My mom was very rigid and everything in life had a time and place. Growing up under her roof instilled a lot of discipline and a love for lists.
For the most part, I wasn’t like her. I didn’t feel the need to control every little aspect of life, but she did. I only organized the areas of my life that would benefit my business or would allow for personal growth. Regardless, my mom always loved free-spirited souls. Some of her deepest friendships were with women who threw caution to the wind.
A shiver ran through me. I couldn’t imagine doing that. Caution avoided catastrophe.
Maybe I was more like her than I wanted to admit.
“You cold?” Hildie asked as we followed the path to the large home in front of us.
“Just thinking about my mom.”
“Well, that’s an interesting response.” Hildie chuckled as we reached a bright red side door of the mostly shingled house. “I hope I don’t make my boys quake in their boots.”
I laughed. “I just realized how much like her I am.”
“I can’t imagine you ever cheating with a bird,” Jewels said as Hildie let us go and opened the door.
“That sounds like a must-hear story.” Hildie waited until Jewels got inside and closed the door behind us.
The warmth from the wood-burning fireplace in the corner of the kitchen kissed my skin and heated me up instantly. I peeled off my coat and followed Jewels’ lead, hanging my coat on an empty peg by the door.
The air smelled like cinnamon and cloves, and I couldn’t imagine a more perfect setting for Christmas Eve.
Her kitchen was large and inviting with a sizable granite island and cabinets wrapping around three of the four walls. The wood-burning fireplace shared space with an eating nook and every single crevice was decorated with red plaid and angels. I glanced out the window and saw the first snowflake swirl around the guys as they each carried two suitcases around to the front of the house.
“Talk about timing,” I said, turning around to see Jewels and Hildie trading suspicious looks. “The snow has arrived.”
“I kept saying my prayers all day.” Hildie grabbed a couple of mugs from the cabinets, set them on the counter, and dipped a ladle in the large pot on the stove. “Do you like mulled cider?”
“I love it.” Jewels and I both answered at the same time.
Hildie gave us both piping hot mugs full of the cider and motioned for us to follow her just as the guys tumbled through the front door. I saw a glimpse of Chance following behind his brother and my pulse spiked.
We walked into the spacious foyer complete with dark brown wicker chairs and a brightly colored blue and red looped rug centering the room. A life-size Nutcracker was tucked in an alcove under the staircase, along with two large dog beds. The guys had already scrambled up the stairs.
“Looks like Penny and Walter are on the move again,” Hildie mumbled more to herself than to us.
She marched into the living room and quickly clapped her hands in the air. Two yellow Labrador retrievers hopped off the long couch near the fireplace and slowly stretched in front of the coffee table.
“Have some manners in front of our guests.” Hildie turned to me. “The small one is Penny and the other one is Walter.”
I bent down and they both wandered over, tails smacking into everything on the way to greet me.
“Good little pooches,” I whispered to them both as I ran my free hand over their silky smooth fur. “I think it’s about time I get one for myself.”
Jewels and Hildie took a seat on the long couch.
“She’s in for it now.” Jewels laughed, placing her mug of cider on a coaster.
I found a place to sit in a corner chair and took a sip of the cider as both Penny and Walter nudged my hand for more scratches.
“Delicious.” I took another sip and sat my mug on the coaster while trying to maintain a constant amount of petting between the pooches.
The sound of what could only be described as a herd of thundering elephants rumbled above, and I glanced at Hildie who was shaking her head.
“I don’t understand how they can still sound like teenage boys the moment they get together under my roof.”
“It’s not just here.” Jewels sighed. “I swear whenever Chance visits, I’m better-off to hide in the library for the first few hours while they get it out of their system.”
“Chance always seems so well-behaved and calm around me.”
“Don’t be fooled,” Jewels said, winking at me. “He’s extremely wild.”
I narrowed my eyes on her and she widened her grin.
“What?” she asked innocently.
The sound of footsteps shifted to the staircase, and I glanced toward the foyer to see both men going in the opposite direction.
“You have the cider going.” Jake sounded like he was congratulating his mom on the task.
“Of course.” Hildie shook her head and smiled. “It’s tradition . . . just like you two cooking the tenderloin roast is tradition. Don’t worry, I’ve got the meat resting on the counter waiting for you.”
Jewels laughed and brought her gaze over my shoulder. “Wow. It’s really coming down now.”
I spun around and looked out the window. A snow flurry had definitely landed on Hound Island.
“Well, this will make the tour around the grounds tonight even prettier.” Hildie stretched her legs in front of her and pulled on her red and grey striped leg warmers. “Chance can give you the scoop on everything lavender and anything else you might wonder about in this world.”
I cocked my head slightly and saw her blue eyes twinkle mischievously.
“He has always been a great source of information.” She nodded, turning her attention to Jewels. “It will be sad to see him go.”
“But you’ll manage,” Jewels promised Hildie. “And maybe he’ll decide not to go.”
“I wouldn’t want him to miss this opportunity.” She shook her head and let out a sigh. “I may give them a hard time, but I do love my sons. Enough about that though. I have a business proposition for you.”
