A Christmas Kind of Perfect

by Christine Schimpf

  Once he was behind the wheel, Conrad turned the key and fired up the engine.

  Lila shivered. The cold seat fabric was successful, working a chill right up her spine.

  Conrad pressed the heat button and flipped the seat warmers on high. A blast of cool air chased by hot blasted their faces.

  “Ah!” Lila almost jumped off her seat.

  Conrad adjusted the air vents and slid the levers to medium. “Sorry, I wanted to warm it up in here.”

  Lila thought him adorable for his concern for her. “It’s OK. It did get cold.”

  He slipped the truck into drive. “So, you were about to tell me what other stuff you haven’t done for a while.”

  Lila exhaled. Would Conrad ever understand the choice she’d made? “Singing was something I left behind in Sister Bay. That and going to church. When I think back, it’s as if I said good-bye to the person I was in order to become who I thought I needed to be. Does that make sense?”

  “It does. In a way, I’ve done the same thing.”

  She looked at him as if through a new lens. “How do you mean?”

  “The not-going-to-church part at least. I guess I could blame it on Suzanne. She wasn’t raised in the church, but I won’t do that. I stopped going for no reason at all.”

  So, Conrad fell away from the church too. “It takes a lot of courage to recognize our weaknesses, doesn’t it?”

  Conrad gave her a smile, “How does it feel slipping back into your old life?”

  Lila sighed. “Like I’ve run into someone I haven’t seen in a very long time.”

  “Wow. That’s funny.” Conrad tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

  Lila shifted her gaze from the road to Conrad. “What?”

  “I’ve been going through the same experience ever since you came back. In a way, it’s as if I’ve found that pair of slippers I thought I’d lost.”

  Lila smacked his arm. She might as well of hit a block of ice. “Are you saying I’m a pair of old slippers?”

  Conrad lifted his hand in defense. “Hey, don’t take it the wrong way. I’m just trying to relate, that’s all.” He leaned with the vehicle as it curved around a bend in the road. “You like living in New York? I can’t seem to picture you there, not the girl I used to date.”

  Lila wanted to ask him if he meant the girl he once loved. She sighed and chose her words with care. “New York is one of those crazy cities where the flight or fight instinct kicks in right away. It can energize you, making dreams come true, but if you let it, it has the power to drain you at the same time, robbing you of the very things that are important in life.”

  He stared straight ahead, driving at a steady pace toward Aunt Cathy’s. “Sounds like you gave up a lot,” he said.

  “I did,” she said, resignation in her voice. “It was the little things at first—running, raking leaves, shoveling the sidewalk. Or spending time outdoors doing nothing at all. New York is energizing but noisy, busy with busses, cabs, and airliners. Then there’s Central Park, well, it’s lovely but a hassle to get down to.”

  Conrad applied the brakes for a stop sign. “My company keeps me hopping all day long, but at least I can get outside and breathe the air, and it won’t kill me. I can’t say I envy you there.”

  “You’re very blessed in that way. I spend a good part of the year behind a computer in a land of make-believe. The remaining months are spent on book tours, so I’m not able to be outside, much less connecting with nature. Being home again reminds me of what’s important in my life.”

  “You used to love the outdoors, Lila.”

  “You’re right, and please don’t get the wrong impression of New York. It has a lot to offer: the theater, restaurants, and a night life that doesn’t quit, if you’re into that.”

  Conrad let out a long-drawn whistle. “I don’t think I could live there. I’m used to working with my hands and being outside in the dirt, digging up night crawlers and fishing for bluegills. I guess, in a way, I’ve never grown up. It’s a pretty simple way of life, but it works for me.”

  “I wouldn’t downplay your life. You can drive around Door County, and the result of your hard work is right there in front of you. That’s an accomplishment to be proud of.”

  Conrad huffed. “You’re something, too. I’d lost track of how many books you’ve written until the night of the signing when all ten of them were staring me in the face. You made all your dreams come true.”

