A Heart for Christmas

by Watson, Lisa

  “There’s something I’d like to show you,” he said holding his hand out.

  Yvette placed her hand in his. Their fingers connected and he helped her down.

  They walked in silence down a long path. It wasn’t snowing at the moment, but the weather could change at any time. Luckily, Yvette had on knee-length boots, a North Face snow jacket with a hat and gloves. It wasn’t as cold as it could get at this time of year, and at this elevation, but she was prepared.

  They kept walking for well over a quarter of a mile. They were off the road by now and still Christopher kept walking.

  “Are we there yet?” Yvette asked, and had to laugh because she sounded just like her daughter.

  He peeked over his shoulder. “Almost,” Christopher replied with a chuckle.

  “You do know there’s no way we’re getting a cell signal up here if something happens,” she warned.

  “Relax, Yvie. It’s fine.”

  She was getting more skeptical by the minute. Did he have emergency supplies in his truck? An emergency blanket? A flare gun, satellite phone, food and water? Yvette started imagining all sorts of things that could go wrong with this impromptu nature hike in the frozen tundra.

  “Do you carry emergency supplies in your truck? You know, in case of…emergencies?”

  “Yes I do, but we won’t need them. We’re here.”

  Christopher walked into a clearing and Yvette followed cautiously behind him. “Because you know, all it takes is a stump or tree limb sticking out from under the snow and pow,” she said for effect. “Twisted or broken ankle.”

  Yvette glanced up at one of the largest trees she’d ever seen. It looked like the father of all the trees on the Darcy’s farm. Next to it were four more trees, though none of them nearly as tall as the first. Something about them seemed very regal to Yvette. She spun around a few times and was surprised to hear absolutely nothing. No noise of any kind. Not even birds or woodland creatures. Wind didn’t even permeate the grove making her certain it was sacred.

  “Christopher, this place is…special,” she said with reverence.

  “It is,” he agreed, his voice almost a whisper, too. “I’ve always felt that.” Christopher pointed upward. “The biggest tree here is named Aloysius. It was my grandfather’s middle name. It was the first tree he ever planted when he bought this land. The one to its left is Corona, after my grandmother’s mother.”

  “And the three here?” Yvette inquired.

  “That’s my mother’s tree, Comet, after her first horse. She helped plant it when she was three years old. When my parent’s got married, my grandfather insisted that my dad have his own tree,” he said pointing to the next in line. “That’s Colonel,” he laughed.

  “And this must be yours?” Yvette pointed to the final tree. It stood tall, and broad. It was a perfect tree.

  “Yep. I planted it when I was six-years old.”

  “And his name?”

  “Actually, it’s a she.” Christoper touched the thick trunk. “I named her Jessie.”

  A smile tugged at Yvette’s lips. “Was it homage to someone?”

  He shook his head. “No, it was the name of a girl in a book my mother was reading to me at the time. She was on a safari in Kenya.” He looked sheepish. “Hey, what can I say, I was six.”

  “Well I think that’s a great name,” Yvette said softly. She gazed up in the sky at the huge Fraser Fir. “It looks like your tree liked it, too.”

  He stared at her. “I’ve never shown anyone my tree before.”

  “Then I’m honored,” she replied.

  Suddenly, Christopher dissolved into laughter. “I can’t believe I said that.” Continuing to laugh, he wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. “It sounded really lame.”

  Yvette joined in. “No it didn’t. I’m glad you showed me your family trees. They’re special to you. It means a lot that you trusted me with that.” Suddenly she turned serious. “I’m just sorry you felt you couldn’t open up about all this earlier. You let me think you just worked at a tree lot, Christopher. Then it turns out it’s a family business—a pretty large one at that.”

  “I know. I just…you can’t imagine how often I’ve been dated for dollars instead of substance. It’s become almost second nature for me not to disclose what the real deal is when I first meet a woman. I’ve had a few whose eyes actually glazed over trying to figure out my net worth. That was before we’d even ordered appetizers.”

  She glanced down at her booted feet. They were buried in snow. “I understand why you felt the need to be cautious, but…it still hurt.”

