by Debra Holt
“Emma and I, you mean.”
“That’s right. Emma and I are going to surprise Daddy.” The child repeated with a grin at Emma’s correction.
“One pecan pie coming up. And how do you like these new coloring sheets I got for my younger customers? Want to try one out?” Darcy pulled a sheet and a small box of crayons from beneath the counter and placed in front of the child. Charlie was clearly pleased by the turn of events.
“Coffee?” she asked Emma. “I’ll get Joe to box up a pie for you.”
“Just water with lemon, will be fine. Thanks, Darcy.”
When she returned with the water glass, she gave Emma a look. “I heard about the excitement at your place. Quite a shock for all involved.”
Emma knew Darcy was being careful in the presence of Charlie’s big ears.
She took a sip of the water. “Some.”
“We had a visitor in here, too. I didn’t invite them to stay long.”
Emma read that message loud and clear. “Good for you.”
Joe brought the box out and handed over to Darcy. “Here is one special pie for your daddy.” She smiled at Charlie.
Emma took the box and rose from the stool. “Thank Miss Darcy for the coloring page and for this delicious smelling pie. We need to get to your house and get ready.”
They paid for the pie and smiled another goodbye at the woman. “Why the frown?” Joe asked as Darcy returned to the counter. “Just something that was said. Nothing really.” Joe shrugged and returned to the kitchen.
Emma had always referred to the Drayton place as “home”… until just a few moments ago. It was a “house” now… that brought the frown. Darcy dismissed it with a shrug of the shoulders. She was misreading things.
*
Home. It felt good to finally just take some time and walk into the kitchen that smelled of roast in the oven, Christmas songs playing softly from the stereo in the living room, and Angel wagging the scraggly tail in greeting. Somewhere, there would be two females that he couldn’t wait to see. Cole had moved heaven and earth for this time out of his day… one late afternoon and evening where he could breathe and hopefully find some hint of normalcy in a world that was turned upside down outside the doors of his home.
“Are there any elves out and about? Am I all alone in this house?” His raised voice called out into the silence as he walked from the kitchen to the doorway of the living room… and then stopped. His gaze took in the entire room in a slow perusal.
The huge tree stood in the corner of the room, a few feet from the fireplace and hearth where a nice, warm fire had been lit. Bright red and green paper chains were draped around and in the branches of the tree. The same type of chains was looped from the top to the bottom of the staircase. White snowflakes, their glittered fronts and backs catching the light from the lamps, softly turned on their invisible tethers as they moved in the air currents of the room from in front of the windows and above his head as he stood in the doorway. Now he knew why there were little bits of glitter here and there in the kitchen and dining room he had seen earlier in the week. The elves had been at work.
“Surprise, Daddy!”
The voice came from the stairs where Charlie had crept down and was crouching ready to spring into the room. He laughed and caught her as she took the last step.
“Isn’t it pretty? Emma cut the paper and I glued it and put glitter on it. And we’re going to bake a lot of cookies too in all shapes. And we have to get the tree ready so the angel can go on top. But you need a ladder and—”
“Hold on, princess, not so fast. Take a breath.”
The child made a show of doing just that. But it didn’t slow her down much. “The ladder has to be tall to reach the top. And there’s regular balls that Granny let us borrow from her tree, too. And lights, Daddy. We need lots of lights, ’cause Emma likes those.”
“I see. So, I better get the ladder from the garage and get busy. And we need to put those lot of lights on first. Do I have my elf helpers?”
He turned and Emma was standing on the stairs a few feet away. She looked so good to him. He wanted to draw her into the circle of his arms, too. But he had some unfinished business and he wasn’t too certain Emma would welcome his arms being anywhere near her now. He couldn’t fault her for that. He had quite a few things to sort out in his personal life. One step at a time. His mother’s advice filtered through his brain.
Impatience could only make things worse. It had to be enough to just drink in the sight of her. For the special occasion that Charlie had deemed the evening, the child had chosen a red velvet jumper with a cream satin blouse. There was a pretty red hair bow that had to have been the handiwork of the woman who had moved to stand on the bottom step, still watching the pair in silence.
Emma’s long skirt in the same color of velvet was paired with cream-colored turtleneck in some fuzzy-textured material. He liked the fact her long hair was free and softly falling over her shoulders. She was beautiful and he tightened his grip on Charlie to keep his hands steady.
“Daddy, not so tight. Put me down so I can let Angel go outside before she helps us with the tree, too.” He did as he was instructed.
“It’s good to be here. You and Charlie picked a perfect tree.” Was he making small talk in his own home? Would appear so.
“Thank you. It was all Charlie’s choice on the tree. She has a good eye for them. The Wellmans brought it out and she instructed them where to place it. You’ll find the box of lights and ornaments in the corner. I’ll see to dinner while the two of you get to work.”
Something wasn’t right. His hand shot out and covered hers before she could take another step from the stair. He hadn’t meant to do it, but it was automatic. Making the simple connection with her hand was enough to send signals zooming throughout his body and his internal thermostat was in danger of serious overheating. Steady.
