by Cora Davies
"I will drop them off this evening Jack, and you can hang them up inside. But nothing non-approved outside," Doug answered. He was a commanding man, but Molly could tell Jack was making him nervous too. Not many were willing to be on the other side of Jack's temper. It had never bothered Molly in high school, she had seen Jack almost get into several fights with other hot-headed boys. She had always been able to calm him down. She could try again now.
"Right, so now that is established," Molly nodded at both Jack and Doug using the calmest and most commanding voice she could muster. "Perhaps we could get on with the meeting. Some of us do have work to do today."
"Thank you, Molly," Doug said and turned back to the group. "We do actually have an urgent piece of business to discuss this morning. Mr. and Mrs. Boughman, please come on up."
Molly stole another glance in Jack's direction. He still had his gaze focused on her and nothing else. She forced herself to suck in a breath and let it out without making a sound. She made herself turn her focus onto the two people Doug had called up.
Mr. and Mrs. Boughman were a loved couple of retired elementary school teachers in their late sixties. His hair was as white as the snow, and hers was dyed a fire engine red. When Mr. Boughman approached the podium he waited two beats for Doug to step to the side. Doug bowed his head and took a seat as Mr. Boughman turned to address the room.
"As you all know Mrs. Boughman's health has been acting up this year, we've had to go to the city a few times for treatments. Well, great news is that a spot in a treatment facility has opened down south, and they have room for us. It’s a real top of the line place where cutting edge medical advances are happening." Mr. Boughman looked lovingly at his wife, pulling her hand to his mouth and kissing it. The room broke out in happy murmurs for the couple and congratulations. "But there is one problem."
Molly's stomach clenched. What could it be? Could they need money to get into the clinic? If so, she was sure the whole town would stand by them and help raise the money for her medical care.
"We have to leave immediately, and we hate to do that to you, this time of year and all." Mr. Boughman looked around the room, as if asking for forgiveness, but at the same time, daring anyone to say anything at all. Molly felt confused. Of course, they wanted all their stores to be represented at the Dickens festival, but surely- oh. It hit her like a ton of bricks.
"Of course, you do, health is what is most important," Bridget said standing up to hug Mrs. Boughman. "We will find someone else to play Santa and Mrs. Claus!"
The Boughman's were one of their main attractions, a staple in their brochure and to their parade every year. How could they back out just weeks before Christmas? Of course, Molly kicked herself, she understood perfectly well why. They could not ignore any health issues Mrs. Boughman had, and if there was a chance she could get better, they had to take it. But still... They had played the role of Santa and Mrs. Claus perfectly for the past thirty years. They even converted the front room of their shop to Santa's Workshop during the Dickens Village.
"Santa's Workshop," Molly muttered, almost feeling a tear spring to her eye. The Workshop had been there long before Dickens Village. It was there for her when she was a small girl, with all the wonder of the season presented in one room. No matter how bad things had been at home and for her family, she always knew that she could go to Santa's Workshop at the holidays and be given a hug, a hot chocolate, and a small gift. Even the years her family could not buy her and her sister a single gift for Christmas, she could always count on Santa to give her a new deck of cards, a container of colorful dough, or a large candy bar.
"Of course, we are leaving the store open and under the care of our niece, and she has promised to keep Santa's Workshop open and operating this year, as long as the town provides Santa and Mrs. Claus," Mr. Boughman said.
Molly nodded and looked into the audience, was anyone going to volunteer? She looked across the faces, stopping on each one that she thought would make a great Mr. or Mrs. Claus. She had forgotten about Jack until her eyes skimmed by him. He was looking at her again, or was it still? She did not know.
She could not believe he yelled at her like that in front of a room full of people about a flier on his door. A flier she did not even put there! Of course, he was not going to comply with the Dickens Village. The council members had been fools to think they could have one hundred percent participation this year, and now things were falling apart. Beer lights and no Santa and Mrs. Claus! If only she could come up with a way to convince Jack to join Dickens Village and to find a new Mr. And Mrs. Claus before Dickens Village started in a few days.
Think Molly.
Chapter Six
Jack watched Molly with interest. Her emotions seemed to be all over this place this afternoon. He wondered if it had anything to do with the drunk man who was hanging around last night. Had he really spooked her so much it passed over into the next day? Or was something else bothering her? He stared at her, willing her to look at him, so he could... Well, he did not know what he would do if she looked at him. Right now he would settle just for looking into her blue eyes.
The town was losing the Boughmans. He liked them well enough, and was happy they could move on and get treatment for whatever her illness was instead of sitting around here waiting to die. No one should have to do that. But Molly seemed upset about the news. Was she actually so wrapped up in this Dickens Village stuff that she would rather they sit around here as the Clauses, instead of going off to live the rest of their lives? He was tempted to get her alone and ask her.
