by Jody Holford
Chapter Six
“I hate shopping. Seriously hate it,” Sam grumbled, carrying his oldest sister’s bags.
“I make you do it once a year. Is that too much to ask?” Melissa asked, her face forming a grin that he knew mirrored his own, when he was grinning. Which he definitely wasn’t now.
Of the four siblings, he and Melissa looked most similar. Same light brown hair, same smile, same blue eyes. She was almost his height too, which was saying something, since he was close to six feet. She was also his favorite sister, even though he wasn’t supposed to have favorites. Maybe because she catered to him more than the other two, Jenny and Lauren, did. They were twins, only two years older than him, so they took every opportunity to gang up on him when he was growing up. Plus, he saw Melissa more because he liked hanging out with her husband, Andy, and their kids.
“No. Not too much to ask though it’d be easier to bear if I knew there was beer in my future. Maybe even a nice greasy hamburger and some fries.”
“You’re such a baby,” she laughed, turning toward Victoria Secret.
“Nuh-uh. There’s a rule against siblings going into this store together,” he said, stopping in his tracks. She shook her head.
“I wanted to get pajamas for Jenny and Lauren. Matching. I thought it’d be cute,” she said handing him the two bags she was holding.
“Well, good luck. I’m going to the food fair to grab a pop. Don’t be too long,” he answered.
“You’re a scrooge,” Melissa complained.
“Whatever Cindy-Lou Who. Get your p.j.’s and let’s get out of here,” he said, walking in the opposite direction.
Victoria’s Secret. As if he was going in there with his sister. Though pajamas had made him think of Anna and the thought of her made him think of what else Victoria’s Secret carried. Making his way toward the food court, he went through the few things he still needed to get for his family. He’d already bought and wrapped Nicholas and Brianna’s gifts. He loved buying for them. They were fun to buy for and didn’t look at him like a crazy person when they unwrapped their gifts.
He should have had Melissa grab the twins some gift cards. He hated shopping for his sisters or his mom. He just knew they were being polite when they opened whatever gift he’d chosen. He always included the gift receipt. Only way to deal with giving a woman presents. He wondered if Anna had gone shopping yet. Probably at the beginning of October. God, she was stubborn.
“Friends,” he muttered, scoping out the food fair for the shortest line-up. “You’re a really good friend, Sam.” Except for the whole lying to you just to be around you issue, he thought in disgust.
The whole situation was making him antsy and he didn’t know how to fix it. He didn’t mind being friends with her but the closer they got, the harder it was going to hit her when she found out the truth. He knew here well enough now to know that she valued honesty and being able to make her own decisions. The line moved forward quickly, despite its length. He was lost in thought, trying to remember the last time he’d spent so much time with a woman as friends when he got a tap on the shoulder. Turning, he quickly wished that he’d braved the lingerie store with his sister.
“Christmas shopping?” CeeCee Dutton-soon-to-be Mrs. Joel Crampton asked as though he weren’t holding more bags than he could count.
“Yes ma’am. With my sister,” he said politely. She looked around. He stopped himself from rolling his eyes. Barely. Sure, CeeCee, I’m lying to you.
“She’s in Victoria’s Secret,” he offered, moving up a space. Definitely picked the wrong line.
“Oh, that’s one of my favorites. Obviously,” she stated.
Her voice sounded like one of the Chipettes but even if she shut up completely, the sight of her was annoying enough.
“Ha. Obviously,” he agreed, confused. She ran her hand over her half plastic, half gym body, and her diamond ring overtaking most of her hand.
“Listen, I have a couple more changes that Joel okayed. Can you swing by our place?”
“I can’t tonight. We’re getting to the point that you’re going to have to stop changing your mind about things though, CeeCee. If you want to stay on the timeline you gave,” he said, trying not to clench his jaw.
“Hey sir! You want something?” the teenager behind the counter called, blatantly gawking at CeeCee. He moved up and ordered a large coke wondering when he got old enough to be called sir. Juggling the bags and mentally cursing his sister, all of them because it was just easier that way, he paid for the pop and returned to where CeeCee was, unfortunately, waiting for him.
“Can I drop them off at your place?” she whined.
