by Jenny Hale
“Let’s see how we do tonight!” Sarah said, interjecting and quieting their banter. Loretta was still smiling at Preston, shaking her head.
Loretta seemed to have to work to pull her gaze from Preston to refocus. “All right, let’s regroup,” Loretta said. “Everyone, spend a moment with your teammates; let’s all devise our strategies…”
Charlie was taking in the array of cookies, each one in its own little paper cupcake dish. “How do you know if you got the right cookie?” he asked Scarlett.
“On the bottom of the cup is the answer. You have to eat the cookie and take the token before you know if you got it right. There are a couple with the same answer, but if the other teams eat them all before you can get one, then you’ll have to find a different four in a row to solve.”
“Oh, that’s tricky,” Charlie said, scanning the cookies again.
Sarah and Preston settled in together at the table, scanning the descriptions.
“Is everyone ready?” Loretta asked, excitement written on her face. “On your mark, get set, go!”
Quietly, Scarlett leaned over to Charlie so no one else could hear. “I know all the cookie names. I’ll say them from top to bottom, left to right.” She scooted a little closer to Charlie. “Shortbread,” she whispered into his ear.
Charlie studied the card and read the clue he had his finger on. “Laughing while drawing small pictures… Probably not.”
“Haystack. Truffle. Chocolate Chip…” Nothing seemed to match the description. Loretta grabbed a cookie and ate it, covering up one of her spaces. Scarlett continued, “Snickerdoodle.” Then it hit her. “Snickerdoodle!” She nearly squeaked trying to keep it quiet. “Laughing while drawing!” She grabbed the cookie and popped it into her mouth.
“That’s definitely it.” He took the marker and put it on the square. “I’ll just read the next one,” he said. “They hide in their shells.”
“Oh!” Scarlett pointed to the third one from the left on the bottom row. Charlie picked it up and took a bite of it, the caramel stringing from his fingers to his mouth. Scarlett handed him a napkin. “Turtle,” she said, as he ate the other bite.
Once he’d swallowed it, he leaned over the card while Scarlett took in the rest of the table’s progress: Loretta and Ato had three covered. Sarah and Preston had two.
“Little Girl Scouts,” he whispered.
“Easy.” Scarlett went to grab the brownie but Preston got to it first, giving their team three.
Charlie and Scarlett were behind the others with two. She searched for another brownie but was struggling to find any more. Then, at the same time, she and Charlie both spotted another brownie on the other side of the table, and stretched to get it, their fingers landing on it together, their faces inches apart. The proximity stunned her, and before she recovered, Charlie pulled away, grabbing the brownie before Loretta could get it and shoving it into his mouth, making Scarlett laugh—both at the sight of him cramming one of Gran’s brownies into his mouth, and the nervous energy that zinged through her. He covered up their third box with a token.
It was tied at three across the table. Whoever could find the next one would win the game.
Charlie read out the clue. “Don’t leave this behind at a burglary.”
Scarlett jumped up from her seat and scanned the table for her favorite jam-filled cookie.
“You know it?” Charlie asked.
“Yes,” she said hurriedly, unable to find the cookie in question. “It’s called a thumbprint.”
“What does it look like?” he asked her, his rushed question illustrating his competitive side, making her laugh.
“It’s a soft vanilla cookie with a circle in the middle that’s filled with jam. Do you see one anywhere?”
Ato ate a cookie and checked the bottom of his paper cup, but by the look on his face, he’d chosen the wrong answer. Scarlett scanned the massive array of cookies on the table.
“Ha!” Charlie said, drawing her attention over to the right-hand side of the cookie spread. He pointed to one of the paper cups. “Is that it?”
Scarlett grabbed it and stuffed it into her mouth, as Charlie snatched up the token and placed it on their grid.
“Four in a row!” he called to the others.
“That was the best teamwork I think I’ve ever seen,” Loretta said, interest showing in her eyes as she took in the two of them. “Amazing job.” Then she snickered at Scarlett. “Do you need something to wash that down?”
