“I would be very surprised. She sleeps like a rock. Her name’s Megan.” Anika said. “Let me just grab my things here.”
“You might want to turn off the tree for the night. Cecilia warned me not to overload the circuits. I guess the electrical wiring in this building is pretty old.”
Anika nodded and flipped off the lights. She watched as Carlos gently knelt next to her daughter and lifted Megan into his arms. The child sighed and pulled her blanket tighter. Carlos held her tenderly and smiled, lifting his eyes to meet Anika’s. The way he held her so carefully did something dangerous to Anika’s heart. It was like the moment a match slides across the side of the box igniting an explosion of heat that pops and sizzles. And she couldn’t afford to play with fire.
CARLOS NOTICED THE WAY ANIKA’S throat tightened and then relaxed when he lifted Megan from the cupboard. She kept a close eye on him, as if she wasn’t sure whether to trust him or not. Her blue eyes were full of stories. Stories he would have liked to hear, if she’d let him. Something about the tightness around her eyes and the stiffness in her movements told him she was on guard. There were snippets of interest in her glance and it was enough to give him the encouragement to hang around.
She pointed. “I’m right out front today.”
He nodded and followed her out to the beat up Nissan Sentra with a crappy red paint job and no hubcaps. She hurried to unlock the door, still favoring her ankle, and moved a few items out of the way. She stood by the door of the car and smiled at him as he moved to place Megan in the car. He hesitated for a second, meeting Anika’s gaze. She was stunning in the soft glow of the street light with a few strands of her light brown hair curling softly around the nape of her neck where it had escaped the bun. He wondered how long her hair was, and if it was as soft as it looked. Carlos had noticed her earlier from across the store and wondered if he should try to strike up a conversation. Lucky for him, the Christmas tree had provided the perfect introduction.
He tucked Megan into the car and buckled her seatbelt. “You’re right. She is a heavy sleeper.” He stepped back from the car, closing the door quietly. He lifted his eyes to Anika’s and nodded.
She adjusted the straps on her bag. “Well, I’d better get her home. Thanks so much for your help.”
He didn’t want her to leave. He wanted to stand there for a few more minutes and talk, but it would have to wait. Anika moved to open her car door, but Carlos opened it for her. The way she stood so straight made her appear tall, but when she ducked into her car, Carlos guessed she was about five foot six. “Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
Anika hesitated, and then gave him a tentative smile. “Maybe.”
Carlos rubbed a hand along the back of his neck as she pulled out of the parking lot. The evening was cold with clouds threatening snow. He shivered as her tail lights disappeared around the corner. Tomorrow he’d come in a bit earlier to get started and see if there might be another opportunity to chat with Anika.
He hurried back inside to clean up his tools and get ready for his next eight hours on call in the Echo Ridge Volunteer Fire Department. The town was small so they operated on a tight budget which meant that all of the firemen had other jobs. For Carlos, it kept him busy, sometimes too busy because he hadn’t been on a date for two months. His madre had pestered him last time they talked, “Twenty-seven is too old to be single. You should be giving me grandbabies by now.” He smiled thinking of her rapid Spanish and the thick accent that accompanied her words when she spoke in English.
Five years ago his mother had moved from Puerto Rico to sunny Florida. She didn’t understand why her son wanted to live in a cold climate such as upstate New York. But Carlos loved Echo Ridge, the town was small enough that he waved at several people on his way to work each day, but big enough that he’d been able to keep his own business afloat. The smog steered clear of Echo Ridge and the buildings had character, with old-style architecture that would continue to be in need of his carpentry skills. Even though people seemed busier than they used to, he liked the slower pace compared to some of the bigger cities he’d visited.
With his tools tucked safely inside the back of his pickup, Carlos drove a mile east of the store, up a slight hill and pulled into the three-bedroom bungalow he called home. The front porch leaned to one side, but new shingles covered several parts of the roof. He hadn’t started replacing the windows yet, which were all aluminum frames, but the new front door was locked and secure. He’d purchased the home last year just before foreclosure. Every paycheck he bought more supplies to fix up the place and it was looking better, but wasn’t anything to be proud of yet. Who was he kidding? There was a reason he wasn’t married. Who would want a college dropout who lived in a rundown house, even if it was close to Parley’s Way and its posh residents?
