As Kenna studied the portrait, Mom’s voice sounded deep inside her mind, Don’t compare yourself to other girls, sweetheart. You be you.
“Right. Because I’m unique, blah, blah, blah.” Kenna said to her plain reflection. She ran her brush through her long, still damp hair. Maybe she’d pull it back into a braid today. “I’m beautiful in my own way.”
You don’t really believe that, do you? Asked an inner voice. Not mom’s this time.
Kenna sighed, tilting her head. She wasn’t ugly, by no means. But she wasn’t beautiful, either. “Beauty is fleeting,” she told herself. “It’s what’s inside that really matters.”
That’s what she’d learned in youth group. Don’t compare yourself with others. God made each person unique and He doesn’t make mistakes.
Blah. Blah. Blah. You don’t really believe that, either, do you? The inner voice asked again.
Did she?
Kenna blinked, bringing herself back to the present. She laid out the twigs on the lap-table and considered if they fit together right.
Did she? It was a question she never answered. After realizing that she was talking to herself again, she quickly gathered her things and headed back to the camper to start her day. What silliness to dwell on such things.
It didn’t matter, anyway. Leon’s heart was already taken. Besides, she wasn’t staying.
Wrapping the ends of two twigs together with colored raffia, she moved to the next two as she formed a star. Leon’s tree, though pretty with the odd assortment of ornaments, was still bare. So she spent her downtimes making him more. Stars made from branches, glittering pine cones, reindeer heads using smaller cones and bits of twigs for the antlers. A red berry hot-glued to the end made up a nose. She added large wiggly eyes from her supplies.
She’d use these as examples for her class on making natural ornaments that she planned to hold during the Christmas festival this coming weekend. The extras would go on Leon’s tree.
Normally, he left early in the morning for the restaurant to help his uncle prep the day’s menu. In the afternoon, he showed up to check on her, bring lunch even though she’d told him she had plenty of food. He’d stick around anyway and help her at the lot until his shift started. She took advantage of his absence during the morning to hit the shower and leave a few more new ornaments on his tree.
He didn’t seem to mind and said they were enchanting.
Was that a nice way of telling her that he found her pathetic crafting attempts amusing? She wasn’t sure.
Setting her star aside, she pushed herself out of the chair and found her leg was stiff from sitting too long.
“Ugh, I need to move around more.” She hung the little ornaments she’d made on the display tree. Next, she’d make a few wreath bases. Not everyone would want to start from the beginning, though she had all the material needed for that, too.
Several people had already signed up for the class when they stopped in to purchase their trees. She glanced at her stock. There were ten trees standing inside the tent, five more lined up on the outside, and another twenty still bundled and laying behind the tent. Mom said they were sending out one more shipment to everyone. Her parents couldn’t believe how many she’d sold already.
“If you can sell off all the trees you have now,” Mom had said last time they talked. “You will be nose-to-nose with Murry. You have him sweating, dear. I’m so proud of you.”
“This is such a wonderful town, Mom. The people of Madison Creek have been very supportive and kind to me. I want to come back here next year.”
“Oh baby, you’ll be graduated by then. Won’t you have your own job and be too busy?”
Kenna hadn’t put a lot of thought about what she’d do after graduating with a business degree in marketing. She’d hoped to help her parents run their nursery. With her knowledge, she could probably help them expand. But she’d not broached the subject yet. Maybe during her holiday break, she’d talk to them about her future. She had just finished her online course for the fall semester and only had a couple of more classes to take in the spring.
A blue pick-up pulled into the parking area as a blond woman got out. She wore a bulky red jacket and matching cowboy boots. “I guess Leon has gone back to working the restaurant? You must be Kenna. I’m Haley Winters from the Madison B&B. He told my husband and me about your accident. We’ve been helping to spread the word about your trees.”
Kenna’s mouth gaped open as she greeted her. She hardly ever heard such an accent or was it a drawl, much in this area of the world. Then Kenna recognized the name. Leon had mentioned his old boss-lady several times. “Oh yeah. I can’t thank you enough for your help.”
