Holly Pointe & Candy Canes: A heartwarming feel good Christmas romance

by Cindy Kirk

  “You could get your contract changes ready, but save the final decision until after the trip.” His palm continued to make slow circles on her belly. “Do you have other concerns?”

  Faith might not have had the opportunity to write out her pros and cons, but a list had already formed in her head.

  “I’d miss my friends. And my grandmother.” She gave a little laugh. “Of course, we’re not living in horse-and-buggy times. It’s probably, what, a three-hour flight?”

  “Sounds about right,” he said. “Nothing says you couldn’t fly back frequently. The Knoxville airport is close, and you’d be back in Holly Pointe, like you said, in a matter of hours.”

  Nodding, Faith thought of other items on her cons list. “I’m willing to work hard, but I don’t want my job to be my life.”

  “That’s why, when you review the contract, you make certain the terms are something you’re comfortable with.” Graham paused for a long moment. “It sounds to me as if they really want you. That puts you in the driver’s seat.”

  “I know.” Faith expelled a breath. “But I love my life here.”

  “I’m not telling you to walk away from it.” Graham’s voice took on an urgency. “You should do what makes you happy. Just keep in mind that happiness can look more than one way.”

  “For the record, everything you’ve said is something I’ve already told myself.” Faith pulled her brows together. “I don’t want to give the impression I’m some silly person who needs someone to tell me what to do or think.”

  He brushed a kiss against her hair. “I’d never think that of you.”

  “I like being able to bounce my concerns off you.” Warmed by his caring, soothed by his touch, Faith closed her eyes and savored their closeness.

  “I want to help.” His voice, low against her ear, sent a shiver up her spine. “Are there others? Concerns, I mean?”

  She fought to think as his nearness short-circuited her brain. “Ah, mostly things like making sure I have the creative freedom I need and that I retain the rights to the products I develop. That’s where Bryce comes in.”

  “Bryce?”

  “My brilliant brother. He has the kind of lawyerly experience I need. Because he’s family, I can count on him to have my best interests at heart.” Faith placed her hand over his. “It’s the same with you.”

  “Me?”

  “Like Bryce, I know you have only my best interests at heart.”

  * * *

  After leaving Faith in the morning, Graham’s plan was to pick up the twins, head straight back to the house and get some work done. But when he pulled up, the girls were in the middle of building a monster snowbear with their cousins.

  With Shawn and Morgan at the grocery store, Ginny appeared determined to ply him with coffee and the doughnuts she’d picked up yesterday.

  “I’m glad the girls stayed here last night.” Ginny poured Graham a cup of coffee, then sat back to enjoy her own. “I wouldn’t have wanted them on the road in such bad weather.”

  Graham lifted his cup. “Thank you, again, for keeping them.”

  Ginny smiled. “It warms my heart to see the twins getting better acquainted with their cousins.”

  Another thing to add to his should-have-done plate, Graham thought. He’d known money was tight for Shawn. Why hadn’t he made the trip to New Hampshire with the girls at least once during this past year? Even as he asked himself the question, Graham knew the answer. He’d been too wrapped up in his own career.

  While a single-minded devotion to business was the norm in his group of friends, this trip had reminded him of the need for balance.

  Encouraging Faith to take her time before signing any contract had felt right. Faith wouldn’t be happy if her private life ended up being taken over by work.

  “Graham.”

  He blinked and found Ginny staring at him. Shaking his head to clear out the cobwebs, he smiled and took a long sip of the dark roast. “I believe I needed this more than I realized.”

  Ginny’s lips lifted in an impish smile. “When I spoke with Mary this morning, she mentioned you and Faith stayed up pretty late last night.”

  Graham kept his face expressionless. Mary had been asleep—or so he and Faith had both assumed—when he’d gotten home. He thought of how tempted he’d been to make love to Faith in front of the fire.

