A Riverwalk Christmas: Four-in-One Collection

by Elizabeth Goddard, Martha Rogers, Lynette Sowell

  “I pray you are successful.” As much as he loved Valerie, if he could only have one wish granted for Christmas, it would be for his mother to wake up and realize she would have a precious grandchild to love. If a baby made such a difference in the world over 2,000 years ago, perhaps a baby could make a difference in their world today.

  Chapter 7

  After a week of more business than usual and new merchandise on the shelves, Val called Aunt Cora to come in and help with the Christmas rush. She gladly accepted and came to work with Susie while Colt finished the redecorating and arranging of sections. That left Val time to take care of the business end without spending late hours at the store. As far as she was concerned, the arrangement worked to perfection.

  Val rolled her shoulders and closed the spreadsheet on her computer. The numbers showed the shop to be in the black for the first time in months, and that sent warm pleasure through her system. She could do this.

  Laughter from the front drew her out of the office. Mrs. Bronson stood at the cash register with Aunt Cora. She waved at Val. “I was just telling your aunt what a wonderful job you were doing here. Why, I hardly recognized the place when I came in.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Bronson. Colt Jamison deserves most of the credit. He had some great ideas for redecorating.” Val glanced around to find him.

  Aunt Cora leaned on the counter. “He left a few minutes ago. Said he’d be back later.”

  Disappointment filled Val, but she smiled. “Oh, well then, you’ll have to come back and thank him later.”

  Mrs. Bronson raised an eyebrow. “I’m surprised he’s still in town. Of course, with his brother and sister-in-law expecting that baby, I suppose he wanted to stick around for Christmas. I imagine that made you happy.”

  Heat rushed to Val’s face. “It doesn’t matter to me one way or the other. He can stay here or go back to New York.”

  Mrs. Bronson gathered up her packages. “Well now, if you ask me, it should matter. I was just telling Cora that you two belong together.”

  Val shot a glare toward Aunt Cora, but she just shrugged her shoulders and turned to talk to another customer.

  “And I think she’s right on with that.” Susie stepped up behind the counter to ring up another sale.

  Val grimaced. “You all need to think again. Colt didn’t want me five years ago, and he doesn’t want me now. When this week is up, I won’t need him anymore, and he can go on back to New York and his job there.” Before any one of them could retort, she turned on her heel and headed back to her office.

  She slumped into the chair at her desk. Why couldn’t they see that things would never work out with Colt? He was water under the bridge, and she couldn’t let her heart live in the past. Val blinked to ward off tears that threatened to form. He’d be gone as soon as Christmas was over or when Chase and Julie had their baby.

  The store had been so busy the past few weeks that there was no time to talk about anything but business during store hours, and Val had made sure she wasn’t anywhere around to discuss anything else afterward. Susie had told her that he’d been over to see Ryan and Amber, and they’d gone out to dinner. Val almost wished she’d been there. They’d had so much fun together years ago. A shudder passed through her body. She couldn’t go there.

  A few minutes later, she grabbed her jacket and went back to the floor. “Aunt Cora, I have to run some errands. I’ll be back in an hour.”

  Her aunt called out, “Wait a minute, I have a question.”

  Val stopped and stood by the counter until Aunt Cora finished her sale. “Okay, what’s the big question?”

  “You said something that bothers me. What makes you think Colt didn’t want you five years ago?”

  “What makes me think—Aunt Cora, he didn’t write to me, call me, or anything. He just disappeared and that was that. Pretty clear, don’t you think?”

  “You sure about that? You and he need to sit down and talk this through. Find out why he left and what he did. I believe you’ll be surprised.”

  Val’s mouth gaped open before she snapped it shut. She hitched her purse over her shoulder. “It doesn’t really matter now. We’ve gone our separate ways, and he doesn’t need me in his life right now.” She fled through the door before her aunt could make another comment.

