Christmas Hearts in July

by Marlene Bierworth

  “Sheki, you need to come. I won’t take no for an answer. I’m on my honeymoon and this has all the ingredients of a homemade bomb about to explode.”

  Silence filled the air as the man listened intently to the person on the other end. Craig started to move but Selene pulled him back against the wall where she hovered like a spy. He screwed up his face, pondering her interest in this random call.

  “Okay, see you soon,” Trace said as he pushed his phone back into his pocket, turned the knob and entered the room that Craig supposed was the honeymoon suite.

  Selene hurried off toward the steps and Craig rushed to catch up. “What? Now you’re eavesdropping on random conversations?”

  “He addressed the person on the other end as Sheki.”

  “So; besides it being the weirdest name I’ve come across, it doesn’t ring a bell, unless it’s some high-class, mucky-muck you haven’t introduced me to,” Craig said.

  “Sheki is the name of a woman’s magazine, our strongest competitor in the marketplace, and Sheki Gabel, the owner of this prestige publication is my one and only mother.”

  Craig frowned. “Really? Your mother is your rival?”

  “We are both focused and passionate about our careers.”

  “Well, at least you get it honestly. Helps me to understand you a little better.”

  “I’m not that hard to read, Craig. You’re simply looking through the wrong lens.”

  “I’ll be eager to pursue that line of thinking with you, Selene,” Craig said. Maybe this vacation would be fruitful after all. If she’d open up and talk to him about something other than work, Craig would call that a victory. But she was already moving on. He grabbed her arm as she reached the stairway.

  “Running before we even broach the subject?” When he saw the vacant stare, he knew she’d already forgotten about the two of them. “Are you still musing about the phone call?”

  “You must admit its unusual. How many Sheki’s do you know?” He shrugged his shoulder. “Exactly. If that stranger invited my mother to crash this vacation, I will be livid. And how would he even know her?”

  “If your mom is single, maybe they dated – before he met his wife, of course.”

  “She’s between husbands at the moment, but that man is certainly not her type.”

  “How do you determine who is attracted to another person and why? Look at you and me,” said Craig.

  “Yes, look at us. Opposite ends of the power tug-of-war. You’re happy with mediocre whereas I am only interested in the exceptional.”

  The conversation reached an uncomfortable level. As much as his head wanted to pursue the depths of this woman and see what made her tick, his heart objected. He backed off – they had plenty of time, this was only day one of the vacation.

  “So, are you still game for the beach after breakfast?”

  Selene groaned. “I was hoping for a massage at the spa, loosen up all these tense muscles.”

  “Oh, the soak in the tub didn’t do that?” He was being catty but couldn’t help himself.

  “You have no idea the stress I’ve been under and I think it unkindly of you to belittle my need for a little pampering.”

  “No problem. I won’t have you blaming me for providing a lousy vacation, since it will probably be your last for another two years once you find a way to get back in your bosses good books.”

  “You’re talking work, darling,” she said playfully. “I thought that was against the rules.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Maybe I can meet you at the beach later.”

  “Sure, sounds like a plan,” he agreed as she started down the stairs. He was confused. Was she stringing him along? He wondered what role he played in her never-ending quest to get to the proverbial top of the ladder.

  “Penny for your thoughts?”

  He spun around and stared into Jolene’s magnetic blue eyes. She’d tied her long auburn hair into a high ponytail, the causal style that tormented his sleep at night. He noted the bathing suit under her coverup and raised an eyebrow.

  “My thoughts aren’t worth much these days so don’t waste your pennies. I see you’re headed to the beach. Would you care to go for a canoe ride?”

  “That’s not fair, Craig Landers. You know I can’t say no to anything involving water. But I must warn you, it’s been a while and my muscles are underdeveloped.”

  “Muscles appear to be the topic of the morning,” he growled with a bit too much attitude. When she cast a questioning glance his way, he muttered, “forget it. We’re both rusty but I’m sure we will rise to the occasion and not be left stranded in the middle of the lake.”

