I'll Be Home for Christmas

by Fern Michaels

  Chapter Five

  The sun was just making its way to the horizon when Josh stirred on the kitchen floor. He felt like a ton of bricks was sitting on top of his chest. Somehow, he managed to crank open one eye. A nanosecond later, his other eye flew open. He gasped. The woman wrapped around his torso stirred and mumbled something he couldn’t quite hear. Josh moved. Then the woman moved and rolled over onto the floor. She was awake in an instant, looking around as she tried to figure out where she was and why she was lying on a strange kitchen floor. A tortured groan escaped her lips.

  Josh groaned in sync as he struggled to sit up. His eyes were as wild-looking as his hair, which was standing on end. Angie didn’t look much better.

  “Ah, did we…? What I mean is…Do you remember?” he finished lamely.

  Angie rubbed her temples in an attempt to ease the pounding in her head. “No, I don’t think, and…No, I don’t know,” she said just as lamely.

  “Why are we…? We slept on the floor?” Josh asked this as though sleeping on the floor was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. “Why did we do that?” he asked as he got to his feet. He stretched out a long arm to pull Angie to her feet.

  “Maybe because we were drunk?” It was a question and a statement.

  Josh looked down at the floor to see the pillows and blankets. He cursed under his breath as he pointed them out to Angie. She looked away in embarrassment. “Are you sure we didn’t…?”

  “I think I would remember that,” Josh said, walking over to the coffeepot. He thought his head was going to pound right off his neck. He filled the pot, measured coffee, and pressed a button. “Do you want some orange juice?”

  “I didn’t even brush my teeth. It feels like something is growing in my mouth,” Angie said. “No on the orange juice. Oh, God, we left our cars at the Jade Pagoda. Now I have to walk there to get it. Damn. I look like someone who just…”

  “Had a wild night of sex?” Josh asked.

  “Stop saying that. We didn’t…I’m almost…No, I’m sure we didn’t. We never should have had that plum wine after drinking beer. This is all your fault, Josh. You said we couldn’t insult Mr. Win Lee by refusing the complimentary wine.”

  “You guzzled half that carafe all by yourself. You even got sick. I did not get sick. I only pretended to drink the wine.”

  “Ha! My mother…Your father…They saw us. They covered us up. Where’s my mother?”

  “How should I know? You’re her daughter, you should know where your mother is at all times. What kind of daughter are you, anyway?”

  “The kind that doesn’t know where her mother is. I bet your father…I bet he took unfair advantage of her with her new knee. My mother is naive and not the least bit worldly. Your father is a shark. Just like you.” Oh, God, did she just say that?

  “Are you accusing my father of attacking your mother? My father, who can barely walk, who just had a hip replacement? That father?” Damn, his head was pounding so bad he could hardly stand it. A shark! Damn.

  “Ha! Your father’s new hip and my mother’s new knee are those titanium joint things. That probably makes them almost bionic. They can walk. If they can walk, they can do other things.”

  “My father would never…”

  “Yeah, well, neither would my mother. Your father is a lot bigger than my little mother. She only weighs a hundred pounds. Your father must weigh two hundred. I rest my case. Oh, please give me some of that coffee before my head explodes. This kitchen hurts my eyes.”

  Josh poured coffee. “Do you always complain like this so early in the morning? What’s wrong with this kitchen?” Josh asked, looking around the ancient kitchen.

  “It’s outdated for one thing, just like the store. I never saw a stove with legs. What the heck is that funky-looking round thing on top of your refrigerator? I don’t see a dishwasher. Not that it’s any of your business, but the only time I complain this early in the morning is when I’m hungover, which is almost never, and when my mother goes missing. Have you noticed we’re fighting?”

  “Everything works. We’re not fighting, I’m discussing things and you’re…Well, what you’re doing is complaining.”

  Josh gulped from his coffee cup. Angie did the same. The word noodling came to Josh’s mind. Wouldn’t it be a hoot if his old man had more action going for him than he did? He started to laugh at the thought. He shared his thought with Angie, who, despite her pounding head, also started to laugh. Sometimes he was so damn witty he couldn’t stand himself.

