Christmas Comes to Dickens

by Nancy Fraser

  He took it and bent as if to kiss her. She turned her cheek for his kiss.

  Leaning back slightly, he met her gaze. “Laura, I kiss Mom on the cheek.” He cupped her head gently and pressed his lips to hers.

  She leaned into him, reveling in the touch she’d yearned for since she’d met him.

  His arms closed around her and he deepened the kiss. When she thought her knees would give way and she’d melt into a puddle at his feet, he broke the kiss.

  “Laura.” His eyes were dark and his breathing was ragged. “Laura, that was even more amazing than I’d imagined it would be.”

  She looked into his eyes. “You mean you’ve thought about kissing me?”

  “Far more than I should I’m afraid. I-I’ll see you tomorrow morning at ten. I’ll call for you here.” He bent to pick up the coat he’d dropped when they’d kissed.

  “I can meet you in the lobby.”

  “No, I’ll call for you. I was never the drive up and honk the horn type.” He opened the door, then turned to look at her.

  “I wouldn’t think so. You’re always a gentleman.”

  He offered a wry smile. “Definitely not my first choice right now. Goodnight.”

  She closed and locked the door and leaned against it. Had that really happened? She practically floated to her bedroom.

  Chapter 7

  WARD CLIMBED OUT OF bed at six after a night filled with dreams of a beautiful redhead. He should never have kissed her. Instead of satisfying his curiosity, it opened a Pandora’s box of desire. As if he hadn’t already found her desirable enough to disturb both his sleep and his waking thoughts.

  At eight, Vince called him. “I am in your debt forever. Helen is an amazing woman.”

  “She seemed pretty taken with you.”

  “Yeah, she confessed she left her car at the Park Plaza because I offered to drive her home.”

  Ward chuckled. “I’m surprised she admitted that. Glad you have your story to tell your mom.” He wanted to remind his friend this was supposed to be a temporary thing.

  “I get your drift, bud. Supposed to be a one-time thing to appease my parents. The heck with them. I enjoyed myself and intend to see her whenever I can.”

  “You still going to the tree farm today?”

  “You bet, but we’ll meet you there about ten-thirty. Helen’s family has a pickup they’ll let us use for the tree.”

  “I appreciate that. Those needles stick to everything. Hey, does that mean you’ve met her family?”

  “Yep. We drove by and it looked like her parents were up, so she took me in to meet them and ask about the truck. Nice folks. She has a huge family—four brothers and two sisters. A sister and two brothers still live at home. Actually, the truck I’m borrowing belongs to her brother.”

  “Did you get her parents’ photo?”

  “You are in a devil of a mood. Laura yell at you last night?”

  “You know she would never do that. At least, I don’t think she would. Anyway, it was you she was angry with. Also, she was wary of she and I being seen together because it would cause talk at work.”

  “That mean she’s not coming?”

  “We’re both showing up at the whatever-the-place-is-called tree farm.” He scrubbed a hand across his face. “I lost my cool and kissed her.”

  “Ahh, on the cheek or a real kiss?”

  “A real, genuine, sear-your-pants kiss. I just about passed out, and then almost begged her to let me spend the night.” He exhaled at the memory. “But I kept it together and left.”

  “Always the gentleman, not that I’m criticizing. I admit I did likewise. All the same, Helen is special and I intend to see her as often as she’ll let me.”

  “Okay, we’ll see you both about half past ten.” Now this was an interesting switch. Yesterday morning they were both single and not looking forward to dinner. As of last night each was attached to a beautiful woman.

  Who was he kidding? Laura had mesmerized him the first time he saw her.

  LAURA WAVED. “THERE they are by the gift store.”

  Ward parked as close as possible. “Busy place. Looks like Christmas has arrived.”

  She stopped him when he started to get out. “Don’t you have a cap or a hat?”

  “Yes, mother.” With an exaggerated exhale, he reached into the back seat and captured a red knit cap that matched his scarf. “I hate wearing this, but it is cold out.”

  He came around to open the door for her and leaned in. “Started snowing. Are you sure you’ll be warm enough?”

