The Christmas Compromise

by Susan Hatler

  She chewed her fingernail thoughtfully. “Dallas did leave for the Marines after high school, but he’s been back in Christmas Mountain almost a year. Bought a place with some acreage outside of town. Keeps to himself, so I don’t hear much about him. Furniture store, huh?”

  “That’s what he said.” I took the last bite of my sandwich, chewing slowly. “I mean, clearly the space won’t work for his needs. It’s set up as a beauty salon. For my purposes, I only need to give the place a facelift. I’ve already paid for advertising and my salon opens in two and a half weeks. I can’t afford the time arguing with him about who deserves the space more, because there’s so much I have to do before opening day. The salon chairs are orange. Need I say more?”

  “Like a perky orange or an antacid color?”

  “Antacid.” I groaned, tucking my chin to my chest. “I know this leasing situation isn’t Dallas’s fault, but my salon is currently orange. Oh, so orange . . .”

  “The orange!” Ruby threw her palms up, and then burst out laughing. “Don’t you remember when our moms took us to Coraline’s that time the upscale salon was booked and we had to have our hair done for the school drama production? I almost went blind in that place.”

  Despite everything I burst into laughter. “Yes, I remember having our hair done there. I don’t remember the orange being so overwhelming.”

  She leaned in closer. “How is Dallas going to sell furniture in an orange-colored beauty salon?”

  “Right?” I nodded, finishing the last of my soup. “It looks like someone froze the nineteen -fifties in there.”

  “You need to call your landlady,” she said, stacking our empty plates and bowls before taking them to the sink.

  My shoulders slumped. “We tried. She’s out of town and on a safari until Christmas Eve.”

  “Really?” Ruby’s eyebrows went up. “That’s amazing. I mean, that’s a once in a lifetime adventure right there. I wonder where she’s on safari?”

  “Somewhere in Africa,” I said, remembering how Ruby had always wanted to travel. “Do you know what Dallas suggested? He said we should share the space and open our businesses together.”

  She rinsed the dishes and then put them in the dishwasher. “Is the space big enough for both businesses?”

  “It’s a big place,” I said, remembering the layout. “But I can’t have him hammering nails while my clients are getting their hair done. Or having a facial. A salon is supposed to be relaxing. I spent extra time and tuition money to become a fully licensed esthetician, hair stylist, and nail technician. A furniture store and a beauty salon don’t mix.”

  Ruby nodded. “You’re right. That’s way worse than a caved in ceiling.”

  I dropped my head in my hands. “What am I going to do? There is no other appropriate space available for rent. Plus, I already purchased ads from the Christmas Mountain Herald as well as online ads. I paid for my own website and even social media pages are ready to launch for my grand opening. On top of this, I still have to deal with my parents.”

  Ruby clapped her hands. “I know what will cheer you up.”

  “The news that Dallas Parker has fled town?” I asked, watching her shake her head. It had been a long shot. “What then?”

  “Guess who I heard is coming to town for Christmas?” she said, using a singsong voice.

  I was so not in the mood for a guessing game. “Just tell me.”

  “I’ll give you a clue.” She smiled, wiggling her brows. “Someone handsome who you dated in high school and were totally gaga for . . .”

  That narrowed it down to my ex, Thomas Brand IV. I hadn’t been popular with boys in high school. I’d been dubbed Miss Goody Two-Shoes with good reason.

  “Tom Brand?” I asked, wondering how the return of my ex who dumped me was supposed to cheer me up. Maybe for extra cheering she’d burn my favorite boots.

  “Yes, Tom!” Ruby put an arm around me. “You two were so cute together when you were young love birds. Wouldn’t it be sweet if you reconnected and you married your high school sweetheart? I heard he’s landed some high-salaried job. Why did you two break up again?”

  “He dumped me,” I said, my voice deadpan. “Right after Dallas Parker punched him in the face.” Suddenly, I pictured Dallas and his sexy smile. Shiver. I shook my head, trying to chase the vision of Dallas that kept lingering in my head. “Ah, getting dumped. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. I’m totally cheered up now.”

