The Christmas Crusade

by Shanna Hatfield

  “Granddad!” Kat gave him a reproving glare. “It’s warm in here, that’s all.” She removed her wool jacket and draped it on the seat beside her. Nervous, she stroked her fingers over her water glass, hoping it would help cool her sudden temperature.

  Lewis chuckled and smiled indulgently. “If I was a betting man, I’d place money on Levi Clarke being the cause of the bright roses in your cheeks.”

  Kat narrowed her gaze and picked up her menu. The plastic covered selections hadn’t changed since she was old enough to read. Despite that, or perhaps because of it, the diner was busy and crowded.

  Amazed her grandfather had managed to secure the familiar booth during a busy lunch service, Kat set aside the menu and traced her fingers over a heart carved into the wooden surface of the table. The initials in the heart were indecipherable, but she liked the idea that two young lovers once sat in the booth, defacing the café’s property to express their feelings for one another.

  A smile teased her mouth as she studied the carving. The warmth of a hand on hers drew her gaze upward. Her grandfather smiled again and tapped his finger on the heart. “That’s mine.”

  Confused, she stared at him. “Yours? You… you carved this heart?”

  “I sure did, honey. Your grandmother sat right where you are when I did it, nervous she’d get fired over it. I told her if she was, I’d take care of her.”

  Kat slumped back against her seat. “Fired? What are you talking about, Granddad?”

  “Your grandmother was a waitress here. That’s how we met. I had a meeting one day, just down the street, and stopped in to grab a cup of coffee. I sat in this very booth and a beautiful young woman stepped up to the table and walked right into my heart.” Lewis squeezed Kat’s hand in his. “You look just like her and you’ve got her spunky spirit.”

  “I had no idea. You and Grandma never talked about how you met. I always assumed you met her through work or some of your business associates.”

  Lewis took a sip from his coffee cup and smiled at the server as she approached their table to take their orders. When she left, he continued. “No, I met your grandmother here. She shared an apartment with three other girls. She grew up in a tiny town south of Salem and thought she could make something of herself in a bigger city. It didn’t take her long to discover life in Portland was harder than she expected, and much more expensive.”

  “Wow!” Astonished by the story, Kat stared at her grandfather.

  “I asked her to marry me on our second date.”

  “You did not!”

  Quiet chuckles rolled out of the older man. “I did. I knew the first time I saw her, she would be my bride, but it took a little convincing. I proposed to her on our second date, our sixth, our ninth and our twelfth.”

  Entranced by the story, Kat leaned forward. “What happened?”

  “She said yes.” Lewis grinned and traced the heart with his finger. “She’d just finished a shift here at the restaurant. I had one of the other girls slip the ring into a piece of pie and bring it to the table. Marie nearly broke her tooth on it, but she accepted my proposal. I carved that heart in the table while two of the other girls blocked the view of the owner. Looking back, he probably wouldn’t have cared. In fact, I often wondered why he left the heart on this table. They’ve sanded down the tops and refinished them several times, but our heart remained.”

  “That’s about the sweetest, most romantic thing ever.” Kat dabbed at her eyes with her napkin, trying to curtail her tears. She studied the heart again and the initials gained clarity. L and M. Lewis and Marie. “Why didn’t you and Grandma ever tell me this any of the times you brought me here?”

  Lewis stared out the window at the busy sidewalk where holiday shoppers bustled back and forth. “Your grandmother always worried people would think less of me if they found out I married a girl from out in the sticks. My parents were well to do and my mother always looked down her nose at Marie. That’s why she never told you about how we met. Honestly, I wouldn’t have cared if she’d been homeless and penniless. All that mattered to me was owning her heart and knowing her love. For fifty-one wonderful years, I had both.”

  “Oh, Gramps.” Kat used the endearment she hadn’t uttered since she graduated from college. Sniffling, she placed both of her hands over her grandfather’s aged fingers. “What you and Grandma had was something special and unique and wonderful. Your love was the stuff of movies. She loved you so, so much.”

