Christmas in Candle Cove

by Mary L. Briggs

  “Up to six,” Willa supplied, cradling the warm cup in her hands. “Just look at it.”

  Ellie sighed and leaned her elbows against the hardwood counter. With the Christmas lights glowing and the street empty, it was a beautiful sight along Main Street. The lights over in the Main Street Diner were still on. Probably some of the employees would be staying over and Gilly was in the kitchen, whipping up some of her magic. The woman had been running that diner for over forty years. How much longer could she do it? It would be a sad day for the town when she hung up her apron.

  A sudden sob rose in her throat and she swallowed it back. If only life could always look this perfect. No, if only it could always be as perfect as it looked, at this moment.

  “You’re looking a little on the blue side,” Willa said, setting her cup on the bar.

  Ellie shrugged. “Not really. Just. . .thinking.”

  “About him?”

  “Him who?” Ellie grinned, taking a sip of the hot beverage. Willa had been teasing her about Gabe for a couple of weeks, now.

  Willa sighed. “You know who I mean.”

  Ellie shook her head and reached for a quilted coaster for her cup. After the many hours she had spent refinishing the old counter, there was no need to mar it with water marks.

  She turned her eyes to her friend. “You’re forgetting that he’s engaged. Or about to be, anyway. Gabe is all but a married man.” Which made that kiss they had shared seem like a piece of love stolen away from Marisa. And how did Gabe feel about it?

  She stirred her coffee with a cinnamon stick, and brushed the thought away. Rory had introduced all of them to cinnamon in coffee and now she rarely drank a cup without it.

  Willa pulled out one of the high stools and seated herself at the counter. “Not really. I mean, if he’s not engaged. And I’m not suggesting that you’re trying to break them up. I’m just talking about the way you look at him when he’s around.”

  Startled, Ellie dropped the spice stick back in the dark liquid. “I don’t. . .” She started to protest, then stared at her friend. Did she look at him the way she used to? With that silly smile on her face? Was everyone aware of the feelings she was denying, even to herself?

  “Do I really?” Her question was a whisper.

  Willa smiled and shook her blond head. “I don’t mean it’s that obvious. But I’ve known you for a while, now. I can just tell.”

  Ellie swallowed hard. She would like to deny it, argue away her friends statement. But she couldn’t. Gabe was on her mind more than he was off of it. She stared into the hot liquid. “Maybe I have allowed a lot of my old feelings to surface. I guess I’d better do something about that,” she said, half laughing, half serious.

  Willa stirred her own drink and smiled. “I don’t know, Ellie. Engaged or not, he gets that same look on his face when he sees you.”

  She shook her head. Willa had to be wrong. Sure, Gabe had spent some time with them. As a friend. And there was no doubt that he had fun spending time with Danny. But it was nothing more. There was no need to stir that little bit of hope in her heart that Willa was right. If Gabe was happy with Marisa, then she would be happy for him. Someone, someday, might come along for her and Danny. It would take a special man to take both of them.

  “I didn’t mean to upset you,” she apologized.

  “You didn’t,” Ellie assured her. “Now I have something to think about,” she laughed.

  Her friend shrugged and tightened her lips.

  “What? I know that look,” Ellie said.

  Willa took a deep breath and turned her attention to the small tree that twinkled on the bakery shelf. “It’s about last week. Remember the day you had to take some papers over to City Hall?”

  Ellie nodded. She had taken the list that Cal requested, to his office. She had stopped and visited with Charity Tucker for a few moments, as well.

  Willa stirred the coffee a little faster. “Rory was busy up in that loft, arranging those silly elves. We didn’t have any customers and I was out of nutmeg. Since Julie’s Spices and Teas is just down the block, Danny and I headed that way.”

  Ellie frowned. What in the world could Willa be going to tell her that had her in such a nervous mood? So far, the story seemed so normal, mundane.

  “Danny said he was glad he was going with me, because there was something he needed to buy. Said he took the money from his bank.”

