A Stonecreek Christmas Reunion

by Michelle Major

  Marcus was sweet and attentive to Brenna. He clearly loved and respected her with his whole heart. Plus he doted on her daughter, Ellie. In fact, much of the reason for him leaving his position at the vineyard was to devote more time to Brenna and Ellie.

  “According to Marcus, Griffin didn’t tell anyone outside the family. I don’t know why.”

  Maggie tried not to let the pain she felt show on her face, but Brenna wrapped her in a tight hug anyway. “Don’t take it personally,” her friend whispered.

  “How am I supposed to react?” Maggie pulled back. “I tell a man I love him and a few days later he ghosts me then returns and asks for another chance but doesn’t bother to mention that he’s now the guardian to a four-year-old boy.”

  “Yikes,” Brenna murmured. “When you say it like that, it’s not so great.”

  “It’s worse than that.” Maggie sighed. “I need to get out there. Griffin doesn’t like Christian—”

  “Because Christian likes you.”

  “Among other reasons,” Maggie admitted. “But let’s take my mind off my mess of a life for a quick second and talk about your wedding.” Brenna and Marcus were getting married on New Year’s Eve then leaving on an extended honeymoon through Europe, taking Ellie along with them.

  “Your dress will be in tomorrow if you can squeeze in a fitting.”

  “Squeeze being the operative word with all of the catered holiday events I’ve been attending lately.” Maggie smiled. “I’m so excited for you, Brenna.”

  “Me too.” Brenna beamed, happiness radiating from her. Maggie was only a teensy bit jealous and reminded herself that Brenna had been through so much before finding her happily-ever-after.

  “I’ll text you in the morning and we can meet at the dress shop if that works?”

  Brenna nodded. “Ellie will want to come too. She’s so excited that the two of you are going to be in matching dresses.”

  “I’m going to be upstaged by a kid,” Maggie said with a laugh then glanced at her watch. “I need to go.”

  “Are you really going to join their meeting? Can you imagine the amount of testosterone flying through the winery at the moment?”

  “That’s the plan but...” Maggie pressed the heel of her palm to her forehead. “I’m not sure if I can face either of them.”

  “I’ll handle it,” Brenna said, squeezing her hand. “I can tell Griffin you got an emergency call about something in town and had to drive back.”

  “Thank you,” Maggie whispered. “I need a little time to process...well...everything.”

  Brenna hugged her. “It’s fine, sweetie.”

  Maggie walked out into the cold, glancing toward the winery. The Craftsman-style building looked tranquil in the snow. A central corridor drawing visitors toward the tasting room situated to the west and overlooking the main vineyard separated two wings that contained barrel storage. Looks could be deceiving, Maggie thought as she headed for her car. It might be wimpy of her to take off, but she’d have plenty of time to deal with both Griffin and Christian over the next couple of weeks. An escape was exactly what she needed right now.

  Chapter Five

  “Maybe I’ll just wait out here.” Griffin eyed the dress boutique then met Marcus’s amused gaze. “Seriously. I’m fine to wait.”

  “Don’t be a chicken,” Marcus told him, making little squawking noises.

  “That’s rude,” Griffin muttered.

  “It’s freezing. The dress shop is warm.”

  That much was true. The weather had stayed in the high twenties and yesterday’s snowfall had yet to melt off.

  “Besides,” Marcus continued, “Ellie will want you to see her dress.”

  Griffin smiled even as he shook his head. Marcus’s soon-to-be stepdaughter was an adorable bundle of energy. The girl had been a regular visitor to the Harvest office ever since Marcus and Brenna became an official couple. Griffin hoped that one day Joey would be as lively and outgoing as Brenna’s six-year-old daughter, although it seemed doubtful with everything the boy had been through.