  Behind the kitchen door Eva and Angus listened to their off-springs’ mating call. At least that’s what Eva told Angus it was. Angus just shook his head. “She’s right about your kitchen, it’s a disgrace. You need to get with the program, Angus.”

  Angus nudged the door open a sliver and let his gaze roam around the kitchen. “I like things I’m comfortable with, and I’m comfortable with this kitchen. Everything works just fine.” Then, tongue in cheek, he said, “Your daughter doesn’t really know anything about you, does she, Eva? You are not naive, and you’re as worldly as they come, if last night was any sort of indicator. Does your daughter know how good you are at improvisation?”

  Eva giggled. “That will be enough of that, Angus. What are they doing now?”

  “My son is whispering in your daughter’s ear. That could mean any number of things. I suggest we go back to our chairs and let them find us. Pretend to be asleep.”

  Twenty minutes later, Eva reared up from her chair. “I don’t think it’s going to happen, Angus. They aren’t going to find us,” she said, limping over to the doorway. They’re gone. What time does your day lady come in? Do you think she can give me a ride home?”

  “She’s due right now. Of course she can take you home. Will you come back, or should I have her bring me to your house later on? Better yet, why don’t I call a car service so we can have a driver at our disposal. Will that work for you, Eva?”

  “Yes, I think it will. You have my cell phone number. Call me when your day gets under way.”

  

  Thirty minutes later Eva entered her own house. She stopped at the refrigerator for a bag of frozen peas, then made her way into the family room, where she settled herself in her favorite chair. She sighed with relief when the cold from the frozen peas seeped into her swollen knee. With the three Advil she’d just taken, she knew she would feel better in a little while. She leaned back and closed her eyes. Overhead she could hear the water gurgling in the pipes; Angie washing away the night’s activities.

  

  Soon after, Eva’s eyes snapped open when she felt a presence near her chair. “Did you have anything to eat, dear?”

  “No, but that’s okay, I’m not hungry. I’ll get a bagel or something in the food court later on. What are you going to do today, Mom?”

  “Well, Angus said he was going to hire a driver and come over later. We’re going to do our best to pitch in and help Josh with the store. I worry that Eagle’s will go under. If that happens, Angus will be destroyed. Did Josh…Is he still planning on going to England after New Year’s? Did he say?”

  Angie perched herself on the arm of the sofa and stared at her mother. “He’s still going. Mom, the guy tried for ten years to get Eagle’s off the ground. I think I’d pack it in after ten years myself. His father is a selfish old man. You can tell him I said that, too. You stayed there all night, didn’t you?” Her tone was so accusatory, Eva flinched.

  Eva brushed at the hair falling over her forehead and adjusted the bag of peas on her knee. “I think I’m a little past the stage where I have to account to you for my whereabouts, Angie. Where I was or wasn’t last night has nothing to do with our current situation. I’m sure you noticed I didn’t say anything to you about how you spent your night or the condition you were in. Because, my daughter, you are old enough to make your own decisions, and you are accountable for your actions. Now, run along so you aren’t late.”

  Angie bit down on her lower lip. S
he debated presenting an argument but didn’t think she could possibly win any war of words with her mother. “Mom, where are all those cottage-industry magazines you subscribe to?”

  “In the basement in the cabinet over the washing machine. Why?”

  “I’m going to contact some of them. Everything for the most part is homemade. Small businesses like that have a hard time marketing their wares. I’m thinking…Now, this is just a thought…But maybe we can make this Christmas season a homemade, down-home Christmas. People love to buy things that are made by hand. If any of those little businesses have inventory, that will help us. What do you think?”

  “I think it’s a wonderful idea. I really do. I worry that vendors won’t be able to get merchandise to you in time for the holidays. It might be too late, dear.”