  “You and I didn’t spend that much time together in college, but you never gave me the impression that you were shallow.” He sighed loudly. “I shouldn’t have assumed you’d be that way now.” He placed a gloved hand under her chin to tilt her face up to meet his. “I’m sorry, Yvie.”

  She managed a smile. “It’s okay.”

  Christopher could feel the pull of attraction between them. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her, but knew it was too soon. This was only the third time they had met. Still…the need to do just that was overwhelming. He didn’t want to do or say anything to scare Yvette away. The truth was that he liked her…a lot…and wanted to see if something developed between them. Antsy, Christopher needed something else to take his mind off of his baser desires.

  Dropping his hand back to his side, he jogged away from her. “Time to go. Hey, I’ve got an idea. Let’s take a sleigh ride.”

  Yvette took off running to catch up. When she heard that she skidded to a halt. “Wait, you have a sleigh?”

  “Hello, tree farm,” he teased.

  Christopher bent down and picked up a wad of snow. It took him seconds to form a good sized snowball and lob it at her. “Come on, slow poke.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Yvette dodged the snowy orb. “You’re going to get it,” she warned.

  It didn’t take her long to make a few of her own. She threw them in rapid succession. When one connected, she shouted with triumph. “Who’s slow now?”

  They hurled snowballs back and forth at each other for a few minutes. Finally, Christopher threw his hands up in surrender. “I quit, but demand a rematch later on.”

  “Not before you tell me how wonderful I am at snowball fights,” Yvette called from behind the safety of a fallen tree.

  “There is no one more wonderful at a snow battle than you, Yvette Stilwell,” he yelled at the top of his lungs. “Now can we go?”

  “Yes, before you start an avalanche,” she shot back.

  They both called a cease-fire and walked toward the truck. Minutes later, they were driving down a road past the main store to the parking lot.

  “Where are we going?” Yvette asked.

  “To pick up your car, and then head to the house. By now, Mom will have taken Lacey there, and I guarantee she’s been fed, met my dad, our dogs Jingle Bells, and Bandit, and is snuggled up on the couch watching an old Christmas classic on DVD.”

  She giggled. “Sounds like Lacey will be spoiled rotten by the time we arrive.”

  “What would you expect from Mrs. Clause?” he replied.

  Yvette followed Christopher down a winding lane and up to a detached three-car garage and parked. She saw her Aunt Addie’s car and beamed. She couldn’t wait to see her. By the time Christopher walked over, Yvette had already gotten out and retrieved her purse from the back seat. As they walked, she stared at the sprawling white farm house in front of her. It looked like every light in the house was on, and a Christmas decoration hanging from each window. Since dusk was settling in at this point, it was a beautiful sight. There was a large porch that wrapped around the entire front of the house. It was lined with red rocking chairs and a bench swing on each side. Poinsettias flanked the staircase leading up to large front door. It was a beautiful black door with beveled glass and matching sidelights. The whole house looked like something out of one of those Christmas movies she watched
on television each year. She told Christopher as much.

  “Just wait until you go inside,” he chuckled, and then opened the front door and ushered Yvette in behind him.

  They stopped in the large foyer and took off their coats. Christopher hung them both in a nearby closet and returned. “We’re back,” he yelled to no one in particular.

  “We’re in here honey,” his mother replied from down the hall.

  Christopher led the way past a few rooms and into a large kitchen. Yvette took it all in, but there was a lot going on. The room was bright and inviting. There was a large butcher block island with stools on one side. The whole surface was covered and in various stages of baking: there were plates of cookies, metal trays cooling on wire racks and a huge glass bowl full of batter. The six-person wood farm table a few feet away was fully set, and laden with covered dishes. Lacey and Margaret were standing in front of the island wearing aprons , and having a serious discussion on whether to add M&M’s to their next batch of cookies. Christopher’s father was standing in front of another countertop pouring Adelaide a cup off egg nog. The scene was so overwhelming that tears suddenly welled up in her eyes. It was such a long time since Yvette had really embraced the true spirit of Christmas. Each year, she went overboard trying to make sure she and Lacey got past the anniversary of Michael’s death. Everything centered on trying to cope. But seeing Christopher’s family relaxed and enjoying the moment— with people they had just met—made her realize how much her family was missing.

