Christmas Angels

by Nancy Naigle

  “I do. I don’t think they require a lot of money. Their priority is their family. Antler Creek is a great place to raise a child. He seems to really like it here, and he’s already made friends from working on your project.”

  “I’m going to look at my budget and see what I could afford. Once I get the place established I’d be able to better the offer, if it even worked out. We could do kind of a ninety-day trial. That way if they don’t like it, or they aren’t a good fit, no one has lost out.”

  Her wheels were turning. That was all he could ask: for her to consider it.

  “You’d be their Christmas angel with an offer like that,” he said.

  “You’re mine.” She leaned in closer.

  He put his arm around her shoulder, and looked into her eyes. Her lips were inviting; he’d thought of this moment a lot over the last few days.

  As he moved in, a loud knock at the door startled them both. He stepped back, shaking his head. “Sorry.”

  “No.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath in. “It’s fine.”

  He went to the door. “Grady? Everything okay?”

  “Hey, man. I was just going to see if Krissy was busy. I thought she might want to ride along with me for a couple hours. See what’s going on in town. I could show her around.”

  “She left a little while ago. She went back to the coast for the holiday.”

  “Oh. Sorry. I didn’t know.” He peered inside. “Hi, Liz. I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything.”

  Just our first kiss, Matt thought. Just his luck.

  “No,” she said politely.

  Grady shuffled his feet at the door. “If she comes back in town I’d love to get the chance to talk to her again.”

  “We’ll let her know,” Liz said.

  Grady made an awkward descent back to his car.

  Matt closed the door behind him and laughed out loud. “That was right bold. He’s going to be bummed when he finds out she was only here to visit.”

  “Maybe she’ll change her mind. Krissy did say she’d love to own a shop on Main Street. One of the ones with the apartments above it.” Liz was already texting Krissy. “She just said she’s half-tempted to turn around and come back to meet up with him.”

  “Really? Let me see that.” Matt looked at her phone. “How about that. What is it about Angel’s Rest that seems to pull people together? I’ve been trying to get her to move back forever.”

  Liz shrugged. “I have no idea, but whatever it is, don’t mess it up in the renovation.”

  “I’ll do my best.” He stepped closer to her. “Now, where were we?”

  His phone rang.

  “Nah-ah. I’m not answering that.” He leaned closer to her.

  “Answer it. Go ahead.”

  The phone rang again. He cursed under his breath. “We missed our moment, didn’t we?”

  With a wrinkle of her nose, she nodded and said, “Yeah.”

  He punched the button on his phone and took the call, stepping away and turning his back to her at one point. “George needs my help down at the store. I’ve got to go see what’s going on. Will you be okay here by yourself?”

  “Yes. I’m getting around pretty good now.”

  “Be careful. I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”

  Matt drove down to Main Street thinking about that almost-kiss. What were the odds he’d get interrupted twice in a matter of minutes? That was just plain wrong. She might think he was moving a little fast, but he’d had a crush on her all those years ago, and he hadn’t forgotten that. It didn’t feel that fast to him at all.

  He pulled into the parking lot at Goodwin’s Hardware. George’s request had been cryptic, but whatever was going on, if he could help he needed to be here to do it.

  Pastor Mike walked out of the store with a bucket of paint. “How’re things going, Matt?”

  “Never better.”

  “Really? How’re things going with the woman you’re going to marry? Does she even know yet?” Mike chuckled.

  “No, but I’m more certain than ever now.”

  Mike quit laughing. “I’m sorry. I thought you were joking about that. I guess this is a merry Christmas for you then.”

  “It has all the makings of the very best.” Matt walked back to the loading dock. George supervised as some college boys moved stock around to make room for the things people had on hold for the holiday and would come to pick up on Christmas Eve.

  “Hey, George. What’s so urgent?”

  “George Junior. Come here. Tell him what you told me.”

  George Junior’s face reddened. “Dad.”

  “Look, son, if Matt is getting serious about this woman he needs to know.”

  “What’s going on?” Is this about Liz? “I need to know what?”

  George Junior looked like he wanted to crawl under the pile of feed troughs that were stacked next to him. “I wish I hadn’t said anything.”

  “Well, you did, so repeat it.” George didn’t look happy about whatever it was.

  “That day the Harmons came. You were walking them back to the cabin when this guy in a Suburban showed up. He acted pretty tight with Liz.”

  Matt felt a jolt of unexpected jealousy.

  “He was a real estate guy. He was talking about selling the house.”

  “Angel’s Rest?” Matt shook his head. “No way. She loves that place.”

  “He said something about quadrupling her money.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.”

  His heart felt like it had just landed in his gut. “I guess I would need to know that. I mean, I’m working on the contract for her. If she sells, that job could become much shorter. It could affect the whole crew.”

  “Like me, and I need that job,” George Junior said.

  “I know. Thanks for telling me. I’ll figure it out.”

  Matt walked straight to his truck and drove off. He didn’t know what to think. Well, he did know, but he didn’t want to believe it. It just didn’t sound like the Liz he’d gotten to know. Not ready to face her yet, he drove over to the pond, the one place that always brought him clarity, and sat there quietly trying to not take it personally. He was her contractor. Her project manager. Nothing else, no matter how much he wanted to be.

