by Violet Paige
She didn’t have a song to write. She didn’t have a performance to prepare. But she did have a business to open. She dipped the brush in the cool water and started scouring the floors. Her arms dug into the marble with solid strokes until she could see her reflection. Every time she made a pass over one of the squares, she felt a sliver of satisfaction .
It was hours later before she stopped. Not enough time to forget the run-in with Evan, but long enough that she felt tired. Her limbs ached from hard work. The floors were immaculate. The windows shone. But there still wasn’t enough light. She had replaced two lightbulbs. The rest were still untouched, caked with dust and smoky burn marks .
Cami wiped her palms on a clean towel and grabbed her coat and purse. If she was going to make any more progress tonight, she needed working lights. She marched across the street to the only hardware store in town .
The door rattled and she was immediately hit with a strong smell of paint thinner. Nothing had changed in all these years. Cami remembered lighting was at the back of the store. She walked briskly to the rear aisle, hoping she could sneak in and out before anyone spotted her .
“Is that Cami Addison ?”
She stopped in her tracks when she heard her name. She hadn’t made it past the garden section .
“Hi, Mr. Hillson.” She smiled meekly .
“I thought that was you.” The older gentleman removed his baseball cap and scratched his forehead. “Haven’t seen you around here for a while .”
She bit nervously on her lip. “It has been a long time .”
“Thought maybe you would have come back for the Snow Ball one of these years. Or the flotilla.” He replaced the cap on his head. “Eugenie said you were too famous for us now. But I told her you were just busy. You’d be back. And here you are.” His gold tooth was visible when he smiled widely .
She had made a lot of excuses for not making a trip home. It seemed there was always a potential contract looming, or maybe even a show she had to do. There were appearances she had to make, and there were always radio shows willing to let her promote a new single. She doubted she could explain to Mr. Hillson what it took to launch her music career, and he was less likely to understand how hard she had fought to keep it from falling apart .
Cami straightened her shoulders. “You know, I came in to buy some light bulbs. Could you show me where they are?” Sometimes avoidance was the easiest way around things .
He pulled his wooden cane to his side, and hobbled into an upright position. “Right down here. Come on. I’ll show you what we have .”
This was never going to be easy. People were going to want to know why her career had failed. Why she thought she deserved to waltz back into town when she hadn’t traveled its streets in twelve years. And apparently, everyone wanted to know what happened between her and Evan. Cami followed Mr. Hillson to the back of the store, wondering if she was every going to have the answers to any of those questions .
Six
Evan
G eorgia tugged on his tie.
“Is this necessary?” Evan grumbled. What the fuck was she doing yanking on his neck like that ?
“For the tree lighting, yes.” She gave it an extra yank, tightening it close to his Adam’s apple. “All those cameras on you, and you don’t want to wear a tie?” She made a click click sound with her tongue. “The Post is going to put this on the front page. They do it every year .”
Evan took a step backward, trying to make a space between his throat and the collar of his shirt. He had a speech to make tonight. He didn’t want to sound like a fourteen-year old going through puberty when he spoke .
He reached for his leather jacket. He had one arm through the sleeve when the door burst open and Claudine Francis ran in. She grabbed her scarf, trying to catch her breath .
“Mellie Miller has strep throat,” she blurted .
Georgia gasped. “No. That can’t be. I just saw her yesterday at the post office. I want that fruit cake recipe — ”
Claudine held her phone in the air. “She just called me. Poor thing has a fever .”
Evan stared blankly at the two women. “All right. I’m sorry to hear about Mellie, but that’s somehow a city hall emergency ?”
Georgia stomped her foot. “She was supposed to sing during the lighting. She sings every single year. We don’t have a backup. No one sings O Christmas Tree like her .”
Evan waved his hand in the air. “Just play some carols on a loud speaker. That will work. Send her a get-well card from the mayor’s office .”
He reached for his leather gloves. It was going to be cold tonight .
He caught the wicked smile on Claudine’s lips. “I have an idea that I think will turn this crisis around .”
If only Claudine Francis knew what a real crisis was. “What’s that?” he asked. Damn it. He already didn’t like where this was headed .
“Why don’t we ask Cami Addison to sing? I’m sure she’d be happy to fill in for Mellie .”
“No,” he answered sternly. He realized too late that he sounded like a gruff bear. He shook his head. “That’s not necessary. Thanks for the suggestion, Claudine. But I think we can go with recorded music this year.” He eyed Georgia, warning her not to comment .
Although, he knew if he depended on his secretary to coordinate a playlist it would be months before she could figure it out. They didn’t have months. They had one hour until he had to flip the switch on the Harpers Point tree .
Claudine looked at him expectantly. “Mayor, she has such a beautiful voice. And what a treat to have our own little celebrity at the ceremony tonight .”
He shook his head. He knew when he had been cornered. There wasn’t much point in trying to argue with them. The more he protested, the more they would needle him with questions about Cami .
“Why would she want to sing?” The idea that Cami would join him on stage wasn’t something he wanted to think about .
“Oh, I can’t imagine she’d say no. She was always the best caroler. You remember I’m sure ?”
