“I think everything is coming together really well,” Taylor said, waving a hand around the warehouse and drawing him back to the present. “We’ve received thirty-nine trees so far. Can you believe it? I’m hoping we’ll get a few more. It was so nice of Kat and Levi to mention the auction at the gala. I heard several people ask them for more details and I had a slew of emails from people this morning wanting to know where they can purchase tickets.”
“That’s awesome, babe.” Mike gave her a hug then leaned back. “Is there anything I can do to help, since I’m here?”
Taylor smiled and took Mike’s hand in hers, leading him to a pile of tangled white lights. “If you wouldn’t mind…” Laughter spilled out of her when he rolled his eyes in mock dismay. “I need enough lights to go the length of the warehouse at least four times.”
“That’s a lot of lights, miss tinsel toes.” Mike lifted a ball of snarled cords. “What do you plan to do with them?”
“Turn them on and watch them sparkle!” Taylor’s giggle made him smile and he watched her hurry toward the door where someone arrived with a nativity set to donate to the auction.
“I don’t know about the lights, but she’s got the turn-me-on thing down pat,” he mumbled to himself. An hour later, he’d managed to free half a dozen strands from the mess of lights and all but one of them worked.
His phone buzzed and he answered it, relieved he needed to head out on a call. Quickly locating Taylor, he strode over to where she once again balanced on a ladder. Instead of hanging wreaths, she twisted the end of a thick piece of wire around a hook on the wall.
“What’s up, little red pup?” he asked.
She glanced down at him with a smile that made his heart flop around in his chest.
“Not the lights.” She pointed toward the pile he’d left near one of the outlets in the corner. “If you don’t put some hustle in it, I might have to dock your pay.”
“Just try it,” he said, reaching up and grasping her around the waist. Instead of setting her on the floor, he held her against his chest. “You can’t subtract from zero. Did you miss that lesson in math class?”
“Well, in that case…” Taylor bracketed his face with her hands and gave him a playful smile. “Perhaps I could pay you with something a little more personal.”
“Only if you promise to never dock my pay.” Mike let her slide down until their lips met. The kiss he gave her was anything but playful, one full of hope and anticipation. One kiss led to two then three before he realized others were watching them. Besides, a senior citizen awaited his arrival to get power back on to a non-functioning electric furnace. “Listen, Taylor, I have to get back to work. I’ll try to stop by this evening. If there’s anything you need me to help with, leave a list back by the breaker box.”
“Okay,” she said, lingering in the warmth of his embrace with her lips still tingling from his amazing kisses. Reluctant to end their moment together, she pushed against his shoulders.
He set her down and pecked her cheek. “Stay out of trouble, my lovely Christmas elf.”
“Bye, Mike.” She squeezed his hand and let herself fall into the depths of his brilliant green gaze before he brushed a knuckle across her cheek and left.
Unable to move, Taylor watched him disappear, staring at the door for the length of several heartbeats. A nudge to her side finally drew her attention to Brenna. The woman practically danced off one foot to the other in excitement.
“I knew it! I knew you and Mike… that Mike and you…Oh, this is so exciting!” Brenna gave her an exuberant hug. “So, tell me everything! When did all this happen? At the gala? Before then? Do Levi and Kat know?”
Taylor shook her head. “There is no Mike and me. We’re just… we were only.” Taylor didn’t know how to explain what she herself couldn’t understand. Something had shifted between the electrician and her. Something major. Something she had no ability to explain.
Mike had been polite to her after that first day when he’d called her a flame-headed freak. As they got to know one another better, his animosity had given way to friendship. Then, out of nowhere, he asked her on a date to the gala.
From the moment she said she’d go, everything between them changed. She’d felt it even before she watched his jaw drop in surprise at the sight of her gown. They’d both significantly changed their appearance for the event, but that had little to do with the altered state of awareness in each other or the unyielding longing Taylor felt to be with Mike.
