by Danni Roan
“I’m so sorry!” Carol gasped placing a pale hand over her mouth. “You aren’t hurt are you?”
“No, and it’s all my fault really,” Lisa assured, “I ran out of gas; again.”
Carol Taylor smiled softly, “I used to do that all the time,” she confessed. “I’d get so distracted by all of the things I had to do. Dan, my husband, finally bought me a car that has a little alarm that dings when the fuel is low.”
Lisa smiled seeing a kindred spirit in the pale wisp of a woman across from her.
“Dan’s my dad,” Vivian offered in explanation. “He’s in the Navy and had to go away. That’s why uncle Brooks came to help mom.”
Lisa watched as Carol Taylor stroked her daughter’s hair. “That’s right honey,” she crooned, “and he’s doing a good job of it too.”
Brooks placed a steaming mug of hot chocolate heaped with waves of whipped cream in front of his sister his eyes sad yet hopeful as he looked at her peeked face.
A soft squishy feeling seemed to rise up inside of her and Lisa had to turn away to hide her misty eyes. She didn’t know either of these people, but she knew love when she saw it.
“Mom Miss Lisa needs to get to the city,” Vivian said, her dark eyes serious. “I said Uncle Brooks could take her, but he’s worried about leaving you.”
“You should go,” Carol said looking up at her brother. “We’ll be alright won’t we?” she looked at her children who nodded enthusiastically.
“No, I couldn’t do that,” Lisa protested. “It’s Christmas Day, and you should be together.”
“Santa came early for us this year,” Vivian said. “He came before Daddy had to go away on his big ship, so that we could all have Christmas together.”
Lisa wanted to hug the little girl and stay and help the family in any way she could, but even now her phone was buzzing in her jacket pocket.
“I’ll call one of the Ls,” she finally said settling on an idea. “They’ll take me home.”
“Are you related to the Albertons?” Carol asked her eyes wide.
“Not exactly,” Lisa said. “My best friend is their niece, and I was spending Christmas with them.”
“I’ve heard so much about them since Dan and I moved here right before Drew was born. They’re practically legends around here.”
“You’ve never met the Ls?” Lisa was dumbfounded. It seemed that the Alberton sisters knew everyone in this area and could rattle off a dozen names in an instant.
“No, are they really as interesting as everyone says?”
“More,” Lisa assured looking to Brooks as if he should know who they were talking about, but he only shrugged.
“Well you’ll have to meet the Ls,” Lisa said digging into her pocket and pulling out her phone. “Just give me a minute.”
She rose stepping out onto the front porch pressing speed dial.
“Lydia is that you?” she asked into the phone. “I’m afraid I’ve got a situation. No I haven’t been in a car accident. Yes I’m stranded but not in a ditch. Yes I still have to go into the city, but would you listen.” She huffed waiting until the other woman stopped.
“I ran out of gas,” she started again this time holding the phone away from her ear as the older woman laughed hysterically. “Are you done?”
“For now,” blared out of the phone as Lisa hurried to the mail box getting the number off the box. This is where I am. The family that lives here is really sweet, but the mom’s sick, and her brother is here while her husband is at sea. No, not lost at sea, he’s in the Navy. So here’s the plan. You come over because Carol, that’s the sister, has always wanted to meet the legendary Alberton sisters, and bring some gas for my car.”
The silence on the other end of the phone was ominous and Lisa shuddered for a moment, what had she done inviting the Ls.
“We’re on it,” Lydia said and the phone died.
“Miss Carter, is everything alright?” Brooks stepped out onto the front porch buttoning his green corduroy jacket over a broad chest.
“I hope so,” Lisa admitted biting her lip. “I’ve asked the Ls to come over and bring me some gas.”
“That’s good, right?” Brooks looked confused.
“Well, yes, but you have to understand the Ls are four maiden aunts who have had the run of their village, their farm, and their family for a long time. There’s no telling what will happen when they get here.”
