Maid for Martin

by Samantha Lovern

  Celia wouldn’t have a tree if it came down to this. She would just pick out the biggest, most expensive one on the lot and been done with it. Not Randi.

  Finally he got what he wanted, out of excitement for something she’d noticed, Randi reached out and grabbed his hand, all but pulling him down the row of trees.

  “Look at this one! Oh, man, it’s a beauty.” Randi stood in awe of a fat, nine foot, Blue Spruce.

  “I like it.”

  “Like it? I love it. Then again, I love Christmas.” She turned to look at him, her mind and gaze moving from the tree to the man by her side. For a second she started to let go, but didn’t. Instead, she squeezed his hand and bit her bottom lip. “What do you think, do we order this one?”

  “I like it. I say we take it.” Randi looked at the tree, and Martin looked at Randi. An idea came to him. He wasn’t ready to go back to his reality, or to let go of her hand. “I’m pretty sure they want three trees. Let’s pick out two more, just in case.”

  Randi leaned against him, her shoulder bumping his, as she considered this. “I recall hearing someone say something about two or three trees. Okay, but I think we should be sure and save this one.”

  “Excellent. Don’t move.” Martin started to leave but stopped. He stepped in front of Randi and then looked down the row of trees. “See that couple? They want our tree. Guard it with your life.”

  She quickly became a part of his game and edged closer, looking at the couple. “They’ll have to pry it out of my hands.”

  “Isn’t that supposed to be out of my 'cold, dead fingers'?” She quickly brought her gaze to his.

  “Mike, it’s just a tree.” She smiled. “I’ll only go so far . . . even for Christmas. Now go on before I really do have to fight those people.”

  Martin laughed and walked at a steady pace, pulling out his wallet as he went. He stopped as he came to the girl at the desk. What if she recognized him?

  He looked at her and saw that crazy, shocked look as it came to her eyes. It was too late. She knew who he was.

  *****

  Randi wasn’t sure what was taking so long. Mike talked to the young girl for a good ten minutes. She had him sign two or three papers, and finally let him go. She guessed as she watched Mike walking back that the girl thought he was cute. And she was right. The attendant stood staring and even giggled and jumped on her phone moments later.

  “What was that all about? Did you get the tree?”

  Mike glanced back to the girl and nodded. “Yes, it’s paid for. As slow as she was, I didn’t want to try and explain ordering and paying later. I paid for three trees. We just need to pick them out and get back to the house.” He looked back again to the girl.

  Randi slipped her finger under Mike’s chin and made him turn and look at her, “That little girl rattled you, didn’t she? Did your credit card get denied? That’s nothing to be ashamed of. Come on, forget it. I won’t let her hurt you.”

  Mike laughed. “Sorry, it’s just . . . never mind. I’ll tell you later. We have two more trees to pick out.”

  He seemed more at ease and took her hand. They walked around, picking out two more trees, but the mood was gone. Her playful Mike had retreated, so she picked out two more trees and they carried them back to the truck.

  As she climbed in and they pulled out, Randi turned in the seat, looking at him. “Was that cash register girl taking your picture, just now? Did you know her?”

  “No, I didn’t know her,” was the only answer she got. She decided something had upset him so she didn’t push. He stayed quiet until they went through the drive-thru. He drove them to the park and they pulled out to the end where they could be alone.

  They stayed in the truck, eating, but neither of them seemed in a good mood. They talked small talk, about the weather, Christmas as kids, but Mike still seemed lost in his thoughts. When they were done eating Randi gathered up the trash and took it to a nearby can.

  As she walked back to the truck, Mike was out looking the trees over. She came to stand by him. “Are they secure?”

  “They’ll do till we get them back to the house.” He turned toward her and held out his hand, palm up. She slid her hand into his and allowed him to tug her closer. She felt sorry for him, but she wasn’t sure why. He had this dejected puppy dog look on his face that made her want to hold him.

