“Oh, you mean the look like I was about to vomit on Gentry?”
Carlos laughed. “Something like that.”
Anika put her other hand on his arm. “Thank you. It’s been so stressful. Cecilia is totally on my case.”
“I’m sorry. That’s why I came looking for you. I thought I heard you paged to the back.”
“Yes, and then I thought I might take a break to settle down.” Anika shook her head. “That didn’t work either.”
“It probably won’t make you feel better, but she essentially fired me this morning.”
“What? She can’t do that,” Anika said.
Carlos pulled his bottom lip through his teeth. “She was really upset that I changed the tile for the Soda Fountain, but I think she was just looking for some way to sabotage me. She has a personal vendetta against every person in this store.”
“I can’t stand her. She told me if we weren’t short-handed I’d be fired too, and she said there were reports that I’ve been flirting with you and I’m not supposed to work with you anymore.” Anika’s face felt warm as she divulged the accusations Cecilia had pinned on her.
Carlos furrowed his brow. “It doesn’t make sense.”
“I know. I’m trying not to feel panicked, but earlier today she implied that I was stealing.”
“That’s getting way out of hand. We need to talk to Keira. How could she even accuse you of something like that?”
Anika told Carlos about the contest, Jeff’s accusations, and finally losing to Tasha in fragrances despite all the fuss. She felt relieved, being able to talk to someone who understood.
“Cecilia is loco,” Carlos said.
Anika laughed. “I agree, she is crazy.”
“I’m not giving up. I’ve already texted Keira to meet with her soon about this mess. I don’t think you should give up either. I’m not sure how Cecilia can ban you from working with me.”
“I don’t know what to do. It does seem like she’s trying to sabotage your work.” Anika lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “I knew it was a temp job coming into this but I hoped that it might turn into something more. I don’t know what I’ll do.” She resisted the urge to cry on Carlos’s shoulder. He had been kind to listen to her and she really needed to get back to work before she ended up wrapped in his arms again. “I should probably go. It’s so busy out there.”
“Try not to worry,” Carlos said. “Why don’t you take the next couple days off from working with me? We’ll steer clear of Cecilia.” He squeezed her hand. “I know things are going to work out for Christmas. This time of year there are always a lot of miracles.”
Anika shook her head. “I don’t need miracles. There are lots of other people hurting much worse than me and Megan.” The words were flat, but Anika didn’t have the energy to infuse cheerfulness into her lie.
Carlos frowned. “We all need miracles.” He let his fingers graze softly over her cheek. “I’ll see you later?”
Anika nodded. They walked out of the lounge together and Carlos headed back to the soda fountain. On her way to the women’s department, Anika walked over to the children’s department and stood in front of the dollhouse on display. The floor model would be discounted by an extra fifteen percent but she’d have to wait until Christmas Eve to buy it. She’d looked up how to make dollhouses on Pinterest out of cardboard boxes, decorative papers, and all kinds of time-consuming projects but she didn’t think her attempt would turn out nearly as cute. She chewed on her bottom lip. The extra money she would have made working with Carlos seemed to hang in the air, taunting her. It was a long shot anyway. She’d probably have to make do with something homemade. Megan was such a sweetheart, she’d love a dollhouse made out of cardboard just as much.
“Oh, well. It was a nice dream anyway.” Anika touched the edge of the boxes lined up under the display. An iron weight shackled to her heart and pulled everything down. She found it hard to smile for the rest of her shift.
ANIKA ENDED UP WORKING AN EXTRA shift on Saturday, and the store was so busy all she could do was wave at Carlos when he walked by with more building supplies for the soda fountain. They both kept their distance so that Cecilia wouldn’t have any proof of flirting. In spite of the Christmas music, shoppers, and wrapping paper that created a warm holiday atmosphere, Anika felt an empty space inside. She missed being with Carlos. That thought stunned her, and frightened her because even though she tried to turn off the yearning for the handsome Puerto Rican with a delicious accent, it grew stronger every day.
