The Best Little Christmas Shop

by Maxine Morrey

  I faltered a little as we approached the door, losing my nerve. But I was here now. What if Cal happened to see me and I just left? That wouldn’t be awkward at all … I knocked on the door quickly before I had too much more time to overthink. There was no answer and I hesitated for a moment, shifting my weight from foot to foot as Apollo sat beside me patiently, his bottom out to the side in a slouchy puppy sit.

  ‘What do you think, boy?’ I asked him in a whisper, ‘Do I knock again or shall we just go?’

  Apollo looked up at me and tilted his head.

  ‘Good idea. I totally agree. Come on then.’

  As I made to turn away, I heard the lock on the solid wood door thrown and it was pulled open. Dressed in blue checked pyjama bottoms and a white T-shirt, Cal looked absolutely shattered, not to mention way too sexy in a rumpled, just-got-out-of-bed way, for this time on a Sunday morning.

  ‘Lexi! Come in.’

  I waved a hand. ‘No, it’s fine. I’m so sorry, Cal. I didn’t mean to wake you. We were out for a walk and thought I’d just pop in and see how George was feeling.’

  Cal rubbed a hand over his face and gave me a sleepy smile that I responded to in more ways than I’m sure he’d planned for – and certainly more than I’d planned for.

  ‘Better, thanks. I’m sorry, maybe it wasn’t just too much Christmas food. He really went down with it a little while after we left you and he’s had a pretty rough night but seems to be over the worst now, thank goodness. He’s got a little colour back and he’s managed a bit of porridge so I think once he’s caught up on his sleep, he’ll be fine. I hope he didn’t manage to pass it on to you or anyone else.’ Cal looked sheepish.

  Lexi shook her head. ‘I’m fine. And what about you?’

  Cal looked confused for a moment. ‘Me?’

  I smiled. ‘Yes. You.’

  ‘I’m … OK. Thanks.’ He gave me a half-smile that did little to disguise his apparent surprise at him being asked after.

  ‘Right. Because you look dreadful.’ As soon as the words were out, I was aware how different they’d sounded in my head. Cal was just looking at me. And then he was laughing, really laughing in a way that couldn’t fail to make a woman smile – even if she had just made an idiot of herself. Again.

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘That sort of came out wrong.’

  ‘Did it?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘So I don’t look dreadful?’ One eyebrow raised over still-sleepy eyes. Being auntie to a small hoard, I knew mischief when I saw it.

  ‘No, you do but … oh crap. OK. I’m just going to stop talking now and let you get back to bed and rest.’

  Cal threw me a half-smile. ‘I wish. I’ve got a car to go and see. Martha should be here shortly to look after George and then I need to head off. It’s a long drive anyway.’

  I took in the utter exhaustion on his face, and the way he was using the door to hold himself up.

  ‘Are you sure that’s a good idea? You look absolutely exhausted. Can you not put it off until tomorrow or something?’

  He shook his head, stifling a yawn as he did so. ‘Unfortunately, not. This guy already told me he’s had offers from other people. If it’s as good as it sounds, I’ll be laughing at auction. But they won’t wait. They’re moving and are just trying to clear stuff out as soon as possible. I can’t afford to miss out on this.’ The last word disappeared on a yawn and I shook my head.

  ‘OK. Then let me drive you.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘If you really must go today, then let me come with you and drive. That way you can at least get some rest in the car.’

  ‘You don’t have to do that. I’ll be fine.’

  ‘Don’t take this the wrong way – but you look far from fine. And if you won’t do it for yourself, then think of George.’

  Cal tilted his head down at me. ‘Low blow.’

  I screwed up my face. ‘Did it work?’

  ‘Yes. Are you sure?’

  ‘Positive. It’ll be nice for me to do something different too. Plus it’ll give me a chance to connect with cars in some small way again.’

  ‘You miss it.’ It was a statement rather than a question.

  I nodded. ‘I do.’

  He gave one quick nod in response before his gaze dropped to the dog. ‘Is Apollo coming for a ride?’

  ‘No, I think he’d probably rather be sprawled out by the Aga for the afternoon.’

