Matchsticks and Candy Canes

by C. E. Wilson

  “Mrs. Holly—”

  “It would be an insult if you didn’t try everything,” Heather said as she looked at the girl, then at the huge chairs. “I don’t know how you would like to do this,” she said carefully. “So since it’s your first meal, I’ll leave it to you. Would you like to eat in here with me, the living room, or would you like us both to eat in the kitchen with Jeremy and Carter? I know you feel most comfortable around him. We have plenty of room no matter what.”

  Brynne hesitated, her gray eyes sliding towards the open doorway to the kitchen. She longed to be near Carter, Heather was right about that, but she thought about how he had acted earlier. She set her jaw and nodded to herself.

  “I liked your living room,” Brynne replied, returning a cheerful smile to the large woman. “It’s warm in there. With the fire so close by and all.”

  “Are you sure?” Heather asked with genuine surprise.

  “I like that room. It’s very cozy.”

  “Okay then.” She put on a bright smile. “We’ll do a picnic, then. How does that sound?”

  Brynne’s eyes shot upward. “A picnic?”

  Heather nodded. “Yes. I’ll set up a spread in front of the fire.” She raised her hand as Brynne started to retort. “I insist, Brynne. Please. I’ll meet you back there in a few minutes.”

  Brynne nodded as she watched the woman go, and when she turned to leave, she lingered for a moment at the sound of Carter’s voice. Then she walked back towards the living room.

  When his aunt entered the kitchen Carter glanced up immediately.

  “How is she?”

  “Nervous,” Heather said as she started to work on a plate for the young woman. “Poor thing, she’s so jittery. I’m afraid I’m going to break her or something.”

  “It takes some time,” Carter said, “but she’ll warm up.” His eyes lowered as he remembered her words from a few minutes ago. How frightened she had been of him. He inhaled and exhaled deeply. “It takes time, Aunt Heather.”

  “She sure seems to have taken a liking to you in any case,” Heather said, piling on a plentiful arrangement of steaming food onto the plate. “It’s like you’ve got her under a spell or something.”

  “Or the other way around,” Jeremy offered.

  “We understand each other, I think,” Carter stammered.

  “Mm. I just hope she’s not a picky eater.” Heather raised her eyebrows at her husband until he took notice and shrugged his great shoulders.

  She made a plate for herself quickly, then went back to the living room. She found Brynne sitting against the coffee table, staring into the fire.

  Brynne’s eyes widened at the food set before her.

  “This is all for me?” she asked incredulously.

  Heather nodded. “Whatever you don’t eat we can save. Let me know what you think. Old family recipes can always be improved, you know.”

  Brynne nodded, her mouth already full of what turned out to be mouth wateringly good baconed corn.

  Heather smiled briefly as she settled down on the floor next to her and started to dig into her meal. The young woman was starving and didn’t bother to try and hide it. For such a tiny girl, she sure could eat. She was so much like...

  “This is amazing, ma’am,” Brynne said quietly. “I didn’t know bacon and corn could go together.”

  Heather laughed. “Yes, well. We’ve come up with quite a few interesting recipes in this house. With so many mouths to feed, I had to get creative, you know? Bread and rolls were never enough to fill up my growing boys. I’m going to have to have some help to prepare a big Christmas Eve dinner when they’re here. It’s a tradition in our family.” She glanced down briefly at her plate. “It’ll be nice to have another woman helping me out.”

  “Oh, I couldn’t possibly—”

  “My husband already raved about those scones, so don’t bother trying to get out of it. If you can follow Carter’s instructions then I’m sure you can follow mine. We don’t prepare much.” She winked at Brynne, hinting that this was most obviously not the case. “We’ll even let you prepare a dish of your own if you’d like. We’ll call it The Brynne special.”

  Brynne flushed with pride. Just hearing more humans say her real name, not calling her a reject or a witch or a shrimp or a little nagging hag. Just Brynne.

  “Sounds like fun,” Brynne admitted. “I guess it would have to be a lot to feed all you humans.”

  Heather smiled into her bite of mashed potatoes and baconed corn. “I can already tell it’s going to be a joy to have you in our home.”

