Christmas Hearts in July

by Marlene Bierworth

  “You’re not supposed to forget,” Trace said. “But life is supposed to move on. A new love won’t replace the old but it has a unique attraction of its own.”

  “Is that what you feel with Barbie – something totally different than you felt with my mother?”

  Trace looked away unable to hold her searching gaze.

  “I did love your mother, but that’s history.”

  “Of course, it is, since she’s dead,” Jolene said.

  His eyes wandered back to her face. “I suppose.” Trace stood and Jolene thought he looked suddenly tired. She jumped up to embrace him.

  “I’m sorry I brought her up. You were having such fun with Barbie. She is a nice woman, and I can see she loves you dearly. You will have a good life with her, daddy. Promise me you’ll hold on to that new love.”

  “I will. Barbie is a special lady,” he said. “One I best get back to. Do you want to travel back to the Inn with us?”

  “No. I’m going to see this out to the end. I’ll grab a taxi or a ride back with one of the other guests.”

  Trace kissed his daughter’s cheek and went looking for his bride. Jolene was alone again and she squared her shoulders, deciding she best get used to it. She’d chosen the demanding career over a happy-ever-after, so she only had herself to blame.

  Chapter 10

  “Goodnight,” Jolene said to the couple as she stepped out of the taxi at the front doors of the Inn. They waved, and when the door was shut, the driver continued down the laneway to bring them to their rented cabin in the wooded area of the resort. A guard was stationed at the entrance and after showing him her room tab, he checked her name off the list.

  “You’re the last one to return. Hope you had a good time at the dance.”

  She smiled. “I did, thank you. Have a good night and thanks for keeping us all safe.”

  “My pleasure, miss.” Once inside, he closed the door firmly.

  Jolene walked through the foyer, guided by the dim lights that shone for wandering guests all night long in the main rooms of the Inn. Before her foot hit the bottom step, she heard voices. It sounded like her father and she retraced her steps back toward the sitting room. As she drew nearer, she recognized the other voice as Sheki’s. Jolene flattened against the wall out of sight and their voices easily carried through the abandoned lower floor.

  “What do you propose we do?” Sheki asked.

  “Well, I’m not leaving. This is my honeymoon and Barbie will ask questions.”

  “Really, Trace,” Sheki said. “I thought when you waited so long to remarry, you’d be fussier.”

  “Don’t go there, Sheki,” Trace warned in a tone Jolene hadn’t heard from her father.

  “Fate has not smiled on us. Selene and Craig are having a lover’s tiff and instead of stomping off to work as is her usual escape, she is determined to talk it out with him tomorrow,” Seika said. “It’s beyond me what she sees in the man. They have no future together and I will be sure to push that agenda.”

  “He seems nice enough,” Trace said. “Selene is a big girl. Maybe you should mind your own business and let them work it out.”

  “And meanwhile, we are both stuck here, babysitting two grown girls and a confused young man. The situation has the potential of a time bomb set to explode,” Sheki said.

  “Let’s see what tomorrow brings,” Trace said. “Just keep out of my family’s way, hear?”

  “I wouldn’t dream of interfering. We’ve worked far too hard to keep our secret.”

  When Jolene heard the approaching shuffle, she backed into a corner close by and watched the lady ascend the stairway, head held high like a queen making her departure in a silk robe and heeled slippers. But she was not the only one witnessing the woman’s departure, for Trace Sumpter stood staring after her, wearing a strange expression on his face.

  Two long minutes he stood, frozen in time, before he showed signs of climbing the stairs. When his hand touched the bannister, Jolene could hold back no longer.

  “Daddy?”

  Trace whirled around to face her. “I didn’t hear you come in, Jolene. Nearly scared me out of my skin. Did your evening improve after we left?”

  He thought she’d just returned to the Inn and had no idea she’d been eavesdropping. “It was okay. Took a taxi home.”

  “Well, I’m off to bed.”

  “What were you doing down here?” Jolene enquired.

