“Thank you again for bringing me to work this morning and for the fire,” I said with a bright smile as I handed him the Styrofoam cup. No need to let a simple phone call ruin my relationship with the sheriff if our fair town. “I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome,” he said brusquely and turned and left.
The McDonalds left a little while later with smiles on their faces. I watched them walk together down the sidewalk, holding hands like newlyweds. With a heavy sigh, I went back behind the counter and booted up my laptop. It was going to be a long, lonely day.
Today was supposed to have been my wedding day, too, but Sean and my best friend, Emily, had changed all that.
Make that ex-best friend.
I learned several very valuable lessons from the whole experience. Never, ever come home from work early to surprise someone. You’re the one who is liable to get the surprise.
Sean and Emily, beautiful, blonde, pencil thin Emily, had been so busy with each other they didn’t even see me at first as in the bedroom doorway. He was on top of her, kissing her passionately while her hands caressed his bare back.
“I love you,” he whispered to her over and over between kisses, his lower body moving rhythmically beneath the sheets.
His words pierced my heart like a thousand arrows. I stood there rooted to the spot, unable to move, unable to look away. My world seemed to spin out of control.
“And I love you,” she whispered back, pulling his head down to her chest. She gasped when he moved his head from one firm little mound to the other. Then he began licking his way downward, causing her to moan and squirm on the bed.
That’s when she opened her eyes and saw me standing in the doorway.
“Sean,” she said.
“What, baby,” he muttered.
“Sean,” she snapped.
The sound of her voice finally had his attention and then he followed her gaze to the doorway where I stood, holding onto the door frame for support. Every emotion I could name was flying through me at the same time with enough force to almost knock me off my feet. But I held firm.
“I’m going to come back in two hours,” I said, finding some still, quiet place inside of myself and drawing courage from that. “I will pack my things and I never, ever want to see or talk to either of you ever again.”
“Honey, let me explain,” Sean said, crawling off the bed and pulling the sheet with him.
That left Emily naked and scrambling for the bedspread.
“You don’t need to explain, Sean. I’ve seen everything I need to see. And heard it as well.” I was amazed at my calm, steady voice. Of course, I would fall apart later but I would never let either of them see this.
“Lexi, baby,” he continued.
I held up my hand. “You have two hours.”
When I came back to the apartment two hours later they were gone. I packed my belongings and moved into a hotel not sure of my next step. The next few weeks were nothing but a blur. I went to work, I ate, I talked to people, but I have no idea how I was able to function. And I kept running into Sean and Emily, seeing them here and there together, my heart breaking anew each time.
My mother begged me to give Sean a second chance to continue with plans for the wedding and work things out between us. She didn’t know the details of what I’d seen and I wasn’t about to tell her. So the Christmas Day wedding we’d been planning was cancelled, and I think she was more disappointed than I was. After all, my other two sisters, both younger than me, were married and already starting families.
After what like forever walking around in a dark tunnel of misery, I decided that it was time I took charge of my life and tried something new and different and fun. And I knew I was going to have to get out of Chicago. That’s when I stumbled across the ad for The Sweet Bakery for sale in this tiny town in Minnesota and I knew it was fate. It took every bit of my savings but I had bought the bakery and the Mr. Sweet’s small house on the outskirts of town, quit my job and moved.
On the radio, Elvis was singing about A Blue Christmas when Tate returned to the bakery. I held my breath and watched him stride to the fireplace. He stoked it up, added more wood and finally turned to face me.
“I just checked on the McDonalds. They made it home just fine.”
“What a sweet couple,” I told him. “And so lucky to have each other.”
He nodded and was quiet for a moment. Then he moved up close to my protective counter, took a deep breath and fondled the brim of his hat. Finally, he looked up at me. “Lexi, about this morning…”
I cut him off. “No need to explain,” I said holding up my hands as if to ward him off. “I understand completely.”
“No you don’t,” he said, his gray eyes flashed angrily.
At that moment my cell phone came to life on the counter, playing a happy little tune and vibrating wildly. Saved by the bell, I thought as I checked the caller ID.
“Excuse me, I have to take this,” I said to Tate.
“Hi, Mom,” I said, putting the phone up to my ear.
“MERRY CHRISTMAS, LEXI!” It sounded like twenty people were all screaming at once.
I laughed and pictured everyone together in my parents’ living room yelling at the phone.
“Merry Christmas,” I said when my mother finally spoke to me.
“We miss you, Lexi,” Mom said.
“I miss you guys, too.”
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I replied, giving Tate a quick glance.
He moved back to the fireplace but did not leave the bakery.
“Well, you know what today was supposed to be. I was afraid you might be regretting your decision to call it off,” she said.
“Haven’t regretted it one moment,” I said truthfully.
“Sean is here. He brought some presents for you,” she told me. “He and Emily broke up and I think he’s really sorry.”
“Give them to someone else,” I said. “I don’t need his presents.”
“I think he really wants to try again,” she continued as if I hadn’t said a word.
“Mom, I don’t want to try again. I’m perfectly happy here. I’ve made lots of new friends and don’t you dare give him my cell number,” I said, with a bit more force than I meant.
