by Ingram, Mona
Gift Wrapped for Christmas
by
Mona Ingram
©2012 Mona Ingram
All rights reserved
This is a work of fiction.
Names, characters, places, and
incidents are either the product of
the author’s imagination or are
used fictitiously, and any resemblance
to actual persons, living or dead,
business establishments, events,
or locales is entirely coincidental.
Chapter One
Laid off. Downsized. Services no longer required. No matter how they worded it, Maddie was out of a job. The long walk back to her desk took her through the main office where her co-workers couldn’t bring themselves to look at her. Amazing how many were on the telephone, speaking urgently in what she guessed were one-sided conversations.
She made it back to her tiny cubicle on the outer wall. It was a small, awkward space but at least she had a slice of window; it helped her to feel that she had contact with the outside world. There had been times during the six months she’d worked here when it had seemed that it was just her, her computer and the endless stream of paperwork that flowed over her desk day after day. She really should have considered that when she’d decided to pursue a career in accounting. She liked people, liked to interact, but there was very little chance of that in her present job. Correction, her former job.
She stood beside her desk and tried not to smile. The truth was, she was glad to be leaving. If she wasn’t careful she’d be laughing out loud, and that would never do. She was one of a team of eight who had been assigned to a specific account, and the other team members had been devastated by the news. It wouldn’t do to appear happy in front of them, when their lives seemed to be crumbling. Especially now, with Christmas only two months away. Tomorrow was Halloween. Trick or treat.
What had management said? Beside the part about losing the account, of course? Something about cleaning up your personal workspace and taking the rest of the day off. Paycheques would be available tomorrow, could they come back? They’d phrased it all so politely.
She glanced around the cubicle. There was nothing here she wanted. She hadn’t brought in personal items like most of the rest of the staff. Maybe on some subconscious level she’d known that it was only temporary.
She walked to the window and looked down on Olympic Plaza. They’d started flooding the rink yesterday, much earlier than normal. A popular gathering spot year round, it had been built for the Olympics in 1988. The ice, fresh and pristine, reflected glints of sunlight. She lifted her gaze to what she could see of the Rockies between the tall buildings. First the foothills, then the jagged snow-covered peaks in the distance. The sight never failed to thrill her and remind her that she’d made a good decision when she moved to Calgary.
In her eagerness to get going, she almost forgot the beautiful Cross pen that Lily had given her when she started six months ago. At least she didn’t have to worry about her roommate’s reaction to her sudden lack of employment. Right from the beginning, Lily had questioned why she was pursuing her CGA degree. It was a heavy load, studying almost every night and working full time during the day. Oddly enough, Maddie had thought she was enjoying it. Or at least that’s what she’d been telling herself. It wasn’t until moments ago when she’d been informed that her services were no longer required that she realized she was happy to be free.
Free. This time she did smile. So she’d wasted a year and a half. That wasn’t long in the great scheme of things, and the time hadn’t really been wasted. Now she had a much better grasp of finances than when she’d started the course. That had to count for something. What was it her father had always said? “Knowledge is a valuable tool to have in your toolbox.” Something like that. She sobered as she thought about her parents. She missed them every day, even though they’d been gone for five years now. Those oft-repeated sayings of her father’s were becoming truer every day. She fingered the pen, slipped it into her purse and reached for her coat.
She walked through the large outer office, smiling and nodding to anyone who would meet her gaze. She had no idea where she was going, except that she was getting out of the office.
The elevator was on the top floor, and she watched the numbers change as it came closer. She would miss this building. One of the older buildings in Calgary, it had been purchased by an oil exploration company. Not surprising, since that’s where all the money was these days.
The new owners had done well by the old structure. They had upgraded the services while retaining all of the old charm. Maddie had been thrilled when she found that they’d kept the wood and brass interior of the elevator cars. The metal required constant polishing, but there was something solid about the inlaid wood panels, surrounded by ornately carved brass frames. The lobby was several stories high and featured two massive chandeliers, but in her opinion the best thing the new owners had done was to keep the concierge desk, and the old gentleman who manned it. David Hawthorne was seventy if he was a day, and was unfailingly cheerful and polite to everyone who took the time to speak to him. She wondered if David had known about the upcoming layoffs; he seemed to know everything that was happening in the building.
A soft ping alerted her to the arrival of the elevator. The doors opened to reveal two men inside. They glanced at her and stepped aside, but continued their conversation.
“...Christmas decorations in the stores and Halloween isn’t even over yet.” The shorter of the two men was speaking.
“Tell me about it.” The tall one nodded. “And I have a ten-year-old to buy for.” He sounded genuinely worried. “I have no idea what to get her.”
“Why don’t you ask her?” The words popped out of Maddie’s mouth. When would she learn to keep her thoughts to herself?
He turned slowly. “I’m sorry, did you say something?” There was a touch of frost in his voice, but he was looking at her as though she might be his saviour.