My gaze flashed to Hildie’s.
She drew her legs into her and sat up a little straighter. “I would love to offer your tea on my website. Our online sales have soared, and I think it would be a wonderful opportunity for both of us.”
Excitement threaded through me at the prospect. I knew Hildie and her farm were known all over the country for providing quality items for the home, along with bath products. For a brief time, she offered tea, but I noticed that had gone away from her online store.
“Well, we used to offer some basic lavender teas, and they sold really well, but I actually didn’t care for them.” She chuckled. “The taste was less than ideal. Your tea, however, is delicious. I think it would be a perfect fit. If you’re interested, Chance can handle all the details.”
A thrilling sensation drifted over me. Any way to get my little tea shop known sounded good to me.
“I’d be honored.” I nodded and glanced at Jewels, who seemed equally happy.
“Perfect. After the holidays, you and Chance can work out everything before he leaves for Oregon.” She glanced toward the kitchen and it looked like she wanted to say something else.
“Sounds perfect. I don’t know much about the move to Portland, but it sounds like a great opportunity for him.” I nodded and noticed both Penny and Walter had lost interest in me and curled up in front of the fire.
The story of my life.
“I couldn’t agree more.” Hildie smiled. “I also think people should let their dreams adapt to the always changing circumstances.”
I laughed. “Good point.”
I thought back to the first business I owned.
It wasn’t selling tea. My focus had been on luxury bath products. In hindsight, the overhead was crushing compared to my little tea store. Life had worked out the way it was supposed to, but that didn’t take the pain away from losing everything.
“Okay, ladies,”
Jake said, coming into the living room with Chance right behind holding our coats. “The roast is in the oven, and if we plan on touring the gardens, we better do it now while we can still see the lights. The snow is really coming down. What time does the first tour group come through?”
“In about an hour,” Chance answered, handing me my jacket.
“Perfect.”
I zipped up my coat and followed everyone outside through the front of the house and was immediately met by Christmas carolers dressed in costumes from the 1800’s wandering through the gardens.
“Hot chocolate?” Chance asked, pointing at a small shed that had been turned into a refreshment center with cookies.
“No wonder Hildie is the hit of the island,” I whispered, eagerly making my way to the platters of cookies.
“There are food and drink stations all over the gardens,” Hildie said, coming over to grab a snickerdoodle for herself.
“What’s that over there?” I spotted a large structure in the distance.
Even in the shadows of nightfall, it dwarfed all the other buildings in comparison.
“That is an original barn that my mom is restoring.”
“I hope to turn it into a bed and breakfast of sorts or possibly a lodge. We’re in the beginning stages with an engineering team to inform us what we can do,” she said, sliding a sideways glance to Chance.
The carolers began as we started our stroll with twists and twirls of lights in every direction guiding us from one Christmas scene to the next. Hearing Away in the Manger sung as the snow came down softly was out of this world.
Hildie split off from the group and began greeting the visitors as Jewels and Jake wandered away.
“This is so beautiful.” I shook my head in awe as we came upon an empty nativity scene.
“In about two hours we’ll make our way back here,” Chance said, slipping his hand into mine.
“You know, I think your mom kind of hopes you stick around,” I told Chance as we walked through the rose garden with lights wrapped around the woody stems and fountains that looked like ice rinks.
“I have that effect on women.” He turned to look at me, smiling.
“She’s your mom.” I laughed. “I don’t think that counts as a widespread—”
“Hey now. I bet you’ll miss me when I’m in Portland.”
“I’ve only known you for a little over a week or so.”
“And I bet you’ll miss me.”
“Maybe.” I hid a smile and glanced back toward the barn.
“That’s quite an undertaking.”
“It is, but my mom never lets anything stop her.”
“Your mom mentioned selling my tea on your online store.”
His smile widened and he pulled on his knit cap. “Great idea, don’t you think?”
I nodded. “It’s an exciting proposition.”
I eyed him wondering who really came up with the idea.
“So did your sister ever tell you anything?” he asked, out of the blue.
“Like what?” I asked.
“You managed to send me the text instead of your sister about covering your shift at the tea store.” An interesting smile crept up on his lips, and I froze. I’d managed to put most of that night out of my head. It wasn’t my finest moment. I never drank too much, yet I did. “I let her know that you needed her to cover for you.”
“Thanks for doing that.” I shook my head. “She didn’t mention anything.”
“Okay.”
“Why?” I asked, suddenly curious. “What did my text say?”
I quickly pulled my phone out of my coat pocket before he even had a chance to answer.
“A drought?” I groaned. “I’m not in a drought.”
My eyes met his and he looked completely amused. The mere proximity of his body next to mine sent me into a tailspin of raw attraction. I couldn’t even remember the last time I felt such a pull to someone.
How about never?
“I’m on a self-imposed sabbatical. I’ve chosen to stay away from men.”
“Of course you have. With good reason.” He nodded. “But I just thought you should know that I’d be more than happy to—”
I flung my finger to his mouth. “Don’t say it. Don’t even say it.”