Carlos had picked up a few good clients from the Ice Money population that flocked to Echo Ridge during ski season but it wasn’t steady enough to support a family yet. He thought of the woman he’d met tonight. She had a daughter and would need someone stable. Carlos pursed his lips. Maybe it’d be better if he didn’t bump into her at the store. He pulled open the new kitchen cabinets he’d installed last summer— the white paint gleaming under the recessed can lights above the sink. Maybe he should take his mother’s advice and sell this place for a profit, move closer to family, and the sunshine of Miami. He shook his head, halting the negative train of thoughts. The desire to fix up the place still burned inside, and he couldn’t ignore the visions he had of the newly remodeled home, perfect for a little family. It might not be his family, but he would keep working until he finished this place. He had that much time at least to make up his mind about his future in Echo Ridge.
ANIKA FOLDED A STACK OF SHIMMERY sweaters for the holiday display next to her cash register. Kenworth’s had been busy when she first came in at five o’clock, but the Wednesday night crowd was thinning out. A good thing because Megan was growing tired of playing on the floor. She had visited Santa earlier and told him in great detail about the dollhouse she wanted. The hollow place inside Anika ached when she heard the hope and joy in Megan’s voice. The child had complete faith that Santa Claus would bring her exactly what she asked for.
Her daughter zoomed through the clothing racks with a Care Bear under her arm— the toy Anika had found at a yard sale last summer for a dollar. Too bad there weren’t any yard sales in December.
Only two more days until pay day, maybe she’d have enough to buy Megan the gift she really wanted, but no. Anika chewed on her bottom lip. If she paid the daycare there definitely wouldn’t be enough, and if she didn’t pay them she’d have to keep bringing Megan to work with her. Anika pressed her fingers against the soft sweaters. There had to be another option. She was just too tired to see it right now.
Someone had come in earlier with a sheet of labels to put in the cards on the Hope Tree. Anika hadn’t looked, but she knew they contained information about people in need, children mostly, with specific sizes and toy requests for people to purchase to make their Christmas wishes come true. She’d spent some time creasing the cards to hang on the tree, making sure each one contained a label that was adhered perfectly straight according to Cecilia’s command. The cream-colored cards were edged to look like snowflakes and they hung from a golden string that reflected the overhead light. Silver and gold bells dangled from the branches and chimed softly whenever someone bumped up against the tree. Anika clenched her teeth. How ironic that it was her job to decorate the tree. Maybe the overtime would be enough to pull her out of the financial crevice she’d been stuck in for the past six years.
A woman walked by, trailing the scent of expensive perfume and toting a shopping bag overflowing with goods. That woman had no idea what a difference one-hundred dollars could make in someone’s life. Anika swallowed, and breathed out her mouth so she wouldn’t have to smell the fragrance of money she’d never have.
She arranged the sweaters carefully with a bit of gold tinsel
snaking around the table. Megan zipped past, bumped into her elbow, tripped, and crashed into the pile of ornaments Anika was supposed to hang on the Christmas tree tonight. She heard the high note of breaking glass and sucked in a breath.
“Sorry, Mommy,” Megan whimpered.
Anika snatched her from the floor, quickly scanning her daughter for any injuries, and then holding her firmly. “I want you to go sit on your blanket behind the cash register while I clean this up.”
Megan’s lips turned into a pout but Anika narrowed her eyes and shook her head. Her stomach clenched when she found the first broken ornament. It was a green and white glass ball, or it had been. Now shards of the thin glass littered the area. It was almost nine o’clock, hopefully there wouldn’t be any customers coming in this late and she could get everything cleaned up.
She sorted through the rest of the boxes, and her heart returned to normal speed— there weren’t any other broken ornaments. She picked up a large piece of the green glass and bent to throw it away. The clicking of heels behind her ratcheted her heart into her throat. She turned to see Cecilia round the corner and take in the situation.
