by Maddy Reeves
I force myself out of bed, even though the only person who could be here is Kendra and she just left a bit ago. Unless she forgot something, but I know her and she’d text. The clock on the wall shows ten fifteen. I tiptoe to the window to see if I can get a glimpse of who might be at the door, and that’s when I see a taxi outside.
The knocking comes again, this time with a muffled voice. “Naomi?” The sound of Clay’s voice gets my feet moving again, if only to see that he’s actually here with my own eyes.
Without another thought, I pull open the door to find Clay standing on the other side, his hand raised ready to knock once more.
“Clay? How can you be here?”
“I had to see you. I need to explain things, and you wouldn’t answer my calls.”
Clay stands on my doorstep, disheveled, his eyes tired but still so bright they pierce straight through to my heart.
“Can I come in?”
I’m so shocked to see him here that I’ve completely forgotten my manners. I step back and open the door further so he can step inside out of the cold. My instinct is to jump into his arms, but I fight it until I get an explanation as to what’s going on with Rachael. Still, my heart won’t be fooled. It pounds fiercely in my chest now that Clay is so close to me again.
Chapter 27
“Sorry it’s so late.” I’ve directed him over to the couch where we’re both sitting awkwardly, neither one of us sure what to say or do next. “I would’ve waited until tomorrow, but I knew I wouldn’t have slept at all if I couldn’t talk to you first.”
I take a deep breath to calm my over active nerves, brushing my fingers through my hair while I try to pull myself together.
“Thinking back, I should’ve answered your calls, but I was so hurt.”
“I can only imagine what you must think.” He looks at me so intently that I can’t think straight. All of the things I wanted to say are scrambled. “I had no idea that Rachael was going to show up at the farm. She had been calling so much more after the article came out. Seeing how happy we were in the photos and knowing that I had finally moved on with my life—well, she became jealous. Not even that she wanted me back, she just didn’t want to see me moving on.”
“But you’re still married to her?”
“What?” He looks so confused while vehemently shaking his head. “No, we are not married. I served her with divorce papers a long time ago which she chose to ignore. Things became messy but eventually a judge ruled in my favor and we were able to proceed with the filing. I swear it.”
It’s clear by the panicked look on his face that he’s telling me the truth, and now I feel like a fool for being so quick to run away.
“I’m glad to hear it,” I finally say.
“I spent a lot of time chasing after her, trying to win her back. It changed me into a person I don’t want to be. When I met you, you had this light and spirit. At first I was annoyed by it, which is why I wasn’t the easiest person to get along with when you first came to the farm.”
“That’s a bit of an understatement.”
“You’re the sweetest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. I love the way your mind works, all of your creative ideas. And you have so much heart even though yours has been broken so many times. I told myself that I wasn’t going to add to your pain, but it turns out I did anyway.”
“Not on purpose.” He reaches out to take my hand and I let him. “I’m glad you’ve moved on from Rachael, but that still doesn’t solve the problem that once Christmas is over, you go back to New York and I live here. Seeing Rachael return sent me running, but it wasn’t the only reason. I knew eventually everything had to end…even if I should’ve talked to you about it first.”
“I told you I had some big decisions to make. Well, after you left, the biggest decision was made for me by the way I was left so empty when you were gone. I don’t want to go back to New York. I want to be wherever you are. If you want that too.”
I’m left speechless because I didn’t see any of this coming. Even if Clay and I patched things up between us, I figured things would still come to an end.
“I do want that.”
It isn’t something that I really have to think about. Leaving Clay and Levi behind has filled me with sorrow for a while. I didn’t want to have to do it, I just figured it was inevitable.
“You do?” He moves closer to me, his hands moving to cup my face.
“Of course I do.”
He closes the gap between us, pressing his lips to mine. My arms wrap around his neck, holding him close to me. I couldn’t stay away from this man even if I tried, which is why I’m glad I don’t have to anymore.
“No pressure,” he says, his face still close to mine. “Just know that whatever you choose to do, I’m going to be there with you.”
I can’t help giggling. “No pressure.”
He kisses me once more. I still have a hard time believing that he’s really here in my living room. And tomorrow is Christmas Eve.
“We can’t spend Christmas without your family. What are we going to do? Fly back to Willowdale?”
“My family is here.” He looks so happy as he brushes his fingers over my cheek. “Levi, my mom and dad, they all flew in with me. We have a hotel not far from here. We’ll all be together for Christmas, just like it should be.”
“How were you able to arrange all of this?”
“Kendra,” he says simply. “My mom spoke with her when we couldn’t get in touch with you. She gave me your address here and booked a room for us at the closet hotel.”
“Of course she did.” I’m shaking my head in disbelief that she was able to arrange all of this without my knowledge. It makes more sense that she wasn’t overly worried about how things were going to work out. Her confidence was contagious. Now I know why.
“She invited us all for Christmas. Or we can all stay here with you, whatever you want to do.”
“Clay, I can’t believe this. Things haven’t worked out for me in the past. This seems too good to be true.”
