by LuAnn McLane
“We’ve come to the rescue, baby brother!” Mattie hurried over and hugged Danny. “Mom’s babysitting, so I get to pitch in and help. The bistro is closed tomorrow and Christmas Day, so I finally get to pay you back in a small way for all that you’ve done for me, Danny. I’m so excited for you!”
Danny hugged Mattie back, thinking he had the best family on the planet.
“Mum and Jimmy are on the way,” Garret said. “So are my dad and Maggie.”
Danny shook his head, reeling with emotion. “I don’t know what to say other than … thank you.” He had to get his emotion under control before he started blubbering. Clearing his throat, he said, “The funny thing is, I wish Susan could be here to see all of this happening.”
Mattie gave him a jab with her elbow. “Uh, that would totally ruin the best Christmas surprise in the history of Cricket Creek, and this town has been around a while.”
Danny laughed. “You’ve got a point,” he said, still in disbelief as the whole crew arrived and started loading the furniture into various vans and trucks. “I hope Susan isn’t mad at me for begging off tonight,” he said to Mattie.
“Well if she is, she won’t be for long,” Mattie said. She spotted the tiny rocking chair. “Oh my gosh, please tell me that’s for Lily,” she said, and when he nodded her eyes filled with tears. In that moment, he fully understood what his furniture meant to people. “She is going to love it! We … well Santa is bringing her a baby doll. I can already picture her rocking her little baby,” Mattie said, and went over to examine the little chair.
Danny knew his sturdy work would withstand time and would hopefully be handed down over the years. Babies would be rocked, soothed. His chairs would grace front porches and back patios. He smiled and then sprang into action. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve!
27
Coming Home
Susan awoke in her childhood bedroom to the familiar aroma of bacon, cinnamon, and coffee. She breathed deeply of the comforting scent and snuggled beneath the covers. She blinked and for an odd moment felt as if she needed to get ready for school and felt a little pang of anxiety. But then she remembered she was an adult and was just here overnight for a visit.
Susan gazed around the room, which hadn’t changed one bit since the day she’d left the farm for Main Street. This room had been her sanctuary, her place of peace, where she’d diligently done her homework and read endless books way past her bedtime. She’d written secrets in her diary, listened to boy bands, and dreamed of someday falling in love. She’d plowed through endless romance novels, becoming the feisty heroine instead of a shy, stuttering teenager who’d never been out on a date until Danny asked her to the prom. She knew that her dress still hung in her closet and she’d dried the wrist corsage, preserving it forever, never dreaming that she’d ever date Danny again.
Susan peeked beneath the covers and chuckled when she remembered that she was wearing an old ruffled flannel nightie, also from her teenage years. Everything meant to be long had been way too short for her legs, but for some reason she found comfort in wearing the soft nightie this morning.
Yawning and stretching, Susan realized she had a tiny bit of a headache and then stared up at the ceiling and chuckled. Her parents, who rarely imbibed any kind of alcohol, had felt the need to break into her father’s treasured stash of Pappy Van Winkle aged Kentucky bourbon last night. The whiskey had felt like warm silk on her tongue and after sipping on a couple of drinks, there was no way she could drive back home, so she’d been forced to stay the night. Her mother had baked up a storm in the kitchen while her father watched Elf and laughed himself silly. Susan wrapped presents and really failed to understand why her mother claimed to need her help when it was clear that she didn’t. Susan chalked it up to them simply wanting her company. And she’d enjoyed the evening, feeling the comfort and warmth of their love surrounding her like a soft blanket.
Stretching again, she reached over to her white wicker nightstand for her cell phone, hoping she’d missed a text message or call from Danny. She was disappointed to see that he hadn’t reached out to her. She sucked in a breath and felt an odd pang in the pit of her stomach. Funny, but she’d had a sensation all night long that something was underfoot. But again, she’d always had a vivid imagination and so she was probably wrong and just absorbing the excitement of Christmas.
