A Sweethaven Christmas

by Courtney Walsh

  She shoved the thought aside. Mama had no business coaching anyone in the fine art of relationships. Anyone she couldn’t control was cut out of her life without so much as a passing glance.

  “Isn’t that your father?” Campbell said.

  Near the steps of the gazebo, Lila saw Daddy deep in conversation, but the person at his side stood just out of her line of sight.

  “I’ll be right back.” Lila zigzagged through the crowd toward Daddy. As she approached, her mind raced through the dozens of times she’d caught him having hushed conversations with the mother of one of her friends, her teachers, women from his office. She’d overheard phone calls, intercepted messages, and all the time it never crossed her mind that he could have been careless—that she could have siblings out there somewhere.

  How had she been so naïve?

  She had no intention of speaking to her father, only letting him know that she’d caught him in the act. Who would it be this time?

  As she rounded the corner, Lila waited for the crowd to part and reveal Daddy in what appeared to be deep conversation with the woman from the restaurant.

  The woman saw Lila before Daddy did, and as realization spread across her face, Daddy turned, met Lila’s eyes and sighed.

  Lila had never felt more unwelcome.

  She turned away, the pain of Daddy’s lies settling in, weaving its cocoon of sadness. All these years she’d tried so hard to make Daddy proud. She’d grown up thinking if his life at home with her and Mama were a little more peaceful, a little calmer, a little happier, then maybe he wouldn’t need the other women.

  Why had she taken the blame for his sin?

  Moments later, Daddy had moved to her side, the other woman nowhere to be seen.

  “Don’t stop on my account, Daddy,” Lila said. “If your other family needs you, by all means . . .”

  “Lila, you just don’t understand.” Daddy reached toward her, but she shrugged him off.

  “I think it’s pretty clear.” Lila fought back fresh tears. Why did it hurt so much? She was a grown woman, for goodness’ sake.

  “There’s a lot about my life that isn’t clear—not to you, not even to me, I’m afraid.”

  “It’s obvious you lied.”

  Daddy said nothing.

  She scoffed. “All this time, I couldn’t get pregnant, I kept thinking about what a disappointment I was to you.”

  “Lila, please—”

  “But you know what, Daddy? I’m just realizing that all along, you’re the one who’s been the disappointment.”

  The mayor tapped on the microphone and called for everyone’s attention.

  “How could you do this to Mama? To me? Don’t we matter at all?”

  Daddy looked away.

  “I thought that now, finally, I could give you a grandchild—a grandson, I hoped, because I knew you always wanted a boy—and you’d be so proud. So happy I was your daughter. But do you already have grandchildren? Do you already have a legacy?”

  Lila stared at Daddy for a long moment and the crowd quieted.

  “Right now I’d like to introduce someone very important to lead us on this year’s Sweethaven Christmas Luminary Walk.” The mayor’s voice boomed through the speakers just feet away from where Lila stood. “This man has given more to our fair town over the years than any other single resident in Sweethaven’s history. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Victor Adler.”

  Daddy held her gaze for another few seconds, then turned, smiled and bounded to the stage.

  He leaned in to the microphone. “It’s such an honor and a privilege to be with you folks for the start of the Christmas season,” Daddy said, his drawl more pronounced than usual. “There just isn’t anywhere better in the world than Sweethaven at Christmas.”

  Lila tuned him out, wishing she’d never left her room at the Whitmore.

  She turned around, and in the distance, standing off to the side, she spotted the woman from the restaurant. The woman she guessed to be Charlotte. The woman she’d avoided out of respect for her parents.

  But now it didn’t seem like she owed either of them a bit of respect.

  And this woman might be the only way to ever uncover the truth behind her parents’ lies.

  Adele

  It had been two days since Adele and Henry had connected on the computer. Despite her efforts to contact him with her explanation of why she’d suddenly disappeared, there had been no word from Henry.