Of course, he wanted to get her alone to do a lot of things to her. For her. With her. All of his old feelings for Molly had been hammering at him since last night. He shuddered as he pushed the thoughts away from his mind. Not the time or the place.
"We can draw names out of a hat. We can ask for volunteers," Doug said as the Boughmans walked back to their seats. Jack looked around. Volunteers for what? To be the Clauses? He quickly dragged his hands from behind his head, to under his butt. No way he was going to be mistaken as a volunteer. Not when they could not even tell him how to-
"I'll be Mrs. Claus," Molly said. "I'll volunteer; unless someone else steps up?"
No one else raised their hand. Doug cleared his throat, "Right Molly, do you think you can do it? It's a big responsibility. You won't be able to be at your store as much during Dickens Village. Do you think your staff can handle the rush?"
"Yes," Molly looked surprised and jerked her head to the side. "My staff is amazing."
"Right. Well then, that just leaves the role of Santa."
Jack sat up in his seat, leaning forward and fixed Molly with a strong stare willing her to look at him. What the hell is wrong with me? He did not want to volunteer. He did not want to be Santa. He was not in the Christmas spirit. But if Molly asked him, he would be Santa Claus this year. For a chance to spend time with her over the next month, he would do it. So I repeat, what the hell is wrong with me?
"No one?" Doug said. "Well, I would do it, I will be out of town for the last few weeks in December."
Convenient. Jack rolled his eyes skyward.
"I could ask on the news this evening." Bridget stood up. "We could see if we have a few Santa volunteers. Molly, you're a pretty girl, you'll make an adorable Mrs. Claus. Would you come sit with me this evening for a few minutes so the men could see the beauty they would get to spend the season with if they volunteer?" Bridget smiled her million-watt smile, the one that had so many men telling Jack to turn off the game and put on the news at the bar. Even he had to admit, it was some smile. Just not the smile that Molly had when she was genuinely happy.
"Um, uh, I guess so?" Molly stammered and ended her with her answer sounding more like another question. Jack noticed she had blushed when Bridget called her pretty. She was more than pretty, though. She was the most beautiful woman Jack had ever seen, he was reminded of that fact when he saw her last night. It was a slap in the face for all the years t
hey had missed out on being together. All because of Jack's stupid mistake.
"Great!" Doug clapped his hands together. "Now, on to other business, Jed were you able to fix the wiring on the toasted chestnuts cart?"
As all the other Main Street store owners and managers began to discuss their contributions and what they needed help with for finishing touches on Dickens Village, Jack began to wonder if he could sneak out of the classroom without anyone noticing. He looked at the stage, and all four council members seemed to be focusing on Ryan Dyson and how long he would need to tailor the Santa suit to a new owner. Molly was not going to talk to Jack this afternoon, he might as well leave. He seized his opportunity and slid out the back door of the classroom without making a sound.
He passed by a water fountain on the way towards the door of the building, and slowed down and turned around to take a drink. The fountain shot out in spurts, and Jack ended up with a face full of water before he realized it was coming and began to cough. He did not hear footsteps come up behind him.
"Could you do that any louder?" Molly said with a laugh in her voice. He jumped up and turned around surprised to see her standing alone a few feet away. As soon as Jack locked eyes with hers, she looked away from him. First to the ground, then back up and just to the right of his face. He looked over his shoulder expecting to see someone standing there, but there was nothing except for a few student council posters splashed on the wall.
"I thought I was going to get out of here without anyone seeing me," Jack said. "You left early too?"
"I had an idea," she said finally looking at him. He immediately fell under her trance, just like he did when he met her in high school. Every time she would look at him with those beautiful blue eyes he felt as though someone was taking all the air out of the room. "On how you can make money during Dickens."
"I'm listening," Jack said crossing his arms over his flannel jacket, soft and worn from years of washing.
"I heard what you said in there, and you're right." She was twisting her fingers together, just like she always did when she was nervous. "You shouldn't have to play along if it isn't going to benefit your business at all."
"It isn't that it doesn't benefit my business, I lose money this month Mols," the nickname came out of his mouth before he realized it, and he was surprised at how familiar it felt even though it had been ten years since he used it.
"Well, what if we can talk to the city, and get you a permit to sell beer outside? I've heard you brew your own beers? You could make a Christmas blend, and sell that, hard cider, and spiced eggnog to the tourists." Her eyes lit up, and he wanted to know if it was because of the business talk, Christmas talk, or because of him. "I'm sure you'd make a profit that way! I mean, what parent doesn't want a beer when they are dragging their children around a festival? I know I would!"
He squinted his eyes and looked at her. His mind began to wrap around her idea and the possibilities. "You know..."
