“I’m good, thank you,” she hollered.
After a bit of ruckus in the backroom, she emerged, slightly flushed in the cheeks. True, she was busy, and she had several more arrangements to bring up front.
But that wasn’t the only reason why she was feeling a little flushed.
The man had left her nearly speechless, which was a feat for her, considering she was normally a chatterbox of sorts. But he’d left her tongue-tied and now she was more curious than ever to know who he wanted a pre-made arrangement for.
Not that it was any of her business.
Still, as she brought the arrangements to the counter, she couldn’t help but wonder. Two by two, she brought them out, and after a final count, she handed Cole a copy of the receipt to sign.
“I can help you take them out to your car,” she said.
Cole quirked a brow. “Are you sure?”
The flush inflamed her cheeks once more. “Absolutely. I’d love to help.” She smiled at him, and for a moment, time stood still as he drank her in. He had to learn more about her.
And perhaps, by the end of this visit, he’d work up the courage to ask her out.
It was a tight squeeze fitting all the arrangements in, but somehow with their teamwork, they managed to make it happen without too much of a fuss. With the car loaded up, they headed back inside, and Maddie watched as Cole’s eyes scanned the displays.
“So what can I get for you, then?” she asked.
“I need something nice and festive but not anything romantic. Just something cheerful. That’s all.”
Maddie regarded him warily, still curious to know who the arrangement would be for.
“Are you shopping for anyone in particular today?”
It was standard to ask anyway, but she was dying to know if this handsome stranger had someone special in his life already. Not that it mattered, really. Even if he was single, what were the odds he would be interested in her? Her, with her faded blue jeans, and practically threadbare thermal top... like this man would really pay any mind to her.
But he already had. The way his eyes danced on her skin, taking her in like a sight for sore eyes…
He looked at her as though he’d known her a long time, like they were close. It was strange, really, considering they were nothing more than strangers.
“Yes, I’m needing an arrangement for my mom. I thought it would make a nice ‘pick-me-up’ while she’s recovering.”
Maddie nearly let out an audible sigh of relief. Somehow, knowing the flowers weren’t going to some other woman made her feel a lot more at ease. Not that she had any right to feel that way. The man was entitled to his happiness, and who was she to wish for him not to have that?
“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope she feels better soon.”
“Thanks. She broke her hip, so that’s definitely a setback, but I know she’ll pull through. She’s always been a fighter. It’s the Phillips family way, you could say. We’re fighters.”
Phillips. Could it be? She didn’t know too many people with that last name around here. Could he actually be Melinda’s son? Melinda has spoken of him so many times that she felt like she’d known him her whole life, yet she’d never been in the same room with him.
“You’re not related to Melinda Phillips by chance, are you?” she asked.
Cole's eyes went wide. “I am, actually. She’s my mom. And you must be Maddie Barnes?”
“Yes, I am. It’s nice to finally put a face to your name,” she said, extending her hand.”
“Likewise,” he said, taking her hand in his. Her skin was soft and warm against his, a secret part of him wished to never let go. So this was Maddie. The same Maddie his mom had talked about endlessly. “It’s funny, my mom talks about you all the time.”
Heat rose in Maddie’s cheeks. What reason could there possibly be for this man and his mother to be talking about her?
“She does?” Maddie asked.
“She really does. She’s very impressed with your arrangements.”
Maddie blushed, letting out a little laugh. “I can tell. She used to do a lot of business with us back in the day. She always came here for the arrangements she put in the homes she staged.”
“Makes sense. Mom’s always had a very fine eye for detail. I have to say I agree with her taste. These are impressive,” he said, motioning around the room.
“Thank you. I try to do my best.”
And what a damn fine job she did, in his not-so-humble opinion, but he kept the thought to himself for fear of making her blush any more than she already was.
“Would you like to get coffee sometime?” The words rolled off his tongue with such boldness that even he was surprised that he’d asked.
And just like that, her little blush appeared again, making Cole feel like he was on the right track.
“I would love that.” She grabbed a notepad, flipping it until she finally found an empty sheet. Cole scribbled it down for her, and as he handed her the sheet of paper, their fingers touched, sending a zip of electricity through each of them.
“Day after Christmas, maybe?” she asked.
“That sounds perfect to me.”
By the time he arrived at the hospital, Cole could hardly wait to show his mom the arrangement he picked up. He knew she would absolutely love it. The fresh scents of peonies and roses wafted up to his nose, and suddenly the walk into the hospital didn’t seem so bleak.
Then again, he wasn’t so certain that the extra spring in his step was only from the flowers…
Melinda’s eyes brightened as Cole walked through the door and presented her with the arrangement.
“A little something to cheer you up,” he said, bending down to kiss her on the cheek.
“Well, be still my heart. Look at this beautiful arrangement! Did you get this from Hampshire Flowers?”
“Yes, I did.”
Melinda drew in a deep breath, inhaling their fresh, fragrant scent. “I knew it. It looks like an arrangement they would make.”
“Yes, I picked it up last night when I picked up the order for office Christmas party.”
And then, the next question, one which he knew she could hardly wait to ask. “Did you get to meet Maddie?”