  She’d looked so pretty with the light from the flames turning her hair golden brown. Her pajamas had been incredibly soft. Thank goodness he’d waited until they were upstairs and behind closed doors to take them off.

  “After we ate dinner, we sat in front of the fire, talking and drinking hot cocoa,” Graham added when he realized the silence had lengthened. “Hot times in the old town.”

  A hint of a smile remained even as Ginny’s assessing gaze pinned him. “You like her.”

  “Faith? Or Mary?”

  The sharp look Ginny shot him had Graham grinning. “I like Faith a lot. What’s not to like? She’s smart, funny and talented.”

  “Do you love her?”

  For a second, Graham wondered if he’d imagined the question. Surely Ginny—Steph’s mother, for goodness sake—wouldn’t ask such a personal question.

  But when he met her gaze, Graham realized, well, yes, she had asked that question.

  “I do.” He kept his tone matter-of-fact, though saying the words aloud made his feelings more real. He’d nearly confessed his love to Faith last night.

  Even if she loved him back, which he felt down to his bones she did, that wouldn’t change the fact that his home was in Manhattan, and hers was, well, hers was either in Holly Pointe or Gatlinburg.

  “Don’t you think you should tell her how you feel?” Ginny’s quiet question was really more of a comment.

  “How do you know I haven’t?”

  “I know you.” Ginny wrapped her fingers around the mug in front of her and gave him a long look.

  The concern in her eyes only added to Graham’s discomfort. A man’s current love life wasn’t a topic usually discussed with a former mother-in-law, even if that man felt closer to her than to his own mother.

  Graham cleared his throat. “I don’t see the point. My job is in New York City. Faith has made it clear she has no great love for the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.”

  “You could live in New Jersey. Or Connecticut. You could ride the train into the city, and she could have the country life she likes.”

  “Yes, but—”

  “It’s an option. It could be a compromise that allows the two of you…and the girls…to have a family life.”

  He hadn’t considered moving out of the city and commuting…and why hadn’t he? “She’d have to move her shop.”

  Ginny leveled those blue eyes at him. “It’s primarily an online business.”

  Graham expelled a shuddering breath. “You’re right. It’s an option worthy of exploration.”

  “I hear she’s got a chance to go big and move to Tennessee. Work with Dustin and Krista.”

  News traveled fast, he thought in amazement, and accepted that was small-town life in a nutshell. Not fair, but was it fair that Faith would be hounded by people wanting to know what she’d decided when she was still mulling options?

  Graham thought of Dustin’s deal, and a cold chill slithered up his spine. What if Faith heard about that proposition? He hadn’t accepted Dustin’s offer, yet he hadn’t refused it either.

  Had he given the impression he’d go along, hoping if Faith decided to go to Tennessee, Dustin would conclude it was because of his influence? Graham snorted in disgust. At Dustin. At himself. At this whole screwed-up situation.

  “Graham.”

  Sick at heart, he looked up to find Ginny’s concerned gaze on him. “Won’t you tell me what’s troubling you?”

  His defenses crumbled under her motherly concern. “I love Faith, Ginny. But I feel like I can’t truly put my self-interest aside to advise her.”

  “Why do you have to?” Ginny le
aned forward, her bright blue eyes never leaving his face. “You need to be open to alternatives.”

  Graham laughed. “That’s just what I was telling Faith.”

  “Well, then, follow your own advice. It’s not a question of NYC vs. Holly Pointe vs. Gatlinburg. It’s a question of together or apart. You’re a creative guy, so get creative.”

  “You’re right.” His voice shook with emotion he couldn’t contain. “I need to start thinking outside the box.”

  Ginny patted his arm, then surged to her feet. “Let’s check on the children.”

  With Ginny at his side, he strode to the front window. Graham frowned. “The bear is still only half done.”

  “They’re going for a grizzly. A big one.” Ginny’s lips tipped in a fond smile. “Those take time.”

  Graham’s phone buzzed. It was a text from Faith.