  Angie stamped her foot. “No negative thinking, remember? Anyway, we won’t know if we don’t try. Josh wants to go off knowing he did the best he could. Failure isn’t an option at this point.” Angie pointed a finger at her mother and said, “Since you seem to have the inside track with Angus Eagle, it’s your job to keep him out of our hair so we can make it happen. The minute he sticks his nose into this venture, I’m outta there, and I feel confident in saying Josh will flip him the bird and leave on the spot. Do you think you can convey all that to Mr. Eagle? While you’re at it you should get him to work on that kitchen of his. In case, you know, you ever want to move in there.”

  A minute later, Eva could hear her daughter stomping her way to the basement. She made three trips carrying the boxes out to her car. One of the things she loved about her daughter was that she always followed through on things. If there was a way to make Eagle’s Department Store soar, Angie was the one to make it happen.

  The second Eva heard Angie drive off, she picked up the phone to call Angus. “I’m ready, Angus. Have your driver pick me up; we’re going to take a trip. And, Angus, bring your check book. Where are we going? To the Amish country, where we’re going to buy everything they have that’s for sale. We’re going to eat homemade bread, homemade soup and homemade pie for lunch. I’m excited, Angus. Almost as excited as I was last night. Like I said, I’m ready. I’ll be waiting on the porch. I don’t like to be kept waiting, Angus.” A low, throaty, intimate laugh erupted when she heard Angus’s reply.

  

  Josh Eagle happened to be on the loading dock when Angie arrived. He was dressed in jeans, a UCLA sweatshirt, and battered high-top sneakers. Toss your line in the pond and reel him in. He looked good enough to make a girl’s head spin. Not that hers was spinning. Well, maybe it was revolving just a tiny bit. “Hi,” she said brightly, as he reached out to take the box of magazines from her. She went back out to her car to get the other two boxes and they headed to her shop.

  “What are you going to do with these?” Josh asked when he set the last box on the counter in the gift wrap department. Angie explained. She liked the sudden twinkle she saw in Josh’s eyes. “Do you think it will work?” His voice was beyond anxious-sounding.

  “A homemade, down-home Christmas! Isn’t that what Christmas is all about? I’m almost certain it will work. I really am. But we need a campaign to go with it. I think you might have to call an advertising agency to get it off the ground. We’re just two people, Josh, we’re going to need help. I’m determined that you are going to go out of here with a bang. Along with your father’s respect.” Now it was her turn to sound anxious. “Are you having second thoughts about leaving?”

  “No, not at all,” he lied with a straight face. Suddenly the allure of the prestigious Harrods and going to England were losing their appeal.

  “I know this is none of my business, but do you have an operating account to draw from? Do I have to run everything by you, or do you trust me to order things without your approval? How do you want me to arrange payment?”

  “Yes, no, and just charge everything to the store. I’ll give you a corporate card. And, yes, I trust you. I have phone calls to make and several meetings with some of the old staff. The discount people are here to start moving all the merchandise. Alma Bennett is in charge of all that. The minute everything is out of the store, an electrician is coming in. And then the painters, who promised to do their work at night. A cleaning crew will be right on their tails to clean and polish the new floor. That’s more or less behind-the-scenes stuff. Our real challenge is to get merchandise to fill the space. I’ll call an advertising agency at some point this morning to get that going. You’ll have to sit in on that meeting. How about lunch?”

  “I’d love to have lunch with you. How about twelve thirty in the food court?”

  “Works for me.” His hands jammed into his jean pockets, Josh started to whistle as he made his way to the second floor. He could hardly wait for lunch.

  

  “Are those stars I see in your eyes, Angie?” Bess asked.

  “Nope. Just new contact lenses.”

  “Yeah, right. Okay, what’s up? What do you want me to do?”

  Angie quickly outlined her plans, then told Bess everything that had transpired since she’d seen her last.

  “Wow! Can we do it all in time? What about the vendors? They promise everything and give you zip.”

  “I know, I know, so we’re going to insist on penalty clauses. We’re also not really going to count on them. We’re going to make this a down-home Christmas and try…I said try, to get up and running with the cottage-industry merchandise. Today you and I are going to scour these books, call the little companies, and see what we can get here in time. We won’t have to worry about gift wrapping today since the store is closed. Everything is on target with your husband and the decorations, right?”

