All I Want For Christmas

by Ann Roth

  Tina was both relieved and disappointed. And in big trouble. She barely knew this man, yet here she was, wanting his company. She turned toward the door, but Ryan made no move to leave.

  “So G. G.’ s still asleep. That’s not like her.”

  “She had a rough night.” Tina couldn’t stifle her yawn. “We both did.”

  “Same thing happened at my house.” His turn to yawn. “Must be something in the air. I would’ve let Maggie sleep in, but she woke herself up in time to catch the bus.”

  “Too many brownies last night?”

  Ryan shook his head. “Nightmares. She’s had them on and off since after her mother died. For the past year, almost every night. Mean people and monsters out to get her.”

  “I’m sorry.” Tina understood all too well. “When I was her age I did, too. I used to dream that my mother was frantically calling me, but I would lose my way and couldn’t reach her.”

  Even after all these years, talking about the recurring dream completely unnerved Tina. Shivering, she rubbed her arms. “It may not sound like a nightmare to anyone else, but it was frightening.”

  She had his full attention now. “When did it finally stop?”

  “Only a year or so ago,” she admitted.

  “Great.”

  The bleak look in his eyes tugged at Tina’s heartstrings. “I’m sure Maggie will outgrow her bad dreams much faster than I did. She seems like such a happy little girl.”

  “She was born with a sunny disposition—when she’s awake.” Ryan rubbed a hand over his face. “I’m working hard to keep her sunny all the time. Moving here has helped.”

  “The island is a wonderful place to grow up.”

  “But not to live on after you’re grown?”

  “Not for what I want.” For what G. G. and the others wanted. “You can’t go too far in advertising on Halo Island. It’s too isolated and too laid-back.”

  “Exactly.”

  Why would a man who had started his own successful bank give that up to move to this sleepy community? Managing the tiny Halo Island Bank seemed like quite a comedown. Tina couldn’t help a confused frown. “There’s a huge difference between Halo Island and L. A. Don’t you miss the hustle and bustle?”

  He didn’t even pause to think about that, just shook his head. “A neighborhood as tight as this one? You’d never find it in L. A. Maggie’s happy here. That’s what matters.” A fresh gust of wind rattled the picture window. Ryan glanced at his watch. “There’s a meeting this morning, and I’d best go. If you need help with the fax machine, let me know.”

  Tina nodded. “I will, and thanks again.”

  “Tina!” G. G. called out. “I need help!”

  “I’ll be right there,” Tina answered in a loud voice. “She can’t get out of bed by herself,” she explained. “Can you let yourself out?”

  INSTEAD OF LEAVING, Ryan waited quietly by the front door. Tina was a slight woman, several inches shorter and a good fifty pounds lighter than G. G. He couldn’t imagine how she’d manage to get the woman out of bed, and he wasn’t about to disappear until he knew everything was okay.

  Standing here, when he was supposed to have left, didn’t feel right, and he considered heading down the hall and offering help. But that might embarrass G. G. So he stood still and eavesdropped. In the small house, it wasn’t that hard.

  “How are you feeling this morning?” Tina asked, sounding both caring and cautious.

  “I hurt, and I need to use the bathroom.”

  “Grab hold of my arms and I’ll pull you up.”

  A few grunts and unhappy groans punctuated the silence. In no time, G. G.’ s walker was clattering over the hall floor. How Tina had gotten her up and out of bed was beyond Ryan. The bathroom door creaked open, then clicked shut.

  “Need any help?” Tina called, apparently standing outside the door.

  “I’m not a baby, Tina.” G. G.’ s muffled voice sounded cranky, and then some. Ryan had never heard her be anything but warm and loving. He felt for Tina.

  Her heavy sigh was hard to miss. “Shall I make you a bowl of oatmeal?”

  “I’d rather do it myself.”

  “When your hip is better, you will.”

  “Go ahead and make it, then, but don’t forget, I like it thick and lumpy.”

  “All right, I’ll be in the kitchen. Yell if you need me.”

  Ryan slipped out before she saw him.

  THANKS TO stopping at G. G.’ s, Ryan was late for his own meeting. When he pulled into the parking lot of the Halo Island Bank, all three of his employees’ cars were already there.

