by JoAnn Ross
“You can cook?” Ava finally seemed to forget to be guarded and grinned.
“Yes, and very well I might add.” He’d spent a long time on his own and had needed to learn healthy cooking to stay in shape for the game and then later preached the importance of nutrition to the kids he coached. Ava pushed her granny glasses up from where they kept slipping to the tip of her nose. “Wow, I’m surprised.”
“I guess there’s a lot we don’t know about each other,” Clint said. And a lot I’d like to explain, he thought with a touch of sadness.
“Yes, it’s been a long time,” Ava agreed. Her guarded expression returned. She remained quiet as the parade headed down Second Street, past a neat row of houses decorated with an abundance of Christmas cheer. The sun was dipping low in the sky and a breeze was kicking up, but colder temperatures didn’t seem to dissuade the citizens of Cricket Creek from watching the parade.
Clint reached into the basket for more candy but instead encountered carved wooden toys. “What are these for?” He held up a cute little rocking horse.
“Oh, those are for Santa to hand out when we reach the big celebration on Main Street.” She pointed to a gold sticker on the bottom. “A bit of self-promotion, I’m afraid. All of the toys in A Touch of Whimsy are handmade. And many of the crafters are local,” she added with a lift of her chin.
Clint examined the toy, leaned closer to her, and whispered, “By local elves, you mean.”
Ava tilted her head back and laughed.
God, Clint loved the sound . . . feminine and throaty. She might be dressed in a silly costume with white stuff sprayed on her hair, but underneath it all was still pure Ava.
Suddenly the parade came to a halt and everyone including the band became silent.
“What’s going on?” Clint asked with a bit of alarm, but Ava put her index finger to her lips. Clint waited a minute but wasn’t satisfied, so he scooted closer and whispered, “Seriously, Ava, what’s happening?” It was then that Clint got a whiff of her perfume . . . the same light floral scent that she wore back in high school.
Ava turned her head slightly toward him and whispered back, “The parade is much better than when we were kids. Just watch. You’ll see. . . . It’s magical.”
“Okay . . .” Clint nodded, but he was reluctant to return to his side of the sleigh. Temperatures were dropping, and when a gust of wind hit them, she shivered. It was all Clint could do not to put his arm around her shoulders and keep her warm. When he stayed close, she didn’t protest, and so he didn’t move.
It finally dawned on Clint that they were waiting for the sun to completely set. A few moments later, the big ball of fire dipped beneath the horizon. Lights . . . hundreds—no, thousands—of them sprang to life all at once, turning Main Street into a shining beacon of Christmas joy. Each shop, all of the trees, and every streetlamp lined along Main Street glittered against the backdrop of the darkening sky. The band started playing “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” and the crowd, including Ava, started cheering. The next song, “Silent Night,” felt like a sweet breath of peace, played softly so that the town could sing along with their voices sounding as one.
Joy felt like a collective emotion, and for the first time in a very long while, Clint felt the spirit of the holidays grab him. When he started singing, Ava turned to him and smiled. He longed to take her hand and hold it, but he refrained.
“Start handing out toys, Santa! The children know what’s coming and will be clamoring close to the sleigh with outstretched hands.”
“There won’t be enough for every kid,” he said.
Ava patted his leg. “Don’t worry. They know that if they miss out, all they have to do is come by my store to get a toy. It’s the honor system.”
“Generous of you, Mrs. Claus.”
“It’s not much, but all in the spirit of Christmas,” she said brightly. When she noticed that her hand was still resting on his leg, her eyes widened over the glasses, and to his disappointment, she quickly pulled away. It was odd because Clint knew exactly what she was experiencing. In so many ways, it felt like old times, as if the fifteen years apart had never really happened. But on the other hand, he could feel the raw edges of the hurt that he had caused by disappearing so completely from her life when they had meant so much to each other.
When the parade started moving forward, Clint began tossing toys into eager hands. Each little toy was cuter than the next. “I’m looking forward to seeing your toy shop, Ava.”
“It’s located in the old hardware store. Ed moved to a bigger location just outside of town.”
