by Marta Perry
Memories she once thought she’d cherish forever.
Allie stepped onto the cold of Main Street and lifted her chin in determination. Regardless of where she lived or worked, one thing was certain. She and Jordan Walker were done making memories.
And the sooner her heart realized that, the better.
Chapter Ten
“I still think Theo’s doughnut tree in the diner window should have won.” Molly licked fudge off her thumb and offered the candy bowl to Allie.
Allie plucked a piece off the snowman platter before setting it on their mother’s coffee table. “It was pretty cute. But Greta’s window was adorable. I’m glad she got first place.”
“So was Sophie. She had so much fun tonight that she fell asleep in the car on the way home. I’m glad Mom agreed to let us stay over so she could keep sleeping, especially with Tim having to work late.” Molly adjusted the throw pillow in her lap as she nibbled on her chocolate. “Can you believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve? It seems each year the holiday flies faster and faster. Especially once you have children.” She stopped short with a wince. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Allie finished her chocolate and wiped her hands on the snowflake-printed napkin. “I know you and Mom mean well. Having kids is a pretty big part of your lives.” She stared wistfully at her parent’s Christmas tree in the corner. “I’ll experience that one day, hopefully.”
“So, the big career girl wants the whole picture after all.” Molly leaned back against the couch and groaned, one hand against her stomach. “Don’t let me eat any more fudge.”
Allie nudged the plate away from her sister as she pondered her response. “You could say that coming home has resurrected some dreams.”
“Or Jordan has.” Molly held the pillow up in defense at Allie’s glare. “Oh, come on. Don’t deny it. You guys still have a thing for each other.”
“Attraction isn’t the point.”
“Neither is denial.” Molly’s eyebrow quirked.
“I admit I still have feelings for him. Seeing him after all this time just confirmed those feelings never completely went away. But I doubt he feels the same.” Allie sighed. “Which just makes staying here in Ginger Falls all the more complicated.”
“How so?”
Allie stared at her sister, as if the answer should be obvious. “I can’t work for him when he’s interested only in the professional. I’ll make a fool of myself. He broke up with me once—and he’s just trying to be a friend now. Probably feels guilty for the way things ended ten years ago.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure Jordan doesn’t have feelings for you, too. I think you’re just blind to them because he broke your heart once—and you’re too focused on your big dreams to see that a different kind of dream has landed right in front of you.” Molly stood and headed toward the kitchen. “Want some hot chocolate?” She called over her shoulder.
“No,” Allie muttered, as Molly’s words rolled around in her mind. It was easy for her sister to say. She had a husband, a family, a career—all the pieces to the puzzle. And while Allie no longer begrudged Molly’s happiness, it didn’t make her words any easier to swallow.
Or was that because they were true?
“Hey, your cell phone was vibrating on the counter in here.” Molly appeared in the doorway and tossed the cell to her. Allie caught it and checked the display. One new voice mail, from earlier that afternoon. She quickly pushed the password code to hear the message.
“Ms. James, this is Wilson Kennedy at the Kansas City Community Bank. I apologize for not getting back with you sooner on the status of your loan proposal.” He cleared his throat, and Allie’s suddenly sweaty palm gripped the cell tighter. Her heart hammered in her throat. Did they call about rejections?
The husky voice droned on. “I’m pleased to report your loan request has been approved. Please stop in our office after the holidays, and we’ll go through the final paperwork then. Merry Christmas.”
The recording ended with an abrupt click, and Allie’s hand slid to her lap, absently hitting End to disconnect. She had the loan. Her own store. Her dream.
Then her stomach twisted into a tight knot, and she closed her eyes, her head dropping back against the couch.
But was it the right dream?
Jordan fumbled in his jacket pocket for his car keys. His cold fingers didn’t want to cooperate, and he dropped the key ring twice before managing to hit the unlock button. The dome light clicked on inside the SUV, breaking up the darkness of Main Street. He slung his briefcase into the passenger seat and loosened his scarf.
He cranked the ignition, letting his gaze rest on the deserted town square. The store window contest had been a huge success. Tourists and locals alike had gathered to vote, and the first, second and third-place winners had all received plaques to hang in their windows. Hopefully that would drum up more business—and get the rest of the contestants fired up to enter next year. If Jordan had anything to say about it, the Gingerbread Festival would never again be a thing of the past.
His cell rang, and he flipped it open as he adjusted the heater vents. “Hello?”
“Jordan, it’s Allie.”
His heart jerked, and he quickly put his foot on the brake. “Allie, hi. Is everything okay? You left the contest pretty quickly tonight.”
“I’m fine, I just…we need to talk.” Her hesitant tone sent a tremor of nerves down Jordan’s spine.
“Sure. What’s going on?” He turned the radio low and slipped out of his gloves, settling in for the duration.
“I didn’t want to throw you off guard tomorrow at work.” Allie waited a beat. “My business loan came through in Kansas City.”
“It did?” Jordan heard the crack in his voice, and he cleared his throat. “That’s…great. Right?”
“Right.” Allie’s tone turned slightly guarded. “The call came tonight during the festival, and well, I thought you should be the first to know.” She laughed, but it carried little humor. “I guess this is my official notice.”