  “Yeah?” Brynne couldn’t help lowering her head at the woman’s kindness. “You don’t have to say that.”

  “I’m happy to have another woman here. Trust me, Brynne. You’re a welcome change.”

  They ate the rest of their meal in silence, and soon Brynne sat back and sighed contentedly. She looked over at the smiling woman across from her and nodded. “Thank you, that was the best meal I’ve had in a long time.”

  “I’m glad you liked it. I’ll give you a tour after I drop off the dishes,” she said as she took the elf’s surprisingly empty plate. “You’d feel more comfortable on the first floor, right?”

  “Y-yes, Mrs. Holly, I mean, Heather,” Brynne said.

  “You’re getting better with my name already,” Heather said, rising up to her feet. “Come on, let’s go check on what the boys are doing. I’ll bet those apple tarts are about finished.”

  Heather left her to walk on her own, which was both intimidating and freeing to Brynne. It was nice to be independent, but as she entered the kitchen behind the large woman, she felt smaller than ever as she scuttled around in a house made for these huge people. They all moved about in their own patterns, and Brynne unconsciously moved underneath one of the large chairs. She felt safe until Jeremy yanked it outward to take a seat. Brynne yelped in surprise, scrambling out into the open. Everyone stopped and looked at her. Even Carter. Blinking away embarrassed tears, Brynne waved her hands.

  “I-I’m sorry! I didn’t want to get in the way!” She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling out of place and thankfully Carter stepped forward.

  “It’s fine.” He sheepishly glanced at Heather and Jeremy. “She’s not used to a human house yet,” he said, trying to explain.

  “Looked more like she was trying to hide,” Jeremy said. “There’s no need for that. If you want to be off the ground, ask one of us. That’s got to be better than hiding under chairs.”

  “I’m sure she wasn’t hiding,” Carter said, bending down on one knee with a tentative smile. “Brynne gets a little nervous about being underfoot. Here.” he held out one hand so she could take it. “We were about to put the apple slices on the pastry. You can help.”

  Brynne glanced at his hand warily for a moment before her eyes flashed up nervously to his. Carter noticed the tears immediately.

  “Brynne, you’re safe here with us,” he said in a lower voice. Jeremy and Heather pretended to have an argument about Granny Smith apples versus Red Delicious to give them some privacy. “Take my hand, okay?” He offered what he hoped was an encouraging look.

  Brynne hesitated, remembering their conversation from not even an hour ago. But that smile was important to her. It made her bold, so with a nod Brynne stepped towards his hand. He closed his fingers around her and lifted her effortlessly atop the table. She wiped her hands on a nearby towel, cleaning them for the cooking.

  “This is better,” she sighed quietly. Anything was better than being underfoot around three busy humans.

  She stood to the side as Jeremy set down weathered baking sheets on the table, already laid out with soft tart shells. Carter came over with slivers of apples in a big bowl. Brynne leaned over and plucked one up.

  “They’re so thin!” she exclaimed, holding one up to her face. “I can almost see through them.”

  “Yeah, I know right? We used the mandolin,” Carter said, stepping behind her on the table. “There’s
no way I could ever slice them that thin with a knife.”

  “Mandolin?” Brynne asked awkwardly.

  “It’s a slicer of a sort. It helps makes fruits and vegetables thin. Like the apples for this tart.”

  “It’s a lifesaver,” Jeremy said. “That and Carter.”

  “Or a slicesaver,” Heather joked.

  Brynne didn’t get the joke, but Jeremy rolled his eyes, nudged Carter with a heavy elbow and turned his attention back to Brynne. “So this is how we need to set up. Watch me close.” He started the steps of making the tart, setting down the pastry and then lining it with thin slices of apples. “And after that, we dot it with butter and sugar,” he explained.

  “It’s easy,” Carter said. “Here let me show you—”

  “I’ve got it,” Brynne said, shying away. She looked up towards Heather. “Do you think you can pass me a shell of my own?”

  “I sure can, dear,” she said, handing her a tart shell. “How are you holding up, sweetie? Not too much to take in, I hope?”

