by Rachel Hanna
“Oh, how interesting. Did you like it?”
He thought for a moment. “I loved it.”
“Then why did you leave?”
Again, he paused. “I wanted my daughter to know my sister. She’s all the family we have left.”
“So are you working at the fire department here then?”
The server put their drinks on the table, and Claire took a sip of hers. “No. I’m taking a break.”
“Oh. Because of the holidays and all?”
“Right. The holidays.”
“I love this time of year. Christmas is my favorite holiday!”
“Why is that?”
“Lots of things. People spending time together. The cinnamon smell in the air. The lights and Christmas songs. All of it.”
“So will you stay here for Christmas then?”
She smiled sadly. “Yes. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to go home to see my family this year. They’re spread out all over the country, but everyone is meeting at my brother’s house out in Utah.”
“And you can’t go?”
“No. I’ve got too much going on here with opening the studio and all. I’ll be sad, but some things can’t be helped.”
He looked lost in thought for a moment. “Very true. So, my sister said you had an injury?”
“Yeah. I was at the top of my game. In fact, I’d been invited to audition for the New York Ballet.”
He looked impressed. “Wow, that’s cool. You just do ballet?”
“Just?”
“I didn’t mean it that way,” he said, rolling his eyes.
“No, I actually do several types of dance. It’s been my passion since I was two years old. Ballet has been my career, but I also do contemporary and some jazz. And even a little ballroom dancing.”
“I’m not much of a dancer. Too big and bulky, I guess,” he said with a smile. Dimples again. Dang it. And he was big and muscular, like most firefighters. “Do you miss performing?”
“Every day. Do you miss being a firefighter?”
“Every day.”
“Well, at least you can go back to it, unlike myself.” He mumbled something under his breath. “What was that?”
“What kind of injury do you have?”
“Knee.”
“And you couldn’t rehab it?”
“Not enough to be professional again. It was just never the same. So, I took a chance and moved to January Cove to take over the dance studio.”
“This must’ve been culture shock.”
She laughed. “At first. But it’s growing on me. Mostly, it’s hard to get used to the quiet and the fact that everyone smiles and waves at me. New Yorkers aren’t used to either of those things.”
“Yeah, Boston was different too. Coming back home has been an adjustment. But Cassie loves it here. She really likes her school, and she’s made some good friends already.”
“That’s great.”
“So you don’t have any kids?” he asked as the waitress brought their food.
“No. Not yet anyway.”
“Married?”
“Nope.”
“Engaged?”
“Nope.”
“Dating?”
“Nope,” she said, giggling. “As you can see, I’m right on track!”
“Well, you have plenty of time.”
She took a bite of her food and smiled. “You weren’t kidding about the shrimp. It’s amazing!”
“Glad you like it.” He smiled at her, and for the first time he looked genuinely happy. She wondered what his story was, and at the same time she wasn’t sure she wanted to know.
“And one and two and three and four…” Claire called to the class of little girls, each one wearing a pink leotard and white tights, just like she had at their age.
Teaching dance to these little girls was a godsend, and she hadn’t even realized it until after the first class. It was so good to be back in her element; to listen to the music and count the steps.
They weren’t exactly professional level yet, but she was especially fond of Cassie. She was a good little dancer, and her father was pretty nice to look at too.
Since their lunch, she hadn’t seen him again. Susan had brought Cassie to her first few classes, and every time Claire craned her neck to see if Jake was around. He never was. And she couldn’t screw up the nerve to ask about him like she was some kind of middle school girl with a crush.
“Great class, little ladies!” she called as she released them. Cassie ran across the lobby and straight into her father’s arms. He was standing there, looking all rugged and firefighter-like, and Claire’s breath left her for a moment.
“Hey there,” he said, that Southern drawl causing all of the little hairs on her body to stand at attention.
“Hey,” she said, trying not to look at her feet like she did when boys talked to her as a kid.
“Miss Claire, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?” Cassie asked as she continued jumping around. Kids sure had a lot of energy.
“Well, I’m planning a quiet day at home, making up some new dances for you ladies and eating a nice pot of chicken noodle soup.”
Cassie stopped jumping and looked at her, her mouth hanging open. “Are you joking me?”
“No, I’m not joking you,” Claire said with a laugh. She wasn’t sure that sentence structure was correct.
“But you have to eat turkey! Unless you’re a veteran?” she said, rolling her eyes to the back of her head.
“Honey, it’s a vegetarian,” Jake said softly. “A veteran served in the military.”
“Whatever. Do you eat turkey?”
“Yes, I do,” Claire said, cutting her eyes at Jake. He wasn’t making eye contact with her.
“Do you like pie? And stuffing?”
“Doesn’t everyone?” Claire asked, rubbing the hair on Cassie’s head.
“Then you have to come to our house for Thanksgiving! Can she, Daddy?”
“Well, I uh…” Jake stammered.
“It’s okay. I’m perfectly fine with the nice, quiet day I’ve planned. But thank you for inviting me, Cassie. That was very nice of you.”