  He seemed to struggle with an answer, then blurted out, “You’ll never believe me, but my beautiful Barbie snores – ever so gently – but it wakens me sometimes. Thought I’d stroll around the Inn for a few minutes and wear myself out so I can drop off without waking her.”

  “If all the dancing we did tonight hasn’t knocked you out, a little stroll around the Inn won’t put you back to sleep.”

  Jolene watched him squirm. When his foot touched the first step, she knew it was now or never.

  “Trace Sumpter; you are lying to me, your grown daughter. Why did you meet with Sheki at this late hour? Surely you’re not a fan of her outlandish magazine?”

  He chuckled, but the laughter never reached his eyes, and Jolene saw the beads of sweat break out on his forehead. “But Barbie is. I was hoping maybe to acquire a lifetime subscription and give it to my wife as a gift. I soon found out that the woman is unapproachable and does not have a charitable bone in her body.”

  Jolene placed her hands on her hips and appeared dubious. “You can afford to pay for a lifetime subscription to any magazine Barbie reads. The lies are getting so deep my knee-high, cowgirl boots will soon be plodding through the sludge.”

  Trace sighed. “Did you overhear something?”

  “You tell me,” Jolene said not willing to show her cards yet.

  “You mustn’t say anything, but I spent some time with the woman a while back. I’d prefer Barbie not know.”

  “That’s the secret? Sheki was one of your flings?”

  A look of relief flooded his face. “Yes. You won’t tell our secret, will you?”

  His eagerness to grab hold of her assumption solidified his guilt. His deceit rung in her ears and Jolene’s heart grieved. They’d always enjoyed an upfront relationship and he chose now to willingly jeopardize the trust they’d built. She watched him mount the steps, much slower and lacking the confidence Sheki had displayed. Jolene leaned against the wall and wiped away a trickle of tears.

  She startled at the voice. “You’re right not to believe him.”

  Jolene spun her head around to see Craig. “Are you eavesdropping?”

  “Got kicked out of my suite. Trevor Dristoll found me wandering around and put a cot in some back-storage room for tonight. They’ll figure out another alternative in the morning or I might just stay there. At least it’s peaceful with no bossy women to order me around.”

  “You have every reason to be restless, but regardless, you still require sleep. Wandering the Inn in the middle of the night will not knock you out,” Jolene said.

  “I heard the advice you gave your father on the subject,” Craig said. “I was hungry for some nibbles and the kitchen always keeps packaged cookies in the dining room for starving guests.”

  “So, back to your statement: Why should I not believe my father?” Jolene asked.

  “I saw you come in,” he simply replied.

  “Ah, so you heard both late-night conversations. I see it clearly now,” Jolene’s voice raised. She’d enough for one night. “Maybe you should concentrate on your girlfriend problems and leave my family alone.” Before she crumbled under the pressure, she needed to escape to her room. “Good night, Craig.”

  He didn’t attempt to stop her and she felt his eyes on her back until she slipped into the hallway that led to her suite. She closed the door tight and locked it before heading to the shower. Hopefully, she could wash the deceit down the drain and awaken to the hope of a new day.

  But she was wrong. The next day, despite the festivities planned at Heritage Inn, th
e air hung heavy and it seemed all participants avoided one another. When she joined the group that gathered to decorate felt stockings that would hang on lines by the fireplace, she noticed her father lingering by the door. When Trace spotted her, he turned away to whisper in Barbie’s ear and then they left. Craig and Selene did the same, but not before the possessive woman clutched his arm tighter and cast a scornful keep-your-hands-off warning in Jolene’s direction.

  So much for Craig’s integrity. Obviously breaking-up was not on his mind today.

  Sheki did not make an appearance, except to the registration desk for the password that gained access to the internet. The woman was a workaholic and either hadn’t learned to relax or just chose not to. None of it mattered. The whole lot of them could drown in their lies for all she cared.