  “I’m sorry for bringing up Tom.” Ruby patted my shoulder, clearly not getting that I was upset about the fact that I was mentally drooling over my nemesis, not because Tom dumped me eight years ago. “I didn’t mean to bring up something painful,” she said.

  I waved my hand dismissively. “Tom was a long time ago. I’m way over him.”

  “Dallas really punched him in the face?” she asked.

  I nodded. “When he caught us making out on the Kissing Bench at the Falls.”

  Ruby’s eyes went round and wide. “No.”

  “Yes.” I twisted my fingers together. “Dallas ruined my relationship and now he’s ruining my life again. Tom never really said why he wanted to break up with me, but I think he was scared Dallas would sock him again.”

  “Why would Dallas do that?” Ruby watched me shrug, and then she shook her head. “Dallas has always had a bit of a bad boy reputation. But we had a lot of fun with him in our younger years. And he’s your brother’s best friend.”

  “We did have good times,” I said, remembering how Ruby, Dallas, Connor, and I would hang out and go for adventure walks. But that was before my mom blamed him for the accident that cost Grace her life. I shook my head to clear the thought. “I don’t know what to do about the salon, Ruby. Dallas has a signed lease and so I can’t throw him out.”

  “Not unless he wanted out,” she said.

  An idea hit. “Wait a minute. . . His furniture store will probably be super manly right? Like him?” I rolled my eyes, unable to believe I’d just said that aloud. I plunged onward. “What if I make it hard for him to want to be there? I can decorate the beauty salon super feminine, so he’d want to find a new space. I mean, men don’t usually want to be anywhere near a beauty salon anyway, right?”

  She raised a shoulder. “I’m sure that’s true. I can’t picture your brother wanting to hang out at your salon for a mani/pedi.”

  “Right?” I laughed, making a mental note to let my brother know I’d arrived in town.

  Ruby’s phone beeped from where it sat on the counter, plugged into the USB port. She lifted her phone, checked the screen, and groaned. “Work email coming through. I set up an alert on my phone. It’s late, so it must be important. I’d better check the email.”

  I felt a pang of guilt. “I haven’t even asked how you like your new career.”

  “I never thought I’d own a doggie spa and training business, but I love it. Keeps me busy practically twenty-four-seven, though,” she said, holding her phone up as evidence to her statement.

  “You were always good with animals growing up and always dragging in some stray as I recall,” I said, looking around the kitchen. “I’m surprised you don’t have a house full.”

  “I would if I could but this is a rental with a no-pet policy in place.” She muttered as she checked her email on her phone. “I hate to leave you with the SUV to be unpacked, but I have to call my manager at the kennel. He’s having an issue and wants to get my take on it. Apparently some dog needs an obedience and manners class.”

  “Maybe I should send Dallas over to you for some lessons in manners,” I joked, thinking of how he’d tucked my hair behind my ear without asking. Not that I’d hated it, exactly.

  She giggled. “Or an aggression class, since he punched your boyfriend in the face for no reason. Speaking of. . . I wonder what made him do that. Maybe he had a crush on you and wanted you all to himself.”

  “I doubt it,” I said, remembering Dallas never had trouble getting dates.

  �
��Just saying that I wouldn’t be surprised.” She gave me a knowing look. “Anyway, I’ll come help you unpack when I’m done with the call. Glad to have you home.”

  “Thanks, Ruby,” I said, wishing my arrival home had gone more smoothly. With the luck I was having, next I’d probably get a concussion from falling boxes in my SUV. Maybe if I had a serious injury then Dallas would feel sorry for me and let me have my salon space back.

  As I walked out the front door, I pictured myself with a white bandage around my head, staring up at Dallas pathetically, trying to appeal to his sensitive side. An image of those caramel-brown eyes looking down at me with concern made my belly flutter. I imagined him tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear, his fingers running along my jawline before he pressed his lips to my forehead. My chest warmed and I could see myself lifting my mouth to his. . . .

  Suddenly, my foot caught in front of the other one on the icy pathway and I found myself falling face-first onto the front lawn. I landed with a “Harrumph!” The moisture from the dew-covered grass began seeping into the front of my pants in a very cold way, thanks to it being December and all. I inhaled the earthy scent, before lifting my nose from the ground.