  She’d been checking her e-mail nonstop ever since, and, as if she had no choice, here she sat again at the computer for the third time since she woke up.

  When her in-box came up empty, a sick feeling took over Adele’s stomach. She couldn’t sit here for one more second.

  The phone rang, pulling her from her frustration.

  “Hey, Ma.”

  Luke.

  “Why don’t you come down for a cup of coffee? It’s kind of quiet down here, I could use the company.”

  “Well, that’s sweet of you to think of me.” And she needed to get herself away from the computer. “I’ll walk over.”

  “You sure, Ma? It’s cold.”

  “I’m sure.”

  Despite the temperature, Adele loved this time of year. Their little town, all lit up, decorated from one end to the other—it defined the word “magic.”

  And Adele hoped the Christmas cheer could get rid of the dark cloud that seemed to be following her around.

  She wrapped her scarf around her neck twice, then pulled her long coat on, fishing her gloves from the pockets. A brisk walk in the cool air would do her good.

  Outside, Adele plodded down Main Street, wondering how many more days they’d have before the town was blanketed in snow. Her toes were chilled inside her boots, but she pressed on, admiring the oversize Christmas gifts on either side of the gazebo’s stairs in the town square.

  The longer she was outside, the more she looked forward to the large cup of hot cocoa she’d order once she reached the Main Street Café. Sweethaven felt unusually busy this afternoon, and she found herself hoping more people had decided to spend their holidays in this place that seemed to transcend time.

  Plus, they could use the business.

  In spite of the flurry of activity outside, the café had an emptiness to it. Luke said he appreciated the downtime, but Adele always worried about her son, the business owner. Having an education he rarely used seemed like such a waste, especially when she knew the café caused him to lose sleep.

  Her son stood at the other end of the counter chatting with a customer. He waved her over, though he had to know she much preferred to spend the afternoon prodding him about his love life.

  Perhaps the customer was his buffer.

  “Luke, if I don’t get something hot to drink, there’s a good chance I’m gonna freeze from the inside out.”

  “That right, Ma?” He steamed the milk for her cocoa and set the cup in front of her. “I didn’t think you were serious about walking here.”

  If he knew the truth, she’d never live it down.

  “I needed to get out of the house, I suppose. The fresh air did me good. You know how much I love Christmas.”

  “It always was your favorite time of year.” The words weren’t Luke’s but rather came from the man beside her. For the first time since she sat down, she looked at him.

  “Oh, I think you already know Henry Marshall, right, Ma?” Luke grinned.

  He’d set her up.

  “I do, Luke. I didn’t realize you did.”

  “We go way back.” He winked at her and walked away, leaving her sitting with Henry. Alone.

  “Henry, about the other day . . .”

  “Why don’t we get a table?” He smiled at her. She remembered that smile. While he’d aged, of course, and his hair had thinned, she still saw the boy she’d loved all those years ago.

  “Of course.”

  Henry picked up her cocoa for her and led her to a table near the back of the café. With
hardly any other customers and even the wait staff hiding behind the scenes, she found herself wonderfully, horribly alone with a man whose presence still gave her butterflies.

  After all these years, she’d given up ever feeling that sensation again.

  “About the other night . . .”

  Henry held up a hand to stop her. “It’s okay. Your son explained.”

  Adele frowned. “What did he say?”

  “Something about your being new to the computer.

  Adele glanced over toward the door to the kitchen where Luke had just reappeared and smiled. He raised a brow and busied himself behind the counter. “Very new to the computer. I’ve only ever used it to search for antiques for my store.”

  Henry nodded, watching her, a soft grin on his lips. “You haven’t changed at all.”

  Adele laughed. “Henry Marshall, you are a terrible liar.”

  The smile stayed securely on his face. “Sure we’re both a little worse for the wear, but you’re still as beautiful as the day I saw you singing at that dance in the Commons.”

  Adele stilled. “You remember?”

