A Tiara Under the Tree

by Carolyn Hector

  Shenanigans, one of the popular kids’ hangouts in town, offered a free pizza. Smart thinking, since no one ever left Shenanigans without ordering at least three. The Scoop offered a free cone for whenever. And the drive-in theater was going to be packed with its carload offer for a free movie. The voucher date was December 15, which was perfect timing for when school got out for the holidays. The Cupcakery offered a free cupcake and hot chocolate—only if it ever got cold enough for one.

  The sun had already disappeared behind city hall when Lexi left. Andrew skipped out for a long-awaited date, which Waverly didn’t mind. Chantal had headed down to central Florida and took Stephen’s colleague Keenan with her. Andrew needed to be around more people. Waverly loved hanging out with him, but her duties as Miss Southwood often left him to go places stag.

  The bells over the door to Grits and Glam Gowns jingled. Waverly was still in the kitchen, rinsing off a rag to get ready to wipe down the register. “We’re closed,” she hollered, turning off the sink. When she didn’t hear a response right away, she dropped the rag, worrying it was a child wandering in from the street. She slammed into a large body—Dominic’s body, to be exact.

  “Hey, I saw your lights on,” Dominic said, taking hold of her shoulders.

  Electricity coursed through her veins. With her heels on, Waverly came just to his chin. She blinked under his dazzling smile. “I planned on turning them off in a minute once I finished wiping down the counters.”

  “Need any help?” Dominic peered over her head toward the sink. “Here.” He stepped over to the sink and grabbed the rag. “What were you going to clean?”

  “The register.”

  “Do you do that all the time?”

  Waverly nodded slowly. “Do you know how filthy they are?”

  “I work with my hands, Waverly. Everything about me is dirty 95 percent of the time.”

  She watched him walk over to the counter. He was careful not to touch any of the dresses, probably because of what he’d said. On his blue jeans and white T-shirt, Waverly saw no dirt. All she saw was a fine specimen of a man helping her out for the evening. Waverly finished locking the doors to the studios and met Dominic in the kitchen.

  “I didn’t just come over here because the lights were on,” said Dominic. “I wanted to walk you home this evening.”

  Heart fluttering, Waverly nodded and thought about Lexi’s words. They cleaned together. Dominic emptied the trash before closing.

  “I know it’s not far,” Dominic began. He nodded toward Waverly’s feet. “But do you want to change shoes before walking?”

  “If I’m going to win Miss Georgia next year, I need to have these shoes glued to my feet.”

  “After you win the runoff?” Dominic held the door to the boutique open and took the keys from Waverly to lock up.

  Waverly flashed a tight smile. “Did you lose confidence in me?”

  “Never,” he replied quickly. “Have you given any thought to what you would do if you didn’t lose?”

  “Winning the Miss Georgia tiara is the only thing I’ve ever wanted since I was a kid.”

  Before turning off the store lights, Dominic’s lips pressed together. “Well, if it’s a tiara you want...” Dominic said, his mouth close to her ear. He pressed the keys back into Waverly’s hand. “A tiara you shall receive.”

  As she walked through the front door, Waverly’s heart sank with wonder. Lexi’s words played over in her head. Was she so focused on the pageant she wasn’t seeing what was right in front of her face? Something about Dominic’s tone sent a wave of worry throughout her soul. Was she too late for love?

  * * *

  Mr. Myers ran his liver-spotted hand over the hood of his Model K and let out a low whistle. “I can’t believe you were able to fix it.”

  Dominic leaned his hip against the counter of the register and wiped his hands on a clean white rag. With a few days to spare, he finished the retired teacher’s old car and sent his worker Billy to pick up Mr. Myers so he could drive it home today. “It’s been a pleasure working on it. I’m just sorry it took so long to get it finished for you.”

  “Think nothing of it. This baby is going to fetch a few glances at the parade this year.” Mr. Myers stopped fondling his car long enough to come over and shake Dominic’s hand. “You’re all right with me driving it in the parade, right? I understand you have your own set of drivers for your cars.”

  “Sure.” Dominic beamed. “I don’t want to exclude anyone.”

