by Danni Roan
“A door?” Ryan raised a brow above his glasses. “Right there?”
“Yes,” Carol smiled at the tinsel she had taped into a rough door shape on the wall. “Thanksgiving can flow into Christmas,” her grin was bright.
Ryan looked down at the young woman and smiled, his fingers twitching to take hers where they squeezed softly. It felt like their first date, which had been both of them sitting in lawn chairs in front of their shops handing out candy to kids all ready hopped up on sugar.
Over the past few weeks after the accident, Ryan and Carol had called a truce on their holiday clash and were quickly becoming more than friends.
“It would be fun,” Carol grinned, looking back at the makeshift door frame. “I’ve thought it all through, and I think it’s worth it.”
Ryan led her to the wall turning to look back at his shop, then looking at the tinsel line again and trying to picture what it would be like to gaze into the Christmas shop each day.
“It might work,” he felt excitement bubble inside. He liked Carol now that they weren’t arguing over the best holiday or the best way to go about creating a business.
“So, all your fancy education indicates that this is a good plan?”
“No, but I always get more customers when you tell them to stop by, and your experience in this town counts for a lot.”
Carol wrapped an arm around Ryan, surprising him, and looked down into sparkling eyes.
“How did we get here?” he asked, leaning close as her lips tempted him.
“I think it was meant to be,” Carol said, leaning closer. “We have two different holiday loves, but we both love holidays.” Her smile was bright
Ryan couldn’t resist anymore as he leaned in, kissing Carol until the ding of the door made them jump apart.
“I’m not done with this,” Ryan grinned with a wink. “I say yes, though.” He shrugged at the door shaped tinsel and hurried to help his new customer.
“I’ll call the crew,” Carol shot back over her shoulder then hurried outside into the dusky cold air.
Ryan watched her leave, wondering how everything had changed. He knew he was falling in love with the woman. She seemed to be the worst possible pick for the man she called ‘turkey boy,’ but his heart was tripping toward Christmas Carol.
Within two days, the door was installed, and new excitement seemed to fill the shop. The last orders for specialized food items were placed, and packages were picked up from every quarter.
It was all hands on deck with Bade carting smoked turkeys to cars, Betty packaging canned specials, and Ryan ringing up last-minute necessities.
Thanksgiving Day was Ryan’s first day off in what felt like forever. He sighed and headed for the door, Kooter, on his heels. Switching off the lights for a holiday, he slipped into a windy night and locked the door.
“Hi stranger,” Carol grinned as she walked from her shop. “You look worn out.”
“I am,” Ryan smiled. “How was your day?”
“Good, people are ready for the big T-Day and now are thinking forward to Christmas.
“Do you have everything ready for Black Friday?” Ryan barely repressed the groan, but Carol smiled, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“I do. Now, how about we go get something to eat?”
Carol watched as the enchanting smile spread across Ryan’s face. She hadn’t realized until she had nearly lost him that she cared for the ‘turkey boy.’ Now, if only she could find the courage to let him know.
Their friendship, their relationship had started so badly, would he believe her when she shared her heart?
“You’re quiet,” Ryan commented as he clicked his Jeep to life. “Are you worried about the business?”
Carol stepped under the street light next to the Jeep(did he get a new Jeep after wrecking his?) and looked up into Ryan’s eyes as he reached for the door.
“No,” she rested a hand on his arm, pulling his attention to her and seeing that little lift at the corner of his mouth that told her he was thinking of kissing her. “I’m worried about us.”
Ryan froze his heart suddenly pounding in his ears. He had just started to get to know the other side of Carol Evergreen, the witty, fun, giving woman, not the business owner with high aspirations.
“I thought we were, you know, trying this thing out.”
Carol nodded. “Yes, we are and,” she squeezed his arm a little harder, trying to find the words.
“Cack-cack,” Kooter rested his paws against her hip encouragingly.
“I don’t suppose you speak cat?” Carol laughed.
“No, but I think I get his drift.” Ryan leaned in, kissing Carol sweetly. He wanted that kiss to say everything, but he knew it couldn’t. Pulling back, he cupped her face. “I’ve come to care for you a great deal.”