“Oh wow, look at the time!” she said, surprised that it was nearly ten o’clock. Good thing that Betsy and Aubrey were opening the shop!
A moment later there was a light knock at her door. “Come in,” Susan said, and her mother rushed in, looking so happy to see her in her room. “Morning, Mom.” Susan scooted to a sitting position and gave her mother a groggy smile.
“Somebody’s a sleepyhead today.” She handed Susan a big mug of coffee.
“Well, somebody fed me bourbon that apparently knocked me for a loop.”
Her mother turned pink as if embarrassed. “Oh, just a little holiday cheer!” She looked ready to twirl around.
“Mom, have you had a little nip this morning?”
“Oh, heavens no!” She fussed around the room picking up this and that, almost as if she was a bit nervous … and her mother wasn’t the nervous type.
Susan took a bracing sip of the strong coffee. “Mom, are you okay?”
“Yes, yes. It’s just that it’s Christmas Eve! Come on and get all prettied up. We’ve got quite a day ahead of us.”
Susan tilted her head. “Like what?”
“Oh, you know, Christmassy things.” Her mother waved her hands around like little birds in flight. “Let’s get some breakfast in you, what do you say?”
“I say yes.” Susan tossed off the covers and handed her mother her coffee mug. “I’ll be down in a minute.”
“Don’t dawdle.”
“Do I ever?”
“All the time. Getting you up for school was quite the chore, especially before you were old enough to drink coffee.”
“True. When I woke up this morning, I felt as if I was in a time warp. I’m even dressed for the part.” She pointed to her nightie.
“Oh, you sure did grow up way too fast for my liking.” Her mother got all misty-eyed. “I miss you so much but I’m so proud of the young woman you’ve become.”
“Mom, you gave me a wonderful childhood. I couldn’t ask for better parents.”
“Oh, sweetie, it’s so good to have you here. But come on and get a move on!” She swiped at a tear and hurried out the door, nearly spilling the coffee.
Susan picked up a stuffed teddy bear and looked at the friendly face. “Well, that was a bit odd. What’s the big hurry?”
After a hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs and her favorite cinnamon toast, Susan showered and tugged her jeans back on. Her mother had supplied her with another ugly Christmas sweater, making Susan think of Danny. Should she call him? She wanted to but he’d been acting so different this past week that she thought perhaps he needed some … what … space? The notion troubled her but she tried to shake it off. She didn’t want to do anything to spoil her parents’ Christmas Eve.
She hoped that Danny and his parents were still coming over. Shaking her head, she picked up her old hair dryer, which had seen better days. The sad little whir had her wishing she was in her own bathroom getting ready. She located a tube of mascara in her purse and put on some lip gloss. Rubbing her lips together, she looked at her reflection, unable to shake the feeling that something was going on with Danny.
Susan fluffed her nearly dry hair and headed down the narrow staircase, smiling at the familiar squeaks of the worn wooden steps. To her surprise, her mother and father looked ready to head out.
“Going somewhere?” Susan asked, noting her mother was wearing lipstick and her father had his hair slicked back, a sure sign that they were heading up into town.
“No,” her mother said quickly. “Just getting geared up for tonight.”
“Are Danny’s parents still coming over?” Susan asked.
“Of cou
rse. They wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Oh good.” Susan thought that was going a little bit overboard but nodded. “I haven’t heard from Danny, but I guess he’ll still be coming over,” she said with a pang of uneasiness.
“Of course he will, dear,” her mother said. She handed Susan her coat. “Well, you’d better get a move on.”
Susan gave her mother and father a kiss. “Why do I get the feeling you two are trying to get rid of me?”
“Oh, don’t be silly,” her mother said, but urged her toward the door. “See you in a little bit.”
“You mean tonight?” Susan asked and looked at her mother with a little bit of concern. Was she getting forgetful?
“Yes … yes, tonight,” she said and nearly pushed Susan out the door. Susan stood on the front porch and shook her head. “Well, that was weird. Has the whole world gone plumb crazy?”
