by Jenn Sable
“No, we’re not!” Eve giggled and dashed to the kitchen to answer the phone.
Leona sat her glass of wine onto the table. “Rockstar Robby Lennox has that one in there running around as she did twenty years ago. I want no part of their motley crew.”
Eve returned with a big grin on her face but stayed silent.
“Well?” Leona’s patience had started to run thin.
There was a knock at the door, and Eve’s eyes danced in merriment. “They’re here!”
Leona’s face fell. “Who are they? And why are they here?”
Eve smiled mischievously over her shoulder and pulled open the front door. “Happy Thanksgiving!”
Six of us sat around the dining room table. Two without name cards, a dapper-looking Robby Lennox and a hesitantly hopeful Sherm Porter.
“Would you look at those cornbread turkeys!” Robby was amused, and Eve happily passed the breadbasket, butter, and honey to him.
“Try one. The molds are new, but the recipe is old and perfected.”
Sherm cleared his throat. All eyes shifted to him, and he fell silent. I squeezed a hold of Clay’s hand under the table. Clay slid his silver orbs over to meet mine, and he wagged his brows.
Sherm took a sip of water that Eve had poured him and then tried again. “Leona, you look very beautiful tonight.”
Leona sat at the head of the table and held her wine glass up like a shield. “Thank you.”
Silence.
This time Clay squeezed my hand, and nervous laughter threatened to slip past my lips.
Thankfully, Eve saved the day with her cheerfulness and spending problem. “Oh, everyone, I found the cutest Thanksgiving Day photo frame at the store yesterday. It’s lined with leaves and says Happy Thanksgiving with the year on the bottom. Let’s take a photo here in the dining room next to the table before we go looking at Christmas lights.”
Clay set up a timer on this cell’s camera, and we all crowded around the table. The photo oozed awkwardness, but mine and Clay’s smiles were warm, and I loved how he wrapped an arm around me. Once the camera flashed, everyone stood blinking for a moment, and then Eve pointed down and merrily cried out.
“Leona and Sherm each have a foot on the hug rug!” It was my new one that we hadn’t picked up yet. Leona pitched her sister a death glare so wicked that I thought lightning bolts were going to fly out of her eyes.
I had never had a better Thanksgiving.
Chapter 10 - Clay
The Greenvale Convention Center overflowed with guests for the Community’s Talent Gala.The main event room was filled with tables and packed with people who ranged from artists to medical professionals to successful business owners. I was lucky enough to walk in with the most beautiful girl in the whole place. Melissa looked stunning in a vibrant-yellow dress that was in perfect contrast to her midnight locks.
Although I was her date, Melissa kept getting pulled to different tables by her editor, Roz, to meet people in their business arena. It worked out to my favor when I met a guy who was saddled up to the bar waiting on his wife. We’d hit it off for a full half an hour before I found out I was sitting next to Brian Simm, the owner of Lyons Medical.
“Here, this is the guy I was talking about.” Brian handed me a business card.
I gratefully took the contact information of the suggested local architect. "Thank you. I appreciate the recommendation."
Brian Simm, a gigantic man in his mid-fifties with silver hair and striking blue eyes, smiled. "I think you'll be pleased with his work. I know I appreciated his professionalism, and he always delivered on what I wanted."
I nodded and grinned. "I look forward to giving the guy a call right after my interview on Monday."
Brian laughed and slapped me on the shoulder. "After spending half this award ceremony talking to you kid, you got my vote. I'm sorry your lovely lady didn't win the award tonight. Melissa’s work is one of a kind, though. My wife wanted to know if she is currently continuing her private side business.
"She is pretty amazing. I'll ask her for you." My eyes automatically sought her in the crowd, and I smiled as I saw her laughing over something Roz had said.
Brian glanced around, leaned in, and lowered his voice. “Between you and me, though, the woman who won the artist category award is the mayor’s new side piece."
Disgust flared through my stomach. "Well, I can't say I'm surprised. Grove’s a pretty well-known philanderer. For the life of me, I don't know what Kimberly sees in him."