  She felt someone’s fingers close around her elbow. “Hey, are you okay?”

  Blinking back the tears, she saw Christopher. His body blocked her from everyone’s view. It was a protective gesture that warmed her heart. The last thing she wanted was to be caught bawling in the middle of his mother’s kitchen.

  “Yes,” she squeaked. “It’s just…I…it’s beautiful,” she finally managed to choke out.

  “Are you two, okay?” Margaret asked from across the room.

  “Yes,” Christopher called out while Yvette desperately dabbed at her eyes with the corner of her sweater.

  “I was just remarking how beautiful everything looks,” Yvette said moving around him and further into the room. “I wish I had my digital camera.”

  “You can use mine,” Christopher said moving next to her.

  His mother smiled. “Oh, that’s good thinking, honey. We’re glad you two made it back safe and sound.”

  “Mommy,” Lacey gushed. She ran over to Yvette and hugged her around the waist. “Aunt Addie’s got hear a while ago. Wait till you hear all the things we did.”

  Yvette greeted her daughter, and then introduced her aunt to Christopher.

  “It’s great to meet you,” Adelaide said shaking his hand. “I’ve heard lots about you.” She winked.

  He turned to Yvette with an arched eyebrow. “All good?”

  She couldn’t help but laugh. “Naturally.”

  Next Christopher introduced her to his father.

  Anthony Darcy was several inches taller than Christopher, with the same muscled physique and every bit as attractive. His hair was salt & pepper, still sporting the short military cut. A scar trailed over his right eye, and another along his jaw line. There was no way she wanted to get accused of ogling Christopher’s father. That would be too embarrassing. She said to herself. Yvette extended her right hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Colonel Darcy.”

  “Tony is fine,” the older man smiled, shaking her hand firmly. “We’ve heard a great deal about you, young lady. I’m glad to see my son wasn’t exaggerating.”

  Christopher turned to Yvette. “He likes to do his best to embarrass me whenever he can.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Tony. You and Margaret have a lovely home, and farm. It’s so beautiful here.”

  Margaret came over to the group. “Thank you, dear. We’re glad you like it. We’ve been having a ball making cookies and warming up dinner.”

  “I even watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” Lacey chimed in.

  Christopher and Yvette made eye contact. He mouthed, ‘I told you so.’ It was all Yvette could do not to laugh.

  “She’s such a wonderful little girl, and your aunt Adelaide and I have become fast friends,” Margaret continued. “I wish we could’ve met sooner. We have so much in common,” she enthused. “I hope you two are hungry, I’ve got all Chris’ favorites for dinner: Pot roast, roasted garlic mashed potatoes and green beans with sliced almonds. I forgot to ask Chris if you ate red meat so we’ve got a fish dish, and chicken, too.”

  Everyone washed their hands and took seats around the table. After Anthony said grace, there was a blur of activity as people passed plates and dishes of food around and poured drinks. Conversation flowed as freely as the food as Margaret and Tony shared stories from Christopher’s childhood, and Adelaide chimed in with tales of Yvette’s exploits. Yvette shared a few of her own about Lacey that had the whole table alight with laughter.

  “I can’t remember when I’ve eaten so much,” Yvette said after the meal. “Everything was delicious, Margaret.”

  Everyone else echoed Yvette’s sentiments.

  “We’ve got the dishes,” Christopher and Yvette said almost in unison.

  Margaret and Adelaide began to protest, but Anthony announced that he was going to get the sleigh ready for their ride and that they could relax by the fire with Lacey while the “kids” handled the kitchen.

  After everyone cleared out, Yvette and Christopher got busy clearing the table, putting the food away and loading the dishwasher.

  “You were right, by the way,” she informed him while drying a large pot.

