Windy City Mistletoe

by Barrett

  Cheryl brought the coats. “I’m so sorry you have to leave. This was so much fun. I hope we can figure out a way to get together again and not wait so long.” She hugged Anne then Zeke.

  Zeke and T.J. exchanged hugs. “You and Cheryl are the best, and I can’t tell you how much this evening meant to me to have all three of the people I love together. This was special.”

  Chapter Five

  HEATED CAR SEATS were wonderful inventions, Zeke thought as she drove through several festively-lit neighborhoods to get back to the expressway. She deliberately chose a more indirect route because Anne loved looking at decorations. And Zeke loved looking at that joy on her face. The radio was plain nonstop Christmas music, and the snow had quit falling, leaving a crisp clear winter night.

  Zeke took off her gloves as the interior of the car warmed up. She could scarcely remember an evening as pleasant. She had missed the laughter, the food, and the comfort of good friends. Too many assignments, too many undercover jobs, too much time in the dark seedy side of life had begun to jade her. Because her colleagues were frequently young and married with small children, she often traded shifts so they could be home.

  If she rewound her life-tape, she’d have to acknowledge that the turning point came from the hellacious case here in Chicago. The deprivation she endured under cover combined with the grisly decapitation murders knocked her off her game. A careless accident caused a head injury, and the final straw was the murder of her friend and physician. It was at that point, her life spun out of control.

  A wave of nausea threatened, and her heart rate accelerated. She gripped the steering wheel and sucked in a deep breath. It’s over. I’m okay. Beside her, Anne was softly singing one of the Christmas carols as she patted Zeke’s leg. Her touchstone. She glanced at Anne, wanting to pull her into her arms.

  Those horrible events were the catalyst that sent her fleeing to New Mexico and into Anne’s life. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, she actually felt that her life began through that horrible fire walk.

  “I’m glad you took this detour. I have some great new ideas about decorating. I’ve gotten so accustomed to the southwestern themes with farolitos and linear-angular lighting, I forgot about some of our Midwestern gaudiness.”

  Zeke smiled. “Oh boy. I see a trip to Walmart in my future.”

  Anne poked her in the ribs. “Not this year silly. Although . . . That’s not a bad idea. There should be some good sales next week.”

  “Have I told you lately that I adore you?”

  “I don’t remember, perhaps you should.” Anne took her hand.

  “I adore you. You’re the light of my life, and I’m not sure I’d be here without you.”

  ANNE STEPPED OUT as the valet held the door. It felt colder closer to the lake, maybe because of the wind. So many years in the high desert where humidity often hung in the teens allowed her to forget how dampness made the cold to seep into the bones. The heat lamps in the portico felt good as they hustled into the hotel.

  Once upstairs, she quickly turned up the heat in the room. “I can’t believe how chilled I got. I think I’ll fill up that giant bathtub was some hot water.”

  “I could order some tea if you’d like?” Zeke said, hanging up her coat.

  “That sounds perfect . . . Wait, could you make it hot chocolate?”

  Zeke’s eyes lit up. “Yum, that sounds even better. You go ahead, and I’ll wait for it.”

  The hotel provided some lovely-smelling bath salts that mixed with the steam to create a mini sauna. After she washed her face, she noticed a two-foot square area in the middle of the bathroom mirror that didn’t steam up. “Isn’t that something?”

  Zeke put her head around a corner. “Did you say something?”

  “Look at this mirror, it’s magic,” Anne said through a mouthful of toothpaste.

  “I know I picked a magic hotel. Oops, room service is here.”

  Anne dropped the robe and slipped into the warm water. “Ahhhh . . .” The hot water enveloping her was silky soft. Her skin tingled.

  Zeke came in with a small silver tray holding a silver-plated carafe along with two cups and saucers. “Look, they even gave us a plate of Christmas cookies.” She set the tray at the end of the marble vanity and poured a cup for each of them. “Merry Christmas, m’ lady.” She handed Anne a cup.

  Anne smiled and then giggled. “How perfect is this?”

  “I was just thinking the same thing.”

  “There is one thing that would make it even better . . .”

  “What do you need?”

  “I’d really like it if you join me.”

  “Oh.” Zeke looked surprised and a little embarrassed. “I just assumed you might want some time to yourself.”

  “That was very thoughtful, but this is a Christmas memory I want to share with you.”

  “Well okay.” She put down her cup and disappeared around the corner where Anne could hear shoes hitting the back of the closet and hangers rustling.

  Zeke stepped back into the bathroom, turned off a couple of lights, and climbed in the opposite end of the tub. She released a huge sigh as the water covered her. “This feels incredible.” Her long legs slipped beneath Anne’s and alongside her.

  “Do I hear music?”

  “Yes, I thought it would add to the ambience.” Zeke grinned.

  “Everything in my world is exactly as it should be. Perfect.”

  “A TABLE FOR two ladies?” The maitre’d wore a stunning red jacket with a sprig of mistletoe on the lapel.

  “Please,” Zeke said and stood aside to let Anne precede her. They followed him through the large dining room bustling with waiters and servers gliding effortlessly between the tables with large trays. Each table glistened with white linen and crystal accented by poinsettia-adorned red candle centerpieces.

  He held each chair, unfurled the napkin, then handed them the menu. “Today we’re offering a holiday brunch buffet, pre fixe, or you may choose from the menu. We are also offering complimentary champagne.” He put a little bottle on the table and walked away.

  Anne raised her eyebrows in surprise delight. “I could really get used to this.”