Her fiancé was the one footing the bills but he let CeeCee change her mind on a whim, not thinking about schedules, planning, or timelines. He needed to be firmer about the cut off. Clearly, asking Joel to talk to her about it hadn’t worked.
“Fine. Drop them off tomorrow but this is it. If you make any other changes, I’m going to need to move the date of completion back,” he said.
He saw the flash of anger in her eyes before she replaced it with a phoney, sweet smile.
“That won’t be necessary,” she said, moving in and patting his chest with her fake nailed hand. “After this, everything will be just the way I want it.”
She turned and walked away on her pencil thin heels and he stayed where he was so he didn’t run the risk of bumping into her again. Melissa was footing the bill for the pub now. He’d earned it.
Anna yawned as she switched on the coffee maker. She’d be kicking herself later when she couldn’t sleep but if she wanted to get the second coat of paint on the guest room, she needed a boost. In hindsight, staying up most of the night to finish unpacking probably wasn’t the best idea. She’d wanted all of her things squared away before painting but she wanted to paint before her family came for Christmas. Plus, while she wasn’t working, it was easier to get these things done. Grabbing a mug, she smiled at the thought of what her dad would say.
“Just like your mother,” she murmured pictured her mother’s teenage-self waiting for a cup of coffee, maybe even in this exact spot. Unless she didn’t drink coffee but that wasn’t the point. The point was her mom had eaten meals in this room, rooted through the fridge, or sulked at having to do dishes.
Pouring herself just half a cup and applauding her self-restraint, she moved to the living room to take a much needed break. She settled into the couch she’d had delivered the day after she moved in, pleased with the look and feel of it, especially since she’d bought it online. The tree looked beautiful in the picture window with the snow falling and covering the yard. Maplewood Street was quiet and probably a bit different from when her mother had grown up but from what she’d heard, it hadn’t changed all that much.
Her side of the street was older than the one she looked out at but all of those homes had been built to fit in with the already established community. She was thinking that she’d need to get a lawn mower and learn something about gardening by spring time when a cherry red, shiny car pulled into Sam’s driveway.
“Hmm. Someone’s got a fancy visitor.” She sipped her coffee and stifled another yawn.
Fancy indeed, she thought as a striking blond exited the car. She wobbled a bit on her heels, making Anna wonder how bright she was at least when it came to choosing appropriate footwear for winter. Still, when a woman’s hair trailed down her back perfectly, her body bounced seductively with each step (or wobble), and even from a distance you could see flawless, porcelain skin, things like footwear and lack of a proper winter jacket got overlooked. At least she wore pants and not a skirt. Maybe that was to hide her fat ankles; Anna smirked to herself, looking down at her ever present slippers. She watched as the woman knocked on Sam’s door and she wondered absently who it was until she realized that this must be the infamous Sierra.
“Wow,” she murmured, uncertain why the thought made her chest feel heavy. Somehow she had pictured Sam with someone more�
��real. Someone who wore proper winter boots. Someone who was bright enough to realize that her boyfriend’s car was not in the driveway. Curious and far too nosey, Anna put her coffee down and went to put on her boots and bundle up in her fleece lined, bright pink jacket. She loved the faux fur trim on the hood and had been pleased to get a decent price on a name brand item.
“Just like your father,” she pictured her mother saying. She wished she could remember the sound of her mom’s voice. The icy chill hit her the minute she opened the door. Carefully making her way down the steps, avoiding too much weight on the loose one, she traipsed over to Sam’s house just as Sierra was coming down his stairs.
“Hi there,” she called in her friendliest, “I’m-not-judging-your-outfit” voice. Sierra looked up, her perfectly made-up face scrunching, giving her an angry appearance.
“Who are you?” she asked.
Anna blinked in surprise. Okay, let’s take friendly off the list of attributes.
“I’m Anna, Sam’s neighbor,” she replied, ignoring the pang of hurt that stabbed her upon the realization that he obviously hadn’t mentioned her to his girlfriend. Sierra gently eased herself off the last step, careful to maintain her balance on the icy spots.
“I told him I was coming over. I don’t know why he isn’t here,” she stated with a frosty glare as though Anna were somehow responsible.