“You deserve it, Naomi. You deserve to spend Christmas with people who love you.” He’s so close to me again, it’s as if there’s an invisible string pulling us together. “I love you.”
His confession takes my breath away. He’s always been a hard person to read, but that isn’t the case right now. Instead, he wears his emotions plainly and there’s no hesitation when I reply.
“I love you, too.”
He kisses me again and then holds me while we gaze at my new Christmas tree, the lights twinkling brightly in the darkness.
“Did you just get your tree?”
“Today. Kendra and I went to a lot. There wasn’t much to choose from but I like it. It was too cold and empty without it.”
“You’ve got a nice little place here,” he says.
“This is where my dad and I’ve lived since moving here. I just finished packing up his things since I’ve been back.”
“Do you see yourself staying here?”
Now that Clay and I have definite plans for the future, my answer is simple.
“No, not anymore. I’d love to go back to Willowdale. I could take over Gloria’s chocolate shop and you could open your own furniture store.”
“Oh, you think so?” His mood is light, and playful. My favorite combination.
“If you want to, of course. I can see you doing something like that, though. I don’t know that man in the suit who I met at the airport. Now the Clay who drives the tractor around a tree farm and builds things with his own two hands? That’s the Clay I know and love.”
He plays with my hair, quietly thinking things over.
“You might be on to something.”
We talk a little while longer. Nothing is definitive, but as long as we both know how we feel about each other, everything else will work itself out with time. Eventually he has to say good-bye and head back to the hotel where the rest of his family is waiting. I still can’t believe they all deci
ded to come here for me. It’s a huge sacrifice and I couldn’t be more grateful. When I fall asleep my mind isn’t bogged down with worries anymore. Instead, I look forward to the Harrison family coming over in the morning to celebrate Christmas together.
Chapter 28
You’d think everyone would already have all of their shopping finished by Christmas Eve, but the size of the crowds at the mall says otherwise. Crowds don’t matter, though. Tomorrow is Christmas and there’s no way we can’t have presents underneath the tree. The five of us congregate inside the main doors, strategizing our game plan.
Ed looks like a fish out of water as we make our way through the crowds.
“I don’t know why I couldn’t just wait for you back at Naomi’s house,” he says.
“I thought you’d want to help pick out gifts,” Frankie says, slightly hurt.
“We’ll make it quick, Dad,” Clay says. He’s holding Levi who’s looking around the mall with wide eyes. Soon he spots something that makes them grow even larger.
“Santa!” Levi says, pointing toward the end of the hallway.
“Do you want to see Santa?” I ask. “We can go get in line.”
He nods enthusiastically so we head in that direction, along with what seems to be everyone else.
“This is crazy,” Clay whispers, leaning close.
“I know. I hoped we were the only procrastinators, but I was wrong.”
“Will Santa know how to find me this year if we aren’t at home?” Levi asks Clay.
“Sure he will, buddy. But, if you’re worried about it, make sure you tell him when it’s your turn.”
Clay’s explanation has the intended effect, and Levi goes back to smiling from ear to ear. We all wait in line, all of us eager to see Levi sit on Santa’s lap. The line is a winding maze but the mood around us is infectious so we don’t really mind the wait. Once Levi makes it to the front, he sits on Santa’s lap while Clay and I both try to listen in to hear what he’d like for Christmas.
“Why don’t I take Levi to the food court while you three finish up?” Ed says when we leave the North Pole area.
“That’s a good idea.” I’m quick to agree. While we plan on getting gifts for everyone, it’s especially important that we make Christmas special for Levi.
Soon enough, Ed and Levi head off toward the food court while Clay, Frankie and I hustle toward the toy store.
“Just for the record, I did get all of my shopping finished weeks ago,” Frankie says. “I just couldn’t bring it all along on the plane.”
I reach out and take her hand. “I’m so thankful you all decided to come spend Christmas with me. It’s more than I ever expected.”
“You’re family,” Frankie says. “We couldn’t leave you all by yourself on Christmas. Besides, that just means we get to have second Christmas when we get back to Willowdale.”
“Ooh, I’m really excited about second Christmas,” I say.
Frankie takes off down the aisles once we’re in the store while Clay and I look around together.
“This reminds me of our shopping date in Willowdale.” I reach up on the tips of my toes to give him a quick kiss. “What should we get Levi? I don’t know what he was talking about when he told Santa he wanted the surprise toy.”
“They’re these toys that have all different surprises inside and you don’t know what you’ll get until you open it. Little toy figures, slime, things like that. He’s seen them advertised on TV.”
“That’s good then, we should be able to find one for him.” We wander down the aisles, trying to stay out of everyone’s way while we look for the surprise toy and anything else Levi might like.
“What do you want for Christmas?” Clay asks.
“It’s safe to say I already got everything I want. You came back and you brought your family, and now I’m not alone. What more could I ask for?”
He kisses my temple. “You still need something to open. Like some gloves or a new scarf.”
“That sounds great. I can always use things like that.”
“What do you think about this?” We’re just about to kiss again when Frankie finds us, carrying a big box of castle blocks.
“Those look like a lot of fun. I don’t know kids very well, but I know I would’ve liked playing with something like that.”
