“Wow,” Drew finally said. “Quite a show.”
“We’re nothing if not dramatic here in Christmas Town.”
The crowd lingered. Groups of families visited and kids raced around.
“What do you say we get something to drink?” Drew suggested, drawing her away from the action.
“Depends on what you have in mind.”
“In honor of tonight, how about eggnog?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Sorry. Not my favorite drink.”
“I saw a sign in the window of The Tea Cup. They’re serving candy cane cocoa tonight.”
“Now you’re talking.”
They stood in line, chatting about life in a Christmas-themed town and drawing others into the conversation. This was the first time in forever Faith could remember talking to people outside of her store. She needed to socialize more.
When they finally got their drinks, the night was winding down. Drew led Faith out of the crammed shop to the sidewalk where extra chairs had been set up for the cocoa rush.
“I don’t suppose we can find a quiet place to sit?”
Faith scanned the area in front of the shop. Not one empty chair available. She glanced at the town square, surprised to find it mostly emptied out. She pointed. “I think we can find a bench over there.”
They crossed Main and sure enough, found a bench. The lights twinkled in the ebony night, reflecting off the snow. To her delight, Drew wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
“Smooth move,” she teased.
“It’s cold.”
Right. No matter, she’d take it.
“So,” Drew started the conversation. “Tomorrow I’m meeting Tina Marie Reynolds.”
“You finally got a hold of her?”
“Yes. She was actually interested in talking to me. Came across as a very nice woman. She invited me to her house.”
“Another step closer.”
“Yes.” He stared at the tree, squeezed her shoulder. “Mind coming with me?”
“Drew, I don’t want to intrude.”
“I’d sure like the support of someone with me, in case she isn’t my birth mother.” He turned to face her and grinned the boyish grin now burned on her memory. “Plus, I need directions to her house. She lives a few miles out of town.”
Faith laughed. “Only using me for my local knowledge, huh?”
“Guilty as charged.”
“Sure. I wouldn’t mind seeing Tina Marie again.”
“Thanks.” Drew’s hand moved to catch her hair, twining it in his fingers. “Besides, I like being with you.”
Touched by his admission, Faith’s chest grew tight. She liked being with him too. More than was smart.
“So, umm, I should be getting home.” Faith rose. She held up her empty cup. “Thanks for the drink.”
Drew stood, taking her empty cup, placing it in his and tossing it in the nearby trash can. “Let me walk you home.”
She waved her hand. “Not necessary. This isn’t the big city. I’m safe here.”
“I was thinking more of extending our time together.”
“Oh.”
He took her hand in his and led her away from the square. They walked mostly in silence, broken only by Faith giving directions to the house. Finally they stood on the sidewalk outside her parents’ house. The two-story was dark except for a lamp burning in the living room and the front porch light shining as a beacon guiding her home.
“Well, this is it,” she announced, a sudden case of nerves swirling in her belly.
“Nice place.”
Noticing for the first time that only a wreath adorned the front door, she realized her father’s health had kept them from pulling out the Christmas decorations this year. “It’s my parent’s house, not mine.”
“Does that make a difference?”
“I suppose not. I guess it seems lame that I still live with my folks.”
He tugged off his glove, reached up to draw a warm finger over her cheek. “Treasure your time with them. You never know when it’ll be taken from you.”
“You miss your mother.”
“Yes. But I also regret not taking the time to see her more frequently before she became sick.”
His finger trailed to her ear, lingering by her lobe before caressing her neck. She should go in, but her feet wouldn’t move. She caught Drew’s gaze and once again, she was lost. When he slowly lowered his head, capturing her lips with his, she sighed and leaned into the warmth of his body.
She’d never connected to any man as quickly as she had with Drew. Was their meeting fate? The magic of the season? She didn’t care, all she wanted was to be with him
She wrapped her arms around his neck as his hands spanned her waist. They nipped at each other’s lips, until the long, drawn out kiss became more than she could bear. She moved away, her lips cold after losing the heat of his, her hands sliding down the bulky jacket to rest over his chest.
“This...thing between us?” she said in a breathless tone. “It’s kind of quick.”
“But right.”
She nodded. “So what do we do about it?”
He took a step back, the cold air rushing between them like all her doubts and fears. Running a hand through his hair, he said, “I don’t know.”
She stuffed her hands in her coat pocket. “Then I guess this is where I say goodnight.”
“Faith...I...”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Drew.”
“Tomorrow.”
With a brisk stride, Faith went into the house. She switched off the porch light, but couldn’t resist peeking out the window. Drew stood staring at the house for long minutes before pulling on a knit cap and walking away. She sighed deep down in her soul, her heart full. Why did she have to fall for the one man who was ultimately going to walk out of her life?
Chapter 6
The next morning Drew picked up Faith at Comfort and Joy. When he’d called her with a time to visit Tina Marie, she’d informed him she had to open the store before her employee arrived. After that she was free.
