by Clare Revell
He got up and put the photo back in the drawer. Crossing the room, he headed upstairs and into Jayne’s room. Three boxes lay on the bare mattress. He’d long since stripped and washed the bed linen. He glanced around the room. He had a few days’ holiday over Christmas, he could decorate it and pick up paper and paint during his lunch break tomorrow.
He picked up one of the boxes and carried it downstairs to his car. These could go to the charity shop on the High Street. He put it into the boot and went back inside for the second one, trying to analyse his motives. Why was he moving on? Because it was five months and Phil was right? He’d mourned Jayne enough? Or was it because of the woman who had replaced her in his thoughts? The non-showing bridesmaid, the woman he felt compelled to protect.
Were his motives pure? He felt something. He stacked the second box and went back for the last one. It’s too soon for me to know if I love her. Or is it? With Jayne, he’d known within a few hours.
What if it is love and she doesn’t feel the same way? I don’t want to get hurt again, Lord, but is this feeling from You?
He stacked the last box and locked the car. Going back inside, he locked the front door and headed into the lounge. He picked up his Bible and sat down with it. Lord, You know me better than I know myself. You know what you have planned for me and for Holly. Overrule in this situation. Show me what to do.
****
Having dropped off the boxes, Kyle headed down the High Street towards the Do-It-Yourself store. It wasn’t the cheapest place in Headley Cross by any stretch of the imagination, but he didn’t have time to go across town to the superstore. He wanted to pick up paint, paste and paper. And eat, before Mrs. Terath’s perm at two o’clock.
He spent ten minutes picking out a pale yellow paper and jasmine white paint for the door and woodwork. A darker coloured border would finish it off, and he was pleased when he found one. He paid and took it to the car. He had forty minutes, just time for something to eat. Hopefully Mrs. Terath wouldn’t insist on talking the hind leg off a donkey this afternoon.
Going into the coffee shop, Kyle went to the counter, ordered, and paid. Taking his coffee and order number, he turned, looking for somewhere to sit. The only single free seat was at the window. He started walking towards it, when he noticed a solitary figure.
He smiled. “Holly?”
Holly looked up. “Oh, hello.”
“Mind if I join you?”
“No, of course not.” She pulled her tray across, making room for him.
“Thank you.” Kyle set down his cup, undid his jacket, and draped it over the back of the chair. He sat down. “Aren’t you meant to be resting?”
“I’m doing some last minute shopping and stopped for lunch. Resting is like sleep, it’s overrated.”
He cast an eye over her plate. It looked more like tea and biscuits to him. “Doesn’t look like much of a lunch. Or is eating overrated as well?” He noticed the colour touch her cheeks. “I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. I...I don’t eat as much as I should.”
Kyle nodded. “I know how that one goes. After Jayne died, I didn’t eat for a few days. Didn’t see the point, but now things are different.” He shot her a smile. “Tell you what. If you give me one of your biscuits, I’ll share my chips with you. They always give you far too many here.”
“OK.” Holly held out one of her biscuits.
Kyle took the biscuit and looked at it. “Thank you. It’s been years since I had one of these. Not that they taste anywhere near as good as homemade ones.”
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never tried making biscuits.”
“You should.” He glanced at her. “You know, I really don’t know much about you, despite all the time we’ve spent together the last few days.”
“You know I like Christmas trees and Tels Merrick novels.”
Kyle laughed. “I mean aside from that. I know you’re a mechanic and you make wedding and bridesmaids’ dresses, but what do you do in your spare time?”
Holly looked at him. “I like walking, hiking. Not that I get too much time to do that. Past few months I’ve worked a lot.”
“The boss keeping you busy, then?”
She nodded, slowly dunking the biscuit in the tea. “That’s one way of putting it. It can be hard, but I wouldn’t want to do anything else.” She looked at her biscuit thoughtfully and put it back in the tea, holding it there for a few more seconds. She glanced up shyly at him.
Kyle pulled his biscuit out and tapped it on the side of the cup. The biscuit broke off and fell into his tea.
She laughed at the horrified look on his face. “I hate it when that happens.”
He picked up his spoon, fishing in the tea for the broken pieces. “Tea soup,” he commented. He looked up in time to see Holly’s biscuit do the same thing as she tapped it too hard.
She blushed, and then laughed. “Tea soup happens to be my favourite. It’s probably just as well, really.” She picked up her spoon and retrieved the broken bit, eating it.
The waitress came over with Kyle's plate of chicken nuggets and chips. “Thank you.” He picked up his fork and put the plate in the middle of the table. “Help yourself, Holly.”
She looked at him and nodded, taking a chip.
“I mean it. There’s no way I’ll eat all this by myself.” Kyle started eating, pleased to see Holly doing the same. Between them they cleared the plate. He smiled at her. “Was that good?”
Holly nodded. “Yes, thank you. I hadn’t realized I was that hungry.”
He smiled and checked his watch. He still had a few minutes to spare and wanted to spend them with her.
“Let me take you to see the Christmas tree in the park.”
“I don’t want to make you late for work.”
He smiled. “I’ve got another fifteen minutes yet. ’Sides what’s the point in being the boss if you can’t do what you want?”
