One Sweet Christmas (novella)

by Fredette, Darlene

  Candi smoothed a hand down her three-quarter-length dress. The V-neckline, long sleeves, and princess seams added a slimming effect. The teal ensemble had been an impulse buy while in the city earlier that day.

  She shouldn’t have splurged, not with a financial crisis looming over her head. Colin had delivered the bad news during their morning meeting. Cutbacks were inevitable. One, possibly both, of her staff had to be let go through the winter.

  Colin offered an alternative option, but Candi cut him short. The inn was off limits. That’s when their discussion became an argument and she stormed out of his office. Her whole day coasted downhill from that point.

  After yelling at Jackson and exposing their marriage to Virginia, Candi escaped to the city for baking supplies, and unintentionally walked past a storefront displaying the teal dress. The plastic mannequin smiled happily, like she didn’t have a care in the world. Candi longed to be just like her.

  ‘I love your dress.’ Virginia left the where her family sat devouring their food. ‘Is it new?’

  ‘Yes, I was fooled into believing all my troubles would disappear if I owned this dress. That’s what I get for talking to a doll in a window.’ Candi sipped her hot cider.

  ’If it’s man trouble, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. You look totally hot.’ Virginia leaned close. ‘Speaking of men, what’s going on between you and Jackson? I knew you shared a past, but you said nothing about marriage.’

  ‘It’s a long story. Can we talk about it tomorrow?’

  ‘Sure.’

  ‘And please don’t mention anything. No one knows.’

  ‘Not even Andrew?’

  Candi shook her head. ‘I know, I’m a terrible person.’

  ‘No, you’re not. But you should decide which man you want, because Andrew is head-over-heels, and he is definitely checking out that dress.’ Virginia frowned at the where her family sat. ‘I leave for five minutes and one of them is wearing the food instead of eating it.’ She placed a hand on Candi’s arm. ‘I’ll catch up with you later.’

  As soon as Virginia left, Andrew arrived at Candi’s side and kissed her cheek. ‘Hello, there. You look amazing.’

  ‘Thank you. You look pretty darn good yourself.’ She ran her hand down the lapel of his suit jacket. ‘You also sound much better.’

  ‘Two days off work, plenty of fluids and rest, and the laryngitis is almost gone.’ He ran his finger down her shoulder to her elbow. ‘I’ve missed you.’

  Candi smiled, surprised by the lack of emotion his affectionate gesture garnered. They were in a relationship. Well, Andrew believed they were in a relationship, even though she kept him at arm’s length. Andrew wanted more and sometimes Candi did too, but she was a married woman. The vows she took were legal and binding.

  Andrew could have any woman in town. He was downright gorgeous, tall and muscular. Throw in his excellent personality and caring nature, and Andrew was perfect — for someone who wasn’t already married. She couldn’t pretend with him any longer. He deserved to know the truth.

  ‘I need to tell you something, Andrew.’ Candi paused when he caught her eye as he talked with Virginia’s family. A chill raced down her spine.

  Jackson turned toward her and Candi quickly focused on the tiled black and white floor.

  ‘Are you okay?’ Andrew touched the side of her cheek. ‘You were about to tell me something?’

  ‘I…um…I missed you, too.’ She tilted her head and deliberately held his gaze.

  ‘Music to my ears.’ He pulled her close and Candi stepped in under his shoulder.

  But she didn’t want to play games with Andrew. He was worthy of much better. Knowing it was the right thing to do, Candi eased out of his embrace. She kept a watchful eye on Jackson as he slowly made his way across the room, but he kept getting pulled aside by old friends who wanted to reminisce.

  When Jackson finally stepped in front of them, he kept his focus on her, but spoke to Andrew. ‘Andrew Haley, right?’ He held a hand out.

  Andrew shook Jackson’s hand. ‘Jackson Frost.’ He cocked his head to the side. ‘What brings you to town?’

  ‘Candi didn’t tell you?’ Jackson raised his brows. ‘I had business in town and when I learned that Candi needed a Santa, I came to her rescue.’

  Andrew narrowed his eyes at her. ‘Jackson is wearing my suit?’

  Candi wanted to crawl under a rock and hide. ‘You were ill and I couldn’t disappoint the children. No one else was available.’