  She climbed out of the car. “I grew up in Dickens, remember? I know the secret of layering.”

  He grinned. “Yeah, I remember the peel away jacket. In fact, my mind will never be the same.”

  “Ha ha, I’m sure you’re immune.”

  He sent her a strange glance. “You’re wrong, Ms Jordan.”

  Today she’d worn her blue Scandinavian print jacket with a hood trimmed in white fake fur. Her jeans over silk pant liners were tucked into brown calf-high boots. She had navy gloves and scarf. Under her jacket she wore a green tee shirt and a white cable knit sweater.

  Helen hurried toward them, pulling Vince with her. “We’re ready to find the perfect tree. What does your mom want?”

  Ward pulled the list from his pocket. “Seven feet tall and spreading out at least three feet in diameter at the base. She wants one of the stands that hold water and the tablets you put in the water to help the tree stay fresh. Blue spruce is good, but that’s not definite as long as the tree is very full.”

  Helen flagged down a driver. “Here’s a sleigh to take us to view the trees. Jim will cut it for you, won’t you, Jim?”

  The young man Helen called Jim motioned to the sleigh. “Sure, Helen, you guys hop in. You know what you want, or do you just want to ride around until you see something?”

  Ward helped Laura into the vehicle. “We’re after blue spruce, seven feet tall.”

  The large sleigh had only one wide seat so all four of them crowded in together. Laura didn’t mind because Ward put his arm around her shoulders to save room. Vince did the same to Helen. Jim handed them a thick red blanket to spread over their laps and legs.

  The snow continued in large flakes, collecting on the trees and creating a magical fairyland of white. The jingle of harness bells added a sense of holiday cheer. This was the happiest she’d felt about Christmas since her parents had died.

  She turned and adjusted Ward’s knit cap. “You’re supposed to pull the cap over your ears so you don’t get an earache or frostbite.”

  His blue eyes sparkled with mischief despite his pretending to be offended. “They’re my ears, mother, so don’t worry about them.”

  She snuggled back against him. “We can’t have you getting sick. You’re the glue that holds your empire together. Sure, Vince helps, but we depend on you.”

  “You’re saying there’s nothing personal in your concern but it’s only business, is that right?”

  She sent him a flirtatious smile. “I didn’t say, did I? Guess you’ll have to figure that one out for yourself.”

  He whispered for her ears only, “I’m hoping it’s personal.”

  Jim pulled the reins and stopped the sleigh. “Here we are folks, seven-foot blue spruce section. Let me know which one you want.”

  They strolled around checking trees. She spotted Vince pulling Helen in for a kiss. Seeing that made her happy—that is, as long as Vince didn’t hurt Helen later.

  “What do you think, Ward?” She assessed a particularly well-shaped tree.

  “I think Vince and Helen had a great idea.” He pulled her toward him.

  “About the tree, Mister Callahan. Focus. Doris is expecting us to show up with an absolutely perfect tree.”

  “If you insist.” He assessed the tree she’d chosen. “I like this one. I’ll tell Jim to cut it and toss it into the back of the sleigh.”

  Laura had fun shopping in the little store while they dran
k hot chocolate. When the tree was securely in the pickup bed—along with an expensive stand, freshening tablets, and a few new ornaments—Vince and Helen left for Doris’ apartment.

  Vince honked at a bright red, double-cab pickup pulling in and stopped to lower the window and talk to the other truck’s occupants.

  Ward guided her to his car. “You think there’s a problem?”

  “Those are Helen’s parents who’re choosing a tree today. Her youngest brother and sister are probably with them. The white pickup Vince is driving belongs to her brother.”

  Ward came around and climbed behind the wheel. “Glad there’s no problem. The reason I wondered is Vince never honks unless it’s to prevent a wreck. I couldn’t see if the other vehicle clipped him or not.”

  She fastened her seat belt. “Not. They’re just saying hello. If you don’t want to wait, there’s another drive just over there.” She gestured to the other side of the Gridley Meadows Tree Farm store.