Megan chose that moment to pop up from behind the counter and yell, “Boo!”
Cecilia jumped, glanced at Megan with distaste and turned to Anika. “If you want to keep your job, you need to be responsible for your daughter.”
“Sorry.” Anika pointed to her daughter. “Megan, sit down and be quiet. Now is not the time to play peek-a-boo.”
“And what happened here?” Cecilia tapped her foot. Her frown lines deepened as she studied the bits of broken glass glistening from the polished wood floor.
“Megan tripped and broke an ornament. I’ll get it cleaned up.” Anika didn’t offer to pay for the ornament, but she felt the expectation in the current of air snapping around Cecilia’s head.
“I shouldn’t even have to say this, but your daughter isn’t an employee here and we’re not a daycare center.” Cecilia’s voice crept up the scale a few notes. Anika heard the threat.
“I know, and I’m sorry. I couldn’t find anyone to watch her.” Anika looked at the floor, swallowed the tiny fragment of pride she had left and begged. “Please, I really need this job. I’ve got some medical bills that are due, and I didn’t have another choice.”
Cecilia sighed. “We’ve all got bills to pay. Now, I’m going to treat you like a professional and I expect the same from you. Take care of your daughter.”
“Excuse me, but can I help?” It was Enrique’s brother with the sexy scruff lining his jaw. Anika studied the way his broad shoulders were set, his hands clenched as if he was angry. She stared, trying to think of his name. Carlos. She remembered him saying he wanted to see her again tonight. He’d rescued her from the Hope Tree and now he was interrupting Cecilia’s tirade.
“Anika’s daughter broke the decorations for the Christmas tree,” Cecilia said, as if Megan had destroyed everything instead of just one ornament.
“I can pay for the damages. Is it just a couple ornaments?” He gave Cecilia a tentative smile.
Anika’s eyes flitted from him to Cecilia, and she gave herself a mental shake. “It was one. I’ll get this mess cleaned up and you can take it out of my paycheck.”
“The store can cover it,” Cecilia huffed. “Just make sure it doesn’t happen again.” She turned and took two steps, and inclined her head toward Megan. “And find a sitter for your daughter.”
The main lights in the store switched off. Anika watched her boss disappear down the dim hallway past the employee lounge. She wished she could crawl into a dark hole and not come out until spring. Christmas would be over then and she wouldn’t have to worry about this job, decorating trees, or buying presents.
“Hey, are you okay?” Carlos asked. “Don’t let Cecilia get to you. She’s grouchy to everyone. I can help you clean up.”
Anika lifted her head. Carlos stood there with one corner of his mouth turned up in a lopsided grin. He was incredibly handsome and there was something genuine about him and his concern for her that made her believe he was a decent guy.
She could see the tip of Megan’s head behind him, and then her daughter’s blue eyes peeked over the counter. Anika didn’t have time to flirt with a guy; she didn’t even have time for friends. Megan was her top priority and experience had taught her that most attractive, single guys weren’t as interested in her daughter as they were about other things. A few months ago, Randy had treated her to a steak dinner and dessert, but then cornered her at his house asking for his “dessert”.
She gritted her teeth and something snapped inside when she turned to Carlos. “I can take care of myself,” Anika spat. “I don’t need your charity.”
“But I was just trying—” Carlos took one step back.
“You want to help?” Anika spun on her heel and ripped a tag off the tree. “There are plenty of people in this town you can help.” She stuffed the card in his hand. “C’mon Megan.” She hoisted her daughter on her hip and stomped past the tree toward the back of the store, putting as much space between her and Carlos as she could. She’d have to return in a few minutes to clean up the mess from the broken ornament. Her chest tightened. Gold tinsel, presents, ornaments, and people acting like Santa Claus. She hated Christmas.
