“You’re too cute not to.”
“Charley!” He would have sounded more threatening if he hadn’t been almost laughing when he said it.
“Just a second. I can’t take the picture yet.” She ran and grabbed the end of the string, plugging it into the wall. All the lights lit up. “There.” She walked back to where she was and put her phone up.
“If you take that photo, you are fired.”
She paused and seemed to consider it for a moment. “You mean, I won’t have to finish going through the junk in your garage? And I’ll have this nice photograph of you that I can probably sell to the tabloids for twice what you agreed to pay me?”
“Funny. Put down your phone and let’s get the tree finished.”
“I don’t know. I kind of like the idea of having a photo of you pretending you’re a Christmas tree.” She put her phone back up to snap the picture.
“Charley!”
Dorothy came into the room, took one look at Alexander, and busted up laughing. “Whatever you two are doing, keep it going. This is hilarious.”
“Help me out, Dorothy. I think my arms are going to fall off, and this horrible woman is making fun of me.”
“Hurry and take the picture, dear. He’s getting grumpy.” Dorothy laughed and left the room.
Charley shoved her phone back in her pocket. “Come on. I’ll help you transfer these to the tree.” She began taking the strings off his arms so he could put them down.
“Did you take the picture?” He reached up and took the star off his head.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
“Yes. Very much so.”
She held back a giggle. “Well, then I guess you’ll just have to wait and see what my Christmas cards look like this year.”
He grinned at her. “It’s too late to send out Christmas cards.”
She wrapped a string around the bottom branches. “Not for me. I’ve been known to send them out up to a week after Christmas. The post office is always busy. Easy to blame them for it being late.” She gave him a sly smile.
“You are pure evil.”
“And you need to start helping me string these lights or your tree is only going to be lit up on the bottom half.”
He chuckled. “You are quite height-challenged.”
“Shut up. I’m sensitive about it.” She stood on her tip toes and continued to string the lights. They worked in silence for a few minutes, getting the lights put in place.
Alexander turned to her. “What is it you love so much about antiques?”
Charley took in a breath, letting it out slowly. That was a hard question to answer. She loved a lot of things about them. But there was one thing that stood out. “I love the history. I love that each piece tells a story. The way we make things today is so different. We make them disposable. Your chair breaks, you toss it and get another one. There’s no craft to it. The antiques were made with such care. Many of them even have the maker’s mark on them. Like a painting, I can often tell who made something without even having to look at the mark. This is true art.”
He paused, a string of lights hanging in his hand. “I can tell you love it.”
“I do.”
Alexander finished stringing the last strand of lights. Then he placed the star on the top. “Now all we need are the ornaments.”
Charley opened the tub and pulled out a little nutcracker. “Oh, I love this one.”
He smiled. “One of my favorites as a kid.”
“These are all from when you were growing up?”
“Not all of them. Sadie and I added to the stash.”
For some reason, a tiny bit of jealousy surged in Charley, which was odd. Why should she be jealous of him and his wife? She shoved it aside. “Nice.”
As they hung ornaments, she tapped her toes to the music his phone played. “Did your grandfather get to meet Sadie?” She cringed at the question. Why was she asking about that?
“Yes. He passed a year after we met. I knew I was going to marry her three months into the relationship. He didn’t get to see the wedding, but he saw the engagement ring on her finger.”
“I’m glad.” She pulled out a tiny sled and hung it on the tree. “I’m sure he was happy to see you with someone.”
“He was.”
She paused, and curiosity got the better of her. “Can I ask you a question? And if you don’t want to answer, that’s fine. I don’t want to make things weird between us. I’ve just been wondering, and I can’t seem to find the right time to ask—”
“Charley,” he interrupted, taking her hands in his. “Just ask.”
She ignored the tingles that erupted over her skin at his touch. “Okay. I was just curious about your father. What happened to him?”
Alexander’s jaw clenched and released a few times. “That’s a long story.”
“I’m sorry. You don’t have to tell me. I was just curious.”
His features softened. “No, I don’t mind.” He continued to hang ornaments as he seemed to gather his thoughts. Finally, he spoke. “My mother died giving childbirth. My father was devastated, of course. He never really got over it. And he blamed me.”
“Oh, dear.” Charley hadn’t meant to say anything, and her hand flew to her mouth. “Sorry. Go on.”
Alexander picked another ornament from the tub. It was an angel. He stared at it while he spoke. “My father was a cold man. He was always distant. He was forced to move back home to live with his father when I was born. He hated me for what I had done to his life.”
“Was he abusive?” she asked quietly.
He looked at her and shook his head. “No, not physically. He just withdrew. Never spent any time with me. I remember one year at Christmastime, he left the house in the evening. We thought he was going to pick up something from the store. He didn’t return until after the first of the year. I cried myself to sleep each night, thinking it was something I had done. I had driven him to leave and never return. When he finally did show back up, he acted like nothing had happened.”
“Oh, my goodness. That’s terrible.”