  Lewis swallowed hard. A trip down memory lane wasn’t the reason he brought his granddaughter to the restaurant. No, he had far more important matters to discuss. “It wasn’t the stuff of movies, honey, it was true love. Your father and mother recognized it and embraced it right out of high school. It was a tragedy when they died when you were only eleven, but I’m glad you came to live with me and your grandmother.” He leaned back and sighed, giving Kat a disappointed look. “You’d think with the passionate, romantic blood running through your veins you wouldn’t be such a nincompoop when it comes to falling in love.”

  Flabbergasted by her grandfather’s proclamation, Kat stared at him, too stunned to form a reply.

  The server set their orders on the table and refilled their coffee cups before disappearing.

  Kat straightened, ready to give her grandfather an earful, but he held up a hand, silencing her.

  “Before you have a hissy fit and miss out on eating your delicious lunch while it’s still hot, I’ll cut to the chase, honey. You love Levi Clarke. You’ve been in love with him for three years. That boy is head over heels in love with you. Quit lollygagging and focus on the business of marrying that boy and making me some great-grandbabies to cuddle and spoil.”

  “Gramps!” Kat wasn’t certain which thing he said upset her more—that he knew she was in love, that Levi loved her, or that he wanted her to produce babies for his enjoyment.

  “Oh, stop pretending to be offended. Whatever crazy ideas you have about being married to your career, no time for a husband or family, blah, blah, blah…” Lewis grinned at her as he squirted ketchup on his fries. “Get over it and get busy convincing Levi you can’t live without him.”

  “But, Gramps, I… I don’t understand. I thought you wanted me to be like you, to become a partner with the company, to…”

  “That’s a bunch of bunk and you know it.” Lewis raised a white eyebrow and pinned Kat with a cool stare. “What I want for you, what I’ve always wanted for you, is for you to be happy. And you were happy climbing that corporate ladder until you met Levi. I hoped and prayed you’d someday find someone who captivated you—mind, heart and soul. I could be wrong, but I’m fairly certain Levi fits the bill. Did you really think Mr. Harchett woke up one day in a philanthropic frame of mind? I spent an entire week convincing him we had to sponsor Center for Hope. I knew if I could get you and Levi in the same room together, sparks would fly.”

  Mouth open, she gaped at her grandfather. Finally snapping it shut, her shoulders slumped in defeat and she let out a long breath. “Levi is never going to be one of the corporate types who work at Harchett.”

  Lewis winked at her. “Nope, and for that you should thank your lucky stars. Kathleen Marie Kingsley, opportunities for absolute true happiness don’t come along every day. You’ve been given a rare and special gift in a second chance with Levi. Don’t mess it up this time by thinking with your head. Focus on following your heart. What does it tell you to do?”

  Kat sat back and listened, actually listened to her heart. She grinned at her grandfather. “To love Levi.”

  “Well, quit wasting time and go tell that boy you’re mad for him. I’m pretty sure he’ll be receptive to the news.” Lewis took a big bite of his hamburger.

  “I can’t just march up to him and tell him I’m in love with him.”

  “Sure you can. It’s as simple as that.”

  “It isn’t as simple as that.” Kat waved her hand in the air, encompassing the space around them. “I’ve pushed him away, not
once, but twice. And if I do somehow convince him to give me a third chance, and if, in theory, we were to make a commitment to each other, I can’t spend every waking moment working.”

  “Nope. You sure can’t. Especially if you’re going to get busy working on my Christmas present for next year.”

  “And what might that be?” The skeptical glance she gave him as she took a sip of her coffee made him chuckle.

  “A great-grandbaby.”

  Kat almost snorted coffee out her nose. She grabbed a napkin and held it in front of her face until she regained her composure. “Gramps! I swear you’ve been dipping into spiked eggnog or something. Good grief! Even if Levi and I do come to some understanding, I think that’s moving a little fast.”

  “Let’s make it two years from now and you can double the fun by having twins.” Lewis winked and took another bite of his burger.