  ‘Smart dog. Do you want me to pick you up or do you want to wait? I’ve just got to jump in the shower quickly.’

  ‘I can wait, if you don’t mind the dog coming in too? We can just stay by the door.’

  ‘Don’t be daft,’ Cal said, ushering us both inside. ‘I’ve got an old towel here somewhere …’ He stuck his head in a cupboard in the hallway and pulled out a towel, ‘Here.’ He tossed it to me and I gave Apollo a quick rub over and then carefully dried his feet one by one as the dog gently laid each paw in my lap, ready for the familiar procedure.

  ‘Wow. He’s really good at that.’

  ‘Practice,’ I replied, glancing up at Cal as I stood. ‘There. All dried.’ I kicked off my own boots and wiggled my toes. ‘But we’ll stay here anyway.’

  ‘No, you won’t. I need coffee. Want one?’

  It did sound good. ‘OK. Yes, thanks.’ We all shuffled off towards the kitchen and Cal made himself busy with the fancy coffee machine on his worktop. I could strip a car engine practically with my eyes closed but the coffee machine looked far more complicated than it needed to be for such a simple task. All I generally needed was a spoon.

  ‘That looks fancy,’ I said, eyeing the equipment.

  ‘Yeah. I had a moment. Although I do have to say, it makes really good coffee. But then again it should.’ He pulled a face.

  I shrugged. ‘You should enjoy the indulgence. If you work hard, it’s good to reward yourself sometimes. You shouldn’t feel guilty about it.’

  Cal gave me a maybe yes, maybe no face. ‘I know you’re right but …’

  ‘You have trouble believing you’re worthy of it?’

  He shot me a look and I could see the faintest blush on his cheeks.

  ‘Sorry. Mum tells me I can be a bit blunt sometimes. I didn’t mean to –’

  ‘No. It’s fine. I like blunt. I know where I stand with blunt. And yes, I think you’re right. No one has ever put it like that before. Or at least they haven’t told me to my face.’

  This time it was my turn to blush.

  ‘I promise I’ll just drive. I won’t say anything else.’ I made a zipping motion with my fingers across my mouth, and mimed tossing away a key.

  Cal gave that deep laugh. It was one of those that surrounded you and made you smile from somewhere deep inside. ‘I really hope not. That would make what was shaping up to be an enjoyable day far more dull.’

  I pulled my mouth to the side, unsure. Cal stepped closer to me and touched my fingertips with his own.

  ‘I like your honesty, Lexi. Like I say, I know where I stand with you. It’s … not always been the case.’ His thumb brushed the back of my hand and I lifted my gaze, but his was on our hands. Sensing that he was being watched, his eyes shifted and met mine. I knew I should look away and that this was veering into dangerous territory for me. But I couldn’t. I stayed exactly where I was, my gaze locked with Cal’s.

  His mouth remained serious for a moment, and then, suddenly, he stepped back breaking the spell. The sensible part of me was relieved but the churn of emotions rushing through the rest of me said something else and right now, I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

  ‘Thanks for coming round. George was really upset about feeling poorly and missing out on the snowball fight and everything last night.’

  ‘There will be other times, I’m sure. They’re forecasting snow for the next few weeks, I heard this morning. The bookies have been cutting the odds of a white Christmas left, right, and centre, apparently.’

  His mouth began to cur
ve. ‘Didn’t take you to be the betting type.’

  ‘No, not at all.’ I laughed. ‘I’m more the full of useless information type.’

  The half-smile grew and I did my best to remember that the last thing I needed was romantic complications in my life. Been there. Done that. Not prepared to go there again. I risked a glance back up at him. Bloody hell, he was gorgeous. How did anyone look that good after a night up with a sick child? Was that even legal?

  Cal took a breath in and the half-smile was back. ‘Lexi, I –’

  ‘Daddy!’ George’s voice, wobblier than it normally sounded, rang down the hall towards us.

  Cal gave me a look and a little shake of his head, the smile turning from whatever it had been – I was still working on that – to resigned.’

  ‘Yeah, Georgie, I’m coming.’ He turned to me. ‘Do you two want to come and say hello? He was pretty miserable earlier. I’m sure seeing you both would cheer him up no end.’