  He nodded and backed out of the parking space. “Good, we’ll get on our way while they’re gabbing. The heater will warm up in a couple of minutes.”

  “We’ll be at the Park Plaza by then.”

  “Almost. I don’t know if Vince knows where the freight elevator is. Guess we’ll have to wait in the parking lot for them to arrive.”

  “Helen will remember from helping me move in, but we’ll need to help carry the things we bought. Helen and Vince won’t be far behind us.”

  A few minutes later Vince pulled the pickup next to them. The men grabbed the tree and she and Helen carried the packages. Laughing, the four of them hurried into the building.

  Chapter 8

  LAURA DIDN’T WANT TO miss out on a nice day with Ward, but she wished they weren’t decorating Doris’ tree. Memories haunted her of decorating with her parents and sister.

  Ward knelt at the tree’s base while Vince held the upper trunk.

  Doris shook her head and gestured. “A little to the right. No, my right. There, that’s the perfect spot, but the tree leans a bit toward Vince.”

  After another five minutes of minor adjustments, Doris was satisfied.

  Ward tightened the screws that held the tree upright in the stand. “Mom, do you realize we’ve moved it back to where it was three moves ago?”

  “Nonsense.” Undaunted by Ward’s accusation, she gave a dismissive wave. “Now you four will have to do the decorating. Don’t worry, son, I’ll unwrap the old ornaments and remind you where they go if you’ve forgotten.”

  Laura picked up a package of lights. “We should add these first.”

  Ward started stringing lights around the tree. “Thank goodness they aren’t tangled. This shouldn’t take long at all.”

  They joked and laughed the entire time they decorated the tree. Laura was enjoying herself far more than she’d dreamed she could while decorating a tree. Perhaps this would help her recover some of the Christmas spirit she’d lost.

  The cleaning lady, Mrs. Fox, brought in an assortment of sandwiches made from last night’s baked ham, chips, and hot apple cider. Laura, Ward, Helen, and Vince ate sitting cross-legged on the floor around the coffee table near Doris.

  Laura leaned near Ward and whispered, “Look how happy your mom is.”

  “I suspect she’s thinking it was worth having the accident since it resulted in you and I becoming close friends.”

  “We’ve been friends since I started at Callahan Group, haven’t we?”

  He looked into her eyes as he brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Not like this weekend, although I wanted us to get to know one another better. I’ve had so much going on moving Mom that I’ve had to depend on Vince way more than I should.”

  “That’s what friends do, even if he wasn’t a partner. Wouldn’t you do the same for him if the situation was reversed?”

  “Of course, but... well—”

  Vince called, “Hey, Ward, you’re looking way too serious for this party.”

  Doris waved her hands. “You’re a hundred percent right, Vince. What we need is music. Birdie, why don’t you sing for us? I remember hearing you humming and singing quietly while you helped me.”

  Laura gasped. “I-I had no idea you heard me.”

  Helen gestured for her to stand. “Come on, I’ll sing with you and you can choose one of your favorites.”

  “Okay, if you sing with me, we can do ‘Mary Did You Know’ a cappella.”

  Doris motioned for them to move. “Stand in front of the tree. Someone take a photo.”

  Laura stood next to Helen. She felt awkward singing in front of Ward and Vince. She took a calming breath, then she and Helen performed.

  When they finished there was total silence. The other three people stared at them. Still as a statue, Mrs. Fox stood in the doorway watching, one hand at her throat.

  Doris dabbed at her eyes. “That was beautiful. You two don’t just act like angels, you sing like them, too.”

  “Perfect, ladies.” Vince rubbed his hands together. “However, looks far too serious around here. How about something more upbeat?”

  Helen put her hands on her hips. “That sounds good, Vince, what are you and Ward going to sing?”

  Ward rose and took Laura’s hand. “You left me speechless.” To the others, he said, “I don’t know the words of many songs and I’ve never claimed to be musically inclined. I remember the opening lines of ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘Deck the Halls’ and a few more.”

  “As his former roommate, I can verify that he is not musically inclined. However, what he lacks in ability he makes up in volume.”

