A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

by Wilton, Patrice

  “No, they fell asleep before nine, but that little one sure can snore.” He chuckled. “Even louder than me.”

  She grabbed her bag on wheels and followed her parents and the children to the elevator and the car. “How was the Inn? Nice?”

  “It was lovely,” her mother said. “English Tudor in style. The rooms were large and roomy, with two King sized beds. Nice big flat screen TV, comfy bedding and a great shower. Decent breakfast too.”

  “Oh, that’s good to hear. Nick wanted to invite you all over for waffles, but I told him that wasn’t necessary. He’s already done so much for us. Got the car towed to the station, gave the police a preliminary report. He doesn’t need to cook breakfast for my family too.” She blushed, remembering how emotional she’d gotten over the phone with him earlier.

  “He’s a very pleasant and thoughtful man,” her mother said.

  “Feels guilty for putting you in the hospital, more likely,” her dad replied. “Can’t blame him. When I think what could have happened to the three of you…”

  “It really wasn’t his fault,” she broke in, not wanting to even consider another outcome. “He was trying to catch the dog, and I would have run the little guy over if I hadn’t seen him just in time. The car slid on some ice and smacked into that tree. Could have happened even without him and the dog.”

  When they reached her father’s car, she put the girl’s in the booster seats in the back. She had bought them for her parents a few years back. Then she slid in between the two seats, and was glad that she had small hips because it was a narrow fit.

  “Dad, if you don’t mind, just pull up in front of Nick’s restaurant and I’ll pop in and make our excuses. He told me we’d see it. Nick’s Bistro on Main Street.”

  She knew he’d be disappointed. For some reason he seemed determined to want to make her happy. As if an afternoon skating could do that.

  Her happiness had died along with her husband and it would be a long time before she’d feel anything close to that again. She wasn’t ready to let go off her grief, or to let his memory slip away. She reminded herself everyday of how much she’d loved him, and how much she missed him. Happiness had no place in her life right now. So Nick could just find some other poor dog, or person in distress to lavish his attention on.

  When they got to Main Street, they discovered there was no parking. It was a quaint cobblestone street and they had to park in a lot a block away. “You can all wait here, if you like. No point in all of us getting out.”

  Her mother glanced in the back at the girls. “You girls want a quick bite to eat? We had breakfast several hours ago.”

  “I do. I do,” Brooke said, and Katie nodded her head.

  “Guess, I wouldn’t mind something too.” Her dad found a parking spot, and they all piled out of the car while he put a couple of quarters into a machine. The children ran ahead, slipping and sliding along the sidewalk, while Jennie and her mother glanced into store windows.

  It was a lovely day. The sun was shining and snow glistened on the tree-lined street. Jennie could see the store front windows and pretty Evergreen trees twinkled with fairy lights, even this early in the day. As they walked under an awning, light snow fine as gossamer or cotton candy sprinkled down upon them. The girls laughed and tried to catch a drop in their hands but it was gone before they could grasp it.

  Seeing this magical street—like something out of a movie—made her smile. Her tension melted just like the snow, and for the first time in almost a year she felt herself relax. She lifted her head.

  “Heaven, Daniel?” she asked silently. “Is this what it’s like? Was it you watching over us? I miss you.”

  “Mom?” Brooke ran up to her and pulled at her hand, she was still missing a mitten. “What are you doing?”

  “Nothing, honey. Just looking at the fluffy snowflakes falling off the roofs,” she told them. “And look at these streetlamps. I don’t think I’ve ever seen lamps like these before. They even have candy cane stripes.” She pulled out her i-Phone and took a selfie with the girls. With a cracked face, she wasn’t sure if it would come out, and she didn’t really care. It amused the girls and that alone was worth the second it took.

  Her mother had linked arms with her dad and they were walking down the middle of the street, shoulders bumping, looking as much in love as when they’d first met forty years ago.

