by Nancy Fraser
“And Georgia does?”
“In the last two years, I’ve laughed and lived more than I did in the last thirty. She is smart and kind and challenges me to get out of my comfort zone on a regular basis, and I hope I do the same for her. But I respect the heck out of her. Raising Vera on her own, writing cookbooks—which, I know you’ve only had her delicious breakfast foods, but she is an amazing cook. Her books are bestsellers.”
“I had no idea.” Tony stared into his cup. He had to wonder how Vera’s conversation was going with her mom.
“Tony, what about you? Have you found someone who you want to spend a lifetime making memories with? Vera perhaps?”
“Uncle Frank, we just met. It’s been, what? Three days. No one falls in love in just three days.”
“Sometimes it only takes three minutes.” He leaned back in the booth. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen you look so relaxed and carefree. Since you’ve been here, you don’t look like you’re my brother instead of my nephew.”
“Are you saying I’m an old fart?”
“No. What I’m saying is maybe it’s time you let go and allow your heart to make a wish for love.”
With a laugh, Tony said, “Now I know you’re in love. Look at you being all mushy.”
Uncle Frank perked up. “I wear it well, don’t I.”
“You’re one thousand percent sure Georgia is the only woman for you? I can’t talk you into slowing down and, say, get married a year from now?”
“Not a chance. I’ve been to more June weddings than I’d care to remember, and we want to get married the fourth Saturday in June.” He grinned. “Can I count on you to be my best man?”
“I’d be honored.”
Vera was sitting on the front porch with Mollie by her side when Frank parked his truck in the driveway. Tony jogged up the front steps after parking his own truck on the street.
“Are you taking Mollie for a walk?”
“I am. Want to come?”
“Yes.” He knew she was anxious to share what they each had learned. As he scratched Mollie’s ears, he asked, “Hey girl, ready to stretch your legs?”
Mollie stood up, and it seemed as if she was smiling. Her tail was beating the side of his leg.
“Someone is excited.” He took her leash.
Once on the sidewalk, they strolled toward the center of town. Vera seemed to be waiting for him to spill his guts.
“They love each other. Your mom and my uncle.”
“We already knew that.” Vera pointed down a new side street. “Let’s go that way.”
“Uncle Frank said your mom is the first woman he’s ever wanted to marry.” He kicked a ball of snow. “He asked me to be his best man.”
“And you said?”
“Of course I said yes. I love him, and he’s done so much for me.”
“I guess that’s that.”
“He offered me his house. He hasn’t sold it yet.”
“That was nice.”
Could this conversation be any more stilted?
“Vera, if your mom told you similar things to what Uncle Frank said, we need to let this go. Be happy they found someone. We know how hard that is.”
He wasn’t going to divulge all of what his uncle had said. It was nuts for him to have implied he had strong feelings for Vera. No matter what he thought, nobody falls in love in three days.
Vera came to a stop on the back side of the village green.
“Have you made your Christmas wish yet?”
“Do you really believe in wishes?”
She pointed to the tree. “Close your eyes and silently make a wish.”
She closed her eyes and stood there, quiet. He did the same.
When he opened them again, she was looking at him.
She smiled. “Good. Now, let’s take Mollie home. There is a baking lesson in your future.”
Chapter 8
VERA WIPED A SMUDGE of flour from Tony’s face with a chuckle. “I see you’ve immersed yourself in cookie baking.”
His finger trailed down her cheek, adding a smear to her face. “You look good in white.” He held up his finger. “Flour, I meant.”
She grabbed a damp towel and wiped her face off. Easing the ping in her heart, she laughed it off. “It’s a good thing we’re baking thumbprint cookies but haven’t gotten to the jam part yet. Otherwise you might have raspberry jam on your face too.”
He put up his hands in self-defense. “Wait! I was just having a little fun.” The twinkle in his eye betrayed his playful side. “So, what do we do next? Scoop these on the sheet and put them in the oven, and when do we put the jam on them?”
“Patience, take a small amount of dough in your hand. About a teaspoonful and roll it into a ball, making sure you can’t see any cracks in the dough.”
He had a heaping spoonful and began to roll the dough to golf-ball size. She touched his hand.
“Hold on there. That is a little too big. The cookies need to be roughly the same size to bake evenly.” She pinched off a hunk from one side. “Try that.”
Tony rerolled the dough, checking to see how Vera’s cookies were shaping up. She had lined up four little balls to his one.
“How’s this?” He held up a perfectly shaped ball.
“Great. Follow the spacing and make more. Once they’re ready, we’ll use our thumb to make an impression in them and fill the hole with slightly warmed raspberry jam.”
“What other kinds are we making?” He began to roll his next cookie.
“Apricot?”
He wrinkled his nose. “What about the apple jam your mom has in the fridge? I’ll bet that would be really good in these.”
“I never thought about that. The caramel flavor in the jam would be tasty with this cookie. I’ll get some and we can do half and half.”
“By the way, do you think your mom and my uncle are upset with us?”
“No. Why?”
“They disappeared pretty quick when it was time to make these cookies.”