  Zeke couldn’t stop staring. If possible, Anne looked even more beautiful in this elegant atmosphere. Loose blonde waves balanced on her shoulders. She was wearing a sweater Zeke had picked out the year before. A scoop-neck burgundy cashmere with find gold thread around the neck and cuffs.

  “Do I look all right? You have an odd expression.” Anne picked up the crystal water goblet.

  “Sorry, you look beautiful. Sometimes you look just like Grace Kelly.” Zeke hastily picked up her cup for the server with the coffee pot. Her face felt warm.

  Anne gave her a tender smile. She held the delicate China cup in both hands. “Sometimes you surprise me with your sweetness.”

  Zeke swallowed hard and then took a breath. “Would you like go to the buffet?”

  As they chose from an exquisite variety of beautifully prepared foods, Zeke thought about the last buffet they had, which was their first thanksgiving together. She remembered standing outside afterward, watching clouds skate over the tops of the Sandia Crest. Snow had fallen that afternoon, and the mount had glistened like diamonds.

  “If it’s warm enough, I thought we could window shop in the other direction. Or we can just wander through Water Tower Place. We’ll have to leave the hotel around one o’clock to get to the airport.”

  “You know, I don’t think I’ve fully acclimated to the cold, so I’d like to stay indoors, if that works for you.”

  Zeke broke off a piece of a cinnamon roll. “I’d like to do the same. In fact, that might be fun, I’ve never really seen any of the shops.”

  When they had their fill, they checked with the waiter for the best way to approach the mall. He suggested they go up to the mezzanine and follow the signs. Once inside, he recommended they take the elevator to the top and walk down.

  As they entered Water
Tower Place, the air crackled with excitement, Christmas music from a dozen different sources, and far too many voices for Zeke’s comfort level. With continued effort and therapy, her symptoms had diminished, but part of that was due to the slower pace in New Mexico. Whatever stressors she encountered were short lived because of their mountain retreat. The noise level alone in this multistory echo chamber caused her hands to fist and her neck muscles to tighten.

  “I’m sorry, what did you say?” Zeke realized she just missed most of what Anne said.

  Anne pointed. “I think that’s the elevator over there. Baby, you’ve got that look in your eye, should we leave? I wasn’t thinking when I suggested an indoor mall. We can go back and get our coats.”

  Zeke took a breath. “I’m okay. Let’s look around. Maybe we’ll find Christmas presents.” She felt better when they reach the top. Funny. She didn’t feel as pressed by the magnitude of the place when she was looking down. Anne stayed close by as they window shop their way down the different levels.

  They stopped at one unconventional-looking jewelry store.

  “I’d like to look for some earrings,” Anne said. “Do you want to stay out here or come with me?”

  “Let’s have a look. Maybe I’ll find something I like.”

  The shop was an eclectic mix of artists and media. Silver and gold jewelry, exquisite handmade beads, necklaces and earrings, as well as several South American hand-woven tapestries. While Anne tried different earrings, Zeke found herself staring at a tray of rings. They were simply designed hammered gold bands. The warmth and simplicity resonated somewhere in her mid brain.

  “Do you like these?” Anne pointed to her ears.

  Zeke walked to Anne and looked at the silver hoops with inlaid lapis lazuli. They looked wonderful with Anne’s blue eyes. “They’re gorgeous.”

  The owner took Anne’s credit card over to the register. Zeke moved closer. “Annie, what would you think about having matching rings?”

  Anne narrowed her eyes, and she looked a bit confused. Then she nodded. “Are you thinking some kind of friendship rings, or something more serious? Because the last time we talked about this you were pretty clear that you were not quite ready for anything formal.”

  Zeke hadn’t figured it out enough to answer the question. “I’m not sure, it’s just . . . well, come and look at these rings. I was standing here just looking at them and those in the top row, the gold ones, just caught my attention.”

  Anne leaned over. “I see what you mean. They’re not especially fancy but there’s something very alluring about the simplicity. They’re lovely.”

  The owner came over and smiled. “You have excellent taste. A talented woman in Arizona makes all these rings. Many believe her rings are magical.”

  They gazed at the rings for a moment, then Zeke looked at Anne who simply nodded. “Do you think we could try them on?”

  He brought the tray up and put it in front of them. “Let’s see what we can do.” He produced a ring sizer and checked both of them. He picked two or three to find the right sizes and handed them each a ring.

  They looked at each other and tried them on at the same time. Zeke slid the gold ring on her left ring finger. The contrast of the shiny gold or the unique lighting above the display cabinet made it look as though it were glowing.

  Anne slowly raised her head and looked Zeke in the eye. Without looking away, she murmured, “We’ll take them.”

  “Will that be . . . ?”

  “Yes, put it on my card,” Anne said. “I think we’ve finished shopping.”

  Zeke offered her left hand. Anne clasped it, and they said in unison, “Let’s go home.”

  Read about how Zeke and Anne meet in

  Damaged in Service

  Book 1 of The Damaged Series

  About the Author

  Barrett spent her formative years in the quiet North Chicago suburbs. Art and music helped fuel an overactive imagination that eventually channeled into a flair for the dramatic and a dream of acting.

  Life and times deferred that dream but offered a new challenge. At her ten-year class reunion, Barrett announced plans to start nursing school. Nursing provided a career of endless challenges and learning opportunities spanning thirty years, several jobs, and great travels.

  After relocating from Illinois to Wisconsin to New Mexico, Barrett set down new roots and fell helplessly into a new passion—writing. Her first book, Damaged in Service was a finalist for a Golden Crown Literary Society Award. It is the first of a four book series.