“Come,” Jake said, finally looking at her.
“What?”
“Come eat with us. You shouldn’t be alone on Thanksgiving. I mean, it’s just me, Susan, her husband and Cass, so nothing big. But, it’s better than soup and working.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude…”
Jake touched her upper arm, sending chills throughout her body. “I’m sure.”
Maybe she would have a lot more to be thankful for this year. At least, she hoped so.
Jake stood on the front porch of his sister’s house and looked down the street. She was supposed to be there any minute, and he was feeling nervous. Something about this woman made him both comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time.
He didn’t want to like her. He didn’t want any complications in his life. Cassie was all he had, and making sure she was safe and happy was his only goal. It was why he’d chosen to leave Boston in the first place.
Not only was every day there a constant reminder of how he’d failed those people, but the news media from all over the country was constantly on his front lawn trying to get an interview. Trying to make feel good stories about his heroism. Trying to fill time on their newscasts while he was just trying to survive and take care of his daughter.
Cassie hadn’t been happy about moving at first, but it hadn’t taken her long to adjust. She loved January Cove and getting to know her aunt Susan. And to be honest, Jake loved having some back up to take care of his daughter while he tried to figure out what to do next.
He felt like a lazy do-nothing at the moment. He’d worked his whole life. From grocery store bagger to firefighter, he’d never stopped working… until now.
Most days, he felt adrift in an ocean of uncertainty. He missed his career, but no longer felt worthy to suit up with his firefighter brothers. He miss
ed doing something. Making a difference. Making an income.
There were days he could see his sister look at him with something resembling pity. Older brothers were supposed to be infallible, but he felt full of flaws right now.
So the idea that he was enjoying spending time with Claire was frightening. He didn’t want to drag someone else down the dark hole he often lived in. But Cassie had invited her. What was he supposed to do?
Simple Southern kindness required that he invite her, right?
Maybe he was fooling himself. The woman was a goddess. Curves in all the right places. A smile that would light up the town better than all the Christmas lights put together. A heart of gold. Everything a man would want. But he didn’t deserve happiness. He brought heartache to people, and he wouldn’t do that to her.
“Happy Thanksgiving!” Claire said as she walked down the sidewalk. He hadn’t even seen her because he’d been so lost in thought.
“Happy Thanksgiving. Glad you could come,” he said, taking the wrapped casserole dish from her hands.
“That’s my mother’s famous buffalo chicken casserole.”
“That sounds really good.”
“It’s heavenly. I’m not much of a cook, but I know that recipe by heart.” She smiled up at him, and he had the sudden urge to drop the casserole and pull her into his arms. What on Earth was happening to him?
“Well, uh, come on inside. It’s a little cool out here today.”
She followed him inside his sister’s small cottage home overlooking the ocean. It was a beautiful place, not far from Jackson’s home it turned out. Addy’s Inn, where Clay lived with Addison Parker and their daughter, was just down the street. Pretty much everything was within walking distance in January Cove.
“Hey, Claire! Happy Thanksgiving!” Susan said as she appeared from around the corner. She gave Claire a big hug and took the casserole from Jake’s hands. “This is my husband, Bill. And Cassie is out walking the dog on the beach. Make yourself at home. We have appetizers on the breakfast bar and cider on the stove.”
Jake marveled at his sister. She was so much like their mom had been. Growing up without his father around, Jake had struggled at times. But their mother had been a rock, never showing her kids how hard life could be as a single parent. But now he knew. He knew it all too well.
He waved Claire into the kitchen and pulled out a chair. “My sister makes these amazing stuffed mushrooms.”
“Oh, thanks, but I don’t like mushrooms,” Claire whispered.
“That’s because you haven’t had these. Try one.”
“I don’t want to, Jake,” she said, still smiling and whispering.
“Come on…” he held one up near her mouth. She grabbed his wrist tightly.
“Jake, if I punch you in the nose on Thanksgiving, I may never get invited here again.”
He laughed. “Sorry. I just love them so much.”
She let go of his wrist, and he rubbed it. She was a lot stronger than she looked, and he had to admit he liked seeing the feisty side of her from time to time.
“But I will get some cider,” she said, starting to stand up.
“I’ll get it,” he said, walking over to the stove and using the ladle to pour two mugs full.
As he turned to walk back to her, he noticed her hair was down. He was so used to seeing it in a bun that he hadn’t realized how long it was. It flowed down her back and over her shoulders, the dark locks shining under the harsh kitchen lighting. She was gorgeous.
“Want to see the view?” he asked, nodding toward the back door.
“Sure.”
They walked outside and stood on the deck alone. Cassie ran past them to take the dog inside, waving at Claire and giggling at the unruly canine as it dragged her through the doorway.
“I realize we’re a small family. You’re probably used to larger celebrations,” he said, referring to her family in Utah.
“Family is family, no matter the size. I’m just thankful to get to be here today. My quiet day was sounding more depressing every time I thought about it.” She stared out into the ocean, the breeze blowing her hair far behind her.