Scarlett, who was still chewing her cookie, nodded, trying to smile with her lips tightly closed around all the cookie bits.
“I’ll get us both something,” Charlie said, standing up. “Is a glass of wine okay?”
She nodded, grateful for his offer, and happy to have the chance to share a drink with him.
“White?”
She’d finally swallowed it all. “I don’t remember my gran’s thumbprint cookies being that big before,” she said. “She must have gotten excited for the party this year and decided we all needed a bit more sugar.”
“Growing up, I didn’t get a whole lot of treats at school. I’ve been making up for that ever since.” He reached over, grabbed one more cookie from the table, and popped it into his mouth. “Let’s get some wine.”
Twelve
When Scarlett and Charlie entered the grand living area, Aunt Beth waved from behind a mass of people in the corner of the room by the fireplace, its mantle dripping with greenery and dotted with candles. The room was buzzing now, everyone talking and laughing, relaxing into that festive atmosphere that could only be had on this day every year. Jess waved to her excitedly as she stood next to Cappy. Preston was playing music on his guitar, and some guests were dancing while others held little plates of food and Gran’s special holiday cups full of eggnog.
Loretta brushed Scarlett’s arm to get her attention as they passed by. “I’ve been dying to set your aunt up with Sean,” she said into Scarlett’s ear as Charlie took their glasses of wine, walked over to a nearby table full of Christmas hors d’oeuvres, and browsed the options. “He’s really great. I hope it works out.”
“How’d things go with Preston and your cousin Sarah?” Scarlett was very curious to know.
“It was strange. Sarah said he wasn’t her type. I tried to give them another chance, but Sarah wasn’t feeling it.” Then Loretta eyed Charlie who was now refilling their glasses. “Looks like you two didn’t need my help,” she said with a wink.
“Oh, no, we’re not—” Scarlett started, but Charlie was back at her side, holding her topped-off wine in front of her.
“For you,” he said.
“Mm-hmm,” Loretta hummed into Scarlett’s ear suggestively. “I’ll leave you two alone.” Then she walked off into the crowd.
“Thank you.” Scarlett took the glass, and they made their way over to Aunt Beth.
“I’d like you to meet Sean Mathis,” Beth said to Scarlett, with a discreet he’s-not-so-bad-and-I-kind-of-like-him-already look when they walked up.
Sean shook Charlie’s hand and then Scarlett’s, introducing himself formally. He had a firm but friendly handshake and a nice smile that was accentuated by his light eyes and tanned skin.
“So you live in Chattanooga?” Scarlett asked, making conversation while trying to figure out how he got that bronzed tan in the dead of winter.
“He’s from Chattanooga,” Aunt Beth clarified. Gran walked over with a plate of canapés she’d been so excited to share with everyone that she hadn’t waited for the staff to offer them. Aunt Beth snatched one, held it between two fingers and took a bite. Then Gran swished off to another group.
“I’m only home visiting family for the holidays. This was my mother’s doing,” Sean said, shaking his head fondly at the mention of his mother. “She says I’m not grounded enough. That I need a good woman. I’m humoring her, since it’s Christmas, but I must say, I am enjoying this party and talking with Beth.” He gave her a smile.
“So w
here do you live now?” Scarlett asked.
“San Francisco. I moved out there to work for a company called Worsham Enterprises and I stayed. Been there twelve years.”
Charlie’s eyebrows rose in interest. “Worsham Enterprises,” he said, breaking into the conversation. “Aren’t they a world leader in luxury food service?”
“Yes, that’s right,” Sean said, lighting up at the fact that Charlie recognized the company. “How do you know them?”
Charlie paused, as if he were deciding how to answer. Finally, he said, “My company dabbled in luxury services research in an effort to compete within the resort market.”
“Ah,” Sean said. “What’s your company?”
Scarlett could see the anxiety in his eyes as the topic moved toward work. “Crestwood Development—but the corporation has been dissolved.”
