by Leah Atwood
Christmas Bells are Ringing
Holiday Hearts, Book 1
Lesley Ann McDaniel
Dear Reader of Christmas Bells are Ringing,
Who doesn’t love the Christmas season? The lights, the music, the eggnog lattes. And of course, the joyful reminder of the birth of Jesus.
When I decided to write a Christmas story, I thought about one of my favorite places to be at that time of year. As a theatre costumer, I’ve worked many December shows in downtown Seattle, and I just love it. The lights, the huge tree in front of Westlake Center, the carousel, the enormous star on the Macy’s department store. All enjoyed, of course, while sipping an eggnog latte.
One of my favorite memories of downtown Seattle at Christmastime is from a couple of years ago. I was working on the 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Oliver!, and I got to accompany the kids from the cast to their performance at the tree lighting. It was a fascinating, exhilarating experience. As the plot for Christmas Bells started to gel in my head, behind-the-scenes at the lighting evolved as the perfect backdrop.
I had so much fun helping my character, Shelby, look for the owner of the bells. I hope you feel the spirit of the season as you join her on her quest.
Have a blessed and Merry Christmas!
Lesley
Chapter One
Fueled by the full tip jar and the intake of coffee fumes, Shelby Hughes gave her next customer the best smile she could muster so close to the end of a double shift. “Welcome to Streebecks Coffee. What can we get for you?”
Looking frantic for some refueling, the shopper set her bags on the counter and started digging through her purse. “A toasted marshmallow mocha. Oh, and one of those cranberry citrus scones.” The need for exoneration that often accompanied a pastry order tugged at a corner of her mouth. “It’s a jungle out there.”
“That it is.” Shelby nodded in understanding as she wrote the code for the drink on a red and green paper cup. “That’s downtown Seattle at Christmastime, for you.”
She handed the cup to Reggie, a high school senior with such a dedicated work ethic, he’d probably be CEO of the company before he even graduated.
As the woman shifted to the end of the counter, Shelby turned, surprised to recognize her next customer as a lawyer who was one of her morning regulars. “Good evening, Mr. Cooper. You’ve put in a long day.”
He raised a brow in a manner that jurors no doubt found intimidating. “I’m not the only one. Don’t tell me you’ve been here since I saw you this morning?”
She nodded. “I picked up a second shift for a coworker. Will it be the usual? Eggnog latte with extra whip?”
“Better make it a decaf.” He angled a nod toward the pastry case. “And one of those fruitcake things. My wife loves them.”
Grabbing a pair of tongs, Shelby opened the pastry case that resembled a winter wonderland this time of year. She picked up a cake which had been made to look like a tiny Christmas present on a stick.
“One fruitcake pop.” She placed it in a small parchment bag with the Streebecks logo on it. “And how about a Rudolph’s red velvet cookie? All our pastries are half price a half hour from closing.”
The lines around his eyes crinkled in amusement. “You’d make a good lawyer, Shelby. I find it hard to counter your argument.”
She grabbed a red sandwich cookie with creamy white marshmallow filling and placed it in a second bag. “You won’t be sorry.” She tapped his order into the register. “Besides, you deserve a treat too after working such a long day.”
“Actually, my work day ended hours ago. Tonight I’m getting my Christmas shopping done.” As he handed her his platinum Streebecks card, he held up a shiny silver Herrick’s Jewelry bag. “I picked up on my wife’s hints a little earlier than usual this year.”
“She’s a lucky woman.” Shelby gave back the card, her cheerfulness faltering. What must it feel like to have a husband come home bearing both a cake pop and the perfect Christmas gift? Would she ever get to find that out for herself?
Emotion swelled in her throat. While she hadn’t regretted for a moment her decision to move from her hometown in Colorado to Seattle, the feeling of loneliness that accompanied the Christmas season had come as a surprise. She’d easily made friends both at work and at church, but there had been no romantic prospects at all. She hadn’t realized until recently how much she longed to find the right man to share her life with.