  This had to be the universe’s way of telling me to stop thinking about Dallas Parker. That would be hard to do if we were sharing the same business space. Maybe he would leave if I took my idea and started “beautifying” the place in a big feminine way. If I didn’t want to fall on my face again, it was certainly worth a try.

  Chapter Three

  The next morning, I had breakfast with Ruby before she went to work. Then I spent the rest of the morning unpacking and catching up on paperwork for my new business. Later that afternoon, I drove into town, which was buzzing with people on the sidewalks.

  I pulled into a parking space a few doors down from the salon and got out, ducking my head as I spotted a couple standing near one of the old-fashioned style lamps that ran along the sidewalks. The man and the woman each held a wreath in their hands, making it look like they were about to start decorating downtown for Christmas.

  I didn’t recognize the couple, but you never knew who knew whom in this town and I didn’t want anyone to tell my mom they’d seen me downtown. I’d shamefully texted her this morning, making up an excuse as to why I couldn’t meet my parents for breakfast at Prancer’s Pancake House. Guilt seeped over me, but I needed to improve my salon to increase my odds of a favorable outcome when I told them my plan. If they saw I had the potential for a capable business, then hopefully they’d support my decision to change careers.

  I strode past the couple on the sidewalk and the wind kicked up a chill as I rushed toward the door, key already in hand. I’d just turned the key in the lock when I heard a familiar female voice call out, “Morgan Reed? Is that you? Yes, it is you, Morgan.”

  Oh, no. I flinched, recognizing that nasally voice even though I hadn’t heard it in eight years. I steeled my nerves, plastering on what I hoped passed for a smile and not a grimace as I turned to face Addie Wilcox.

  Addie was the mother of a girl my brother had dated back in high school. She was also a major gossip and everyone in town knew it, which was why her cocktail parties were always packed. She rushed toward me with a large wreath in her hands and a curious look on her face.

  “Mrs. Wilcox, nice to see you,” I lied. My teeth clamped together as Addie puffed to a halt and surveyed my old jeans, thickly soled shoes, and dark hoodie before her eyes flicked upward to my long, dark hair, which I’d put up in a messy knot since I planned to be cleaning all day. “Are you on the town’s Christmas decorating committee this year?” I asked, hoping to divert her from asking questions about me.

  “Spreading cheer, as always,” she said, glancing from me to where I’d been heading. The woman was way too astute. “What on earth could you be doing at Coraline’s Classic Beauty Salon? I mean . . .” Her gaze drifted up to my hair and she made a clucking noise. “I can see why you would come here but, honey, Coraline’s is closed. She’s been retired for months. She’s on an African Safari until Christmas, which . . . good for her! She could use a break being a single woman at her age.”

  “Huh.” My brain screamed to run, run fast, run anywhere else but here. The last thing I needed was Addie Wilcox knowing anything about my salon, because if she found out then everyone in town would know. “I . . . love your hair, Mrs. Wilcox. It’s so well kept.”

  “Thank you, honey.” She patted her Farrah Fawcett ‘do, which looked a bit too heavily hair-sprayed. “Your mom was over at the country club last week, but I don’t recall her saying anything about you coming back to town for the holidays.”

  “Er . . .” I floundered for a moment and my horror escalated when a black truck pulled to a halt in the recently vacated space in front of the salon.

  Dallas got out of the driver’s side looking unnervingly hot in a dark brown leather jacket. My belly flipped and I started to sweat. He didn’t seem to notice Addie or me on the sidewalk. He just walked around to the back of the truck, let the tailgate down, took some monstrous contraption out, and then started carrying it toward the front door of the salon.

  Addie nudged my arm. “Isn’t that Dallas Parker?”

  “Yes, I believe so,” I said, desperately hoping he didn’t look this way. What if he told Addie I was opening a beauty salon? My parents would be so hurt if I didn’t tell them first and I would be totally to blame. My gut clenched.

  Addie shifted the wreath in her arms. “I knew he moved back to Christmas Mountain. Word is he’s been hiding out in that cabin he purchased outside of town.”