Near the end of her shift, Carlos found her hanging up evening wear that would be perfect for Christmas parties and dances, like the Candy Cane Twist.
“Are you picking out your dress for the dance?” he asked.
Anika whirled around and bumped into him. “Don’t sneak up on me like that,” she whispered, smiling broadly so that he would know she really was fine with him sneaking up on her.
Carlos put a hand on her back and leaned closer. “I have a little good news.”
Anika stared at his lips and blinked. “What?”
“Rumor is that Cecilia left for downtown New York today. She won’t be back until next week.”
“Really?” Anika hugged Carlos and sighed in relief. He’d just released the valve on the mounting pressure that had been building since her meeting with Cecilia. “Maybe I’ll have my job for a little while longer.”
“I really could use some help on the soda fountain tonight,” Carlos whispered in her ear, his arms gently holding her to his chest. For some reason his husky whisper ignited a flame in her middle. Anika tipped her head back. She wanted to kiss him. He looked down at her, one of his thick black eyebrows quirking up in the middle. “I also want to take you on another date.”
The bells in the store rung several times in a row as shoppers exited reminding Anika that she was flirting at work. She stepped back from Carlos, but kept her hand on his arm. “But what about Cecilia? She said I couldn’t work with you anymore.”
“I’ve thought about it and until I hear back from Keira I’m going with my gut.” Carlos looked in the direction of the soda fountain. “I’ll make sure you’re paid one way or another.”
Anika bit her lip. She didn’t want to risk Carlos’s job. It wasn’t worth getting them both in trouble either. Carlos took her hand in his and tingles shot up her arm. She wanted to be with him. She waited for warning bells to sound after that thought but there were none. Her heart pounded and she squeezed his hand. “I can’t tonight. Let’s wait until you hear back from Keira and I’ll plan on helping you Monday.”
Carlos nodded. “Okay, but I want to spend some time with you and Megan. Would you like to go to church with me tomorrow?”
The way he spoke those words with his rolling Spanish accent made Anika weak in more places than her knees, but church? Anika hadn’t been to church in a long time, mostly because Jimmy always went to church. Even though she knew that church was for every kind of person and every kind of sin, it didn’t seem possible that grace should be offered to someone like Jimmy. Carlos waited for her answer and the silence was nearing awkward. Anika decided to be truthful. “I haven’t been to church in a long time. Where do you go?”
“There’s a nice old church that rotates through different pastors. Pastor Louis is my favorite and he’s preaching tomorrow.” There was no judgement in Carlos’s eyes. He genuinely wanted her to come.
Anika thought about her meager wardrobe. She didn’t own any dresses, but her simple black skirt with a nice blouse would probably work. She sucked in a breath when she remembered that Megan didn’t have a dress either. She started to shake her head and Carlos’s face fell. “I— uh, I’m thinking about it,” she said before Carlos crumpled before her.
He brightened and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Services during the holidays are always great, and they have a potluck tomorrow so you wouldn’t have to cook because I’m bringing white chicken chili.”
At the ment
ion of holiday services, Anika’s thoughts headed down the path toward bah humbug! But when Carlos said there would be a potluck, he got her attention. Megan would love the chance to eat all sorts of food, and Anika’s persistent stomach wouldn’t complain either. Maybe there was something, a skirt or nicer pants that she could make work for Megan. “What time does church start?”
Carlos grinned. “Can I please pick you up at ten-thirty? Service starts at eleven and we want to get a good seat.”
He was breaking down all her barriers tonight, but Anika concentrated on the warmth of his hand in hers. “Sure, let me give you my address.”
Carlos’s stomach jumped every time he thought about Anika, but the sensation just made him more excited to pick her and Megan up for church. He had seen the battle going on in Anika’s head and immediately connected the dots. Church was probably one more thing that her stupid ex had ruined for her. He prayed for Pastor Louis that his message would be able to penetrate Anika’s heart. She was a beautiful woman who had probably once had a vibrant, caring spirit until the man she trusted broke her. Carlos wanted to repair that damage, to have a chance to build a new foundation of hope within Anika, if she’d give him the chance.