Mrs. Winters smiled. “Sure, you can. I need a good deal on five more trees.” Releasing Kenna’s hand, she began making her way through the “forest” of display trees. “We decided to put one in each of the guest cabins. They’re all booked up for this weekend’s Hoopalooza.” Mrs. Winters paused a moment, her hands perched on her narrow hips. She wore jeans with jeweled studs running down each leg before they disappeared under her scuffed boots. “Make sure you get my boy Leon to bring you to our place on Saturday night. We have games and all kinds of events. I even set up the biggest tree out in the field where we’ll have a snowman building competition and snowball wars.”
Kenna wasn’t sure what to say. The woman’s twang made her want to laugh.
“Of course, I didn’t have much of a choice. My husband was right about it being too tall for our house. Hate when he’s right.” She sighed and continued looking around at the trees lined up outside. “I’m thinking no taller than five feet. Whatcha got, Sugar? Anything I can use?”
“Oh yes, Mrs. Winters. Let me get some from the back that I haven’t set out yet.”
“You call me Haley. Mrs. Winters is my ma-in-law. I’ll come to help you. Don’t want you to hurt your knee again. So glad to see you up and about. Leon says your car was totaled out.”
“Yes M…uh, Haley. But Mr. Beaty is willing to buy what’s left of it from me. I’ll have to rent a car to get my camper back home.”
“Poor thing. Well, if you need anything, feel free to call me. Any friend of my Leon is a friend of mine.” She pulled a business card from her purse.
Kenna glanced down at a picture of a lovely old Victorian surrounded by rose bushes and big trees. “I bet this is a wonderful place to stay in the summer.” They worked together to find the trees Haley needed and set them aside. By the time they were ready to carry them to her truck, Leon showed up with Kenna’s lunch.
“I told you that I have sandwich stuff here,” she argued but took the bag graciously. The scent of burgers and hot fries wafted up through the opening. “Oh man, I don’t have this, though. Thank you.”
Haley nudged her with her elbow. “Let him spoil you. He needs this.” She winked at him and with a snap of her fingers, had him helping her load the trees into the truck.
Kenna set the bag down on her work table and was about to help when Leon told her to sit down and eat while it was hot. “I got this. You do not need to risk irritating your leg.”
“Yes, sir.” She saluted and returned to her chair. Now that she smelled the burgers and fries, her stomach gave a grumble.
Haley gave Leon a quick kiss on the cheek, then pulled him closer while she whispered something to him. His gaze drifted back toward Kenna while Haley smiled. Were they talking about her? One of the fries lodged in her throat and she had to choke it down.
* * * *
“Miss Haley, she will be working through the festival. It’ll probably be one of her busiest days.” Leon glanced at Kenna hoping she didn’t hear them talk about her. Haley always was a busy body.
Sunlight illuminated Kenna’s long brown hair, looking like a halo around her head. Tendrils blew in the breeze, the ends dancing around her face.
“You love her,” Haley whispered.
“I do no— I’ve only known her a couple of weeks! And besides, I’m still officially da
ting Marcy.”
“Oh please. I can tell you don’t care for that fashion twig as much as you try to put on. Yes, the two of you look good together. And, yes, you are both fashionistas. But that’s not true love, Sugar. I can see it in those beautiful eyes of yours. You’re so smitten with the tree girl. And she’s a cutie. And very resourceful. I love all those little ornaments she’s made. I even signed up for her wreath class on Saturday. Bet I’ll learn a handy thing or two.”
Leon leaned against Haley’s truck. “My tree is covered in her delightful creations.”
“You actually put up a tree this year?”
He shrugged. “She was persuasive in her arguments. And she needed something to occupy her while she healed.”
Haley yanked open the driver’s door and tossed her purse on the seat. “You are such a smitten kitten.”
“We have nothing in common.”
“So? Opposites make strong couples, didn’t you know? She grounds you, Leon honey. Don’t miss a great opportunity when it comes your way.”