  Not all of them. Was now the time to tell Conrad she wasn’t sure it was worth it? “Let me ask you something. Do you think the paths we took were the ones we were meant to take?”

  He shrugged. “That’s a hard question to answer, and one I don’t like thinking about much. How are you handling being away from New York? Miss it?”

  “No.” The word slipped off her tongue so fast it made his eyes leave the road for a moment to search hers.

  “I’m struggling with burnout. I needed this time to recharge.”

  “Has it helped? Did you come up with a new idea for your next book?”

  “Yeah. I think so, but it’s going to be very different from anything I’ve written before.” Lila slipped her bottom lip between her teeth. “To be honest, I don’t know how my agent’s going to take the news.”

  Lila’s smartphone sang out its incoming-call signal, interrupting the conversation.

  Conrad whispered. “Go ahead and take it. I’m in no rush.”

  Andrea’s face lit up the screen. “It’s Andrea.”

  Conrad gave her a quizzical glance. “Andrea?”

  “My agent.”

  Conrad turned the corner and pulled up alongside Cathy’s. “I hope that’s a good thing.” He slid the gear into park.

  Andrea’s voice was as crisp as the first cold winter day in Door County. “Lila, I’ve got some bad news. Jim has left the agency.”

  “We lost Jim?”

  “He left Stonewood for good. They tried negotiating to keep him, but he’d been wanting out for quite a while. I was afraid this might happen. So, there’s a decision you need to make. He’s offered to take us with him to his new publishing house.”

  “What’s the name of the company?” Lila asked.

  “New Avenue Press.”

  Lila paused, trying to place the company. “I can’t say I’ve come across their name.”

  “They’re a little smaller and brand-new to the publishing scene. There is another option. We could try and pitch your next project to the new editor at Stonewood.”

  Lila waffled between relief and sadness. A season of her life was changing.

  “Please tell me you’ve come up with some ideas for your next book.”

  “I have and I’m pretty excited to share them with you, but this is not a good time. I’m with Conrad right now.”

  “Who’s Conrad?”

  Lila hesitated and shifted her attention to Conrad. “Someone important.”

  “Oh, oh, Lila. Is everything OK out there?”

  “Everything’s fine. We’ll talk soon and thanks for letting me know about Jim. Good night, Andrea.”

  “Well, it’s my job and I care about what happens to you, Lila. Can’t wait to hear about Conrad. Talk later.”

  After the call, Lila noticed the concern on Conrad’s face.

  “It’s OK,” Lila laid a hand on his arm. “Jim, my editor left my publisher, and my agent’s a little agitated.”

  “That actually doesn’t seem like the best of news.”

  “It’s a change, that’s all. I have a decision to make between moving with Jim to the new publishing house and taking a chance on a new editor at Stonewood.”

  Conrad shrugged. “What will you do?”

  Her coat crinkled as she shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not sure. If Jim likes my idea for my next book, moving with him to the new publishing house makes sense, but if he doesn’t, odds are the new editor will want me to keep writing the same material and stay put.”

  “Sounds like you’
re ready for something new.”

  “I think you’re right.” Lila cast her gaze down at her lap, the soft, rhythmic breathing of the man next to her giving her comfort. “Listen, I want to th—”

  Before she could get the words out, Conrad’s fingers lifted her chin.

  His lips brushed over hers with the lightest of pressure before he kissed her deeply. Time stopped. She placed a hand on the side of his face. The years they were apart, vanished. A roller-coaster energy roared through her. No longer the writer in charge or the woman running Window Shopping, she was Conrad’s girl again.

  When they broke apart, she caught her breath, wishing she could stay in his arms forever. Her mind played catchup to her body’s responses. She’d fallen back in love with him. Ooh, it was such a long time since she’d been kissed like that—years too long.

  “Good night, Lila.” His eyes softened in the corners along with his smile. “Are you coming to the chamber meeting on Wednesday in Melanie’s stead? She makes it a practice to attend.”

  Lila scrambled to resettle her emotions, as if she were shelving the new inventory at the store. “Conrad, I…”

  He laid a thick finger on her lips. “Before you say anything, can we wait and enjoy what’s happening here between us?”

