A Christmas Kind of Perfect

by Christine Schimpf

  “They are. He always wanted a big family.” He spoke with the pride of a father and not that of an uncle.

  “You did, too, if I remember correctly.” Lila bit her lip, regretting the dredging up of the past.

  Clunk. He slammed the tailgate closed. “Yup, you’re right, once upon a time, I did. I’m not sure the idea of having kids is part of Suzanne’s plan for us, though. She’s starting to make an impact in real estate, and I’m in the same position. We may end up as, what do people call them, DINKS?”

  Lila snickered at the reference. “Dual income, no kids.” But as the words left her lips, she was certain the acronym didn’t fit him. He’d make a wonderful father, and they realized that a long time ago. Lila wondered what other dreams had died for Conrad.

  He knocked the top of his truck hood three times, signaling the end of the conversation. “I’ll lock up. Good night, Lila.”

  She opened her car door. “Good night, Conrad. I hope you’re headed home. You’ve put in a hard day’s work.”

  On her way back to Aunt Cathy’s, Lila reached for her phone and decided to call Andrea. No answer. She left a brief message, told her everything was on schedule, and she’d call again in a few days after the signing. Guilt rippled up her back as she realized she was lying to Andrea in that voicemail. She was no closer to an idea for her next book than she was before leaving New York.

  9

  Conrad loved Lila’s suggestion to go home to a hot shower and a good meal. Instead, he drove down to Al Johnson’s, gave his hair a quick comb, and headed into the restaurant. He found Suzanne sitting at their usual table by the window.

  He pulled out his chair and sat, taking his menu in hand, even though he didn’t need one. Their competing schedules had them eating here several times a week.

  Suzanne placed her menu on the table, signaling the waitress they were ready to order. “How was your day? Mine was crazy busy. Two closings this morning, and in the afternoon, Bud came into my office and closed the door. He started in again about the Madison—”

  A young woman approached their table. “Are you ready to order?”

  Despite his good manners, Conrad ordered first. He wanted to avoid the glare Suzanne was sure to give the waitress for interrupting the conversation, one of Suzanne’s pet peeves. “Yes, we are. I’d like the Swedish meatball plate,” he said. He avoided Suzanne’s gaze in the process, since she didn’t appreciate poor etiquette either.

  Suzanne glanced up at the waitress, “Chef’s salad, dressing on the side. I’d like a cup of hot water with lemon, too, please. Thank you.”

  Conrad sighed. The brew Suzanne ordered would curb her appetite. Was it so difficult to splurge once and eat a decent meal?

  The waitress reached for the menus. “Of, course. I’ll get those out to you right away.”

  Conrad placed his hand over Suzanne’s and peered into the eyes that made him forget about Lila and the hurt from the past.

  “You’ve got that devilish grin again,” she whispered after the waitress placed her hot water brew on the table.

  She flashed him an irresistible smile that encouraged him to pull her into the corner and kiss her. Instead, he brought her hand to his lips. “So, you were telling me about your day.”

  Suzanne’s face lit up as if she was the recipient of a surprise party. “I may be up for the Realtor of the Year award again. Can you believe that?”

  She worked sixty-plus hours a week, covered the county for showings and open houses, and told him she usually didn’t get home until after eight on most nights. No one else was more dedicated or invested in the business.

  “No, it doesn’t surprise me at all. I appreciate how much effort and dedication you put into your job, and I’m proud of you. I hope that means that same passion will slide over into family life one day.”

  Suzanne withdrew her hand and sat back in her chair as if he’d pushed her. Her beautiful face clouded with distaste as if she bitten into the wedge of lemon floating around in her water. It surprised him. Seconds dragged on. Would she cause a scene?

  She steepled her fingers, the tips of her red-painted nails meeting at the points. “A person doesn’t work as hard as I do to give it all up down the road. You need to understand that. There’s a window of opportunity in this business, and if you don’t jump, you lose. I’ve always set the highest standards for myself for a reason. This isn’t some game I’m playing until we settle down with a house and a bunch of kids.”