Since she’d promised herself not to get involved in another serious relationship, the smart thing to do would be to make it through the auction that weekend, thank Mike for his assistance, and avoid him as much as possible since they both lived in the same small town.
Regardless of what she knew she should do, she couldn’t help what her heart wanted. And it wanted Mike. Wanted him with a ferocity she wouldn’t have imagined possible.
She looked over at Brenna, took in her friend’s blatant curiosity, and smiled. “We’re just friends, Brenna. Don’t get any wild ideas.”
“Wild ideas?” Brenna feigned innocence. “I’m the queen of whatever the opposite of that is.”
Taylor laughed. “Sure you are, you matchmaking little stinker. Now, what do you think of…?”
The rest of the week flew by. Thursday afternoon, Taylor put the final touches on the decorations then rushed home to shower and change before the reception for sponsors that evening. Brenna and one of the other restaurants in town donated finger foods. Two local wineries donated wine, and Taylor convinced five members of the high school’s band to perform after talking their teacher into giving the kids extra credit. Several volunteers would help staff the event.
Taylor hoped everything ran smoothly. She’d tried to talk her uncle into attending, but he assured her he was saving his energy to go to the auction Saturday evening.
She just hoped the other sponsors would come both evenings. The party tonight was her way of thanking them for supporting the first Festival of Trees.
In hopes of being able to spend a few minutes with Mike at the reception, Taylor dressed carefully. Despite her eclectic wardrobe, she owned a few cocktail dresses, evening gowns, and suits she called her “grown up” attire. From the look on Mike’s face the other night when he saw her in the black evening gown, she wondered what he’d think of her selection for the evening.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come, Uncle Bill?” Taylor asked as she balanced with one hand on the old upright piano and slipped on her heels.
Bill muted the volume on the television and turned to study her. “I’m sure, punkin, but you have a good time. Is the Clarke boy going to pick you up?”
Taylor shook her head and put a hand on Fred’s head to keep the dog from jumping on her. “Down, girl. Be good. You and Ginger keep an eye on Uncle Bill. Okay?”
The dog waggled her back end in reply and woofed.
Taylor smiled and glanced over at her uncle. “No. I’m going by myself. Mike said he’d be at the reception, though.”
Bill grinned. “It’s sure nice to see you out with a young fellow, Taylor. You’ve got too much life ahead of you to spend it alone.”
“Uncle Bill. Don’t you start one of your lectures about me finding my true love. You know I’ve already been down that road.” She slipped on her black coat and tugged on bright red gloves.
“You haven’t gone down the road to true love. The bumpy, rocky road you were on didn’t have anything to do with love. That idiot you ma…”
She kissed his cheek, silencing him. “Stay out of trouble. All three of you. I should be home before eleven.”
“Fine, honey. Have a good time.”
Taylor heard the volume return to its previously loud level as she stepped outside and hurried down the walk to where she’d left her car parked on the street. She’d just opened the door when the aroma of suede and teakwood filled the air. She spun around and smiled as Mike stepped beside her.
“Hey, there, pretty gi
rl. Need a ride?” He kissed her cheek, his lips warm against her cool skin.
“I’d love a ride, Mike. Thank you.” She allowed him to escort her to his pickup and help her inside.
Once he pulled onto the street, she glanced over at him, admiring the dark suit he wore. “You look very nice, Mr. Clarke.”
He looked down at the suit. “Figured with all your bigwig sponsors at this shindig, I better not show up in a flannel shirt and work boots.”
“I don’t think the women would mind,” Taylor teased, knowing Mike drew many admiring glances from women wherever he went.
He suggestively waggled his eyebrows then grinned. “What about you? Would you mind?”
“Not particularly,” she admitted. “However, you do look quite professional. Like a business owner. As one of the listed sponsors, you’ll represent Clarke Electric well.”
“I appreciate being included in the list of donors, even though what I’ve given has been all labor.”
Taylor shrugged. “Several of the sponsorships were in-kind. There wouldn’t be a festival without the work you contributed.”