  “Mom? If we have to move, why don’t we get a house here?” Brooke’s voice held that little girl quality that Katie had outgrown. “I like this place, but I’m gonna miss our house and the swings in the backyard. And the rabbits.” She skipped along beside her. “Will there be rabbits at Nana’s?”

  “Not this time of the year. But maybe we’ll see deer.”

  “A reindeer?” she asked.

  “No. Just the regular variety.” On the other side of the road she saw a bright sign that caught her eye. Nick’s Bar and Bistro. “There it is.” She called out to her parents. “Nick’s.”

  When they stood outside the cafe she peered into the window and noticed the red and white tablecloths, candles on each table, and a fireplace that looked warm and inviting. “You’re sure you have time for lunch? I know you want to get home before the traffic picks up.”

  “We still have plenty of time. Is that adjustor fellow going to call your cell if he can get here today?”

  “That’s the plan. If I don’t hear from him, I’ll call the office again after we’ve had lunch.” She pushed open the door and held it for her parents and her kids to enter.

  A guy behind the bar shouted out a friendly greeting. “Welcome to Nick’s!”

  The waitress, a young woman with short, spiky dark hair and a wide smile, came over with some menus in hand. “You must be Jennie, and these are your kids, and the grandparents. I’m sorry to hear about your accident and hope you’re all right?”

  Jennie answered with surprise. “We’re all fine, thank you.”

  The waitress turned to her parents. “Not exactly the way you hoped your visit would start.”

  “No, but it could have been worse,” Louise said, smiling politely.

  “Well, I’m Ally, your server. Nick’s been expecting you and he asked me to take very good care of you. He also said that lunch is on the house—and if you don’t mind me making a suggestion, Nick makes an excellent quiche. Crab and asparagus is my favorite. His soups are fabulous too.”

  “It all sounds good.” Jennie smiled at the young cheerful woman with the flashing brown eyes and a flowered tattoo peeking out of her blouse. “This will be a pleasant way to spend an hour.”

  “Here. Let me take your coats. We just hang them on the hooks.”

  “We can do that,” Jennie said, not willing to be treated like royalty. “Where would you like us to sit?”

  “Take any seat that you want. The booths might be a bit small but one of the round tables will sit six comfortably.”

  Glancing around the room, Jennie noticed the dozen or so wooden tables, half of them empty. She chose the one nearest the fire, and the girls began to peel off their coats and gloves and goofy hats. A row of hooks near the door was used to hang jackets, so she hung up the girls’ and her own. Her mother and dad added theirs and then took the chairs with their backs to the fire.

  “The menu is here on the wall.” The bartender’s voice carried from his spot behind the bar. “It changes daily.” He had a nice face, attractive features, with light brown wavy hair that was thick and glossy. Jennie imagined a lot of young woman would consider him hot. Matter of fact, there was a table of three pretty teenagers giggling in the corner, sneaking peaks in his direction.

  “I’ll let Nick know you’re here,” the waitress said. “Then I’ll be back for your order.”

  Jennie was reading the chalk menu when the swinging door to the kitchen opened up and Nick came out, making his way to their table.

  Jennie felt her heart skip a beat, and wondered why in the world it was fluttering. Louise waved to him, and he
came up and kissed her hand.

  “Oh my,” she said, batting her eyes at him. “You’re making me blush.”

  His laugh was charming. “Glad you came. I was afraid that you might sneak out of town and not let me at least offer you a meal for your troubles.”

  Her dad folded a napkin on the table top. “Kids haven’t had anything since an early breakfast. Jennie still has some business to do this afternoon, so we were happy to take you up on your offer.”

  Jennie stood next to Nick, admiring his easy manner. Relaxed, and in his element. He turned his attention to her. “How are you doing?”

  “Better.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, oddly nervous. “Thanks.”

  “That’s good.” He pulled out her chair and she slid in. Her knees felt a little wobbly.

  “Good. I went to the gas station this morning and got some information on your car.” He put his hand on Jennie’s shoulder and looked into her face. “Want the good news now, and the bad after lunch?”