He dressed carefully in a forest green button up shirt and silver tie complete with the only dress jacket he owned. Last night he’d been so excited that he even shined his shoes at midnight. His nerves buzzed with a positive energy as he pulled into Anika’s parking lot. He was making great strides in their relationship because she trusted him enough to allow him to see where she lived. Just as he’d thought, the apartments weren’t far from Eddie’s Thrift shop and a line of decrepit stores like the pawn shop, dollar store, and a run-down looking Mexican restaurant. Carlos zipped up his coat and hurried through the freezing temps, climbing icy concrete steps to Anika’s second floor apartment.
He knocked on the door and less than a minute later, it opened.
“Good morning,” Anika said. She looked lovely in a black skirt and cream colored blouse with a red beaded necklace.
“Hi, Carlos.” Megan squeezed around her mother. “I look pretty!” She twirled and her pink skirt flared up around blue leggings that had a hole in one knee.
“Hello, I’m here to pick up two beautiful ladies,” Carlos said and then he lowered his voice to a stage-whisper, “They didn’t tell me that you would be this pretty though.”
Megan giggled and Anika smiled. They grabbed their coats and Carlos reached out his hands, taking one on each side down the stairs. “Thanks for coming,” he said.
“Thanks for the invite. Megan is so excited to go to church.” Anika said it like she was confused at Megan’s excitement.
Carlos tucked them into his truck and turned the heater up. “I’ll never get used to this cold, I guess.”
“This? This is nothing?” Anika infused a heavy New Yorker twang to her words. “You should see it when it really snows.”
They all laughed and the merry mood carried them through the nervous jitters he sensed in Anika when they walked into the church. The stained glass windows flanking the choir seats sent rainbows of lights on the pews. Carlos noticed Anika studying the trees and flowers twisting through the different colored panes of glass reaching toward the empty tomb where Jesus stood. It was his favorite part of this church. They had arrived early enough to sit closer to the front and within five minutes the chapel had started to fill. Anika sat quietly for a few minutes, murmuring answers to Megan’s questions and Carlos hoped she could feel the peace in this old building.
When Pastor Louis stood, Carlos took Anika’s hand in his with a gentle squeeze.
“There are many sermons that I could give this time of year about Christ’s birth, but I felt impressed to share with you a message regarding the hope that the Savior’s birth brought to our world. The hope that it still can bring to each of our hearts.”
The congregation quieted and the sun shifted beyond the stained glass windows, sending new rays of light through the chapel. Pastor Louis continued, “In Mark we read that wise men traveled from afar seeking the baby Jesus. I ask you today, have we learned from the wise men? They sought out the Savior because they had hope in prophecies that were thousands of years old. They studied, they worked, and then they traveled incredible distances all with a hope that they would see the newborn King.
“We are on a similar journey in this life, one that requires us to hope in the goodness of the Lord, and in the goodness of all who sojourn here on earth. Sometimes that goodness may seem lost when we are hurt by those not following Jesus and by those who profess to follow Him, but we should never give up on the great gift given to us by a baby’s birth. In a lowly manger, in circumstances more poor and simple than most of us can imagine, Jesus Christ came to offer us a gift. How could anyone think that an infant born in these circumstances was a gift?
“The birth of the Savior was a gift because He offered hope to everyone, to all mankind no matter what their station in life was, no matter their race or nationality. He loved everyone, sinner and saint, and His life was the perfect example, the perfect hope for each of us.”
The pastor’s words sent a thrill through Carlos. They were meaningful to him, but it was as if he was speaking directly to Anika. He wondered if she felt the message radiating through her, the way that he did. She looked over at him, her eyes luminous and his heart seemed to reach toward her. There was so much love for her in that instant. He reached his arm around her and pulled her close to his side, his fingers grazed the top of Megan’s head and the little girl smiled over at him. He wanted this— this possibility right next to him. Carlos knew what he wanted for Christmas. He wanted Anika and Megan to feel hope again, not to be afraid of life, but to have joy in the possibilities. And the next thought sent a shock wave through his body. He wanted them in his life.