“Um. Well, I don’t know. Maybe he’s doing some last minute shopping,” Anna suggested, pulling her hood tighter around her face. How was Sierra not turning blue?
“He shopped yesterday,” Sierra snapped, craning her neck to look down the road.
“I didn’t know,” Anna said inanely, wrapping her arms around her middle.
“Why would you?” Sierra retorted, looking back at Anna, giving her an unkind once-over.
Right. Why would she? Sam was her neighbor, her friend, but that didn’t entitle her to know his schedule or feel miffed that his girlfriend knew him better than she ever would. Or that his girlfriend knew nothing of their friendship.
“I don’t have all day to wait. Tell him CeeCee was here, as I said I would be, and give him this,” she said abruptly.
It was at this moment that Anna saw the flash of a grape sized diamond. She couldn’t help gaping and was sure her mouth was hanging open, but for goodness sakes, she didn’t even know they made diamonds that size. Maybe that was why Sam didn’t buy his home. Not her business. Not her business, she repeated.
“Uh, sure. I, um, I didn’t know you were engaged,” Anna stuttered, too frozen to reach out for the piece of paper being passed to her, only then realizing that Sierra had called herself CeeCee. Seemed like an odd nickname but so far, everything about her not matching up with her expectations.
“Again, why would you?” she said sharply before turning on her heels at the sound of Sam’s truck turning into the driveway. Both women stood while Sam got himself out of the truck, far too slow in Anna’s opinion and walked over to join them. He looked irritated when his eyes fell on CeeCee. He smiled warmly at Anna, confusing her all the more.
“Sam. Finally. I told you I’d be dropping by,” CeeCee said, her tone matching the weather.
“And here you are,” Sam returned wearily. Anna waited for them to embrace, kiss, to smile at each other. She blinked from the sting of the wind that was picking up and the unexpected feeling of tears.
“You said girlfriend. I didn’t know you were engaged,” Anna said softly, her brain feeling frozen like the rest of her. Sierra’s gaze snapped to her again and Anna looked at Sam. “Congratulations.”
Sierra looked at Sam while Sam continued to stare at her as though he didn’t know what to say.
“You could have told me,” Anna mumbled, her thoughts unfreezing. Sierra smiled, wide and genuinely, stepping toward Sam. She looped her arm through his and leaned her head on his arm.
“Anna,” Sam said hoarsely, putting his hand over Sierra’s.
Sam was trying to extricate CeeCee’s nails from his wrist while his stomach dropped at the look of disappointment on Anna’s face. No. No. The harder he tried to pry CeeCee’s hand off without looking like he was trying to do just that, the more she clung to him. She turned her calculating eyes on him.
“Honey, why didn’t you tell her you were engaged?” she said with a sickeningly sweet squeal. Anna looked like he had slapped her, making him want to tell her the truth right this second. Still, CeeCee and Joel were clients and he didn’t need her as a witness to the mess he’d created in his personal life. He had a feeling that CeeCee would take advantage even without knowing the details. She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Better go with it, doll,” she breathed.
“I’m really happy for you,” Anna said with a bright smile that came nowhere near reaching her eyes.
“Thank you. We’re really happy,” CeeCee said, cuddling in and making him want to scream.
“Well, I know you travel a lot but I’d really like to have you and Sam over for dinner. Maybe after the holidays. He’s been incredibly kind and helpful to me,” Anna said, looking small and unbearably sweet. CeeCee smiled her “oh-this-is-good” smile.
“I do travel, a lot,” she agreed, looking at Sam. “But we’d love to.”
Sam could see the confusion and hurt in Anna’s eyes. Friends didn’t leave out important, life altering information. Friends didn’t lie or withhold information to get what they wanted. He was disgusted with himself because he knew, better than anyone, that he’d been a completely lousy friend to her when she’d been open and honest and real. Her smile looked more like a grimace as she mumbled something about that being great and turned to go back to her house; her sanctuary.
“Hmm. Interesting, Sam,” CeeCee smiled. “Aren’t you going to say thank you?”
“For what?” he ground out, pulling his arm out of her grasp.