  “I like the sound of that, but what about Suzanne?”

  “I’ve got some things to figure out, but I can’t ignore this. Can you?”

  Lila fiddled with the zipper on her coat. “No. But you need to be certain of your next steps of that much I’m sure.”

  He shifted in his seat, face relaxed, confident, and utterly appealing. “I’m not about to ignore what’s going on with you and me, and I sense you don’t want to either.”

  “I never expected to cause problems by coming home.”

  “Whatever happens, your returning into my life may have forced my eyes open. Ever thought of that?”

  Lila pressed her lips together to fight a smile. “No?” she asked, her question delivered with a hint of surprise.

  “Yes,” he said in a tone that meant business. “I’ll watch for you tomorrow night at the meeting.”

  She gathered up her things and gave him a twinkle of a smile but doubted it matched the exuberance tumbling around inside of her.

  He walked her to the door, and she said good night, filled with the same elation as when her first book made the New York Times bestseller list.

  19

  Lila entered the old brick town hall building. She walked into the room to find a large, round table equipped with enough chairs for two dozen people.

  After introducing herself to Anne Richards, the director, Lila pulled one of the blue plastic chairs away from the table and sat down. She recognized a few faces—her high school English teacher who told her how proud she was of her. Mrs. Bates, an old bridge partner of her mother’s, waved a hello. Finally, Conrad’s uncle Elmer, who was part of a lively discussion with Conrad, gave her a quick wink. He was the reason she was attending the meeting tonight. If she could book him for Saturday afternoon photo sessions at Window Shopping, Lila and Melanie were certain the store would enjoy a bump in sales.

  Uncle Elmer was perfect for the role. The man was Santa’s twin. In the five years that passed since she saw him last, his shock of dark hair had turned almost white, matching his barber-groomed beard. Although he was missing a round belly, pillow stuffing would do the job, but it was his jovial character that shined through to others. He not only resembled Santa, he bore the same mannerisms and charisma. How lucky for him to recognize his gifts during the most wonderful time of the year.

  “Please take your seats everyone so we can get started,” Anne instructed. “The first order of business is to welcome Lila Clark, who’s filling in for Melanie Winters during her medical leave.”

  Hands came together in soft applause.

  Anne flashed a quick, courteous smile in Lila’s direction. “Welcome, Lila, we’re happy to see you here tonight.”

  “Thank you, everyone.” Lila scanned the group, resting her eyes on Conrad, directly across from her. He appeared as if he anticipated a wonderful dinner at a posh restaurant. His attentiveness to those around him revealed a genuine interest in the animated conversation surrounding him. Lila instantly wished she’d chosen her seat with more care, but she dismissed the idea, realizing she’d stir up the gossip chain. The last thing Lila wanted was a scandal for her, Conrad, or Suzanne.

  Once the meeting got underway, Lila found herself drifting. As she sipped her water and watched the clock, the new scone recipe waited for her attention back at the store. She voted with the group that the oversized ornaments were, indeed, a success and added Window Shopping to the list of businesses interested in joining the Ski Hill grand opening celebration. Finally, Mr. Drew, representing the Public Safety Department, reported that the plows were already working this year and ready for the winter season.

  “Elmer, would you like to address the group and inform them of your services as Santa?” Anne switched gears.

  Conrad’s uncle rose. “Well, it’s pretty simple. I can do pictures, read a story, or mill around your stores for a couple of hours, chatting with the customers. You tell me what you’d like, and I’ll do it.” He began to lower himself to the chair, but stopped midway. “Oh, and it’s free of charge’” He smiled.

  A round of applause followed.

  “Thank you, Elmer, for that generous offer. I think that’s pretty clear for everyone. I’d like a show of hands for all businesses interested in utilizing Elmer Hamilton’s generosity this year.”

  Lila’s hand was the first to shoot up into the air as if it were a kite caught up in a spring gust of wind.

  Conrad snickered at her. Well, at least she was entertaining him, wasn’t she?