“They aren’t dangerous are they?” Brooks said eyes wide.
“No, they’re four sweet little old ladies that run a farm, they just tend to take over a bit when there’s any kind of problem.”
“Oh, I see. What should I expect?”
“Food, fussing, and frippery.”
Brooks smiled, warming his features and making Lisa’s heart race. Had this man been dropped from heaven with those dreamy eyes and firm features?
Lisa’s phone buzzed in her hand and she answered only to freeze listening. “Two,” she said simply and the line went dead.
“The Ls?” Brooks asked and eyebrow raised in wonder.
“Yes, they wanted to know if there were children.”
Chapter 4
“It won’t work,” Brooks said as he hefted the small gas can one of the older ladies handed him from a large white van. “This has oil in it for a two stroke engine like what is used in a weed whacker and will damage your car’s engine.”
Lisa huffed as she watched the last of the Alberton sister’s enter the little house with a bundle of woolen toys in her hand.
“Now what am I going to do?”
Squeals of delight from inside the house had both of them looking toward the doorway.
“Let’s go talk to the Alberton ladies,” Brooks suggested wondering what the fuss was about in the house.
Lisa nodded and turned toward the house tripping over an unseen obstacle beneath the mounds of snow.
Brooks reached out grasping Lisa as she pitched forward turning to try to keep her upright, but her forward momentum toppled them both into the wintery white fluff and Lisa landed on top of him with a soft woof.
“I’m so sorry,” Lisa said gazing into his eyes. “I’m so clumsy.”
Brooks grinned, liking the way the pert little lady felt resting against him. She was warm and her cheeks were flushed with cold giving her an inviting glow.
“You, you aren’t hurt are you?” Lisa’s voice was a whisper, her steamy breath puffing over him like mist.
“Hm?” Brooks hummed, not sure what she was saying, but liking the way she looked as she did.
“Are you hurt?”
“No,” Brooks replied his face mere inches from hers.
“Wee!” an excited voice caught them as Vivian dropped into the snow beside them. “Snow angels!” the child cried with delight.
Rolling off of Brooks, Lisa spread her arms and legs wide, moving them back and forth until she’d made a snow angel. Giggling at the excitement from Vivian and the reluctant participation of Brooks.
“You kids come in here now,” Lou Alberton called from the front door. “We have soup and bread and streusel.”
Vivian jumped to her feet sprinting to the door at the invitation of food.
Pushing himself to his feet Brooks reached down for Lisa grinning at her snow angel as he pulled her up next to him.
“Kids?” he queried, making note of the reference the elderly woman had used.
“I warned you,” Lisa said.
“I know it’s a huge inconvenience for you, but I’m glad you happened to run out of gas on my door step.” He said turning and escorting her back into the house. “There hasn’t been this much laughter in the house for a long time.”
***
“No, it’s all settled,” Louisa said as she cleared the table after lunch. “Brooks, you take Lisa in to town and drop her off for her big wig boss, and we’ll stay here and look after Carol and the children.”
“I can’t ask you to do that?” Brooks said.
“Why not?” the
three other women turned pinning him with identical blue eyes. “We’re here and none of us want to make that drive. If you’re worried about your car, or whatever you drive, you can take our van.”
“I think the Jeep will do just fine,” Brooks said, “but my sister…”
“Your sister is tucked up in bed sound asleep and the children are busy learning how to crochet. If you two don’t get going soon, it will be dark before you get back.”
Brooks looked at Lisa as she shoved her last bite of pear and walnut streusel in her mouth. “Are you alright with this?”
Lisa smiled trying to chew her food before speaking and nodded her head.
“See, nothing to worry about. We’ll have a nice hot dinner on for you when you get back or at least leftovers. Now shew.”
Lisa giggled, gulped a bit of coffee and then hugged Louisa. “We’re going,” she confirmed.
***
“You weren’t kidding about the Ls were you?” Brooks said as he rolled his black Jeep Cherokee out into the snowy roadway.
