A Christmas Kind of Perfect

by Christine Schimpf

  Melanie giggled. “Lila, there’s so much ahead of you. Braxton Hicks are weak contractions before the real ones. When it happened the first time, I panicked. I called my doctor and told him my labor was starting, but he settled me down and explained it was normal. I guess it’s the way our body prepares for birth, like a prologue in one of your books.”

  “Ah, thanks for putting it into my language. I pray I’m as lucky as you one day, expecting my first baby.”

  Melanie’s eyes softened. “If that’s what you really want, you can make it happen. But you need the right man by your side. There are some women who decide to go it alone, but we value the same things in life. Having someone who will support you and be there for you in the good moments and the tough ones is important. Jack and I understand we’re facing a lot of challenges when we bring the twins home, but we’ve been preparing for it.”

  Lila bit her bottom lip. “Sometimes I think my priorities are out of whack, and I’ve been chasing a hollow dream.”

  “Your dreams weren’t hollow, but they can change. If you’re open to it, something you never imagined happening, a new dream better than the one before, may come along. There’s always time for that to happen.”

  Melanie was right. “I need more of your influence in my life. I haven’t been this happy in a very long time. And I don’t want us to ever drift apart again. I want us to stay as close as we are now.”

  Melanie stood. “Well, I’m not going anywhere soon, so don’t worry about that. Now, let’s get you out of that apron and ready for your signing.”

  12

  Conrad slipped behind the wheel of his pickup and followed the car in front of him a little too closely as he tore down the street toward his mother’s. The last event he’d thought he’d find himself attending was Lila’s book signing. The fact that Suzanne wasn’t happy about it didn’t help ease Conrad’s mind, either. He recalled a bitter argument between them the night before when he dropped Suzanne off after another strained dinner at Al Johnson’s.

  “You’re still in love with her, aren’t you?” Suzanne reminded him of one of his nephews refusing to get ready for bed.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s late and you’re tired.” It wouldn’t surprise him if she finished off the evening with a major argument especially after their miserable dinner.

  “Aren’t you worried about what our friends will say if you dump me for her?”

  Conrad slammed his palms against the steering wheel. “I’m not dumping you. Where is this going?”

  “I’ve waited long enough. If we don’t make us permanent….”

  He interrupted her. “What is this, an ultimatum?”

  “I’m not sure how much longer I’m willing to wait for a ring.” Without allowing him to answer, she flew open the car door and slammed it shut behind her.

  He watched her walk to her apartment and let herself in. She was right. She’d waited long enough.

  Conrad cleared his thoughts of Suzanne, and tried to focus on making the evening to turn out special for his mother.

  He found Mom waiting for him in the foyer, her tweed coat buttoned up to her neck, hat and gloves in place, her leather purse on her arm.

  He winked at her. “Oh, boy. You are ready to go, aren’t you?”

  “You of all people should know I don’t want to be late for anything. I’m not planning on starting now at my age.”

  “The truck is waiting,” Conrad said as if he were the coachman to Cinderella’s carriage. He walked his mother to the passenger side of his vehicle.

  A few minutes later, they were both seated comfortably in the cab of his pickup. Conrad made it a habit to lift his foot off the gas and slow his speed whenever she rode with him, and tonight was no exception.

  “I want to thank you for taking me to this event.”

  “There’s no need, Mom. I enjoy spending time with you. I’m sorry I haven’t been over more. I’m doing my best to get my outdoor projects buttoned up before the snow flies.”

  “I understand how busy you are, and that’s why I appreciate it.”

  Conrad reached over and gave his mom’s hand a squeeze.

  “This is certainly special, going out with my son.”

  Conrad made a mental note to spend more time with his mom. He was aware nights like this meant a lot to her. “Me too, Mom.”

  “Cassie told me you ran into Lila at the store. How did it go?”

  Conrad cracked the window, thankful for the rush of cold air that hit him square in the face. “OK, I guess. You can imagine how those things usually turn out.”