  Exasperated, Kat rolled her eyes and forked a bite of the grilled chicken on her plate. “Now, tell me more about the day you and Grandma met.”

  Chapter Eight

  Kat’s arms were full of bags as she hurried to the door of her apartment building. The doorman pushed it open and greeted her with a smile, offering to help carry her things upstairs.

  “I appreciate the offer, but I can make it.”

  “Let me get the elevator,” he said, holding open the door as she stepped inside. He pushed the button to her floor and politely tipped his head.

  Kat juggled her many purchases as she stepped off the elevator on her floor. She dug her keys out of her bag and unlocked the apartment door as her cell phone rang.

  Hastily dumping the bags on her couch, she scrambled to answer her phone before it went to voice mail. She didn’t bother checking the caller ID, assuming it was probably a friend calling to wish her a merry Christmas.

  “This is Kat.”

  “Hey, Kat. Did I catch you at a bad time? You sound like you ran up a flight of stairs. Maybe even jogged up them backwards.” Levi’s teasing made her smile.

  “No, I just walked into my apartment when you called. I was hurrying to answer, that’s all.” Kat plugged in her tree lights, flicked the switch to turn on her gas fireplace, and plopped down in an overstuffed chair. “What’s up?”

  “Why do you assume something’s up if I give you a call?”

  “Because you only call me when there’s something going on that involves our sponsorship with the center.” Although it was true, Kat didn’t care why Levi had called. The sound of his voice made her heart flutter in response.

  “Technically, this doesn’t have anything to do with the sponsorship, but it does involve the center.” Levi cleared his throat.

  Kat leaned back and closed her eyes. She pictured him sitting in his office at the center with multi-colored lights blinking along his bookshelf and a plump dancing snowman figurine wiggling back and forth on his file cabinet. “What does it involve, exactly?”

  “You know we have the sponsorship breakfast tomorrow morning, right?”

  “Yes, I do. Granddad and I will be there with bells on. Well, not really with bells, but we’ll both be there. Mr. Harchett is also planning to come and a few other staff members. Molly’s quite excited about it.”

  “I mentioned the choir is going to sing, didn’t I?”

  “Yes. I even heard them practicing the other day. They’re really quite good, Levi.”

  “Glad you think so. I, um… the kids kind of planned a little surprise.” He paused and Kat waited for him to continue. “A few of the teens wanted to do a little skit about how much the donations have meant to them. The two volunteers who were going to help me with the costumes and getting the kids ready are both down with the flu.”

  “And…” Kat wasn’t sure what Levi thought she could do. She was incapable of sewing on a button. If he thought she could whip up a dozen costumes in one evening, he needed to have his head examined.

  “I was hoping you could come in early and help me with the sets, get the kids in the proper costumes. One of the local theater troupes donated a bunch of old costumes and props for the kids to play with, so we have everything we need.”

  “So all you need for me to do is help set up the props and get the kids into costumes?”

  “That’s basically it. I’d owe you big time,” Levi said, sounding both relieved and nervous.

  “You already owe me big time, but I’ll add this to your tab. What time do I need to be there?”

  Levi hesitated.

  “Levi? What time?”

  “Can you be here at five?”

  “Five? In the morning?” she asked. “Who does anything at that time of day, besides Brenna? And for the record, she’s a crazy woman.”

  Levi chuckled and the sound of it did funny things to her heart. The idea of spending a few extra hours with him held a great deal of appeal. “Okay. I’ll do it, but you better give me a wake-up call about four-thirty if you expect me to be there on time.”

  “Will do. Are you sure you only need thirty minutes to get out of bed and drive all the way out here to the center?”

  “I’m sure. I roll out of bed looking like a million bucks, you know.”

  Kat thought she heard a choking sound before Levi’s voice dropped to a husky level. “I don’t know, but I’d be more than happy to find out. I’ll see you in the morning and thanks for doing this. It will mean a lot to the kids.”

  “You’re welcome. Good night, Levi.”