  Conrad tensed, already regretting his mention of a family.

  “You may not be aware but there are a lot of men in the world today who choose to give up their careers to become stay-at-home dads."

  This was not how Conrad wanted the conversation to go. She never respected the business he’d built. He willed himself to remain quiet.

  “Being a handyman—” she lifted her shoulders as if to soften the blow “—well, it’s ordinary work.”

  Conrad bristled. The appetite he’d brought to the restaurant faded. He wrestled with a hard knot in the pit of his stomach. “Handyman? Is that what you think I am?”

  Heads turned from neighboring tables, cautioning Conrad to keep his voice in check. He stretched his neck from the tight-fitting collar of the shirt he wished he changed. “Where are you going with this? You’ve always understood my business.”

  “Well, aren’t you helping out your friend Melanie again?” she whispered the question in an endearing tone, but Conrad sensed the malice beneath the words.

  He enjoyed her sarcastic sense of humor, so different from his own, but tonight her vindictive nature was aimed in his direction. The job with Melanie bothered her.

  “I accepted Melanie’s job because I promised her years ago, I’d be there for her. She helped me out when I was new and starting out. You are aware that her husband travels a lot and is rarely home.”

  Suzanne furrowed her brows. “You keep doing little jobs like that one for your friend, and you’ll end up building the wrong reputation. Dad says you should let all that go and focus more on big contract jobs with Peninsula Homes.”

  Conrad hated that she spoke to her father about his business. They went over that topic more than once, yet she couldn’t seem to refrain from sharing every detail with him.

  “I don’t need your father’s advice when it comes to my occupation. The man is a retired teacher. No offense, but he doesn’t have the background or experience to run a business-like mine.”

  Conrad exhaled and with his hands clasped together, he clenched them tightly. He had trouble following her logic. She might be smart in real estate negotiations, but he wondered about her priorities in life.

  The waitress approached the table with a large serving platter hoisted on a shoulder. “Here we go. I’ve got a chef’s salad and a Swedish meatball plate.”

  Suzanne ignored the waitress as she served the salad and Conrad’s entrée. “By the way, isn’t your old girlfriend in town? I couldn’t help but notice the posters splattered in every store window in the village. Did you run into her yet?” Suzanne asked.

  Conrad focused on the dinner in front of him. He didn’t want this conversation to turn from bad to ugly, but the hurricane in his gut told him it was already too late. He picked up his knife and fork and began slicing one of the meatballs. “Yeah, we had a meeting together.” He slid a piece of a meatball in his mouth, hoping his answer satisfied her.

  She lowered her fork. “When?”

  He wiped his mouth before answering. “I was finishing up the exit ramp. Lila was in the store, so Melanie called me over to discuss erecting a riser for the book signing. End of story.”

  “Riser?” Suzanne hissed. “Good grief. Most authors stand behind a podium. She requested a riser?”

  Conrad allowed his fork to drop onto his plate with a clang. “She didn’t ask for a riser. Melanie suggested it so everyone could get a glimpse of her. It’s a small store and Melanie expects a packed house.”

  “You sure seem well-inform
ed.”

  Conrad exhaled a frustrated sigh—the classical music playing in the background doing little to calm his nerves. “I’m the contractor. That’s it. Why do you insist on needling me at the end of a day?”

  Suzanne acted as if his question was never asked. “I don’t plan on going to that event. I never cared for her books anyway.”

  Conrad couldn’t remember the last time Suzanne read a book.

  She slid her half-eaten salad to the side and wiped her full lips with the paper napkin from her lap. “You’re not going either, are you?”

  He narrowed his eyes and gestured for a moment. He leaned back from his plate and swallowed down his food. “I need to take Mom. Dad’s bowling and Cassie’s got a date.”

  “You need to or want to?”

  Conrad scowled. He wolfed down his dinner at the tempo of his accelerating heart and was certain he’d later pay for it with indigestion. “I’m not letting my mother down. She’s read everything Lila’s written, and she wants to go to the signing. Like everyone else in the village, you’re aware this is a big event. Why all the questions? It’s not like I expect to track you down every minute of the day and night.”

