Our First Christmas

by Lisa Jackson

  “What you did is wind her up even more by telling her my grandmother hates her!”

  “Okay, that’s what I did. But it isn’t what I meant to do.”

  “You know what’s obvious, Danielle?” Nate said. Dani winced, knowing something really bad was coming.

  “What?” she whispered.

  “It’s becoming incredibly obvious that publicly humiliating me two Christmases ago was the best thing you could have ever done for me.” He headed for the door, stopped, and looked at her for a long time. “And to think. For the briefest second there, you had me wondering if I was making a grave mistake in marrying Anya.”

  Chapter 11

  “I’m going to fix it,” Dani told Sawyer. “I have to fix it.” They were at the Cape Fear Model Train Show. Sawyer was snapping pictures of the Christmas villages and sleek model trains while Danielle trailed after him, pleading for him to agree with her that she could fix this.

  “You should stay out of it,” Sawyer said. “Or you might end up making things worse.”

  “I can’t just walk away. It’s my fault they’re fighting.”

  “That’s your problem, Bright. You can’t just walk away.” Great. He was mad at her, too. Danielle sighed and watched the miniature ski lift ascend while below the sleek black engine blew its whistles and disappeared into a tunnel. The world looked so perfect in miniature. Sawyer zoomed in to capture a family skating on an ice pond. Wouldn’t it be nice if life were as easy to arrange?

  “I like Anya. I have to make this right.”

  “I have one question for you, Bright.” Sawyer didn’t look at her when he spoke; instead he continued to take pictures.

  “Okay.”

  “And I need one hundred percent honesty.”

  “I swear on Santa.”

  “How did you feel when Nate said that because of you he’d had second thoughts about marrying Anya?” Sawyer looked at her now, and waited.

  “I felt as if someone had poured a bucket of ice over me.”

  “I’m not sure how to interpret that.”

  “I was terrified it hear it. Not happy to hear it, okay?”

  “You sure about that?”

  “I love Nate,” Dani said.

  “Here we go—”

  “Like a brother. And not, as you so rudely piped in at the restaurant, in an incestuous way. You were right all along. I turned down Nate’s proposal two years ago because deep down I knew he wasn’t the guy for me. I may not have believed that then, but I sure as heck know it now.”

  “Okay.” Sawyer glanced away.

  “It’s the truth.” Dani stepped up, touched his face with her hand, and gently turned him so he was looking at her again. “I’m not in love with Nate,” she said when she had his full attention.

  “I think I have all I need here,” Sawyer said. He gently removed her hand from his face. She followed him out to the car. Interesting. Suddenly he didn’t want to talk about them. And obviously he didn’t want to kiss her, either. Typical. She opened her heart to him and he shut her out. Was it all a game? Did he only like her when he thought she was in love with someone else? Or worse yet, had he been on some kind of mission? Had everyone at the magazine taken bets on whether or not the great Sawyer Drake could seduce her? Or was she just being paranoid and he simply needed time to process everything? Whatever. She wasn’t going to think about it right now. She’d had all the drama she could take for an afternoon. And she wasn’t going to put up with him sulking, either.

  “Do you like Christmas, Sawyer?” she asked.

  “What kind of question is that?”

  “A very simple one. Some people don’t like Christmas.”

  “I love Christmas,” Sawyer said. “Always have.”

  “Do you have a big family?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Seven brothers and sisters.”

  “Seven brothers and sisters?” How did she not know this? “Wow. Don’t you all get together for Christmas?”

  “This is the first year I won’t be home,” he confessed.

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m on assignment, Bright.”

  Dani spotted The Ivy Cottage just ahead. She suddenly felt like shopping. So far they’d spent all their time taking pictures for the article. But for the first time in two years Dani didn’t want another Christmas to go by uncelebrated. “Have you done all your Christmas shopping?” she asked Sawyer.

  “We usually draw a name and just get something for that person. Otherwise, it’s too many people to buy for.”

  “Let’s get all your brothers and sisters a present!”

  “What?”

