Christmas Carol Clash

by Danni Roan

  ***

  “Who were you talking to, Dad?” Carol walked into the back room and opened the big box. She had several different artificial trees in the box and was excited about setting them up and decorating them.

  Bill Evergreen laughed. “That young man next door.”

  “Him?” Carol scowled, shaking a finger at her father. “Don’t go making friends with the enemy.”

  “He’s not the enemy,” Bill grinned. “He’s pretty fast, though.”

  “Fast?” Carol stared at her father, bewildered.

  “He had been eating his lunch on that bench out back and put his sandwich down to help me. That monster of a cat stole the whole thing.” Again Bill laughed. “The kid was fast but not as fast as that cat.”

  Carol rolled her eyes. “That cat is a menace. He must weigh thirty pounds.”

  Bill shrugged, walking over and peering into the box at the green and white trees ready to be put together. “He probably gained another pound or two with that sandwich.”

  Carol grinned and then tipped up on her toes to kiss her father’s cheek. “Thanks for your help, Daddy.”

  “You’re welcome, honey.” I’ll finish unloading the truck while you get started on those.”

  By the time the sun was setting, artificial trees dotted the store floor, their lights twinkling merrily in the darkening space.

  “Those look lovely,” Judy said. “I like the ambiance.”

  “I think I’ll leave them on tonight,” Carol said. Already a touch of magic seemed to fill the room.

  “For now, let’s head home,” Bill said, jingling his keys. “I’m starving.”

  “Me too,” Judy looped an arm in his and headed for the door. “Don’t be late, dear,” she called back to her daughter as she and her husband stepped into a chilly night.

  “I’ll lock up and be right there,” Carol smiled. Only a few more days and she would have the shop set up. It was already coming together, and she could practically hear Christmas Carols tinkling through the stereo system.

  Flicking off the lights, Carol gazed at the twinkling trees, grinned, and then stepped through the door into the night.

  The sound of cheerful voices caught her attention, and the young woman turned to see several customers walking out of the Triple T store next door.

  Christmas Hater or not, Mr. Troutman seemed to be doing good sales.

  ***

  Ryan hustled out the door on the heels of his last customers. It had been a busy day, and his mother’s help had been appreciated. She had stayed until nearly five and then had gone home to get supper started.

  The young man closed the door behind him as his irascible cat darted outside, and his stomach rumbled.

  Locking the door, Ryan turned back, expecting to see Kooter waiting for him but instead, the Maine-coon was swirling around Miss Evergreen’s legs.

  “Kooter,” Ryan grumbled. “I’m sorry.” He hurried to the young woman, held hostage by the big cat’s attention.

  “Your cat could have killed me,” Carol snapped. “I was just getting ready to go to my car, and he started swirling around me like a tripwire.”

  “He’s just friendly,” Ryan said, offering a weak smile.

  “He’s a menace,”

  “Kooter is an icon in this mall,” Ryan felt his temper rising. “Everyone loves him. He’s even sweet to children, and on Halloween, we sit outside the shop together, giving out treats.”

  “And he doesn’t steal the children’s candy?” Carol’s eyes flashed. “Or does he only steal food from you?”

  Ryan opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. Snapping his jaw shut once more, he reached down and hoisted Kooter onto his shoulder. “I’ll try to keep him from bothering you again,” he snapped over his shoulder. “Heaven forbid anyone tries to be nice to you. No wonder I hate Christmas when it’s people like you that represent everything wrong about it.”

  Carol gaped, taken aback by the young man’s harsh words. She took a step toward the parking lot but stopped as he climbed into a jeep and revved the engine, peeling out of the parking lot in a puff of smoke.

  Taking a deep breath of the burnt rubber infused air, Carol wrapped her arms around her middle. The night air was getting colder, and her parents expected her home.

  Looking both ways, she walked to her beat-up car and climbed inside, turning the key and cranking up the heat. What was it about the man in the shop next door that annoyed her so much? Yes, he was a Christmas Hater, but she had dealt with them before. Most people loved Christmas and enjoyed all the excitement surrounding it.

  Shaking her head, she put the car in gear and headed toward home. As far as she was concerned, Mr. Ryan Troutman could keep himself and his frivolous feline to himself. She would do her best to avoid him in the near future.

  A smile tugged at Carol’s lips as she rolled out onto the main street and headed toward home. She would use the man’s holiday against him and steal his customers one by one. Opening day was coming, and once her doors were officially wide, she would out sparkle and outshine the Triple T.

  Squinting into the night, Carol wondered exactly how she was supposed to do that. She had everything planned out for her big day, but what would pull people away from ‘turkey boy’?

  The answer flashed through her mind, and she almost giggled. Christmas cookies would be just the thing to draw patrons in. She would host a little cookie and punch reception on opening day. Speeding up a little, Carol rushed toward home.

  ***

  “Carol, is that you?” Judy’s voice echoed down the hall as Carol let herself in. “You’re later than I expected.”

