by Nancy Naigle
“Christmas joy. I guess it’s like fairy dust.”
“You need to see the whole thing. Experience it. I’ll be fine right here. Trust me, those folks will climb those steps to get my treats.” Bea let out a hearty laugh. “If we hadn’t made them they might have done a sit-in until we did.”
“I think you’re right.”
“We have plenty. This thing runs on its own. Why don’t you catch up with the next group?”
“I don’t want to leave you here alone. This is our memory.”
“And we’ve had it, dear. Now, don’t be silly. I can handle it. And this town has taken care of me my whole life. I’ll be fine. Always have been.”
“Thank you, but no. I’m enjoying staying with you right here on this porch,” Sydney said.
Bea grumbled, but didn’t push.
The groups moved through quickly. In five minutes they were there and gone and the next group passed them on the walkway up. Bea got up and went inside, bringing a cup of hot cocoa for herself and Sydney when she came back out.
“Perfect,” Sydney said taking a mug from her. “Thank you.”
It wasn’t until about the tenth group, close to an hour into the evening, that she spotted RayAnne.
“Hi, Mom!” RayAnne yelled as she walked up the sidewalk flanked by her new BFF Jenny. Right beside them Seth hung close. She found herself hoping Mac was there, and her heart squeezed when she saw him walking toward her. He was near the back, talking with the mayor.
The leader of this group did exactly the same thing as all the others had done. Not even one switch up. Sydney stood on the porch next to Bea, and just when she expected the leader to give Bea the signal, something else happened.
The mayor walked up on the porch. “As mayor of this town I’m mandating…” And he turned to Sydney, “that you join this group and enjoy the rest of the route. I’ll be filling in here.” He took the basket from her and then shushed her toward the stairs.
Sydney looked at Bea, who was smiling with that one eyebrow arched like a black cat on Halloween. “You did this?”
Bea shrugged. “He’s the mayor.”
The entire group of carolers cheered.
Sydney couldn’t argue with that, and it did sound fun. She went down and stepped next to RayAnne, who had a small penlight lit over the song sheet.
Mac handed Sydney her own pen light. “Got one of these for you.”
“Was this your doing?” She turned and looked up at him, but he twisted her shoulders forward and the music started. They sang, and as beautiful as that music sounded from the front porch of that old mansion, it felt even bigger and more pure from right here in the middle of it. Their words seem to lift straight up, filling the sky and the heavens. Her nose tickled and eyes teared as she sang with all her heart. Those pretty blue lights in the window display that she and RayAnne had worked on together were like tiny blue stars, lights on a runway leading them home.
With the last note of the song, Bea stood, walked to the rail, and blew her a kiss. RayAnne nudged her and pointed at Bea. Sydney blew her a kiss back, and Mac placed his hand on Sydney’s shoulder.
The mayor walked down the steps with the basket of treats and everyone swarmed in to get theirs.
“Here, Mom.” RayAnne handed Sydney a plastic handled bag, already partially filled with stuff.
“What’s this?”
“They gave them to everyone. We got you one, too.”
“We?”
RayAnne grinned. “Mac told us you’d be joining us. We got you one so you’d have something to carry your treats and song sheets in.”
Sydney turned and looked at Mac. “I feel like there’s been a conspiracy going on behind my back.”
The mayor handed Sydney a chocolate-covered pretzel rod. “The merchants that don’t have a singing stop sponsor those bags. Gives everyone a chance to participate.”
“Great idea. Are you sure you’re not just trying to put me out of my job so you can get more pretzels?”
He stomped his foot. “You found me out.”
“Got my eye on you, Mayor.” She reached up and gave him a hug. “Thank you.”
“Don’t get all mushy. Your group’s going to leave you.”
Sydney turned to see most of the group heading down the sidewalk toward the street. Except for Mac, who was waiting just a few steps away.
She skipped to his side, and he took her hand in his.