  “You always could out row me, even on your worst day, so we won’t pretend I’ll be pulling equal weight,” Jolene said.

  Craig laughed and felt the tension leave his body. “I have no doubt, Jolene, you will rise to the challenge. There are too many competitive bones in your body.”

  She grinned, and at that moment he could have easily swept her into his arms and surrendered to a life of absentee girlfriend – with her. He should never have let her talk him into leaving Sebring in search for the elusive girl-next-door vision of happiness he prized.

  “You know this is not a good idea.” Jolene nodded toward the figure of his girlfriend disappearing into the dining room.

  “Oh, yeah, I suppose I’m expected for breakfast first. Then Selene is off to the spa for the morning. I’ll catch up with you on the beach.”

  “I won’t be a third-party has-been. If you have a good thing going with the beauty queen, hanging with me, no matter how innocent, is not a good idea. She may get jealous and all your best efforts in winning her will go out the window when she decides to throw you to the curb.”

  “Not to worry, Miss Sumpter. I’ve been there before.”

  Jolene bit her lip. “Craig…”

  “No, we will not dig up old dirt. We were friends before taking that giant step into never-land, and I miss that.”

  “I thought the very same thing last night. Surely in this day and age, people of the opposite sex can still be friends, right – even the uptight-type segment of the population must follow that trend?”

  “Uptight? Is that your definition of Selene?” Craig asked.

  “So far,” she said in a playful teasing voice that sounded like music to his ears.

  “Enjoy your breakfast, Jolene,” he said as left to find Selene.

  All the while he ate the fully loaded meat omelette and Selene nibbled at a piece of dry toast and bowl of fruit, he could not stop his mind from wandering. Selene noticed.

  “You are distracted, my dear. Are you pouting because I won’t come and lounge with you on the beach this morning?”

  “Lounge? Oh, that was not part of the initial invitation. I’m going canoeing. The lake is calm and inviting.”

  “All the more reason I am glad to be headed for the spa.” Selene said. “I did mention tiny boats were not my thing, right?”

  “You did. I ran into a friend from my hometown. Maybe I can double up with Joe.”

  Why did he say, Joe? He had called his ex that upon occasion, when they were deeply immersed in some competitive sport. Probably that was it. Or was he fearful that Selene might not think a girl for a friend was a good idea? Or perhaps he feared most that she’d see through his collapsing armor and glimpse the truth. He still loved Jolene. Yet, nothing had changed as to her career obligations and her resolve to end the relationship. Maybe he just liked punishment.

  “You never mentioned him before?”

  He laughed. “There is a lot you haven’t taken the time to learn about me.”

  “Are we back there, again?” she said, her irritation hanging in the air between them.

  “Forget I mentioned it.” Craig lifted his glass of orange juice and said, “Truce?” She lifted hers and clinked his glass.

  “Always.” She sipped the juice, dabbed the corner of the napkin around her mouth and stood. “I’m off then. See you at lunch.”r />
  As soon as she disappeared out of sight, Sandra Fredricks moseyed his way.

  “Having a good time, Mr. Landers?” she asked.

  “I am. Heading to the lake for a canoe ride.”

  “It didn’t look like you girlfriend was dressed for the beach,” she said in that probing way that for some strange reason did not annoy Craig.

  “Selene will not be joining me. She is hoping that the massage therapist will be able to release the knots that her stressful job inflicts on her daily.”

  “Canoeing alone will build strong muscles that I’m sure she will appreciate bulging from your shirt.” The look on her face toyed with him.

  “You are a mystery woman, Mrs. Fredricks.” He stood to his feet and held her gaze. Sandra’s next words through him for a loop.

  “Received any ornaments lately?”

  “What are you talking about?” Craig was on guard now – how could she know?

