booked solid with heli-ski flights, so this was the perfect opportunity to help Kai elevate his Secret Santa status. Even though she was pretty sure Cricket would ease up now where Kai was concerned.
She knew he still kept a spare key under the edge of the brick planter because the day she’d visited, she’d jokingly asked him. Unlocking the door, she slipped quietly inside. On her way to the kitchen, light from the living room caught her eye. And then stopped her cold. A partially lit Christmas tree stood in the corner. It seemed odd that Cricket would leave the lights on and—
“Good morning,” a voice said from behind her.
With a little yelp of surprise, she turned, instantly recognizing Cricket’s brother. Even though years had passed since the photo was taken, he had the same mischievous grin and laughing green eyes. “Lee?”
“Sorry,” he said, fighting a chuckle. “You must be Hazel.”
“Yes. Jeez. Hi. You scared me.”
“I caught that,” he said. “Imagine how I felt when I heard a prowler in the house.”
“I’m sorry, too! I didn’t think anyone would be here, so I let myself in.”
“In my experience,” he joked, “that’s an excuse that does not hold up in court.”
Hazel felt her jaw drop open. And then she couldn’t help herself—she laughed. “Cricket said you were funny.”
“He said some pretty nice things about you, too.”
“We should definitely sit down and talk about them. How much time should I schedule—two hours, three?”
His grin was a mix of amusement and approval.
She hitched a thumb toward the living room. “The tree must be your doing? It’s gorgeous.”
&nbs
p; “Thank you,” he said with a bright smile. “I’m, uh, trying.” He waved toward the living room, where she could see the tangle of strands and bulbs littering the floor. “I’m in the mood for a real Christmas this year.”
“You and me both, Lee.”
Reaching up, he scratched his cheek. “Only problem is—I’m not sure exactly what that entails.”
* * *
CRICKET ENTERED HIS house from the garage into the mudroom. He paused, needing a moment to process the unexpected but extremely pleasant sensations greeting him. He was used to coming home to darkness and silence typically broken only by the patter of Mitt’s paws or an impatient meow from Val.
Not this morning. Laughter mingled with the cheerful strands of Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas.” Gingerbread and cinnamon wafted pleasantly on the air. Following the smell, he discovered a platter of pumpkin pancakes still warm on the counter. From there, he could see straight into the living room, where Hazel and Lee were busy decorating a Christmas tree. Strands of multicolored lights already danced along the branches.
His heart did this happy skippy thing as he took in the sights. His big brother perched on a stepstool with a glittering ornament in one hand. Hazel, a string of Christmas garland wrapped around her neck, was beside him, gesturing at the tree. On the floor, Mitt wrestled with an oversize knit stocking while Val critiqued them all from the comfort of the sofa back.
“A little higher,” Hazel told Lee. “See how that branch next to that one is completely bare? Yes! Right there. Perfect.”
“Good morning,” Cricket said, strolling farther into the room.
Hazel whirled around, lighting up like the star on top when she saw him. And wasn’t that the nicest feeling to come home to? “Cricket, hi! What are you doing here?”
“Uh...” he drawled, glancing around as if he wasn’t quite sure himself. “Last I checked, this was my house, although it’s changed a bit in the last few hours.” He stepped over and bent to kiss her neck. “Nice necklace,” he whispered. A little shiver ran through her, making him wonder if causing that reaction would ever stop being a thrill.