  “Adel is making us work on Christmas. But she also wants it to be authentically Southern, doesn’t she?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “And she gave us the company credit card, didn’t she?”

  “For expenses related to the article.”

  “Then bring your camera, and the credit card, and we’ll show the world how Southerners like to shop.” Dani took a left and parked.

  “The Ivy Cottage?” Sawyer said, reading the sign.

  “There are actually three cottages and a warehouse,” Dani said, pointing to the other buildings. “I agree they should just stick an s on the end of cottage and be done with it.” She winked and finally Sawyer cracked a smile. “It’s the largest consignment shop in the South. You would not believe the treasures in these three buildings. And the best part is the prices. They’re so good that I was kidding about using the company credit card. I bet I can help you find everything on your list for next to nothing. I’ll even help wrap and mail them.”

  “You’re nuts.”

  “I’m in the Christmas mood.” They held eye contact and a surge of lust ran through her. “I think it’s all your fault,” she said softly.

  “All right.” Sawyer grinned and slapped his thigh. “Let’s do it. What about your family?”

  “I’ll get something for them, too.” Dani and Sawyer had just stepped into the first cottage when he took her hands and pulled her aside. “What if we get a little gift for each other, as well?”

  “Really?”

  “From the looks of it, we’ll be spending Christmas Day together. I’d like to have something to open. How about you?”

  “Yes,” Dani said. “Yes I would.”

  “Great. Under twenty dollars?”

  “Unless we use Adel’s credit card,” Dani joked.

  “Uh, no. She’s not getting credit for my genius gift-giving.”

  “Genius, huh? Those are pretty high stakes.”

  “So we’ll shop together for family and friends and if we both are buying something for each other in the same cottage, we’ll have to take turns.”

  “Got it. And save your appetite because after we shop, we’re going to Indochine.”

  “Where?”

  “It’s a Thai and Vietnamese restaurant just behind the third cottage. The food is to die for, and wait until you see the outdoor gardens.” Dani stopped. “That is—do you like Thai?”

  “I like anything that makes your eyes light up like that,” Sawyer said. Danielle turned away before he could see that she was thoroughly flushed from that statement.

  It was fun going through the shops. They marveled over Asian pottery, played with the Christmas villages, sat on antique sofas, and debated their most and least favorite oil paintings. When they reached circus toys that appeared to be from the ’40s or ’50s, Sawyer slowed and took his time examining them. Dani didn’t dare ask if he liked them; she wanted to pick his present based on his reactions, and she didn’t want to ruin the surprise. What fun to buy someone circus toys for Christmas. She filed it away as a possibility. She also tried not to drool over the expensive jewelry. There was a blue-topaz necklace she especially avoided. It would look amazing with her blonde hair and blue eyes, but she was afraid to even glance at the price tag. Instead she murmured how nice a pair of teacups were, especially since they were only eight dollars apiece.

>   Finally it was time to go their separate ways. Of course they had chosen the same building, so Sawyer said Dani could go first and he would run back to the first building and look around. Dani made a beeline for the circus toys. There were three animals: a tiger, a giraffe, and an elephant. There was a circus train. And there was a circus tent. God, how fun. A few shopkeepers helped her bring them up to the counter. While they were wrapping each piece in tissue paper, she quickly ran over to the jewelry counter to look at the blue topaz necklace. It was the size of a quarter, surrounded by tiny diamonds and pearls. The chain was platinum. She touched the glass above the necklace, then declined when she was asked if she wanted to try it on. Best not to get too attached. She hurried back to the counter and paid for the circus gifts. Only forty dollars. She went slightly over the limit but that was Christmas, too. What fun. Maybe she’d stop in at one of the kitchen shops at the Cotton Exchange Downtown and also buy him a few Texas products. They had hot sauce from all over. He could put it on his cheesy biscuits, eggs, and country ham that she planned on making him for Christmas breakfast.

  She was humming as she went back to the car, and still humming after she put the presents in the trunk and headed into the first shop to tell Sawyer it was his turn.

  “What’s that you’re singing?”