“Mom has already done a ton of baking, but these are my favorites to make. I’m sure she saved them for me and you.” She looked up and grinned. “Are you having fun?”
“Yeah, but I’ll have more fun when I’m eating some of these. Do they have to cool completely before I get a sample?”
“Trust me; you’re going to want them to cool. That jam is going to be hot after being in the oven. I’m going to suggest about ten minutes after they come out, you can try one.”
With a snort, he said, “I’m trying at least two—one of each kind. Care to join me?”
“Only if you make the coffee.” She finished the last of the balls and moved the cookie sheets closer. “Come stand next to me.”
Tony walked around the island.
She took his hand and positioned his thumb over the center of the dough ball.
“Gently, make an indent about halfway down and pull your thumb straight out.”
He made a slight indent. “Like that?”
She took his hand and guided it. “No. Sink your thumb in to almost the bottom of your nail. Being careful to not push too hard and crack the dough.”
She watched as he moved to the next ball. “While you finish that, I’ll warm the jam.”
She could feel his eyes follow her to the microwave. She warmed the two flavors of jam and wondered why she had never thought to use the apple. Over her shoulder, she said, “I might just make a baker out of you yet. The idea of the apple jam was genius.”
“We haven’t tasted it yet.”
Baking with Tony had become very intimate. She had never made Christmas cookies with any of her previous boyfriends, but she was having fun and Tony seemed to be enjoying the entire process. He was a quick learner. Baking was precise, not like making a meal where a little of this and that tossed in and it could still turn out fabulous.
“I’m done.”
The microwave dinged and she grabbed the glass bowls by their edges and moved th
em to the counter, releasing them with a clatter. “Those are hot.”
He turned on the cold water and held her hands under the tap.
From under her lashes, she studied him. He really was a sweet guy.
“Thanks. They’re better now.”
He handed her a dry towel. “Potholders are where?”
She pointed to a drawer next to the stove. “I should have thought about using them in the first place.”
“I’ll get them. You start filling the cookies.” He gave her a wink. “How long do they have to bake? I’m getting hungry.”
She tossed the towel at him. “I’m going to ask Santa to bring you a box full of patience.”
He ducked. “There’s an old saying: Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can. Seldom found in women, never found in men. Or I think that is how it goes.”
“Are you telling me that I have more patience than you?” She bobbed her head. “Very observant.”
Teasing, he said, “I just lumped myself in a box.”
“And just when I thought you were different from all the other guys in the world.” She thrust a spoon in his direction. “Start putting the jam in.”
“You’re so focused.”
“I’m not going to be the reason you don’t get an afternoon snack.”
“Are there food vendors at the village green tonight?” His stomach grumbled right on cue.
She burst out laughing. “Don’t worry. You won’t starve.”
MOLLIE CAME TROTTING into the front hallway and sat down.
Tony knelt down to pet her. “I don’t think you’re going with us tonight. It’s pretty cold out there.” He leaned in closer and whispered in her ear, “Snuggle up in your blanket and stay warm. I’ll tell you all about it when we get home.”
She gave him a lick on his cheek and wandered into the living room to hop up on the couch as if she understood every word he had said.
Vera came in and was wrapping a red plaid blanket scarf around her neck. She peeked in the other room to see what Mollie was doing. “I’m surprised she isn’t asking to go with us.”
“She came out but I told her it was really cold and I’d fill her in on all the details when we got back. Heck, I’ll take a picture of the tree and show her too.”
Vera chuckled. “She does understand human as well as dog.”
“Your mom and Uncle Frank said they’d be down in a minute or two. Then we can take off.”
She looked him up and down. “Are you going to be warm enough?”
He patted his pockets. “Gloves and a hat.” He waved his hand over her outfit. “You look warm.”
“The key is the blanket scarf.” She held out the corners. “I can wrap this around me and be really warm.”
He noted it looked big enough for two and his mind did wander to getting close to her within the folds of the wool.
“Hey, did I lose you?”
He snapped out of his daydream. “Sorry. Thinking of a story I need to turn in.”
Uncle Frank and Georgia took that moment to bustle into the foyer.
Georgia looped her arm through Vera’s. “Are you two ready? I want us to get a good spot near the tree.”
She and his uncle led the way, holding hands and talking about different outdoor decorations they wanted to get on sale after Christmas. He had never seen this side of Uncle Frank before, and it was nice.
VERA DISCOVERED IT was easier to see Mom and Frank together since they had talked yesterday. Who was she to stand in their way of happiness and if she did, she’d be the loser. She wasn’t going to risk putting a wedge between her and Mom.
As they walked, she stole a look at Tony. His bright green knit cap was pulled low on his head and she smothered a smile when she saw his gloves. They had huge Mickey Mouse faces stitched on them. They looked vaguely familiar.
“Did you get those out of the closet?” She pointed to his hands.
“No. They’re mine. Do you like them?”
“I do.” Another zing of similarity.
He looped his arm through hers. “Just in case of ice.” His eyes were bright as he tried to play it cool.
“Mom found her spot. Come on.”