  “I ran into that man again,” Carol said, striding into the kitchen. “His cat all but held me hostage on the sidewalk when I was trying to leave.”

  “He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Judy Everygreen looked her daughter up and down.

  “No, he just wound around my ankles the way cats do, and I might have fallen if I tried to walk away.”

  “Well, go change your clothes before you make me sneeze.” Judy waved her hand. “We’re having chili and cornbread tonight. I hope you’re hungry.”

  Carol nodded, heading for her room. She was starving, but she smiled. Tonight over dinner, she would talk to her mother about her plan. Everyone loved Judy Evergreen’s cookies. Carol’s friends had declared them the best in the world all the way through college. She would show Mr. Troutman what an opening day looked like.

  “Hi, honey.” Bill stepped through the front door. “I’m glad you got home, alright. What took you so long?”

  “That man’s cat,” Carol said.

  “What did he do this time?” Bill laughed, remembering the cat pilfering the man’s sandwich.

  “He just kept winding around my ankles when I was locking up, and I couldn’t leave.”

  “He likes you.”

  Carol scowled. “He’s a cat, Dad. I probably smell interesting, or I’m new or something.”

  Bill Evergreen studied his daughter for a long moment seeing the glint in her eye. That spark of competition he knew too well. “You didn’t do anything foolish, did you?”

  “No,” Carol snapped too quickly. “I may have told him to keep his cat out of my way.”

  “Carol,” Bill reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You have to get along with that young man. He’s in the store next to you. He’s not even your competition since he specializes in Thanksgiving and fall decor. You don’t need to make enemies.”

  “I’m not,” Carol crossed her arms and lifted her chin stubbornly. “I’m just going to show him who is the better businessman, er-woman.”

  Bill hung his head. He’d seen Carol get like this before. Instead of building bridges, she was burning them down. “Please don’t do anything to upset Mr. Troutman. You never know when you might need his help.”

  “I don’t need anything from a Christmas Hater,” Carol snapped. “I’m getting ready for opening day, and I’m going to blow the
man away with how great it will be.”

  Bill shook his head, releasing her shoulder and turning away. “Don’t do something you’ll regret,” he cast over his shoulder, almost certain she would choose not to hear.

  Chapter 5

  It was glorious. Carol spread her arms and did a slow turn, taking in the wonderland she had created in her little shop.

  The once bare walls were decorated with all forms of Christmas wreaths and outdoor items, shiny sleighs, speedrunner sleds in various colors, and simple hand-painted wood signs declaring the cheer of the season.

  Shelves sparkled with dishes in patterns from fanciful to kid-friendly in shades of red, green, and white, but the things that drew one’s eye were the trees blinking brightly and filling the room with a soft, welcoming light.

  “It looks nice,” Carol’s mother’s voice caught her by surprise, but she beamed at her.

  “I can’t believe we open tomorrow,” she all but squealed with delight. “You’ve been such a big help, Mom.”

  Judy Evergreen smiled at her daughter. She could see the joy on Carol’s face and prayed that this grand opening would come off without a hitch.

  “I didn’t do much,” Judy said, giving a little wave. “Besides, I love decorating for Christmas, and I get to do it all year long right here.”

  “I can’t wait to decorate the trees with all the different seasons. Some people keep a tree up year-round and just change the ornaments and colors. It’s so cool.”

  Judy chuckled. “We still have a few things to put up, but then tomorrow, you’ll welcome your first customers.”

  “You think they’ll come, right?” Carol met her mother’s warm gaze and held there.

  “Honey,” Judy placed her hands on her daughter’s face, “it’s going to be great. Everyone loves Christmas.”

  “Not everyone,” Carol shook her head, “but close enough.”

  “Come on, let’s get started. You still have those pretty red glass dishes to set out, and I know just where to put them. They’re expensive, but I think if we push them as collectibles, they’ll sell.”

  Carol walked to the counter at the back of the store and flicked a switch filling the space with sweet Christmas songs. She never got tired of Christmas and the wonder it brought. Carol could listen to Christmas music all year long, and though the leaves had changed from green to gold, orange, and red, she still felt that unique Christmas spirit deep in her soul.

  ***

  “Hi, Mom,” Ryan looked up from the coffee pot where he had been pouring his first-morning cup to see his mother walk in the door. “You’re early.”

  “I thought I’d come in and do a little shopping. Don’t you have anything you need to do? I can watch the shop through lunchtime.”

  “I’ll do some work in the back if you don’t mind,” Ryan said, sipping his coffee. It was frosty this morning, and the chill in the air made the hot beverage taste even better. “You haven’t been experimenting in the kitchen again, have you?”

  “No, but I brought these,” The tall woman walked toward him, popping the top of a pretty pumpkin tin as she approached. “You should keep the coffee on and let people grab one as they shop.”

  Ryan peered into the tin, his eyes twinkling as he gazed on the most perfect cookies he had ever seen. “They look great.”