  “ ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,’ ” Danielle said. She hadn’t even realized it. For the first time in two years she could hum her favorite song without being struck by guilt at humiliating Nate. He was happy. He had fallen in love. And maybe, just maybe, she was falling in love, too. Of course, she had to make sure Nate and Anya patched things up. Despite Sawyer’s warning, she couldn’t possibly carry the guilt of being the one to break them up. Besides, they had to go to the Burgwin-Wright House and take pictures of it decorated for Christmas anyway. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to have a heart-to-heart with Ruth Hathaway while she was at it. Since Danielle no longer had to worry about being her granddaughter-in-law, she was no longer afraid to speak her mind.

  Sawyer was done in a flash. He was allowed to hide his package under a coat in the backseat. She was pretty sure he had bought her the teacups. She would treasure them.

  They had lunch at Indochine. It was too cold to eat in the gardens, but they still strolled through them. Dani loved the little bridge and the koi pond, and Sawyer snapped pictures of goddess statues hidden in leafy enclaves. Inside, they both ordered the curried chicken noodles and Thai iced tea. They ate and drank in a comfortable silence.

  When their empty plates were taken away, Sawyer reached across the table and took her hand. Dani became so still, she could hear her heart beating. “I really, really like you, Bright,” he said. There was a catch in his voice. It dawned on her that this wasn’t any easier for him to admit than it was for her.

  “I like you, too,” she said.

  “So what exactly are we going to do about it?”

  Danielle grinned. “Why, Sawyer Drake. Are you trying to have a conversation about us?”

  “I sound like a girl, don’t I?”

  “No way, cowboy. A girl would never be so stupid.”

  Sawyer chuckled and removed his hand. A blush worked its way up his neck. “There it is. The Bright I’m used to.”

  Dani felt as if she were soaring the skies in a hot air balloon. “We work together,” she said, aware that it was a bit risky to start poking the balloon with a stick.

  “I’ll quit.”

  “Very funny.”

  “I’m dead serious.”

  “You would quit just to go out with me?”

  “First of all, no. I would quit to be with you. Not just go out with you. You still with me or should I stop now?”

  Dani reached up and took both his hands. A tingle went through her as he squeezed her hands gently in his. “I’m still with you,” she said.

  “Good. Second of all, we both hate that magazine. I think we should finish the article, hang around to see if there’s a Christmas bonus, and get the heck out of there.”

  “Then what?”

  “Travel.”

  “Travel?”

  “Why settle for visiting gardens at a Thai restaurant when you can actually visit gardens in Thailand?”

  “I’ve always wanted to go to Thailand. And a million other places.”

  “So why don’t we?”

  “Is it really that simple?”

  “Yep. I could take photographs, you could write.”

  “How in the world could we afford it?”

  “If we both get a Christmas bonus and our back pay, it’s a start. We can find odd jobs wherever we go.”

  “Europe?”

  “Sounds as good a place to start as any.”

  “Could we?”

  “Of course.”

  “Let’s not start with London. They might think we’re following them.”

  “So you’re in?” Sawyer’s face looked so relieved, and joyful. He’d been thinking of this for a while.

  “I’m so in!” They half-stood in their seats, leaned forward, and hugged each other across the table. When she pulled back, Sawyer was coming in again, this time for a kiss.

  “But first I have to patch up Anya and Nate,” Dani said as quickly as possible.

  “You mean you’re going to meddle in their lives again.”

  “Yes. But just so we’re clear. Around here it’s known as Southern hospitality.”

  Chapter 12

  The path leading up to the Burgwin-Wright House was lined with flickering candles. A trolley hummed at the curb waiting to take patrons between it and the Bellamy Mansion. A group of Christmas carolers sang quietly from the side gardens. Wreaths adorned the banisters and hung on the iron gates. Inside, the tour guides would be dressed in colonial dresses and suits. Refreshments would sit upon the tables. Wreaths and greenery would abound on most surfaces and in the nine fireplaces. An enormous Moravian star hung from the front porch. There were even five animals from a petting zoo, all dressed in festive halters. A llama, a donkey, goats, and a cow. Apparently, Rudolph never came this far South. “If there had been an alligator, I would have been golden,” Sawyer whispered in her ear. “Do you think Adel will accept a llama instead?”