Their steps quickened as they grew closer to the growing crowd. Tony was absorbing the sights and throngs of people. He fits in perfectly, small town life suits him.
“Is the entire town here?”
“Pretty much. Dicken-ites love all holidays, but Christmas most of all.” She grinned. “It kind of fits with the name of our town and all.”
He drank in the sites. “It’s something out of a Christmas card. Right down to the raised dais with Santa waiting until we’re done singing.”
“Then Santa will take his spot and the children can make their last wishes.”
“Uncle Frank and I never went caroling.”
He chimed in, “I’m sorry we missed this. I’m having the best time.” He dropped a kiss on Mom’s forehead.
“It’ll be the first of many. Vera and I haven’t missed one since she was born.” Mom’s eyes were misty. “It’s nice being together to start a new tradition.”
Vera glanced at the clock on the church steeple. “We have some time. Does anyone want a cup of hot cocoa?”
After agreeing it would hit the spot, Tony volunteered to go with her.
They strolled through the crowd of adults and children whose faces were filled with the excitement of seeing Santa. She knew they wouldn’t be sleeping much tonight, with Christmas just around the corner.
“Tell me, have you enjoyed being immersed in the Davis family traditions?”
“I have. Next year, it will be the Davis-Barbee traditions of a blended family.” He shoulder bumped her. “Is there something you’d like to do that you haven’t yet?”
“Not really. We’ve been to Gridley’s, Trim-A-Tree, the tea shop, and we’ve even taken a sleigh ride.”
“What was the highlight?”
She gave him a toothy smile. “Can I say all of it? There has been something very special about this year.”
“Could it be you’ve made a decision about your future? You’re content with what will happen after the new year?”
“That plays a part in my happiness.” She stopped short of telling Tony he was also a part of what had been different but nice about this year.
They ordered four cups of cocoa with whipped cream. They each took two cups and strolled back to Georgia and Frank.
The band struck up the first chords of a carol, and the combined voices of young and old melded. Everyone sang “O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree.” After a few more songs, both silly and sentimental, they finished with “Silent Night.”
The last strains hung in the air. Tony took that moment to announce, “I’ve been putting off telling you all, but I got an urgent email. I need to get back to the city tomorrow. Work thing.”
Vera’s mouth dropped open. She stammered, “Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Can’t it wait a couple of days?”
He dropped his gaze to the snow-covered grass, avoiding her eyes. “It can’t. I’m sorry.”
Chapter 9
TONY SPENT A SLEEPLESS night. He still couldn’t believe he had ruined the evening by saying he was leaving. If he stayed, he’d make a fool of himself. He got what Uncle Frank had said about the heart knowing what it wants. Tony had fallen in love with Vera. He silently agreed with her that this year had been special for him, and it was because of her. But he couldn’t bear it if she rejected him.
These feelings were foreign to him. The only way to deal with them was to put space between the two of them. He was going to get Uncle Frank alone and explain the real reason for leaving. He would understand. Maybe.
Tony threw the last of his clothes in his duffel bag. There was a soft knock on the door.
“Come in.”
Uncle Frank eased it open. “Do you have a minute?”
He waved his uncle inside.
“Care to tell me the real reason you’re rushi
ng out of town? I know it has nothing to do with work.” He sat on the corner of the bed and gave him a hard look. “Your announcement caught everyone off guard.”
He leaned against the dresser. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”
“It’s Christmas, and we have so much to celebrate. You haven’t been home for a few years, always off someplace.”
He hung his head. Should he speak freely and tell him why he was leaving, lest Uncle Frank think it had something to do with Georgia? Heck, he probably wouldn’t be any happier when he found out it was because of Vera. His future step-daughter.
“What’s weighing heavy on your mind?” He cocked his head. “I can sit here all day if necessary.”
That was just like Uncle Frank, to wait him out, just like when he was a kid. Over the years, he had discovered it was easier to speak than wait. Frank Barbee was a very patient man.
“I can’t be here, with Vera.”
His brow arched. “Did you have an argument?”
“Nothing like that. If we had, this would be easier.”
“You’re using work as an excuse. There’s no emergency, is there?”
“No. Unless you call throwing caution to the wind and losing my heart and wanting the girl across the hall.” He sank to the wooden chair next to the dresser. “Remember when you told me you knew Georgia was the one for you?”
Uncle Frank nodded but didn’t speak. He waited patiently.
“When she stopped alongside the road where I was broken down and apologized for not letting me get in her car, I was intrigued. But then she backed up and put her flashers on so that no one would hit me, I realized she had the biggest heart. Who does that for a complete stranger? That was it. I was a goner.”
He hopped out of the chair and crossed to the window. “These last few days, spending time together, it’s like we’re on the same wavelength. It’s easy to be with her and after the first day, I tried to tell myself I had discovered you can be friends with a woman.” He snorted. “But who was I kidding? I wanted so much more than that but she looks at me like a friend and soon to be a, well I don’t know what, cousin or something.”
“Why don’t you tell her how you feel? Isn’t it better than running away from the woman who might want to spend time with you? After all, you live in the same city.”