The heart and soul of Main Street remained the same, but the buildings looked fresh and vibrant. Myra’s Diner, the hot spot after high school games, was now called Wine and Diner. While the original building remained, there was an addition and a brick-paved courtyard off to the side. “So Myra sold her diner?” The thought made him a little bit sad.
Ava shook her head. “No. When the diner was struggling to keep up with the chains, Myra’s niece Jessica came back to town.”
Clint thought for a minute and then nodded slowly. “Oh yeah. I remember that Myra took her in when she was a pregnant teenager. Didn’t she become a big-time chef?”
“Yes, at a fancy restaurant in Chicago.”
“Right, Dad told me some of this.”
“Well, she came back with her daughter, Madison, who now teaches at the local college and is a playwright. Jessica married baseball star Ty McKenna, who, I’m sure you know, coaches the Cricket Creek Cougars.”
“Wow . . . This little town has attracted some movers and shakers.” He grinned when he pointed to Grammar’s Bakery. “Still the best butter cookies on the planet?”
Ava groaned. “Yes, and such a temptation since it’s located right across the street from my shop. The smell of baking bread is nearly impossible to resist.”
Clint smiled when he spotted A Touch of Whimsy on the other side of the street. The structure was an original Cricket Creek redbrick building, but she had added some gingerbread trim painted white. The big picture window had a Christmas village display, and a huge wreath adorned the front door. He wanted to hear all about her business and her life, but he decided to go slowly.
“It must be fun owning a toy store.”
Ava turned to face him. “Oh, it is! Everything in the store is pretty simple, requiring imagination rather than batteries. You won’t find a video game in there.” Ava shook her head but then grinned. “Growing up, I wanted all of the latest stuff, not realizing that the homemade toys beneath the Christmas tree were true treasures.”
Clint swung his hand in an arc. “And obviously this is your busiest time of the year.”
Ava nodded. “You’re right. This is the most important season for most shops, but of course, especially for a toy store. There have been some lean years, for sure, but I’ve added arts and crafts, tea parties, and birthday parties. Dad teaches a wood workshop for children interested in making their own toys.” She shrugged. “I’ll never be rich, but I love what I do, and that’s more than some people can say. I feel blessed.”
“True,” Clint said, thinking that he wished he felt the same peace within himself that Ava seemed to have. He wanted to ask her more, but she turned away once again, as if she was opening up and didn’t want to give up more of herself. But he’d made her smile, heard her laughter. It was a beginning.
Here and there were other new shops that Clint didn’t recognize, and although he remembered Cricket Creek as being a quaint river town, there was a fresh vibrancy, an air of excitement that he could see on the faces of the crowd.
And suddenly, to Clint’s delight, it started snowing! Big, fat fluffy flakes swirled in the crisp night air. He couldn’t have asked for a more perfect night to be reunited with Ava, and he didn’t want to waste the opportunity to have her back in his life.
“Oh my!” Ava laughed with pure joy. “It’s beautiful!”
Clint raised his g
loved hands skyward. “Ho, ho, ho, cue the snow!”
“I wish it were that easy! We’ve hoped for snow for years, but it’s never happened, at least while I’ve been part of the parade.” She tilted her face upward and laughed again when the cold flakes hit her cheeks. She turned and smiled at him. “I guess you’ve missed snow.”
“I’ve missed a lot of things.”
Ava blinked at him for a moment, as if she wanted to ask him more but was hesitant. “Main Street looks like a lovely scene inside a snow globe!” Her smile remained bright, but there was a nervous edge to her voice.
“Yes.” Clint nodded. “You were right, Ava.” With the fat flakes swirling in the wind and colorful Christmas decorations everywhere, Cricket Creek glittered with Christmas cheer. “It’s truly magical.”
Ava’s smile widened, and she seemed to relax if just a little bit. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold, and she looked so adorable in the silly outfit that he wanted to lean over and kiss her. Something in his expression must have given him away because her smile faltered..
From that moment on, she kept her attention focused on the crowd. Disappointment settled in his gut, but he understood. He’d hurt her a long time ago, and they needed time to get to know each other again. But he knew he wanted to regain her trust. Fifteen years was a long time to be away, but there was still a strong bond between them. He could feel it.