They caught up with the group. Sydney hadn’t held hands with anyone in years, but it felt right tonight with Mac. He didn’t let go of her hand until they began to sing and he pulled her from his side to the front of him. Her holding the music and him shining the penlight over her shoulder as they sang “Joy To The World.” His voice was deep. Powerful. Together they sounded good.
The next stop was in front of the day care center, and Sydney could hardly sing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” from laughing as the kids, and Mac, all did hand gestures and the silly add-on lyric version of the song.
When they got to the end of the route, Sydney wasn’t ready for the night to end.
“I’m so glad you got to come, Mom.” RayAnne wrapped her arms around Sydney’s waist. “So much fun. I love this town.”
“Can’t believe I almost missed it,” Sydney said.
“We wouldn’t let that happen,” Mac said.
Seth hung close by. “Dad is like the most Christmas guy in the world. But this night is really cool. I told you, Ray. Didn’t I?” He tugged on her ponytail.
“Hey, don’t start something.” But RayAnne was laughing, and although the nickname Ray had been one that Jon had always called her, Sydney found it endearing that she and Seth had formed such a great friendship so quickly.
Jenny’s mom walked over. “You don’t mind if RayAnne and Seth go with us over to Santa’s Village afterward for the light walk, do you?”
“How can I say no?” Sydney said.
Jenny and RayAnne bounced, clearly eavesdropping on the whole conversation.
“Thanks, Mom!” RayAnne said.
“We have the best moms ever,” Jenny said.
“Seth’s supposed to spend the night with Jeff Masterson tonight,” Mac told Diane.
“I can drop him off over there for you when we’re done.”
“And Sydney,” Diane said with a twinkle in her eye, “Let RayAnne stay over with Jenny. I’ll bring her by the bookstore tomorrow afternoon once everyone gets up and going.”
“Did you two plan this?” Sydney accused, only half-joking.
Diane shook her head. “No, but I’m liking what I see.”
Sydney wagged a finger toward their kids. “After being up late tonight, they’ll both be too tuckered out to watch the meteor showers tomorrow tonight.”
“Now, would that really be so bad?” He squeezed her hand. “Don’t think I’d mind starwatching with you alone.”
She couldn’t argue with him on that. Tonight had already been pretty fantastic. She wasn’t sure how much better things could get.
“I’ll walk you back to The Book Bea.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She felt small and warm in his embrace. They didn’t say a word, just strolled back to the store in silence.
When they turned up the walkway to the bookstore, the mayor was coming toward them. “Just locked up,” he said.
“Thank you. Sorry, I should have come right back.”
“No, don’t be silly. It was my pleasure. I pulled everything just inside the door so Bea could head on home.”
“You really made my evening. Thank you, Mayor, for insisting I participate.”
“I knew you’d love it, and it’s my duty as mayor of this town to be sure the good ones fall in love with Hopewell and stick around.” He clicked his teeth and winked. “Merry Christmas, Sydney. Welcome to Hopewell.”
Welcome to Hopewell. That sure sounded good. She leaned closer to Mac. “This is a pretty special place.”
“The Book Bea?” He wrapped his arm more
tightly across her shoulder.
“That too. I meant Hopewell.” She stepped out from under his arm and climbed the stairs, stopping on the top step.
He climbed one more and pulled her close to him. Nose to nose. “Right now, I’m pretty sure you’re the most special part of this town.”
“I’m scared,” she whispered.
“Don’t be. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.” He kissed her. Just a sweet dab on the lips, and then he tilted his head forward, keeping her close.
His breath warmed her skin as she relaxed into his embrace. He lifted his hand and tipped her chin, then covered her mouth with his, gently but without falter, and she knew right then that she didn’t need to be afraid.
“I had a great time with you tonight. Last night. The other day.” He swept a hand through his hair. “I didn’t expect this. Wasn’t looking for it, but Sydney, this feels real to me. I know you’re going through some rough stuff, but is it just me or…”
“I feel it too,” she whispered.