  “Running in to her again couldn’t be easy for you. A mother doesn’t forget that sort of thing.”

  “I wouldn’t say it was difficult with her.”

  “Oh?”

  Conrad turned the corner “We split on good terms. She went after her dreams. I followed mine.”

  “You make it sound so simple. I wish I adopted that perspective with all the problems that come my way in life.”

  Conrad turned on the radio to the country station his mother enjoyed.

  “Any old feelings coming back?”

  Conrad pulled in a slow breath. His mother always possessed the ability to read him. “To be honest, I’m not sure they ever left. When I first saw her, it was as if five years never passed. I didn’t think it possible after how things ended.”

  “It was always easy with Lila, wasn’t it?”

  He hid a sigh. No point arguing the truth. “Yeah, it was.”

  She pressed a light touch on his forearm. “Is she married?”

  Conrad turned his eyes off the road for a fraction of a second to throw her a sideways glance. “What?”

  His mother raised her voice an octave as if he were hard of hearing. “Is Lila married?”

  ”No.”

  “Hmpf.”

  “What?” This can of worms was better left closed.

  “Well, you’d think you’d want to know why.”

  “She told me she got close a couple of times to something permanent but it didn’t pan out. Why? What does that matter now? It’s over between us.”

  His mother’s silence was almost worse than her opinion.

  “You do realize how close I am to proposing to Suzanne, right?”

  “And you understand my concern with that idea. Has she mastered frying a decent egg for your breakfast yet?”

  Conrad fought back a chuckle. “I almost regret telling that story to you with how often you bring it up.”

  “For goodness’ sake, if a woman can’t make an egg over easy there’s not much hope for more.”

  “Ah, you’ve got to cut Suzanne some slack. She wasn’t raised for cooking and cleaning.”

  “Or bearing children? How’s that little conversation coming along?”

  Conrad groaned. She’d hit a nerve. Man, he hoped the evening didn’t turn south.

  “I’m sorry. Suzanne’s a fine woman, headstrong, determined, comes from a good family, and very attractive. I can understand how you’d be drawn to her. I only hope you really think this through before proposing, because that’s for life, and this visit from Lila is—”

  Conrad scowled. “—Is?”

  “A second chance.”

  “I can’t expect that after how I handled things and what I did to her.”

  “What in heaven’s name did you do?”

  Conrad pulled into the parking lot at Window Shopping, slid into a stall, and cut the engine. The cab went dark. “It’s what I didn’t do that’s unforgiveable.”

  His mother’s lips turned down at the corners. “Oh, Conrad, you must forgive yourself for whatever wrong you think you committed.”

  He threw her a weak smile. “I’m working on it, Mom. Now, how about we go in and enjoy this book signing?”

  13

  Lila recognized some of the faces while others were brand-new to her. As Melanie predicted, the store was packed in thirty minutes. The energy from the audience filled the room like heliu
m in a balloon

  Lila stood with Melanie behind the counter and whispered into Melanie’s ear. “I think our rearranging earlier was a success.”

  Melanie beamed. “I told you there would be a standing-room-only crowd if you came, and I was right.”

  Melanie understood her business. She was an impressive woman and a true entrepreneur.

  “Did you notice the kids lying on their tummies on the oversized pillows? I’m glad you thought of it,” Melanie said.

  Lila stifled a giggle. “They are precious.” She glanced at her watch. “Well, I’d better get moving. It’s show time.”

  Melanie gave her a light pat on the back. “Good luck, Lila. Not that you need it. You’re already a rock star in my eyes and someone else’s.” Lila followed her gaze toward Conrad. “He’s watching you,” she sang.

  Lila waved a hand. “You’re beginning to sound like Aunt Cathy,” she warned with a waggling finger and walked to the front of the room to welcome the audience.

  She was halfway through her second reading when her eyes caught Conrad’s. With a quick wink, he filled her with a confidence she didn’t realize was missing. She fought the rush of a school girl about to be kissed and struggled to strengthen the weak hold she maintained on her emotions.