  The five of them joined for several songs.

  Helen looked at Doris. “I’ve had a marvelous day, but my parents expect us to be there this evening.” She took Doris’ hands in hers. “I’ll see you again soon.”

  “Mrs. Fox’s sister is a retired nurse and she’s going to babysit me every day except Sundays until I get out of this boot thing and can walk normally. That doesn’t mean you should stop visiting, though. I love having you come and chat.”

  Laura kissed Doris’ cheek. “You’re looking pale, so I’m sure it’s time for one of your pain pills. Why don’t you take one and turn in for the night?”

  “Oh, I hate being like this. I will take a tablet and go to my room, even if it makes me feel as though I’m a child who’s being punished.” As Laura and Ward moved aside, Doris grabbed Ward’s hand. “Promise you’ll come tomorrow.”

  Ward said, “Of course I will and I’ll bring lunch. Laura, I hope you’ll join us.”

  “Thank you, but I have something planned.”

  The disappointment in his expression almost caused her to confess she had nothing scheduled. They strolled to her apartment and she unlocked her door.

  She turned to face him. “I had a wonderful day, Ward. I admit I was worried Helen would get hurt, but Vince appears as if he’s fallen for her.”

  “He admitted he has. Guess I should be worried he’ll be the one whose heart gets stomped on again.”

  She shook her head slowly. “Not by Helen. She wouldn’t act this way unless she was head over heels. She especially would never have let him meet her family unless she was serious.”

  Ward caressed her arms. “I’m glad to know that. He’s an adult and all that, but he’s my best friend. Gail seriously crushed him and so did his rotten brother. Enough about them.” He pulled her into his embrace and a sizzling kiss that melted her to her toes.

  When he ended the kiss, he gazed into her eyes. “Are you certain you have plans for tomorrow you can’t reschedule?”

  “Positive. Besides, you forget I’m a working woman and have laundry and cleaning to do before Monday.” She took a deep breath. “Ward, the thing is your mother moved here to be with you, not me. Doris is a wonderful woman and I enjoy being around her, but you’re her only son. You need to spend time with just the two of you—especially since she’s injured and still grieving.”

  “I’m disappointed, but I u
nderstand what you’re saying.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Are you at least going to ask me in for a slumber party?”

  She laughed. “Not this time.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “That’s a hopeful answer, so I’m making progress. I’ll keep checking. Goodnight.” He leaned down for a quick brush of her lips.

  “I’ll see you Monday.”

  She closed the door behind her and sighed. After hanging her jacket in the coat closet, she plopped onto the couch. This was the happiest day she’d had in a long time.

  Of course she’d been elated when Ward had hired her earlier in the summer to begin work when she finished grad school in August. Finding her dream job in her hometown was ideal. That was professional happiness.

  Today was personal happiness. Ward was her idea of a perfect companion. If she’d made a list of what she was looking for, he would have met each criteria.

  Several times her father had said coworkers should not date. She knew all the reasons for that. She’d seen it happen to others too often to ignore.

  Being in a romantic relationship with Ward was a giant risk. What would she do if he grew tired of her? Could she work for a man with whom she’d once been in love?

  Worse, what if she still loved him and he became tired of her? Her phone rang and she dug it from her pocket.

  “I knew you’d be worried so I called to tell you I made it home all right.”

  She laughed. “I’m so glad you did. I wouldn’t have been able to sleep a wink if you hadn’t. At least you got home before curfew.”

  “Hmm, I don’t think I ever had a curfew. The reason I won’t be able to sleep is because I’ll be thinking of you and how perfectly you fit in my arms. And how soft and sweet your lips are.”

  “Oh, Ward, you’re being very romantic. Why did you really call?”

  “Wanted to hear your voice and tell you how much I enjoyed today. I hope we can spend a lot more days together.”

  “That’s kind of you. I had an amazing day, one of the nicest I’ve had in a long time.”

  “Hey, I’m glad to know that. Will you go with me to the tree lighting Saturday on the Common?”