“Cack.”
“At first, you drove me crazy with your high ideas and crazy Christmas crush, but I started to see the real you and…”
“Cack-cack,” Kooter encouraged.
“And I fell for you.” Carol's words echoed his.
“I know it’s crazy,” Carol whispered, but now that I stopped being stubborn, I feel like you and I are perfect for each other.”
“We work well together,” Ryan agreed.
“We have good ideas,” Carol added.
“We look good as a couple,” Ryan grinned.
“I love you.” Carol sighed.
Ryan pulled the woman into his arms, feeling his heart take wings. She had said the word he longed to hear, and no matter how crazy it seemed, he felt the same way.
“I love you too,” he whispered, kissing the top of her head. “I want to see what comes next.”
“Cack-cack.”
They both turned to Kooter and laughed. “I think he approves,” Carol grinned, then turned back to look at Ryan. “And what comes next is Christmas.”
Epilogue
Thanksgiving was a joint affair among the family. Judy Evergreen and Betty Troutman had outdone themselves on the festive fare.
The food was beyond amazing, and Carol and Ryan’s announcement had floored everyone.
“A Christmas Wedding!” Both mothers enthused. “We have to start planning.”
Bill and Bade hugged both Carol and Ryan happily, including them into the families.
“I have a crazy idea,” Carol said as she and Ryan walked out into the bleakness of November after a large meal.
“I like your crazy ideas,” Ryan said, stopping under a tree that fluttered a few stubborn leaves in the wind.
“What if we have the wedding at the shop?”
Ryan’s eyes crinkled around the edges as he grinned. “Go on.”
“We’re both closed on Sunday anyway, so we could set up a wedding venue using my store. I know we would have to move a few things, but it could be fun.”
Ryan’s mind whirled with the idea, but he shook his head. “It’s not big enough,” he finally said. “We have too many friends, family members, and shoppers who will want to be there.”
Carol slouched, tapping a finger to her lips, which turned Ryan’s mind to other things.
“What if the guests were outside?”
“Hm?” Ryan took his eyes off of her lips and tried to focus. “We could set up an arch at the doorway and have the ceremony there while the guest sat in the parking lot.”
“Wow, that’s romantic,” Ryan teased. “It’s also cold out there.”
“Weddings are short. It’s the reception that lasts hours.”
“And love that lasts a lifetime.” Ryan tapped her on the nose, and she kissed him quickly.
“I’ll call the mall owners and see what they say. If it’s okay to cordon off some of the parking area, I know I can make it work.”
The Sunday beforeChristmas broke bright and clear, but cold air drifting from the north put a chill in the air.
Ryan and Carol had spent the night before setting up their venue, and his father had cleared out the barn for the a
fter-service events.
The couple dressed in the back rooms of their shared shops, and when the music began to play, Bill Evergreen kissed his daughter and led her to join the man of her dreams under the brightly colored arch.
“You outdid yourself,” the older man whispered as he placed her hand in Ryan’s. “I’m proud of you, honey.”
Ryan turned his eyes from the crowd of people sitting bundled in their winter best among the parking lot chairs. The whole space looked like a winter wonderland, covered in white chairs, red and green ribbons, and tall sconces filled with holiday candles.
Dusk brought the first twinkle of stars as the couple gazed into each other’s eyes and promised a lifetime of love, faithfulness, and shared shops.
A few wispy clouds skidded across the sky as the preacher pronounced them man and wife, telling them to seal their love with a kiss.
Ryan leaned over, his eyes bright as he lifted Carol’s hands in his. She was beautiful, and she was his. He tossed his heart into her hands as he leaned in, kissing her with all the love he had.
The first snowflakes fluttered down, brushing Carol’s face as Ryan broke the kiss, and she laughed with joy.
Turning, the newlyweds hurried up the parking lot's aisle and hopped into the Jeep as Kooter chased Carol’s train.
***
Christmas music rocked the old barn that looked like a dream-scape as friends, relatives, and neighbors joined the festivities. A light supper had been set out on tables along one wing of the barn, and a dance floor prepared for the couple and their friends.