  Anne counted the raised hands under her breath. “Would those of you wishing to secure Mr. Hamilton as Santa see me so I can get your names and preferred days of the week? I’d like to post the schedule on our website. Thank you for coming, everyone. Our meeting is now adjourned, but do remember, our Christmas survey is next month, so please plan on a longer meeting.”

  Lila slipped on her jacket.

  Conrad joined her. “Well, my uncle is certainly happy to be able to see you again, Lila.”

  She turned to face him. Every sense in her body switched over to high alert. “Oh, really? I hope he can fill me in on all the trouble you’ve managed to get yourself into over the last few years.”

  Conrad shot her a devilish grin. “Me? Come on, Lila.”

  “Well, if it isn’t our Lila.” The voice matched the face of one of Lila’s favorite people in Conrad’s family.

  “How are you, Uncle Elmer?”

  He shook his head as if he’d caught the error and didn’t want it corrected. “It seems that I’ll need to put on a few pounds in time for Christmas.” He let out a “Ho, ho, ho!” to accentuate his point.

  “Would you rather use a pillow? We can certainly fix you up with one.”

  “And deny me the luxury of eating too many Christmas cookies? No, thanks. So, you’d like Santa to come to the store? I noticed your hand was the first one raised.”

  “Did I appear overzealous?” Lila giggled. “Saturday afternoons would be a good fit for our customers.”

  “I agree. Say, Conrad here tells me he’s finished with this ski chalet addition. Would it be all right if we stopped at the store on our way home so I can take a quick peek? If you remember, I taught him everything he claims to be good at these days.”

  Lila remembered the afternoons she and Conrad spent in his uncle’s workshop. “I’d say that’s perfectly OK. In fact, I’m headed there myself to stir together a batch of scones. But I need to touch base with Anne before I leave.”

  “We’ll wait here and follow you down,” Conrad said.

  “Sounds good,” Lila said and left the pair after spotting Anne across the room.

  

  Lila stood behind Conrad and his uncle in the c
halet addition. Uncle Elmer gave a low whistle. “Well, well, well, this is something special.” He followed Conrad from the addition back into the main store.

  Lila stepped behind the counter. “Conrad did a great job, didn’t he?”

  Uncle Elmer nodded. “I could tell he was talented back when he was ten-years-old, and tonight I was proven right.”

  Lila agreed. “Conrad thought of adding the mini-benches for the little people. He said he wanted a special place for them to congregate and enjoy themselves as much as their parents.”

  Uncle Elmer shifted his gaze over to Conrad with a proud smile. “That sounds like something you’d think of. You always had a way with kids.” He turned to Lila. “I wish you could be there when Conrad walks through the door at one of our family get-togethers. The little guys run to him as if they’re tacklers on a football field. It’s great fun to watch.”

  Lila could imagine the scene. “Yes, I can believe.”

  Conrad’s phone rang. Holding up one finger, he told them he needed to take the call.

  “I’m glad he’s found a measure of success in his work. I’m so proud of him,” Uncle Elmer said.

  Lila suspected Uncle Elmer’s respect for Conrad matched hers. “He’s good at what he does, but more importantly, I think he’s built a reputation based on trust and reliability paired with excellent craftsmanship. People can count on him. If he says he’ll be there, he shows up, and he finishes on time,” Lila said.

  Uncle Elmer shook his head. “A work ethic like that seems to be hard to find these days. I’m not sure why, but it is. And what about you, young lady? Running this store must be a whole lot different compared to writing books in New York.”

  “I’ve enjoyed running the store a lot more than I thought I would. It’s a refreshing change, and it’s given me a few ideas for my next book. In fact, I’ve started something brand new.”

  “Ever consider moving back?” He nodded slowly as if to encourage her agreement to his idea.

  Lila hoped the surprise didn’t register on her face. Was he serious? “Here?”

  “Why not?”

  Lila flushed, heat running up her neck and coloring her cheeks. She busied her hands with a miniature statue of Joseph from a nativity scene. “No, I, ah…”