He nodded and cast a long glance her way. “I like your sparkles,” he said, pointing to the bit of sparkly black stocking he could see below the hem of her coat.
Taylor tugged the hem of her coat up a few inches. “Thanks. I save these for special occasions. Today seemed like a good time to wear them.”
“You know you bring your own sparkle without needing bedazzled tights.” The tender look on his face melted her heart.
She reached over and squeezed his hand. “That’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me.”
Before he could reply, they arrived at the warehouse. Taylor’s volunteers beat them there, already finding their various stations throughout the building.
Two volunteers greeted Mike and Taylor at the door. Mike smiled at the teenage girls. “Let me hear the whole spiel. What are you telling guests when they arrive?”
Between the two girls tittering and blushing at the attention Mike offered, they did manage to share instructions to leave their coats in a former office Taylor turned into a coatroom then proceed down the hall to the festival area.
“Can I purchase a tree tonight?” Mike asked one of the girls, fully aware of the answer, but testing her knowledge.
“No, sir. All trees will be sold in a live auction Saturday evening. A silent auction for various items will begin tonight with the winners announced Saturday just before the tree auction.”
He nodded agreeably. “Is there a program that lists all the sponsors?”
“Yes, sir. You’ll receive one when you enter the festival area. It’s right down the hallway. Just follow the poinsettias and garlands.”
“Thank you.” Mike treated each girl to a charming smile, eliciting more blushes. “You ladies enjoy your evening.”
He placed a hand on Taylor’s elbow and guided her to the coatroom where a volunteer took her coat and assured her she had plenty of help for the evening.
“I’m impressed,” Mike said, gawking at Taylor. A lacy white blouse that might have belonged in an Edwardian collection tucked into the satin sash of a ruby red tulle skirt floating in airy layers scant inches above her ankles. Simple black pumps and pearl earrings completed her outfit.
“You look like the queen of some holiday court. Do I need to find you a crown?” he asked, smoothing a lock of hair that escaped the classic French twist she wore.
“No,” she whispered, taking his hand in hers and leading him down the hall to the festival area. She stopped outside the door and turned to him with a pleading look in her eyes. “Mike, will you tell me what you really think of how it looks. You weren’t able to be here the last few days, so I was hoping you could take a look with fresh eyes and see what you think?”
“I’d be happy to. Do you want to go inside with me or wait here?”
“I won’t be able to stand still, so I might as well come with you.” Taylor pulled open one door and locked the brace that held it in place. Mike did the same with the other door then held out an arm to her.
Together they stepped inside.
Somehow, in the last two days, Taylor had transformed the space from a big warehouse to a winter wonderland. If Mike didn’t know better, he would have thought he stood at the edge of a snow-kissed garden.
“Oh, wow, Taylor! Just… wow!” Overhead, dozens of strands of white lights draped with white organza criss-crossed the ceiling on the wire she’d hung. Hundreds of shimmering snowflakes danced in the air, giving the appearance of falling snow.
“Kat let me borrow a bunch of the decorations she used for last year’s gala. It worked out perfectly.” Taylor clasped her fingers beneath her chin and looked around the space, seeing it completely finished for the first time. She’d left off the fluorescent overhead lights, relying solely on the Christmas lights and additional lighting strewn throughout the displays. “Brenna’s brother-in-law was a huge help, too.”
“Greg generally isn’t terribly busy this time of year. For some reason, most people don’t have a lot of work for a landscaper to do right before Christmas.”
Taylor grinned at his sarcastic comment. “All I know is that I’m glad he had time to help. He hauled in the birch trees and plants and arranged them to look like a path through a park.”
“It’s good advertising for his company. I’m sure he’ll book some jobs when people see all the signs giving him credit for the landscaping design.” Mike eyed her. “I bet you had a hand in it though.”
“Greg gets all the credit.” Taylor took his hand in hers. “Let’s make a pass through before the guests start to arrive.”