  He may not need her, but she needed him. If he hadn’t come when he did, her store might now be dark and closed instead of brimming with life.

  She didn’t actually have any errands, but getting out of the store and into the cool air would help rid her mind of Colt. By habit and without realizing it, she headed home. When she pulled up into the driveway of her parents’ house, once again she wished for a place of her own. If the store continued to show a profit after Christmas, she may be able to have just that.

  Since she was here, she could pick up a few snacks and goodies to take back to the shop. Mom always had plenty on hand this time of year. When Val opened the front door, the aroma of cinnamon and sugar filled the air. She headed straight for the kitchen where her mother was putting the finishing touches on her Christmas cookies.

  “Mmm, it does smell and look like Christmas in here.” She reached for a cookie and bit into it before her mother could stop her.

  Her mom laughed. “I never could keep you from eating them before they were completely ready.” She wiped her hands on a dish towel. “What brings you home this early? Did you close up?”

  With her mouth full of cookie, Val shook her head and held up a finger. In a moment she said, “No, I thought I’d see what you had on hand to take back as a surprise for the gang. They’re working so hard, and I want to give them a little something to celebrate.”

  “Now that’s a fine idea. Let me see what I can put together.” She opened the cabinets and reached for the decorated tins she had stored away. “These will be nice and festive. I have cookies, nut bread, and candy, and I can put some wassail into a thermos for you.”

  “Sounds great. I’ll help.” Mom had come through as usual. Aunt Cora and Susie would really be surprised, and Colt, too, if he’d returned by the time she got back.

  Val covered the pralines with waxed paper and snapped the lid on the tin. “Susie will love these, and your banana bread is Aunt Cora’s favorite.”

  “Yes, and that’s why I put in an extra mini loaf for you to give to her. Remember to ask her to dinner on Sunday.” She turned the heat off under the wassail. “Is Colt still around helping you?”

  “Yes, but I don’t know for how much longer.” Val bit her lip and tore off another sheet of waxed paper. “You know, he’s been a tremendous help, and I’ve really been pleased with what he’s done.”

  Her mother narrowed her eyes. “You’re not letting him soften your resolve are you?”

  “No, Mom. Besides, he’ll be gone as soon as the holidays are over.” But she’d miss him more than she’d ever admit to her mother.

  “That’s right. Just remember he hurt you once, and there’s no sense in letting it happen again.”

  Val let her breath out in a long sigh. “You know, I still don’t understand why he never wrote to me or explained why he left. I really thought he loved me.”

  An expression almost like guilt crossed her mother’s face, but she turned toward the sink before Val could be sure and said, “Don’t think about it. It’s best to leave the past in the past.” She picked up a two quart–size thermos. “I’ll pour this and then you can get back to the shop.” Her hands shook as she poured the hot liquid into the container.

  “That’s fine, Mom, they’ll appreciate it.” Val furrowed her brow and frowned. Her mother’s words and abrupt actions were not like her at all. Mom had never been that fond of Colt because of his wealthy background, and she’d always said he’d someday break Val’s heart. She’d been right, but that didn’t explain her strange behavior at the moment. Val sensed her mother hiding something, but had no clue as to what it was. Maybe Aunt Cora would know.

  Loaded with good things to eat,
Val headed to her car. She secured the tins and thermos so they wouldn’t shift and fall during the ride back to the shop. Between her mother’s strange behavior and Aunt Cora’s statement earlier, Val sensed something wasn’t right, but if it involved Colt, it never would be.

  Colt sat on a bench near the river. How he loved it all decked out for Christmas. The lights gave it a magical look, but his heart felt anything but magical. So far he’d had no success in trying to speak with Val about what happened five years ago. He’d been so hurt by his own mother that he couldn’t see how his running away would hurt Val, the one person who could have made him truly happy.