“I guess so.” Jordan’s stomach churned. “Well, congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
Silence hovered over the line, and then they both started talking at once.
“Ladies first.” Jordan’s free hand clenched the steering wheel in an effort to keep the tension out of his voice. Allie was leaving. Soon he’d have no more excuses to see her daily, to enjoy her laugh, to appreciate the way that blue scarf lit up her eyes.
Her voice filled his ear. “I was just saying we knew my job here was only temporary. So it’s not a problem, is it?”
“No problem at all.” He rested his forehead against the cool leather of the wheel. It was only temporary—the job and, apparently, their relationship. “When do you leave?”
“The banker said I could come by next week and start talking details.”
Next week? Jordan closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. “Things are happening fast, aren’t they?”
“Seems that way.”
Was that disappointment he heard in her voice?
“So, I guess I’ll see you at the office in the morning. Then the big finale tomorrow night.” Allie’s tone lightened, and Jordan slumped against the seat. How pathetic was he, hoping she would be disappointed in her own choice?
“See you tomorrow. And congratulations again.” He swallowed the thick lump in his throat. “You deserve this.”
“Thanks, Jordan.” Her soft words melted his defenses. “Good night.”
“Goodbye, Allie.” He closed his phone but made no move to drive away. He shouldn’t be so surprised. He’d known the loan was a possibility since Allie’s first day on the job. He had to admit that a part of him hoped the economy would force Allie to stick around town—and him—longer. But the bigger part that truly cared for Allie wanted her to succeed and live her dreams.
With or without him.
With a heavy heart, Jordan shifted the car into drive and pulled away from the curb. All aroun
d him tonight, people had teemed with holiday cheer, but now his spirits drooped like a child finding coal in his stocking. Ironic how ten years ago he’d unintentionally made Allie’s Christmas the worst one she’d ever had.
Apparently this year, it was his turn.
Allie’s stomach tightened as she stared at her bedroom ceiling. Molly and her parents had long since gone to sleep, but Jordan’s words circled in Allie’s head, keeping her awake—or rather, what he hadn’t said. Was he not affected by her moving back to Kansas City at all? Their phone conversation further disproved Molly’s theory that Jordan still had feelings for Allie. Sure, he’d probably miss her as an employee; after all, they had worked well together the past several weeks. But as something more? Not likely. She was fortunate to be leaving before she made a fool of herself for assuming otherwise.
Allie rolled over, pounding her pillow with one hand, pushing the fluffy feathers into place. She closed her eyes, but all she could see was the gazebo. Were all her relationships destined to end the same way—broken, scarred reminders of the past?
Despite the bad memories, she’d started to fall in love with the town again these past few weeks, investing her time and energy into helping give it a second chance. She could relate—after all, this loan was giving her the same opportunity in Kansas City. One more shot at making something of herself. One more chance to show herself—and her parents—what she could do. She’d be foolish not to take it.
But at what cost? If she moved, she’d be leaving behind the remains of her relationship with her family and abandoning the fledgling friendship she’d started with Molly—and Jordan. Though how much longer could she ignore her feelings for Jordan? No, it was best to leave, start fresh again somewhere that her past and present didn’t mingle at every turn, where memories didn’t linger on every street corner. Somewhere that didn’t remind her of how her life could have been. Somewhere that she could forget Jordan once and for all.
Because Ginger Falls had nothing to offer Allie but heartbreak.
Chapter Eleven
Jordan’s time with Allie was almost up. Today was Christmas Eve, and he still had no gift for her—nothing suitable to express his feelings, anyway. Cashmere scarves, fuzzy slippers and fruit baskets just didn’t seem to say what he needed to tell her—and he was losing opportunities fast. After the big event that evening, Allie would spend the remaining holiday with her family and then head back to Kansas City to start her business.
And she’d be great at it. Jordan flipped through the work journal Allie had created, charting their progress through the Gingerbread Festival. The event had brought in more revenue than he could have hoped for. Ginger Falls was slowly earning its place back on the map, and after tonight, who knew how far word would spread? The local news promised to be on the scene at 8:00 p.m. sharp for the picture, and once Allie finished the town’s new Web site, they’d be well on their way.
Mayor Cubley and the rest of the town committee were ecstatic. At every event, they praised Jordan for a job well done, but he openly protested that the majority of the credit should be given to Allie. She’d worked so hard behind the scenes, keeping Jordan and his lack of organizational skills in line, handling the money they earned through donations and making sure deposits were made on time each day. Not to mention she always had a smile and an encouraging word for shop owners and tourists in town. Jordan wouldn’t have been nearly as successful at his goal without her. They’d made a great team.
Too bad she couldn’t see that.
The office door opened, and Allie breezed through, her dark curls dancing around her cheeks and the collar of her purple blouse. “Good morning.”
“’Morning.” He wouldn’t lie. There wasn’t much good about it—at least not in his heart at the moment. Jordan forced a smile, wishing he could permanently stamp Allie’s appearance today in his brain. She must be more excited about her pending move than he’d first thought, due to the pretty flush in her face and the way she fumbled with her scarf before unwinding it from her neck.