He folded his arms across his chest. “Marcy has a great opportunity waiting for me in New York. A five-star restaurant is willing to hire me on. I’ll have to start at the bottom again and work my way up, but—”
She turned to face him, also folding her arms across her chest while narrowing her blue eyes. “You really think that’s an opportunity?”
He shook his head. “I don’t want to move to New York, I love it here.”
She gave a nod. “You’re a smart fella. I know you’ll do what’s right.” She gave him a gentle push, then climbed into the truck. The engine rumbled to life as she poked her head out the window. “Don’t dilly dally about it either. I’ll see you both out at the Hoopalooza Saturday night. Be sure to catch one of the carriage rides. It’s going to be a beautiful evening.” She pointed to her eyes. “Been keeping tabs on the weather reports.” With a wink, she put the truck in gear and drove off.
Leon sighed. Marcy knew about the accident now, but not because he’d told her. Her best friend and co-prom queen and two-time Miss Pumpkinfest runner-up, Loleta Barbers had let Marcy know there was a strange girl staying at Leon’s apartment.
He’d assured Marcy that he was simply making up for having caused the accident. She seemed more furious about his not having scheduled an airline ticket than she was about Kenna staying with him. She was also furious over his reluctance to call her chef friend. He was interviewing people now and if he’d simply speak to Jean, she was sure he’d get the job.
Leon didn’t want the job and he wasn’t going to move to New York.
He’d finally rallied the nerve to tell her.
Marcy had simply hung up on him.
Later she’s sent him a text promising to call after her remote ski-resort shoot was over. She let him know that she’d expect a day and time to pick him up from the airport.
“Hey, Mr. Dreamer,” Kenna called out. Leon blinked, realizing he was still standing in the same spot, his hands shoved into the pockets of his leather coat. The chilled wind biting at his exposed face.
“Your burger is getting cold. I’ll have to eat it if you don’t get over here. These are way too yummy to waste. Where did you get these, anyway?”
He turned on his pricy leather snow boots and headed her way. “Made them myself. Uncle was disgusted, but…” he shrugged. He’d done it because she loved hamburgers so much.
Funny, he realized there wasn’t much he’d not do for her. And her appreciative smile was worth the trouble. Every time.
Chapter Eight
This was not a date. Then why did Leon feel so fidgety? Despite his confident, well-dressed front, he’d always hated dating and much preferred to have a steady girlfriend. All the awkwardness of trying to get to know someone and to make sure you didn’t make a fool out of yourself by spilling soup on your shirt or pants was one of the main reasons he’d dedicated himself to Marcy.
Leon sat in his yellow Cooper, waiting for the engine to warm up so the heater would kick in. Kenna’s camper sat right across the street. She had less than ten trees remaining. Since this was the last weekend before Christmas, she figured they’d sell out by Sunday evening, or she’d donate the last few to the children’s section of the hospital.
Kenna had been reluctant to leave her lot when she was first invited to the Holiday Hoopalooza. Leon assured her that most of the town would be too busy celebrating either at the carnival or at Haley and Ethan’s property to buy any more trees.
A bolt of excitement had shot through his chest when she finally agreed to go with him.
As friends. Not a date. They were friends. She’d return home in the next few days.
Setting the blowers at full blast, Leon put the car in gear, then headed across the street. Snow-covered the ground, but not so deep to put a damper on the festivities. They’d actually had a great turnout, it seemed, as people drove in from surrounding towns to enjoy the fun.
By the time he reached Kenna’s camper, she was standing outside, bundled in a brown down jacket that nearly swallowed her up. It made her look more like a gorilla than a young woman. He smiled as she climbed in, trying to knock the snow off her boots before setting them down on the floorboard.
“It’s going to be a cold night.” She unwound her scarf and removed her light blue cap that had dancing snowmen circling around the cuff.
More of them danced along her matching scarf.
Pushing her foggy glasses up on her nose, she looked him over then said, “Decided to go for fashion over warmth? How will that thin jacket keep you warm?”
“This?” He flipped down the collar of his leather jacket. “It will keep me quite warm. See? It’s lined with fleece.”