  Mr. Myers elbowed Dominic in the ribs. “I’m dying to come out to your place and get a look.”

  “What are you doing next weekend?”

  The wrinkles on Mr. Myers’s face deepened. “Hopefully the widow Mrs. Huggins.”

  “I believe Mrs. Huggins is dating Ralph, the pianist from the Methodist church.” As Dominic spoke, he realized he knew way too much about the town’s gossip.

  Puffing out his chest, Mr. Myers shook his head and spoke. “If I know I can beat up the boyfriend, she’s single in my eyes.”

  Dominic pinched the bridge of his nose to keep from laughing. And he needed to laugh. It had been two days since he and Waverly crossed the line. Their conversation yesterday was probably the most awkward they’d ever had. But he needed the distance. The last thing he wanted was to come between Waverly and her crown. In his absence Waverly accomplished a lot. She was focused and winning in the silly social media polls. He couldn’t help but wonder if him not being around had a lot to do with it. Since he would never be able to abide by the moral codes when it came to Waverly and her body, the best thing to do was leave her alone.

  Mr. Myers cleared his throat. “What do you say we head over to your place and check them out now?”

  Dominic scratched the back of his neck. How did he tell this man he was at work? But then again, he was the boss. “Billy?”

  Billy, Miss Annie’s grandson, poked his head out from under the hood of a car getting an oil change. “Yeah, boss?”

  “Mr. Myers and I are going to run out to my ranch,” Dominic announced. He shrugged out of his overalls. No grease or grime smeared his khaki pants or the light blue polo shirt with Crowne scripted on the pocket. Alisha insisted the garage workers needed to wear matching shirts.

  “Fine by me, boss.”

  Dominic tossed the keys to Mr. Myers. “Feels good to have these back in my hands again.”

  They both got in the car at the same time. Mr. Myers went on about his baby purring. This was the part of Dominic’s job that he loved the most. It wasn’t about collecting old cars, finding them or even selling them. It was about bringing a car together with its owner. He thought about the confidence he restored in Waverly. Had he known helping her become Miss Southwood would result in them not being together, he might not have taken the job.

  The afternoon sun warmed Dominic’s face. The fickle Southern weather couldn’t decide what season it wanted to be. Today crispness lingered in the air. With the temperature finally beginning to change, it made the holiday season a reality. At the sound of the tires squealing at a sharp left turn, Dominic gripped the side of the door.

  “Everything okay?” he asked Mr. Myers.

  “Oh, yeah, sure, sure.” He chuckled. “I just remembered the news mentioned the Elder Elf list went up today. Mind if we stop by? It’s right down Sunshine Street.”

  Considering Mr. Myers halted the freshly restored vehicle a half inch in front of someone’s gold Cadillac and turned off the ignition, Dominic shook his head no. “What is Elder Elf?”

  “This here’s the Senior Citizen Center.” Mr. Myers gave off a lecherous laugh. “Where I like to shop.”

  A cement ramp built beside a set of stairs led up to a redbrick three-story building. Two empty walkers stood at the top of the ramp. Dominic looked around for the owners and prayed n
o one had fallen. He didn’t see anyone. Red and gold garlands festooned the arched doorway and a giant decorated wreath hung from a hook. A red picket fence outlined a green manicured lawn. Mr. Myers was out of his side of the car within seconds and halfway up the stairs before Dominic got out.

  “So the Elder Elf Helper happens every year,” Mr. Myers began, waiting for Dominic to catch up. “Every Christmas, a list goes out here requesting help with some of the older folks.”

  The word older played in Dominic’s mind. Mr. Myers was pushing seventy. What was old to him? “So you like to help?” Dominic asked his question when they reached the top step.

  “Every Christmas I get first dibs at the list of the eligible women who need help with things. Sometimes it’s someone to take them to dinner. Sometimes it’s taking them around to go shopping. Now, with my baby back, I’m in business for some smooching time and none of the ladies can get mad at me for two-timing.”

  “You old coot.” Dominic chuckled.