Seeing that there was no one in line, she reached for a damp cloth. All the tables were full, which meant they’d still have customers finishing up after they closed. Kendra, her best friend and the night shift manager, had told her that was common at this time of year. She’d also pointed out that the generous tips made staying a little later to clean up worthwhile.
She headed to the front window to tidy up the gifts that people had left that day under the Giving Tree, then moved to wipe down the cream and sugar station, which was actually an antique sideboard standing next to the tree.
A boisterous laugh caught her attention, and her eyes lit on man sitting at a table near the far set of windows. Chuckling, he gazed lovingly at the beautiful—and apparently witty—strawberry blonde seated across from him.
Shelby blew a strand of her own boring-brown hair away from her face. Maybe if she looked less ordinary she’d attract a guy who would gaze at her that way and laugh boisterously at her jokes.
She absently wiped the sideboard. Did she really want someone who was drawn to her just because of externals? No . The right guy would love her for who she was, ordinary hair and all.
The right guy. Sighing, she grabbed the empty milk carafes and headed back to the counter. If he even exists.
“Five minutes to nine,” Kendra announced as she emerged from the back room. “Not quite time to lock the door, but it’s safe to start cleaning up.”
Grateful for the reprieve from her near plummet into self-pity, Shelby reached around the till to clean the narrow strip of counter in front of the display of packaged cookies.
“Great.” Reggie pumped a fist in the air. “I need to get home to study for a chemistry test.”
Kendra gave him a sock to the upper arm. “Then unless we get a last minute customer, you’re out of here as soon as you empty the trash and clean the Beast.” She tipped her head toward the espresso machine, aptly nicknamed for both its size and temperament.
As Reggie reached for the clean trash bags, Shelby glanced at the smattering of remaining pastries. “What do we do with these?”
Kendra nabbed a plastic container from under the pastry case. “We pack them. The guy from the shelter brings the containers back empty when he comes by to pick up the full ones. He should be here any time.”
Shelby nodded in approval at the system as she lifted a pair of tongs and slid open the glass door. “Is this the same place that sponsors the Giving Tree?”
“Yep. The guy from the shelter is in charge of that too. What a terrific ministry.” Kendra, who had been her best friend since Shelby had moved to Seattle almost a year ago, gave her a sideways glance as she collared a second pair of tongs. “I know you’re not a big fan of the night shift, Shelb, but it was great of you to cover for Victoria tonight.”
“I don’t mind.” She carefully placed the last fruitcake pop into the container, hoping it would bless some child at the shelter with a bit of Christmas cheer. “Besides, it’s keeping my mind off the fact that I don’t have anything else to do.” More like reminding her of it, if she was honest. She did her best to push that sentiment behind more cheerful thoughts. “I’m sure Miss Social Butterfly is having a great time at that Christmas party.”
“Yeah.” Kendra smiled as she put the one remaining gingerbread square next to a stack of snickerdoodles. “She certainly has a social life.”
Shelby rolled in her lips. Glad someone does.
With no social life to speak of, Shelby really should find something worthwhile to do with her free time. There had to be a need out there that she had
the skills to fill.
A lively rendition of “Do You Hear What I Hear?” broke into her thoughts, and she looked up to see a group of carolers pass by.
Kendra sighed. “I love being downtown at Christmas. All the holiday spirit is so contagious.”
Shelby carefully placed an eggnog scone in the container next to a mocha chip muffin. “If it’s contagious, I must be immune.”
“What? You mean you’re still not feeling it?” Kendra pointed her tongs at her. “Shelb, Christmas is just a little over three weeks away. You really need to start enjoying it more. It’s the best time of the year.”
“I know, I know. I love Christmas.” Shelby began pulling the empty trays out of the case and stacking them on the counter. “I’m just not in the spirit this year.”
Kendra sighed again. “Well, maybe you’ll start to feel better if you do some Christmassy things. You know, like shopping.” She clicked the lid over the pastries. “Or going to the show over at the Fifth Avenue Theatre. They always have something great this time of year. Or the Nutcracker at Pacific Northwest Ballet.”
