by Sharon Kleve
You want me out of the way so you can play with Daisy. Fine, I’ll go, Pete huffed and scurried away.
Corny held the door for Brenda as she brought in Daisy’s essentials and tucked them behind her desk.
“You look bushed, but you need to tell me about precious here,” Corny said as she stroked Daisy’s stomach.
“I don’t know if he planned to give her to me last night but he got called away on business. When John left my fears crept in but Daisy helped chase away my demons.”
“Good. I take it John knows about your family history now?”
“Yes, and he offered up his family to me if I wanted them. Isn’t that sweet?”
“Yeah, isn’t one of them really hunky?” Corny asked as she wiggled her eyebrows.
“You’re funny. There’s only one guy for me. The pretty colors under my eyes aren’t from crying. I spent the night making my house festive and all I need is a tree and something to adorn the top. I wish Aunt Carol would’ve kept my parents’ tree topper. They bought it on their first date together.”
“Well, the ones you buy this year you’ll pass down to your kids.”
“You’re right. I will,” Brenda replied.
“Why don’t I take the puppy and a few toys and let you have a little peace and quiet out here?”
“Sounds great, thanks.”
Brenda sipped a cup of tea and relaxed in her chair. Corny had the puppy in her office and Pete snoozed in his ferret ball wedged in a corner of the kitchen.
Brenda surfaced from a deep sleep to the insistent ringing of her desk phone. She reached out to grab it and noticed the time: 11:00 a.m. She’d slept several hours using her arm as a pillow. She cleared her throat and picked up the phone.
“Green Hornet Investigations. How can I help you?”
“Brenda, this is your aunt.”
“Hello, Aunt Carol. How are you?” Brenda asked, feeling insecure and not knowing what else to say.
“I’m fine. I called for a couple reasons. I’m leaving tonight for Florida to stay with my cousin through the New Year.”
“Oh... Well… Have a nice visit…” Brenda stuttered. They’d always been together through the holidays even though it was low-key.
“When I got my suitcase out of the attic, I found a box labeled ‘Skinner’s decorations.’ Why anyone would label their own decorations with their last name is beyond me, but never-the-less they’re yours. I didn’t open the box, so I hope whatever’s in there brings you happiness,” Carol said in a strained voice. “Along with your parents box I also left a small gift box on your front porch, behind the wooden planter box from me. I hope you like it.”
Brenda’s emotions had been on a roller-coaster ride for two days, but she held back her tears. “Auntie, I love you. Can we please get together when you get back?”
“Honey, I’d love that,” Aunt Carol said before she hung up.
Chapter Seven
The drive home took twice as long as it did to get there that day. The temperature increased a couple degrees and the sun peeked through the clouds. Everyone that waited to leave their home until late that morning, decided to leave all at once that night.
Brenda felt happy to see the front porch light shining bright as she pulled into her driveway. She opened the front door and deposited Daisy in the living room before she retrieved the boxes from the porch. She was anxious and excited to open the gift her aunt bought her after all these years and especially the box of her parents’ ornaments. Her aunt had wrapped the packages in plastic and secured them with an overabundance of tape. Brenda stood on the porch and struggled with the tape. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted movement and a figure, dressed in black, as they walked up her driveway.
****
John grabbed his jacket, locked his car, and walked toward Brenda’s house. She stood on the porch as he walked up the drive. She had a huge grin on her face and was trying to rip the tape off of a small box. “Honey, looks like you need a big, strong man to help you with that package,” he said humorously.
“John… John… You’re home.”
Brenda wrapped her free arm around his neck and pressed her body into his. Her lips found his and he never wanted to let go, but she shivered in his arms.
“Let’s go inside and finish this properly, where it’s warm and we can take our clothes off.”
“Yeah, I think the temperature’s dropped since I arrived home,” Brenda said as shivers shook her body.
Once inside, he kissed Brenda on the neck and teasingly shook the box she’d been trying to open, “There’s no label on this box. You don’t have a secret admirer do you?” Brenda wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed.
“No. My aunt found a box belonging to my parents and she dropped off the box, along with a present for me. We’ve never exchanged gifts in all the years I lived with her, so I can’t wait to see what she bought me,” Brenda said excitedly.
They both turned and laughed at Daisy’s insistent whimpering.
“I think we might need to keep our clothes on for a little while longer. Daisy wants to say hello, probably eat, potty, and drink some water, and then play a little. After all that, I want to hear what happened on your trip.”
John didn’t want to talk about how they apprehended Rebollo. If an informant in Rebollo’s cartel hadn’t given them solid intel, Rebollo would’ve already been back in Mexico by now. It was over. He took a cleansing deep breath, looked around and noticed Christmas decorations on almost every surface of Brenda’s living room.
“Hey, the house looks great—very festive.”
“Are you trying to distract me from talking about your work?” Brenda asked.
“No, sorry. But, there are some details I can’t talk about. I can tell you we got the bad guy and sent him back to prison without anyone else getting hurt. That’s what’s most important.”