“No, they’re as sweet as can be, but they always get their own way.”
“Always?”
Lisa shrugged. “You’re driving me and all of my worldly goods to the city aren’t you?” she said.
Brooks chuckled. “I’m glad my sister got to meet them,” he said. “She even ate a little today.”
Lisa’s heart went out to the man. How hard was it to see your sibling suffer like that?
“No one can resist anything the Ls make. Did you know that they cater sometimes?”
“Really?”
“Well they do for Audrey when she’s in a pinch anyway. Audrey’s a party planner, and things go sideways about half the time.”
They drove on for several miles quietly until Brooks spoke again. “You don’t think the children will be a problem do you?”
Lisa laughed. “No, they’ll love time with the Ls. You’ll probably get back to a house full of fuzzy sweaters.”
Brooks laughed. This wasn’t what he expected his Christmas Day to look like, but it was proving to be more fun than he could have expected and perhaps getting out for a little while was good for him.
“So what do you do?” he asked glancing at Lisa who was toying with a bright green box.
“I’m a personal assistant to a CEO in the city.”
“You like it?”
Lisa shrugged spinning the small package between painted red nails. “It’s a good job. What do you do?” she countered gently tossing the box into the back seat with the rest of her belongings.
“I’m in oil,” Brooks replied.
“It’s good that you can take time off to be here for your sister,” Lisa mused.
“I’m glad I could come, but half the time I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Why, you seemed to be great with the kids?”
“Sure, right up until a loose goose trapped you in your trunk.”
Lisa looked over at Brooks who was trying not to laugh then burst out in a fit of giggles.
“It was kind of funny, wasn’t it?” she said after she’d stopped laughing.
“I just never know what’s going to happen next,” Brooks grumbled. “What if one of them gets sick?”
“You’ll take them to the doctor.”
“But I don’t want to leave Carol.”
Lisa reached across the console laying a hand on his sleeve. “I don’t think anyone, not even parents are always prepared for what their children do,” she said kindly. “You’re new to this thing so give yourself a break. You can only do your best.”
Brooks smiled at Lisa, his dark hair falling over his forehead in a soft wing, “Thanks.” He could feel warm tingles running up his arm where her fingers rested, and he longed to take her hand in his.
Lisa smiled then cut it short as she bit her lower lip. “If you ever really get in a pickle, you can always call the Ls,” she said her eyes dancing with mischief.
“Why do I have a feeling that I haven’t’ seen the last of them either way?” Brooks chuckled.
The rest of the drive was like a chat with an old friend and by the time the lights of the city came into view Brooks found himself sorry to see the trip end.
“Thanks for everything,” Lisa said gesturing for the doorman of her apartment building to help with her packages. “I’ll send someone to get my car tomorrow.”
Brooks looked into Lisa’s deep brown eyes and sighed, wishing she could come back for it herself.
“Here,” he said quickly shoving his hand in his pocket. “This is my number. Let me know what arrangements you make.”
Lisa took the card, her bare fingers brushing his and a tingle raced all the way to her toes.
“Miss Lisa, you ready?” Mr. Withers asked as she stood holding the cart loaded with suitcases and boxes.
“Sure,” Lisa said looking back one more time at the handsome face of Brooks Vixen. “Bye,” she offered lamely closing the door and turning for home.
Chapter 5
Lisa flopped down on her sofa waving Mr. Whitmore away. He was the best doorman she’d ever met, and as a retired military man, he seemed to think it his duty to see that all of the tenants in his building were squared away.
“No, no, please just leave them where they are,” she said waving at the packages and luggage. “I’ll put everything away when I can remember what it is.” She smiled sweetly at the tall gray man as he shuffled away.
“Well Lisa, my girl,” she said to herself, “you can’t sit here all day you know.” She glanced over at the mound of gifts, packages, and bundles spying the little green box perched at the very top.
With a giggle Lisa got to her feet and snatched the present. The Ls did like their little games.