“Sounds like fun.” Shelby considered. “Want to go with me?”
Furrowing her brow, Kendra picked up the full container. “I would, but…”
Shelby frowned. “Don’t tell me Jeremy’s into ballet?”
A please-forgive-me pout played on Kendra’s lips. “He promised to go to the ballet with me if I’d go to a Seahawks game.” She started for the back room. “What can I say? We’re inseparable.”
As she grabbed the stack of trays, Shelby couldn’t help but smile. Kendra and Jeremy really were a great couple, but since they’d started dating it was hard on Shelby being second in line for her friend’s attention.
Checking to make sure there were no customers in need of anything, she followed Kendra into the back room. “It’s okay.”
Kendra’s brow creased. “Maybe you could go with us.”
“No way.” Shelby set the trays on the counter and opened the dishwasher. “I’d rather stay home with a good book than be a third wheel.”
“You don’t have to be a third wheel.” Kendra paused, a look of feigned innocence drifting across her face. “You could get a date.”
“A date?” Shelby chortled the words more than spoke them as she placed a tray on the lower rack of the dishwasher. “Who am I going to ask, Reggie?”
Kendra twisted her mouth. “Maybe the perfect guy will turn up.”
“Right. A Christmas miracle.” The faint sound of the bell over the front door chimed from the other room.
“Maybe that’s him now.” Kendra raised a cloying smile. “Miracles do happen, you know.”
“Uh huh.” Shelby rolled her eyes. “It’s probably the guy from the shelter.”
“Well, maybe. But he usually comes to the service entrance. I’d say it’s either Mr. Miracle or a customer leaving.” Kendra picked up the next tray from the stack. “I’ll finish up back here. Will you cover up front?”
“Sure.”
“And if it is a new customer…” Kendra gave Shelby a teasing look. “Don’t forget to ask him if he likes ballet.”
“Of course.” Shelby returned Kendra’s teasing look with one of her own. “And then I’m locking the door.”
Chapter Two
Shelby stepped out from the back room and froze. There in front of the empty pastry case stood a guy with hair the color of a rich Italian roast. Her breath caught. He might not be Mr. Miracle, but he sure was Mr. Gorgeous.
He glanced up from the case, his eyes as green as the garland draped across its front. “Am I too late?”
Her knees buckled, and she gripped the counter next to her for support. “Late?”
Eyes crinkling, he tipped a nod toward the case. “I know you close at nine.”
As she did her best to regain her composure, she noticed a small white logo on the front of his maroon jacket. A cross and something else….
Realization dawned. This must be the shelter guy. Kendra hadn’t mentioned that he was a hunk.
She cleared her throat and shook her head. “N…no.” The word came out sounding like a croak. “You’re not too late. They’re in the back.”
“They—?”
“—I can just—”
They spoke over each other, then stopped, hovering in an awkward silence. Shelby teetered on her unsteady legs, waiting for him to finish his sentence so she could go to the back to fetch the container.
“I don’t want to…I mean, I…” He gave her a smile that could have lit up a Christmas tree. “It’s been a long day and I could really use some coffee.”
Coffee? Her eyes widened. Right. That’s what they sold there. Coffee. “Oh. No. I mean…” She pinched her eyes shut. “…yes.” Steadying herself, she moved into position behind the till. “What can I do for you? I mean get for you.” She exchanged a glance with a perplexed looking Reggie as he hauled the full trash bags from out on the floor to behind the counter. “What can we get for you?”
Mr. Gorgeous smiled again and looked her directly in the eye. “I think I’ll get a little adventurous and try your candy cane latte.”
“It’s adventurous…and delicious.” Just like your eyes. She immediately reprimanded herself for even having the thought. But those eyes…
Forcing her gaze away from his magnetic orbs, she snapped up a packaged cookie and held it out like she was doing a commercial. “Try it with our chocolate-chocolate chip biscotti. It’s a match made in Heaven.”