  They’d had another rough night of sleep so Joey was napping now. Griffin’s mom had been happy to stay at the house while Griffin drove into town. He’d met with two preschool directors, trying to determine the best fit for Joey, who would start attending school in the New Year. Both had advised him that a routine would be good for the boy, although panic speared through Griffin at the thought of leaving Joey with anyone but Jana. Did all parents have these kinds of nerves? Could Griffin really consider himself the boy’s parent?

  His heart stammered at the thought.

  “It’s a dress boutique,” Marcus said, giving him a curious look. “Not a torture chamber.”

  “Understood.” Griffin followed him into the store. The little bells above the door jingled and it was like entering an alternate universe. He’d grown up in Stonecreek and thought he knew the town like the back of his hand, but he’d managed to avoid Something New Boutique for all of his thirty years on the planet.

  A world dominated by a million shades of white enveloped him. From the racks of dresses lining the walls to painted furniture that looked so delicate he’d be afraid to sit down, to the decorative chandeliers and oversize mirrors and a huge vase of flowers in the center of a table that seemed to serve as the store’s register counter, everything was white or off-white or cream colored or... How could there be so many white hues?

  “Wow,” Marcus murmured.

  “You’re rethinking the torture aspect, aren’t you?” Griffin asked under his breath.

  “Marcus, look at me.” Ellie’s gleeful shout broke the quiet as she came dashing out from behind a heavy curtain. She was a shooting star of color, her dress a deep ruby that looked almost brilliant against the store’s neutral palette. It was shiny satin with lace cap sleeves and an overlay studded with tiny crystals. She looked adorable and ecstatic to be showing off her gown.

  “You’re a princess,” Marcus told her, grinning widely. The girl jumped into his arms. “The most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”

  “Is that so?” Brenna followed her daughter, one brow quirked.

  “And you’re the most beautiful woman,” Marcus answered without hesitation.

  “Smooth,” Griffin muttered. He turned to greet Brenna and froze, his mouth going dry as his heart began to gallop in his chest.

  She’d opened the curtain all the way to reveal Maggie standing in front of a full-length mirror, wearing a dress the same color as Ellie’s but in a far more mature style. It was strapless, the rich hue making her skin look luminous, and seemed to highlight the rich color of her dark hair. The dress was fitted to her waist and the curve of her hips before flaring near the hem.

  Her gaze met his in the mirror, and her cheeks went bright pink. She sucked in a breath and for a moment he saw every emotion that raced through her reflected in her gray eyes. Pain...need...hope...desire...disappointment. The last one pierced his heart. He’d never wanted to hurt her, but there was no denying he had.

  “Something you forgot to mention?” he asked Marcus.

  “Someone actually,” his friend corrected. “You can thank me later.”

  Brenna put a hand on his arm. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to you since we learned about Joey.”

  Griffin’s gaze darted to Maggie, who quickly pulled shut the curtain.

  “I meant to tell everyone.” He met Brenna’s sympathetic gaze once again. “It was wrong, but I didn’t know how to talk about it.”

  “I understand,” she told him with a gentle squeeze. “Maggie will get there too.”

  He bit off a gruff laugh. “Are you sure?”

  She shook her head. “No, but I’m hopeful.”

  “Yeah,” he said with a sigh. “Hope isn’t something I’m used to relying on.”

  “Don’t give up.” Sh
e smiled again as she looked over to where Marcus was dancing with Ellie, the girl laughing as he swung her around. “Selfishly, I’m glad you’re back. Marcus feels a lot better about stepping away from the day-to-day operations at the vineyard with you on board to take over.”

  “It’s still hard for me to believe. My dad is probably rolling over in his grave.”

  “From what your mom has told me, I doubt that’s true.”

  Griffin gave a good-natured eye roll. “She’s a fan of hope, as well.”

  “Ellie, time to change back into your regular clothes.”

  “I like the dress,” her daughter said, crossing her arms over her thin chest.

  “The child has good taste.” An older woman, who Griffin assumed must be the saleslady or owner of the boutique, emerged from behind the curtain, the dress Maggie had been wearing draped over her arm. “Just like her mother.”