“Obviously you’ve lied to the poor girl. Can’t say I blame you. She’s a tad mousy and her wardrobe should be burned. I’ve used the “I’m taken” line myself. No need to hurt someone’s feelings just because they aren’t in your league.”
She smoothed down her lightweight jacket, checked her manicure and smiled brightly at him. He wanted to smash something. This just kept getting worse. If she said one more word about Anna, he wasn’t sure what he’d do but he was pretty sure he wouldn’t be Joel’s architect anymore.
“So, I have the changes for you,” she said, passing him a sheet of paper and stepping close again. She smacked them against his chest. “I’m guessing they won’t be an issue?”
“No. No issue.” He would have said anything to get her gone and truthfully, he knew it was his screw up and CeeCee had just done what women like her do: taken advantage of a bad situation.
“And no charge,” she wheedled. He felt like his teeth might crack from grinding them together so hard.
“And no charge.”
She laughed the laugh of a phoney girlfriend turned fiancée, kissed his cheek and walked to her car leaving Sam staring at Anna’s home with his stomach in knots and his heart knocking against his chest in regret.
Chapter Seven
Anna opened the little door of her chocolate advent calendar. December 11th. Two weeks exactly. Her family would be here in twelve days. She had done an incredible amount of work in the last few weeks. When her family arrived, they would see the Christmas wonderland she’d wanted, lights and the tree and decorations in every room. They would also see fresh paint on the walls, a fully stocked guest bathroom, and while there were only two guest rooms, they were completely guest ready. Jordan could share her bed as they’d done many times over the years. Sinking onto the floor, where she had gifts strewn about and ribbons and wrapping paper littered, she sighed.
“No grumpiness,” she scolded herself, wishing the weight she’d carried in her chest since meeting Sierra would lessen. She really liked Sam and yes, objectively she could admit to being attracted to him.
“Who wouldn’t be?” she muttered, picking up th
e watch she’d bought for Kyle and choosing the wrap.
She was sure that she’d feel more genuine happiness for him if Sierra didn’t seem so different than Sam. Where he was warm and kind, she seemed cold and selfish.
“You don’t know her,” she reminded herself, idly wondering if her mother had been a self-talker.
Hopefully it ran in the family and she wasn’t just crazy. Placing the watch perfectly centred on the paper, she pulled some tape. Anna was pretty good at sizing people up and felt she was a good judge of character. She knew, when parent-teacher meetings were held, which families were going to be easy to approach about learning difficulties and which were going to be more challenging than teaching their child.
She thought of the way Sierra clung to Sam’s arm and smiled at him. The smile seemed calculated and in her heart, Anna thought that Sam deserved better. She also couldn’t squash the sadness that had invaded her heart when she found out he’d kept something so important from her. They were friends and there’d been plenty of opportunity to tell her about the engagement.
“Stop pouting,” she demanded, moving Kyle’s present aside. She was starting to sing “We wish you a Merry Christmas” in a loud, off key voice when she heard squealing outside. For one split second, she thought it was the response to her singing.
Peering around the tree, she saw Sam outside holding a child upside down while another child threw snow at the pair. Brianna and Nick, she’d bet. She laughed when Sam perfectly timed a dramatic fall when a snowball hit him. Brianna ran over and jumped on the pile that was her brother and uncle. Sam toppled them both and rolled away, making them jump to their feet. Nicholas moved to run after his uncle and slipped, falling on his tummy. Sam turned, saw the boy lying flat and immediately backtracked, coming over to scoop him up and give him a hug.
Anna closed her eyes against the overwhelming sweetness and the accompanying twinge it caused in her heart. Opening them, she found that Sam had noticed her in the window, where she’d stood up to watch. He waved and the children turned. She waved back and shook her head when he gestured for her to come out. He leaned down to say something to both of the kids and they looked up at him then back at the window. Simultaneously, they both dropped to their knees with their hands in prayer position and she could see their mouths moving. She laughed at the picture they made and even more so when Sam dropped to his knees in a begging pose as well. She shook her head in amusement but moved away from the window to gather her playing in the snow wear. She ignored the voice in her head that chimed, “Pushover”.