  ‘Well, I’m better now. Thank you, Jackson, for filling in, but your services are no longer required.’

  ‘I promised Candi four days and I’m sticking to our agreement. I don’t intend to disappoint her ever again.’

  She snapped her head up and stared at Jackson. He met her gaze with the same intensity.

  Andrew placed his hand in the small of Candi’s back, as if staking his claim. ‘That’s very gallant of you, but she has me now and I’ve never let her down.’

  Jackson frowned and squared his shoulders in preparation to respond. Candi placed her hands on their chests and pushed, putting some distance between them. Her hand against Jackson fluttered with the warmth travelling up her arm.

  ‘Andrew, I think it’s best if we let Jackson finish out the week as Santa.’ Candi forced a smile. ‘The children adore him and they’d sense it if someone else stepped in.’

  ‘That’s true. Children are very smart.’ Jackson nodded. ‘They’d be suspicious and we wouldn’t want that.’

  Candi wrinkled her nose. What was he? A child expert after playing Santa for two days?

  ‘Fine,’ Andrew agreed, but judging by his tightly-pressed lips he wasn’t happy. He slipped an arm around her waist and drew her to his side.

  ‘Can we talk privately for a moment?’ Jackson persisted.

  ‘If you wish to discuss business or your Santa role, I’d prefer we wait until tomorrow.’ Candi had to be clear and decisive. Jackson needed to understand she wasn’t his for the taking anymore. ‘This evening is for fun and socializing.’

  The tension in his jaw tightened.

  She tapped Andrew’s arm. ‘Let’s grab a while there’s still empty seats.’

  Andrew smiled. ‘I can’t wait to try the chocolate truffles you brought just for me.’

  Jackson nodded as they walked past him, and he did as she requested. He left her alone for the remainder of the evening. He didn’t arrive at breakfast the next morning, either. In fact, he didn’t appear until 10 minutes before show time.

  Jackson changed in the tiny bathroom and barely acknowledged her presence as child after child sat on his lap. He played the role perfectly. The only person aware of the tension between them was Virginia.

  ‘What’s up with the two of you?’ Virginia asked as she helped Candi tidy the bakery.

  Jackson had left without a word when his two hours were up, and with the shop so quiet after the children departed, she let Steve leave early to do some last-minute Christmas shopping.

  ‘I thought there’d be a fight at the restaurant last night,’ Virginia continued. ‘Jackson seemed really pissed after seeing you with Andrew. Then all this silence today. You’re both freaking me out. I keep waiting for a bomb to drop.’

  Candi grabbed the broom and started sweeping. ‘That makes two of us. I feel like I’m walking on eggshells around him. We spent so much time together as kids. Back then, I could read him like a book, but now I can’t figure him out. He shows up asking for a divorce, telling me how he has this important business deal that can’t wait. He flirts with me and then ignores me.’ Candi shook her head. ‘Andrew questioned what was going on between me and Jackson.’

  ‘Did you tell him about your marriage?’

  ‘Why? After tomorrow, I’ll sign the divorce papers and Jackson will leave. No one will be the wiser. Then I can finally concentrate on a real relationship with Andrew.’

  ‘Do you love him?’

  Candi stopped mid-stroke, gri
pping the broom handle. ‘That was a long time ago. I was young and naive. I’m not in love with Jackson anymore.’

  Virginia raised an eyebrow. ‘I wasn’t talking about Jackson.’

  ‘Oh, I…um…I like Andrew a lot. Once my divorce goes through, we can move on.’

  ‘You think it will be that easy to forget about Jackson?’

  Candi didn’t respond because, based on Virginia’s lifted eyebrow, she already knew the answer.

  Chapter Eight

  Jackson had spent the last hour freezing his butt off on a wooden bench in Redford Falls Park. Open year round, the trails provided skiers and hikers with an alternative for exercise, especially since the ski lift had closed. Herds of tourists flocked there during spring and summer. People came from far and wide to view the spectacular waterfalls and picnic with their families.

  The town should be thriving, but the opposite rang true. The many shop owners Jackson had spoken with over the past few days told him the winters were hard. The money made in three seasons went to cover the high cost of heating. Most were getting by, while others struggled — Candi included.