“Here, he wants to talk to you,” she said suddenly.
Before I could take a breath, Sean’s voice came through the phone. “Lexi, hey, honey. Merry Christmas.”
And I felt nothing, not anger or sadness or anything else I could name. “Merry Christmas, Sean,” I said cheerfully.
Tate’s head turned slowly in my direction.
“I’d love to see you,” he began. “Maybe we could talk…”
“I don’t think so, Sean,” I said, fully in control of my emotions. This man no longer had any power over me. It was almost as if he was a stranger rather than someone I had been planning to love, honor and obey the rest of my life.
And it felt good.
“Tell Emily I said Merry Christmas, too,” I added a final jab and then ended the call.
When I looked up at Tate, it felt like a whole world of pain and sorry and dread and worry had been lifted off of my shoulders.
“I’m sorry. Now, what were we talking about?”
Before he could reply, the door burst open, jingle bells jangling wildly. Frankie stood there wide-eyed, breathing hard and shaking from head to toe. Tommy and Pete were clinging to his legs, fear apparent in their faces. They were still in their pajamas, their hair a wild riot of brown curls.
“Fire!” Frankie shouted. “Our house is on fire!”
Chapter Ten
Even from where I stood, I could see a black pillar of smoke rising over the rooftops several blocks over. Tate was immediately on his radio, in charge of the situation, barking orders and moving toward the door.
“Is everyone out?” he asked Frankie.
Frankie seemed to be stunned or in shock and made no r
eply.
Tate put his hands on the boy’s shoulders, looked directly into his eyes. “Frankie, is everyone out of the house?”
“I…I don’t know,” Frankie finally stammered.
“The boys can stay here with me,” I told Tate, already pulling Pete into my arms. “Bring the rest of the family here, if you need to.”
Then Tate was gone with Frankie right behind him.
I picked up the Pete who had begun to cry for his older brother and herded Tommy toward the fireplace. They were both barefoot, their little toes red from being out in the snow. I remembered seeing some gloves in the lost and found box under the counter. I grabbed them and then put Pete down long enough to put globes on their tiny feet.
“Now we’re chickens,” Tommy said walking around with his five fingered socks slapping the floor.
That took Pete’s mind off of Frankie momentarily but he continued to cling to me, looking over my shoulder at the door every few minutes.
Sirens wailed in the distance. Not a sound anyone wants to hear on Christmas morning.
“Let’s sing,” I said and sat down in the floor with the two boys.
They came a little closer to the fire, absorbing the warmth, Pete finally relaxing somewhat and resting his head on my shoulder. We sang Jingle Bells .and several other happy, lively Christmas carols.
“Where’s Frankie,” Tommy asked.
“He’s helping your mom and dad,” I explained. “He’ll be back soon.”
“I want my mommy,” Pete whimpered tears shining in his green eyes.
“She’ll be here soon, too,” I assured him, pulling him close.
“It’ll be okay,” Tommy told his younger brother. “There was a fire,” he explained to me. “But everything is going to be okay.”
“Absolutely,” I reassured both of them.
“Did our toys from Santa get burned up?” the younger one asked.
“If they did, I’m sure he’ll bring you some more,” I told him.
Finally, I heard the door open behind me and turned to see Frankie and his parents coming into the shop followed by Tate. Frankie went immediately to his younger brothers and they began asking him a million questions.
Frankie’s mother was a thin, tired looking woman, carrying an infant wrapped in an old quilt. At that moment, her face was streaked with smoke and soot and I was sure she had rolled out of bed that morning only to face a nightmare. Frankie’s dad looked exhausted. He took Pete from Frankie and they all huddled around the fire.
I didn’t have to ask. The look on Tate’s face said it all. This family, who was already having such a hard time of it, lost everything on Christmas day. He gave me a small nod as if to let me know that everyone was safe.
“Hi, my name is Lexi,” I said to Frankie’s mom, touching her shoulder. Her bones felt like those of a bird. “I’m sure you could use some coffee.”
She smiled weakly and nodded.
“We’ll be out of your way soon, ma’am,” Frankie told me. “Sheriff Chandler called my Uncle Dave. He’s coming to get us.”
“In the meantime, why don’t you help me in the kitchen,” I told him.
He followed looking a little shell shocked but did everything I asked him to do. In just a few moments, we returned to the front of the bakery with a plate of warm pastries, hot coffee for the adults and cocoa for the children. Tate and Frankie’s dad were talking quietly off to the side and I didn’t dare interrupt.
Tommy and Pete helped themselves and Frankie’s mom took the coffee I offered with a whispered “Thank you.” Her hand was shaking badly.
“Can I hold your baby?” I asked.
She gave me the precious package reluctantly. “My daughter, Becky,” she whispered.
“Well, hello, Becky,” I said, uncovering her tiny face. Weighing no more than a feather, she cooed and waved a tiny hand at me. Then I turned to Frankie’s mom. “Sweetie, if you want to wash up, we actually have a shower here,” I offered. “It’ll help you warm up, too. Come on, I’ll show you.”
“That would be wonderful,” she said, and I caught sight of a tiny smile.