“Uh, huh. Okay.” Kenna slipped her arms from her jacket. She’d braided her hair in a long French braid that ran halfway down her back. Small glittery poinsettias were tucked into the braid. He was sure they most likely came from that crazy box of craft supplies she kept under her bed.
She was also wearing a soft blue cashmere sweater over navy blue slacks. Despite the oversized jacket, she looked lovely tonight. Small snowflakes that shimmered in the lights ran along the neckline of her sweater.
Kenna was the complete opposite of Marcy, but he couldn’t help but find that he liked Kenna’s uncomplicated style and mannerism. Her beauty was natural, not painted on. Her heart full of kindness, instead of… well, they were two very different women.
Leon focused on the road, not wanting his adoration to show.
“Besides,” he added, “We aren’t going to be outside the whole time. There will be music and hot chocolate at the Inn. And desserts. After that, we can head through the woods to the Lodge. That’s where most of the outdoor activities are going on. Haley will have carriage rides through the woods this year. It should be fun. They are always expanding and doing something different every year.”
“It sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to see it all. The town is beautiful, but everyone has been talking about this Holiday Hoopalooza. Thanks so much for taking me.”
“It’s my pleasure. I would have ended up going alone if not for you.” They had reached the edge of town where a line of cars was slowly making their way forward. He wondered where they’d have people park this year. Those riding in on the horse-drawn carriages got in first, that was one of the perks, but Leon wanted to have his car handy. It was a long ride to town in those things and he wasn’t too fond of horses.
Nikolai and Sage had promised to wait for them at the Inn. Sage had called it a double-date. But this wasn’t a date. And they were married. When he’d said that, she’d scowled with those feisty green eyes of hers and told him that dating even after marriage was an important part of keeping a relationship fresh and sound.
He was no expert, so he’d not argued with her.
When they finally reached the entrance, Leon produced the two tickets he’d purchased.
A small gasp came from Kenna. “I thought you said this was free
?”
He shook his head. “I never said that. You assumed it was free. They have to pay for all this stuff somehow. Half of the money they earn in profits goes to Madison Creek Beautification Project. But they keep the other half.”
She dug into her pockets, pulling out a few folded bills. “I should pay you back—”
“My treat. As I said, you are keeping me from having to attend by myself.” He rested his hand on her arm as he pulled forward, watching for directions on where to park. “Seriously. I’ve enjoyed the past couple of weeks. I wanted to do this. You’ve earned a night of fun, Kenna.”
Her wide eyes lit up as she smiled. She was so pretty when she smiled. Everything about her seemed to brighten. “Thank you, Leon. I should be treating you for all your help. I’ll never be able to repay—”
“There’s nothing to repay, so get that out of your mind. For the first time in years, I have a real tree sitting in my decorated living room. All those old ornaments have been brought to life.” He didn’t want to admit that she’d made him re-examine his life, his priorities. That because of her, he was able to make a hard decision and realize where his heart truly found happiness.
He parked the car, lucky to find a spot in the lot beside the Victorian. “You’re going to love it out here. Sometimes, I regret moving into town, but I do enjoy my job. I have a good life. You helped me to remember how to enjoy the simple things again.”
Her mouth dropped open for a moment, then snapped closed. “Good.”
She opened the door and quickly got out. By the time he met her in front of the car, she was slipping her hat and scarf back on.
Leon, once again, reminded himself that this was just a night out with a friend. She wasn’t staying. Besides, they weren’t even each other’s types. Not by a long shot.
Not to mention, he couldn’t allow his feelings to get away from him. Especially without settling things with Marcy first.
* * * *
The sparkling lights! They ran all along the beautiful old Victorian. They adorned the trees outside and even lit up the walkways leading to the grand wrap-around porch decorated with pine branches and garland. Inside was equally as festive. Her trees, two of them, were decked out with vintage and newer ornaments. She nudged Leon and said, “See, no theme here either. Just happy holiday cheer.”
A Thousand Wishes: A Romance Christmas Story (Madison Creek Town Series Novella Book 4) Page 6