  They each reached for one of the handles of the double doors. Dominic wasn’t sure what he expected, but it wasn’t the roaring party going on in the room immediately to the left. A crowd of scrubs-wearing helpers stood peering inside. Mr. Myers pulled Dominic around the crowd and got them an empty spot to stand by the front window. Red and green construction paper cut out in interconnected rings decorated a large evergreen propped in the corner by an empty fireplace. On the other side of the chimney stood a folding table covered in a snowman tablecloth and filled with cookies stacked in a pyramid. A jug of apple juice stood by a tower of nine-ounce paper cups. At twelve in the afternoon, the party was in full swing.

  An older gentleman wearing a page boy cap sat at a piano tickling the keys to a catchy Christmas tune. A crowd of people gathered around the baby grand, singing along to “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” When the five golden rings part came, the voice of an angel belted out. Dominic’s heart thumped.

  “Waverly,” he breathed. Her sweet voice evoked devilish thoughts. And he needed to stay away from her, why?

  Dominic hung back and waited for the song to end. The crowd parted. Perched on the table was the vision of beauty. Waverly wore a red sequined dress with a slit up to her thigh. Her hair was blown straight and covered her left eye in an old-fashioned forties style. The old men in the room gawked at her. The women all clapped and cheered for Waverly.

  “Well, ladies and gentlemen,” Waverly said, “what do you say we take a break?” She was met with a round of boos, but Mr. Myers stepped forward and inquired about the list for Elder Elves. Gray-haired ladies surrounded him, giving Waverly a chance to escape.

  “Dominic, hi,” Waverly said breathlessly. The ten-inch crown she wore today was highlighted with faux diamonds and gold. “What brings you here?”

  Dominic pointed in the direction of the ladies’ man. “Mr. Myers wanted to come out to my ranch and got sidetracked when he realized this infamous list came out today.”

  “The Elder Elves,” Waverly supplied. “I heard they did it last year. I also head some of the ladies almost got into a fight over the affection of your friend.”

  It wouldn’t surprise Dominic one bit. “Do you sing here often?”

  Waverly pointed toward the crown. “Part of the job duties, not like I’m complaining or anything. I get to sing and hang out with these wonderful folks.”

  “Ho, ho, ho,” a chubby Santa bellowed on his way over to them. “Hello, pretty lady.”

  Dominic didn’t know who Ascot thought he was fooling. He steeled himself in place, shoving his hands into the front of his khaki slacks. Waverly stood closer to Dominic.

  “Anson.” Waverly acknowledged the mayor with a icy smile. The temperature dropped with her tone.

  “Ah, ah, ah.” Anson wagged his white-gloved hands in her direction. “I’m Santa. You best remember or you’ll go on my naughty list. Or perhaps...”

  “Wait a damn minute, now,” Dominic growled, stepping forward. He extracted his hands and pressed one against Anson’s chest. Waverly pressed hers on Dominic’s biceps.

  “Gentlemen,” she said under her breath, “let’s remember where we are and why we’re here.”

  “I’m here to do a job,” said Anson. “Waverly, I know why you’re here, blessing us with your heavenly voice and angelic presence. Mr. Waverly, why are you here? Carrying her bags or here to polish her crown?”

  Dominic ground his back teeth and wondered what kind of scandal he would cause for Waverly and the committee if he punched Ascot in the throat right now.

  “Dominic,” Mr. Myers called out over the heads of three ladies. “Come over here and meet some of my friends. Bring yours.”

  There was no way in hell Dominic was going to hang out with Anson this afternoon. “Maybe some other time,” he said. “I better get back to the garage.”

  “What a shame,” Anson said.

  Dominic turned before he said something or did something to reiterate what Anson thought of him. He headed back outside and as his hand rested on the iron railing, Waverly caught up with him.

  “Where are you going? We’re just about to get started with the Metamucil cookies and prune juice.” Waverly’s eyes widened and she rubbed her belly.

  “Don’t ask me to go back inside, with Anson fawning all over you, when you won’t allow me to punch him for making lewd comments.”

  “What does it matter what he says?” Waverly asked. “He’s harmless and I’m not interested in him.”

  “Well, who are you interested in?” Dominic demanded.