  She knew he wasn’t hers to hold, but it wasn’t like that, it was like he needed a friendly hug. Maybe he needed someone to tell him everything would be all right.

  Instead of the hug she stepped closer and wrapped her hands around his. She held his hand tight, and then looked up into his eyes. “I don’t know what the problem is, but I’m here if you need to talk.”

  “Thanks, but you are the problem.” When she started to pull away he slipped his other hand to her waist. “Not like that. You make me forget who I am. You make me wish I was someone else.”

  “Why? If you don’t like Celia, break it off.”

  “It’s more than that. I can’t tell you now, but I want to. I want to pull you into my arms and hold you and know that when this holiday is over you’ll still be here.”

  Randi smiled. “You can be a real sweetheart when you want to be. I’m here now, and if you play your cards right, I should still be here after Christmas.”

  Mike laughed and looked into her eyes. “I guess. We’ll just have to wait and see.” Randi nodded and started to step back, but he shook his head. Time seemed to slow down, and the noises of the cars and other people faded into nothing. All Randi could think about or hear, was the man standing beside her.

  “Can I kiss you?” He asked and when her lips turned into a smile, he smiled also. “Is that a yes?”

  “No, it’s not a yes. I want to let you kiss me, but I don’t think you’re ready yet.”

  “Oh, I’m ready.”

  Randi laughed and pushed at him playfully. “I didn’t mean that way. I mean are you ready to be done with Celia, to tell her it’s over, and that you’re moving on?”

  “If I say yes, will you let me kiss you?”

  “You don’t answer a question with another question.”

  “You’re right. But will you?”

  “Will it be the truth? Will you kiss her tonight? Will you let her into your bed when I’m not around?”

  Chapter 17

  Magic

  Martin knew she was right, and as usual he hadn’t thought things through. He didn’t need to be kissing two women. He didn’t need to be with Celia while he was trying to flirt with Randi. He tried to remember . . . when was the last time I kissed Celia?

  Martin tried to drum up enough emotion to want to kiss the woman he’d spent the last nine months with, but he couldn’t. He wanted to kiss Randi.

  He looked into her eyes. The question hung between them. Would he spend eight more nights with Celia and not kiss her?

  What would he do when all of the family was there and Celia wanted to kiss him? As he looked at Randi the truth came over him. It was over with Celia. He’d known it for a while, but was trying to deny it. Another failed relationship wasn’t what he wanted.

  “No. I won’t kiss her tonight, and she will never share my bed again. You have my word on that. Kiss me or not, that’s still my answer.”

  Martin wasn’t about to beg any woman to kiss him, not even this one. He turned and started to go, but she didn’t let go of his hand.

  He waited and she gave him a smile. “I’m not sure if I should, but I believe you.” Randi let go of his hand, dug into her pocket and pulled out a bit of greenery with a red bow on it. “It’s your lucky day. I just happen to have a bit of magic in my pocket.

  “Magic?”

  “Yes. Consider it a gift, but you must use it wisely and at the right moment.” She put it in his hand.

  “What is this?” Martin asked about the same time it hit him, and they both spoke in unison.

  “Mistletoe.”

  *****

  All the way back to
the house Martin kept pulling out the mistletoe, holding it in his hand, and looking at Randi. She would laugh and shake her head. He was so cute and she was regretting that she hadn’t kissed him. She hoped he was telling the truth about Celia, and if he asked again she would say yes.

  A smile came to her lips as he glanced her way. Shoot, she might just kiss him before they got to the house. Her expression must have given something away because he spoke.

  “I bet I know what you’re thinking.”

  “Oh, shut up. You don’t have a clue,” she laughed.

  “Of course not. And where did you get this Magic?”

  “It was lying on the table. I picked it up while you were tying down the trees. You get one free with every tree.”

  “I should have gotten three. I could put them to good use.”

  “You better not need three.” Randi raised a brow and gave him a dirty look. This made him laugh and he made ‘kissy’ faces at her.