Dissolved. Wait, what? Scarlett rolled the word around in her mind. Crestwood Development was no longer a corporation? It was in existence eight months ago when Charlie had passed the card along to Cappy. Had something changed in those eight months? The pieces began to slide together: the nonworking company number on his business card, Charlie’s sudden move to Silver Falls, even earlier, when he said “searching my old work database” for contractors to get his roof fixed. Had all that extra cash he’d used for donations come from liquidating his business assets? Was Charlie no longer in the resort market at all? Scarlett’s heart fell into the pit of her stomach, her hope melting like a snowball in summer.
Charlie seemed to notice her shift in mood, her obvious distress puzzling him. He studied her for a second. Scarlett forced her face into a more neutral position. Perhaps she was wrong. Companies changed all the time. He may have been bought out and he could still have connections.
“Well, I suppose I should get this lovely lady a drink,” Sean said, with a polite nod to Beth. “Would anyone else like anything?”
“I’m fine, thank you,” Scarlett said, holding up the wine that Charlie had brought her. She couldn’t even drink what she had. Any more alcohol would only intensify the throbbing that had started at her temples. She set the glass on a nearby table, unable to drink it.
Charlie also declined Sean’s offer, and Sean and Beth went together to get her a drink, which was a good sign. Maybe Beth was enjoying Sean’s company.
“You okay?” Charlie asked.
Scarlett opened her mouth to ask directly about the card he’d left with Cappy, but then she thought maybe she shouldn’t. Charlie had told her he didn’t want to talk about work, and this was a Christmas party. They weren’t going to change anything tonight, and she was so worked up that she was in danger of missing the fun. She was trying too hard to fix things again, when she needed to be in the moment and enjoy herself.
“I’m fine,” she said, producing a giant smile. “Let’s dance.” She grabbed Charlie’s arm and pulled him through the crowd.
As they danced slowly together, Scarlett didn’t want it to end. She wanted to hold on to the feel of Charlie’s embrace, as well as the sensation of his lips at her cheek. Her breathing was in sync with his, their feet moving in perfect time as if they’d danced together for years. His grip on her was different from the moment she remembered so long ago. The fearless bravado that he possessed as a young man had changed. It was still there but more settled now, as if he were sure of himself now as a man holding a woman.
Preston finished the song he was playing and Scarlett had to force herself to pull back from Charlie. “That was fun,” she said, wishing they could’ve stayed out on that dance floor all night.
“Yes, it was.” There was a kind of serenity she hadn’t seen before that had settled over him, and she wondered if being with her had the same effect on him as he had on her.
“Dancing makes everything better,” she said, the Christmas spirit whirling around her.
“I’m with you on that,” Charlie said. “I haven’t felt this good in a while.” His gaze lingered on her, and it looked as though he wanted to tell her something, but he didn’t. Instead, Charlie nodded toward Loretta, sitting in a chair next to Sarah, and then his attention moved to Preston. “I think Preston should ask Loretta to dance.”
“That’s kind of hard to do when he has to play the music as well,” she said.
“You agree they should dance, though, right?” He had a glint of something in his eye.
‘Yes,” she said, wondering what he was up to. She liked this playful side of him.
“You work your magic and get them together,” he said, walking away.
“Where’s he going?” Gran said as she came up behind Scarlett, taking the words right out of Scarlett’s mouth. Gran handed her a glass of champagne, and Scarlett was feeling so good after that dance that she hadn’t had another thought about the inn, so she didn’t object.
“I have no idea what he’s doing,” Scarlett said, as Charlie made his way across the room.
Charlie said something to Preston and then shook his hand. What was he doing? Preston set his guitar down, leaning it against the stand he’d brought with him, and Charlie pointed to Scarlett. Preston looked her way while Charlie walked over to the piano and sat down. He gently rested his fingers against the keys, and then, as skilled as any concert pianist, he started to play “Silent Night,” and everyone stopped talking. The notes were intricate and soft, sailing through the air and settling on the crowd like perfect snowflakes.
Gran clapped a hand over her mouth in surprise. “That’s incredible,” she said from behind her fingers.