He parked down the street in the only available spot, then hiked to the store. He stepped inside, greeted by the overpowering feeling of home. When he glimpsed Faith behind the counter talking to the part-time help, he knew it wasn’t the store, but Faith herself.
This journey to find his birth mother was becoming more complicated every day.
He approached the women. Faith looked his way and held up a finger. He nodded and roamed the store while she finished.
Last night’s kiss had rocked his world. Something about Faith, her willingness to help him in his quest, how she carried the burden of the family store while putting her dreams on hold, touched him like no other woman he’d ever met. Was it possible to find the one in such a short period of time? He’d heard about it happening, but never expected to find himself in a situation where all he wanted was to spend time with Faith. Being with her even eclipsed the search for his birth mother. That alone should tell him how serious this thing between them had become.
And after another sleepless night, he still didn’t know what to do. He’d be leaving soon, they both knew it. Question was, could they maintain the intensity of their relationship from far away? Would Faith even agree to it? He was almost afraid to ask, fearful her goodbye would be final while he longed for them to have a permanent hello.
She joined him by the train display.
“Okay. Let’s get going.” She held up a piece of paper. “My dad gave me directions.”
Her voice was all business, but her eyes were mysterious. Like she’d closed herself off so he couldn’t see the real Faith any longer. When they reached the Jeep, he opened the passenger side door for her before getting behind the wheel. He started the ignition and as he eased from the parking spot, Faith started giving directions.
“It’ll probably take fifteen minutes. The Reynolds’s live in a secluded area.”
“So you haven’t seen Tina Marie in years?”
“Nope. She and her husband travel down to Boston a lot to visit their grandkids.”
Drew tightened his hands on the steering wheel. “Grandkids? Wow. I haven’t even met my mom and the thought of her having grandkids? Weird.”
Faith chuckled. “You’ll have to get used to the fact that she had a life after you. For all you know you have siblings.”
“It had crossed my mind, but I figured one step at a time.”
“Would you mind? Having a brother or sister?”
“I honestly can’t answer that.”
“Then we shouldn’t jump ahead.”
Minutes later Drew pulled into a long driveway leading to a log cabin style house. Smoke wafted from the chimney, wispy against the bright blue sky. Before he had a chance to park, the front door flew open. A woman waved.
“That’s Tina Marie.”
Drew pulled the keys from the ignition. “Here we go.”
As they got out of the Jeep, the older woman waved them along.
“It’s cold out here. Hurry up, you two.”
Soon they were in the house, shedding their outer gear while Tina Marie fussed over them.
She hugged Faith. “Good to see you, honey.”
“Same here.”
Then his possible mother came to stand before him. Her hair was dyed an outrageous shade of red, her makeup heavy, her overly-sweet perfume enveloping him just by sheer proximity. But her eyes were warm and her jewelry, multiple bands circling her wrists, tinkled with a music of its own.
“And you’re Drew.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“No need to be so serious here. Call me Tina Marie.”
He nodded, unsure what to say next. This Tina was larger than life.
“When I saw you pull up I poured us all a big mug of tea. Herbal,” she announced as she bustled around the kitchen. “Please, sit.”
Mugs in hand, they moved to the living room where a crackling fire warmed the room. Drew sank into an overstuffed armchair, while Faith and Tina Marie took the couch.
“Now then,” Tina Marie began. “Tell me about yourself.”
Drew wanted to get right to the point, but indulged the vivacious woman listening to his every word. When he’d finished with a brief history of himself, he posed the most important question of the day.
“I explained over the phone why I wanted to see you. I have to know, are you my mother?”
Tina Marie set her mug on the wooden coffee table. “I’m sorry, Drew. No.”
He swallowed another dose of disappointment. When he met Faith’s gaze, he read the shared let down reflected there. He had to admit, this was another blow, but Faith’s concern was like balm soothing his battered spirit.
“If you knew the truth, why have me come all the way out here? You could have told me over the phone.”
“You’re right, I could have. But I wanted to meet you in person.”
“May I ask why?”
“I wanted to see your face. Look you in the eyes.”
His shoulders slumped. “I’m confused.”
Tina Marie grinned. “I know you are. But after meeting you, I know this was the right thing.”
He cocked his head in question.
“I know who your mother is.”
Drew’s heart quickened. “You know her?”
“Yes. And there’s a reason you couldn’t find her.” Tina Marie folded her hands in her lap and had the audacity to wink at him. “She doesn’t go by Tina and her last name is no longer Reisor.”
Shocked and excited now, Drew was at a loss for words.
“I think you’re going to have to spell this out,” Faith said. “Drew looks a little overwhelmed.”
Tina Marie grinned. “I do have that effect on people.” She waved her hand in the air. “Anyway, your mother’s name is Antoinette Reisor Philipson. I met her briefly at Comfort and Joy, many years ago. She didn’t work there long. Once she married she didn’t work again, but we’ve kept in touch over the years.”
“Does she live here in Christmas Town?”
“Portland. She moved away many years ago.”