  ‘We’d love to.’

  Cal smiled at me and I patted my leg for Apollo to come to heel and he plodded beside me, now a little weary from his explorations on our walk this morning. George was wriggling upright in the bed as his Dad pushed open the door wider and went in. Cal held up a hand to Apollo and I following just behind.

  ‘Just let me check there’s not been any more …’

  I nodded so that he didn’t have to finish the statement.

  ‘What is it, little mate?’ Cal’s voice was gentle and soothing and I couldn’t resist peeking around the corner of the doorjamb. I wasn’t worried about seeing anything that might upset my delicate sensibilities – primarily because I didn’t have any. I came from a large family that mostly consisted of men and I had spent my college years mostly with blokes who, for reasons I still failed to fathom, felt that the best thing to do after downing a vat of beer at night was to top it off with a greasy kebab. I also had a small brood of nieces and nephews, from which not a single one stood out as not having weed, pooed, or thrown up on me at some point in time. In short, I didn’t scare easily.

  ‘I’m bored and my tummy hurts,’ George said, his face pale and tired as Cal squatted beside the bed.

  ‘Martha is going to be here soon and she can read you some more of your story. I know your tummy hurts but it’s better than it was, isn’t it?’

  ‘Yes,’ George replied, nodding sadly.

  ‘Good. And it will get easier as the day goes on. It’s just a bit worn out, like you and me, and needs some sleep. After your story, and a little snooze, you’ll be feeling much better. I promise.’

  ‘OK. Do you have to go out?’ George’s little hand snuck into his father’s large one.

  From my hidden vantage point, I saw a wash of pain cross Cal’s face and something twisted inside me.

  ‘I’m sorry, Georgie. I do. If I could put it off, I would. But I want you to sleep as much as you can today to make up for last night, so you won’t even notice too much that I’m not here.’

  George nodded but he was clearly unconvinced, even though I could see by the state of him that Cal was right. The little boy was heading straight for zonkville. In an ideal world, his dad would be too but we both knew that wasn’t going to happen.

  ‘In the meantime, there are some people here to see you.’ Cal leant back and saw me peeking. A smile slid onto his face at catching me. He indicated for us to come in and George’s face beamed as he saw us. My smile got wider at his joy as Apollo loped towards him and laid his big head on the duvet around George’s lap and looked up at him with big, heartbreaker eyes. George giggled and folded himself down to wrap his arms around Apollo’s head and cuddled him.

  ‘Do I get one of those?’ I asked.

  George sat up, still grinning as he threw his arms out for me. I wrapped mine around his little body and gave him a big cuddle as Apollo watched us, quirking first one brow and then the other. The dog let out a sigh and slid back into his puppy sit position, his hip resting against Cal’s leg now that he had stood to make way for us next to the bed.

  ‘I’ve had a poorly tummy,’ George said, as he released me.

  ‘I know, sweetheart. But you’re looking much better than you did yesterday so you just concentrate on getting better now.’

  ‘OK.’ George nodded, his hand gravitating to Apollo’s head resting on the bed. He began stroking it and, within moments, both George’s and the dog’s eyes were beginning to droop.

  Cal motioned to me and we moved quietly from the room. Once outside, he turned to me. ‘Next time I have trouble getting him to sleep, can you pop over with the dog?’

  I grinned. ‘Sure. No problem.’

  He returned my grin. ‘OK, I’d better grab that shower. Martha has a key so she’ll let herself in. Wait anywhere you like. Just make yourself at home. I’ll see you in a few minutes.’

  ‘OK.’ I watched as Cal walked at a fast pace off down the hallway and turned out of sight, before pushing all random thoughts of Cal and showers firmly out of my mind. Wandering back into George’s room, I saw the little boy had now snuggled down in his bed, one arm still around Apollo and the other around Bear. Someone was snoring softly. I ruled out Bear and after glancing at both the other sleeping forms, pinned the blame firmly on the dog and gave him a gentle stroke.

