Mary's Christmas Surprise (Christmas Holiday Extravaganza)
Page 8
They set it on the floor in front of the Christmas tree. It was a beautiful piece. Of course, it had sold.
“Plus,” Cheryl continued, “he got a bunch of custom orders. He’ll be a busy young man for the next few weeks.”
“Cheryl, I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am you stopped by today.”
Cheryl stepped forward and hooked her arm through Mary’s, just as she’d done with Jake. “You’re just as cute as Lori said you were. She wanted me to make sure you knew you and Jake were invited for Christmas.”
~*~
Jake climbed up the stairs to the garage apartment. The guys had finished everything, and they’d be closed until after the first of the year. Now all he wanted to do was shower off the sawdust and grab a few hours’ sleep before he headed to Austin. If he left by five, he should be able to get there about nine.
But he wasn’t even sure he should go home. It would definitely be easier on him, but it would leave Mary alone, and he couldn’t do that. Unless she told him to.
A small white box sat in the middle of the kitchen table. An envelope with his name on it lay on top. He opened the envelope and pulled out the card.
Jake,
I’ve decided. Please don’t try to change my mind.
Merry Christmas,
Mary
She’d made her decision clear enough last night. He wasn’t about to talk her out of it. As he lifted the lid off the box and pushed aside the tissue paper, the sweet aroma of chocolate greeted him. He pulled out a single chocolate cupcake. The icing was missing.
~*~
She’d lit the fire in the fireplace when he’d pulled his truck into the driveway. That had been about an hour ago, and still no Jake. Maybe she should have written her apology in the note. No, she wanted to do that in person. She hadn't even thought he might not come talk with her before he left for Austin, but as the minutes ticked by, the possibility became less.
Riley’s claws danced against the tile kitchen floor as the back door swooshed open. “Hey, buddy.”
Stomach fluttering, Mary stood and walked into the kitchen. A tall man turned and looked at her. “Hi. I got your note. And the cupcake.” His voice was tentative.
She couldn’t contain her smile. “I want to apologize, but I’m afraid I’ll start laughing.”
“Laughing?”
“It’s your voice all right, but it’s coming out of a very handsome stranger’s face.”
“But the cupcake...I thought—”
“You thought right. But what took you so long?”
“It takes a while to shave off that much beard.”
She walked to him and grasped his hand. “Please forgive me, Jake. I made a terrible mistake, and I’m sorry.”
He drew her close and whispered, “I’m not sure what I’m forgiving, but it’s done.”
“I’ll tell you about it later, but first, I want to show you something.” She led him into the living room. The burl top table still stood by the Christmas tree.
“Oh, no. I completely forgot Cheryl was coming by.”
She blurted out her confession. “I saw you the other day in the arts district. I saw you and your Aunt Cheryl with your arms linked walking into the gallery together. Except I didn’t know she was your aunt.”
He eyes opened wide. “What? Are you kidding me? You thought...? She’s over ten years older than me.” As he shook his head, he chuckled. “Me and Cheryl. Unbelievable. And that caused all this. Why didn’t you say something to me?”
“I was just hurt. I’m sorry. But why didn’t you tell me about the exhibition?”
“I don’t know. Fear of failure.”
“But I hear it was a great success. That everything was sold—even the burl table—and then some.”
“Come here.” He pulled her into a gentle hug. “I’m really sorry. Maybe if I’d told you, none of this would have happened.”
She placed her head on his chest and noted every point their bodies touched as they slowly swayed back and forth.
“That table isn’t exactly sold. I just told Cheryl that so she wouldn’t sell it.” As he drew away, he placed his finger under her chin and raised her face to his. “It’s for you. Merry Christmas.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Oh, Jake, it’s beautiful.” She moved away so she could touch the top of the table. She traced her fingers over the curls just as she had the first time she saw it, but now she understood what made it so lovely. Strength and beauty born from adversity.
“I hope you have space for it in your apartment in Atlanta.”
“I do, but I’m leaving it here because I’ll be coming home at the end of the school year. As you said, there are plenty of administrative positions here in Texas.”
“Come here, you.” He grasped both her hands with his and then stopped. His brows knit together. “So, exactly why were you over in the art district?”
“To get you a Christmas gift. It was too big to bring into the house. Come on.” She led him outside. “I was hoping you wouldn’t look in Dad’s shop.” She pushed in the code. The door raised, and the light came on.
Jake slowly walked to the pile of wood. “Mary! Wormy chestnut? This is almost impossible to find, and then when you can, it costs a fortune. I love it, but you need to take it back.”
“I got a great deal on it. The only catch is that you have to take a picture of what you make and bring it back to the shop.”
“Deal.”
Placing her arms around his waist, she turned her face upward. “Merry Christmas, Jake.”
“That’s the second most special gift I’ve ever gotten.” His whisper sent shivers through her body.
“Oh. The second most special? What would be the most?” she whispered back.
“Let’s just say, I need to send that man in Aspen a thank you note.”
“Me, too.” She reached up and gently traced her fingers over his clean-shaven face. “I think it might be time to retest the cupcake theory.”
“Mmmmm, I think you’re right.” As he bent down and kissed her, she melted against him, and electricity coursed through every inch of her body.
He drew away and rested his forehead on hers. “So, what’s the verdict?”
“Ashley was so wrong. It’s all about the cupcake. I’ll never have icing again.”
“Merry Christmas, Cupcake Girl.”
“Merry Christmas, Carpenter Man.”
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