  Ellie relaxed her shoulders. Willa, on a strict budget herself, knew that there were times when money was a tough subject for her. “Yes. His bank is divided into three compartments. One of them is for tithes, one for saving, and one for spending. It’s perfectly all right for him to spend his own money.”

  Willa nodded. “While I looked at the spices, Danny went to the little Christmas section Julie has set up, and found what he wanted. And he bought it.”

  Ellie grinned. “Am I supposed to know what it is?” It would be like Danny to take the opportunity to buy her a small gift for Christmas.

  Willa shrugged and gave a nervous tug to her long, blond braid. “I’m not sure. He bought a Christmas stocking. One of those type that have names or titles embroidered on them, like Mom, or Favorite Teacher, Best Doctor. . .that sort of thing. The kind that you pick out and then Julie embroiders the name on the cuff with her machine while you stand there and watch.

  Curious now, Ellie gave a short nod. “And what name did Danny have her embroider?”

  Willa’s eyes met hers. “Dad. She even asked him if he was sure. And he said, yes.”

  Chapter 21

  Dad. The word burned into her mind, her every thought. She sniffed louder and wiped away another torrent of tears that escaped her eyes. At least she was alone in her office, except for her sleeping son. A slight snuffle sounded form the couch and another torrent of tears ran down her face. She had given Danny everything that she could, but a dad was different. It wasn’t something she could save up for, or pull out her credit card and purchase. Love wasn’t for sale.

  No doubt, the dad he wanted was Gabe. She was certain of it. And it was all her fault, too. She had allowed Gabe in their lives, allowed him to get close to them, spend time with them. In spite of those little warning bells that had been clanging inside of her, telling her to be careful.

  And then, there was that spur of the moment kiss. If only Danny hadn’t seen it. He was at the age that he thought a kiss meant true, forever love, like he watched in those animated movies. And if his mom kissed someone, it must mean that she loved him.

  Ellie crushed the tissue to her eyes and sobbed. It was true. She did love Gabe. Just the way that Danny thought she did. And she was such a fool to let it happen.

  What am I going to do, Lord? Please, I need your help. With Danny, as well as with my feelings for Gabe. Please show me what to do, how I should feel. And please spare Danny any hurt that this situation might cause him.

  Explaining to Danny that a daddy might, or might not come, and it was all in God’s hands, was not going to be easy. He was so young, so full of hope and longing for what was missing in his life. And it was obvious that he loved Gabe as much as she did.

  She had wasted too much time these last few years, reviewing what could and might have been. If Harry had just come home instead of re-enlisting, she wouldn’t be dealing with any of this. But she admired her husband so much for doing what he thought was right. And Harry had counted on her to go on and make a life for herself and Danny, if he never made it home. Help me to do it right, Lord.

  ***

  Willa was awake and in the kitchen cooking breakfast, when Ellie appeared the next morning. She breathed in the wonderful aromas of coffee and bacon. Just like the breakfasts Grandma always made. And comfort food was what she needed. If only Grandma was really here to talk to her.

  “Smells wonderful!” she said, reaching for a mug and pouring a cup for herself. She glanced at Kenna and Kendra, sitting up on the sofa bed, their eyes intent on the small kitchen television. An old cartoon was
keeping their attention.

  “Where’s Danny?” Willa asked.

  “Still asleep,” she smiled. “I think all the excitement has worn him out.”

  Banging sounded from the front of the store.

  Willa’s eyes widened. “A customer? On a morning like this?”

  Ellie set her coffee on the counter. “I hope not.”

  At the storefront, she pulled up the shade that covered the glass window of one of the double front doors. There stood Rory, his face as red as his hair, fist in the air, about to bang again. She opened the door and pulled him inside.

  “Rory! What in the world are you doing out in this weather?”

  Each breath came fast and hard. “I was going to check on Willa and the girls. When. . .when I got to their house, there was no one there. So. . .I. . .thought I would check here,” he finished.