“What’s most important to me is that you didn’t get hurt.”
“I’m tired, but perfectly fine,” John replied. “But, I worried about you and how you’d handle today—without me.”
“We’ll, I spent most of the night decorating, which made me feel good. And then my aunt called and I got the impression that she’s getting over the past too. So, I’m tired too, but doing great. Aren’t we the pair?”
“Yes, we are,” he said as he leaned in for another kiss. Before he reached her lips they heard a rustling sound and Daisy whimpered louder.
“Do you mind letting Daisy out while I open my box?” Brenda asked him.
“Sure. Take your time, honey.” He unlatched the carrier door and Daisy shot out like her tail was on fire and raced around the room twice, before collapsing at his feet. He laughed at the puppy’s antics.
Brenda sat down in a chair and had both boxes on her lap, still wrapped. “What are you going to open first—your parents’ box or your aunt’s gift?” he asked.
“I can’t decide.”
He picked up the puppy and sat next to Brenda. Daisy leaned forward and licked Brenda’s aunt’s gift. “I guess Daisy chose for you.”
After unwrapping the red paper, Brenda reached into a couple layers of tissue and withdrew what looked like a Christmas tree topper.
“Oh John, look. Isn’t the angel beautiful?”
“Yes, it is. What does the note say?” He’d noticed Brenda didn’t see the small envelope in the bottom of the box. She unfolded the note and read the words out loud:
“Dear Brenda, I told a small fib when I said I hadn’t opened your parents’ box. I knew it held your mother’s most favorite and cherished decorations. I wanted to touch each one before I gave them to you. The one thing that was missing was the topper your mother loved so much. It must’ve been in one of the boxes I’d thrown out years ago. I regret that decision more tha
n you’ll ever know. I hope someday you’ll forgive me. The gold angel looks as close to your parents’ one as I could find. Have a Merry Christmas. I love you, your Aunt Carol.”
Tears streamed from Brenda’s eyes by the time she finished, but she turned and smiled at him.
“When can we buy a tree?” Brenda asked and took his face in her hands and kissed him silly.
After several moments they moved apart and he rested his chin on top of Brenda’s head. “I love you. How about first thing tomorrow?”
“I love you, too.”
Chapter Eight
December twenty-fifth.
Brenda woke early as Daisy nibbled on her earlobe. She turned over to face John, and stretched, and dislodged the puppy. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you,” John replied and stretched too.
Daisy made her way back up the bed and jumped on John’s stomach. They wrestled for a while and then Daisy rolled over for a belly rub.
“If you take care of the puppy’s needs, I’ll make breakfast and we can open our Christmas presents.” Her excitement came through in her voice. John took her face in his hands and with a huge smile on his beautiful, sculptured face.
“Honey, everything I’ve ever wanted is right here in this bed.”
“We’ll then…” She sniffled at his sentiment. “I’ll bring everything to bed then—the food, presents and me.”
Still smiling, John leaned over and removed a small velvet box from the nightstand. He opened the box and a sparkling gem shone back at her.
“Brenda, I want to spend all my Christmases with you. I love you. Will you marry me?”
For one short second, Brenda felt speechless and then her future flashed before her and it was perfect.
“I love you and yes, yes, yes!”
Merry Christmas!
About the Author
Sharon Kleve was born and raised in Washington and currently lives on the Olympic Peninsula with her husband. Sharon KleveShe loves romance. She loves reading romance, living romance, and especially loves writing about romance. She gets no greater feeling than watching her characters come alive in each other’s arms. Most of all, she loves giving her characters the happily ever after they deserve--with a few bumps and bruises along the way. One of her favorite things to do is picking up a new book and sinking into the story, immersing herself in the emotions between the characters. She hopes to inspire her readers the same way her favorite authors have inspired her. When not writing, she can usually be found either curled up in her recliner with her cat and a good book, or in the kitchen baking sourdough bread or bagels. Visit Sharon Kleve’s Website!
Holiday Heart
Marilyn Conner Miles
Chapter One
If she hadn’t given it up, Brenda would have smoked a cigarette to calm her nerves. She opened her sparkly red purse that matched her sparkly red dress, and dug out a pack of gum, then popped one into her mouth. At least maybe her throat wouldn’t feel so dry.
She’d arrived at the Christmas-time wedding for her friends Don and Marla in nervous anticipation of seeing him again. How would she handle it if there was another woman on his arm? Did he ever think about her? She’d searched the room for him as soon as she walked into the church and hesitated in the foyer outside the wide-open double doors. Someone touched her shoulder and she turned, startled.
Blake.
“Hello, Brenda,” he said, and seemed to study her face for a moment before he offered his arm. “Ready to be seated?”
“Sure.” She nodded, as her stomach fluttered. She’d hoped to appear aloof when she saw him, as though their breakup six years before was old news, but her uncooperative heart betrayed her. “You’re one of the ushers?” was all she could think to say. Her throat seemed to close up, and for an instant she couldn’t breathe, much less speak. She swallowed twice and then allowed her eyes to run lightly over him as she put a trembling, damp hand on the arm he offered.