The snow sparkled in a light dusting over the cold earth, and the squeal of children drew all eyes.
“Santa sent his reindeer!” A voice echoed, and everyone hurried to the door to look out. Two stately reindeer trotted by drawing a shiny sleigh, a white-haired woman at the reins.
“Hey, that’s Kooter,” Ryan said, wrapping an arm around his new wife and pointing at the cat perched on the back of the sleigh.
“Who wants a ride,” the woman asked as the children clambered to the sleigh. She looked up, meeting Carol’s gaze, and winked. “I love Christmas, too,” she smiled, “and I have connections.”
Carol looked at Ryan, confused, but he only shrugged. “She’s been in the shop several times,” he said, taking her hand and leading her to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife.
Taking her into his armsRyan gazed into Carol’s eyes, and the music began. Today they stepped into a new life, and each step would be orchestrated by fate. Together they would learn a new dance called marriage as they set out together in love.
Outside the barn, snow sparkled in the bright lights twinkled over the old building and the laughter of children filled the air.
Thanksgiving had met Christmas and found a happy merger in trust, hope, peace, thankfulness, and love.
***
“That was a close one,” Chris said as he climbed into the sleigh behind the barn.
“It’s a good thing we had a little help with this couple.” Mrs. Claus turned, scratching Kooter behind the ears. “You’ll look after them now, won’t you?”
“Cack-cack,” the cat agreed, springing from the back of the sleigh.
“I’ll be back soon,” Mrs. Claus grinned. “Right now, we have some special joy to spread to the rest of the world, until then, Merry Christmas.”
A jingle of bells and the shush of sleigh runners echoed in the quiet shadow of the bard as the cat watched the sleigh lift into the air and disappear amidst the snow.
The End
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Other Books by this Author:
The Ornamental Match Maker
Carousel Horse Christmas
Loose Goose Christmas
Pineapple Persuasion
July’s Jubilant Christmas Jumble
Shutter Shock Christmas in July
A Very Beary Christmas
Red Truck Rendezvous
From the Cattleman’s Daughters
Katie Isabella
FionaAlexis
Meg Mae
Cattleman’s Daughters Companions
Cathleen
The Redemption of Rachel
Sean’s Secret Heart
Mel
Sweet Annie
Joan
Tales from Biders Clump
Christmas Kringle
Quil’s Careful Cowboy
Bruno’s Belligerent Beauty
Tywyn’sTroubles
A Teaching Touch
Prissy’s Predicament
Lucinda’s Luck
Ferd’s Fair Favor
The Travels of Titus
Winter’s Worth
Rock’s Revelations
Ellery’s Eden
Strong Hearts: Open Spirits
Maggie’s Valley
Sadina’s Stocking
Celestre’s Song
Beloved Beulah
Whispers in Wyoming
Love Letters & Home
Counting Kadence
Mercy’s Light
Falling Forward
Racing Destiny
Baby be Mine
Brides of Needful Texas
Daliah
Prim
Peri
Beth
Ruth
Rosa
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Dear Reader,
Thank you for choosing to read my book. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. If you enjoyed the story, please feel free to leave a review wherever you purchased the book. Leaving a review will help me and prospective readers to know what you liked about this book. It is an opportunity for your voice to be heard and for you to tell others why the story is worth a read.
About the Author
Danni Roan, a native of western Pennsylvania, spent her childhood roaming the lush green mountains on horseback. She has always loved westerns and, specifically, western romance and is thrilled to be part of this exciting genre. She has lived and worked overseas with her husband and tries to incorporate the unique quality of the people she has met throughout the years into her books.
Danni currently lives in her thirty-six foot RV with her husband and is traveling the United States to see this beautiful country and experience its history first hand.
Danni and her ‘every-day-hero’ have one son attending college and finding his own way as his crazy parents experience the author life and life on the road.
As a Christian Danni, believes strongly that God brings new challenges and blessings into one’s life to help them grow, and she hopes that her words were both encouragement and inspiration to you.