  Brynne shook her head, taking the tart and setting it on a clear spot at the back of the cookie sheet. “With the week I’ve had,” she said, smiling at Carter, “I think I can handle an apple tart.”

  Before long everyone was smiling and laughing and the little kitchen was as warm and full of cheer as anything Brynne had ever dreamt of. The tarts turned out to be easier than she had thought. With her small hands, she could arrange her apple slices into perfect and intricate patterns on her tarts, and even Jeremy stopped what he was doing to watch. Soon they were baking away, filling the air with the scent of spicy apples as Jeremy and Heather told stories about the early days of their bakery.

  “No!” Brynne sighed with a little laugh, pushing away the new slice of tart Carter offered. “I can’t eat another bite.” She slumped back against his forearm on the table.

  “Hah, okay,” Carter said, popping the piece between his lips. “At least someone should get to enjoy it.”

  “You keep trying to stuff her full of food, Carter, and she’ll end up as big as me,” Heather said fondly. She crossed her legs at the ankle and leaned her back in her chair.

  “That wouldn’t be such a bad thing,” Jeremy said, wrapping a thick arm around the woman’s shoulders. “I happen to love your curves.”

  “You’re one of the few,” Heather blustered, blushing warmly at her husband’s compliment just the same.

  “You only need one man to love them,” Jeremy said in a husky tone.

  “Brynne couldn’t get bigger if she tried,” Carter said. “She never eats enough.”

  “I eat plenty!” she squealed.

  “We’ll have to put that to the test for the next few days, won’t we?” Carter teased, hoping his hesitation earlier had been forgotten. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to dive into his feelings for Brynne quite yet.

  It did make him wonder, what were his feelings for Brynne?

  Glancing down, he noticed she was leaning on his arm and he smiled. Brynne had a way of making him feel warm inside like the apricot glaze on top of the apple tarts. What did that actually mean? He wasn’t sure, so instead of dwelling on it, he let his body do the thinking and rested a hand over her lap and brushed a thumb up and down her hip.

  “She could gain five pounds and she’d still look gorgeous,” he said.

  “Stop saying that.” Brynne rolled her eyes.

  “Spoken like a man in love,” Heather said. “He sounds like you when we started dating.”

  Jeremy shook his head and didn’t say anything else.

  Brynne had gone rigid at Heather’s comment, but forced herself to relax. Carter continued to stroke her gently with his thumb as if he hadn’t heard. Uncle Jeremy cleared his throat, excusing himself to clean the table. Heather stood up as well, shaking her head at the clock.

  “May as well show you where you’ll be bunking, sweetheart,” she said, dusting herself off of stubborn crumbs. “Come along then.”

  Brynne took a step to follow on the table top and then paused. There was only so much table to go. It was either the floor or Carter’s help. The scales easily tipped in his direction.

  Brynne whirled to him with a demure plea. “You mind giving me a lift?”

  The question alone was enough to make Carter break out into a full crooked grin. He almost felt like a fool for being so easily warmed by an elf. Ugh. There it was again. That wash of shame for feeling such a strong pull for an elf. He quickly tried to focus on the fact that Brynne had asked. Despite his sad display earlier, she had forgiven him.

  Or at least she was putting on a good show for his aunt and uncle.

  Either way he was pleased and more than happy to pull her in his arms again. He stood up from his chair and wrapped two hands around her waist and hoisted her into the air.

  “And this is okay?” He worried that if he carried her against his shoulder and chest that she would grow embarrassed around his aunt. His hazel eyes desperately searched hers as their faces grew dangerously close.

  For her answer Brynne pulled at his chin and planted a quick kiss on his lower lip before letting him walk free.

  Carter’s goofy grin widened. “What am I even asking for? You asked me.” He lifted his chin for a moment and then smirked down at her. “The coast is clear,” he whispered, leaning in and stealing a second kiss. “Come on, let’s go before Aunt Heather gets suspicious.”

  Aunt Heather led them towards the back of the house and waited by the doorway. “This’ll be your room for the time being,” Heather said, turning on the light.

  Brynne leaned forward in Carter’s protective grasp, her mouth gaping open. Her heart thrummed, and she found herself blinking furiously.