Maddie. Just hearing her name made his heart feel a little more buoyant. “Yes, I finally got to meet her, and yes, she’s every bit as awesome as you’ve described.”
“Oh, Cole, that is wonderful. I’m glad you were able to finally meet her.”
Cole nodded, and pulled up a chair next to the bed. “I am, too. We’re getting together for coffee on the twenty-sixth.”
“Oh, a first date! How lovely. Does she seem very interested in you?”
“Well, I don’t really know if I would call this a date. More like a polite gesture for a family friend.”
“Mmhmm,” she said, eyeing him suspiciously. “I may be bedridden at the moment, but I’m not a fool, Cole. You haven’t stopped smiling since we started talking about her.”
“I guess I hadn’t noticed,” he laughed.
“Of course not. We can never see ourselves the way the rest of the world does. Which is a shame, because when we’re smiling, we never get to see how truly happy we are.”
And perhaps, she was right. Cole couldn’t believe how much happiness one woman had been able to elicit from him in such a short span of time.
Cole glanced at the watch, feeling a sense of dread as he noted the time. “I suppose I’d better get going. I promised Michael I would stop by and say ‘hi’ tonight.”
A slow smile spread across her face, and she reached for Cole’s hand. “Oh, Cole, I am so proud of you. You deserve to have a nice time tonight.”
Nice wasn’t exactly what he was anticipating for the evening, but if it made his mother happy, so be it.
It would be worth it every time.
Trees, lights, and garlands decorated every square inch of space in the event hall. Though it was tastefully done, it truly was like Christmas h
ad exploded in the room, taking over the tables, the walls, and even the bar.
“Ah, Cole, I’m glad to see you make it out this evening. We were taking bets to see whether or not you’d actually show,” Michael joked.
Cole pressed his lips into a thin line. “Well, you know it’s not been much cheer in my life in the last few years.”
“I know, I know. We were just messing with you. Come! Have a drink!” Michael led him over to the bar, ripping over his own dress shoes twice before they arrived. It may have been a cash bar, but it was obvious that Michael had already shelled out a fair amount of money, given his newfound blissful attitude and increasing difficulty in standing without wobbling. Choice words were on the tip of Cole’s tongue, but he fought them back, knowing he’d still have to face the man come Monday.
“What would you like?” Michael asked. “They have just about everything, I believe.”
And with the way you sound, it sounds like you’ve had just about everything already.
Cole shook his head. “I think I’ll just have a glass of water. My head’s kinda bothering me.”
“Oh, come on, now. All this booze here, and you’re just gonna have water?”
“Michael, I’m not going to able to stay very long. I still haven’t gone to the hospital yet today.” He’d been so busy running errands for Michael during his lunch break, that time had slipped through his hands.
And it was all the more reason to cut short this token, obligatory appearance.
Cole pulled his phone from his pocket, pretending he got an incoming text. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to cut this evening short. I’m needed at the hospital.”
“But you just got here!” Michael protested.
Cole turned on his heel and headed for the door. He hollered over his shoulder. “I’ll see you bright and early Monday.”
And with that, he headed out into the snowy, blustery night.
As soon as Cole sank into his car, he dialed Maddie, praying she would pick up. Two rings in, and he was already felt like calling her was a lost cause. Maybe she didn’t really have any interest in him at all. Had he misread her? Or maybe she’d completely forgotten his number and had no clue who was calling.
And then there was the fact that it was the day before Christmas Eve. Perhaps she was busy with prior commitments.
The possibilities were endless, but finally, on the fourth ring, she picked up.
“Cole?” Her voice was soft music to his ears.
“Hey, yeah, it’s me. I just left our Christmas party, and I wanted to know if you’d like to meet up later? I know we originally agreed on the twenty-sixth, but I was wondering if you’d like to move our coffee date to tonight? Maybe grab some hot chocolate?”
Nervous energy zipped through her body. She hadn’t been expecting him to call, much less ask her for an impromptu date, and she was still in her comfy pajamas.
“Um… yeah, sure. Let me change first, though. I’m not sure the public would enjoy my Christmas tree pajama pants.”
Cole grinned at the thought. Somehow, picturing her in goofy, ultra-festive pajama pants made him smile and laugh all at the same time.
“Thanks for that image,” he laughed. “I needed a good laugh for the evening.”
“My pleasure,” she teased.
Even her playful banter was alluring, and Cole knew he was falling for her. Fast.
“Call me when you get ready to head out, and I’ll head over to Maurice’s.”
Maddie practically skipped to her room to change. A date with Cole…
This was definitely one event worth changing out of her comfy pajama pants for.
♥ ♥ ♥
“So, you decided to ditch the party early, huh?” Maddie wrapped her hands around her cup, savoring all the heat from it.
“Yeah. I’m not a huge fan of events like that. Plus, my boss was acting like a nut. That kinda killed it for me.” Not that he’d been in a great mood to begin with.
Maddie looked surprised. “Wow. What did your boss do?”
“Well… I guess you could say he was being himself. He tends to get a little stupid when he drinks.”