  An almost-kiss didn’t mean a thing. Maybe she wasn’t sorry the kiss didn’t happen.

  The last time he was here at the pond he’d been making snow angels with her.

  He got out of his truck and walked over to the spot where they’d lain there laughing. He hadn’t felt that close to anyone in a long time. He relived every moment he’d spent with her. Had he missed a signal? An offhand comment that might have been a hint to her unloading the property?

  Quadrupling your investment was hard to say no to, but surely she’d have told him. None of it made sense. Unless this was just all business to her.

  He got back into his truck and stopped in over at the café.

  “Where’s Liz?” Maizey asked.

  “Resting up for this afternoon and tonight.” It wasn’t a complete lie. “Just coffee, thanks.”

  Maizey slid a heavy white ceramic mug in front of him and filled it to the top. “There you go.”

  “Thanks.” He sat there nursing his coffee and pretending to be addressing emails to avoid conversation as he passed time.

  Someone slapped him on the back as they walked by. “Can’t wait to see the lights tonight.”

  They’d better enjoy them, because there probably wouldn’t be another display like this ever again.

  “You rock, man. My kids loved the lights,” Ginger’s husband said as he went to the register to pay his bill. “They’re home making more cookies to give away.”

  “You’ve got a really special family,” Matt said. “Thanks for all the help.”

  “We’re happy to be part of it.”

  Matt put his coffee down. He couldn’t deal with this right now. “I’ll see you over at Angel’s Rest at tw
o,” he said to Maizey.

  “We’ve got everything ready to roll.”

  Of course she did. Maizey always came through.

  He drove back home, dreading facing Liz. He wasn’t even sure if he wanted to ask her about what George Junior had overheard, because he didn’t know if he really wanted to know.

  He walked into his house hoping she was napping. No such luck; she was sitting in the den with the comment box and letters, cards, and money all around her.

  “Matt! I thought you were never going to get back. These letters are amazing. There are even financial contributions. We’ll donate those back into the town somehow, but seriously just the thought of it is mind-blowing.”

  “Yeah. Sure.” He felt like he was an outsider all of the sudden.

  “Look at this note. These people are from two towns over. They used to come to see the lights when he was just a kid. Now he’s bringing his kids. Generations. My grandparents would’ve loved this.”

  “It’s very special.”

  “So, I looked at the budget and went through the timeline. I think I can swing an offer for Joe to work for me. The list of projects is long and that will defray a bit of the contract work, paying him out of that budget for a while. I can have him clean out the other cabin. That one has a tiny second bedroom they can use as a nursery for Holly.”

  “It was just an idea,” Matt said. “You have to do what you think is right.”

  “I went through the numbers and I think it’ll work. In the long run I think it’s the right thing to do. Once we get a bedroom in the house done or the other cabin ready I can get moved back and out of your hair too.”

  She wants to leave. That’s telling. “Yeah. Whatever you want. You’re the boss.” His role was clear. He’d only been fooling himself. Carrying a torch from way too long ago that she never reciprocated. “I’m going to go jump in the shower. Then it’ll be time for us to go over to the inn to let Maizey and her folks in to set up for the party.”

  “Okay. I’m going to go get ready.”

  When she came back out she was dressed in layers, and carrying an extra throw.

  “Ready to go?” he asked.

  “Yes.” She scooted out to the porch and he helped her down the steps, then loaded her scooter into the truck.

  He was quiet on the way over to the house.

  “Was everything okay at George’s?”

  He shrugged. “Yeah. No problems at Goodwin’s.”

  “You were gone a lot longer than I’d expected.”

  He didn’t offer an explanation. He couldn’t. He was too angry to even ask her if it was true, but then why would George Junior lie about a thing like that?

  “Are you not feeling well?”

  “You could say that.” Truth was he felt like he’d been sucker punched. He’d been taken for a ride, and he didn’t like that one bit.

  “Do you need some medicine? I have—”

  “No. I’m fine.”

  They pulled into the driveway at Angel’s Rest, and Maizey’s van was already parked in front of the door. He was thankful for the reprieve. It was hard to hold his tongue, and he didn’t want to do or say anything that would ruin the lights for the community tonight. All he had to do was get through one more night.

  Matt helped Maizey get everything set up.

  “Everything looks so good,” Liz said.

  “I’m so glad you’re happy with it,” Maizey said. “If it’s one thing I know, it’s what people around here like to eat.”

  “I bet you do.” Liz zipped around the room on her scooter.

  She was in such a good mood; it made him feel even worse.

  “Matt, I hadn’t seen the angel on the ladder tree. That’s the one from the sign. When did you do that?”

  “The other day when I first saw the sign.”

  “I love it.”

  “We probably ought to just take that ladder down. It’s kind of silly now that we have real trees and lights all around the house.” He didn’t like feeling like a fool.

  “No. I love it,” Liz said. “It was such a neat idea.”