“We’ll need your supervision, too.” He took a moment and then continued. “I know things have been crazy around here and none of this I planned, but …”
“Please, don’t apologize. More than enough people have apologized already. I really don’t need it. Everything has turned out fine and Charlie is untouched. She’ll have her tree and her angel and all will be well in her world… as it should be. That’s what matters. You all need a good Christmas in this house. And if I don’t check the roast, we may have to have just salad and that would ruin Charlie’s plans.” She withdrew her hand because she could.
His grip had eased. Another grip had taken hold. Emma sounded the same and she looked much the same… maybe a little darkness around her eyes, but the spark that was always lurking in her blue eyes wasn’t visible when she looked at him. Had things changed that much? Or had he misread her before? Why couldn’t things make sense like they did once?
Charlie came bounding back in the room and claimed his hand. “Let’s go, Daddy. We can start before Emma calls us for dinner.”
*
A couple of times, Emma had peeked into the living room. She had taken care not to disturb the scene before her. A smile filled her insides. Cole was on the stepladder intent on another string of lights going on the branches just right. Emma held part of the strand off the floor and helped when he need more lights to be freed. She was so intent on her job. Angel was right beside her, her attention on what her humans were doing. When a familiar Christmas song came on the stereo, with lyrics that Charlie knew, she joined in and after a bit, so did Cole. Emma froze the moment in her mind and then buried into a special place in her heart… it should have helped ease the constant ache that was there. It only seemed to heighten it so she tiptoed back to the kitchen.
The potatoes and carrots were ready to place into a dish. The roast came out of the oven and rolls went inside to brown. There was a tap at the backdoor and then the familiar voices.
“Are we late? Vernon got held up with one of the farm hands and a machinery issue.” Mae came in ahead of the big man who had two covered dishe
s in his hands. He set them on the island and smiled at Emma. “I hear there’s a pecan pie somewhere in the vicinity?”
Emma grinned. “And I suppose a little bird named Charlie let that out of the bag?”
Vernon clasped his hands. “That’s my girls, you two did good today. My wife should take lessons.”
“Get your coat off, old man, and see if your son needs help in the living room.” Mae had already hung up her jacket in the mudroom. “It’s going to freeze tonight. They even mentioned the word snow. We haven’t had a good snow in three or four years now. But you never know nowadays… with all this climate change that’s going on.”
“I agree. And I’m just glad you both were able to come over on such short notice.” Emma might have put the idea in Charlie’s mind after they left the diner, but the child was eager to put the plan in motion. They had stopped by the Drayton’s home on their way and given the invite. Emma thought it would be nice to have them all together for more reasons than one.
“We always enjoy spending time with our family. And you know that includes you in that word, also.”
Emma kept her back to the woman and stayed busy with the relish dish. It was a couple moments before she managed to nod in a normal manner. “Could you check the rolls in the oven? I’ll double-check the table.” She took a little time in the dining room and then found her composure. Walking into the living room, she smiled. “Dinner will be on the table in five minutes. The rest of the trimming will have to pause while you all get washed up for the meal.”
Charlie was out of the room in a flash. Vernon followed behind her. Cole hesitated beside the tree. “I need your opinion. Tell me if you think this is enough.” He reached behind the tree and in a moment a blaze of colored lights illuminated the room.
Emma was speechless.
“Well…” He grinned. “Is it bad or good that you can’t speak? Charlie said you liked a lot of lights so I put all I had on there. If you think it needs more I’ll get more and—”
Emma drew in her bottom lip and tried to keep her smile normal as she shook her head. Words were hard to come by at first. Then she felt the knot move from her throat enough to speak. “I think it’s perfect. I think it doesn’t need anything else to make it beautiful just as it is. You and Charlie did a good job.”
Cole moved to stand beside her, his gaze moving from her to the tree and then back to her. “Your first real tree needs to be special. I’m glad you and Charlie talked me into having this tree this year. It was the time to bring Christmas into this house in the proper way. Thank you, Emma.”
The kiss was unexpected. She didn’t have time to move. Maybe she didn’t want to. Maybe she wanted this time, this moment to end on this note. Don’t wish for more. He’s grateful. Accept his thanks and keep it in perspective. It was hard to do that when every nerve in her body responded to his touch and his kiss made her want the fire and passion it invoked just as she needed air to breathe. That was the power a kiss from Cole Drayton wrought within her. She doubted she would ever feel as alive again as she felt with him. That sad realization made her step away. Don’t seek what isn’t there.
“I hope you’re okay with my inviting your parents for dinner tonight. I thought it would make it special for Charlie.” And for you. “Dinner is ready.” She didn’t wait for a response.
The confused look in his gaze was evident as she turned and left him.
Chapter Fifteen
“This pie was the perfect ending for a great meal. Good job, Emma.” Vernon finished up the last crumb of pecan on his plate and made the comment with a satisfied smile on his face.
“I’ll be sure and tell Darcy you said so. I wish I could bake pies like this.”
“Now, Emma. Your cooking lessons will have to get back on track after the holidays. And we’ll have you baking just as good as Darcy McKenna before spring. We might even enter you in the contest at the county fair. That should be a good goal.” Mae’s comment made Emma shake her head.