  “That memory got me through many nights in Vietnam.” He looked away.

  She watched him for a long moment. How many nights had she fallen asleep praying for her Henry? How many days had she spent trying not to think about the danger he was in? She’d never asked many questions about the war, but she imagined it had changed him.

  But when he returned, she wasn’t there to find out.

  The silence between them grew awkward and Henry’s expression changed. “I’ve got photos of my grandchildren.” A smile spread across his face as he reached into his inside jacket pocket and pulled a sleeve of small photos from inside his wallet. He set them in front of Adele and pointed to each of his eleven grandchildren.

  “My daughter Libby is the only one who’s not married,” he said. He flipped the sleeve over and revealed a photo of himself and a woman who appeared to be many years old.

  Panic washed over his face, but Adele smiled and picked it up. “Is this Millie?”

  Henry softened. “Yes, that’s my Millie.”

  She stared at the picture. They’d made a handsome couple. Out of nowhere, tears sprang to her eyes. “I’m glad you’ve had a happy life, Henry. So very glad.”

  He covered her hand with his own. “It has been happy, but there’s always room for old friends.”

  She met his eyes and set the sleeve of photos down. “I’m afraid I wasn’t a very good friend to you. I never got a chance to tell you how sorry I am . . .”

  “Adele, stop. You have nothing to apologize for. It’s all water under the bridge.” He squeezed her hand. “Why don’t we start over? A clean slate?”

  Could Henry really have forgotten the pain she’d caused him? Would a clean slate mean they left everything behind? Even the good?

  Maybe it was what they needed in order to move forward. Maybe she had to let go of her own regret over the way things had ended between them, though she had to wonder why God had brought him back into her life now when she’d accepted that she was meant to be alone.

  “A clean slate sounds good,” she said.

  Henry took one last drink of his now cold coffee. “Can I take you home?”

  Adele smiled. “Only if you’ll let me make you dinner.”

  “Now, there’s an offer I can’t refuse.”

  Campbell

  Every night in Sweethaven during December, Campbell learned, seemed to have a different festive event scheduled. The Luminary Walk had been pure magic, and tonight, the Christmas concert in the Square would be the same.

  Her thoughts rushed back to the ring—the beautiful, too-expensive ring—and then to Luke’s promise that tonight would be the most romantic night of her life.

  Nerves bubbled inside her. From the window, she could see where people had started to gather in the town square. The Sweethaven Municipal Band would set up all around the gazebo, which would serve as a stage like it had for the mayor the night before. From a distance, it looked like a scene in a movie—like the perfect place to propose to someone.

  Campbell’s hands had turned to ice as she considered what Luke might have planned for her that night, and she willed herself to stop overanalyzing everything.

  A knock on the back door told her he’d arrived, and she inhaled a slow, deep breath.

  “Calm down,” she said out loud to the empty room. “This could be a good thing.”

  It could be. Her. Luke. Marriage. That could be a great thing. But was it what she wanted? If he made his proposal into a public event, how could she possibly say “Can I think about it?” Her indecision would be their undoing.

  But marriage was so final.

  Luke appeared in the doorway, that lazy grin on his face. “Hey.”

  She forced her thoughts aside and walked into his embrace. “Hey yourself.”

  He took her face in his hands, leaned down and kissed her, his soft lips luring her out of reality for a brief moment. She inhaled the smell of his aftershave and tuned in to the way her stomach jumped as his thumb brushed alongside her cheek.

  When he finally pulled away, Campbell met his eyes, which had a hint of mischief in them.

  “You look like you’re up to something,” she said.

  He wagged his eyebrows and smiled. “Maybe I am.”

  Her heart leaped, a mixture of nerves and excitement. She hadn’t intended to have feelings this strong for him, but she could hardly pretend they weren’t there.

  Not responding to his profession of love hadn’t seemed to deter Luke at all. Didn’t it bother him that she hadn’t been able to verbalize her feelings—any of them—to him?