Maddie frowned. “Yeah, I can definitely understand why you don’t want to be around that.” She took another sip of her coffee. “I’m glad you called me. It’s really nice to see you again, you know?”
Her words made his heart swell with happiness again. God, he never wanted this evening to end. He’d do anything to make it last. “It’s been nice to see you again, too. Are you up for a walk? I thought maybe we could check out the lights.”
Her fingers gently tapped against her cup. “I would love that,” she said, smiling.
Even though it was the evening before Christmas Eve, the downtown city streets had all the hustle and bustle like Black Friday on steroids. Carolers sang on one of the street corners, and people dressed in festive garb adorned the streets like ornaments on a Christmas tree. So much cheer, so much joy… so much love, it seemed. If Maddie could only bottle the joy felt throughout the city, she’d have enough to enjoy all year long.
“So, do you think this is the most wonderful time of the year?” Cole asked. His hand yearned to take hers into his, but he kept it by his side, resisting the temptation.
“I would say so. Though, I think it was a little bit more fun when I was a kid.”
Cole laughed, and his infectious laugh sparked something inside Maddie that she hadn’t quite felt in a long time. “Everything is better when you’re a kid. No responsibilities! Only fun.”
“Indeed, it was,” she lamented. Now it was her turn to ask a question. “So, have you lived here all your life?”
“For most of it, yes. I left for a while, though. I got a transfer back here right around the time my fiancee died.”
Maddie turned pale, and her heart squeezed. How tragic, she thought, to lose someone at such a young age. So many emotions were bouncing off of her all at once, and it was difficult to process them all.
“I am so sorry to hear that,” she managed. “That must’ve been awful.”
“Yeah, it was a lot of change in a short period of time. But, I always try to handle whatever life throws at me, you know?”
“You have a lot of courage. I’d be lucky if I would be able to leave the house after that. I’d probably single-handedly keep the Kleenex company in business.”
Cole gave her a wry smile. “Yeah. It was tough. Some days, it still is. But, I think I’m finally ready for another chance at happiness again, you know?”
Across the street, a group of carolers broke into ‘Deck the Halls,’ distracting the two of them for a moment.
“We should go join them,” Maddie teased.
“Trust me, if you knew how bad I sing, you wouldn’t want me to.”
Maddie gave him a pouty look. “Oh, fine. But you know, I’m gonna keep trying. One of these days I’ll get you in the karaoke spirit.”
The snow was beginning to pick up, and soon the city streets were covered with a thin blanket of white powder. Cole pulled out his phone, checking the time. “Wow, I didn’t realize how late it was getting.”
“Yeah, I didn’t either. We should probably get back.”
A fresh layer of snow coated Cole’s car by the time they reached the parking lot at Maurice’s.
“Didn’t realize it was going to start coming down this hard,” he said, leaning against his car.
“Don’t you ever check the weather before you go anywhere?” she teased.
“Hey, I try not to live on my phone. Or the computer. Although, that’s a little hard with my job.”
Maddie blew her breath into her hands. “I’d imagine that would be hard to do without the computer.”
“Yes, it would. It would be like being back in the old days.”
They stood there for a moment in silence, and Cole reached up, brushing an errant strand of hair from Maddie’s cheek.
“Thank you for meeting up with me tonight. I had a great tim
e.”
“I did, too. Still on for the twenty-sixth?”
“Absolutely. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
And though he longed to press his lips to hers, he didn’t. If things were meant to work, it would come in time.
He’d just have to have patience and play it by ear.
On the morning of Christmas Eve, Maddie’s family arrived bright and early to begin all the festive traditions of old. As always, Maddie was the first to arrive, giving herself plenty of time to catch up with her parents before the rest of the family arrived.
The scent of freshly baked bread filled the air as Maddie’s mother Elena opened the front door, and Maddie inhaled deeply, her mouth watering from the scent.
“Merry Christmas Eve,” she said, wrapping her in a big hug. “Welcome home, my dear.”
Unlike her sister, Maddie only brought a few extra tote bags; one with a few board games from home, and the other contained the gifts for niece, Olivia. She tossed the tote bags on the couch, scanning the room as she took it all in. It was so nice to be home, and no matter how many years would pass, the Christmas season would always hold a sense of magic and wonder for her.
Maddie went to work helping her mother prepare the table, spreading out her favorite Christmas placemats in front of every seat. So many of her mother’s holiday crafts held so many memories, and she treasured each and every one.
“Do you remember the year we made these?” Maddie asked.
Her mother brushed her hand over the fabric. “I sure do. That was the year I’d sprained my ankle on the front stoop.”
And what a crazy year that had been. Maddie had turned sixteen the month before, and with her newfound freedom—courtesy of her driver’s license—she’d been driving all over town every chance she could. Rain or shine, it didn’t matter. The open road was a comfort to her.Thanks to a small band of heavy snow that had popped up, the roads had turned treacherous quickly, and by the time Maddie arrived home, her mother was elated beyond belief.
So elated that she missed the bottom step and sprained her ankle. And though the anguish was, of course, less than pleasant, it began the tradition of doing craftwork in the living room instead of the kitchen table.
Her Christmas Wish Page 2