Tearing into the shimmering green paper irreverently she uncovered a wooden box no bigger than her hand. Placing her thumb on a divot she pulled the lid forward until it revealed a bundle of tissue paper twisted into the semblance of a rose. In the very center of the frilly red petals a goose’s beak peeked out as if sniffing the air.
“Good heavens,” Lisa giggled. Had the whole day been a set up? Carefully pulling the goose out of the elegant wrapping Lisa held it up examining it.
The small wooden carving was completely white with feathers painstakingly painted in warm amber that only accented the orange glow of polished beak and webbed feet.
Lisa tipped her head and the glistening eyes of the goose seemed to follow her.
Carrying the delightful creature to her smallest Christmas tree she hung it carefully on a limb.
“I guess I’ll have a forever reminder of Oliver,” she said watching the play of sparkling white lights reflected from the ornament.
Turning back to the pile of goodies she’d brought home, she picked up the green wrappings and looked at the tag that read simply: From Mrs. Claus with Love
Shaking her head Lisa began sorting out her presents and clothing putting everything away neatly before setting down at her computer to prepare for the next day.
Chapter 6
The sound of the alarm clock snapped Lisa from pleasant dreams of a pair of lovely hazel eyes.
“I’m up, I’m up,” she grumbled tossing a pillow at her offending alarm clock and cringing as it clattered to the floor.
In half an hour she was showered, dressed and rushing out the door with a cup of hot coffee in her hand.
“Morning Lisa,” a bleary eye security guard called as she clattered through the reception area of her office building on clunky heels.
“Morning Howard. Hope you had a good Christmas.”
“I worked,” the slightly paunchy man in the blue uniform replied. “Figured I’d let the younger fellas stay home with their kiddies,” he added with a smile.
“You’re so sweet,” Lisa said pausing to blow him a kiss. “Tell Marge I said hi.”
Holding her travel mug before her Lisa slipped into the elevator and pushed the button for the top floor conference room
. She still wasn’t sure what this whole meeting was about, but she’d come prepared with laptop and caffeinated beverage.
“Oh, Lisa they just went inside,” Eva called from behind a polished desk. “Breakfast is on the way.”
“Thank you,” Lisa drawled sagging as if she were starving, “I’ll catch up after,” she finished scooting through the door and taking a seat at the long lacquered table next to her boss.
“I guess we’re ready to start now,” Mr. Arnold said checking his watch and looking at the oversized conference call screen on the far wall.
“What is this all about anyway?” Lisa hissed as she plugged in and set up the transcription file.
“New client, he’s recently come into a bit of money and is looking for some diversification.”
Lisa nodded snagging cherry Danish and shoving it in her mouth just as the screen flickered to life.
“Good morning Mr. Vixen,” her boss said jovially pausing as Lisa spluttered and coughed choking on her pastry.
“Good morning,” Brooks’ voice rolled out of the speakers as all eyes turned to Lisa who had gone three shades of red.
“Are you alright?” Mr. Arnold asked passing her a bottle of water, “you don’t have the flu do you?”
Lisa shook her head making her dark curls sway, then sipped the water staring at the screen.
“It’s nice to see you again Ms. Carter,” Brooks drawled, a smile twitching at the corner of his mouth.
“You know each other?” Mr. Arnold asked surprised. “I haven’t told a soul about this meeting.”
“Ms. Carter and I met yesterday,” Brooks said kindly. “She was kind enough to introduce me to some of her friends in the area.”
Mr. Arnold looked between Lisa and the man on the big TV screen.
Clearing her throat, Lisa met the electronic eyes of the man she knew as Brooks Vixen. “Shall we begin?”
For the next hour Lisa sat typing as Brooks, Mr. Arnold and three of the top investors discussed his potential diversification.
Apparently Mr. Vixen had failed to mention that a large pocket of natural gas had been discovered on a property he’d inherited, and that now he was a wealthy man.