While she drove, her worry about not hearing from Danny grew stronger, and she decided that as soon as she was home she was going to give him a call. Trying to get into better spirits, she cranked up the Christmas music and did her best to sing along, but faltered. “Danny Mayfield, what in the world is wrong with you lately?” she grumbled as she pulled into the alley leading to her garage. Something odd caught her eye but she was too busy feeling grumpy to give it much thought.
“Bah humbug,” she said as she all but stomped up the steps to her loft. She took off her coat, thinking the Christmas decorations even looked a little bit sad. And after such big holiday sales, her apartment appeared bare, and for some reason Susan felt a little bit like crying. “Stop it. It’s Christmas Eve!” she told herself, and then heard a knock at her door. She hurried over, jingling all the way.
Susan opened the door expecting to see Betsy but it was Danny standing there, sending her heart racing. “Danny …”
“Are you going to ask me in?” he asked with that bone-melting grin.
“Sorry, I was … I’m just surprised to see you.”
“Well, it took you forever to get home.”
Susan shook her head, perplexed. “Were you waiting for me?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you call?”
“I was busy,” he replied in a breezy tone, irking her a little bit.
“O-kay,” she said, lifting her chin. To her surprise, he chuckled.
“Something funny?”
“Yes, you.” Danny pulled her into his arms and kissed her until she forgot why she was angry with him.
“That’s not fair.”
“What?” he asked.
“All you have to do is smile at me … kiss me, and I can’t stay mad at you.”
Danny laughed. “I love your honesty. Why were you mad at me?”
Susan gave a little shrug. “You’ve just seemed so distant this past week.”
“I’m sorry, Susan, but I’ve had a lot going on.”
She put her hands on his chest. “But you know you can always talk to me about anything.”
“Not about your Christmas gift. That would ruin the surprise. And I was afraid to talk to you or I’d give it away.”
“Oh …”
Danny backed up and took her hand. “Will you come with me?”
“Where?”
“You’ll see,” he said, and for the first time she realized how worn-out he looked.
“Are you tired, Danny?”
“I was up nearly all night but I’m too excited to be tired.” His phone pinged and he looked down and smiled at whatever was in the message, making Susan want to peek at the screen. He pocketed the phone and inhaled a deep breath.
“Tell me what’s going on.” She wanted to stamp her foot in protest when they got to the bottom of the stairs but she could feel the excitement buzzing through his body and the excitement suddenly transferred over to her as well. Too many things suddenly seemed planned … She tugged at Danny’s hand, wanting him to give her a hint, but he kept walking until they rounded the corner of her building and stepped onto the sidewalk.
And then they stopped short.
“What do you think?” He pointed to the store next to Rhyme and Reason.
“Oh!” She looked at Danny and he positively beamed at her. “Rock Me Gently.”
“Do you like the name?”
Susan gazed at the beautiful sign hanging above the door of the shop next to Rhyme and Reason. “I love it. Oh Danny. Your own shop!”
“Merry Christmas.”
“Oh my goodness, now my gift pales in comparison.”
Danny laughed. “All I want for Christmas is you,” he sang, making her laugh with him.
“So this is why you’ve been so preoccupied. I was worried I’d done something wrong.”
“Oh Susan, I’m so sorry to have worried you. I was so afraid that I’d somehow give it away, even in a text message. Baby, you never have to worry about how much I love you.” He picked her up and spun her around. “Want to see the inside?”
“More than anything in the world.”
Laughing, he grabbed her hand and they hurried up to the door and went inside.
Susan’s heart seemed to swell in her chest as they walked around the showroom. The overhead lighting cast a glow onto the polished furniture, making the wood gleam. One area was set up like a front porch, with two large rocking chairs begging to be sat in.
“So cute!” she exclaimed. Although rocking chairs were the focus, there were benches and stools and coffee tables. Soft music came from hidden speakers and the store smelled like polished wood and lemon. “Just walking through here makes me feel relaxed. Danny, how could you possibly have done all of this in such a short period of time?”