As Blake escorted her to an evergreen bough bedecked pew, she felt painfully aware of him next to her. His dark blue tuxedo appeared to be sewn onto his long, muscular frame. It molded to his broad shoulders and chest, tapered hips and long, slim, basketball player legs. She glanced up at his tanned face and his shorter than she remembered thick, sun-streaked light brown hair. Had he cut it for the wedding?
“I heard you moved to San Francisco? Do you like living there?” she asked when she’d recovered her voice. Darn the man. Why did she always turn to a bundle of quivering nerves just at the sight of him? Her stomach felt as though it bounced up and down like the mercury in an old thermometer. But his smile was her undoing.
“Yeah, I have a great job as an engineer for a huge company. Lots of opportunities for advancement,” he replied, eyes shining with enthusiasm.
She noted the enthusiasm with a pang. Will he ever want to move back here? she wondered.
“I have to return to my usher job now, but I’ll see you later.” He smiled. He’d taken her hand and still held it.
“Sure. Later.”
“Yeah, right.” He looked at her a moment longer. Was it her imagination, or was he reluctant to let go? But finally he released her hand. “Bye.”
“Bye.” She smiled and tried to be as casual as he appeared to be. With an effort, she refrained from watching him walk away and attempted to concentrate on the other guests. She looked ahead for any of their old friends, but didn’t see anyone she knew. She could tell from the murmurs that the pews behind her filled up, but refused to look back. She looked around the chapel instead at the festive evergreen swags with red bows, and the pots of red, white and pink poinsettias around the altar.
She’d felt so happy when she learned Don and Marla got engaged. They’d broken up nearly a year after her and Blake. Somehow, to hear that they were back together, and planned to make it permanent, made her wonder if maybe… if she and Blake could rekindle what they once had. She shook her head to rid herself of that foolish thought.
The music started, and the ushers walked up to the front of the church to stand with Don. Blake caught Brenda’s gaze and waved his fingers at her in acknowledgement as he passed by. She smiled briefly.
As the bride came down the aisle in a beautiful creamy lace dress, followed by her attendants in dark red velvet dresses the guests stood. Marla is so beautiful, Brenda thought, and felt tears in her eyes, but if they were tears of happiness for her friends or sadness for herself, she didn’t know. It could have been Blake and me standing at the altar. She saw some friends and forced herself to smile.
And then her smile died. There stood Blake’s father and mother. Would his sister Amber be there too? She’d hoped to avoid all three of them. She felt sure they didn’t want to see her.
When the ceremony ended and guests filed out to the lobby, Brenda stood, feeling awkward, and looked around for someone she could talk to. Attending a wedding by herself wasn’t one of her favorite things to do, and especially at this time of the year when she felt even more alone. Her nerves surfaced again when Blake turned, spotted her and walked toward her.
“What are you doing these days?” he asked, his eyes scanning the area, as though making polite conversation. Maybe he hadn’t come to the wedding alone. Maybe he was dating a woman his mother and sister approved of. “I heard that you work for an airline.”
“Yes, I’ve been with WestAir for four years, now.” Silence. Why couldn’t she think up something more interesting to say; something witty and clever that would make him want to stay at her side.? She mentally scrolled through the databank of her memory and tried to call something up. Ah...ah...yes, that’s it! “Well, I had quite an adventure in Acapulco a couple months ago.” She smiled as she remembered the trip.
“Oh? What happened?” He seemed genuinely interested this time.
“A couple of my co-workers and I ended up involved in a diamond theft.”
“What?” His eyes widened.
“Well, really, Deeann and Greg were more involved in it than me. You see, I knew Deeann and Greg actually liked each other, but Deeann was dating another pilot. He was a real piece of work, but of course, she didn’t see it. I knew Greg would be great for her so when Dee broke up with Mark, I invited both of them to go to Acapulco with me...and the rest, as they say, is history.” She’d said it all without taking a breath, hoping to keep his attention; worried he might be called away.
“You’re leaving out something...the diamond theft?” he reminded her.
“Oh yeah, that.” She was more interested in remembering the romantic parts of the story. “Well, a woman planted some fake diamonds on Greg when we landed in L.A. and the thieves thought he had the real ones, and then I got sick and went to the hospital—”
“What happened to you?” This time it sounded as though he was concerned as much as curious.
“Oh, just food poisoning, but—”
Blake interrupted her again. “How did that happen?”
“I thought you wanted to hear about the diamond theft.”
“I do. Go ahead.”
“Well, I missed most of it, being sick, but—”
“Hey Blake, get over here. The photographer wants to take the rest of the wedding party photos,” Alan, one of the other groomsmen called.
Blake looked at Brenda and shrugged. “Sorry, I gotta go. I really wanted to hear what happened.”
“No big deal. I know you have responsibilities as the best man.”
“Good seeing you again, Brenda. See you later, okay?” He reached over and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. He still smelled like Cool Water. For a moment, she felt a wave of nostalgia, as she remembered their senior prom.