  Kat spent the evening sitting on her living room floor, sipping hot chocolate and listening to Nat King Cole and Perry Como sing her favorite Christmas songs. In the glow from the twinkling lights on her Christmas tree, she wrapped gifts and hummed along.

  Before going to bed, she set her alarm clock and the alarm on her phone to go off at four.

  The next morning, she slept through both alarms. Her phone rang, went to voice mail, and rang again. The promise she’d rashly made to Levi the previous evening penetrated her sleep-fogged brain and brought her instantly awake. She answered the phone and assured him she was on her way.

  After taking a quick shower, she towel-dried her hair, letting it fall in waves. She applied a little mascara and lip gloss then rushed to dress in black slacks and a forest green sweater. On her way out the door, she snatched a black wool coat out of the closet and grabbed her purse.

  Remembering the gifts she wanted to take with her, she backtracked from the elevator, picked up several bags stuffed with presents, then rushed down to the parking garage.

  The streets were surprisingly empty and quiet as she drove to Center for Hope. Since it was still dark outside, she admired the Christmas lights decorating homes and business she passed on her way there. As she neared the center’s neighborhood, she thought about how fortunate, how blessed she was with her life.

  She parked in front of the center, gathered the bags of gifts, and hurried up the steps. The doors were locked, so she pounded on them, dancing off one foot to the other in the frigid morning air.

  “Get in here out of the cold,” Levi said, grinning as he swung back the door and beckoned her inside.

  Kat admired the pine garlands and lights festooning the entry foyer. “This is new.”

  “Mike’s girlfriend brought those in yesterday. She said her office was closed for the holidays anyway, so someone might as well enjoy them.”

  “That was kind of her.”

  “It was. Does everything look okay?” Levi asked as he escorted Kat down the hall toward the gym where they’d serve breakfast. He’d stayed up half the night setting up tables and chairs, hanging garlands, trimming a tree one of the tree lots donated, and getting things ready for the Christmas Eve events about to take place.

  “The place looks wonderful, Levi.” Kat stood inside the door and stared at the garlands and lights. She inhaled the delicious scent of the towering fir tree. It mixed with the cinnamon fragrance from the ornaments the kids had made and the unmistakable aroma of popcorn from the strands decorating the tree.
/>
  The gym appeared homey, inviting and, in Kat’s opinion, perfect. “What time does the rest of your help plan to arrive?”

  Levi adjusted a drooping garland. “The people who volunteered to cook breakfast will be here at six. The rest of my morning volunteers promised to be here by seven. I asked all the kids to show up no later than seven-thirty. I have more volunteers coming to help clean up and reset everything for the Christmas Eve dinner and service this evening.”

  “I have a few errands to run after breakfast, but if you need my help, I’m happy to come back.” Kat hoped he’d accept her offer. There was nothing she’d like better than to spend the day with him.

  “I’d really appreciate that. We can’t have too many hands on a day like today.” He motioned for her to give him the bags and her coat. “I’ll put your stuff in my office. While I do that, maybe you can run down to the kitchen and pour us some coffee. I put a pot on a few minutes ago. It should be about ready.”

  Kat grinned. “You know just the right words to charm a girl, Dr. Clarke.” She started down the hall. “Honestly, I’m pretty useless until I’ve had at least one cup.”

  “Me, too.” Levi chuckled then disappeared inside the office.

  Kat met him back in the gym with two cups of coffee. She breathed in the rich aroma wafting up in the steam and closed her eyes. Levi held his cup halfway to his mouth, entranced by the sight of her. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and turned around. “Shall we get to it?”

  “We shall,” Kat said, following him up the side steps onto the stage. She stopped and gazed out over the room as she listened to a lively Christmas tune. Levi must have turned on the radio while she retrieved the coffee. “The music is great. It might help keep me awake.”

  Levi grinned. “Mike finally got the old PA system functioning again. I left my phone in front of the mic playing a loop of Christmas songs. I thought it might be a way to keep us energized until the coffee kicks in.”

  “Tell me that is not Guns N’ Roses singing White Christmas.”