  “Not another word.” Marcus held up his hands. “I don’t want to know anything about my beautiful bride’s dress until our wedding day.”

  “Mommy’s going to look real pretty,” Ellie told him.

  “Of course she is,” he agreed without reluctance.

  His phone rang and he pulled it out of his pocket. “I need to take this call. Ellie, if you take off the dress, we’ll stop for ice cream on the way to the vineyard.”

  The girl squealed her agreement then followed Brenna behind the curtain. Marcus stepped outside to take his call and the saleslady walked into a back room with Maggie’s dress. That left Griffin alone to—

  “How’s Joey?”

  He drew in a breath as Maggie appeared and closed the distance between them.

  “He has nightmares and sometimes I hear him crying when he’s supposed to be brushing his teeth. We’re seeing a therapist tomorrow.” He shrugged. “On the plus side, he has a great appetite.”

  “It will get better.”

  “I’m sorry you found out that way,” he said quietly.

  “What happened to no apologies?” Her fingers played with the delicate amber pendant around her neck.

  “That was a stupid suggestion on my part.” He lifted a hand to reach for her then thought better of it. He hadn’t earned the right to touch her again, no matter how much he wanted to. “Along with the belief that I could get through life without complications.”

  “I can guarantee that’s not going to happen when you’re raising a child,” she said with a sad smile.

  “It wasn’t going to happen anyway,” he answered. “But Joey is way more than a complication.”

  “I’m sure it meant a lot to Cassie that you were willing to take him.”

  “She didn’t give me much of a choice,” he admitted ruefully. “I tried to convince her she could find someone more suited for the task, but at this point he belongs to me. He’s been through too much and needs some stability.”

  “Griffin Stone offering stability,” Maggie murmured. “Who would have ever thought it?”

  “I’m not sure I would have known I’m capable of handling it without these past few months and you in my life.”

  She dropped her gaze, the corners of her gorgeous mouth turning down into a slight frown. “Don’t say that.”

  “It’s true, Maggie. I can’t imagine how I’ll keep going without you.”

  “You already are.”

  “Have I told you today that I miss you?”

  She shook her head, snagging her bottom lip between her teeth.

  “That you’re beautiful and smart and I don’t deserve another chance but want one so much it hurts.”

  “Stop,” she whispered. “It doesn’t change anything. You can’t use the boy to manipulate my emotions.”

  “Ouch.” Griffin massaged the back of his neck, trying to absorb the sting of her words. “I’m not trying to do that. Joey is here. He’s mine. My life has been turned upside down this past month. You’re the only part of it that I never questioned.”

  “Except you did.” She met his gaze and he hated that he’d been the one to put the shadow in her eyes.

  “I’ve messed things up. I get that. But I can change.” He cleared his throat. “I have changed.”

  “Griffin.”

  “Can we at least be friends, Maggie? Don’t shut me out completely.”

  Her full lips pressed into a thin line but after a moment she nodded. “Friends.”

  Before he could thank her, the door to the boutique opened and Marcus came back in. “Maggie, I hear things are going well with LiveSoft.”

  She smiled. “We’re in the finals. It will be a whirlwind before the holidays, but everyone is pitching in. We have the pageant and the historic home tour this weekend. Christian and a few key employees from the company will be here. The hope is that they fall in love with the town and see their futures here.”

  “No pressure,” Marcus said with a laugh.

  “Right?” She shook her head, glancing at Griffin, her brows pinching slightly.

  “With you leading Stonecreek, there’s no doubt the town will win,” he told her.

  She sighed. “I wish I had your confidence. But if we aren’t chosen, it won’t be for lack of trying. Actually, I’m late to meet Miles to talk about available real estate. Would you tell Brenna and Ellie I said goodbye?”

  “You bet,” Marcus answered.

