Before he removed his coat, he waited until she had hers off.
She looked at him and frowned. “Is something wrong? Why aren’t you taking your coat off?”
He took a step toward her, perplexed by his feelings and what to do about them. “Anna. Maybe this is a bad idea.”
“What? Lunch? Skating?”
Gently he took her hands in his. “No. This. Us.”
The confusion in her beautiful eyes drove an ache into his heart. “I don’t understand.”
“Look, I talked to Aunt Savia. I know she told you that my practice is New York and that I would only be here for a little while.”
“Yes.” Anna nodded, her eyes falling from his for a second even as her face struggled to look unconcerned and strong.
“The truth is, my uncle called when I was on my way over here. The law suit against his best friend has been dropped.” Nicholas’s heart turned over at just what that meant for the two of them. “Since he only needed my help because of the type of law I practice, now that it’s over, I’ll be leaving sooner than I thought.”
“How soon?” she asked, looking up at him, trying to hid her growing trepidation.
Why did the answer cut his heart in half? “Wednesday morning, I’ll be heading back home to New York.”
With half a nod, Anna lowered her eyes, retrieved her hands from his possession, and anchored her arms around herself. “I knew this day was coming. I think I knew it even that very first day. And I knew it would be hard. I guess I just didn’t know exactly how hard.”
The last thing Nicholas wanted to do was hurt her “Would it be easier if I left now? I can, you know. If you would rather.” His heart hurt just thinking about leaving.
Her head weaved back and forth. “No. I’d rather have this last day together, if that’s okay.”
Using his forefinger, he coaxed her chin upward.
Her eyes slowly rose to embrace his.
Nicholas cupped her upper arms and looked into her glistening eyes. “It’s more than okay,” he said softly. “But are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” Squaring her shoulders, she stepped back. “Let’s just put the fact that you’re leaving behind us and have a fun day together, okay? I mean, we’re both adults, and we knew this going in. We should just have a good day and be happy for the time we had.” However, her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Not able to speak for fear of his voice cracking, he nodded and sent up a silent prayer asking God to help him accept that fact and concentrate on enjoying Anna’s company. After all, if this was to be his last day with her, he wanted it to be special. As special as she was.
Minutes later, they sat down to the table and after grace they started to eat their chili and cornbread biscuits. “Will you be spending Christmas with your family?” Anna asked.
He set his spoon down beside his bowl. “Yes. All my siblings will be there this year. It will be the first time in years that we’ll all be together.”
“Oh, that’ll be nice.”
“How about you? Will you be spending Christmas with your family in California?”
“No. I can’t really get away from the shop, and trying to catch a flight on Christmas Eve is crazy. I’ve already sent my presents on to my parents’ house. They’ll see that everyone gets their presents on Christmas morning.”
Nicholas noticed the normal cheeriness in her voice wasn’t there. He reached over and covered her hand with his. Her eyes went to his hand first and then up to his face. “There’s no way you can make it out there?”
“No.” Her shoulders drooped. “But it’s okay. I wasn’t able to go last year either.” She shook her head as if to clear it of the depressing thoughts, took her hand back, and picked up her biscuit. “It’s okay. I have friends here. Last year on Christmas Eve my employees, who as you know are my friends, we all met at Sweet Treasures. A lot of them have no place to go so I made a huge dinner for them. We did a white elephant gift exchange and had a lot of fun with that. Plus, I usually have a Christmas party a week or two before Christmas so that they can get their bonuses to buy presents or whatever they want to do with it. We’re having that party Tuesday evening. You’re welcome to come join us if you like.”
“That’s really sweet of you to do that for them and to invite me. I’ll see how things go and let you know.”
“Both are my pleasure.” She smiled. “How about you? Does your firm in New York host a Christmas party?”
“Yes. My assistant has it all planned out. It will be this Saturday evening.” An idea struck him. “Hey, why don’t you come join me? I can get a ticket for you on Friday evening. I’ll make sure you can come back on Sunday so that you’ll be back to work on Monday.”