  Ellie pulled the knitted cap from his head and began to unwind the patterned scarf from around his neck. “Why didn’t you call?”

  “The phones are all out, and my cell phone is dead.” He held up the blank phone, for emphasis.

  “Rory! What are you doing?” Willa asked, coming into the room.

  “Just. . .checking on you and the girls,” he said. “You weren’t home and. . .what’s that smell? Are you cooking?”

  Willa’s eyes narrowed. “You and your stomach. I guess we’ll have to feed you since you showed up.”

  “Lotta thanks I get for caring,” he retorted.

  Willa folded her arms and shook her head. “Just go eat so I won’t have to hear you talk.”

  Ellie laughed as he went through the kitchen door. “If only you could see your face, Willa!” She lowered her voice. “It’s really sweet of him to think to check on the three of you. He really does care about you, you know?”

  Willa shrugged and turned. “He’s only a kid.”

  “Not for long,” Ellie reminded her, heading to her office to wake Danny.

  ***

  After a breakfast of bacon and pancakes, Ellie filled the sink with hot, soapy water and began to wash, enjoying the feel of the hot water on her hands. Washing dishes had always been her time to think things over. And the warmth on her hands made it a pleasant task.

  Willa unmade the sofa bed and began gathering up some of the girl’s things. Rory set up a board game, on the table, much to the delight of the three children. “I’ll be the banker,” he told them, as he began to count out the money for each child.

  Ellie smiled. Rory had such a good heart. Maybe, at some point, Willa would learn to appreciate what it meant for a young man like him to care about her.

  The phone rang and she reached for a towel, drying her hands. The telephone company had been busy. “Hello?”

  “Good morning,” Gabe’s voice said.

  Ellie’s heart skipped. All of last night’s reasoning flew away. “Good morning to you,” she answered. “Is there lots of snow at your house?” She might as well keep the conversation on a ‘just friends’ level. All her praying last night had yet to change her feelings for the man.

  “I think about four inches, from what I can see. I haven’t been out there, just yet. I was worried about you last night. I tried to call, but the phones were out and you weren’t answering your cell.”

  She hung the Christmas kitchen towel back on its hook. “That’s because my cell phone is up in the apartment. By the time Willa and I got back from school with the children, and I brought down all the blankets, it was too slick to go back up there.”

  “I’m just glad you’re OK. And also that Willa and her sisters are with you.”

  “Rory showed up this morning,” she said, grinning at the boy, busy showing Danny how much rent he owed to Kenna. “So now the whole gang is here. They’ve got a mean game of Monopoly going, if you want to come join them.” Now why had she said that? Gabe in their midst was the last thing she needed.

  “Sounds like fun.”

  Did he sound a little bit. . .envious? There was something in his voice that seemed different.

  “But I think I’ll hang around inside here at Mom’s for a while.”

  “I guess Marisa got a lot of snow, over her way?”

  He paused before he answered. “Yeah. She called last night and said it was really coming down. She hates snow, though, so that could just mean a dusting,” he laughed.

  “Well, if Memphis weather is anything like ours is today, it ought to start melting for her after while.”

  “I’m sure it will. Well, guess I’d better go. You all have a nice day, Ellie.”

  “Sure. You, too.” There at the last, he had sounded less enthusiastic. And that was for the best. Or at least she could tell herself that it was.

  Chapter 22

  Thursday flew by faster than she could have imagined. Usually, she was busiest on Fridays and Saturdays, but with Christmas only a week and a half away, folks just couldn’t seem to get enough shopping in. If Rory hadn’t stayed late last night and helped unpack more of the newest merchandise, the store wouldn’t even look stocked. And she was still busy marking prices, even at two o’clock in the afternoon.

  “Hey, Ellie!” Rory called from the front of the store, a customer beside him. “How much for these snowflake ornaments?”

  She walked to the door of the storeroom. Hadn’t she priced those? They were a bonus with her order, as she recalled. “Two dollars,” she answered. They hadn’t cost anything, and she could see that the woman looking at the ornaments had only minimally priced items in her basket. Maybe she would pay the two dollars.