CARLOS BLINKED. WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED? Apparently, Anika didn’t want a knight in shining armor to save her or her Christmas tree. He nudged a piece of glass with his work boot. He looked up and saw the swish of Anika’s ponytail, probably heading toward the employee break room. Something had happened to her. Carlos recognized the look he’d seen in her bright blue eyes. It wasn’t right that a woman like her should hurt so much. Carlos figured that a man had probably been responsible for that hurt. He’d seen something like this once before, and many times in himself. Anika was pushing him away before he had the chance to get to know her. But she didn’t know how determined he could be when someone gave him a challenge. He’d been about to give up on the possibility of Anika last night, but she’d just knocked him to the ground. She probably thought he didn’t have a fighting chance. Carlos smiled and went to retrieve a broom.
He swept up the shards of glass and restacked a few boxes. When he heard someone approaching, he moved quickly back to the children’s area to finish his work. The shelves lining the wall looked great. He just needed to polish them. The light oak was perfect against the dark hardwood floor. A cheerful braided rug in rainbow colors was centered among the boxes of books and toys. Carlos looked around Kenworth’s and wondered if there was anything else he could do that would keep him in close proximity with Anika. The Kenworth building was nearly a hundred years old, and a person with an eye trained for renovation could see how much work had gone into keeping every geriatric feature in good repair. Someone had mentioned that the building had almost been demolished thirty years ago, but old man Kenworth was able to come up with enough funds to give the store a facelift and keep it going. Still, Carlos could see that much of the department store had a dated look, as if it was stuck in the 1980s.
The store was quiet and almost everyone had left, but he heard Anika speaking to her daughter occasionally. He took an armful of paper towels and his tool bucket out back. On his way in, he made a slight detour to see how Anika was coming along with her Christmas tree.
Carlos saw Megan sneak behind the counter and dart into the cupboard under the register. Then she poked her head out and tickled Anika’s leg.
“Hi Sweetie. I’m almost done and I’ll be so glad. How about you?” Anika asked.
“I’ll be so glad too, cuz Santa’s coming,” Megan replied.
Anika paused and clenched the ornament she was holding tightly in her hand. “Just remember that Santa has lots of kids to help this year so he’s only bringing one thing to our house.”
“I know and he’s bringing me the best present ever!” Megan popped out of the cupboard, bouncing up and down. “A doll house for all my dollies. He’ll bring it won’t
he, Mommy?”
Anika sighed. “Meg, honey, Santa is always watching out for us, for everyone, and he wants to do the right thing. Sometimes that means we don’t get exactly what we ask for.”
“But a doll house is the right thing,” Megan said. She folded her arms and tucked herself back into the cupboard. “My dollies are tired. Can we go home now?”
“Soon.”
“Are you going to decorate a tree for our house too?
“One tree is enough for me. You can look at this one all you want,” Anika said as she hung the last few ornaments. Carlos moved toward the exit before she turned to see him eavesdropping. He carefully swept out the children’s area, the entire time thinking about what Megan had said. He missed his chance to help Anika to her car. She must have hurried out when he wasn’t looking.
Carlos brushed his hands against his pants and pulled out the card Anika had shoved at him an hour ago. He studied the slightly crumpled card in his hand. Girl, size 8, Jeans, shirt, pajamas. A flicker of an idea ignited in his mind. He smoothed the card and folded it neatly into his wallet. There might be a way to help after all.
ANIKA SLEPT LATE ON THURSDAY and took Megan to story time at the library. While Megan sat with the other children, she searched the internet for other job opportunities and babysitters, but she couldn’t find anything in Echo Ridge. Her car was too old to handle a commute outside city limits, and with the winter weather, it wasn’t a good idea for Megan’s recovering lungs to be out and about. When she thought of the possibility of losing her job at Kenworth’s her head throbbed and worry coursed through her veins. She hated feeling so close to the edge, like if she took one wrong step she’d tumble to the ground, pulling her unsuspecting child with her. Megan’s trust in her mother was innocent and complete just as it was in Santa Claus, with no idea how fragile that trust felt to Anika. She knew that if they slipped, there would be nothing to break their fall.
Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology (Echo Ridge Romance Book 1) Page 22