“Help answer any questions you may have on the subject.”
Chapter Eleven
The snow flurries strengthened with gusto overnight. Christmas morning greeted us with a foot of snow, and the smell of sizzling bacon and cinnamon rolls floated through the air.
Last night was magical. We’d spent most of the evening laughing, watching movies, and decorating cookies. I’d texted with my sister often and knew I’d made the right choice. This was Nick and Holly’s time, and Nick had several surprises up his sleeve.
Still in my pajamas, I glanced around the family room noticing how happy and content everyone was relaxing in theirs.
In that moment, it dawned on me that I was missing that gene, the gene of contentment. I always felt like I had something waiting for me on the backside of my to-do list. It was so hard to sit still and not think of the endless tasks I wanted to accomplish, change or start again.
“What do you think about that idea, Maddie?” Hildie asked.
My eyes flashed to hers in horror. I’d completely zoned out. Chance caught my expression and hid a smile. He could bail me out or he could sit there and watch me squirm.
“I bet Maddie would love it.” He nodded. “This should give her plenty of time to pencil it into her calendar.”
“Do you think Holly would mind watching the shop for a couple days?” Hildie asked me. “I think you going down to Portland would give Chance an objective view. I’ll pick to death all the problems with the opportunity because my subconscious doesn’t want him to go.” She shook her head and laughed. “I already know how I work and my guess is my son and Jewels are no better.”
“Exactly. Maddie won’t care if I come or go. She can tell me what she thinks about everything inside the walls, the location, ambiance, food, and if they have good tea.” He sat back on the couch, crossing his legs and stretching them in front of him. It was nearly impossible not to notice his physique under his plaid flannel pajamas as the top rose up.
I pushed down my surprise and found myself nodding in agreement. I’d obviously missed when this trip was going to be, but at least I knew where I was headed.
“I haven’t had a vacation since I moved to Fireweed.” The idea of hitting Portland was kind of exciting. I hadn’t been there before and it gave me the perfect excuse to go.
“Perfect.” Hildie stood up holding her empty coffee mug. “Anyone else need anything? I need more fuel before our big day.”
I looked over at Chance and he leaned toward me. “The crowds start coming around two o’clock. We hold a family-style feast in our workshop for members of the community who might not have anyone over the holidays to be with or who maybe can’t afford a festive meal. It’s the only place long enough to fit the size table we need.”
“Until the barn is built,” Hildie hollered from the kitchen.
“Don’t forget about Santa.” Jake rose a brow and glanced at his brother.
“Santa even comes by?” I asked surprised.
Jewels stood up and pulled Jake away saying how she needed another cinnamon roll.
“He sure does.” Chance wiggled his eyebrows and I chuckled. “And he might like a little helper this year.”
“Santa needs an elf? Why didn’t he plan ahead? This is why organization should always be a priority. It’s not like Santa can just fly right back to the North Pole.”
Chance laughed and shook his head.
I noticed it had gotten rather quiet in the kitchen and leaned over.
“So have you told anyone about our arrangement?” I whispered.
“You mean your evil experiment?” he whispered back.
“Yeah.”
“Not a soul.” He drew in a breath. “Well, I mi
ght have mentioned a little something about how this was the first relationship I’d had that went nowhere before it had a chance to go somewhere.”
“To who?”
“Anyone who’d listen.”
“You make it sound so sad,” I teased.
“Well, if you think about it, I’d say it kind of is. You’ve got a perfect gentleman—”
“Moving to Portland,” I interrupted.
He continued, “Who is more than willing to restore your faith in the opposite sex.”
“With no strings attached,” I added.
“I’m asking for nothing in return,” he agreed, looping his fingers together.
“Except you want me to dress as an elf.”
“For the kids.” He nodded.
“When you put it that way, I suppose I should give it a shot.”
“Glad to hear it.” He shoved a Christmas bag across the floor. “Your costume is inside.”
I pulled out the silver tissue paper and saw emerald green leggings that would undoubtedly make my thighs look even meatier with a red and white striped shirt folded next to it. As I dug deeper into the bag, I found a glittery green hat with a gold bell.
“It wasn’t easy to find all that and get it here in time.”
“I bet.” I looked up at Chance and he seemed satisfied. “This is quite the special outfit. So is this the first year Santa gets a helper?”
“It is.”
“How did you know my size?” I studied him closely.
“It’s one size fits all.”
“That’s always a flattering look.” I laughed. “Well, at least I know you’re taking this platonic deal very seriously.”
He crossed his arms and sat back as I stuffed the outfit back into the bag.
“Who says?”
“Unless you have an elf fetish, this can’t be a turn on.”
It had been one thing to wear my ugly Christmas sweater in front of Chance, but it had been for the sake of the shop, and no doubt, it would’ve been better to keep my apron on. This outfit, however, took the cake for the most dreadful look of the season.
“Only time will tell.” He stood up and glanced toward the kitchen. “But no, to answer your earlier question, I haven’t told anyone about our arrangement.”
Chance at Love on Mystic Bay (Island County Series Book 6) Page 9