  Jolene focused on the craft materials on the table in front of her and tried to visualize her contribution to the wall of stockings. Tomorrow night they would each receive one, filled with random gifts from other guests, purchased at Pineville’s yard-sale prices on the town streets tomorrow morning.

  In the afternoon, Jolene dressed in her exercise shorts and ran along the beach, which encircled a huge area of town and surrounding area. When she saw the resort again in the distance, she dropped on the wet sand exhausted and unable to continue. The water appealed to her heated body and she crawled in and lay on her back to float. When her head hit a rock, her eyes opened, squinting against the sunshine, and she noticed that she’d drifted to the lighthouse. She hoisted her body onto a huge flat stone and shook her drenched hair like a shaggy dog.

  A voice sounded from behind. “You okay, dear?”

  She spun her head around and noticed Sandra Fredricks, the owner’s mother who lurked around the place dispelling her idea of magic to guests who believed in such dreams.

  “Good afternoon, Sandra. Nice to see you again.”

  “And you,” she said as she picked her way cautiously to join Jolene on the rock. She sighed heavily as she plunked down beside her. “Not as young as I used to be.”

  Jolene smiled politely. “The water is warm. Do you swim?”

  “I wouldn’t call it swimming, more like playing in the water like toddlers do.” She removed her sandals and dove her feet beneath the rippling waves. “Feels good.” Jolene felt Sandra studying her. “Did you enjoy the event in town last night? You certainly know your steps on the dance floor. I was jealous of my old feet.”

  “You are not old, Sandra. Are you needing me to convince you of that?” Jolene asked not sure why the woman had dropped in on her solitude.

  “Oh, no, you read me wrong. Quite satisfied with this season of my life,” she said in her defence. “Just striking up a conversation. Noticed you were looking a bit sad today, when just last night you were aglow. Wouldn’t have anything to do with the gentleman you were keeping company with, would it?”

  Jolene frowned. “I’d rather not talk about Craig.”

  “I met the young man right here at the lighthouse once. We had a nice talk about dreams and miracles. Did you know he got a package in the mail? Someone paid for his trip to the resort.”

  The woman had no plans of leaving so Jolene humored her. “It appears we both did. Perhaps it’s an advertising promotion – Heritage Inn spanning the globe for new clients by offering freebies in hopes the recipients will spread the word far and wide about this little piece of paradise.”

  Sandra inhaled deeply. “It is a paradise, isn’t it? The place is enchanted, especially when we celebrate Christmas in July and December. The best two months of the year for romance to bloom.”

  Jolene laughed outright. “Love is certainly not blooming for me. Although, my father is honeymooning and enjoying himself immensely.”

  “Glad to hear that.” Jolene was forced to look her way when her cheery tone changed to doubt.

  “Do you know any reason why he should not be happy?” Stupid question – the woman did not know her family at all.

  “I did note some tension today – not between the love birds, but in the fact that he keeps shuffling her away from people.” She laughed. “Silly me, that could be because he’s on his honeymoon. Men can be so selfish. I think his wife would like to drool a while at the fashion queen’s feet.”

  “She does admire her and reads her magazine like the Bible,” Jolene agreed. She found it interesting that a complete stranger would take note of her father’s need to steer clear of Sheki. Wouldn’t hurt to dig a little. “Do you have the inside scoop of any new tensions at the Inn today?”

  She stood to her feet and stretched. “The walls have ears, my dear. I do hope you find the love you’re searching for.”

  “What makes you think everyone is looking for love?”

  “Oh, love is what makes the world go around and works in mysterious ways. Heritage Inn has earned a reputation for uniting lonely hearts. You do recall my relating the family love-stories—the ones that involved the ornament?” She bent to slip her footwear back on and carried on without waiting for an answer. “I’m off now. Robert will be wanting his supper soon.”

  “Oh, is it that late?” Jolene scrambled to her feet, still musing over the similarity of the heart gifting that Craig and Selene had received to her own. She wondered if it was the same ornament, but knew that she would never ask. Hers was useless and broken and Craig had chosen the heart he wanted to share—Selene had won.