  “I’d say it’s a bit different, isn’t it, Conrad? You’re attending your old girlfriend’s book signing. What kind of impression is that going to make with everyone?”

  “I’m taking my mother to an event everyone in Door County, except you, will be attending. I don’t think it’s going to rock anyone’s world or look out of place at all. Aren’t you overreacting a little? What’s this all about?”

  Suzanne wore the pout of a young child. “First you tell me you want me to give up my career and now you’re planning to go to your ex-girlfriend’s book signing. How do you think I’m supposed to react? I thought we’d share a nice dinner tonight, and it’s turned out miserably. I’m beginning to wonder if I was wrong choosing to ignore my father’s advice when he told me to be wary of you.”

  He gazed at Suzanne with a new perspective. She would never give up her career.

  They may as well have been eating alone as the silence stretched between them.

  When he finished his meal, he leaned forward. “Where do you see us in five years?”

  With her elbows resting on the table, she laced her pretty fingers and rested a delicate chin on them. Once, he thought he’d never tire of staring at her beautiful face. “Well, I hope to be running my own agency with a large staff of realtors working for me. To be honest, my goal is to be recognized as the largest real estate company in the county. After that, I’d like to franchise throughout the state.”

  Everything was about her—about her career, her desires. She gave no thought to what he’d have to give up: children, his business, his self-esteem. He shook his head.

  “All finished here?” the waitress asked, laying the bill facedown.

  Conrad put his napkin on the table, picked up the bill, and held out his hand to Suzanne. “Yes. Yes. I believe we’re quite finished.”

  10

  Conrad followed Suzanne down the aisle of the grocery store. Their silent parting during their previous dinner must have left her thinking about what she’d said. She’d actually offered to cook dinner for him tonight. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be with her now.

  In the middle of the condiment aisle, he leaned to kiss her cheek.

  “Don’t you dare,” Suzanne shrieked.

  “Why not?”

  Suzanne smoothed her hair. “Someone may see you. I have a reputation to uphold.” She pressed her hands on his chest, a maneuver to keep him at a distance. “Now go find us a nice bottle of sparkling water for dinner.”

  He took five minutes to make his choice and retrace his steps. He was making his way back to her, but stopped midstride when he noticed his mother approaching Suzanne, who was waiting at the meat counter. He stepped behind a kiosk, choosing not to interrupt the two women and anticipated a cute exchange between them.

  “Suzanne, is that you?” his mother asked.

  Conrad sighed. Suzanne kept her back to his mother long enough for him to notice, the discontent prickling up his neck. He always hoped—no he prayed—that their relationship would be similar to the one Lila always had with his mom—one so close that it resembled a mother and daughter.

  Suzanne finally turned to face Mom. Conrad recognized her realtor ‘work’ smile. He noticed it many times when their paths crossed in their professional lives. She made no attempt to embrace his mother. Isn’t that what women usually did instinctively, especially with family? Instead, Suzanne didn’t move. “How are you Mrs. Hamilton?”

  “Well, I’m fine and dandy, but it’s been way too long since you’ve come around. You and Conrad should have dinner with us one of these Sundays.”

  “That sounds like a lovely idea.”

  “By the way, did you happen to notice the Christmas decorations this year? I think the decision to purchase the extra-large bells was a good one, don’t you?”

  Conrad’s heart gave a tug. It would be so like his mother to comment on the new decorations. Suzanne smiled down at his mother but said nothing.

  His mother took a step toward Suzanne and touched her forearm. The gesture was uniquely his mother’s, working to draw people toward her tenderness and compassion.

  “Will you be joining Conrad and me for Lila’s book signing tomorrow night?”

  Conrad held his breath. He hoped Suzanne knew better than to open up with his mother on that issue. Suzanne could be flat out unpredictable. A trait he often found entertaining when they were with their friends, but it wouldn’t be cute today with his mother.