  After a night of catching up at the lounge with Colin, Jackson had learned of Candi’s financial predicament. Guilt troubled Jackson today. He’d fed his friend too much liquor after hearing Candi not only owned Cane’s Chocolate Shop, but Redford Falls Inn as well. The supplied vodka had loosened the bank manager’s tightly sealed lips. Candi needed a miracle to save her from debt.

  Why didn’t her boyfriend lend her the money? The restaurant was obviously not one of the shops in distress, with its regular clientele. Jackson’s suspicions of another man had been confirmed. Candi and Andrew were close. When he saw them together at the restaurant Jackson’s temperature rose.

  A gnawing feeling reminded him how much he’d missed her. The only reason he’d gone to the pot-luck was to see Candi. He hadn’t expected a brush-off and to watch Andrew pawing her all evening.

  After receiving the cold shoulder from Candi, he’d left the restaurant and ended up at the lounge, where he drank away his misery in the company of Colin. Then, the heavy weight that crushed his heart made him act like a heel this afternoon. Each time Jackson glanced at Candi, he envisioned her with Andrew.

  So why was he walking toward the chocolate shop? In less than 24 hours Jackson would leave this town and seal the end of his relationship with Candi. He couldn’t just vanish without explaining his side of the past.

  The door was locked, but Candi answered his consistent knocking.

  She frowned when she saw him. ‘What are you doing here? It’s after ten.’

  ‘I could ask you the same thing. Do you ever sleep or have a social life?’ Bad question. Another image of her and Andrew flashed through his mind.

  ‘I’m normally done by now, but I went to the parade earlier. I still have a chocolate mousse to make before heading home.’

  ‘Need some help?’ Jackson kicked the snow off the doorstep, waiting for her answer, praying she’d let him in.

  ‘Sure.’ Candi stepped aside, and then locked the door behind him.

  Jackson hung his coat in the closet and followed her into the bakery. He sat in a chair across the from her. Jackson thought it best to put some distance between them. Impure thoughts seemed to take over whenever he mixed Candi and chocolate.

  ‘What can I do?’ he asked.

  ‘You’re serious? You really want to help? I thought you were just looking for an excuse so you could apologize for being such a jackass today.’

  ‘Ah, my wife knows me so well.’

  ‘Stop calling me that!’

  ‘Why? You are, and I kind of like the way those words sound.’

  Candi pushed a bowl and hand mixer toward him. Two egg whites and the cream of tartar followed. ‘Mix those, and then add the sugar.’

  ‘No problem.’ While Jackson whipped, Candi blended cream, sugar, and vanilla.

  ‘I do want to apologize for today.’ Jackson ran a hand through his hair. ‘I went drinking with Colin last night. A sledge hammer pounded my head all day. I’m surprised I managed to get through playing Santa.’

  ‘That explains Colin’s no-show at work today.’ She paused and frowned, as if regretting the mention of her brother. ‘You wanted to talk to me about something at the restaurant?’

  Jackson looked at her, but Candi stayed focused on the contents of her bowl. ‘I met Joseph’s family,’ he said.

  ‘That’s great. I’m so pleased you two have reconnected.’

  ‘He introduced me to his daughter and my jaw almost hit the floor.’

  Candi’s head popped up. ‘Why?’

  ‘The first day I played Santa, a little girl named Clarice sat on my lap and told me she wanted her daddy for Christmas.’ Jackson relived his sadness for the little one. ‘She said he worked two jobs and wasn’t home to tuck her in bed at night.’

  Candi retrieved a chocolate sauce from the refrigerator. ‘That’s why you acted so strange after she left?’

  ‘She struck a chord that day.’ Jackson studied the stiff peaks of meringue in his bowl. ‘Then last night my brother introduces me to his daughter — Clarice. I was floored. Joseph told me business was going well. He lied to me.’

  Candi leaned over the table, scooped a couple of spoonfuls from his bowl and added them to her mixture.

  ‘He’s not the only one keeping secrets from me. You didn’t tell me you own the inn.’ Jackson pushed his bowl across the table.

  ‘You didn’t ask.’