  Apollo had soothed many a child – and adult – to sleep since he’d come to us as a gangly puppy three years ago. His gentle nature and mere presence had a way of calming even the busiest of minds. Which probably accounted for why he was currently sleeping at the side of, and occasionally on top of, my bed most nights now. Just knowing he was there made everything that tiny bit less overwhelming. And I was glad he had now worked his magic on little George.

  I crossed the room quietly and headed back to the kitchen, listening out for movement on the gravel drive that would signal the approach of Martha. The kitchen was a bright, airy room, mostly white with flashes of lemon to add a bit of zing and take away any hint of sterility. There was plenty of workspace, plus a large island in the middle. An extension housed an eating area, and large bifold doors covered one entire wall, leading out onto a wide patio and the sprawling garden beyond.

  Even on a grey and uninspiring day like today, light flooded into the room, making it cheery and bright. I wandered over to the fridge and smiled at the childish drawings held there by magnets from landmarks and cities around the world, as well as closer to home.

  My stomach grumbled and I chewed on my lip for a moment, glancing around. I walked away from the fridge and sat down on one of the bar stools at the island. Another loud growl from my tummy broke the silence.

  ‘Oh, for goodness’ sake!’ I mumbled and headed back to fridge. Inside I found everything I needed for my plan bar one, which I saw sat on the side. I rummaged for a moment in one of the deep drawers of the island, pulled out what I needed, and set to work.

  ***

  ‘That smells amazing!’ Cal padded back into the kitchen, his socked feet making his approach more stealthy than I’d anticipated. I jumped about three feet in the air. ‘Hey! Only me.’

  ‘Yes. Of course. I’m just used to noisier blokes. George and the dog are asleep. Here.’ I handed him a plate with a warm bacon sandwich on it. ‘I hope you didn’t mind me taking over your kitchen but walking the dog always makes me hungry, and I didn’t think you’d probably had much to eat looking after George so it seemed a good idea to have something before we set out.’

  ‘Mind? A gorgeous woman shows up to check on us, soothes my sick child to sleep, and then hands me food that I didn’t have to cook myself? That’s definitely not a scenario I mind in the slightest.’ He took a massive bite of the sandwich and made appreciative noises. ‘So good!’ He mumbled through it.

  I smiled and began tucking into my own sarnie as I pondered over the fact that Cal Martin had just referred to me as gorgeous. Although that could just have been the bacon talking.

  ‘As much as I’d like to accept all that, in the interests of accuracy I fee
l I have to point out that it was technically Apollo who soothed George to sleep. I had very little to do with it. Nothing in fact.’

  ‘You made the decision to pop round in the first place. That means you had everything to do with it in my eyes.’

  Oh my God. Those eyes.

  ‘Am I interrupting?’ Martha’s voice broke through. I glanced down at her shoeless feet, encased in thick, warm tights, perfect for silent movement – something that seemed to be the order of the day in this house.

  ‘Not at all,’ Cal replied, his tone easy and relaxed. ‘Martha, do you know Lexi? Her family own The Four Seasons shop in the village. Lexi, this is Martha, George’s childminder.’

  I held out my hand and Martha shook it. ‘Nice to meet you.’

  ‘And you. I love that shop. It’s always so interesting and full of such lovely things.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘I must have missed you in there though.’

  Aha, here we go.

  I hadn’t missed the look of curiosity that had passed over Martha’s face when she’d found me standing in Cal’s kitchen on a Sunday morning, sharing laughter and bacon sarnies. There had been more as well – a sense of protection. Yep. I was most definitely getting more than a hint of Mama Bear vibe. George was her charge but clearly it wasn’t only little George under her wing. Cal was firmly nested there too, even if he didn’t know it.

  ‘No, I’ve been working away a lot for the last several years. I’ve only been home properly for a little while.’

  ‘Oh. Will you be leaving again soon or are you here on a more permanent basis?’ Her tone was light and interested but there was no doubt I was under scrutiny. Cal, busy loading the dishwasher, completely missed it. But then he was a man and, in my experience, men weren’t always good at subtle so that wasn’t exactly a big shock.

  ‘I’m not really sure to be honest. But I’m enjoying getting to spend time with my family and friends.’ I smiled, hoping that was enough to satisfy her for now. I saw her mouth begin to open.