Unfortunately for his heart, she slumped in her chair enough that he noticed it even though he could tell she was trying to hide her disappointment from him. “I would love to, but I can’t leave the girls at our busiest time of the year.”
That was Anna, always thinking of someone else. “I bet Cailyn can manage things,” he skittered out as his heart hit his shoes. This really was going to be good-bye, and nothing he could think to do was going to stop it. Just trying to stay rational through the looming heartbreak was impossible. “She seems pretty competent.”
“She is very competent, and she definitely could. But as much as I would love to, I can’t do that to her or any of the others. Sorry.”
Disappointment wound through him, but he completely understood. “That’s okay. I understand.” He added a big pinch of cheese to his soup and ate it. “Um. This is the best chili I’ve ever eaten.”
“Thank you. It’s my mother’s secret recipe. She used to enter it every year in the chili contest and every year she won something. Most of the time she got first place, and sometimes second or third, but she always won something.”
“I can see why.”
They finished eating lunch, and after trying on three different pair of skates, Nicholas finally found a pair that fit. Dressed for their adventure, he picked up a pair of hockey sticks and a hockey puck from the hall closet, and the two of them stepped outside her back door and into the cold. Even with the sunshine, the air was frosty and showed in each expelled breath.
For a split second, Nicholas was tempted to go back inside Anna’s cozy warm home, but he knew once they started skating, they would warm up quickly. Besides, nothing, not even the cold would stop him from playing hockey with her. He had a feeling she was going to be strong competition for him. His competitor side kicked in, and he could hardly wait to get on the ice.
Sitting on the bench near the frozen pond, they removed their skate guards from their blades and stood.
“Well, are you ready to lose?” She picked up one of the hockey sticks and the puck. “Oh. I mean, um, have some fun.” Anna’s grin reminded him of that sly old Mr. Grinch’s smile.
“Are you?” he asked, picking up the other stick.
“What? Ready to have some fun?”
“No. Lose.”
“Nope.”
“Me either.”
“Alrighty then. Game on, mister.” Laughing, Anna glided onto the ice and turned backward, watching him.
Nicholas stepped onto the ice and like a pro skated over to her. As he did, he noticed the hockey nets on each end of the pond.
“Hey, you’re pretty good,” she said as he glided up to her.
“Years of practice.” He smiled. “Okay, enough chit-chat.” Taking the puck from Anna’s hand, he dropped it onto the ice. “Ladies first.”
“How many points for the win?”
“Twenty.”
“Twenty it is.” In a flash, Anna slung the puck across the ice and sped after it.
Nicholas caught up to her but was too late. She scored.
It was his turn now.
Anna fought him all the way toward his goal, but he faked a move to the left and scored. Minute after minute they played, huffing, puffing, and laughing. The score was now tied nineteen
to nineteen. This play would determine the winner, and it was his turn.
Down the ice field Nicholas sped, Anna battling him all the way. Their sticks clicked as they blocked one another’s attempts to control the puck. As he neared his goal, Anna fell back. A second and he heard her scream.
He whirled to find Anna sprawled out on the ice. “Anna!” Forgetting the puck, he dropped his stick, hurried over to her, and squatted down beside her. “Anna, are you okay?”
“I—I think so.” She sat up, groaning, and rubbing her leg.
Concern drove through him as his eyes roamed over her, checking for any sign of injuries.
“Can you help me up, please?”
From behind her, Nicholas gently and carefully put his arms under hers and helped her to her feet. In one nanosecond, Anna bolted past him with her stick in hand, took control of the puck, and flew down the ice, scoring the winning point. “I won.” She held her stick up and pumped it into the air. “I won. I won.”
Nicholas skated toward her, defeated but almost impressed by her trickery. “That was a dirty trick,” he said, unable to keep the smile from his face.