She didn’t have anything to lose. She braced herself and looked up into eyes that were green, flecked with gold. “I said why don’t you ask her?”
He seemed to consider her words for a moment, and then gave his head a quick shake. “She’s only ten.”
Maddie didn’t like the way he dismissed her. “Haven’t you heard? Ten is the new thirty.”
The elevator came to a stop in the lobby. The man stepped back with a courtly gesture, allowed her to exit first, then caught up to her in a few strides. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to be rude.” He gestured helplessly with his hands. It seemed out of place coming from him; he gave the appearance of being in control of everything in his life. “You see... I just...” He sucked in a lungful of air. “It’s my niece’s first year without her parents, and I’m not very experienced at this.”
The man who’d been in the elevator with him was waiting a few steps away. Green Eyes looked up. “See you tomorrow, Bruce.” The man gave a quick nod and walked away.
Maddie watched him make his way through the revolving door. “I’m so glad the new owners of the building kept that revolving door in place. It adds to the charm of the lobby, don’t you think?”
He gave her an odd look, then got back on topic. “Do you think that’s a good idea, asking a ten-year-old girl what she wants? Seriously?”
Maddie thought back to all of the gifts she’d received when she was a child. She’d been grateful to receive them, but they were rarely what she wanted. Judy Blume books when she’d rather have had RL Stine, tartan kilts when she’d rather have a cool pair of jeans. She felt guilty for think
ing of it now, but if she could save one little girl from a similar fate, then she’d have accomplished something.
“Yes,” she said, noticing the way his dark brown hair curled just above his collar. “I’d be willing to bet that she knows exactly what she wants.”
He absorbed her words then nodded slowly. “All right, I’ll do that.” He smiled, and his demeanor changed radically. He really was quite handsome when he smiled. “Thanks for the help.” He waited for her to start walking and strode along beside her. “So you like the revolving doors, do you?”
She smiled up at him. “I do. They’re not something you see in new buildings.” They passed the concierge desk and she waved at David. “Goodbye, David. See you later.” She wasn’t about to discuss her recently unemployed status in front of the tall man at her side.
Green Eyes allowed her to enter the revolving door first, then started it moving with a push of his hand. For some reason she always took baby steps when walking through the door and she was slightly off balance when she popped out onto the sidewalk, but managed to recover.
“That sun is deceiving,” she said, pulling her coat closed at the throat. “It’s cold out here.”
He was wearing a beautifully cut short overcoat with a soft tartan scarf draped around his neck. She wondered idly if his wife helped him pick out his clothes. If so, she had excellent taste.
“Well,” he said, extending his hand, “I have a meeting, but thanks for the advice.”
“You’re welcome.” She took his hand. “Good luck with your shopping.”
He released her hand, turned away and then turned back. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.”
“Maddie.” She smiled. “Maddie LaRocque.”
“Pleased to meet you, Maddie. I’m Chase Drummond.” He flipped up the collar of his overcoat. “Have a good evening.”
She stared after him for several long moments. Chase Drummond. She backed up a few steps and looked up at the massive piece of granite over the entrance. Drummond Building. And she’d told him she approved of the door! She almost laughed aloud. What other surprises did today have in store for her? She wasn’t sure she wanted to find out.
* * *
Maddie found herself walking toward the outdoor skating rink at Olympic Plaza, which suited her just fine because she wasn’t ready to go home yet. The area was popular with nearby office workers all year long, and Maddie was no exception. In the summer months, she frequently walked the block and a half at lunch time. Come to think of it, the fresh air and pleasant surroundings had probably helped her stay sane during her incarceration at CCA Accounting.
She really had to stop thinking like that; nobody had forced her to work for the accounting firm. She crossed Eighth Avenue and ran lightly up a set of shallow steps leading into the Plaza. The last slanting rays of the sun lit up the far side of the rink, the spot where she usually sat during warmer weather. Thankfully it was deserted now; she didn’t feel like engaging in conversation.
She sat down and stared at the ice without really seeing it. The reality of what had happened this afternoon was just starting to sink in, and the pressure of tears began to build behind her eyes.
“No,” she said aloud, hunching into her coat and rocking back and forth. “I won’t let this get me down.”
For a brief moment, she wondered how Allan would take the news and then stilled, startled by the direction of her thoughts. Allan wasn’t part of her life anymore. That had ended over six months ago.
Why had she thought about him now? Was he so firmly associated with failure in her mind? She let out a long, shuddering breath of air. She’d met Allan Jameson during her final year at Simon Fraser University. He was a couple of years older, but she’d been attracted to him instantly. They dated several times before he told her he was a widower and had a young son.
Her thoughts drifted to Connor, and she wondered how he was doing. He’d been a shy young boy of four when she first met him, and it was Maddie who had suspected the child was dyslexic. She’d learned everything she could about dyslexia, and the boy had slowly come out of his shell after his condition had been formally diagnosed and dealt with.