  He walked over and took the angel from the top and handed it to her. “You should probably put this somewhere for safekeeping.” He slid something from the top step of the ladder and tucked it inside his jacket.

  “What was that?” she asked.

  “Nothing.” He turned and went to help Maizey, sorry now that he’d ever told her about the barn quilt trail.

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Liz couldn’t figure out what was going on with Matt. He’d been fine this morning, but ever since he got back from George’s he was acting strange.

  “Hi, Liz.”

  She turned to see Joe and Maryanne walking toward her with Holly toddling between them.

  “It’s great to see you. She’s really getting around better each day, isn’t she?”

  “I won’t be able to keep up with her in a week.” Maryanne looked tired at the prospect.

  “I’m so glad you’re here early before everyone else gets here. I wanted to talk to you. Right, Matt?” But when she turned, Matt had already walked off. “Well, we don’t need him here, but he knows all about it.” Liz laid out the offer to the Harmons.

  “Are you serious?” Joe was delighted. “Honey, what do you think?”

  Maryanne picked up Holly and held her in her arms. “I think you’re about the kindest person I’ve ever met, Liz. Joe would do a wonderful job for you, and we love it here.”

  “I think it’s too good of an offer to pass up,” Joe said, then turned to his wife. “Your parents…”

  “Will understand. They only want what’s best for us. I love it here. Yes. We say yes,” Maryanne said.

  “I was hoping you’d say that. I was thinking you could concentrate on emptying out the second cabin and we’ll get you set up over there. It’s got a second small bedroom that you can use for Holly. It’ll give you two some quiet time, and a place for her to play too.”

  “I’ll get right on it.”

  “I’ll have to help go through some of those boxes. I’m sure half of them will be trash.”

  “We’ll help you,” Maryanne said.

  “I’m so happy. Thank you both. After ninety days we’ll regroup and make sure this is working on both sides. If it isn’t we can part ways with nothing lost. If it is, then we’ll make it official.”

  Joe hugged Maryanne.

  Meanwhile, the other folks had started filling up the room. People were mingling and eating. Maizey was the hostess with the mostest, keeping everyone well fed and spreading her own kind of cheer.

  “Can I have your attention, please?” Liz tapped a spoon against her glass. “I just wanted to take one moment to thank you from the bottom of my heart. What you all have done here is amazing. Thank you for your craftsmanship, innovation, kindness, and your valuable time. You are all a part of something very special.”

  She scanned the room for Matt, but didn’t see him. Where was he?

  “Enjoy!”

  Joyful laughter filled the air. You couldn’t tell by looking around who had known each other before and who was brand-new to the group.

  At five o’clock everyone helped Maizey get her stuff cleaned up and loaded back in the van to get down the hill before six. Joe Don and Bubba carried the coolers of hot chocolate out to the stand.

  An hour later, the music played, lights were on, and everyone was in their place. A tingle of excitement coursed through Liz, and she hoped that people would show up again. Had everyone come on the first night? She could at least count on that one hay wagon of college boys tonight. That would be worth it too.

  Headlights streamed up Doe Run Road, casting shadows along the road. As they got closer, cars lined up as far as she could see.

  There was a steady flow of cars, trucks, and three hay wagons so far and no sign of it slowing down. The hot chocolate and cookies were going fast.

  “Liz!”

  She looked up when she heard
her name. Dan ambled across the flower bed, then jogged across the driveway in front of a church van full of seniors.

  “Dan?” She handed cups of hot chocolate off to Bubba, who was helping her tonight since Krissy had left.

  “I sold it!” He ran over to her. “You never answer your phone anymore.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I’ve been trying to call you. Missy has too.”

  “Missy?”

  “Yeah. I had the perfect client for your house. We put in an offer with Missy on your house this morning. A good deal too, but she hasn’t been able to get ahold of you. My clients are champing at the bit. You don’t want to lose this deal.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. Really. I know. I was being a jerk about you leaving. I’m sorry. I was being selfish. I know if this is what you want you will make it work. I’m behind you. I wanted to prove that, so I showed your house this morning and doggone if they didn’t bite on it. Chomp. Chomp. Full price.”

  “You’re kidding?”

  “Nope. I’ve got the papers right here for you to sign.”

  “How did you even get up here? There are cars lined up for the lights.”

  “Yeah. They’re really pretty. My car is still in line. Missy is driving.”

  “You and Missy came up here together?”

  “She’s really nice.”

  “I told you that before.”

  “You were right. Are you even a teensy bit jealous we’re together?”

  “Not at all. In fact, y’all might really hit it off.”

  “I’m so glad you said that. I think so too. Here, sign these and I’ll be out of your hair. Answer your phone!”

  “Email me. I can get my emails better. I’ll keep an eye on them.”

  “Okay. That’ll work.”

  Liz handed the papers back to Dan, but when she looked up Matt was headed straight toward her and he didn’t look happy. She raised her hand in front of Dan. “Excuse me.”

  She turned to Matt. “Is everything okay? You look upset.”

  His jaw clenched. “I am.”

  His voice was tight. “What’s the matter?”