“I know.” She lowered her stick. “But it worked every time with my dad. Well, almost. I had done it so many times that one day when I really did fall and hurt myself, he didn’t come and help me because I had cried wolf too many times. After he scored, he left me on the ice thinking I was faking it when in fact I had actually twisted my ankle. I couldn’t stand because the pain was so bad, so I had to crawl over to the bench. I sat there for quite a while freezing my backside off before he finally came back outside looking for me. When he realized I really was hurt, he felt so bad. But I’ll tell you one thing, I never did that again.” She grinned. “Until today.”
“Well, I can see why it worked. You had me fooled.”
Settling her hand on his arm, she asked, “You want a redo of that last score?”
“Nah. Anyone who could come up with the scheme you just did deserves to win.”
Anna giggled. “How about we just call it a tie?”
“Whatever you want.”
“What I want is to go inside and get something hot to drink.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” Nicholas grabbed the hockey sticks and dropped the puck into his pocket. Hand-in-hand they skated back to the bench, put the skate guards back on and headed inside.
While Anna prepared them a cup of hot apple cider, Nicholas got the fire going. They sat on the floor in front of the popping and crackling fireplace, warming up. Nicholas’s thoughts kept drifting back to him leaving. He didn’t want to leave. He wanted to stay here, with Anna, skating on the pond and sitting in front of the fireplace together, forever. If only there was a solution to how they could be together when their lives took them so determinedly in different directions. God, even though You’ve seemed to be silent about the whole matter of how to make this work, despite that fact, I really thought You were in this. If You are, and if there is a way to make this work, please show me.
Chapter Seven
Nicholas was gone and Anna’s heart hurt like it never had before. Pastor Shane always said to trust God’s timing and pray. Well, she had done that and even had a peace about the two of them even though she had no idea how they would ever work things out with their businesses being in different states. Obviously, she mustn’t have heard correctly from the Lord because Nicholas was on a plane right now heading back to New York.
As much as that hurt, Anna would always be grateful that they got to spend the last few evenings together, going for strolls in the park, shopping, making gingerbread houses for his aunt, and kissing under the canopy of stars. He had even come to her Christmas party and they’d had a great time.
“Anna? Are you okay?”
Anna looked up from her office desk and over at Cailyn. Tears pooled in her eyes.
“He’s gone, isn’t he?” Cailyn walked over to Anna and put her arm around her shoulders.
Leaning her head into Cailyn’s waist, she nodded, and let the tears fall.
“I’m sorry, Anna. I really thought he was the one.”
“I did too.” Anna sniffed.
Her friend pressed a couple of tissues into her hands, and Anna used them to wipe her eyes and nose.
Cailyn squatted down beside Anna’s chair and gazed up at her. “Do you want me to stay here with you tonight?”
“No, that’s okay. You go on home. I’ll be fine.”
“You sure? I hate leaving you like this.” Cailyn’s brows curled into a concerned frown.
A shuddered breath ran through her. Determined to rise above this, Anna pushed her shoulders back and forced a smile onto her face, a smile she felt nowhere inside of her. All she felt was numb. However, for Cailyn’s sake, she would pretend all was well. Cailyn would probably see right through her facade, but it was all she could think to do. “I want you to go to church and have fun with the young adults. Give them my love okay? And don’t forget to take the batch of cookies we made with you, okay?”
Just as she had thought, Cailyn wasn’t buying Anna’s act. She stood, stared down at Anna with a worried, unhappy look, and shook her head. “I know what you’re doing, Anna. I’ll go, and I won’t forget the cookies, but you call me if you need anything or if you want to talk. I don’t care what time it is, you hear?”
With a single nod, Anna said, “I will. Thank you, Cailyn.”
“For what?” She tilted her head.
“For always being there for me when I need a friend.”
“Hey, you’ve always been there for me. That’s what friend’s do, right?”