  “They’re pumpkin spice,” Betty Troutman laughed. “Taste a bit like gingerbread to me, though.” Each cookie was shaped like a Thanksgiving icon, turkeys, cornucopias, and pumpkins graced the tin in elegantly decorated colors.

  “You outdid yourself.” Ryan snatched a pumpkin complete with green stem and little twirly vine, “They look almost too good to eat.” He bit into the cookie, feeling it crunch between his teeth as the warm taste of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves overwhelmed him. “Mmm.”

  “My favorites are the pumpkin pie shaped ones.” Mrs. Troutman said. “I think they taste better.”

  Ryan chuckled, dunking his cookie into his coffee then taking another bite. “You plan on selling these, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” Mrs. Troutman carried the tin to the little table where the coffee pot sat steaming. “There are so many people who just don’t have the time for this sort of thing.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Ryan kissed his mother's cheek and grabbed another cookie.

  “Yes, I have one that says that too,” the older woman grinned.

  A muted crash from the shop next door made Ryan drop the remains of his cookie into his cup as he and his mother both turned to stare at the far wall.

  “Mom, where’s Kooter?” Ryan asked, a chill running down his spine as he looked around him, not seeing the massive cat anywhere, “Tell me he didn’t go out when you came in.”

  ***

  “No!” Carol screamed as she raced to the tree toppling toward a display of fun, kid-friendly dishes, but she wasn’t fast enough.

  “Cack-cack-cack!” the sound made her blood boil. “You horrible creature.” She glared at the oversized cat sitting among the mangled branches of her perfectly pink tree. “He probably sent you here on purpose,” the young woman said, tears springing to her eyes.

  “No, I didn’t,” Ryan rushed through the door hurrying to the tree and tried to pry his cat out of the mess of broken baubles and bent limbs. “I’m so sorry. He never knocks anything down.”

  “Just get him out of here.” Carol felt the tears burning her eyes, but before the man could grab the cat, it sprang away, racing under a table covered in fine china.

  “No, no, no,” Carol hissed. “If he breaks that…Here, kitty,” she cooed.

  “Kooter, come out of there.” Ryan’s voice was a demand, but he only saw the quick flick of a tail from under the poinsettia covered tablecloth draped over the display.

  “You and your cat are determined to ruin me, aren’t you?” Carol eased forward, trying to see the big cat.

  “No,” Ryan protested, approaching from another angle. He had just reached the display when the feline darted off in another direction, diving under another tree and scattering pretty packages in every direction.

  “I told you this animal is a menace.” Carol blinked, trying to keep her tears from falling. She had worked so hard to get this all organized. Everything was perfect, and now it was ruined.

  “Kooter, treat.” Ryan tried a new tact, but the cat huddled under the tree, whiskers twitching, tail flicking up and down as his huge green eyes seemed to dilate more. “I’ll make this right for you,” the young man continued hunching over as he approached the tree. “I’ll pay for any damages.”

  Carol stood up, placing her hands on her hips as anger dried her tears. “I open tomorrow. How am I supposed to put this mess back together by then? I can’t just take the ornaments I’m selling and hang them on a tree. I’ll have to rearrange everything,” she sniffed.

  “I’ll get my parents to watch my shop, and I’ll help.” Ryan turned soulful eyes on her, and she almost softened.

  “Just get that destructive deviant you call a cat out of my shop.”

  Ryan knelt by the tree, reaching toward Kooter, who batted his hand away with a paw. “Hey,” Ryan protested, pulling his finger back and looking at the long scratch filling with blood. “He’s never done that, honest.” Ryan lifted his finger to his mouth, but Carol caught it.

  “I have a first aid kit,” she snapped. “Maybe if we let him calm down, he won’t break anything else.”

  Ryan traipsed behind the woman as she pulled him along by his injured hand. Her fingers were warm like a hot cup of cocoa on a cold day and sent little shivers up his arm.

  “Stand still,” Carol said, cringing at the blood running down the man’s hand. “He really got you good.”

  “He has never, ever, done anything like that.” Ryan glanced back at the cat who had scrunched under the scattered packages, hindquarters swaying as he prepared to pounce.

  Carol wiped the scratch with an alcohol pad, looking up when the man hissed at the sting. His eyes were warm and dreamy
behind his glasses, but the troubled look that marred his brow seemed to touch her heart. “Don’t be a baby,” she said, but her words had lost their sting.

  Ryan turned back, his eyes locking with her dark gaze and a smile spread over his lips. He felt himself relax as the woman pulled a large band-aid from her kit and plastered it over the cut. Her fingers lingered on his hand, and he felt something inside turn over, like a log rolling over in the warm glow of a fireplace.

  “I am sorry about Kooter,” his words were soft as he gazed into the woman’s face. She was dressed in a baggy sweater and jeans that complimented her figure and brightened her brown eyes. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him.”