  An hour later, Lila invited the crowd to stay and mingle and enjoy the food and beverages. With a tray of scones in her hands, she made her way toward Conrad and his mother but was interrupted by a tug-tug-tug on her skirt. A set of beautiful triplets, of Asian descent, peered up at her. Lila guessed they were about ten-years-old.

  She handed the platter of scones to Conrad. “Do you mind holding this for me?”

  He accepted the platter from her without asking why. “Not at all—I’m not as pretty as you are, but would you like me to work the room, too?”

  ”If you don’t mind,” she answered. She bent down, eye level with the girls.

  “Well, how absolutely adorable you three are tonight. Thank you for coming to my book signing. Are those new dresses you’re wearing?”

  Three heads nodded up and down, as precious as baby chicks in a hen house, their smiles as fresh as the county’s first picking of sweet corn.

  “Would you like to ask me something?”

  One of the little girls with pink ribbons in her hair stepped forward after gentle prodding from the other two. “Can you write a book for us?”

  Lila tilted her head. If she’d received a compliment as kind as this one in the recent past, she couldn’t remember it. “Well, what kinds of stories do you girls like to read?” She had to give this some thought. Having no children of her own, Lila had no idea what little girls read. “Adventure?” she asked remembering the hype over the Harry Potter series.

  Their eyes widened, but their body language told Lila to try again.

  “OK,” Lila tapped a finger against her cheek as if in deep thought. “How about mystery?”

  “Oh, yes, and spooky too,” the little spokesperson for the group said. It appeared to Lila she was using all the courage she had in order to ask the question.

  Bingo she hit the jackpot. This could be the very inspiration she was looking for, but it would mean leaving the world of women’s fiction, a place she was comfortable in and had been for the last decade. Lila retrieved three small writing tablets with pencils from her pocket, each one tied with a raffia string bow. She’d found them in the stationery section of the store. “Now, I have something to ask of you.” She placed a writing tablet in each of their hands. “I’d like you to write down some spooky ideas for me and place them in the big owl jar on the counter. Is that a deal?”

  “Deal. Deal. Deal.” The three little angels sang. “Thank you, Miss Lila.”

  “You’re welcome. Now off you go back to your parents.” When she rose, Conrad handed her the platter of scones. “So, I’m not the only one with a soft spot for kids, am I?”

  Lila accepted the scone tray back from him. “Weren’t they adorable? Who could resist such innocence?”

  Conrad arched a brow. “Are you going to do it?”

  Lila stared at the face of the man she’d never grow tired of. “Hmm? Do what?”

  Conrad bent his head keeping their conversation between them. “Write a children’s book?”

  “I might. Wouldn’t that be a refreshing change?”

  “It certainly would. I’ve been eyeing your scones. I think I’m going to take the challenge and try one.” He licked his full lips. “Any warning before I do?” His hand hovered over one of the largest scones on the platter, yet he waited for the go-ahead.

  If they were alone, Lila wouldn’t hesitate to punch him in the arm. Instead, she bounced a smile right back at him. “Fear not, I was supervised through every step. I must admit, they do look delicious, don’t they?”

  “I thought you weren’t supposed to judge a book by its cover?”

  “Go ahead and take one or I’ll do it for you.”

  Conrad maneuvered the napkin over the platter. “OK, OK, Miss Pushy.”

  Lila offered Mrs. Hamilton a scone. “I’m so very happy you’re here tonight. Did you enjoy the presentation?”

  Mrs. Hamilton beamed in Lila’s attention. “I loved it. I’m one of your biggest fans.”

  “Thank you. I hope I never disappoint.”

  Mrs. Hamilton smiled. “Lila, a thought occurred to me just now. We could really use your voice in the Christmas choir at church. You remember the director, Mr. Abbott. He’s been running the show for over twenty years.”

  Lila nodded. “Of course, he was one of my favorites.”

  “We’re going to start practicing on the first Monday in December. Even Conrad said he’d be interested in joining. So, there’d be another familiar face for you.”