This time, Anna’s smile was genuine. “Yes, it is.” It had taken Cailyn a long time to trust Anna and their friendship, so coming from her that meant the world to Anna.
The two of them hugged, and Anna helped Cailyn gather the cookies, and she locked the shop door behind her friend.
Leaving only the lights she normally left on after hours, Anna made her way upstairs to the apartment. She tossed the keys on the table and flopped onto the chair, exhausted not just mentally and physically but emotionally as well.
Normally the Christmas decorations and tree lights filled her heart with joy because it was the time of year she celebrated the Light of the World’s birthday. To her, Christmas lights had always represented all the Christians who were delivered from darkness into the light of God’s Son through their acceptance of Jesus Christ. She closed her eyes, praying for that peace to return to her spirit. “Thank You, God, for sending Jesus. And thank You, Jesus, for dying for me. I love You, Lord.”
She opened her eyes and a piece of shiny gold wrapping paper under the tree caught her attention. Strange. She didn’t remember that being there before. Pushing herself off of the chair, she walked over to the tree and picked up a package.
A card with her name on it was nestled under a big red, blue, green, and gold variegated bow. That was weird. How? Who? Her gaze shot to the door. Understanding settled over her. It had to have been Cailyn. “Ah, Cailyn, you didn’t have to do this,” she whispered into the empty apartment.
She took the gift from underneath the tree and went over and sat on the love seat. Crossing her legs, she removed the card and opened it.
“Dear Cindy.” Cindy? What? Anna turned the envelope over and realized that the handwriting wasn’t Cailyn’s at all. The realization of who the present was really from barreled over Anna, bringing with it a barrage of emotions. With eager eyes, she continued to read the note. “I thought of you when I saw this. When you look at it, I hope it brings a smile to your beautiful face and fond memories of the time we were blessed to spend together.
Merry Christmas.
Love always,
Nicholas
In hopes of keeping the tears of the loss from falling, Anna closed her eyes and clutched the card to her chest as if that would somehow bring Nicholas closer.
A moment later, she drew in a deep breath and opened the package. Nestled insid
e the cushioned box was a snowglobe with Prince Charming kneeling on one knee in front of Cinderella, holding a single glass slipper in his hand. Cinderella held her hands close to her mouth, her eyes wide with surprise.
“Anna.” Her name softly reverberated through the room.
Surprise jerked through her, and Anna’s gaze shot over to the door. She’d been so engrossed in the card and gift that she hadn’t heard anyone come up the stairs.
Cailyn came breezing inside from behind Nicholas. “Look what I found lurking around outside. Good thing I forgot my purse and to come back.”
Yes, it was a very good thing. Wasn’t it? Confused, Anna tilted her head. “Nicholas,” she whispered his name softly for fear that if she said his name out loud, he would disappear.
The two of them stared at each other, he at the door, she on the love seat, neither moving.
“Well.” Cailyn’s merry voice broke the enchanting moment.
Although her gaze never wanted to leave Nicholas, Anna looked over at her friend.
There was no way Cailyn’s smile could get any bigger even if she tried. “I’ll just be going now and leave you two love birds alone.” With those words, she breezed out of the apartment as fast as she had breezed in, only without Nicholas.
Unable to move even an inch, Anna sat there as if her backside were glued firmly to the seat. She wanted to pinch herself, to rub her eyes and open them again to make sure he was really here and it wasn’t just her mind playing tricks on her.
Without saying a single word, Nicholas strode over to her.
She swallowed as she watched him. If her mind was playing tricks on her, it was doing a very good job of it.
“Anna.”
No. No. This was real. Very, very real. Nicholas was here. He wasn’t a figment of her imagination. Coming to her senses, Anna shifted her feet onto the floor and patted the seat beside her. “What—what are you doing here?” Her voice quivered.
Sitting next to her, Nicholas clasped both of her hands. “I couldn’t go. Not without you. I got there, to the airport, and I just couldn’t get on that plane.”
Sweet Treasures Page 8