  Swearing—he’d meant to be the first one here—he eased into the manager slot at the side of the building. He’d intended to drop off the fax machine and leave. But Tina understood about Maggie’s nightmares, so he’d stayed to talk.

  Yeah, that was the reason he’d hung around. His instant attraction to her had nothing to do with it. He laughed at himself. The view of her exceptional behind as she’d bent down to wipe the floor had been bad enough. And that mouth…

  Every time she spoke, he’d zeroed in on her lips. From there, it wasn’t hard to imagine what she tasted like—or what her body would feel like under him.

  Ain’t happenin’, buddy. He set his jaw and pulled up the brake.

  Balancing a box of doughnuts and a cardboard tray of coffee, he punched in the bank’s security code, walked through the double glass doors and strode across the shiny tile floor toward the small conference room off the lobby. His employees were seated around the table waiting for him. Serena, a single mom who worked as a full-time teller; Danielle, a part-time teller barely out of high school; and Jason, the twenty-five-year-old assistant manager, loan officer—and teller, when needed. Ryan liked them, and they seemed comfortable around him.

  “Sorry I’m late,” he said, setting down the treats. “Help yourselves.” He went to hang up his coat and grab his notes and the new signs Corporate had sent.

  When he returned, they were eating, sipping their coffee and chatting.

  “Thanks for the treats,” Serena said.

  Ryan nodded. “Thanks for coming in early.”

  “What’s that?” Jason nodded at the large, brown-paper-wrapped package Ryan had set in the corner.

  “Signs. We’ll get to them in a minute.” He started the meeting. “As you know the board of directors expects us to open twenty-five percent more new accounts and fifteen percent more loans than last year,” he said, looking each of them in the eye.

  Which should have been easy, since theirs was the only financial institution on the island. But many of the residents preferred to deal with one of several banks in Anacortes, a forty-five-minute ferry ride away.

  “Here it is, the end of the first week of November, and we aren’t even close,” he said. “To help us reach our goals, Corporate has developed a deposit-and-credit promotion that starts next Tuesday.” Since Monday was Veterans Day and a bank holiday. “Those signs—” he paused to nod at the package propped against the wall “—will be hung tomorrow after closing. That way, they’ll be up when we open the doors Tuesday. Right now, I want your input. Do you have any other ideas about what we can do to reach our goals?”

  Serena glanced at Danielle. They both looked at Jason. Who drew his bushy brows together and then shrugged. All three suddenly found the cherrywood surface of the table fascinating.

  “What’s on your minds?” Ryan prodded.

  Jason shifted in his seat. Cleared his throat and finally looked straight at Ryan. “We don’t see why we should do anything when we’ll get nothing in return.”

  Ryan was with them there. The Island Banking Corporation, owner of Halo Island Bank and banks on several of the other islands off the coast of the Pacific Northwest, paid low wages and offered no incentive pay. Their lack of consideration toward employees was so demoralizing that turnover was through the roof. Even the previous manager had quit. Ryan didn’t need the money or the headaches, a
nd in the four months since he’d taken this job, he’d thought more than once about resigning. But what would he do with his time?

  For a moment, he imagined starting a bank that knew how to take care of employees and customers as competition. Now that stirred his interest. And made him think. He hadn’t been honest with Tina this morning. He did miss the hustle and bustle. Not from living in L. A., but from building and growing his own company.

  But starting a new bank meant hard work and long hours. He’d given up ten-hour days in order to spend time with Maggie. She was what really mattered. Bad as this job was, it allowed him to work nine-to-five, with time off for school field trips. No overtime, no bringing work home and no weekends. Exactly right for a single father.

  “Mr. Chase…Ryan?” Danielle asked. He’d asked them to call him by his first name and she still hadn’t quite adjusted to that. “Jason didn’t mean to upset you. But you asked and…”

  Ryan realized he’d been silent too long, and looking stern, to boot. He forced a reassuring smile. “I’m not upset, just thinking.”

  “You’re not gonna quit, are you?” Serena asked, looking worried. “Because you’re the best manager I’ve ever worked for.