He closed his eyes. He remembered a lot of things about Cami. Like how sweet she tasted. How she would purr in his ear when she came. How she liked to fuck in the guest room. Yeah, he remembered way too much about her .
“All right. But she doesn’t need to do more than the one song. One song,” he pressed .
Claudine and Georgia clasped their hands together. “It’s going to be beautiful. But bless Mellie’s heart, of course .”
“Of course,” Georgia echoed .
“I’ll take care of everything, Mayor. Don’t worry for another second. We’ll take care of it. I saw the lights on at The Sweet Treat . I’ll go talk to Cami right now .”
Evan walked out of the office before they could gloat any more in front of him. He heard them whisper something about how Cami hadn’t been out much. He jogged down the front steps of City Hall and into the courtyard where the town’s residents had started to gather .
He shook hands and greeted the first responders who had lined one side of the walkway. The fire department was made up of volunteers. There were six deputies along with the sheriff. The town had exactly two ambulances and both EMT squads had just graduated from the academy. Evan was proud he had acquired a second squad for the town. It was one of the many plans he had to add services to Harpers Point. Services the people here desperately needed .
“Mayor Jacobs, beautiful night .”
“Biggest tree we’ve had yet .”
He moved through the crowd, his broad shoulders creating a path in the sea of neighbors .
“Twenty-footer this year? A little short, don’t you think ?”
“Can I get you some cocoa, Mayor ?”
“How many lights did the fire department string ?”
“Flotilla’s right around the corner. Could snow that night .”
By the time he made it to the stage, he had heard every question and comment about the tree. Did he really think a Frasier fir wa
s the best? Was it from a local farm? There were plenty of opinions, not to mention the outcry that Mellie Miller was sick. He still didn’t know if Cami was going to replace her, or if they had to rely on Georgia to tune into a Christmas station. It didn’t matter, the tree would be lit and that’s what mattered to the town. Did they really need music? It was the damn tree that counted .
It was the symbolic spirit of the community. Once the lights twinkled, it marked the official kickoff of Christmas season. It was like the reverse Super Bowl for Harpers Point. The main event came first. Everything else was just extra glitter and sparkle .
He took the steps to the platform, two at a time. The podium was in the center, anchored with enormous poinsettias. He strolled to the middle of the stage. One of the local high school students was in charge of the microphone. He handed it off to Evan .
“Sir.” He ducked out of the way so Evan could speak .
He had the instinct to steady the kid with a firm hand on his scrawny shoulder, but he realized sometimes he was intimidating. There was a time in his life when that was intentional, but he had grown up since then. He didn’t settle disputes with his fists any longer. He didn’t throw his weight around. War had humbled him. He let the moment with the kid pass and faced the crowd .
The expectant faces looked up at him. Just as he was about to speak, he heard a slow murmur start in the farthest row from the stage. He scanned the group. And then he saw her .
Fuck.
It didn’t matter if she was a hundred yards or only ten feet away, Cami was unmistakable to him. His chest seized silently as she made her way to the stage .
The skinny kid helped her up the stairs and she stood a few feet behind Evan. He looked at her over his shoulder. Was he supposed to be grateful she was here? Was he supposed to thank her for saving the tree lighting? Was he supposed to feel relief she was here instead of back in Nashville? He wanted to feel the anger and resentment he felt twelve years ago. Damn it .
He didn’t feel any of those things. He looked in her eyes and knew he was in trouble .
Seven
Cami
H is eyes locked on hers and she didn’t know if she could breathe. There was clapping and whistling coming from the crowd, but for a second all she could do was stare. Stare into the eyes that held so much from the past .
Ten minutes ago, Cami had been trying to get the ovens working in The Sweet Treat , when Claudine and Georgia burst in pleading with her to help with a town emergency .
She didn’t have time to change or even brush her hair. She grabbed her coat and ran out of the shop as they explained they needed her to sing. Sing? Her palms were instantly sweaty and her throat clamped shut. They tugged on her wrists while she tried to catch up to what was going on. Something about strep throat and O Christmas Tree . She heard the ooos and ohhs as she sped through the crowd. Everything inside her told her to make a break for it and run back to the warm kitchen of the candy shop. She didn’t belong in the center of town. Maybe if she stared hard enough, Evan would see that story in her eyes. He would know what she was feeling. She didn’t want to be on this stage any more than he wanted her to be here. But they had hurried her toward City Hall before she could adequately protest .
And now she was facing the town and facing the man who could still steal her breath with a single look .
Someone nudged her forward and she jerked off balance .
Evan grabbed her elbow before she completely fell. “Thanks,” she whispered .
He was stiff as he handed her the microphone. “Would you do the honors?” he asked .
She leaned to his ear, catching a whiff of his cologne. Her eyes closed. “What am I singing ?”
He looked puzzled. His hand covered the mic. “O Christmas Tree , and then I’ll push the button to light the tree,” he explained. “Got it ?”
Her stomach flipped as she nodded. “Got it .”
She knew he was still angry with her, but she wished for now, during this moment he wouldn’t such an asshole. She was nervous enough as it was .