SITTING SO NEAR TO CARLOS WITH the pastor’s words echoing in her heart, Anika felt the faint stirrings of something that she hadn’t in years— hope. Sure she had hoped for the money to pay for Megan’s doll house. This was different. This was deeper. The type of feeling that resonated in a person’s soul, so overwhelming that it could chase out years of treading with light steps and encourage her to step boldly out into the world, filled with, of all dangerous things, hope that everything would work out in the end. That the broken path she’d carefully traversed could be so easily left behind and the dust shaken from her shoes. It was scary, dangerous territory that her logical side screamed at her to run from, hide.
With Carlos’s arm around her, and the tender way he brushed the top of Megan’s ponytail with his fingers, Anika was taken back to her childhood. A memory that had been hidden resurfaced. Her mother sat next to her in a pew, holding her hand and singing, Silent Night. Goosebumps appeared all over her arms and Anika felt a sensation of peace and warmth come over her. Tears clung to her lashes, and she leaned closer to Carlos. He made her feel safe, like she could do impossible things. Sitting in the pew, looking up at the light blooming through the stained glass filled Anika with the embers of hope. The Savior did offer hope to all, and although she didn’t trust her own hope yet, she could lean on Carlos’s for a while, borrow a bit of it to keep moving forward.
After the service, they crammed into the reception hall added on to the west wing of the church for the potluck. The aromas of baked goods and warm soups made Anika’s mouth water. She laughed when she saw Megan’s eyes light up at all the food spread across two long tables. Carlos loaded up an extra plate with all kinds of desserts, waggling his eyebrows at Anika. She laughed and joined him at a table with a couple other parishioners. Megan ate almost everything on her plate and asked for more of Carlos’s white chicken chili. He seemed to swell with pride at the four-year-old’s praise.
“It is really good,” Anika said. “I’d love to have your recipe.”
Carlos lifted up a finger and tapped his head. “It’s in here, and it changes a little every time I make it. But for you, I’ll write it down.”<
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“You are a man of many talents,” she said. “You build things, put out fires, and cook.”
“Sometimes I cook and then put out fires, though.” Carlos touched Anika’s arm and a little thrill went through her. “I think you’re pretty talented yourself. Look at this pretty little girl you’re raising.” He tipped his chin toward Megan.
Anika opened her mouth to argue, to deprecate herself as she often did, instead she accepted his compliment. “Thank you.” She was still getting used to the fact that Carlos was sincere— his words meant something to her.
She savored each bite of food. It was the most she’d eaten in months. Carlos introduced her to a few people who came over to greet them, and they were all friendly with a curious gleam to their eye as they took in Carlos next to the new woman and her child. Anika felt welcomed and more comfortable in this church next to Carlos than she would have expected. The difference was Carlos. He made her feel at home, like everything would work out, and with an almost silly hope that maybe happily ever after’s did exist.
When it was time to go, Anika wished there was a way to spend more time with Carlos, but she didn’t want to come on too strong. If her apartment wasn’t so embarrassingly shabby, she’d invite him in. Even as the thought flitted through her mind, she dismissed it. Carlos had shown that he accepted her, but it was probably better if she took some time to clear her head in regards to what was happening with her heart.
“I’m so glad you could come today,” Carlos said as he walked Anika and Megan to their apartment. “Would you like to go again next week? There isn’t a potluck but I’d love to have you over to my place for dinner.”
Anika smiled. “I think it’s our turn to feed Carlos. What do you think Megan?”
“I like Carlos’s food!” Megan jumped up and down.
Carlos chuckled. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” He stepped toward Anika and wrapped her in a hug.
Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology (Echo Ridge Romance Book 1) Page 28