Brian shook his head slowly. "Dollar signs, maybe? Who knows? I take everything that guy says with a grain of salt, and you should, too."
I nodded. “Will do, thanks.”
Brian’s chuckle rumbled through his chest. “All right, your lovely lady keeps looking over here and smiling at you. I think she misses you, and I certainly don't want to stand in the way of young love. It was great meeting you tonight, Clay. Have a good evening, and I'll see you on Monday morning.”
I shook hands with the man I hoped to work for and retraced my steps back to my table. Roslyn Winters turned and smiled at me like the Cheshire cat. “Look who's back. Clayton, you’re so striking. Have you ever considered modeling?”
That’s a first! Maybe that’s what I can do while an engineering position became available.
I couldn’t hide my amusement. “No, I can't say that I have ever considered modeling. I'm usually up for an adventure, so as long as I know the photographer.” I looked over and winked at Melissa.
Roz arched her brow. “Well, if you ever get curious and shoot some headshots, send them my way. You scream front cover to me.”
I chuckled and drained the rest of my water class. Roz reached for her purse, reapplied her lipstick, and smacked her lips together. "I don't mean to be a party pooper, but I'm expected at another event this evening. I hope that everybody has a lovely evening and a great weekend. Melissa, I'm proud of you for getting nominated. Keep up the great work.” She winked at Melissa. “But I think we all know what happened here tonight.”
Melissa rolled her eyes and shrugged. “I can’t say that I’m surprised.”
Once Roz left the table, Melissa leaned over and whispered into my ear, "Rumor is that Michael Grove is sleeping with a girl who won."
I groaned. 'I'm sorry you had to hear that. I heard it, too."
She shook her head. "I feel bad for Kimberly, and even for the designer who won. Everyone's whispering about their affair. No one considers her work anything significant."
"Do you know what is significant?"
She smiled. "Tell me."
My hand found hers. "The fact that we have a whole weekend ahead of us to do whatever we want."
Melissa's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What exactly do you have in mind?"
I shrugged nonchalantly. "I've got a few surprises up my sleeve, but for starters, I'm starving. Tonight's meal isn't going to cut it for me."
She leaned forward and pressed her forehead to mine. "Oh, my God, I'm so glad to hear you say that because I’m famished. I couldn't choke down the chicken. It was so dry. You know what it did make me hungry for, though?"
I chuckled. "Let me guess. Chicken parm from Viola's?"
She moaned at the mention of it. "Yes! I love their chicken parm."
I press my lips to her forehead. "I remember. It's a good thing that they do takeout. I'll call in our order, and we can pick it up on our way out of Greenvale."
Melissa smiled and pressed her lips to mine. "We are the perfect pair."
My eyes glittered. "I think so."
Viola's was packed. Half the people were from the award ceremony trying to get a decent meal. I walked up to the bar and signaled to the bartender that I was there for a to-go order and wanted a few water bottles added to the bill. Melissa, still looking fabulous in her long, yellow dress and the teardrop earrings that made her look like a fairy princess, walked over and threaded her fingers through mine.
"Melissa? Oh, my God! You’r
e in here tonight with a guy. It’s a miracle!" A large, no-nonsense waitress rushed over. "Oh, and he's beautiful. Please tell me that he is your man."
Before Melissa could respond, I did. “Yes, I’m her man.”
Melissa broke into the most sweeping, prettiest smile I’d seen on her gorgeous face, and my heart toppled over itself. "Clay, meet Mable, the best waitress in this whole place and quasi relationship counselor."
Maple swung several menus underneath one of her arms. I braced myself as she grabbed the back of my head and pulled me down for the wettest kiss on my cheek that I’d had since my great aunt was alive.
"Take care of our Melissa. Oh, I know! I'll get you two lovebirds a piece of chocolate cake."
I grinned at a flame-cheeked Melissa. "I take it Mabel was the one I spoke with the night I called in to pick up yours and Tess's dinner?"