  “Thanks,” he called.

  Back to her pricing, a catchy Christmas tune filled the air, and she glanced at her phone on the table. Gabe. She had managed to avoid him for almost a week, now, even spurning another lunch at the diner. As much as she dreaded it, it would be rude not to answer. And since she was busy, there was no time, or reason, to talk more than a moment or two.

  “Hello?”

  “You busy?”

  “Actually, yes. We’re pretty much covered up today.” She pulled a sticker from the sheet on the table and attached it to the reindeer ornament.

  “I’ve got to drop Mom at a women’s auxiliary meeting, and then go to the hardware store to pick up one more knob for her bathroom cabinet. How about I stop in and help?”

  “Oh. . .no, Gabe. That’s really not necessary. We’ll—”

  “I know it’s not, but I’d like to help. See you in a few.”

  She stared at the phone in her hand. He was coming. Great.

  “Hey there sweetie!”

  Ellie looked up from her phone to see Madge’s happy face. “Good afternoon! I was wondering where you were.”

  “I’m so sorry, Ellie. I had lunch with a gentleman from the dating service.”

  “Well?”

  Madge blushed under her mask of make-up. “He seemed nice enough to me. We even talked about another lunch together.”

  Hmm. . .no dinner. “That sounds nice.” If only Madge would give up on her frantic search and settle down a little bit. Her desperation was showing.

  “Well, I guess I’d better get busy,” she waved, heading to Ellie’s office.

  If Madge was going to work in the office, so was she. That way, maybe Gabe would wander on down to the hardware store and stay out of her sight. It sounded harsh, even as she thought it, but there was no other way to keep him off of her mind. Not that it was working all that well.

  Madge, purse in hand, was busy digging through, looking for something. “If you need some pens, there’s some in this drawer,” Ellie offered, pulling it open. “Whoever tried to trash the place didn’t seem to bother the items in the drawers.”

  “Oh,” Madge’s voice broke a little. “I forgot that’s where you keep them.” She reached inside and pulled out a blue point pen. “I won’t be needing you for anything, Ellie. You can go on with whatever you were doing.”

  Ellie smiled. “You’re my excuse to not keep doing what I was doing. You never kn
ow when you might need me for something. Which reminds me. . .” she dug through the small stack near Madge’s elbow. “I was going to have you look at this transaction.”

  Madge nodded and took the paper from her, reading the area that Ellie pointed out to her. “Yes, yes I see that. I’ll be sure and make a note of that.”

  Ellie took a seat in the old blue recliner and picked up her crochet project. An afghan she had started two years ago. At this rate, she could give it to Danny to take to college.

  Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see Madge. Busy, but not busy, picking through different compartments in the desk, barely looking at the recent papers Ellie had prepared. Maybe there had been more to lunch than the woman had shared. There was certainly more on her mind than store accounts. And her hands were shaking. Was she already counting on marriage from a man she had only met for one meal? The woman seemed totally distracted as she looked through the papers. The account book hadn’t even been opened.

  Madge kept glancing at her, a strained smile on her face. “Some of this, I’ll have to do after Christmas, hon,” she said. “I’m just not myself today.”

  Ellie put down her crochet. “Are you OK?”

  Madge sighed and pressed her forehead with her fingers, bright pink nails, almost glowing in the office lamplight. “I think it’s this headache. I just can’t seem to get rid of it.”

  “You better go home. Now,” Ellie ordered, pushing herself out of the chair. “Come on, I’ll carry your briefcase for you.”

  “Are you sure you’re going to be all right,” Ellie asked shutting the door of Madge’s car. “You’re looking awfully pale.”

  “I’m fine dear. Really,” the older woman insisted, starting the car. Ellie stepped back as the window rolled up. She waved and watched as her friend pulled out on Main Street and headed north.

  Madge, always so up-beat, so happy, had seemed almost depressed. It just wasn’t like her.