  Hank can’t make it in. Any chance you could help me get packages ready for pickup ASAP?

  Sensing Ginny’s curious glance, he held out the phone so she could read the text.

  “Hank Dumfries lives in the country on a low-maintenance road. I’m not surprised he couldn’t make it into town. The plow probably won’t get to him until tomorrow.”

  “That answers one of my questions.” Graham studied the text. “What’s this about getting packages ready?”

  “I assume those are orders that need to be readied for the carrier to pick up so they get out on time.” Ginny tapped her lips. “It could be anything from slapping shipping labels on boxes to putting items into the packing boxes. Whatever is going on, Faith needs your assistance.”

  Graham glanced out the window.

  Charlotte and Hannah had taken a break and were making snow angels in the yard.

  “They’ll be fine.” Ginny patted Graham’s arm. “Who knows? That bear just might be done by the time you get back.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  The seconds until Graham responded felt like hours. There were lots of people Faith could have contacted, but most of them would still be digging out.

  Her own street, one of the more highly traveled in town, was always cleared early. Mel’s brother had arrived first thing that morning to scoop the driveway and walks.

  Taking care of each other was something that came naturally to people in this region. It was only one of many reasons she loved it here.

  What she didn’t love, she thought, slapping another label on a box, was work left undone. According to the note Hank had written to her, he’d left early yesterday for a family get-together. The note said he’d be in first thing to finish up.

  Hank had lived in Holly Pointe his whole life. He’d known, just like everyone else in town, that a big storm was moving in.

  Not only hadn’t he finished his work, he’d left a note instead of calling her.

  At the ding, she glanced at her phone. She expelled the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Graham was on his way.

  The fact these orders would, hopefully, now be ready for the carrier didn’t negate that she’d been left scrambling and Graham had been inconvenienced. She and Hank would have a discussion about this when she saw him next.

  When Graham knocked on the back door, the one that led directly into the work area, she motioned him inside.

  Despite the cold, there was a lightness about him that she hadn’t seen before, a spark in his eyes that made them glow like emeralds.

  “Thanks for coming.”

  “A pretty woman texted she’s dying to see me.” He shot her a devilish smile. “How could I say no?”

  “I didn’t say anything about dying to see you.” Still, her lips curved at the teasing banter.

  “Subtext.” He took the label from her hand, set it down, then pulled her to him for a kiss.

  It was one of those kisses that started out slow, then, oh mama, left her barely able to form a coherent thought when it was over. She let herself lean, just for a second, against him.

  Then, reminding herself there was work to do, she straightened. “Thank you for coming.”

  “You’re welcome.” He grinned. “Tell me what to do.”

  Graham caught on quickly. Which was good, considering there wasn’t much time. They worked in silence.

  Faith had just placed the label on the last box when a brisk knock sounded at the door.

  A man in a steel-gray parka stepped inside. Faith fought to recall his name. Stan, yes, his name was Stan. He was the fill-in for her regular guy.

  “We’ve got everything ready for you.” With a sweep of her hand, Faith gestured to the boxes.

  “Looks like business is good.” Stan hefted an armful of boxes.

  Faith smiled. “Gotta love Christmas.”

  “Let me help with those.” Graham scooped up more boxes and followed the man to the large utility van parked, its engine running.

  In minutes, the rest of the boxes were loaded, and Stan was on his way to his next stop.

  Faith dropped down on a stool. “Thank you so much. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “Two sets of hands are always better than one,” Graham quipped, even as something Ginny said resurfaced.

  A question of together or apart.

  Now that the boxes were gone and they were alone, Graham realized the time had come to speak from the heart and confess his love. “Faith, I—”

  “I know what you’re thinking. If I was in Gatlinburg, I wouldn’t have had to do any of this.” Faith’s lips lifted in a rueful smile as she surveyed the room. “I could concentrate on what I love.”

  Swallowing the words poised on his lips, Graham expelled a breath. “Such as?”