“Busy day! What should I do first?” She draped her jacket over the back of the chair and sat, fingers twitching in her lap.
Jordan rubbed his temples briefly, trying to focus. “Um, I guess, first, we should…” He blanked.
“Call the media to confirm their attendance tonight?”
He nodded, eyes averted. “Sure.”
“And then double-check with the pilot and photographer to make sure they’re ready?”
He looked up. “Uh, yeah, that’d be great.”
Allie pulled out her cell and started punching buttons, probably accessing her personal notebook she’d grown so fond of using these last few weeks. “Then I’ll make sure our Web site is up and running so we can post the picture immediately after it’s taken.”
“Allie, what am I going to do without you?” The words slipped out before Jordan could catch them, and he sucked in a sharp breath as her expression tightened.
Allie’s fingers froze, and she stared at the phone in her lap, her lips pressing together into a tight line as she tried to steady her breathing. “You said it wouldn’t be a problem.”
“But it is.” Jordan stood and moved to the chair beside Allie, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. “We’re good together, Allie. You and me.”
Was he talking about work or something more? Her chest constricted, and she clenched her phone with white knuckles, simultaneously wishing he’d go back to his side of the desk and stay beside her forever. “You know I have plans in Kansas City.”
Jordan nodded, his gaze lowering to linger on her lips. “I know.” His eyes asked a question she couldn’t answer, and her breathing turned shallow. Don’t be stupid, Allie. Don’t go there. But the memories of their first kiss rushed toward her until their heady presence filled the room and drowned all voices of reason.
Suddenly all Allie could smell was the spicy scent of Jordan’s cologne, the tangy haze of bonfire smoke and freshly burned leaves. She swallowed the lump in her throat. She could still hear Jordan’s laugh as he tugged her to him that night at the senior party, feel his leather jacket under her palms, the sensation of his smooth-shaven chin and his lips against hers.
Tears of regret burned her eyes, and Allie blinked rapidly to clear them.
“I never apologized to you, did I?” His tone softened, and he gently picked up her hand. “I hated the way things ended between us, Allie. You deserved better than that.”
She couldn’t speak, couldn’t think, just stared at his finger tracing the lines in her palm. “Then why?”
He ran a light touch across her knuckles, then folded her fingers against his. The warm pressure of his hand soothed her nerves. “I came back for you that night. But you were gone.”
She searched his eyes for answers. “What do you mean?”
Jordan stood and pulled her up with him. “I tried to find you, to explain what I had wanted to say before we started arguing. But then I saw you leaving with your dad and thought it best to stay away.”
Allie risked a glance into Jordan’s melted chocolate gaze, and her throat tightened. He’d come back for her, even after their fight. She swallowed hard. “What had you wanted to explain?”
“What I thought you already knew.” Jordan ran a finger down the curve of her jaw, sending shivers down her spine. She kept her eyes trained on the top button of his dress shirt. If she looked at his lips again…
“That I was a kid, and you’d stolen my heart. It scared me. That I was torn between my feelings for you and needing to please my parents. My future was set up for me, Allie, a long time ago.” Jordan sighed. “And it never included you.”
The words landed a blow to Allie’s rising hopes, and her body tensed. She quickly stepped out of his loose embrace and reached for her jacket, pain knotting in her throat. “I just remembered I need to check with Theo on some food preparations for tonight. I better hurry before his lunch crowd arrives.” She blindly thrust her arms in
to the sleeves of her coat and headed for the door.
“Allie, wait.” Jordan’s voice pleaded across the office, but she was already heading toward the elevator.
She was through waiting on Jordan Walker.
The crowd tonight was thicker than ever before, both figuratively and literally. The temperature had dropped and heavy clouds formed above Leonard Mitchell’s pasture, blanketing the stars in gray and causing everyone to have dressed in bulky layers for warmth. Even the local news crew shivered beside their van as they prepared their equipment for recording. Jordan flexed his fingers inside his gloves. It was cold but not nearly as frigid as the sadness that came with every thought of Allie’s imminent departure from Ginger Falls.
And from him.
He tried to shove thoughts of Allie out of his mind, but his eyes found her like a magnet regardless of how much physical space he put between them. She stood at a card table set up by the gated barbed wire fence, arranging boxes full of flashlights, her dark hair grazing her shoulders as she worked.
Mayor Cubley appeared at his side and clapped Jordan’s shoulder, a movement he barely felt beneath the layers of sweaters beneath his jacket. “Should we get everyone lined up? It seems like a good crowd has arrived.”
Jordan squinted at his watch and nodded. “The pilot is on schedule to circle by at eight o’clock sharp for the picture. Everyone needs to report to Allie to pick up their flashlight and get into place. We staked the outline in the pasture yesterday for everyone to know where to stand. “
“I’ll make the announcement.” Mayor Cubley rubbed his gloved hands together in a brisk movement. “Goodness, but it’s cold. I’m sure everyone will be glad to get back to Theo’s Diner for cider and hot chocolate after this. Do you still want me to read the Christmas story?”