  “You ready?”

  She nodded, switched off the lights, leaving only the one above the counter on. She had to laugh that she took security precautions in Sweethaven—a town with practically zero crime—but, better safe than sorry.

  They walked out into the crisp winter and Campbell pulled on her mittens, exhaling puffs of air.

  “I’ve got blankets,” Luke said. “You’ll be warm once we get over there.” He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer.

  She didn’t respond but noted the way her heart jumped at the nearness of him. She’d never been in a relationship with someone so selfless and kind. And she’d never been with someone so confident. Luke had such an easiness about him that eliminated the usual awkward feelings. She loved those things about him. She loved everything about him.

  There was that word again.

  As they walked, Campbell stared at the town square, trying not to dive into all the reasons she hadn’t said she loved him when she knew in her heart she did. Townspeople flocked toward the bustle of activity, many of them greeting Luke on the way. Lawn chairs had been set up facing the stage, and the gentle sound of the band tuning their instruments wafted out across Main Street.

  “Does everyone in town come to this thing?” Campbell asked as they started across the street.

  Luke put an arm out to stop her as a car rounded the corner. “Careful.”

  She glanced up at him and wondered if he had the ring in his pocket. In that moment, she felt sure she’d say yes.

  Luke took her hand and led her across the street. “Pretty much. Christmas is such a big deal here.”

  “I thought summer was the big attraction here. It’s awfully cold for people to want to be here, isn’t it?” Campbell pulled her coat tighter around her and wished it had a heater inside it.

  “People seem to brave the weather for a Sweethaven Christmas,” Luke said. “The town started promoting all their Christmas events a few years ago, and now lots of people take a few weeks here in December. Last year we had a huge snowstorm and a bunch of them couldn’t get out.” He grinned. “Good for business.”

  Campbell laughed. Ahead, she saw a few lawn chairs reserved with blankets front and center. Just where someone would sit to be pulled onstage.

  Adele chatted with
an older woman, and Meghan’s husband Nick tucked a big fleece blanket around their twins. Finn and Nadia grinned when they saw her, and for a moment Campbell imagined that one day she could be more than their art teacher—she could be their aunt.

  Nick turned and shook Luke’s hand. “Hey, you ready for this?”

  Luke straightened. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

  Campbell frowned. “Ready for what?”

  The two men exchanged a knowing look. “You’ll see,” Luke said. “Here, sit down.”

  Her heart raced as she looked around at the crowded Square. A wave of uncertainty washed over her, bringing with it a healthy dose of nausea. “Luke, I have to go.”

  He turned to her. “Why? Are you okay?”

  “I feel sick.”

  Adele bumped her shoulder with her own. “I’ve got some peppermints. That always helps my stomach.” She fished through her purse and pulled out two Starlight mints. “Here you go, darlin’. I’d hate for you to miss out on such a special night.”

  Had Luke told Adele too?

  She unwrapped the peppermint and put it in her mouth as Adele squeezed her hand.

  In the distance, she saw Jane and Graham weaving their way through the crowd with their youngest, Sam. Campbell could barely force a “hello” for the nerves.

  Jane situated her family behind them and leaned forward. “Where’s Lila?”

  Adele shrugged. “Haven’t seen her yet.”

  Campbell looked around half-heartedly, not really searching for Lila so much as searching for a way of escape. Suddenly she thought sitting right next to the stage on that particular night might be the scariest thing she’d ever done.

  The music started and the queasiness began to disappear, the sound of brass instruments transporting her back to Christmases past. The Sweethaven concert band had a decidedly jazzy sound, and Campbell closed her eyes to enjoy their rendition of “Winter Wonderland,” wishing her mom was sitting beside her.

  All those years it had been just the two of them, but she never once felt lonely or let down. They bought a few really special gifts for each other and spent Christmas week baking, watching old movies and playing board games. It had always been one of her favorite times of the year.