Alexander shrugged. “My grandfather told him if he wasn’t going to pony up and act like a father, that he should leave. Permanently. Six months later, that’s what he did.”
“Is he still alive?”
Alexander grew stiff. “Not to me, he isn’t.”
“You mean, you don’t know?”
“I’ve never searched after him. He abandoned me. There’s no need for me to find him.”
Charley felt terrible for him. And now she’d opened up that old would by asking about it. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.” She spontaneously gave him a hug.
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. “It’s not your fault. It’s my past. But I’ve let it go. It no longer hurts me.”
She could tell by the vulnerability in his voice this wasn’t true. She laid her head on his chest. “Underneath all that prickly exterior, you’re a soft-hearted man.”
“Prickly?” He pulled back from her and gave her a raised eyebrow look.
“Yeah. You remember when I first showed up, right?” She lowered her voice, mimicking him. “You are not who I was led to believe. Please leave at once.”
He winced. “Did I really say those words?”
“Yep.”
He touched the side of her face with the back of his knuckles. “I’m sorry. I was terrible.”
She could barely breathe. Electricity coursed through her, her heart beating so loud in her ears she couldn’t hear her own thoughts. The memory of his lips on hers made her knees weak. “That’s okay,” she found herself saying. “You’ve changed.”
He looked down at her, his gaze landing on her lips. “I have, haven’t I?”
Whatever quiet song was playing on his phone ended and a lively Christmas tune replaced it, breaking through her muddled mind. What was she doing? She couldn’t kiss him again. She smiled at him and backed up. “Must be the Chris
tmas spirit.”
He chuckled and took a step back from her. “Must be.”
Chapter 18
Alexander took in a deep breath. Had he almost kissed her again? Why would he do that? She’d freaked out last time. He needed to keep his cool. He picked up another ornament and hung it on a string of lights.
Charley sucked in a breath.
He turned to her. “You okay?”
Her eyes watered, and she held up the ornament in her hand. It was a snowman with the words, “Baby’s First Christmas,” written underneath.
Emotions ran through him, tightening his chest. “Sadie bought that. She wanted to celebrate his first Christmas, even though he wasn’t born yet.”
“Alex, I’m sorry.” Charley’s fingers trembled. “I didn’t know this would be in here.”
“I’d forgotten about it.”
She put the ornament behind her back. “Do you want me to put it in the box for charity?”
He swallowed, the stabbing pain in his heart growing. He turned from her. “Yes. That’s fine. Give it away.”
She left the room with the ornament. A moment later, she came back. “It’s in the box to go on Monday.”
“Thank you.” He looked at the tub of ornaments. There were only a few left. “We’re almost done.”
She nodded. “Yes.”
The mood had soured, and even though Alexander tried to shake off the shock from seeing that ornament, he couldn’t. After they finished, he took the empty tubs and stuck them in the built-in cabinet beside the window. He turned to Charley. “Thanks for helping me.”
“Of course.” She paused a moment, and it looked like she wanted to say something else.
“What?”
Her gaze dropped. “Nothing. I’m just sorry for what happened. You know. Another reminder of...”
He lifted her chin. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”
She blinked then nodded. “Good night, Alex.”
Something in him warmed when she called him that. “Good night, Charley.”
She left him standing in front of the Christmas tree, wondering how he had fallen for the spunky girl.
ALEXANDER SPENT THE next day shopping in town and running errands. That evening he wrapped presents and put them under the tree. As he was sliding the last one under the tree, Charley came in the room, her arms full of gifts as well. She gaped at the presents under the tree. “What have you been up to?”
“I thought I would do a bit more shopping.”
“A bit more?” She laughed as she crouched down beside him. “Looks like you went a little crazy.”
He held in a smile. “Guess I had a few years to make up for.” He pointed to her pile of presents. “And what about you? How many do you have there?”
She grinned. “A few.” She shoved them under the tree.
He sat back and looked at Charley. She was wearing a pleated green skirt today, and her matching socks had Christmas trees on them. She was a crazy woman, but he loved her. She’d only been there a week, but she’d brought back a smile to his face he hadn’t realized he’d lost. “Thanks.”
She raised her eyebrows. “You don’t even know what I got you yet.”
He shook his head. “Not for the gift. Thanks for bringing Christmas back into my life.”
Her smile took over her face. “You’re welcome.” She stood and held out her hand. “Come on. Do you want to do one more thing to get into the holiday spirit?”
“I’m not putting on Christmas socks.”
She laughed. “You don’t have to.”
He eyeballed her skeptically. She looked like she had just made a deal with the devil. “What evil plot are you cooking up?”
She gave him an innocent look. “Nothing. I’m not cooking anything.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Just come with me.” She grabbed his arm and he had no choice. He stood and followed her. She brought him into the mud room. “Put on your coat.”
“Wait, we’re going somewhere? It’s dark out.”
She shook her head. “Not that dark. And we’re not driving.”