  Waverly took a step toward him in her red spike heels. Her lips parted, then pressed together. She gulped and twisted a lock of dark hair around her slender index finger. “I’m interested in you.”

  “I can’t do this back-and-forth thing, Waverly,” Dominic said.

  “So don’t.”

  The words struck a chord in Dominic’s heart. They were the same words she said the night before last, just before he devoured her body. Like then, Dominic closed the gap between them by snaking his arm around her waist. He drew her close and hard against his body. Without thinking or caring who was around, Dominic dipped his head and brought his lips crashing down on hers. Waverly wrapped her arms around his shoulders and made a small mew. She smelled like cookies and tasted like frosting. Their mouths were perfectly matched. Their tongues worked in unison. The air around them cooled while their bodies heated up. A car honked and someone jeered. Dominic broke the kiss first.

  “So, what do we do about this?” Waverly asked. She reached out and wiped his bottom lip.

  “What does the Morality Committee say?” Dominic took a step backward. He held her hands and swung them from side to side. “Because I can’t promise I’m not going to touch you.”

  He liked the way her cheeks turned red. “I—I don’t know. I am allowed to have a life, within reason. I don’t want to give up my dreams of being Miss Georgia and Miss USA.”

  Dominic stepped closer, remembering their conversation over pizza. “I’m not proposing to you.”

  “Good.”

  “Yet,” he followed up. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy watching Waverly squirm. “Let’s start with something innocent. Would you like to attend this big dance I’m hearing about with me?”

  Waverly bit the corner of her lip. Disappointment began to gather in his bones. “I’m not sure. The committee is going to gather the other pageant queens together to get ready for the runoff in Savannah.”

  “I can take you,” he offered. “Maybe we go out on the riverboat for the Dolphin Magic Tour, you know, where everyone can see us behaving well.”

  “There goes that Kris Kringle spirit.”

  “I’ll show you what else the Kris Kringle spirit can do if you agree.”

  Waverly started twisting her hair again. “You’re
telling me I have to wait almost twenty-two days before our first date?”

  “We can go out tonight if you want,” said Dominic, “but Alisha told me women don’t like being asked the same day.”

  “You should know by now,” Waverly said with a wink, “I’m not like most women. I’m done at three. What time can you come over?”

  Chapter 10

  There was something to be said about the sweet scent of cookies in the air in the cafeteria at Southwood Elementary. Two weeks after making their relationship public, Waverly had found herself still performing her Miss Southwood duties. Today was no different than when it had been when she was single. The red-and-gray lunchroom tables were arranged in long rows. Each grade was given a table. Each table had a handful of representatives decorating the premade cookies by parents. Random-sized trophies stood on top of a table decorated with Christmas trees and colorfully wrapped presents in the center of the stage at the front of the cafeteria. Waverly manned a makeshift judging table near the exit sign. Children stopped by to say hello and touch her crown.

  Of all the times to have to watch my figure, Waverly thought. With the runoff pageant around the corner, she didn’t need another roll to pop up. Sure, social media was on her side and everyone agreed they liked the plumper version of Waverly. But Jillian’s skeptical voice played in Waverly’s ear. A moment on the lips... So Waverly knew better than to take a bite of the frosted sugar cookie she’d just decorated with white icing. The scarf wrapped around her snowman’s neck was decorated in blue, and now so were her fingers.

  Maybe a taste wouldn’t hurt. So she took one and it was totally worth it. Waverly’s mouth watered for more.

  “You honestly shouldn’t do that in public.”

  Waverly turned to her left and found Dominic standing next to her. Speaking of mouthwatering. How did the man manage to make a pair of chinos and a white oxford look so damn sexy? The sleeves were rolled up, revealing his tattoos. He wore a red tie with Mrs. Claus feeding Santa cookies. Waverly licked her lips where the sweet frosting met her tongue. Dominic’s mouth twisted in a devilish smile. She recalled Anson trying to make the same joke last week and how she felt at it... Harassed. But with Dominic commenting, Waverly felt a pang of desire in her belly. Maybe she needed a glass of water or something—anything to keep her away from Dominic. Children were watching and the last thing she needed was to get caught ogling him.