  “Designing new products. Being the face of Faith Originals on their show.” Faith’s expression grew thoughtful. “I received the contract this morning. I read through it, then sent it to my brother.”

  Graham couldn’t hide his surprise. “You decided to accept?”

  “Not yet.” She traced a finger across a tabletop covered in a light coating of sawdust. “I’m still considering.”

  “It has to be appealing, the idea you could simply create and not have to worry about this.” He gestured toward the packing supplies and boxes.

  Graham started to say more but changed his mind. He would not attempt to influence her.

  “When we talked the other night, several things you said hit home.” She dusted off her hands. “This is an amazing offer, truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’d be foolish not to give it careful consideration.”

  He settled for a nod.

  “One thing holding me back is the lack of a social network in Tennessee.” Her brows furrowed. “I don’t have any family or friends there. Nobody even close.”

  Krista and Dustin will be there, he wanted to say, but Faith already knew that. Since she appeared to be waiting for a response, he simply said, “Having family and friends close by is important to you.”

  “It is. I believe having a healthy social life is a big part of being creative.”

  Again, she looked at him and waited.

  Graham kept his tone matter-of-fact as he recalled their earlier conversation. “You could come back to visit. Your friends could visit you there.”

  “That wouldn’t be enough.” Faith shook her head. “I don’t want to settle for a part-time social life. I want to live and work surrounded by people I love.”

  While Graham had hoped for a long-distance romance, he realized that would never be enough for Faith, and he wouldn’t ask her to settle for less.

  “Oh my goodness, Graham. You were picking up your girls this morning.” Her voice rose, mirroring the distress on her face. “I’m so sorry. I should have reached out to someone else.”

  Before she even finished, he was shaking his head. “I’m glad you texted. The twins weren’t ready to leave. They were…”

  Graham went on to tell her about the huge “grizzly” the girls and their cousins were building in Ginny’s front yard. “They love being at Gramma’s. It’
s a special time for her and for them.”

  “Speaking of special.” She stepped close and walked her fingers up his sleeve. “Last night was special for me.”

  “For me as well.” His voice came out raspy. Graham paused to clear his throat. “I have something to ask you.”

  A watchful waiting filled her dark eyes. “What is it?”

  “Are you planning on attending the Mistletoe Ball this Saturday?”

  “It’s the town’s biggest holiday event.” Her voice remained light, though for a second he swore he saw disappointment flicker in her brown eyes. “I never miss it. Will you be escorting Ginny?”

  Graham took her hand and brought her fingers to his lips, his gaze never leaving hers. He might not be able to be a permanent part of her life, but he vowed to make this date one they’d both remember. “There’s only one woman I want to take to the ball. Will you go with me, Faith?”

  * * *

  Deep in concentration, Faith jumped when her phone buzzed that evening. Bryce’s name popped up with a FaceTime request. She pushed aside the rough sketch of an umbrella, raindrops and a saying about dancing in the rain, and accepted the request.

  “Bryce.” Pleasure rang in her voice. “I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.” With December twenty-fifth just over a week away, it was too early for her brother’s yearly Christmas phone call. And she’d sent him the contract only that morning.

  Though the sun had set almost three hours ago, Bryce was still dressed in a dark suit, crisp white shirt and red tie.

  It didn’t surprise her that he hadn’t gone home from work yet. He gave one hundred and ten percent to anything he did. The oldest child in their family, this boy who excelled at everything had been a tough act to follow.

  Faith wondered how Bryce refilled his well.

  “I finished the review of the agreement—” His dark brows pulled together. “Is that a possum wearing a Santa hat on your shirt?”

  Faith looked down at her shirt, then back at him and grinned.

  “The local Wildlife Rescue sold these as a fund raiser last year.” While opossums weren’t the prettiest of animals, the one on her shirt had a sweet face. “Were you aware possums kill rats and cockroaches?”