  If she didn’t need this holiday so desperately, she’d pack up and go home.

  Chapter 11

  She ate her meal alone on the south terrace and watched the sun set in a crimson backdrop that brightened the sky and promised for another warm day tomorrow. She was excited about strolling the streets of Pineville looking for treasures to put in other people’s stockings. She’d become acquainted and listened to stories from a number of vacationers at the Inn and already had a few unique ideas as to how to brighten their day or give them a laugh.

  Voices carried from around the corner just behind her on the near deserted verandah. The conversation bordered on anger.

  “It’s a dangerous game you’re playing. Don’t you care about the people that will be devastated when they learn the truth?”

  Craig was speaking, and Jolene sat to attention. When her father answered, a lump clogged in her throat.

  “That’s why it’s called a secret and you’d do well to keep it under wraps. You had no business eavesdropping.”

  “And you have no business keeping such news to yourself.”

  “I just need your word that you will keep silent,” Trace said.

  “I am in a delicate situation,” Craig said.

  “Loving two women? I’ve been there. You’ll find your way out of the mess.”

  “How can I have either while harboring your secret?” Craig said. “Relationships need to be built on trust.”

  “You’re young and idealistic. Time will help you to see things differently.”

  “I doubt that,” Craig said.

  Jolene saw the predicament Craig was in. He’d overheard something between her father and Sheki before she’d arrived home from the dance and Trace Sumpter was forcing him to stay quiet. That would go against everything decent Craig stood for.

  Jolene shot up and rounded the corner before she’d formulated any kind of a plan. The faces of the two surprised men stared at her with open mouths.

  “Father, you expect too much from Craig. He is a man of honor and should not be forced to keep your dirty little secret. It involves me and Selene—yes? Otherwise Craig would not find himself trapped.”

  Her father’s face drained white and he groped for the nearby stone wall. He leaned against it and Jolene could see his wobbly legs threatening to collapse. She rushed to his side.

  “You should sit, Father.”

  When the three of them sat around her dining table, Jolene bit her tongue so as not to race ahead of whatever caused her father such grief. She felt the caress of Craig’s hand on hers and never pulled away
but basked in the comfort that they silently shared.

  “This resort was a bad idea,” Trace suddenly said in a croaked voice.

  “No use blaming it on the resort, Father.”

  “I suppose not. The mess happened long before we all collided at Heritage Inn.” His chuckle was pathetic. “How appropriate is that? Even the name of the place mocks me.”

  “You are talking in riddles,” Jolene said. “You just need to spit out the secret that seems to have you bound in knots and clear your conscience. Nothing can be so bad that it’s unforgivable.”

  “You may be surprised.” Trace studied his daughter through misty eyes. “I need to gather the forces. Shall we all meet in my suite around eight o’clock?”

  “We all?” Craig asked.

  “I suppose you’ve gotten yourself tangled in this mess too, so come along and watch the show. It’s what you wanted, for me to spill the beans. Maybe you can bring some comfort to… well, to whomever you choose. See you at eight.” He held Jolene’s gaze. “Please, daughter, remember I love you, and have always tried to do the best for you. But you have glimpsed my human side in these latter years so you will not be surprised that the confused man has always lurked inside me.”

  He stood, grabbed a mint from the center dish on the table, and left without another word.

  Jolene’s hand trembled and Craig strengthened his hold on it. “I’ll be there for you, Jolene. Whatever this is all about you need to know I’m in your court. I love you.”

  “You’ve said that many times, but your actions today have proven contrary.”

  “Selene is begging, and it’s not like her. The unknown that she cannot control is her biggest weakness. She and her mother are at odds, even worse than usual, and I suspect it’s frightening her. I couldn’t find it in my heart to break up when she is broken and vulnerable for the first time since I’ve known her.” He sighed and fanned his fingers through his hair. “Call me an idiot, but…”

  Jolene placed her hand on his arm. “You are not an idiot. Perhaps Selene and I are, but not you.”