“I’m glad you could come,” he said softly. “So what kinds of things did you do with your family on Thanksgiving?”
She smiled as she thought about all of the good memories. “Well, my Mom makes the best stuffing. I hold out all year to eat that stuff. And my Dad has this tradition where we have to go around the table and say what we’re most grateful for.”
“That sounds nice,” Jake said.
“So, what are you most thankful for today, Jake?” she asked as she turned to look at him.
“Second chances.”
Claire swallowed hard. Did he just say second chances? What did that mean?
It had been so long since she’d dated that she wasn’t sure what the signs were anymore. Was he saying second chances with her? Or second chances because he moved back home?
This guy was a mystery.
But as she stood there looking at the ocean, drinking her cider and standing beside the hottest guy she’d ever seen in real life, she wondered what to say.
“Here’s to second chances and new friendships,” she said, holding up her mug. He looked confused for a split second, but then smiled and touched her cup with his.
“Right. New friendships,” he repeated.
“Are ya’ll ready to eat?” Susan called from the doorway.
“Absolutely,” Jake said as he led Claire back inside.
The room was filled with appetizing smells. A huge turkey, too large for their small crew, was sitting on the dining room table, flanked by dressing, mashed potatoes and green beans. She could see a table with pies and cakes on the other side of the breakfast area, and it looked like enough to feed an army.
“Wow! Look at all this food!” Claire said as she sat down. Jake sat across from her.
“My sister tends to overdo it,” he said, rolling his eyes.
“Well, when you grow up with a brother who will eat his portion and yours too, you learn a thing or two,” Susan said, bopping him on the head with her elbow as she sat down.
Cassie sat beside Claire and Bill sat at the end of the table. For a moment, Claire was able to forget that she missed her own family. She felt welcome here.
“Shall we say grace?” Bill asked. Everyone held hands, including Jake and Claire. She liked the feel of his hand in hers. It was rough and strong and warm. “Dear Lord, thank you for this day. Thank you for bringing us safely together and allowing us to celebrate our gratitude for each other and everything we have. Please keep us safe and bless this food. Amen.”
Everyone said amen and started digging in. Claire didn’t know where to start first, so she took a big scoop of mashed potatoes.
“Now, Claire, I know you probably don’t eat this much normally…” Susan said.
“What makes you say that?” Claire asked, laughing.
“Look at you with that perfect body! You’re tiny!”
“Good genes and years of dance will do that to a person.”
“Maybe I need to take up dancing,” Susan said with a giggle.
“You know, I’m seriously considering offering some adult classes. You could be my first student!”
“My big brother here may be your second. He’s got two left feet!”
“Hey! That’s not nice,” Jake said, elbowing her.
“Ya’ll remind me of me and my brother.”
“What’s his name?” Jake asked.
“Peter. I also have a sister, Leah, but we don’t get to see each other much. She’s overseas with her husband. He’s stationed in Germany.”
“And your parents?” Susan asked.
“Still married after forty-two years. They’re sickeningly in love and like to show it.”
“Gross,” Cassie said as she shoved another bite of potatoes into her mouth.
“Cassie, table manners,” Susan said.
“Sorry.”
“It’s rare these days for couples to stay together so long. Although, Bill and I have been married for almost ten years now, so maybe we’ll make it.”
Bill chuckled. “If she doesn’t kill me first.”
“The food is so good, Susan.”
“Thank you. My mother taught me well. She was an amazing cook.”
“She’s passed away then?”
“Oh yes, when we were in high school. Cancer.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It was a bad time. Our father left when I was a baby, so we ended up living with our grandmother until we graduated. So, it’s always been me and Jake taking on the world.”
Claire smiled as Jake looked at his sister. She could tell they really loved each other.
“How do you like living together again?” Claire asked, looking back and forth at them.
“Let’s just say he hasn’t gotten any better about replacing the toilet paper roll.”
Jake rolled his eyes and took a bite of turkey. “And she hasn’t gotten any better about taking long showers and leaving me with cold water. Seriously, you’re not that big. What is taking you so long in there?”
“Beauty takes time, bro.”
The conversation flowed easily between them, although Bill was definitely the quiet type. They talked about January Cove and their old high school days and what was in the cranberry sauce recipe.
But one thing Claire noticed was that they didn’t talk about Jake leaving Boston. Or his job. Or why he wasn’t working now. They danced around it, changing the subject on a whim. And Claire got the distinct impression the topic was off limits. Not wanting to be rude or overstep, she didn’t press.
After dinner and dessert, Cassie fell fast asleep on the sofa watching Christmas cartoons with Bill, who was trapped underneath her upper body. Claire offered to help clean up, but Susan would have none of it.
“You want to take a walk?” Jake asked, surprising her.
“Sure.”
They walked outside onto the streets of January Cove, all lit up for Christmas. It was a different kind of beautiful than what she’d experienced in the city for so many years. The tree at Rockefeller Center was amazing, but something about a small town Christmas was starting to appeal to her.