Mike let her lead him along the path through the trees. Flocked branches, evergreen boughs, and a wealth of plants, interspersed with rocks and statuary made it seem like they really were in a snow-laden garden. There were even some lamppost lights located at strategic areas, illuminating what would have been dark corners. Of course, Mike had helped wire them, but he had no idea how incredible everything would look when it was finished.
“This is just amazing, Taylor. I’m really proud of you, of what you accomplished here.” Mike slid his arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple.
She leaned into him, into his strength, and released the breath she’d been holding. “You really think people will enjoy seeing this?”
“Absolutely. I’d say what you have here could rival the wow factor of what Kat offers with the gala. Hopefully, it will help raise funds for the community center.”
“Everyone has worked so hard to make this happen,” Taylor said, stopping to straighten a crumpled bow on a tree with a birdhouse theme. “I want it to be successful.”
“You’ve worked harder than anyone, miss holly holiday.”
Taylor turned and stared at him, amused by the way funny names rolled right off his tongue. She’d noticed he did the same thing with Kat and Brenna. She assumed it had to be something he did with people he liked. Gratified to be on the list of women he considered friends, Taylor couldn’t help but wonder if what he felt for her went beyond friendship.
Recalling the fervent kisses they’d shared in the few moments they’d stolen together that week, perhaps he liked her more than either of them wanted to acknowledge.
Fully aware whatever was between them couldn’t go anywhere, she decided to enjoy his friendship and companionship while it lasted and worry about sending him on his way another day.
Mike stopped in front of a tree that looked like something straight out of Whoville. The tree curved to the left while the top dipped to the right. Oversized ornaments in shocking colors covered every branch. An assortment of brightly wrapped packages rested beneath it on an orange and yellow polka-dotted tree skirt.
“Did you donate this one?” he asked, touching a grinchy green colored bell hanging from a pink ribbon.
Taylor giggled and shook her head. “I did not. That one came from the health clinic.”
; Surprised, Mike glanced around, studying the variety of trees. “Did you donate a tree?”
“I did,” Taylor said, affecting an air of indifference as they meandered through the trees.
Mike stopped in front of a tree decorated with dog bones and chew toys. “This one?” he asked.
“No, you goober. The pet store donated that one.” Taylor continued walking.
Mike took in tall skinny trees, short wide trees, fake trees, live trees, trees that weren’t really trees but works of art.
“Wow, this one is cool,” he said, observing a tree fashioned from metal pieces twisted into an exceptional sculpture.
“The foundry donated it. I think it’s superb.” Taylor leaned closer to him and dropped her voice to barely above a whisper. “I hope it brings a good price at the auction since this is a tree that can be used year round.”
“For sure,” Mike said, giving the sculpture another glance before turning down the last row of trees. A dress form draped with greenery looked like a woman wearing an evergreen gown. A red bow around the waist and a necklace of twinkling fairy lights were all the adornment on the tree. “Let me guess. Brock’s mother designed this one.”
“She sure did. I had no idea his mom is one of my favorite fashion designers until the tree arrived.”
Mike touched the strand of battery-operated lights around the neck of the dress form. “She’s never gone by McCrae, so it would be hard to know they’re related. That, and she spends most of her time in Los Angeles. I’m surprised Brenna talked her into doing a tree.”
Taylor straightened the bow on the waist of the tree’s gown. “I think Brock was the one who convinced her to donate a tree. It arrived this morning in a big crate. All we had to do was remove it and water the foam keeping the branches fresh.”
Mike glanced at a tree made from welded horseshoes then a big Douglas fir adorned with traditional tartan plaid ribbon and red blown glass ornaments. The next tree in line was a set of green drums. Stacked one atop the other, lights festooned the drum kit with a small music stand on the top drum showcasing a glittering gold star.
“You did this one,” he said, winking at Taylor.
Untangling Christmas (Silverton Sweethearts Book 3) Page 7