  She made a face. “How bad?”

  “Bad enough.”

  “Okay. Guess I better eat first.” Her eyes met his warm brown ones with a spark of hope. Good news was better than bad, any day of the week. “I’ll take the good news though.”

  “You may get to stay another night,” he said, his dark brows lifted like a game show host.

  She laughed and put her hand over her mouth. The last thing she wanted was to stay. “That’s supposed to be the good news?”

  “Yeah,” he said with a nod. “We can do the horse and carriage thing. It’ll be fun, and I think you could use some of that.”

  Jennie shook her head, not buying into that idea. “So, why do I “get” to stay overnight? There is no way my car is going to be fixed anytime soon so once the insurance adjustor shows up, I’m free to leave.”

  “True,” he readily agreed. “It’s going to take at least a week. There’s also a problem with the suspension and steering post.”

  “That’s the good news or the bad?” Jennie kept her smile in place but her stomach was churning. She couldn’t really afford anymore big bills now. Not before Christmas, and certainly not until after her house was sold.

  “The bad. Sorry, it kind of slipped out.” He looked at her seriously. “Please don’t worry about it. The accident was my fault and I’ll cover the costs.”

  “That’s not necessary,” her father pointed out. “Her insurance will take care of it.”

  “Well, any out of pocket costs,” Nick amended. “I insist. And that includes you renting a car.”

  “That’s covered by my insurance too.” Jennie sat back and peered up at him. “So let’s have lunch then I can get my rented car and leave later today.”

  Her mom smiled at Nick. “So, what do you suggest?”

  “Soup’s good. Beef and barley or clam chowder, and Ally probably mentioned my quiche. It’s a big seller. But I also have chili and lasagna.”

  “I want chili,” Katie told Nick.

  “Not me,” said Brooke. “I want a grilled cheese sandwich, or chicken fingers.”

  “That’s not on the menu, Brooke, but maybe you could ask the chef.” Smiling, Jennie glanced up at him, and her heart did a little pitter-patter. What the heck? Was she flirting?

  “Anything for this little princess,” Nick said, giving Brooke a wink.

  “I’m not a princess,” Brooke replied. “I’m a cookie monster. Cookie, cookie,” she said pretending to stuff her mouth.

  Ally brought iced water to the table and crayons and Christmas scenes for the girls to color. They settled down, content to wait for their lunch.

  Her dad ordered the barley soup and Quiche Lorraine, while Jennie and her mom decided on crab quiche and iced tea.

  She sipped her tea, and the knots in her shoulders relaxed a little. Her mother was coloring with the girls, her dad was enjoying his soup, and she had a moment to simply appreciate the fact that they were alive, and here. Together in a place that was Heaven on earth. The thought actually made her smile.

  The bistro had a warm, homey feeling to the decor. The walls were a wood grain on the bottom, and had an attractive wallpaper motif on the top. Terrific pictures of wildlife were framed and hung around the room. A night or two in this adorable town might actually take all her stress away. It was definitely therapeutic.

  Her mom patted her hand. “Things have gotten awfully complicated, haven’t they honey?”

  Jennie nodded, unable to speak after seeing the compassion in her mother’s eyes.

  “It’s all going to work out fine. I have a good feeling.”

  “What do you mean? This is an extra expense that I certainly don’t need.”

  “That’s true, but I believe things happen for a reason. And I’m sorry, but it brought you here. I think it’s all part of the divine plan.”

  “Divine plan, be damned,” John muttered, rubbing his chest. “What a cockabilly idea. It’s a nuisance, but these things happen and we just have to deal with them.”

  The girls looked up from their coloring. “What’s cockabilly, Papa?”

  Jennie pulled her gaze from her dad and laughed softly. “It means silly, and you girls know how to be silly, don’t you?”

  She tickled them both and made them giggle. But while she waited for lunch, she thought about what her mother said. Had there been a reason for her to turn off the highway when she did, and end up in Heaven? Had Daniel been in on this scheme? The idea lightened her heart. Or was her dad right, and these things, like his health issues, just had to be dealt with?