Handing the baby over to Frankie, I led his mom to the back and showed her where everything was located. “It’s kind of sparse but at least its hot water and some shampoo,” I said. “And I think you might be able to wear one of Ida Mae’s uniforms,” I told her, getting the freshly laundered bundle out of the closet near the bathroom. “I’m sure she won’t mind.”
“How can I ever thank you for your kindness?” she asked when I handed her a clean towel.
“No need to thank me for anything,” I said. “We’re here to take care of each other.”
The sight that greeted me when I came back out front was straight out of an old movie. Word travels fast in a small town but I had no idea how fast, especially when a tragedy befalls a family. There were half a dozen women in the coffee shop and more coming in. It looked like they were bringing clothing for the children. Some were helping them get dressed and some were already getting things organized.
I just stood there staring, surprised and amazed at what was taking place right in front of me. Evidently all of the men were at the fire scene or taking care of their own children at home.
“Lexi, I just made a fresh pot of coffee.”
I turned and ran straight into Lacey. “What are you doing here?” I asked.
“We heard the news and then we heard that the family was here. I rounded up clothing from my grandbabies and headed this way.”
I shook my head. “I so wanted you guys to have a peaceful Christmas with your family,” I told her.
She patted my shoulder. “Half of my family is here,” she said with a laugh. “And here comes Ida Mae and Lucas and Martin.”
I looked up to see the three enter the bakery.
“Can’t leave you alone for a minute,” Ida Mae scolded. “Lacey let’s get some biscuits made. The Sullivans are bringing a turkey.”
“A turkey!”
“Can’t have Christmas dinner without a turkey,” Lucas said.
I just stood there amazed at how everyone in town was showing up, being so supportive. The gifts of warm clothing were giving way to food. Women pushed several tables together to make one long one and soon they were filled with not one but two turkeys, golden brown and smelling delicious. Every side dish imaginable was added to that and then the pies and cakes started arriving.
And all the while everyone laughed and talked and surrounded this family protectively.
“What a way to spend Christmas,” Martin said, standing so close behind me I could feel his hot breath on my neck.
“At least everyone is together,” I said. “And I think the boys are having a fine time.”
“Yeah, kids and Christmas,” he said as he put a hand on my shoulder and gave it a little squeeze.
The bell tinkled over the door and I barely heard it over the noise thee throng of people was making. I looked up to see Tate. He glared at Martin then stepped forward and pulled me aside.
“Lexi, I’m sorry about all of this but right now there’s nowhere else for them to go,” he explained.
“Really, Tate, it’s okay. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I said, easing my arm out of his grip.
Frankie’s mom looked somewhat refreshed. Ida Mae’s uniform was a bit big but she didn’t seem to care. She took the sleeping baby from another young mother and the boys gathered around her.
“Did they lose everything?” I asked as I watched his gaze travel to the family.
He nodded. “Total loss. They think it was an electrical fire and I’m not surprised. That old trailer…”
“Well, I’m glad everyone got out okay,” I said and that’s when I noticed that he was still touching me. A little shiver of desire rushed through me, totally catching me off guard. I pushed that aside and suddenly had an idea.
“Hey, it looks like everything is under control here. Would you do me a favor?”
“Sure,” he
said, finally bringing his gaze back to me.
“Take me shopping.”
“What?”
“Let’s go buy some toys,” I said, energized by my new idea. “I know all of their toys are gone.”
“They didn’t have that much to begin with,” Tate explained.
“Then that’s all the more reason to do this.”
“Lexi, there’s no place open…” he began.
“I’ll bet if you called the guy who owns the discount store out on the highway, he’d open up for us,” I said giving him my best ‘pretty please’ look. “After all, you are the sheriff.”
With a shake of his head, Tate pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. He spoke for a minute and then ended the call. “Get your coat. We’re going Christmas shopping.”
I raced to the back and grabbed my coat. “Tate and I are going on a little errand,” I told the two ladies who were putting together a delicious looking tray of warm, flaky biscuits.
Lacey poked Ida Mae with her elbow and Ida Mae grinned at me.
“What?”
“Nothing,” Ida Mae said.
“We won’t be gone long,” I told her, ignoring their knowing looks. “And while I’m gone just do whatever needs to be done.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Ida Mae said.
I could hear them giggling like schoolgirls when I left the kitchen and headed out the front where Tate was already in his Jeep. Then I realized I had no idea what to buy for a house full of brothers. I ran back inside and grabbed Frankie. As an afterthought, I also scooped up a couple of boxes of Christmas cookies just for a little extra insurance.
Once we were buckled in the Jeep and headed out onto the highway, I explained to Frankie what we were doing and why I needed him with us.
“You mean I get to pick out presents for everyone?” he asked, looking from Tate to me and back again.
“Yep, presents for everyone,” I told him.
The roads were still treacherous and it had started to snow again. Tate took his time and we arrived safely parking right up front beside the manager’s truck. The tall, thin man dressed like an Eskimo opened the door for us and shook hands with Tate.
Star-Crossed Curves: BBW Erotic Romance Boxed Set Page 36