A few minutes later, the parade and music halted once again. Noah and Olivia Falcon got out of the Corvette and headed over to the tall pine tree in the middle of the town square.
“It’s time for the lighting of the tree,” Ava explained.
A moment later, the tree exploded with color and the crowd roared with approval. The band started playing “O Christmas Tree,” and once again Cricket Creek became a collective choir. Ava, though, remained quiet this time. Halfway through the song, a single tear slid down her face. She quickly brushed it away, leaving Clint to wonder if the show of emotion was for the lighting of the tree or if it had something to do with him. Once again, he wanted to reach over and take her hand, but he held back.
Clint didn’t know if he could rekindle what they once had, but he was up for the challenge. He wanted to explain some things to Ava, and whether it closed the door between them or opened it for another chance, she deserved an apology.
Clint smiled softly. She might try to avoid him, but he was Santa Claus in Cricket Creek. He had that power, at least, and he wasn’t above using a bit of holiday magic of his own.
3
Winter Wonderland
“Rosie, get over here!” Ava called from her back door. Rosie paused from playing in the snow to look up at Ava. “Come on, girl!” Ava coaxed, but Rosie’s tongue lolled out of her mouth and she gave Ava that pleading look that said she wanted Ava to join her. “No, it’s too cold!” Ava shouted as if Rosie understood English.
“Don’t you want your treat?” Ava asked, but Rosie gave her an are-you-kidding-this-is-way-too-much-fun bark and then proceeded to frolic in the winter wonderland.
“You silly thing.” Ava shook her head and pulled the edges of her pink terry-cloth robe closer together. She couldn’t help but laugh when Rosie buried her nose in the snow and then flung some up into the air. The playful pup had shown up on Ava’s back deck one cold and rainy night three months ago and had been living with Ava ever since.
After closing the door against the chill, Ava shivered and then walked over to the kitchen counter to pour a cup of coffee. The fragrant steam cleared the remaining cobwebs from her head as she added cream and sugar. Rosie wouldn’t venture very far, and after she had her fill of the snow, she would come scratching at the back door begging for a treat.
Ava lived in the apartment above A Touch of Whimsy, making her morning commute to work a mere walk down the stairs. The open floor plan made the space feel bigger than it actually was and she liked the rustic beamed ceiling, hardwood flooring and exposed brick walls. Her furnishings were mostly purchases from antique and thrift stores in Cricket Creek, except for the sturdy kitchen table built by her father. Beautiful rugs woven by her mother added a shot of color that brightened the otherwise neutral decor. While Ava still enjoyed trips out to her family’s farm, she liked the convenience of being able to walk to many of her favorite stores and restaurants in town. Knowing how tough it was to stay in business, Ava preferred to spend her money locally. Now that the economy had picked up she shopped more often and it was such a blessing to see store owners thriving instead of the constant struggle.
After the snow flurries had turned into snow showers, last night’s festivities had been cut short in an effort to get everyone home safely. Thankfully, the squall had only amounted to an inch or so and the streets were already safe to drive. With no more accumulation in the forecast, the rest of the Main Street events for the weekend should go on without a hitch. Well, unless you included the return of Clint Sully, but Ava refused to think about him before finishing her first cup of coffee.
Cradling the warm mug in her hands, Ava walked over to the front window and looked down over Main Street. Bright sunshine had melted the snow on the pavement but it remained on the grass and rooftops, making the bright red Christmas bows and greenery look even prettier.
After yawning, Ava took a sip of the coffee she’d brewed extra strong since sleep had pretty much eluded her last night. All she could think about was Clint. She wondered what he looked like beneath the Santa beard and padded costume. He’d been tall and lanky up until senior year when he’d filled out, making him even more of a threat on the baseball field. Doubles and singles turned into home runs but he had remained fast on the base pads, rare for a catcher. She’d loved watching him play and almost never missed a game even if she had to stay up late doing her homework. Ava smiled at the memories that came flooding back. What would have happened if Clint hadn’t moved to California? Would they be married with a house full of children?