  The decision to stay or to go would be made for her. If the adjustor got here this afternoon she’d be free to leave. Didn’t mean she couldn’t come back after the holiday and spend a night or two. Get to know the town a little better. Nick too.

  She had options. The door to Heaven was open.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Nick took out a chicken breast, pounded it with his mallet, then chopped it into finger-like slices. He dipped the chicken strips into an egg mixture, then breadcrumbs and sautéed them over the grill. While they were cooking, he quickly grilled a cheese sandwich, and sliced a banana and strawberries on a plate. When the chicken fingers were a nice golden brown, he took them off the grill, and put them on the plate, along with the half sandwich. Brooke may only be five, but his attention to detail remained the same as if she were fifty-five.

  Pleased with the artful display, he delivered the meal himself. The fact he’d get another chance to converse and look at Jennie was an additional bonus. Brooke grinned up at him when she saw her lunch plate. “That’s for me?”

  “It is. Special compliments of the chef.”

  She blinked, her eyes big and round. “Are you the chef?”

  “I am.”

  “Then where’s your hat?” She pointed to his head. “You should wear one of those big floppy white hats.”

  “Now, that’s a good question.” He glanced at Jennie, who was playing with her food and smiling at the conversation.

  “If you don’t have one,” Brooke said, “you could wear mine. It’s a piggy hat.”

  “A piggy hat?” Nick nodded, fighting back a smile. “Wow. That sounds really nice, but I’m not sure that my big head would fit into a little girl’s piggy hat.”

  She giggled. “Want to try? It’s on the hook over there,” she pointed, “with my pink coat.”

  Nick glanced where the little girl pointed, then his eyes met Jennie’s. He quirked his brow. “Um. Do I have to?”

  “Of course not. But you would win her heart forever.” Her eyes sparkled. “Not necessary, trust me. It was enough that you made her a special meal.”

  “Can I have a sliced banana and strawberries, too?” Katie asked. “I’m almost done with my chili.”

  “Now, Katie. Nick’s busy, don’t bother him,” Louise said and patted her hand. “If you ask nicely, I’m sure Brooke will share hers.”

  Brooke nodded. “Here you go, Katie.” She picked up a
couple of slices and put them on her sister’s bread plate. “You can have those.”

  Jennie looked at her children with maternal pride. “They’re very good at sharing.” She turned her attention back on him, probably wondering why he was still hanging around with nothing better to do. “The quiche is fabulous, by the way. Where did you learn to cook?”

  “My grandma mostly. She raised me, and we spent a lot of time in the kitchen together.” He rubbed his jaw, still defensive about his love for his grandma and cooking—a hangover from his youth. “After she passed away, I started working at one of the local chain restaurants on weekends and for the summers. Started off as a busboy, then a waiter, and graduated to a short order cook. Stayed there for a few years, until I was twenty-three. Went to Europe for a couple of years.”

  “Cool,” Jennie said, her posture relaxed. Interested. “I’ve never spent any real time in Europe. Used to fly there when I worked for the airlines before the kids came along.” She smiled. “Always wanted to go back to some of my favorite cities and explore them more.”

  She did have that flight attendant look about her. Tall, attractive, put together. But a lot friendlier than most of them. “I apprenticed under some of the best chefs in the big cities around Europe. Paris. Rome. Malaga.”

  “Lovely,” Louise said, her hand on her husband’s arm. “The two of us plan to take a trip to Europe next year, God willing. One of those land tours.” She smiled. “Did you visit the museums, or were you too busy for that?”

  “I took in a few, after all art and food go hand in hand. Must admit, I was having the time of my life,” he told them. “You two should go. It’s a great experience.”

  “We will,” John said. “Had a health scare this past year, but that’s not going to keep me grounded. I promised Louise we’d travel once we retired, and I aim to keep my promise.”

  “When you’re up to it,” Louise said with a loving smile.