****
Kyle stood next to Holly as they looked in wonder at the tree under the pagoda in the centre of the park. It towered above them and the lights and coloured baubles sparkled against the winter snow. Next to it sat a table with cards for Christmas wishes. Several children were making long lists of what they wanted Santa to bring them. Kyle had done the same every year since a small child. The feelings of nostalgia it provoked never changed. Would she think him silly, or would she fill one in, too?
Holly shoved her hands into her pockets. “The tree’s beautiful. It puts mine to shame.”
Kyle raised an eyebrow. “I think your tree is awesome.”
“Uh huh. Not compared with this.”
“Compared to mine it is.”
“That’s because you don’t have one.”
He hesitated for a moment then pointed a gloved finger at her, his breath hanging on the frosty air. “That’d be it.”
Holly tugged her hat down over her ears. “Probably.”
Kyle picked up two of the cards and offered her one. “Make a Christmas wish.”
“Wishes are for children.” She refused to take the card.
Kyle’s brow creased. “Then I guess I’m a child.” He put his card on the table and picked up a pen, refusing to let her dampen his spirit. “Come on, what’s the harm?”
“It’s a waste. Not like I’m going to get anything I want. I told Stacey that Santa doesn’t exist so there is no point.”
“Maybe not. But it’s Christmas, Holly. A time for miracles.” He could see her wavering and persisted. “Do it for me. Please. It will shut me up.”
“It will shut you up?”
“My niece uses that line all the time. It always works.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Can you do puppy dog eyes, too?”
Kyle laughed and obliged, rewarded by a smile. He offered the card again. Holly took it and closed her eyes briefly, before she started writing. Kyle watched her for a moment and then wrote his own. He posted it into the box and looked at her. “So what did you wish for?”
“That’d be telling.” Holly posted her card into the box.
He checked his watch. “I should be getting back. I’ve got a perm to do. What are you doing next?”
“I’m going home to put my feet up and watch a film on TV. The movie channel is showing Christmas movies all day long.”
“May I walk you to your car?”
“Sure.”
He walked next to her, his hand so close to hers it was almost touching. He longed to take hold of it, but didn’t want to presume. After a moment, he slid hands into his jacket pockets. They reached her car and he stood there while she unlocked the door.
“Thank you,” she said smiling at him.
“You’re welcome.”
Holly got into the car and started to close the door. On impulse he reached out and caught hold of it. It was now or never. “Holly?”
She looked up at him. “Yes?”
“Are you going to the carol service tomorrow night?”
“Yes, I am.”
He hesitated for a moment. He was out of practice at this. What if she said no? What if he was going too fast or she misinterpreted his motives? What if he blew everything on an impulse? Lord, I put this whole thing in Your hands. “Perhaps we could meet in the lobby at, say, six twenty and we could sit with each other. Doesn’t have to be a date or anything, just two friends, sitting together...”
She smiled. “I’d like that. See you tomorrow.”
Kyle nodded and let go of the door. He waved as she drove off, and then walked back to the salon. What was it about this woman, that gave him the push he needed to put the past behind and move on?
Season for Miracles
7
Christmas Eve, Holly decided, was the longest day of the year, no matter how old you were. Something about this day always made her feel like a child,
This year, knowing her parents, brother, his wife and two kids were having a great time on the beach in Sydney, only emphasized the fact she was alone. But it was Christmas, and she was still excited. Guess that proves what Mum says about you being a contradiction in a box, Holly.
She had presents stacked under the tree, Christmas music blasting from the stereo and mince pies both cooking in the oven and cooling on the side. Her hands were floury and pastry hung off the rolling pin as she worked on the third batch. These were hers. The first two batches were her contribution to tonight’s “carols by candlelight” service at church.
She could have bought them. But that was cheating. Besides, her mince pies were famous at church, and if she didn’t make them, she’d never live it down.
Her heart beat faster as her mind wandered to meeting Kyle. Not a date, he’d said. Good. She wasn’t ready for that. Nor was he, if the warmth in his voice when he spoke about Jayne was anything to go by, despite his insistence he’d moved on.
She looked down at the pastry as she cut it into circles. It had only been a few days, and despite the acrimonious start, she considered him a friend. And judging by his comment the previous day, he considered her a friend, too. Her stomach flip-flopped at the thought. A male friend was something she’d never had, and for the last few months not wanted. Until now.
The work mobile rang. Holly let it ring, focusing on her baking. Voicemail could get it. The message was still Rob’s voice, even though the business was hers. She needed to change that.
She finished the mince pies and put them in the oven. She toyed with the idea of turning off the phone without listening to the message, and then shrugged. She could wait to reply until after the holidays.
The voice was one she knew, right down to the annoyed tone he used. She recognized it from the hairdressers when he told the receptionist off. She froze as she listened to his message.
“This is Kyle Stevens. I had my car booked in this morning, but got held up and by the time I got to the garage, it was closed. I was only fifteen minutes late. Normally I’d go elsewhere, but that’s not possible. This clattering noise is getting worse and the engine is overheating. This is no way to run a business, so if you could give me a ring back ASAP, I’d appreciate it.” He left his number then hung up.