  “I’m not looking at you.” Randi said, and she didn’t, but she couldn’t keep the smile from her lips. She also couldn’t behave herself so she looked back and he was still holding the mistletoe in his hand as they pulled into the driveway.

  Mike parked the truck and they got out. As Randi walked around the front of the truck she pulled something out of her pocket. “What do you have there, more magic?”

  “No, it’s another treat for the pups.”

  “You’re going to spoil them,” Mike said as he closed the truck door.

  “That’s the plan.” Randi walked behind the garage to the hole in the fence. She bent down and was a bit disappointed that the pups weren’t there. She left the treat, rose, and turned, laughing. “What are you doing?”

  Mike stood there about eight feet away holding the mistletoe over his head. “I’m trying out this magic. I’m not sure it’s working.”

  “Oh, so you doubt its abilities.” Randi straightened and took a few steps toward him. “Let's see if I feel the pull or not.”

  “The pull?” His lips curled into a smile.

  “Yes, the magic . . . you know.”

  “I’m not sure I like this.” Mike lowered his arm. “I don’t want a kiss because of magic. I’d rather it be because of the usual reasons.”

  Randi laughed and stepped forward. “Are you willing to risk it?” She smiled as Mike looked at the mistletoe, thinking it over. She thought for a moment he was going to stick it back into his pocket, but he raised his arm and held it over his head.

  “I’m not taking any chances,” he said.

  Randi smiled and moved closer, tilting her head. Mike’s hair was lifting slightly with the breeze; his blue eyes mocked her and those lips waited. She took two more steps and reached up, taking the mistletoe out of his hand, and then she stuffed it into his shirt pocket.

  “Why did you do that?” Mike said, slipping his hand to her waist.

  “You don’t need magic. And you don’t need to get comfortable,” she said as she removed his hand from her waist. “This is just our first kiss so don’t expect the earth to move.”

  He smiled but didn’t budge. It was obvious he was going to make her pay for saying no earlier. She thought about just giving him a peck on the cheek and going, but she didn’t want to. But it would be fun to make him think that was all he was getting.

  She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, but as she pulled back she softly brushed her lips across his. It took him by surprise. As his lips parted, just enough to give her a hint of things to come, she managed to pull back.

  It was all but impossible to keep the smile from her lips as she let her hand trail down his shoulder, to his arm, until for a brief moment her fingers touched his. She then walked around the garage and into the house, thankful that, for now, at least one of them had a little willpower.

  Chapter 18

  The Truth

  Emma rubbed her eyes and stifled a yawn. She was tired and was wishing this day could end early, but that wasn’t going to happen. Ann was coming in with supplies and she needed to finish working on the guest list that Celia had given her about an hour ago.

  She needed to get diet food and drinks for two of the relatives, special cleaning supplies because of an allergy Celia’s mother had, and cotton sheets for Celia’s grandma. The guest list, and the things she needed to get done before everyone started arriving, was growing.

  The back door opened and Emma heard someone humming -- no -- singing. She looked up as Randi walked into the room. The girl was smiling ear to ear and she stopped and made a slight face. “Sorry, I didn’t know anyone was in here.”

  “Were you singing?”

  “Yeah, Walking in a Winter Wonderland. I love Christmas.”

  “I do to, but that smile speaks of more than the joy of the season. I’m guessing it might have been brought on by a young man.”

  “Kind of.” Randi smiled again.

  “Ah, to be young and in love.” Emma took a sip of her coffee. “Do I know this young man?”

  Randi hesitated, “That all depends. Are we allowed to date the help?”

  “For now you’re a temp, so I don’t see why not. Besides, I’ll never tell. You’re the best worker I have. And speaking of work, did you get the trees?”

  “Yes, and we got three.”

  “Good. I’ve had some of the decorations brought down, made several phone calls, and been working on a list of things that must be done by tomorrow.”