Chapter Seventeen
Sydney had a sleepless night. She hadn’t had a kiss like that in … well, she wasn’t quite sure she’d ever had a kiss like that. She touched her lips, remembering every moment of last night as she drove to work the next morning. What she wouldn’t give for another kiss like that. And tonight they’d be surprising the kids with the outing under the stars.
Yes, Hopewell was turning out to be very good for her.
She parked in front of The Book Bea and went inside.
“Sorry I missed you at the end of the night, dear.” Bea was dressed in a cheerful red jacket with appliqued silver bells down the front with real jingle bells at the bottom of each one. She sounded like one of those holiday bell ringers as she walked through the store.
“I’m sure you were tired.” Sydney felt more like she should thank Bea for not being there when Mac walked her back. If she had been, there certainly would not have been a kiss on the front porch.
“I wanted you to have the full experience. You’ll have many years to host it going forward.”
“It was amazing from the porch, but you were right. Actually making the walk and experiencing every stop along the way, every song, everyone was better than I ever imagined.”
“Yes. I know.” Bea’s eyes sparkled.
“So, I’m not really clear on how all that happened. Were you and the mayor in cahoots the whole time?”
“Cahoots? That sounds a wee bit manipulative. It wasn’t like that. But I’ve gotten to know you in our short friendship and if it’s one thing I know it’s that you can be a little hard headed.”
“That didn’t take you long.”
“Well, take it as a compliment. I’m the same way.”
“Did Mac know, by chance?”
“We may have discussed it.”
Sydney tried to hold back the smile. Had he adjusted his schedule to be there because of her?
“He seems really quite fond of you. Of course, I already knew that.” Bea cocked her head. “What is that look for?”
“Nothing.” Sydney turned her back to Bea.
“Oh, no, missy. You can turn right around.”
Sydney turned around, but she couldn’t play innocent. She was bursting at the seams to tell someone. “Mac walked me back to the store after we finished caroling last night.”
“That is not a walk back to the store grin.” Bea folded her arms. “You like him, don’t you?”
“He’s really nice. We’ve had fun together.”
“And?”
“And he kissed me last night.”
Bea’s face lit up. She grabbed Sydney’s hand. “I knew it. I knew it. I knew it. I could just tell the first time I saw y’all in the same room together. He is a nice man, Sydney. One of the best I’ve ever known. How was the kiss?”
“Nice.” She looked up to the ceiling to get out of Bea’s zone. She was like a master interrogator. “Okay, it was very nice.”
“This is wonderful news. The best.”
“It was just a kiss. No promises for anything, but it sure did take me by surprise. I can’t believe I put myself out there like that. Must have been the Christmas lights.”
“You did do a very nice job on them,” Bea said. “Nicest display The Book Bea has ever had. So when will you see Mac again?”
“We’d planned on getting together tonight to watch the meteor showers with the kids from behind his house. We were going to surprise them with s’mores. That was before the kiss. I sure hope it’s not going to be awkward.”
“Of course it won’t be awkward. And isn’t that a romantic evening.”
“Well, not with our kids along it won’t be.”
“It’ll still be special. You’re special, and I want you to take the rest of the time off from the bookstore to enjoy the holidays.”
“I can’t do that. Won’t do it. I already made a commitment to you that I’d help you through the holidays.”
“I’m well aware of that, and I thank you, but that was before we decided that you’re going to take over the store. It was also when you thought your daughter was going to be out of town.”
“But—”
Bea held up her hand. “I’ve got it all figured out. I’ll go through it with you soon. For now, take the break. Please. For me. My final request as the owner of this bookstore before we shift it over to you. And trust me, you and RayAnne belong here in this town.”
Sydney felt like she should resist, but she didn’t want to. She loved it here. “Thank you, Bea.”
“By the way,” Bea said. “The books we ordered for Mac came in. You should take them to him.”
“Yeah. I can take them tonight.”