“I think you have delusions of grandeur that far surpass my skills, but thank you for the vote of confidence. I’ll clear the table and the elves can continue their work in the living room. There’ll be more pie and coffee for afterwards.”
The kitchen was all but done when Charlie came in and took Emma by the hand. “You’ve got to come right now.” Emma allowed herself, with Mae following, to be escorted into the living room.
Cole held out a box of ornaments that Mae had brought over for the tree. “Pick one.”
“Yes, pick one that’s really pretty Emma. You must put the first ornament on the tree. Daddy put the lights on the tree. I’m putting the angel on the top. You have to put the first ornament.” Charlie had it all worked out.
It touched Emma’s heart that the child had wanted to give her such an important “job” on the special evening. Emma studied the box’s contents. She chose a little porcelain blue bird.
“A bluebird on your tree brings happiness to all in the house. That’s a most appropriate first ornament.” Mae commented on the choice.
Emma chose a branch and stood on tiptoe to place it. Bring them happiness, little bird. Please. She stood back and Charlie clapped.
“Now we need to do a lot more.” She carefully chose a shiny red ball next. They all got into the decorating and before long, the tree was pronounced complete. “The most perfect beautiful tree ever.”
All except for one thing. Charlie carried the box from her room to the tree. Carefully, she lifted the angel in its gold gown, with gossamer wings and delicate features, from the tissue paper. Charlie bestowed a kiss on its head and then handed it over to Cole. He took the top step on the ladder. The angel was secured on the tallest spire of the tree. Charlie stood transfixed, her hands clasped under her chin. Emma smiled at the glow in the child’s eyes.
“It really is the most beautiful tree ever. She’s the best angel. She’ll make this the bestest, most perfect Christmas. I know she will.”
Mae glanced at Emma and Emma gave a slight shrug. It was enough that Charlie was happy.
“Did I hear something about another slice of pie earlier?” Vernon was already headed toward the kitchen.
Mae fell in right behind him. “Not another piece of that pie, mister. You’ve had enough.”
“Oh, my!” The little girl looked round-eyed up at her father. “We forgot the stockings. There aren’t any stockings here. They’re at Granny’s.”
Cole considered the problem. He looked at Emma. “I don’t think Santa would have a problem with there being stockings for the same person in two different locations. Do you?”
Emma seemed to give the matter some thought before she replied. “I think it would be acceptable. We can find you stockings to hang before Christmas here in this house. Then when you go to Granny’s on Christmas Day, you’ll have a stocking there to celebrate with them, too.”
“Problem solved. And I think it’s time a little girl gets ready for bed. Run tell your grandparents good night.”
Charlie did as she was told.
“I’m surprised she didn’t try to weasel more time out of me tonight.”
“I saw a couple of yawns escape her when she thought no one was looking. It’s been a long day for her. But now that the angel is in place and all is well, I think she was glad to be told to go to bed.” Emma began stacking empty boxes and picking up pieces of tinsel from the floor. Cole took the boxes out of her hands and set them to the side.
“It’s been long for you, too. I’ll put these things in the attic. You went out of your way to make this a special evening for everyone and you’ve earned a chance to relax. Mom and dad are leaving so how about we share some of the dessert and enjoy the fire in here in peace and quiet?”
Emma couldn’t think of anything lovelier. But, then again, that would be pushing the limits of her self-control and blurring the lines again in her heart. Being alone with Cole would only open the wounds that needed to stay closed. There was no future for her there in that
house.
Cole was going to do whatever needed to be done to keep Charlie happy and to appease Pamela. And if there was any credence in the woman’s comments from the previous days, then a reconciliation and forgiveness might be a very real solution for all involved. And that was the last place she needed to be… in the middle of that possibility. Sitting in a room with Christmas songs playing and a warm fire inviting a cozy snuggle in front of it, was something for a couple with the future before them. None of this was for her.
“It’s late and I’m more tired than I realized. I’ll leave you to enjoy the peace and a slice of pie all to yourself. Goodnight.”
She was glad Cole didn’t try to talk her into staying. He just stood and watched her go. She was grateful. Wasn’t she? Then why did her heart feel so awful?
*
The next morning, Emma was awake before the sun rose. She couldn’t sleep so she finally got up and decided to go downstairs to start the coffee pot. Something caught her eye as she passed the doorway into the living room. The lights twinkled on the tree and she saw Charlie sitting in front of the tree, one arm around Angel who sat still as a statue beside her. Charlie was intent on the angel at the top of the tree. What was it about that angel?
Emma moved quietly into the room. She settled down next to the child.
“It’s a beautiful tree, Charlie. And you picked the perfect angel for it.”
The child nodded and smiled, her eyes still at the top of the tree.
“What is so special about the angel to you, Charlie? I’d really like to know. Unless it’s some secret or something.”
“It’s not a secret,” the child whispered. “Granny told me that if you have an angel on top of the tree, and you make a wish to her every night until Christmas, then that morning, your wish will come true… if you’ve been good and not forgotten to make your wish every night.”
So that was it. She supposed that made sense to a child’s believing mind. It had to be a very important wish.
“Can you tell me about the wish? Or is that not allowed?”