  “Is it too cold? Because I can turn on the heater.” Heather paused to give her a concerned look.

  Brynne shook her head, surprised to feel tears leaking from her eyes. Compared to her filthy mattress on the floor, this was a palace. Pillows, blankets, heat, everything. She had never imagined sleeping in such luxury.

  Brynne sent Heather a genuine, sparkling smile through her blurred vision. “This is the best room I’ve ever had.”

  Carter chuckled, “It’s just a bed, nothing exciting—”

  “It’s magnificent,” she interrupted, still wiping at her cheeks.

  Finally he noticed her tears. “Why are you crying?” he said in a low voice, hoisting her closer to his face.

  “It’s just perfect. More than anything I could have ever dreamed of.” Her eyes drifted over to the large bed. “That is seriously the largest bed I’ve ever seen.”

  “It’s a king,” Heather explained, beaming at the young woman’s pleased expression. “Usually my parents sleep in this room when they visit. It’s your home for as long as you need.” She pointed to a small door in the corner. “There’s a bathroom in there. I’ll get you a stepping stool. I have one upstairs in her—well, I have one upstairs.”

  “There’s even a TV and blu ray player,” Carter said, brandishing his free hand towards the wall. “That way if you don’t like it to be completely quiet, you’ll have white noise.”

  “Yes!” Heather exclaimed, looking around the room. “Oh my! I still need to get some things before you go to bed—”

  “Mrs. Holly,” Brynne said, trying to get her attention.

  Heather’s bustling had brought her to the bed and she was now fluffing the pillows. “Hmm? What is it, dear? Do you need something else? Oh! You’ll need clothing! I have some nightgowns you can use! They’re for little girls, but I can hem one of them up before you go to sleep!” Her smile grew even wider as she shuffled past them and without realizing it, she touched Brynne’s arm. “I do hope you like it here. I can’t tell you how much it means to have another woman in the house.” Her eyes saddened for a moment before she pulled away. “Feel free to explore,” she said. “I’ll be down with some clothing and towels.”

  Brynne snagged Heather’s hand as it started to draw away and she held it for a momen
t with surprising strength.

  “Thank you,” she said, squeezing the fingertips gratefully. “Thank you, Heather.”

  Heather’s eyes shone back and she sent a wavering smile of her own and repeated her same story about being right back.

  Brynne slumped against Carter’s shoulder, exhaling a soft sigh and letting her eyes drift slowly over all the luxuries crammed into one room. She rested her hands over his fingers and pulled them closer to her, a gentle invitation.

  “Sorry,” she whispered in his ear. “I promise I’m not usually such a cry-baby. Just, you saw my house.”

  “And now you have your room,” Carter whispered. “Aunt Heather really likes you. And I tell you, she’s not the easiest woman to please.”

  “Really?” Brynne couldn’t hide her shock.

  “Really.”

  “She seems so sweet!”

  “Yeah, but she’s cautious about those she brings into the family. You should have seen the way she reacted to some of Taylor and Tyler’s girlfriends from high school.” He rolled his eyes. “She can be way scarier than Jeremy, Brynne. Trust me.”

  “So why isn’t she being terrible to me?”

  Carter shrugged. “Probably because she sees how happy you make me.” He held her closer to his chest and rested a nervous hand on the back of her head, smoothing her hair gently with his thumb. “And this is okay?”

  “It’s fine,” Brynne said, nuzzling into his shoulder and chest. “Perfect, actually.”

  “Perfect? Well, then,” he blushed now that Brynne’s face was hidden and dropped a kiss on the top of her hair. “It’s good to feel you so warm,” he muttered. “Usually you feel like ice. I like the change.” He squeezed her as tightly as he dared. It was shocking to feel how fragile she felt against him. He worried that just a little too much force could break a bone or strain a muscle. He relaxed his grip as walked over to the massive king sized bed.

  “And so we’re clear, I wasn’t poking fun at you earlier for crying. In fact, it’s okay to cry, you know. With everything that’s happened...” he trailed off and bit his lower lip as he took a seat on the edge of the bed. “You’re allowed to show emotion, Brynne.” He blushed slightly. “I wasn’t expecting it to be over a King-sized bed.”