Melissa’s eyes sparkled with amusement. "She's the one. She almost didn't believe you were calling for me!"
“There’s no questioning it now.”
She reached over and cupped my cheek. “That’s right, because, as you said, you’re my man.” My body started to ache to show her how much I was.
The bartender handed me the takeout, and Mabel reappeared with a box heavy with a gigantic piece of chocolate cake. As we found our way to the door of the busy restaurant, it struck me that it was the little joys of running into friends and stepping out with your beautiful woman that had been completely missing from my life on base.
I wanted to take Melissa somewhere memorable so that if I did have to leave Pine Haven, she’d have the best memories of me to think back on. "Are you tired?'
"No, just hungry. Why?"
"I was wondering if you would like to eat dinner under the stars?"
Her eyes shimmered. "I would love that, but it's pretty cold outside."
"I'll find a cozy spot for us to look out over the city, and we can eat in the car. Viola's gave us utensils, napkins, and everything we need for a late-night car picnic."
"A car picnic?”
I smiled. “Yeah, a car picnic. Want to give a try?”
She squeezed my hand. “With you? Absolutely."
I drove us to the overlook that showed off the best view of Greenvale. It was a clear, moonless night, the stars twinkled, and the city below mirrored it. We had the place to ourselves.
We tore into our meals, and I laughed as Melissa dug old sweatshirts out of the back seat to put over our dress clothes. I pulled off my jacket, unbuttoned my shirt, and slid a soft, gray sweatshirt over my torso.
Melissa hummed between bites of her chicken parm. “I've never had a greater time losing an award in all my life.”
I chuckled. “Well, you were the most talented photographer there tonight, even though you didn't walk home with the prize.”
She looked over and raked her eyes over my body. “I walked out with you, so I feel pretty lucky.”
“You want to get lucky tonight in the back of a vehicle?”
She giggled.
I smiled, loving the sound of her laugh. “I am proud of you, Mel. The work they showcased from your collection made me see just how much photography means to you.”
I took hold of Melissa's hand and brought it to my lips. “How about just for tonight we pretend like everything's not riding on my interview on Monday.”
Melissa's eyes roamed my face. “Okay, we can do that.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “If you could have anything you wanted for your future, what would it be?”
A sweet smile tugged at the corners of her full mouth. “I want to continue my career in photography. It's my outlet, and I love it, but I would like to be a mom someday. I miss my mom, and I want a mother-child relationship back in my life.”
I nodded, my heart beating fast. “If you want to be a mother, does that mean you want to be a wife, too?”
Our eyes connected. “Yes, as long as I find the right guy. What about you? What do you want for your future?”
I shook my head. “All of my life, I've been chasing after adventure, running headlong toward extreme experiences. Now, I want to be around the people I love and not have my entire existence be devoted to working. I love my job, and I'm proud of my skill set, but I need something more. You've helped me see that, Melissa; you've helped me see that life can be balanced. You can be career-oriented and have a home. That being around family and friends can be just as, if not more, satisfying than making a lot of money. I want to be successful and establish roots, make a home, and build a family.”
“Clay.”
“Yeah?”
“It’s time to go home.”
“Are you getting tired, sweetheart?”
She shook her head, and a small smile played at the corner of her lips. “No, but I do want to go to bed.”
Chapter 11 - Melissa
I was convinced the day Clay interviewed at Lyons Medical that I was going to come out of my skin if we didn’t hear back immediately about a second-round interview. By all accounts, the interview went well. It started at nine o’clock and lasted through lunch. Brian Simm and two other big wigs at the company had invited Clay to lunch in order to keep talking. Getting an invitation to lunch with management meant they liked him, it was a good sign that they thought he’d be a good fit for the position.
After a few days of obsessive email checking, Clay decided that he was going to allow the process to unfold and that we should live life in the moment. I agreed but held my breath each time I saw him check his email. Eventually, I too, decided that it wasn’t helping anyone to stress. Instead of worrying about all of the things that could go wrong, I started allowing myself to dream about all of the things that could go right.