  Um, not so accurate. He wasn’t hiding out. I only wished he were in hiding right now. Instead of heading straight my way. I had to do something. I grabbed Addie’s wreath from her hands and ducked behind it. “This wreath is lovely. And I adore this scent,” I said, shoving my nose into the pine needles and inhaling, hoping to hide my face.

  “Yes, well, I’d better get back to decorating.” Addie squinted around the wreath, giving me a weird look before pulling it away from me as Dallas approached. Addie leaned toward me. “Hey, I believe your folks are having dinner at The Chop House tonight. I’ll be dining there as well. Maybe I’ll stop by their table to let them know how good it’s been to run into you,” she said.

  “Lovely to see you, too.” My stomach knotted. I needed to call my brother fast. If anyone could get Mom and Dad to agree to have dinner somewhere else it would be him. Dallas stepped onto the sidewalk. The thing he carried appeared heavy and his thick leather jacket showed off the strength in his arms as he toted the contraption.

  I had the wildest thought just then. A man carrying that load would probably be able to tote me pretty easily, too. Maybe toss me over his shoulder and walk right off with me.

  My face heated and my pulse raced alarmingly fast. No! This was my nemesis. I shouldn’t have hot thoughts about him. What was happening to me?

  Dallas set the contraption down on the sidewalk and pushed it toward the front door, next to where Addie and I stood.

  He glanced at us for the first time and his mouth stretched into a smile. “Good morning, Morgan. Would you hold the door open for me?”

  I glanced at Addie, who was watching with avid eyes. “Sure, Dallas. Nice to see you again,” I said, cringing at the strange look he gave me. Groaning inwardly, I yanked the door open and he entered my salon, giving me another odd look.

  To my relief, someone called for Addie to hurry up with that wreath and she dashed off with a quick goodbye. I waited until she’d turned her head, then I pulled the door of the salon back open and slipped inside in time to see Dallas plugging the machine he’d brought into an outlet.

  I strode over to him. “What do you think you’re doing? What is that thing?”

  “It’s to take the tile up.” He gave me a grin and I noticed he’d removed his jacket, revealing one of those tee shirts that showed off his well-defined arms. Wowzers. “Unless, of course, you enjoy the antiqu
e diner ambience and want that tile left on your half of the floor,” he said.

  “Not exactly,” I admitted. But I didn’t want him to do a single thing to my floor except cross it on his way back out the door. “I doubt the landlady will let us uproot the tile.”

  “She gave me permission in my lease. I can make any necessary repairs and remodels as long as I pay for them. I don’t have the funds to hire someone to take up the floor, or lay another one, and no way am I willing to live with this.” His gaze flew to the scratched up black and white checkered floor, before looking back at me quickly. I couldn’t blame him for looking away fast. That tile was enough to make any person dizzy.

  “Okay, you have a point. The tile is terrible,” I agreed. And now that I thought about it, I had that provision in my lease as well. I couldn’t let him put in a new floor before I ousted him from my space, though. Then I’d owe him a big chunk of money. “I can help renovate and do an equal share. How about if I clean and take down those mirrors?”

  “With what I’m doing, everything would be dirty again right away. Cleaning now won’t do us any good.”

  “Oh.” I gulped, my belly doing a flip at the way he’d said “us.” I needed to get a hold of myself. He was just a man after all. . . Make that a very sexy man, who was handling heavy machinery with ease. Shiver.

  “Should we even keep those mirrors?” He leaned in close to me as he eyed them.

  My breath caught in my throat. My entire body went taut as his fingers brushed mine. I felt tingles along my skin, making me wonder what his entire hand would feel like against my flesh. Not a good thought, Morgan. I had to get away.

  I stepped back so fast my feet tangled together and I fell backward into an orange chair. When my bottom hit the seat, a large cloud of dust puffed up around me, making me cough. I wiggled my nose as tickles wound inside my nostrils until I finally sneezed hard. How embarrassing.

  “You all right?” He held out his hand, pulled me to my feet, and then glanced at our entwined fingers. He lifted his gaze to me. “You must’ve gotten too close to Addie’s wreath.”