  His mother’s words came back to haunt him even now. “Take the money I put in your account and get out of my life. God doesn’t love us, and your saying you have become a Christian hurts me. If God did love us, your father would still be here. God is cruel and doesn’t care what happens to any of us. Right now I don’t even believe He exists, and I don’t see how you can, either. I hate you, I hate God, I hate Chase, and I hate everything you say you believe.”

  The words poured over him now like cold wind and chilled his soul. He squeezed his eyes shut. God, how can I get through to her? Help me somehow, someway make her see and understand what Chase and I know to be true. You do love us and want what is best for us.

  What was best for him? At the moment he doubted he could truly be happy back in San Antonio. It had been a mistake to return. If he left, he’d just be running away again, but this time he’d make sure Val understood why. He had to tell her one more time that he loved her and always would, even if she turned away from him.

  Surely there was a way to open her heart and unlock those feelings from five years ago. Christmas was a time of wonder and great love and had always been her favorite time of year. He began making plans for things to do with her that would remind her of all the good times they’d had. But would she agree to do things with him?

  He glanced at his watch. He should be getting back to the store. His stomach rumbled in protest at not getting the meal he’d planned on having while out. No time for that now. It’d just have to wait another few hours.

  The bright lights and colorful displays of the store beckoned him as it did the customers. The window glittered with the bright red and gold lettering that matched the new overhead sign proclaiming this to be CORA’S COLLECTIBLES. If sales kept up like they were going, Val wouldn’t have a lot of merchandise left over for clearance after Christmas.

  The closer Christmas came, the more he realized he had to ask Val why she’d never answered his letters. He stared through the window to the scene inside. Several tins sat open on the counter as the three women shared cookies and what looked like pralines, one of his favorite candies. Val laughed at something Susie said. She swept her fingers through her hair in a gesture so familiar that his fingers itched to grab hers as he’d done so many times in the past. He swallowed the lump in his throat. Let them have their fun tonight. He wouldn’t spoil it by walking in now.

  He turned to head back to his car. Somehow he had to come up with a plan to win Val’s trust. A box in the jewelry store caught his attention. A seed of an idea planted itself in his mind and took root.

  Chapter 8

  Colt hadn’t been back to the store since the night she’d brought back the treats from home. That ought to show Aunt Cora he didn’t have any interest in taking up where they left off. The numbers on the screen blurred. She clenched her fists and her shoulders tensed. In just the few weeks he’d been back, Colt had managed to stir up all the old feelings of rejection and disappointment.

  She should never have let him start working on the store or thought that she could work with him without it affecting her. Christmas, once her favorite time of the year, brought heartache as she once again remembered all the good times she and Colt had had with Christmas on the Riverwalk.

  The boats filled with carolers each evening no longer thrilled her heart with their songs, and the lights everywhere did nothing for her spirits. The happy couples and families strolling along the walkways only served to remind her that she was alone.

  Susie’s boyfriend had started picking her up each evening when the store closed, and Val watched them with envy in her heart. Her prayers for God to squelch the envy and bring peace to her soul had not been answered.

  At least the shop was doing good business. Colt’s plan was working well, and each section had brisk sales with the holiday section having the highest number, as they’d hoped. Upgrading the merchandise and changing the types of items sold had made a big difference, and for that she would be grateful in the months ahead. Now the day before Christmas Eve, customers filled the aisles and bought rather than browsed.

  Her stomach rumbled, reminding her that she had eaten only half a sandwich for lunch. After one glance at the now-stale bread and limp fries, she grabbed for her jacket. She waved to Aunt Cora and Susie. “I’m going to get something to eat. Do you need anything?”

  Her aunt shook her head, but a big grin split her face. Val smiled in return then turned to bump headlong into a broad chest in a black leather jacket. She slipped backward, but strong hands reached to catch her. She gazed up into Colt’s blue eyes. Her heart flipped, and if not for his hold on her, she would have collapsed.

  “Hi, I was just coming to find you.”

  His dimpled smile sent her heart racing. “Oh?” She cringed at the squeak that emerged from her mouth.