No wonder he couldn’t find her. He’d had the wrong name all along.
“So she has no idea I’m searching for her?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Do you think she’d still want to see me after all these years?”
“That, my boy, you’ll have to ask her yourself.”
“How?”
“When she comes to the musical recital tomorrow night.”
“The Christmas Musicale at Waverly’s Estate?” Faith piped in.
“The one and only.”
Drew looked at Faith, brow drawn.
“Another town tradition,” she explained.
“The Waverly’s are a large musical family who bought the estate twenty years ago,” Tina Marie continued. “They hold music lessons, summer camps, host struggling musicians. Your mother became involved with them in the beginning and has remained a patron all these years later. She never misses the Christmas show.”
Heart racing, Drew let out the breath he’d been holding. “You’re sure she’ll be there?"
“I called her this morning to confirm. Told her she had a very special Christmas surprise in store for her.”
“You could have told her I’m here.”
“And ruin the surprise?” Tina Marie shot him a mock frown. “I don’t think so.”
Drew glanced at Faith again. She smiled and his heart doubled-timed. “Care to attend another of your town’s traditions with me?”
~*~
After Drew dropped her back at the shop, Faith couldn’t seem to concentrate on business. She kept going over the conversation between Drew and Tina Marie. Finally, he’d get to meet his birth mother. While Faith was excited for him, she also had to admit she was a bit sad. The sooner he met his mother, the sooner Drew would be out of her life. Should she tell him she’d gone and fallen in love with him? She nearly snorted out loud, because yes, she realized she was in love with a guy she’d just met. No better way to scare him off, right? Yet she knew the truth in her heart. She’d fallen hard for Drew Montgomery and there was no going back.
“Faith, did you send out the Stanhope order?”
Blinking at her employee, Faith pulled her thoughts to the present. “Sorry, Beth, no. It’s boxed up. I just have to bring it to the post office.”
“Want me to take it?”
It took Faith just a few seconds to decide. “If you don’t mind manning the store a little longer, I’ll go.”
“Works for me.”
Good, because Faith needed some time to deal with her predicament. Away from the store and the things that kept her tethered to Christmas Town.
After mailing the box, Faith wandered to the town square, standing before the gigantic tree. Today, the sun shone brightly, the kind of killing glare that made one squint against the intensity. The lights nestled in the branches of the pine sparkled like gems. Cars traveled by the square, people busy living their lives.
Rubbing her thumb against the smooth plastic of her cell phone, Faith tugged it from her pocket. She’d waited long enough. The time had come for some much-needed older sister intervention. She dialed the number and waited. Her sister picked up on the third ring.
“Hope Sullivan,” she said in a distracted tone.
“Hey, sis. Are you free?”
“Faith? Of course I am.”
“Sorry to bother you at work.”
“Actually, I’m cleaning out my office. I got the job at the firm I was telling you about. Hello brand new digs on the fifth floor, goodbye public defender’s office.”
“You say that like you aren’t going to miss the long hours and bad pay.”
“You know me too well.” A shuffle sounded, like her sister was changing the position of her phone. “So, what’s up? How’s Dad?”
“Doing better. Hates the cold weather.”
“Since the stroke he’s
really been sensitive to the temperature changes.”
“I have a meeting with them later today. I think they’ve made a decision about upgrading the store with my ideas.”
“Awesome, Faith. I like your vision. New concept, more customers.”
“Right.”
Silence for a beat.
“But?”
How did she bring up the subject of Drew? Just go for it? “When you fall in love, how do you trust it’s real?”
“Love? What are you talking about?”
“I met a guy.”
“So I gathered. And you’re serious already?”
“I don’t know if Drew is, but I’m afraid I’ve fallen for him. Big time.”
“Wow. Okay.” Faith heard her sister expel a big breath on the other end. “First, are you sure?”
“My stomach is constantly in knots. I think about him all the time. And I can’t imagine going the rest of my life without his kisses.”
“That sounds sure.”
“What do I do?”
“Tell me more.”
Faith explained how she’d come to meet Drew, why he was in town and how he wouldn’t be hanging around after tomorrow night. “Now that I’ve said it out loud, it’s worse than I thought.”
“Not bad, just...problematical.”
“That’s why I called you, oh great problem solver.”
Hope snorted. “Right. Like I’ve handled my issues the best way possible.”
“Okay, there is that.”
“But we aren’t talking about me.” Another pause. “What do you want, Faith?”
Drew had asked her the same question. Did she dare voice the truth to her sister? “I can’t leave Mom and Dad.”
“I didn’t ask you that.”
“Right.” Stalling, she brushed her hair behind her ears. “Remember when we were kids and I always watched the documentaries about faraway, exotic places?”
“Sure. We laughed about how far they were from Christmas Town.”
“Well, I want to see them.”
“With Drew?”
“I don’t know. I guess I just want the chance.”
A Heartwarming Christmas: A Boxed Set of Twelve Sweet Holiday Romances Page 45