“Don’t go there,” Ava grumbled. “That ship has sailed.” She took another sip of coffee and tried to push thoughts of Clint from her brain. With an effort she started considering what to eat for breakfast when she spotted a black BMW Z4 convertible rolling down Main Street. Except for people like Ty McKenna and Noah Falcon, Chevys and Fords were the norm in Cricket Creek, and when the black beauty slid into a space across the street in front of Grammar’s Bakery, she watched to see who would emerge from the driver’s side. The door opened and long, jean-clad legs unfolded followed by wide shoulders in a black leather bomber jacket. A dark head of hair long enough for a girl to run her fingers through became ruffled in a sudden breeze. Silver aviator sunglasses glinted in the sunlight, shading his eyes, but Ava would have known that strong jawline and prominent nose anywhere. Her heart started beating faster.
Clint.
When he looked over at her shop Ava moved away from the window and flattened against the brick wall so fast that coffee sloshed over the top of her mug and splattered on her slippers. She wasn’t sure if he knew she lived in the loft apartment but she wasn’t taking any chances at being caught gawking at him. Still, she tiptoed—why she felt the need to tiptoe she didn’t know but she did—back over to the corner of the window. Pressing her lips together, she peeked past the chocolate-colored panel curtain that was almost always kept open to let in sunshine. Ava watched Clint pause in front of his convertible and dig into his pocket. A moment later he answered his cell phone. “Oh boy . . .” she breathed when got a nice shot of denim-clad butt beneath the black leather jacket.
Wow . . . Clint Sully was all grown up and looking mighty fine! The Santa belly had been all padding. She watched until he opened the door and entered the bakery and then decided that a bowl of Special K would be an excellent choice for her own breakfast.
Still, Ava stood there for a moment, gathering her wits and sipping her coffee. After inhaling a deep breath she blew it out and said, “Just act natural around him.” Taking her last swallow of coffee she added, “You know . . . c
asual.” And whatever you do, don’t bring attention to yourself, which was unfortunately something she had a knack for doing without ever trying.
Knowing she had to get downstairs Ava poured her cereal, wishing she had a banana to liven it up, and then got the treat out for Rosie. She waved the rawhide chew out the back door and finally managed to coax the happy puppy inside. “Hold still, you squirmy thing,” Ava pleaded with a laugh. After wiping Rosie’s wet paws with an old towel kept there for that purpose, she rewarded her dog with the chew. With her tail wagging furiously, true to form, Rosie scampered away to hide her beef-flavored treasure in back of the sofa.
“You should really mix it up with a different hiding place,” Ava suggested when Rosie came back to get her ears scratched. “But I understand. I do the same thing with my stash of Reese’s Cups.” While Rosie crunched her puppy chow, Ava ate her cereal even though a warm and gooey cinnamon roll from Grammar’s Bakery was calling her name. She suddenly remembered that powdered-sugar doughnuts and butter cookies had been Clint’s treat of choice and she wondered if that’s what he’d just bought.
“Who cares? Stop thinking about him!” Ava said so loud that Rosie paused in her crunching and gave her a you-humans-are-wacky look. Perhaps you can’t stop thinking about him because you do still care, argued the voice inside her head that she longed to silence. After an exasperated groan, Ava grabbed a pen and paper, another cup of coffee, and starting making a list of things to do in order to prepare for the crowd of people attending the rest of the weekend celebration. A Touch of Whimsy was a part of the Christmas walk open house later that afternoon but the entire day would be a busy one. Pete usually played Santa for a couple of hours in the afternoon. With a little of flash of excitement Ava wondered if Clint would show up instead of his dad.
“I hope not,” she mused out loud but then sighed. “Oh who am I kidding? But I’m just curious . . . nothing more,” she told herself. Maybe instead of trying to act casual she should just give him the cold shoulder? Pretend indifference? She closed her eyes and sighed, acknowledging that it was pretty doggone difficult to give a cold shoulder to a man who made you feel warm all over. The thought snuck into her brain that maybe this was their second chance but she quickly squashed it. Getting over Clint Sully had been heart-wrenching and she didn’t want to go through that pain ever again.