  “Thanks,” he said, wondering whether she’d somehow read his mind. “And no, I’m not quitting.”

  All three employees looked relieved.

  “But if we don’t get the numbers up, I could be in trouble.”

  “We don’t want you to get fired,” Danielle said.

  “Maybe we should figure out a way to bump up our business.” Looking pensive, Jason fiddled with a button on the cuff of his shirtsleeve. “How about a free gift, when they open an account or take out a loan? Would Corporate go for that?”

  For the next thirty minutes, they brainstormed. At nine forty-five, fifteen minutes before opening time, they wrapped up with a semblance of enthusiasm.

  Ryan hoped it lasted.

  DUCKING HER HEAD against the driving rain, Tina dashed into the Mocha Java, a café and bakery owned by Kate Burrows, her best friend since grade school, and her husband, Jack.

  Tall and beautiful as ever, Kate was behind the bakery counter adjacent to the door. “You’re here,” she squealed, hurrying around the counter. Tina had called days ago to let her know she’d be in town. “I’m so glad you found the time to come in this morning!”

  Kate’s friendly welcome was just what Tina needed. “Me, too.”

  She wiped her feet on the mat and hung her coat on the crowded coat tree. Then she and Kate shared a warm hug.

  “How’s G. G. doing?”

  “How’re you?”

  “Gonna be in town long?”

  “Heard you’re up for a promotion. Good luck.” Kate’s customers called out to Tina in greeting.

  She knew most of them, and responded with smiles. “G. G.’ s progressing well enough…I’ll be here until the Sunday after Thanksgiving and back for Christmas…About the promotion—keep your fingers crossed.”

  The aroma of coffee and freshly baked pastry filled the air. Tina’s mouth watered. “It always smells so good in here.”

  “Doesn’t it?” Kate headed for the bakery counter and Tina followed. “You just missed Jack. He’s taking Sam to the dentist. She has a terrible toothache—I’m worried it’s a cavity. And she’s not even six years old.”

  “Poor thing.” Kate seemed to have the perfect family—an adoring husband, a daughter and a son. “Tell her I’m sorry.”

  “Will do.” Kate grabbed a pair of mugs. “How about a cup of coffee and a muffin? On the house, of course.”

  “Better skip the coffee. My ulcer’s acting up,” Tina murmured, too low for anyone else’s ears. No sense churning up the gossip mill.

  “Then how about a cup of cocoa, instead?”

  “Sounds wonderful, but I can only stay a little while. G. G.’ s physical therapy session ends in half an hour. Can you sit with me or are you too busy?”

  Kate glanced at her customers, who seemed content. “I don’t see why not. If they need me, they’ll let me know.”

  A few minutes later, muffins and mugs in hand, they sat at a table near the large front window.

  “Okay, I heard what you told everyone.” Forearms on the table, Kate spoke quietly. “Now give me the real scoop. What’s happening with the promotion? How is G. G., really? And more important, how are you?”

  “Tired, and worried about her.” Tina filled Kate in on their bad night. “She’s moody and demanding—not at all her cheerful self.” Chin in hand, she sighed. “I’m sorry to say that I actually looked forward to leaving her at the clinic this morning.”

  “I feel for you, Tina, but it’s probably worse for G. G. Poor woman is in pain. If that’s not enough, she’s lost her independence. She’s not used to relying on anyone, and especially not on the younger woman she raised as her own.”

  All true, but that didn’t make living with her any easier. “I know, and once she’s feeling better, I’m sure her mood will improve,” Tina said. She paused to nibble on her muffin. “If I can make it that long without blowing up at her.”

  “You’ve been carrying the whole burden alone.” Kate offered a sympathetic smile. “You know, Jack can run this place by himself for a few hours. Any time you need a break, call me.”

  “Thanks.” To Tina’s surprise, tears gathered in her eyes. She hastily blinked them back. “I really am tired, I guess.” Unwilling to probe exactly why she felt like crying, she changed the subject. “Your turn. Aside from Sam’s toothache, how are the kids? How does Cory like third grade?”