Looking back now, she had to ask herself if she’d loved the child more than the father. Or was that her way of handling rejection?
She’d thought things were going well. Allan could be a bit domineering, but she attributed that to the fact that he was older. She’d been working in the accounting department at a large lumber supplier, and when she’d been promoted for the second time, Allan had suggested she look into studying for her CGA.
Things changed while she was studying for her accounting degree. She didn’t know why she hadn’t recognized the signs at the time; it was so clear to her now. While she was at home studying–a built-in babysitter–Allan had been going out in the evenings.
And then a little over six months ago, he’d announced he was going to marry his late wife’s sister.
The sun slipped behind one of the tall buildings surrounding the plaza, and Maddie shivered. Hearing Allan’s announcement had been the second lowest point of her life. How could she have thought they were building a life together when clearly he’d been heading in a different direction?
It had taken her some time to realize it was partly her fault. After the deaths of her parents, she’d ached to be part of a family again, and had convinced herself that she’d found a family with Allan and Connor.
Not that Allan was guiltless. He’d talked about a future as well, but in vague, unspecific terms. She dabbed at a tear that had managed to escape. What hurt most was that she’d come to love Connor. For the first few months after she’d left Vancouver, she worried about him constantly, surprised that he’d become such a big part of her life. The experience had left her shaken. Thank goodness for Lily, who had encouraged her to come to Calgary to ‘start fresh’.
Everyone should have a friend like Lily Hsu. Friends since high school, they were opposite in almost every aspect. With encouragement from her friend, Maddie was slowly regaining her confidence. She hadn’t dated yet, but that would come. In the meantime, she wouldn’t make the same mistake again.
Chapter Two
“You don’t look very upset about it.” Lily had insisted on opening a bottle of wine when she heard Maddie’s news. Her movements were quick and efficient as she screwed in the corkscrew and drew out the cork. She sniffed the wine and splashed some merlot in each of their glasses.
“I know.” Maddie swirled the wine. “Does that make me a flake?”
Lily hopped up onto the stool across from Maddie. “Hardly.” She raised her glass in a quasi-salute. “You’re the least flaky person I know. Look at it this way. You were lucky to escape.”
“You never were overly enthusiastic about me studying for my degree.” Maggie glanced across at her friend, who didn’t deny it. “It looks like you were right.”
Lily made an impatient gesture with her hand. “It’s not about who’s right. It’s about you being stuck in a job that you didn’t really like. Now you’re free to get on with the next phase of your life.”
Maddie gave a rueful smile. “I thought I was doing that when I moved out here.” She glanced around the spacious apartment. “I keep thinking that I’m cramping your style.”
Lily raised one shapely eyebrow. “Don’t worry. The men aren’t exactly beating down my door these days.” She didn’t look the slightest bit concerned.
“That’s because none of them meet your exacting standards.” Maddie studied her friend openly. Lily had done that thing with her hair Maddie could never figure out. She twisted it somehow with a flick of her wrist and shoved a couple of chopsticks through the loose knot to hold it. Maddie’s hair was long as well, but she’d never been able to achieve the same effect.
“You need Asian hair to do this,” her friend would say, yanking at her long black tresses. “You have the wrong genes.”
Lily was small and stunningly beautiful. It wasn’t unusual
for men to trip over their feet when they walked past her in the street. Born of a Thai mother and a Taiwanese father, she had grown up in Vancouver where her parents owned an import/export business on the fringes of Chinatown.
Maddie stared into her wine glass. She’d promised herself to take a day before thinking about what to do next, but that was easier said than done. She’d always worked. Even in high school she’d had a part-time job of some sort or the other.
“So what do you think you’ll do?” Lily had always had an uncanny ability to sense what was bothering her, and today was no different.
“I don’t know.” Maddie took a sip of wine. “I was going to put off thinking about it, but that’s not working. Trouble is, I honestly don’t know what I’d like to do next.”
“You could come to work for me.” Lily tilted her head to one side. “But somehow I don’t see you working in a silk screening studio.” Lily owned the premiere textile silk screening studio in Alberta, and had recently added fabric purses and casual resort wear to her catalogue. The new items were selling so quickly she was having trouble keeping up with demand.
“Thanks for the offer, but you’re right.” Maddie ran her fingers up and down the stem of her wineglass. “I suppose with Christmas around the corner I could get something temporary. All the stores will probably be hiring.”
“Retail clerk?” Lily’s perfectly shaped nose wrinkled in distaste. “At Christmas? You’d hate it after five minutes.”
“You’re probably right, but speaking of Christmas, you’ll never guess who I met today.”
“Come on, Maddie. You know I don’t like guessing games.”
“Okay, okay. I met Chase Drummond.”
Lily sat up a little straighter. “Chase Drummond as in Drummond Exploration?”
“And the Drummond Building.”
“That’s right.” Lily tapped her lips. “He owns the building you were working in. What’s he like?”