  “Told you,” he replied. He took to cookware from her and put it away. “They love having company. I haven’t been back here since before I left for London so I’m sure they’re really excited you’re here—I am, too.”

  “Thank you for earlier. I was just so overwhelmed with emotion,” she explained.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “It’s just that…seeing Lacey and Addie having such a great time with your parents got me choked up. Lacey would’ve probably gotten worried if she’d looked up and I was bawling. She’s been so protective and serious since Michael died. I wish she had more moments like these.”

  He moved closer. “I wish you did, too.”

  “Today was a start,” she grinned. “Visiting Winter Wishes was like stepping into a story book. Lacey is having such a great time. It’s been so long since I’ve seen her this animated.” She turned to Christopher. “You’ve made our week, Chris.”

  He reached out and smiled. “And you’ve made mine.”

  The tension was back, but this time it was of a romantic nature. It crackled around them like a new log placed on a roaring fire. Yvette was the first to turn away. She picked up her dish towel and resumed drying the dishes. Christopher did the same.

  When they were finished, Yvette watched Christopher wipe the counters off and fold their dish towels over the bar on the oven door. One time when he looked up, Yvette was watching him. The smile on his face made her heart beat faster. This was crazy. Wasn’t it? She wasn’t a teenager any more. She was too old to have sweaty palms in Col. and Mrs. Darcy’s kitchen just because their son smiled at her.

  Yvette promised herself she wouldn’t even think about how good Christopher looked just wearing a faded pair of jeans and a thick sweater. Honestly, he could have just stepped off the cover of an Eddie Bauer magazine. He was that rugged, that good looking and that sexy. Just thinking the word “sexy” made Yvette drop her dish towel. Mortified, her face flamed red, and she bent down to pick it up, but Christopher beat her to it. He had bent down and scooped up the errant towel before she had even blinked. All of the sudden, they were both kneeling in front of the sink holding on to a semi-wet towel bedecked with Christmas ornaments.

  “Sorry,” she said, quickly.

  “For what? Dropping the towel, or my staring at you in a way t
hat made you blush?”

  Yvette was speechless. She couldn’t have found a word just then if her life depended on it. All she knew is that she was mere inches away from the object of her consternation and she needed to do or say something. Fast.

  “I guess a little of both,” she said finally.

  “Yvie,” Christopher said in a deep voice.

  Just then the back door opened and Christopher’s father walked in. “Who’s ready for a sleigh ride?” he said in a booming voice.

  Anthony glanced between his son, and Yvette. A mischievous glint came into his eye. “Unless you two would prefer to go alone?”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Yvette bolted upright so fast she almost toppled over. In fact she would have, if Christopher had not reached out to stop her.

  “Are you okay?” He helped her to her feet. “Dad—”

  “What? His father replied with a grin.

  Lacey ran in with Margaret and Adelaide in tow. Each decked out in their winter garb.

  “We’re ready,” Lacey announced.

  “Then let’s get this show on the road,” Tony said ushering the group outside.

  Christopher glanced at Yvette. “We’ll be out in a minute, dad.”

  “Okay, but don’t take all day. You know the horses don’t like to be kept waiting.”

  Christopher shook his head. “Yes sir.”

  Yvette glanced at the door. “Your father is a riot.”

  “He’s got a wicked sense of humor. Just wait till you get to know him better.”

  Regaining her equilibrium, Yvette titled her head to the side. “Are you suggesting I’ll have an opportunity to get to know him better?”

  Christopher didn’t miss a beat. He said, “Are you saying you want one?”

  Did she? Yvette pondered that for a moment. Heck yeah, you do. Her conscience clamored in her head. You’re ready to see what could happen. It’s been three years. Stop being a chicken and take a chance.

  “Do I have one?” She blurted out.

  A long sigh escaped between his teeth. “There’s never been a question of you having an opportunity, Yvette. The question is what you want to do about it? You must know by now that I like you…a great deal. And if I haven’t made it obvious to you, I’m saying it now. I’m asking you out on a date, Yvette Stilwell. I think it’s time we see where this thing between us leads.”