  Conrad raised his hands. “Remember now, that’s if my schedule allows it.”

  Mrs. Hamilton waved away her son’s concern as if that was the least of her worries. “What do you say, Lila? Will you join the choir and help us out?”

  “I’m not sure about making a fulltime commitment. I’m due back in New York Christmas week, but I’m tempted to say yes. Thank you for inviting me.” Lila loved the idea. Singing in the choir always ushered in the spirit of Christmas for her.

  “We’ll take whatever you’re able to give us. And Conrad wouldn’t mind giving you a lift. You may be asked to sing with the choir on Sunday mornings if Mr. Abbott needs you. Are you OK with that?”

  Lila gave Conrad a quick side glance to find him shrugging his shoulders at his mother’s suggestion as to say it was all good with him. “I’d love it.”

  “He’ll be tickled to include your voice in the choir again. By the way, the scones are wonderful.”

  “Thank you. I helped Melanie bake them.”

  “You keep this up, and there’ll be another baker in your family.”

  “Oh, I hope so, Mrs. Hamilton. Aunt Cathy would be so proud.”

  At the mention of her name, Lila’s aunt joined them. “These scones are out of this world good. How are you, Mabel?”

  Mrs. Hamilton laid a hand on her chest. “Impressed. It was a lovely event tonight. I really enjoyed Lila’s ability to be so honest on stage.”

  Aunt Cathy flashed an ‘I’m proud’ smile, leaving little room for argument. “She doesn’t hold back, does she?”

  “I’m so thankful to Conrad for bringing me tonight. Not all children are as good to their parents.”

  Aunt Cathy took a seat next to Mrs. Hamilton. “I’m enjoying a blessing of my own with Lila back home again.”

  Lila almost missed the wink Mrs. Hamilton’s gave Aunt Cathy. “Oh, indeed, and perfect timing if I may add.”

  “What do you mean?” Lila asked.

  Mrs. Hamilton shifted in her seat. “Oh, for you to be a part of the Christmas choir, of course.”

  “Ahh, yes.” Lila said.

  Mrs. Hamilton was holding something back.

  Lila would give it more thought later. The weight of Conrad’s gaze w
as on her. “I honestly enjoyed your presentation. In fact, I’m considering reading one of your books. Which one would you recommend?” He sunk his teeth into the scone he was holding between his fingers.

  “You do that, Mr. Hamilton, and I’ll take up cooking. As long as I’ve known you, reading was never one of your favorite things to do.”

  Conrad finished the last bite of the scone and licked his fingers clean of the remaining icing. He hesitated a minute before he spoke again. “Well,” he drawled out the word, “things change with time, don’t they?”

  Was he implying there was hope for them?

  He rubbed a napkin across his mouth. “That was really good, by the way. I could go for another.”

  Lila’s heart picked up a beat. She needed a miracle to make things right between them.

  Lila followed Conrad’s gaze to Melanie seated on a quilted stool behind the register. Jack stood at her side, bundling Lila’s books with twine for the next customer.

  “It’s good watching Jack with Melanie. They’ve got a marriage that’s envied by many people,” Conrad said.

  There wasn’t much Lila could argue with that point.

  “How did you manage to get Melanie to sit down?” Conrad tossed his napkin in the waste basket behind him.

  “I signed all the books earlier today, and arranged them behind the counter so she and Jack would be able to chat with the customers during the checkout process. It helps establishing new relationships for further business down the road.”

  “Correct me if I’m wrong but it sounds like you’re really getting the hang of running a small business.”

  “I must admit, I find it a refreshing break. I told Melanie I’d step in for her every afternoon starting tomorrow. Jack wants her home now that she’s getting along in the pregnancy, and I’m available.”

  Conrad glanced at her. “Where does your writing fit in? Isn’t that your top priority?”

  “I can handle both. Once I get hold of an idea for my next book, it takes off.”

  “And you think you have an idea?”

  “After my conversation with the triplets, yes.”

  He threw her a quizzical glance. “I’m not following how this all works.”