He stared at her. She was certifiable. What in the world was she planning? “We’re walking? Are you insane?”
She laughed and shrugged into her red pea coat. “Nope.”
“You are. You’re insane. And you’re bringing me along with you.” He tried not to smile, but his lips wouldn’t cooperate. She was something else. Her zeal for life was infectious, even though he was afraid of what she was going to make him do.
“Just get your coat on, you big baby.” She lightly slapped his chest.
He was apprehensive, but he obeyed. “We’re not going too far, are we?”
“Nope.”
“Okay, good. It’s below freezing out, you know.”
She grinned at him. “I know.”
“And you have no snow boots, remember.”
“We won’t be walking in the snow.”
He looked outside, the whole backyard a blanket of white. “Really?”
“Really.” She hooked her arm through his after he got his gloves on. “Let’s go.”
They walked out the back door and she led him down the driveway. The air was chilly, but the wind wasn’t blowing, so it wasn’t bad. As they continued to walk down the winding drive, he grew more confused. “Are we walking to town?”
“Nope.” Her smile grew. “Stop guessing. It will be more fun as a surprise.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
He let her lead them until they came to the driveway to the Millers’ house. “Wait. We’re going to the neighbors?”
“Yes.”
He looked down at her empty hands. “If we’re bringing them Christmas cookies, you may have forgotten something.”
“We’re not bringing them cookies. Dorothy and I did that already. We had a lovely visit. Your neighbors are really nice.”
“Then what are we doing?”
“All right. I guess I can tell you now. We’re going Christmas caroling.”
He stopped short. “No, we’re not.”
She smiled up at him. “Oh, come on,” she said, tugging on his arm. “It will put you in the holiday spirit.”
“I’m in the holiday spirit. I bought presents for everyone. They’re already wrapped and under the tree.”
Charley giggled. “I know. But this will be fun. You need to try it.”
“I already know that singing in front of people isn’t fun.”
She made a face. “How do you know that?”
He tried to figure out a good answer for her. “My third-grade program. I had a singing part, and I messed up and all the kids laughed at me.”
“Oh, you won’t mess up. It’s just “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” You know that one, right?”
He knew the song, but he was not going to sing it to the neighbors. “Sorry. I’ll have to sit this one out.” He turned back toward his house.
“Party pooper. You’re such an old man.”
He swiveled to her. “What did you call me?”
She folded her arms. “You heard me, unless you’re hard of hearing too.”
He knew she was teasing him. Baiting him so he would go caroling with her. He saw her lips twitch and knew this was a game. And then he got an idea. If she was going to play this game with him, he would find a way to win. “Fine. I’ll go. Just to show you I’m not an old man.”
Her grin couldn’t hide itself. “You’ll like it. I promise.”
Oh, he knew he would. They marched up to the Millers’ front door and Charley pressed the bell. When their seven-year-old son opened the door, he started singing with her. He belted it out, as loud as he could. The kid yelled over his shoulder, “Mom, some people are at the door singing.”
His mother came to the door, a dish rag in hand. “Oh, it’s carolers, sweetie.”
When the song was done, Alexander called out, “Now, in German!” He started making up words t
hat sounded German, singing to the tune of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Charley looked startled at first, but then joined in, making up words like Dankehousen, and inserting city names into the mix. He almost laughed when she said Frankenstein but held it together. When they finished the song he called out, “Now, Charley’s going to sing it in Chinese. Take it away, Charley.”
She threw on a plastic smile for a second, then she started in on her fake Chinese words, tossing in some chow mein, a soy sauce, and he swore he heard ‘going to keel you’ in there as well.
When she was done, Charley threw her arms out and bowed, so he did the same.
Mrs. Miller seemed confused, but she clapped her hands anyway. “Very nice. Thank you.”
Charley tugged him off the porch and down the walkway. When they were a few feet out, she slapped his arm and laughed. “I can’t believe you did that. You are so dead.”
“It will be worth it. The look on your face when I started singing in German... oh, man. It was priceless.”
Her laughter rang out over the trees. “Who knew you had it in you?”
He shrugged. He hadn’t done anything like that since he was a child and would play silly pranks on his friend. He chuckled. “I don’t think anyone knew it. Not even me. It was pure Rocketman inspiration.”
“Rocketman?”
“Oh, don’t tell me you haven’t seen it?”
“Nope.”
“We’ll have to remedy that right away.”
She laughed. “All right.”
They walked back home, Alexander feeling like he hadn’t felt in years.
Chapter 19
Charley spent Monday traveling back and forth to Goodwill. The garage was looking great by the end of the day. Only one pile of boxes in the corner left to go through. If she hurried, she’d be done before Christmas. That thought made her stop mid-step. Did she want to go home before Christmas?
She’d been planning on being there. She bought presents for everyone. She’d imagined spending Christmas Day with Alexander. But if she kept up this pace, she’d be all done and would have no reason to stay longer. For some reason, this depressed her.
Christmas with the Recluse Page 11