  Suzanne accepted the package from the butcher and turned back to Conrad’s mother. “I’m not certain, but I think everyone in the village is going to the event.”

  Conrad released his breath.

  His mother flashed one of her ‘I’ve got a secret’ smiles.

  Conrad couldn’t help but snicker.

  “Rumor has it that some folks are driving over as far away as Appleton. It should be a good crowd.”

  His mother would be in the loop about the signing. Although she blamed Lila for hurting him, she would always harbor a soft spot for Lila in her heart.

  “Seems Lila can still draw a crowd,” Suzanne said.

  “Oh, yes, indeed. I think she has a loyal following, including me.” Mom rested a finger alongside her face.

  When Suzanne’s smart phone rang, Conrad stepped forward. “Well hello, Mom. Funny finding you here.”

  His mother startled. She laid a hand on her chest. “I could say the same about you,” kissing his cheek.

  “I’m going to have to take this call,” Suzanne said.

  Conrad nodded, and Suzanne turned her back to them, her phone to her ear.

  “I was telling Suzanne that you need to bring her over to the house after church one Sunday. Let me know, and I’ll make a nice pot roast. The one you like with the little red potatoes and carrots.”

  “I will, Mom, and soon.”

  “OK, dear, I need to run. Your father’s waiting for supper, and you remember how grumpy he can be when he gets hungry.”

  Conrad smiled, hoping Suzanne would care for him the same way in the future. “You go ahead. I’ll tell Suzanne good-bye for you.”

  “Love you, dear. I’m excited for tomorrow night.”

  Conrad gave her a quick wink. “Me, too. Drive safe.”

  She waved a good-bye and wheeled her cart down the coffee aisle.

  Suzanne slid her phone back into the leather purse on her arm. “It was Bud, reminding me of our meeting tomorrow.” She huffed.

  “Oh.” Conrad sighed. “Do we have everything we need?”

  Suzanne nodded and Conrad walked at her side as they made their way toward the front of the store.

  “Is Bud still the go-getter in the office?”

  “Oh, yes. He’s making plans for something big down the road.”

  Conrad wasn’t impressed. He’d met Bud once a f
ew months ago at an after-hours event hosted by the Chamber. The man was mouthy, bragged about the big deals he was making, and referred to Suzanne as his rising star.

  “Mom wants me to bring you by after church one of these Sundays.”

  Suzanne placed the potatoes and asparagus onto the conveyer belt. “Did you tell her we don’t go to church?”

  “I’ll save that conversation for later.” He lifted his work boot and set it on the carriage of the cart.

  “Hmm, I thought so. At least we still have that in common, don’t we?” she said with a devious smile.

  Conrad agreed with a shrug, but he hated to admit it. “I’ll get the truck and meet you out front.” He turned for the door leaving Suzanne to empty what remained in the cart.

  11

  The day of the book signing Lila and Melanie rearranged the store—Lila doing all of the heavy work while Melanie rested on a stool behind the counter. They dressed out the riser with a multicolored hook rug, a steamer trunk filled with afghans, and tapestry pillows. Lila’s books, framed reviews, and posters were arranged in a wooden bookcase. The rope lighting outlined the display window, providing an ethereal touch. Lila preferred a more intimate setting for the audience and chose a stool for her seating.

  After positioning her books behind the counter, Lila checked her watch. In an hour, their first guests would arrive. She walked into the kitchen to find Melanie topping off the last tray of scones with a thick almond icing.

  Lila brought her hands together. “The scones are so festive. The red in the cranberries and the green jalapeños shout, ‘Christmas is coming!’”

  “I bet you never expected to enjoy baking. I told you so.” Melanie beamed like a new teacher in a classroom. She rubbed at her back with both hands and winced in pain.

  Lila sighed not sure what to do for her friend. She grabbed a nearby chair and slid it over to where Melanie stood. “You OK? Sit down a minute and put your feet up.”

  “I haven’t told Jack yet, but I’ve been having Braxton Hicks for the past couple of weeks.”

  Lila rolled her eyes. “What are Braxton Hicks?”