"What? Bad idea?" she puffed out her chest like she always did when she got ready for an argument. "Well, at least, I'm trying, instead of sulking around at Christmas time."
"Actually, I was going to say that was the best idea I've heard in a while." Jack laughed. He put out his hand to shake hers. "Now, who do I see about filling out permit paperwork?"
"Don't you have about half of city council in your bar every night?" she looked at his hand but did not offer hers.
"Not every night," he said, and the corner of her mouth twitched. His eyes stayed on her mouth, and he was resisting the urge to take her in his arms and kiss her long and hard. Get it together, we're too close to where it happened. With that thought, he looked down the hall and felt the anxiety from prom night return. Molly looked as though she was going to walk away.
"I'm sorry I blamed you for taking my lights." Jack forced himself to find something else to talk about, just so she would not leave.
"I almost did, those stupid things made me pretty mad last night," she said. Jack laughed as the anxiety washed away, and the stillness of her face softened into a true smile. "I also came out here because I wanted to thank you for last night. With that guy."
"I didn't do anything." Jack wondered how she knew he had checked the outside of her building several times the night before.
"You did, you helped Brian get that man to the cop car," she said and his heart sunk a little. That is what she meant. "It might not have seemed like a lot, but I was pretty scared. It makes me feel good to know I have someone across the street who will help me if I need it."
"It was nothing. I would have done the same for anyone," he said. Why did I say that?
"I know." She sounded defensive.
"Well, if that's it." He did not want it to be it. But he also knew he could not stand with her alone like this much longer. Just a few feet away from her. He wanted to grab her and kiss her, and could see the scene flash in front of his eyes. If she made him stand in this hallway with her a minute longer, he might just do that.
"That's not everything," she said touching his arm just as he turned to walk away. He turned on his heel grabbing her tiny hand that was gently resting on his arm and pulled her close to him. He held her against his body feeling her firm breasts against his chest. Jack's heart quickened, and he took his free hand to tilt her chin up towards his face.
Molly bit her bottom lip and he dove in stopping just a few inches from her mouth. He leaned his forehead against hers and looked into her eyes. He wanted to taste her, and as he moved in just a fraction from her lips, she sucked in a sharp breath and turned her head away.
"I," she said sounding breathless. "I wanted to thank you for walking around my building, too. I saw you."
He leaned his forehead against the wall, his body still pressed against hers. He could feel his pants become tighter, being this close to her did that to him. Jack wondered if she felt the stiffness against her stomach. "You're welcome."
He broke away from her as quickly as he had grabbed her a moment before. He wanted to kick himself for forcing her into his arms like that. Of course, she did not want him. She would never want him. All the more reason to get out of this town. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I don't know what came over me."
"I have a boyfriend," she said as if that was the only reason she turned away from him.
"Yeah, and he's a great guy Molly," Jack's voice dripped with sarcasm.
"He is a good man," Molly said, but quietly, and even Jack wondered if she believed it.
"Thank you for the permit idea," Jack said feeling his heart sink low in his chest. It physically hurt to be this close to her and not be with her. "If you need anything, anything at all just call me Molly. I'm always around to help a neighbor."
Jack turned and walked quickly to the exit, pulling his beanie over his head as he left. He looked back right before he pushed the door open and saw Molly leaning against the wall, her head tilted back and looking towards the ceiling. She looked sad. Stay away from her before you fuck her life up again. Jack walked away.
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About The Author
Cora Davies is a military veteran and holds a BA in English Literature. She currently lives in Cheyenne Wyoming with her husband, 2 children, and their many stuffed animals. Cora started writing in a journal at the age of 5, then graduated to short stories a few years later. You can find her late nights next to the fireplace with a glass of wine and her laptop as she channels steamy romances onto the page.
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Acknowl
edgements
I am an especially lucky writer because I am surrounded by friends and family who support me. I want to thank everyone I know for their support, but a few people must be mentioned here because they really went above and beyond.
First, I would like to thank the amazing artist Daniela at SelfPubBookCovers.com for the beautiful cover art. I went through a hundred covers until I spotted the perfect one. You rock.
My husband and two daughters for their constant encouragement.
My writing buddy DMPaul, though our imagined worlds are millions of miles apart, the support and guidance I receive from you is more than I could ever hope for.
My best friend and reader Angela. You aren't afraid to tell me when I'm doing something wrong, not only in writing but also in my life. And that really should be the definition of a best friend.
To all my friends and family who put up with my dramatic mood swings as I throw myself back in forth between my imaginary worlds and my very real grown up world.
All the readers who picked up this eBook and followed Hailey and Eric’s journey to the very last stop.
Finally, thank you Eric and Hailey. You entered my mind over a year ago, and have been drafted into a few different versions of your love story until we found the perfect time and setting. Thank you for choosing my head of all the heads in the world to land in.