  “Loves it. Sam’s enjoying kindergarten, too. She’s all excited about turning six and having a birthday party at school next Friday. I’m bringing cupcakes and punch—Sam’s request. The whole class will be hyped up. Poor Mrs. Jenkins,” Kate said, her cheerful expression at odds with the words. “Then on Saturday, we’re having a family and friends’ party at our house. Since you’ll be in town, you’re invited. G. G.’ s welcome, too.”

  “Thanks. I’ll tell her.” The party was over a week from now. Surely by then G. G. would be well enough to attend. “Finally, I’m here for one of your kids’ birthdays. About time, isn’t it?” Tina meant that.

  “Such is the life of a local girl who made good. Think you’ll get that promotion?”

  “I don’t know.” Tina updated Kate on the latest. “Kendra’s working hard to convince Mr. Sperling she’s the best choice.”

  Kate frowned. “I don’t like the sound of that. You need to get back there now.”

  “You know I can’t. Besides, with the office closed the entire week of Thanksgiving, I’m really only gone a little over a week.”

  “A very important week. You could hop a seaplane and fly back for a few hours, just to bug the competition. Flying would cut your commute time to an hour, and I’m sure that while you’re gone the neighbors will be happy to stay with G. G. And I could stop by with treats.”

  Though the idea was tempting, Tina couldn’t leave Halo Island just now. G. G. needed her. “It’ll be fine. You’d be surprised what I can do from here with e-mail.”

  “Have you met Ryan Chase and Maggie yet?”

  “At the potluck last night. He loaned me his fax machine—dropped it off this morning on his way to work.”

  No sense mentioning how much she’d enjoyed seeing him or how she’d invited him to share a cup of coffee. Or her disappointment when he’d turned her down.

  “How sweet. Isn’t he a catch?” Kate fanned herself. “If I weren’t married and in love with Jack I’d go after Ryan.”

  “He is attractive,” Tina admitted. “And Maggie is adorable.”

  “Isn’t she? She and Sam are in the same class, and they’re good friends. She’ll be coming to the party. It’s so sad about her mother.”

  “Don’t I know it.”

  “That you do.” Kate grew solemn, then beckoned Tina closer. “There’s even more sadness. Ryan was engaged before he moved here, but th
e woman walked out on them. Then the nanny left. Can you imagine? That’s why he and Maggie came to Halo Island, to put the bad times behind them and start fresh.”

  Trust Kate to know everything about everyone. “I hadn’t heard that,” Tina said.

  Ryan must have been hurt terribly. Maggie, too. No wonder she was having nightmares. Tina felt bad for the little girl and her father. She was curious, too. “Do you think Ryan did something to drive them away?”

  Kate shook her head. “Just dumb luck. Or should I say misfortune.”

  “Well, he seems to be doing okay. Maggie appears to be happy, too.” Except for the nightmares.

  “Maybe, but a little girl needs a mother. As you well know.”

  Tina did. All her life she’d longed for a mother. “I’m sure Ryan can have his pick of women.”

  “You know…” Her friend narrowed her eyes a fraction. “You could go out with him while you’re here. Just to give yourself a night out.”

  Tina wouldn’t have minded. But Ryan was G. G.’ s neighbor, and going out now could be awkward later. Besides, he didn’t exactly seem attracted.

  She regarded her friend with a frank look. “I don’t think he’s interested.”

  Chapter Three

  By Saturday, Tina and G. G. had settled into a routine that was dominated by G. G.’ s needs and wants. And her pain, which made her angry and short-tempered. Every weekday began the same way—eat breakfast, snap Tina’s head off and complain. Dress, snap and complain, multiple times, on the way to physical therapy. Tina used those forty-five minutes to run errands or drop in at the Mocha Java for a friendly ear and a quick dose of Kate’s warmth. Then she brought G. G. home to eat lunch, nap, snap and complain, all the way through dinner and up until bedtime.

  After a week of it, Tina was exhausted and her patience had worn thin. Between empathizing with G. G., biting her tongue to keep from lashing back and dealing with all the household chores, it was impossible to devote any time to her job except after G. G. went to bed at night. Tina was barely handling her workload long-distance, let alone developing a knock-your-socks-off idea for the Captain’s Catch chain.