  “She’d be crazy not to,” Dani said.

  Ruth Hathaway was dressed in a red velvet colonial gown. Dani thought she looked like a slim Mrs. Claus. She began her tour on the front porch by telling the small group that the Burgwin-Wright House, built in the year 1770, was one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in all the state, and that John Burgwin meant it as a gift for his wife.

  “Makes my Christmas present kind of suck,” Sawyer whispered in Dani’s ear. She burst out laughing. Nate, who was standing with his arms crossed, glared at them. Beside him, Anya was too busy glaring at Ruth to notice. Danielle had meant to arrive early to try and straighten a few things out, but had totally lost track of time. Time flies when you’re falling in love.

  Enough. She had to stop smiling. This was about patching up Nate and Anya. Then they could go home. Danielle didn’t even care about the Christmas gala or the wedding anymore. She just wanted to make things right with Nate and Anya and then start her life with Sawyer.

  “This grand townhome is the epicenter of the events surrounding the end of the Revolutionary War. It predates the Declaration of Independence, and within these walls the battle between domination by the British imperialists and our struggle for independence was waged.” Ruth Hathaway’s eyes took on a passionate glow. “During the Revolution this home served as a command post and prison for the occupying British Army. Inside you will notice the heart of pine floors. Look for the nicks and cuts in the wood. Those were made by axes. Savage blows by British butchers!” The crowd murmured and twittered. Dani had a feeling Ruth was straying from the normal Christmas tales she was supposed to be telling.

  “Where was John Burgwin from?” Anya called out.

  Ruth looked startled by the question. “I believe he was W
elsh,” she said.

  “Oh no. I believe he was English,” Anya said.

  “Perhaps,” Ruth said. “Anyway—”

  “It’s so nice that my people could give you such a wonderful gift,” Anya said. Danielle tried to catch Anya’s eye, but she was purposefully not looking at anyone other than Ruth.

  “That’s not quite accurate, my dear,” Ruth said. “John Burgwin married a Southern woman, by the name of Margaret Haynes. It was her Southern father, Roger, who owned this land. John Burgwin only acquired it through marriage.”

  “But if his bigoted brother would have had his way, there never would have been a marriage, and thus, never this exquisite home.” Anya smiled at everyone in the group except Danielle and Nate.

  “His brother?” Ruth was finding it hard to disguise her annoyance.

  “Yes. His older brother, James. He inherited the family estate. Do you know what he had the nerve to tell John?”

  “I have the feeling you’re going to tell us,” Ruth said.

  “He said, ‘If you ever marry an American, neither yourself nor your family will ever inherit a single shilling from me.’ ” Anya put on a theatrical voice and practically shouted it. “Can you imagine such hatred?”

  “From the English?” Ruth said. “Why, I believe I can.” Dani’s head snapped from Ruth to Anya. It was impossible to look away.

  “From anyone,” Anya said through gritted teeth. “Although one might understand it back then. But surely not today.”

  Don’t call me Shirley, Dani imagined Ruth saying.

  “John went on to become an American citizen,” Ruth said. She did not acknowledge Anya’s last declaration but did she begin to speed up, as if trying to rush through before Anya could interrupt again. “He made North Carolina his home. He is buried in North Carolina. Unlike some people who seem as if they can’t wait to get back to their fancy, imperialist lives!”

  Anya gasped and pointed at Ruth. “She admitted it, Nate.”

  Nate looked flustered, and then began to clap. “Bravo, bravo,” he said. “I love the reenactment. With a modern-day twist!” Soon the small crowd joined in with an appreciative applause. Ruth gave a forced smile, and Anya frowned. Nate took his grandmother by the arm and together they stepped into the elaborate foyer. The small group followed, everyone but Anya looking at each other. Anya was too busy shooting daggers into the back of Nate’s head. This was not good. Danielle knew she should do something but she had no idea what to say.