“Definitely,” Clay says, agreeing.
Once we’ve picked out a few things for Levi, we make our way toward the check-out where we join another long line. When it’s finally our turn, we have the cashier put the toys in two bags so it’s impossible to see what’s inside.
“I’d say we have another thirty minutes before Levi’s patience with the mall expires.” Clay sounds like he has a lot of experience with this so I don’t argue. After a few more stops, we make our way back to the food court to collect Ed and Levi.
Back at my place, Frankie disappears into the bedroom to wrap presents while I get busy in the kitchen. I’m grateful that I thought to buy some things while we were at the grocery store earlier. Of course, now that I know Kendra’s role in all of this, her persuasion to grab food and supplies for Christmas cookies makes much more sense.
Levi grabs a chair from the kitchen table, pulling it over to the counter so he can help me with the cookies. He scoops the flour and sugar, filling the measuring cups before pouring it all into the bowl with a look of utter joy on his face. Once the dough is made, I pop it into the fridge so it can get cold before we roll it out and use the cookie cutters. Levi joins Ed and Clay in the living room while I decide to call Kendra and fill her in on everything that has happened.
“How’s it going over there?” she asks, her voice light and playful.
“You are quite the trickster.” Of course, I’m not upset in the least that she was plotting with Frankie to bring them here to me. In my mind, it proves what an amazing friend she is.
“I hope you’re not mad that I got involved, but when Frankie called and explained things I wanted to help.”
“I’m not mad at all. In fact, I’m the happiest I ever thought possible right now.”
“I told Frankie you’re all welcome here tomorrow if you want to join us. My parents were really excited, they know Frankie and Ed really well from when they lived in Willowdale.”
“That sounds great. We plan on opening presents in the morning here and then we’ll come over to your family’s place. Did you ask your mom what I can bring? Levi and I are making cookies.”
“Bring cookies, and yourselves. We’ve got everything else covered.”
That night before bed, we all sit down in the living room together. Clay has the book The Night Before Christmas on the couch next to him, Levi on his lap.
“Every Christmas Eve, Grandpa reads this book to Levi over the phone.” He’s talking to Levi and me at the same time, holding the book out for Ed to take. “Tonight, we get to start a new tradition. Instead of listening over the phone, we get to sit, around the tree, and read it together.”
Ed takes the book as Frankie discretely wipes tears from her eyes. Being together at Christmas is significant for all of us. Tonight marks the first time we celebrate together as a new family, with many years ahead of us to look forward to.
I snuggle up next to Clay and Levi while Ed begins reading the first lines of the book, Frankie sitting tightly against his side. For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel like crying over the past. Instead, I’m hopeful for the bright future we all have ahead of us.
Epilogue
Almost 1 Year Later
Willowdale
The bell rings above the door, signaling the arrival of my beautiful new table.
“Here you go, love. Against the wall?”
Clay and Ed are lugging the heavy wooden table through the door while I hurry to grab the door to hold it open for them.
“Yes, right there against the wall.” I motion with my head but it’s the only place the table would fit anyway. “Clay, it’s so beautiful.”
“O
nly the best for my beautiful wife.” He sets it down and I run over like a kid in a candy shop, brushing my hands over the smooth wood.
Clay and I share a quick kiss before I give Ed a hug. “Thanks, you two. This is perfect.”
“Anything you need, you just let me know.” Ed looks around the little shop, moving over to the display case where all of my chocolates and candies are meticulously arranged. “Opening day tomorrow, just in time for the Christmas season.”
“I’m so excited—and nervous. But, more excited than nervous.”
Clay wraps his arms around me. “You have nothing to worry about. You’re already selling so many of your chocolates on-line. Your business is sure to be a hit. Now that Willowdale has a Harrison’s Chocolate shop as well as the Harrison’s Christmas Tree Farm, we’re moving toward total domination of the town.”
Ed laughs loudly, shaking his head with amusement. It’s always surprising when Ed breaks out in laughter, just because it takes a lot to really get him going.
“And now Frankie and Ed are opening their very own bed and breakfast in addition to the farm, you might not be that far off, Clay.”
“Frankie’s getting it all ready to go,” Ed says. “We’ve got our first reservations for next weekend. The place looks really nice.”
Ed and Clay weren’t initially on board to turn the farm house into a bed and breakfast. But, with all of the success from the changes to the tree farm last year, they were willing to try. This year, they’re opening the farm house for about eight weeks leading up to Christmas. If things go well and they enjoy it, they’ll consider opening it up for longer stretches of time.
“What time does Kendra’s flight arrive?” Clay asks.
I check my watch, worried that I’ve lost track of the time with all of the finishing touches I’ve been working on.
“Two hours.”
As promised, Kendra is flying into town to be here for the grand opening of my new chocolate shop. Frankie insisted she stay at the farm house so Frankie can do a run through with a friend. I’m all finished with the marketing company in Minnesota, but I still put together a package for Frankie and Ed to offer those who stay at the farm. We’re also selling some of our trees the next town over. The tree farm is thriving and I’m proud to be a part of it.