Holly deleted the message. There was nothing she could do until the New Year. She smiled to herself. He couldn’t have realized who the garage belonged to. Debbie must have booked him in and forgotten to cancel it when Holly had to take the time off work. A quick call to Debbie confirmed this. Holly had her ring him and explain that, due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the owner’s control, the garage would remain closed until the New Year.
And if that made her a coward, so be it. Another confrontation with him wasn’t her idea of fun. Not when things were on an even keel at last. Besides, if she were honest with herself, she was actually enjoying her first proper break from work in a long time, albeit an enforced one. Turning off the work phone, she shoved it into a drawer out of the way and pushed it to the back of her mind.
****
Just before half past five, Holly packed up the car and set off down the snowy roads for the carol service. The dark streets were empty—a good thing considering the treacherous nature of the roads. Halfway into town, she passed a car on the side of the road. Hazard lights blinked in the darkness and the bonnet was up. Steam poured from under it. She thought fast, and then pulled over in front of the parked car. She flicked on her hazard lights.
Lord, this may not be the most sensible thing to do, but I can’t leave him or her stranded if there is something I can do. She grabbed her flashlight and got out of the car. At least whoever it was, had chosen to break down almost right outside her garage. She made her way back along the snowy street, pulling her collar up. “Can I help?”
Kyle’s face peered up at her from under the bonnet, his eyes flashing and his jaw set. “Holly?”
Kyle? “Hey. Can I help? What’s wrong with it?”
“I don’t know. The garage over there should have seen it this morning. I arranged taking the car in around work appointments, but the lazy, good-for-nothing owner sent every single one of his mechanics home and closed early for Christmas and forgot to tell me. It may be Christmas Eve, but they should at least honour the appointments they made. I wouldn’t do that to my clients. I just left them a ranting message on the answer phone.”
Glad the darkness hid the flush on her cheeks, Holly swallowed hard. Guilt flooded her. Even though there was nothing she could have done, her stomach twisted and she felt sick. “May I have a look?”
“You’re not supposed to be working.”
“I’m not working. I’m looking at a friend’s car because I’m here and it’s broken down. Now, please, may I have a look at it?”
He took a deep breath and raised his hands. “Be my guest.”
As Holly shone the flashlight over the engine, Kyle slumped against the side of the car, his long legs angled out from his body in a display of anger and despair. “I was trying to get to the carol service to meet you. I’ve never been to a candlelit one before.”
She shot him a quick smile. “It’s my favourite service. I’ve been making mince pies for it.”
He glanced at her. “Mince pies?”
Holly turned her attention back to the engine. “Yeah, there’s coffee and mince pies served afterwards in the church hall. Most people don’t leave until late. So what are the symptoms?”
“Huh?”
“Your car. What’s wrong with it?”
“Oh. It’s been clattering for a few days now and the engine gets very hot. I got this far and it blew up.”
“Blew up? There’s no fire, just a lot of steam.”
A scowl crossed his face. “You know what I mean.”
Holly went over the engine with a fine tooth comb. She could guess what was wrong, but wanted to be certain before she said anything. After a few minutes she raised her head and caught his eye. “It’s your water pump. It’s knackered. Lucky for you, I own the garage you broke down outside. Help me push it inside and I’ll fix it.”
“
Wait a minute. You own that place?”
She smiled at him. “Lock, stock and barrel.”
“I just stood here and bad mouthed the garage and its mechanics and you let me.” Colour flooded his face. “I’m sorry.”
“Right now I’m the only mechanic there is, and I’m off sick. The doctor told me I couldn’t work this week.”
“And that’s my fault. I’m sorry.” There was remorse in his voice.
“Well, it was your dog that ran me over. Ran me over and then tried to eat me, I may add.”
Kyle rolled his eyes.
Holly smiled at him. “But he bought me a lovely book as an apology, so he’s forgiven, just like you are. Do you want me to fix it or not?”
He shook his head. “I’ll call the AA.”
“They’ll either tow you home or to the nearest garage.” She pointed over the road. “Mine. You won’t get it fixed there ’til after the New Year. But I happen to know the woman who works there, and she’s quite happy to defy doctor’s orders and fix it up now.”
“It’s fine.” He pulled his phone out.
“Do you want your car fixed or not?” Holly didn’t get an answer so she shook her head and headed back to her car. She’d taken two steps when a hand closed over her arm. She jumped and gasped as he spun her around.
“Don’t go.” His lips were inches away from hers as he pulled her closer to him, his left hand pressed against the small of her back, his right firmly around her wrist. His breath was warm in the cold night air as he pulled her against him.
Holly struggled, desperate to get away. “Let go. Kyle, let go of me.”
He studied her face for a moment and then dropped her wrist, raising his hand and showing her his palm. His other hand remained resting lightly on the small of her back. She could feel the heat through her coat and clothes. His face came closer, his lips almost touching hers, his words merely an extension of his breath. “You know what your problem is?”
“What?”
“You drive me insane. Every time I see you, I have this uncontrollable urge to run my hands through your hair, hold you close and kiss you.”