“Or you could take them now.”
“Why would I do that?”
“So you can see him, without the kids. Do I have to tell you everything?”
“Apparently so. I’m a little out of practice.” Sydney took the books and flipped through them.
“Put those books in a bag. Go back to the washroom and give your hair a little pouf and put on some fresh lipstick. Then deliver them to our customer. I insist.”
“He’s going to see right through that.”
“Don’t be silly. He’s going to be flattered. Do it.”
She dipped her head into her hands. “I don’t know. I’ll feel so silly.”
“Trust me. You have to make a little effort. He clearly did by showing up last night and walking you back.”
“Fine.” Sydney went to the back and freshened up. When she came back out, Bea was standing by the door holding one of her special The Book Bea shopping bags.
“That shade of lipstick is perfect. Perks you right up. He’s going to be delighted.” Bea gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Oops. Wait. I left a smudge.” Bea brushed the magenta kiss into Sydney’s cheek, then kissed the other side and did the same. “Better.”
“Ugh,” Sydney turned to leave.
“Love will certainly spin you in circles won’t it?”
“Why do you say that?” But Sydney knew exactly what Bea meant when she turned and saw her holding out the shopping bag.
“Almost forgot something, didn’t you?” Bea laughed.
Sydney took the bag and drove to Mac’s house with nervous anticipation about surprising him. She wouldn’t stay long, just enough to deliver the books and be sure he knew she was looking forward to tonight. They hadn’t finalized a time, so they could discuss that. Short. Simple. Just showing a little interest.
She ran her finger across her bottom lip. She could still feel every emotion that went through her when he’d kissed her. His pickup truck was parked in the driveway, so she pulled in behind him. She checked her makeup in the rearview mirror then got out of the car and walked up to the front door. Switching the bag to her other hand, she wiped the sweat from her palm on her pants, and then knocked.
Excitement spun in her stomach as she waited. Why was she so darn nervous?
She heard foots
teps, and her knees weakened as the door handle twisted.
A young woman answered the door.
“Oh, hi.” Sydney paused, glanced over her shoulder at Mac’s truck then stammered, “I … Is Mac here?” Her mouth felt as dry as if someone had just hooked her to one of those slobber suckers the dentist uses.
“He’s in the shower. Do you want to wait? Or perhaps I can help you?”
Sydney noticed the rings on the woman’s left hand. She wanted to heave, but for a whole different reason now. Anything to give her instant relief from what she was feeling right now. “No. Yes. You can help me.” She shoved the bag toward the woman’s gut. “I was just delivering these books he ordered from The Book Bea.”
“Oh, great. I’ll be sure he gets them. Does he owe you anything?” The diamond band on the woman’s left ring finger dazzled in the sunlight.
Was he having an affair with a married woman? That made him just as bad as Jon. Didn’t anyone believe in the sanctity of marriage anymore?
“No.” Sydney raised her hand. “Oh, no. He absolutely does not owe me a thing.” She walked to her car as fast as her feet would take her without breaking into a run. She twisted the key and shifted into reverse.
Only where the heck was she going to go now?
If she went back to the bookstore she’d have to tell Bea that the guy she kissed last night had a girlfriend. A young one, probably the same age as her other replacement. Oh, no, ma’am. She should’ve known. She knew better.
How could Bea not have known? Bea said she knew everything about everyone.
Sydney took a deep breath, trying to chase away the threatening tears. If she started crying she might never stop, and that would be a mess. Nothing had happened. Wasn’t like she was in love or they had made a promise. It was one lousy kiss. Okay, one toe-curling, amazing kiss, but clearly a mistake. She just needed to get her head together and let it go. She could totally do that. She did not come to this town looking for love. All she wanted to do was raise her daughter and do right by her.
She looked over her shoulder as she eased down the long driveway until a rap on her window made her jam her foot on the brake. She spun around. Mac?
He pulled on the door handle, but the door was locked.