The beginning of December all of the leaves had fallen off the trees and now Pine Haven’s pines were on full display. They dotted the forest with their ever-green beauty. Autumn was quickly giving way to winter and another, deeper wave of holiday cheer filled my heart. Thoughts of spending Christmas with Clay made my deliriously happy and it spurred me to begin my Christmas shopping.
I slammed the bedroom door shut when I heard Clay’s vehicle pull into the drive. Eagerness surged through me as I envisioned Clay walking into the bedroom and seeing the delivery made for him earlier this morning. I guess I’ll know then how he feels about taking things to the next level.
Clay’s footsteps fell across the porch, and my stomach fluttered, knowing that I’d soon be in his arms with my lips pressed against his. I hurried and glanced in the hallway mirror at my reflection to make sure I didn’t have any gobs of cookie dough clinging to me and that my hair wasn’t sticking up in every direction like it had been when I woke up after a night of lovemaking.
The front door opened, and the strong scent of pine instantly swept through the living room. The air rushed from my lungs. Clay looked like a Christmas calendar model in jeans that rode low on his narrow hips and in a red-and-black-plaid flannel shirt that stretched over his toned chest. He carried an enormous fresh pine wreath under his arm with several kinds of pine and berries, and a gigantic red bow. I wanted to tie the bow around him and unwrap him beside the fireplace.
Clay’s silver eyes, bright with excitement, captured mine, and his lips parted in a big smile. “The Monroe Christmas mission is underway, sweetheart. Are you ready?”
I forgot all about my planned surprises and launched myself into his free arm. “Honey! I thought you were checking on your parents’ house this morning. I had no idea you went into town for Christmas decorations.”
His soft lips brushed my forehead. “I know that you’ve been looking forward to decorating the house for the holidays. I thought today might be a nice day to start. I came prepared. I picked up orange juice and champagne for you and a ladder and hammer for me.”
I laughed and loved how he knew mimosas put me into holiday mode.
Clay stopped and sniffed. "Do I smell chocolate chip cookies baking?"
I nodded proudly. "I popped them
into the oven a few minutes ago. I had all of the ingredients and wanted to surprise you with cookies and coffee. It feels like that kind of day."
Clay propped the wreath on an empty knob on the coat rack. “Yeah, it does. You know the saying the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach?”
“Yeah.”
He shrugged. “It’s not entirely true, but there is a reason that it’s a well-known saying.” He chuckled and pressed his lips to mine. “Come outside with me. I have a surprise for you, too.”
I tugged on my shoes, slid on my coat, and followed Clay outside. My hand pressed to my cheek when I saw a Christmas tree strapped to the roof of Clay's vehicle.
“The tree’s from Knotty Pine Farm. It's ball-and-burlapped, so that means I can plant it for you in the yard once Christmas is over.”
I felt his hand at the small of my back, and I looked up into his ethereal, silver-gray eyes. He leaned forward and nuzzled his nose in my hair above my ear. “I thought it might be a nice reminder of your first Christmas here in the house.”
I covered my mouth, not sure if I was going to laugh or cry.
Clay’s face grew concerned. "Sweetheart, what's the matter? If this isn’t what you had in mind, we can get another one. It's okay, and I can take this one to my parent’s house. They won’t be there, but I can find a place for it in the yard."
I shook my head, and I tried to relax my pinched throat and breathe. "It's not that. I love the tree. I love that you took the time to find one that we could plant as a memory. I love the wreath. I love一.”
Two horn blasts broke off my thoughts. Of course, it would arrive right now. Perfect timing.
An old work truck with wooden support beams on its bed rattled up the drive. Christmas trees filled the back. Clay turned to me and rubbed a hand up the center of my spine and settled gently on my neck. “You ordered a Christmas tree delivery?”
I laughed and shrugged. “Yeah. I thought it would be fun to surprise you today. I hoped we could decorate it later tonight, and the best part is that I ordered a ball-and-burlapped one as well! We were thinking the same thing and didn’t even know it.”