  “Yes, it’s dinnertime, and I stopped by to ask you to have it with me.”

  Objections rose to her lips, but she swallowed them. One more time with him, and then she could get on with her life. “I think I’d like that.”

  With Aunt Cora and Susie both telling them to have a good time, they left with Colt holding Val’s arm. The spot where his hand grasped her elbow burned even through her jacket. This was not a good idea. She should have said no, but she wanted to be with him. Besides, maybe she would take Aunt Cora’s advice and ask him about why he left. Better to know the truth than to second-guess herself the rest of her life. If he didn’t want her around, he sure had a funny way of showing it.

  When they entered La Cocina del Rio, memories of all the other times they’d been there skipped through Val’s mind. This evening could be more difficult than she thought, but she’d get through it.

  Gabriela, an old friend, greeted them. “Welcome, you two. It’s good to see you together again.” She led them to a table by a window that looked out over the patio area and the river. Only a few patrons braved the cold to sit outdoors, and Val was glad for the warmth of the dining room. She picked up the menu and barely glanced at it, as did Colt. They both had their favorites, the quesadilla and enchilada dinners.

  Val munched on a few chips and some salsa. “I want to thank you again for the wonderful job you did with rearranging the shop, and all the ideas you gave us for it. Sales are going great, and Aunt Cora loves helping out.”

  “It’s nice seeing my ideas put to work and how much they helped bring in customers. You know how much I love your aunt.”

  “Yes, I do.” Aunt Cora and Uncle Will had been lifesavers for Chase and Colt, and had led the boys to become Christians. That’s when things began to spark between Val and Colt. He couldn’t have forgotten all the good times they’d had with the youth group in high school and then in college, but apparently they hadn’t meant anything to him after all.

  All through the meal, Val searched her mind for a way to approach the question foremost in her heart, but a crowded, noisy restaurant was not the place to ask anyway. Colt looked as though he had something to say, too, but held back. He probably wanted to tell her when he planned to leave. At least this time she could say good-bye.

  After the meal, they walked along the river. Val shoved her hands into her gloves and wrapped her scarf about her neck. Colt grasped her hand and tucked it under his elbow. How good and comfortable it felt to be walking like this. The years fell away, and Val was back to the good times. No qu
estions tonight. She planned to enjoy every minute of this time together as long as it lasted.

  Walking with Val’s hand under his elbow felt as natural as breathing. All the love he’d harbored for so long filled him with hope and confidence. The first part of his plan had worked, but he still had many pieces to put in place before it would be complete.

  He’d held his breath back in the shop, afraid she would turn down his invitation to dinner. When she agreed, his heart sang, and he’d wanted to shout. He led her toward a bench where they could sit and watch the boats and carolers pass by. Val had always loved doing that and usually sang along with them.

  Tonight was no different. Her clear soprano voice lifted in the night air as the group floating by sang “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful.” She waved at them, and the people on the boat waved back as they completed the song and then shouted, “Merry Christmas.”

  A sigh of contentment came from Valerie, and he wanted to hug and kiss her right then, but that would be too much too soon. First he had to regain her trust.

  “Val, I have some things I need to tell you.” His throat tightened at the worried expression on her face. He had to choose his words carefully so as not to hurt her and make her angry.

  “I thought you understood why I left home the way I did, but it seems I must have been mistaken.” She didn’t respond, so he took a deep breath and plunged ahead.

  “Mother called me in right after I graduated from the university. She lashed out at me and told me that since I was now an adult and out of college, I could stand on my own two feet. She would no longer offer any financial or moral support. She said she never wanted to see me again unless I could come back and tell her I was no longer a Christian because God was cruel and only hurt people.”

  Val’s eyes clouded over and she blinked. “Colt, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me then?”

  “I was so hurt and defeated that all I could think about was getting as far away from her as possible. I took all the money left in my account and went to New York where I’d had a job offer.”