  “John is on it. He loves woodworking. He’s made prototypes and is working off them. It will all be done in plenty of time. So tell me what’s responsible for the sparks in your eyes. Is it Josh Eagle? Wooeee, you’re blushing, Angie.”

  “I am not. It’s.. It’s really warm in here. Now, let’s make some coffee and hit these magazines.”

  The morning passed quickly as the women consumed two pots of coffee while earmarking pages for further discussion. By noon, Angie’s yellow legal pad was full of telephone numbers and notes on which merchandise she was interested in.

  With one box of magazines to go, Angie washed her hands, fluffed up her hair, and checked her lipstick, ready to meet Josh for lunch. “Do you want me to bring you something for lunch, Bess?”

  “No, I brought my lunch. You do remember how to flirt, don’t you, Angie?”

  Angie stuck out her tongue in Bess’s general direction, but in the end she had to laugh. “Do I look okay?”

  “You look good enough to go fishing. Remember what I told you about tossing your line in the pond. Play it cool, and he’s all yours. That’s assuming you want him. From where I’m sitting, the guy is one heck of a catch. Go already. It’s not nice to keep the boss waiting.”

  “Jeez, he is my boss, isn’t he? That’s going to take some getting used to. Are you sure I look okay, Bess?”

  “You look fine, now go. Just remember to smile a lot. Pretend you’re interested in what he has to say. You don’t always have to be a know-it-all.”

  

  On the way to the food court Angie wondered how many women were waiting in the wings for Josh Eagle. She just knew he went for the long-legged modeling types with their glossy smiles, sun-streaked hair and designer clothes. And, according to Bess, who was up on all things Josh Eagle, if any of them had a brain, they’d be dangerous. Angie sniffed. Bess didn’t know everything even though she said she did.

  Josh was waiting for her by the Philly Cheese Steak booth, which probably meant that’s what he intended to eat for lunch. He was holding a twin to the legal pad she was carrying. Ah, a business lunch. She smiled.

  Josh waved the yellow pad. “Guess this means we’re going to work through our lunch. I had a pretty good morning. How about you?”

  “Bess and I made some progre
ss. I want to run it all by you before I make some calls this afternoon. I just want half a sandwich and a cup of coffee. And a brownie.” She smiled. And smiled.

  “Are you happy about something? You keep smiling. Is it anything you want to share?”

  Angie made a mental note to slap Bess upon her return to the gift wrap shop. “Actually, I am. Happy, that is. I can see light at the end of the tunnel, believe it or not. How about you?”

  “You look pretty when you smile. You should do it more often. But to answer your question, I certainly feel a lot more positive than I did yesterday morning.”

  Angie didn’t know what else to do because her heart was beating so fast, so she smiled. And smiled. Then she smiled some more. I’m still going to slap you, Bess.

  Chapter Six

  It was midafternoon when Angie pushed herself away from her tiny desk where she’d been making call after call in the hopes of saving Eagle’s Department Store from closing its doors.

  “How about a nice, cold soda pop?” Bess asked as she peered into the minifridge in the alcove where the coffeepot was located. Angie nodded.

  Bess pulled over a stool and sat down next to Angie. She looked pointedly at the canvas bag at Angie’s feet. Poking at the colorful bag with her foot, she asked, “You haven’t told Eva, have you? Or Josh?”

  Angie bit down on her lower lip. “I meant to tell Mom. I had it all planned, and then she up and decided to have her knee done. I didn’t want to upset her. I don’t…What I mean is, I don’t think I owe Josh an explanation. As soon as Mom is in high gear again, I’ll tell her. She knew this was not a forever job for me. I agreed to help out when my aunt died, then things went south. It’s time for me to do what I do best, and this isn’t it. Besides, she has you, Bess. It will all work out.” Her tone was so defensive, Bess winced.

  “Did you sign the contract yet?” Bess asked.

  The contract Bess was referring to was an employment contract between Angie and the Sunnyvale, California Board of Education for Angie to teach the third grade starting next year.