They turned to the crowd, plastering fake smiles on their faces .
“Let’s kick this night off,” Evan announced. “We have a special treat. Cami Addison is going to sing for us. Our hometown star.” She wasn’t sure if he meant that as a compliment or a snub .
Everyone clapped and Cami saw a few phones pop up to record the song .
Evan stepped back, leaving Cami at the front of the stage by herself. To her right, a teenage boy gawked at her until Claudine Francis poked him. He hit play on the sound system and the town square was filled with music .
She was suddenly filled with panic that she wouldn’t remember the words to the song. But after the intro, they came to her. It was like riding a bike. The words were there in the back of her mind and then on her tongue. She saw the smiling faces filling the square. People she hadn’t seen in years .
People who used to be her neighbors. Kids she went to school with. Friends of her aunt. Customers at the shop. And their voices echoed in the air. When she looked out into the crowd they were all singing .
When the last note faded, their eyes turned to the tree. It was on her left, along with Evan and an enormous block with a gold button on top. Did that thing really light the tree ?
It was impossible to escape from his eyes. They caught hers just as the crowd counted down .
Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two .
Cami realized she was holding her breath as if that would somehow hold the moment between her and Evan .
One.
He pressed the button, as the crowd hollered and cheered. The lights sparkled on the branches, starting at the bottom and spiraling to the star at the very top. Cami remembered when she was a little girl, she thought the Harpers Point tree had to be the tallest Christmas tree in the world. There was nothing as magical and beautiful as watching the lights come to life .
As soon as she glanced back from the star the moment was gone. Evan looked away and started shaking hands with the people next to him. Someone patted him on the back and he turned away from her. It was hard not to feel like he meant something by the gesture .
“Miss Addison, can I take that?” The boy had returned to pack up the microphone .
“Oh, of course.” She handed it to him and slowly walked down the stairs as if in a daze .
“Can I get you some cocoa?” he offered .
“No thank you. That’s sweet .”
She passed through the crowd, the lights on the tall tree twinkled behind her. She stuffed her hands in the pockets of her red wool coat. She hadn’t even had a chance to grab gloves before she ran out. Now that she was no longer nervous, she felt cooler, even cold. Cami walked the two blocks back to the shop toward the water. She could see a few boats bouncing in the harbor. Some of them were already decked out with a few decorations for the flotilla. Wreaths made from fresh greenery. Big red velvet bows tied on the handrails .
She paused on the sidewalk under The Sweet Treat’s sign. The door was cracked open and the lights were still on. Behind her, the town was celebrating the kickoff of the season. They celebrated being together. They celebrated the excitement and the joy of what the next few weeks would bring .
She pushed the door ajar and walked in the shop. It didn’t feel right to stay. She walked behind the counter, hooking her coat on the knob where her aunt used to hang the aprons .
She’d been back a week. In that time she had managed to unpack most of the boxes in her apartment, clean the open space connected to the candy shop, and make a decision about The Sweet Treat . She was going to get it running for Christmas .
When she went through her aunt’s things she had found her old wooden recipe boxes. She wouldn’t be able to fill the shelves with everything that used to be in the glass cabinet, but she had a handful of recipes that would bring in customers, starting her aunt’s famous fudge .
First, she had to get the damn ovens working. If she c
ouldn’t figure out what was wrong on her own, she was going to have to call an appliance repair man, and that was out of her budget. She was barely stringing enough money together from her song royalties. There wasn’t room to afford setbacks. Non-working ovens, was a huge setback .
Cami pulled her ponytail, straightening it on her head and sighed. She opened the industrial oven door and looked inside. She couldn’t see anything blocking the burners. She touched all the pieces to make sure nothing was loose. It seemed fine .
She closed the door, set the temperature, and shoved her index finger on the ignitor. The button slid all the way in. Nothing happened. Her shoulders slumped. There wasn’t a spark, not even the slightest hiss of gas. Cami groaned .
She moved on to the second oven, going through the same routine. She pressed the ignitor twice, more irritated this time .
“Ugh, why won’t you work ?”
“Something wrong ?”
Cami’s head whipped around at the sound of Evan’s voice .
“Wh-what are you doing here ?”
He closed the door and walked toward the counter. “I didn’t get a chance to say thank you for singing at the tree lighting. You were gone by the time I broke away from the crowd.” He paused at the curved brick archway. “You didn’t want to stay ?”
“It’s not that.” She looked at the ovens, as if that explained everything .
“They aren’t working, huh?” Evan shirked off his coat and hung it next to hers .
She had to blink to stop from gawking at how his arms strained against his dress shirt. He rolled up his sleeves. “What’s the problem ?”
Cami stepped out of the way. “I don’t know. Neither one will turn on, and I can’t bake any of the candy without them. I’m not sure I can afford an expensive repair right now .”
He looked at her, then knelt on the floor. “Let me take a look .”
His brows knitted together and then he stood. He placed one hand on the back of the oven and one of the front, yanking it from the wall. He leaned over. Cami’s eyes followed his movements. He stooped, started twisting something, and then knelt in front of the door again .