  “I can walk you to his office,” Griffin offered, already moving toward the door.

  “I know the way,” she said, shaking her head. “I’ll talk to everyone later.”

  He watched her leave, pain splitting his chest.

  “She’ll come around,” Marcus said, sounding much like Brenna had earlier.

  “I messed up royally,” Griffin muttered. “You have no idea.”

  Marcus inclined his head toward the dressing room. “Those two gave me back my heart. After my divorce, I went on autopilot and lived like that for years. I’d given up on life having meaning outside of work. One look at Brenna and everything changed. Then I met Ellie and there was no going back.” He shrugged. “She didn’t want to take a chance on me, but I knew we were meant to be together. She was my one.”

  Griffin drew in a deep breath. “Maggie is the only woman I’ve ever truly loved. I won’t find anyone else. I don’t want to try.”

  “Be patient with her.”

  “Not my strong suit.”

  “Is she worth it?”

  “Yes,” Griffin answered, an unfamiliar sense of peace settling in his chest. Maggie was worth waiting for no matter how long it took. And if she never gave him the chance he yearned for, he’d find a way to be grateful for the time he’d had with her.

  Ellie ran out from the dressing room and Marcus automatically bent to scoop her up once again. After everything Joey had been through, Griffin wondered if he’d ever see that kind of pure joy on the boy’s face. He had his doubts but knew for certain he’d do everything in his power to make it so.

  * * *

  “Hello?” Jana pushed open the door to the detached studio that sat behind the Spencer house on a tree-lined street north of downtown Stonecreek. “Jim?”

  There was no answer so she walked in without an invitation. His Volvo was parked in the driveway and they’d scheduled a time to meet so he must be around somewhere.

  Her heart leaped to her throat when she caught sight of him, a pair of wireless headphones over his ears which explained why he hadn’t heard her knock.

  The studio was bright, if cluttered, with high windows and skylights on the north side. The ceiling was vaulted, and in addition to the door she’d entered, there was a wide warehouse-type door at the far end. The walls were cream colored and mostly unadorned. Along with the main studio space, she could see two other smaller rooms, one that looked like an office and another that appeared to function as a storage room.

  Jim stood
in front of a large stand that held an enormous hunk of clay, using his hands and metal tools he grabbed from a nearby tool chest to shape his creation. The scene reminded Jana of the first time she’d seen him. Her family had just moved to Stonecreek so she’d been new to the high school, trying to navigate her way through a student population who had, for the most part, known each other since grade school. At that time, the town was smaller and the community even more tight-knit. She’d gone looking for her English teacher after school, needing to get caught up on a reading assignment. In the empty classroom, she’d stumbled upon a boy at the chalkboard—back in the day when they still relied on old-fashioned chalk.

  He was tall and lanky, his thick brown hair grazing his shoulders in a way that was both rebellious and ultrasexy. He’d been sketching on the board, swirling shapes and geometric designs. The chalk squeaked and clicked as he worked, his arm moving at a furious pace like he was possessed by some fiery need to release the creativity bottled up inside him.

  She’d been mesmerized, moving closer, drawn toward him by some invisible string. Then she’d tripped over the leg of a desk chair and the stack of books in her arms had tumbled to the floor.

  The boy turned, his arm still lifted, and his gaze crashed into hers. She’d never seen anything like the mix of passion and desperation in his eyes. In that moment, Jana had fallen hopelessly in love with Jim Spencer.

  Although decades older now, his body remained muscled. He’d moved on from sketching and painting to sculpture. The change in medium suited him. She could tell he was in his element as he concentrated on the work in front of him.

  He wiped at his brow with the back of one arm then stilled and slowly turned toward her.

  She pointed a finger at her ear and he stripped off the headphones, the tinny sound of classical music filling the studio.

  “Sorry,” she said automatically. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.” He tapped on the phone sitting on top of the tool chest, and the music stopped. “I swear I didn’t make a sound.”