  In the manilla envelope, addressed to both of them, Selene had willingly laid claim to the reservations at the resort but had thrown the dainty red heart ornament at him, claiming the diamonds weren’t real and it was tacky, not at all her style. Craig had seen her style last year at Christmas. Huge balls and bows smothered in lots of snow. “Simple but imposing,” she’d said. It was her way of covering the tree quickly and get back to more important things in life – like work.

  “Just wondering,” Sandra said. “In my short time here, I have seen romances bloom from ornamental gifts that bring people to the Inn. The magic dust seems not to have left you yet.” She laughed. “Just telling you like I see it. Have a nice canoe ride, Mr. Landers.”

  Craig shook his head and glanced out the window toward the beach. A few guests were setting up chairs and he spotted Jolene by the edge of the water. She had her toes in and stared off into the distance. The woman did not even know how beautiful she was. He sighed and threw his napkin on the table. He realized he played with fire, but could not resist the flames she ignited within his heart.

  The time spent with Jolene on the water was everything he remembered about their times together in the past. The bantering that passed between them came as natural as breathing, the adrenalin rush of competing in a short test of strength, the discerning awareness of her thoughts and the pleasure of giving in to her desires before she even asked, all returned as if they’d never been apart. They used to define their relationship as soulmates, and that morning his soul was responding as a parched and lonely man.

  “Are you in a relationship, Jolene?” Craig said when they tied the canoe to the dock and started to stroll up the beach where many had gathered to soak up the sun.

  “I work,” she said as if Craig should know that. She locked eyes with him. “Why would I seek another man when the only thing I can offer is a part-time rendezvous? That’s not my style.”

  “Is your job everything you hoped it would be?” Craig asked.

  Her downward glance suggested there was more she was holding back but Craig never got to hear her response.

  “Yoo-hoo! Over here, Craig.” Selene arrived at the sandy shore where the water licked at her feet slightly out of breath and pulled Craig toward her to lean on. “Walking in the sand is difficult.”

  “It might help if you wore sandals instead of heels,” Craig said.

  “Introduce me to your new friend,” Selene said.

  “Correction, she’s an old friend, Jolene Sumpter. We knew each other in Sebring, my home town.”

  “Joe? Oh, yes, now I see.” Selene attempted to disguise her anger but Craig knew she was simmering. He guessed girls as friends were not acceptable to her way of thinking. “A home town girl. Was she your prom date or your fishing buddy?” She studied Craig’s face and whatever she saw caused her to shrug her shoulders. “What does it matter – history, right?” She expected him to say yes but he could not form the words. Instead he changed the subject.

  “This is your chance to ask Jolene if her father knew your mother? I was just about to do that myself.”

  “Good thinking.” She wrapped her arms possessively through his and looked at Jolene. “I overheard your father talking to someone named Sheki on the telephone and we wondered if he’d dated her – before he met his wife, of course.”

  “My father was not in the habit of bringing his women home to meet me. In fact, I didn’t even know Barbie until after they were wed.”

  Selene gasped. “Oh, my. It seems you’re worse off than me. At least I knew most of the men that followed my mother around like love-struck puppies. But I don’t recall seeing your father.”

  “Not sure I would care for your home-scenario, either,” Jolene said. “but like I said you’re asking the wrong person. Now, if you will both excuse me, it’s almost lunch, and there is a Christmas event in the sitting room this afternoon I plan on attending.”

  “A poster contest,” Craig chuckled. “Why am I not surprised?”

  “I plan on winning. The old crown offered to the student of the year at the dance tomorrow night is ragged, and the guests have been offered the privilege to create the new one to crown this July’s queen and king.”

  “I could get into that, Craig. Did you sign us up?” Selene asked.

  “Crafts? You do realize they are not playing with real gems. It’s a fun, small town event, on a low budget.”

  “You underestimate me,” she said in a tone that suggested she was hurt by his insinuation, but he knew differently. It was amazing how his muddled-mind of late was clearing since arriving at Heritage Inn.