She suppressed a wince. Had she seriously just said that?
“A ‘match made in Heaven’, huh?” His eyes met hers in a way that didn’t let on if he saw how flustered she was. “How could I say no to that?”
A cross between a chuckle and a cough gurgled out of her throat. If she hadn’t been…well…her, she would have sworn he was flirting with her. She grabbed a cup and held it out toward the place where Reggie normally stood behind the Beast. When he didn’t take it, she glanced over to see him eying her as if she were crazy. He gave the bags he’d just set down a nod as he moved to the sink to wash his hands.
Heat crawled up her neck as she set the cup on the counter beside her. She must look like a love-sick school girl. How totally humiliating.
Seeming to ignore her rattled state, Mr. Gorgeous held out a ten dollar bill. She looked at it for a second before taking it. It had been so long since a customer had paid with cash that it was as if she didn’t even know what to do with it. Thank goodness her register would tell her how much change to give back, because the way her head was spinning, math would be out of the question.
As she handed him his change, the meaning of the logo on his jacket took hold. A cross, a dove, and a heart, encircled by the words ‘faith’, ‘hope’, and ‘love.’ The shelter he worked for must be a Christian organization. She smiled to herself. Cute guy and a believer too.
What could she say that would sound halfway intelligent? Her eyes landed on the Giving Tree behind him. “I think the tree is such a great ministry.”
Creases formed around his eyes and a little smile lifted the corners of his mouth. He turned to the tree, then back to her. “Oh. Yeah. I’ll have to take a look at it on my way out.”
Take a look? He must mean to see how it was doing. “It’s such a great reminder for our customers of what Christmas really means. I mean without…you know…being too overt…” What was she saying? He was looking at her like he thought she might be nuts. “I mean, people who aren’t Christians can be so easily—”
“I don’t see a code.”
Reggie’s voice sliced through her rambling. She looked over at where he now stood in front of the Beast. “What?”
“You didn’t write anything.” He held up the cup. “What is it?”
“Oh. Right.” Way to look like a total amateur, Shelby. “Candy cane. Sorry, Reg.”
“No prob.” Reggie gave her a curious sideways glance as he started to pour milk into the steamer cup.
&nbs
p; She snapped her attention back to Mr. Gorgeous, who still stood in front of the register. Her heart jumped to her throat. Did he want to talk to her more while he waited for his latte?
A smile parted her lips as she tried to force out clever conversation. “I really just think it’s great what you…” What was she trying to say? “The tree…and…”
A corner of his mouth lifted and one eye squinted. Shelby gulped. Did the guy have any idea how cute he looked when he did that?
“And I…I…think that the pastries…especially at Christmastime…”
He cocked his head and looked around as if trying to come up with a response to her blubberingly incoherent half sentence.
Then it hit her. He wasn’t still standing there because he wanted to talk to her. He was waiting for her to get the container. She took a clumsy step backward. “I’ll just go get…” She took another step, but instead of her foot meeting the floor as expected, it sank into something soft. In a moment of complete mortification, she realized that Reggie had left the full trash bags on the floor behind her, and that she was about to land right on top of them. Her backside hit with the embarrassing hiss of air being expelled from the bags.
Mr. Gorgeous’ expression flipped instantly from confusion to concern, and Reggie nearly dropped the shot of espresso he was pouring.
“Sorry, Shelb.” He reached down to give her a hand. “I thought you knew they were there.”
“My fault.” She allowed Reggie to hoist her to her feet, and turned around as quickly as she could in the futile hope that Mr. Gorgeous wouldn’t see the blush rolling over her face. She hurried toward the door to the back room.
Small wonder she was still single. Who in their right mind would want to partner up with someone who constantly tripped over her tongue and her own feet?
Yeah, she was a real catch all right.
Whatever had inspired Chris Bertone to treat himself to a four dollar latte when his bank account was at low ebb was totally beyond him. But what he’d gotten for his money was far more valuable than peppermint and chocolate.