“I had a little help.” He tilted his head. “Actually, I had a lot of help. My parents are moving back to Cricket Creek full-time and my dad wants to take over the reins of the marina.”
“Oh, Danny! This is just the best Christmas ever.”
“It will be.”
“What do you mean?”
“Susan, I know we’ve moved at fast forward speed in our relationship.”
She nodded, swallowing hard.
“But I love you with all my heart. I know this for certain.”
“Danny, I love you too. More and more with each passing day.”
He gave her a tender smile. “Our moms knew what they were doing when they wanted us to go to the prom together. And they also knew what they were doing wanting us to get married on Main Street at the gazebo. And naming our future children.”
Susan’s eyes widened when he got down on one knee. Her breath seemed trapped in her chest and she thought she might pass out and ruin the moment, so she steadied herself by putting one hand on the solid strength of his shoulder.
Danny reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet ring box. He opened it, revealing a gorgeous engagement ring. “Susan Quincy, will you marry me?”
“Yes!” Her voice seemed to float out of her body and she watched with blurred vision while he slipped the lovely diamond ring onto her finger, a perfect fit. “Oh, it’s beautiful.”
Danny stood up, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her. “You’ve made me a very happy man.”
“And I promise I will continue to do so. I love you so much.”
A moment later the front door burst open. Friends and family rushed in.
“She said yes!” Danny shouted, and everyone cheered. He smiled at Susan. “Okay, now it’s officially the best Christmas ever—with many more to come.”
Don’t miss another charming Cricket Creek Novel by LuAnn McLane,
WISH UPON A WEDDING
Available now from Signet
White Lace and Promises
“Sophia Gordon, now just what in the world are you doin’ reading Good Housekeeping? For pity’s sake, that’s for my older clients, not for a young cutie pie like you.”
Sophia looked over at Carrie Ann through her foil-covered bangs. “Well, there’s a recipe for—” she began, but Carrie An
n tugged the magazine from her fingers so quickly that the salon chair swiveled sideways.
“This is what you should be reading, sweet pea.” Carrie Ann placed the latest issue of Cosmopolitan in Sophia’s hands.
Sophia gazed down at the scantily clad model on the cover and looked at the hair and makeup with a critical eye. “That eye shadow is way too shimmery.”
“Oh, forget about that and turn to page thirty.”
“Page thirty?” Sophia flipped through the magazine until she was staring at a hot male model lying in bed wearing nothing but boxer briefs and a wicked smile. “Twenty-five surefire ways to drive your man wild?” When Sophia shook her head and laughed, the foils made a light tinny sound next to her ear. “Well, unfortunately, I don’t have a man to drive wild.”
“I’ve seen you hanging out with handsome-as-sin Avery Dean a time or two. I’m pretty sure you could drive him wild all twenty-five ways and think of a few more to add to the list.”
“We’re just friends,” Sophia insisted, but her pulse beat a little bit faster at the mere suggestion. She glanced at the article with renewed interest. Number two involved a feather trailing over certain body parts. “Oh my,” Sophia said when the image of Avery popped into her head. She squeezed her eyes shut but the image remained.
“Share, please.”
“These ideas are just silly.”
“Really? I think this falls into the category of don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.” Carrie Ann looked at Sophia in the mirror. “My motto is to always be prepared.” She arched an eyebrow. “Know what I’m sayin’?”
Sophia chuckled at the owner of A Cut Above. In her mid-fifties, Carrie Ann Spencer had the hair and curves of a vintage pinup girl and a sassy Southern attitude to match the look. She’d been styling Sophia’s hair since last summer when Sophia arrived in Cricket Creek, Kentucky, to help out at her pregnant sister-in-law’s Walking on Sunshine Bistro after Mattie had been put on bed rest. “You crack me up.”
Carrie Ann fisted her hands on her hips and tilted her head. Her big auburn hair was so full of product that it barely moved. “I’m serious, girl. Hey, how about me and you head over to Sully’s Tavern after your hair is all done up with those highlights? I’ll be your wingwoman.”