  “Because of the early guests?” Randi took the list that Emma handed her and began to look it over.

  “Yes. Celia wants everything to work out perfectly. Do the trees look good? She’s going to want the best.” Emma leaned back and crossed her arms. "And how far along is this new romance?”

  “This is all do-able by tomorrow night.” Randi gestured to the paper, “and we’re just up to the first kiss.”

  “Those are always memorable. I wish you the best. What’s his name?”

  “Mike. I went with him to get the trees.”

  Emma paused, thinking back to the fact that Martin was supposed to deal with the trees. “Mike? I don’t remember that name. Maybe it’s a middle name.”

  “Could be. I’ll go get changed and start working on getting the room ready. The trees are outside, in the back of Mike’s truck.”

  “Mike?” Emma said, but Randi was gone. “Mike who?” Emma picked up her list and looked it over to be sure everything was right.

  She was almost down to the bottom of the list when she heard a door open and close. She was going to ask Randi about this Mike person again, but instead of Randi she found Martin walking past. He didn’t even take time to glance her way. She needed to speak to him so she rose and called out his name.

  “Martin, can I have a word with you?” She caught up with him at the front landing. He was on the stairs. He turned and looked and she started to speak. Her eyes caught a glimpse of a red bow sticking out of his pocket, and her question changed. “Did you get the trees?”

  “Sure did.” Martin said, “They look really nice.”

  “How many?” Emma asked.

  “Three. They’re out in the truck.” He glanced at his watch. “I don’t have long. Is that all you needed?”

  Emma didn’t understand. Randi said Mike took her to get the trees. She fumbled for another question. “Do you have a preference as to which tree goes where?”

  As Martin answered, she was running things over in her mind. Something wasn’t right, but it wasn’t her place to ask too many questions.

  “Put the biggest tree in the great room. Other than that, I don’t care.”

  “Yes, sir. And one last thing before you go. Do you have a preference about which rooms we give to your family, versus where we put Celia’s?”

  “No,” he said, and then he changed his mind and turned back. “Wait, yes I do. I want my parents downstairs and all of Celia’s upstairs.”

  “I’ll see to that.”

  “Good.” Martin stepped down two steps, m
oving closer to her, keeping his voice low. “My mother is very old-fashioned. I’ll be staying in the back guest room while they’re here.”

  “That shouldn’t be a problem.” Emma nodded.

  “It might be that Celia doesn’t know yet. I want you or Ann to move a good portion of my things downstairs. I don’t want any of the temporary help in my room or Celia’s.”

  “Yes sir. That can be worked out. Is that all?”

  “No, as much as you can, don’t make a big deal about this. If you can have it done while Celia is gone, do so. I need to talk to her about this. She won’t like it.”

  “I understand. I’ll take care of it soon.”

  “Thanks. I’ll be leaving in a couple of hours. Any time after that will be fine. I don’t expect Celia back until late.”

  “Yes, sir.” Emma turned, going back into the kitchen. She looked over her shoulder for a second. What is Martin up to? Is he breaking up with Celia before this huge party?

  Emma sat down and tried to concentrate on her list but she couldn’t. The words that Randi had said, and what Martin had said mingled in her mind, and then another thought came to the forefront.

  Randi’s application had stated clearly that she had no foreknowledge of Martin Taylor at all. She’d never even seen the man or known anything about him.

  Randi could indeed be dating Martin and not even have a clue who he really was. Emma leaned back in her chair and considered the facts. Could it really be possible that Mike and Martin were the same person?

  *****

  Martin took the steps two at a time. It was half-past-three. He wanted to get his mind away from Randi and Celia and wrap it around this new script. He would meet with Bill later that night and he wanted to give a final answer on when he would be ready to do a reading.

  He went into his room, locked the door for privacy, took out the script, and shut out the world and his problems, as only he could do while reading. He began by sitting down at the desk. He flipped through the pages and scenes, getting a feel for the storyline.