  ‘I asked why you were living there. You could have mentioned it was because you owned the place.’

  ‘Violet and Sam had problems taking care of the property. I couldn’t let them lose it. They’re like my second family.’ She added whipped cream to the bowl, avoiding his eyes. ‘I loved working there when I was younger, almost as much as being here with my father. When I heard about Violet and Sam’s trouble, I used my savings to buy the inn.’

  Jackson chose his next words carefully. ‘Running two businesses must be tough, especially this time of year. If you need any help, I have plenty of money.’

  ‘I don’t need your handout. I’ll manage on my own.’

  ’You could consider it a loan…’

  ‘I don’t need anything from you!’ She slammed the bowl on the and the liquid splashed the sides.

  Jackson sighed and redirected the conversation, hoping for a less touchy subject. ‘So, you and Andrew, are you serious?’

  ‘We’re in a relationship, if that’s what you’re asking.’

  ‘Have you…’

  ‘Have we what?’ Candi stopped stirring the foamy mousse. ‘You’re curious if we’ve had sex?’

  He didn’t really want the answer, but he had to know. Jackson nodded.

  ‘No. I’m a married woman. I haven’t broken my vows.’

  Relief washed over him like a cold bucket of water.

  ‘I bet you can’t say the same,’ Candi muttered.

  ‘I…well…’

  She held up a hand. ‘Don’t tell me.’ Candi slumped, staring at the parfait glasses on the counter.

  ‘I didn’t know I was married.’ Jackson shook his head.

  ‘I understand.’ The quiver in her tone said otherwise.

  ‘I actually came here tonight to confess a few things.’

  Candi glanced at him. ‘Then shouldn’t you go to church?’

  ‘You’re funny.’ Jackson winked. ‘I wanted to thank you for letting me be me.’ When she frowned, he continued. ‘With you I’ve never had to pretend. I didn’t have to be the football hero or the person my family expected me to be. You not only tutored me in school, but in life as well.’

  ‘I don’t know what you mean.’

  ‘You don’t care what anyone thinks. I admire that in you.’

  ‘You turned out pretty good.’

  ‘Maybe, but look at the mess I left behind. My father has yet to speak to me. He hasn’t forgiven me for leaving.’

 
‘I’m sure he has. You’re a successful businessman. What father wouldn’t be proud?’

  Jackson pondered Candi’s words. Was it possible his father might be pleased with his son’s achievements?

  ‘Since we’re holding confessionals…can I ask a question?’

  He nodded.

  ‘Why did you agree to play Santa? A little pressure from you and I would have signed the divorce papers. You’ve put a multi-million-dollar deal at stake.’

  Jackson smiled. ‘I never could say no to you. The truth is…I didn’t come here just for a divorce — I came to see you.’ Time he told Candi everything. ‘I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately, so I pulled out my box of mementos. I almost picked up the telephone to call you, but then I realized that I couldn’t just call out of the blue after being gone for so long.’

  Candi filled the glasses with the chocolate mousse and garnished the dessert with shaved chocolate and strawberries. The entire time her hands shook.

  ‘I’ve really missed you, and the funny thing is I missed this town almost as much. I was homesick, though I didn’t quite know that until I arrived.’

  ‘This place has that effect on people.’

  ‘Seven years ago I asked you to come away with me. Why didn’t you?’

  Candi lifted her brows. ‘You remember?’

  ‘For the most part, the fog of memories has cleared.’ Jackson clasped her hands, stopping her fidgeting. ‘Before you left the hotel I asked you to run away with me, but you wouldn’t go. After the night we’d spent together, I thought for sure you’d leave with me.’

  ‘I told you why. This is my home. I don’t want to live anywhere else. We had different dreams. Mine was to take over the chocolate shop and yours was to develop skyscrapers. As much as I wanted to go with you, I had to stay. We had separate paths to travel.’

  ‘I guess you’re right.’ Jackson released her hands and placed the empty bowls in the sink. ‘Hey, do you remember how I saved my money and bought that red Mustang from my father?’

  ‘Yes, you arrived outside my parents’ house. I can recall you leaning against the car with this huge grin on your face.’

  ‘I told you I wanted to show it off to Colin, but I went there to see you.’