  Selene cast steely eyes toward Jolene, and said, “We shall see who is better at crafts, this afternoon. I can be very competitive myself, so you best beware.”

  “I see that.” Jolene glanced at Craig and when her brow arched, he witnessed a sudden sadness lurking behind her eyes and knew that she suspected his girlfriend was not talking about crowns.

  Chapter 6

  The room buzzed with excited vacationers ready to strut their talents for all to see. Jolene noticed most of the tables were occupied by two people, it appeared only she chose to vacation alone. Her father and Barbie took the table next to her which helped the sudden feeling of loneliness that enveloped her. Just as the social convenor called the group to attention, a middle-aged woman squeezed in beside her.

  “I see you are alone and that will never do when your competition is coupled up against you. “I’d love to assist you, if you like.”

  The woman’s smile was so friendly, Jolene could not resist. “Why not? All is fair in love and war.”

  “My name is Sandra, and I am all about furthering love in this world, not war. The young people at the dance are counting on us to bring the right couple together with the perfect crown to celebrate their reining success.”

  “I’m Jolene and pleased to meet you. But I was thinking more along the war-lines. A certain couple have challenged me and in doing so altered my initial motivation for the young recipients of these crowns. Shame on me.”

  “You have a kind heart, Jolene. I shall enjoy working with you today.”

  After the instructions were given and the photo displayed of the old-crowns needing replaced, Travis, the social convenor started the countdown. At go everyone grabbed the tools and materials provided on their table. Each participant had exactly the same supplies to work with and when Jolene saw the treasure chest of resources, she grinned at her helper. She pulled the sketches from her pocket and laid them out.

  “I came prepared,” Jolene said.

  “These are lovely, simple and elegant, not outlandish like the previous crowns.”

  “Is that what the dance judges want – outlandish?”

  “I’m confident their limited imaginations could not dream up anything so regal using the disposable materials they provide. You, on the other hand, have somehow managed to romanticize the original. less-glamorous contribution from last year. I am impressed.”

  “Well, I figured being chosen as king and queen for the ent
ire month of Christmas in July, has a definite romantic element to it, don’t you think?”

  “Definitely. I’m all for romance.”

  “Good, then help me choose one and we’ll get these miracle crowns started. Two hours is not nearly long enough for romantic perfection, but we’ll give it a run for the money.”

  Sandra pointed her finger at her choice and Jolene squealed. “We are on the same wave length. Let’s go.”

  The two dived into their work and Jolene was grateful for the extra set of hands. She enjoyed the woman’s chatter and warmed up to her immediately. She silently wished her father had married a more matronly type lady. She’d never known a mother figure, hers dying in childbirth. Trace Sumpter raised her as a single father with only two focuses controlling his life – his daughter and his career. They’d managed, but in listening to the wisdom that spilled from this lady’s mouth with no conscious effort on her part, the childhood void rushed in to devour it like a starved adolescent.

  “Are you under the impression that romance is perfect?” Sandra asked.

  Jolene glanced at the woman next to her who spoke without taking her eyes off her project. “I suppose that would be the ideal, the fairy tale ending, but life does seem to interfere in that process.”

  “Even the idea of perfection is under the curse of sin. Only one is perfect. Do you know Him?”

  “If you’re referring to God, yes, I know Him.”

  “Wonderful, because he hears the hearts cry of his children.”

  Jolene studied the woman. Did she have a lens looking into her soul? “And you think my heart is crying – why ?”

  “Oh dear, I’ve overstepped,” she glanced sideways, “but I am known for putting my foot in my mouth. Can’t help it when I see a lonely heart. Mine was like that not so long ago and it took a stranger and a miracle to set it right.”

  “I don’t often tell strangers my business,” Jolene said.

  “Oh, the stranger I refer to is far bolder than I. Just pushes in and sprinkles her Christmas magic on unsuspecting couples. One never knows it’s a work of perfection until the gift is opened.”