Charlie caught Scarlett’s eye and nodded toward Preston, who was heading her way.
“Charlie said you wanted to tell me something?” Preston asked, now standing in front of her.
She had to think fast. “Well… I know someone who works really hard for everyone else, and I thought it might be nice to do a little something for her. Could you help me? You know, spread a little Christmas spirit.”
“I’d be happy to help,” he said, his curiosity clear. He slipped his hands into the pockets of his faded jeans.
“Dance with Loretta.”
Preston’s eyes grew round, his shoulders rising.
“Sometimes you have to gamble to win big.”
He looked around and shook his head, disagreeing. “It’s not that easy.”
“Why not?”
“This is a really small town. You know that. If things don’t go the way I hope, or if they do and then end badly, we’re stuck together in close proximity.” He checked around him before saying in a whisper, “Plus, she keeps trying to set me up with people. Why would she do that if she had any interest whatsoever in me?”
Charlie went on to his second song, “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” Gran had made her way to the front, evidently interested in this talent he’d only just now shared. She was sitting on a chair next to the piano, her glass in both hands, her feet crossed at the ankles. Pappy used to play that piano every now and again, and Scarlett wondered if it brought back fond memories for Gran. By the unwavering attention she was giving Charlie, Scarlett guessed so. She couldn’t help the elation that filled her at the sight of Gran’s smile.
“Just a friendly dance,” Scarlett urged him, feeling very Christmassy.
Preston pulled his hands from his pockets and rolled his shoulders around as if he were warming up for a sporting event, amusing Scarlett. “I’ll get her to have one dance with me. But the condition is that you let me handle the rest in my own way.”
“Done.”
“Okay.” Preston turned around and walked across the room with purpose. Sarah had gone to fix a plate of food and Loretta was sitting by herself.
Scarlett grinned when she saw the bewilderment on Loretta’s face, but then, as Preston spoke more, Loretta nodded and stood up, the two of them moving toward the piano together.
Scarlett squeezed past Gran and sat next to Charlie on the piano bench as he played, so she could hear the conversation between Preston and Loretta.
>
“You’re always alone,” Preston pointed out, looking down at Loretta. “You should go out sometime with someone yourself. Like a… date.”
“I’m too busy with everyone else.”
“You shouldn’t be…”
“My work here is done,” Scarlett said to Charlie, the two of them watching Preston put his arms around Loretta.
Charlie chuckled, his fingers moving effortlessly along the keys.
“You play beautifully,” she said.
“One of the perks of boarding school,” he said, shooting her a fond look. “We had music lessons every day. I play piano… and tuba.”
Scarlett burst out laughing. “Tuba? I need to see this.”
“Christmas carols don’t sound quite as nice on a tuba.” He worked his fingers to produce a dramatic run of notes.
The crowd clapped. This was turning out to be a great party, and Christmas was feeling more festive than she could ever have imagined.
Charlie had taken a break from the piano and was chatting again with Sean. Scarlett was sharing Christmas cider recipes with June and Aunt Beth by the window, when a flash of light through the inky darkness outside caught her eye. She hadn’t even had time to process it before she heard a heart-stopping squeal of tires and what sounded like a tree breaking in two. It was enough to halt others’ conversations too, people beginning to look at one another for answers, the noise pulling them away from their festive banter.
Uncle Joe was the first to act. “That didn’t sound good,” he said, already holding his coat, shrugging it on and zipping it up with precision and speed, his life-saving instincts moving his limbs as if he were on autopilot. He jogged through the entryway purposefully, swung open the main door and disappeared into the night.
“Here,” Charlie said, following Joe’s lead and handing Scarlett her coat.
As he slipped on his own, the look in his eyes finally registered through her denial that something awful had just happened. The look was fear. It was as if she’d known something horrible had just occurred but hadn’t been able to make herself believe it could happen on this festive night until that minute. Charlie put his hand on the small of her back and hurried her outside into the frigid air along with everyone from the party, the smell of burning rubber and exhaust immediately assaulting her senses.