The Christmas Promise (Heartsong Presents)

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

Oh, she liked this man. Her cheeks warmed at the interest she saw and she ducked her head. Her heart beat a rapid staccato. Whew. It was hot in here.

  “I don’t suppose you’d consider coffee with me?”

  “I’d like that, but I’m the only one here.” Today would be out altogether. Her mother-in-law always brought Cody back at six o’clock when the store closed.

  “Your boss runs a tight ship. You’d think on a Saturday there’d be extra help.”

  “Yeah, well, the boss has been busy.”

  He shifted his stance. “How long have you been working here?”

  “Six years.”

  “Wow. That’s a long time.” He handed her his debit card.

  “Sure is.” She ran his card, then gave it back to him. She handed him several Christmas cards that were left over from last year, similar to the kind florist shops carried. “Go ahead and write your messages on the cards and I’ll make sure they’re attached to the boxes.”

  He took a pen from the cup on the counter and scribbled out several messages. “Since you’re not available today, how about lunch tomorrow? I’m free after church.” He looked expectant, then a shadow of uncertainty clouded his eyes. “Or coffee if you’d prefer.”

  “I don’t know. Sundays are pretty busy here.” She had to come up with some time that would work or he’d think she wasn’t interested. “I really would like to get to know you, Pete, but running the store eats up a lot of my time.”

  “I didn’t realize you’re the manager.”

  “Actually I own the place. It was my late husband’s dream to have a candy shop.” She shrugged. “It meets my needs, and I’ve grown attached to the people here in Leavenworth.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “Thanks.” Now she’d done it. Why had she mentioned Michael? She just assumed Josh had filled him in on the basics of her life, but apparently he hadn’t. The door opened and several people loaded down with bags stomped in. Why couldn’t they kick the snow off outside? Oh, well, that’s what the rug was for. “I’m sorry, Pete, I need—” She motioned toward the customers with her eyes.

  “Of course. I’ll let you get back to work.” He handed her the cards. “It was good talking with you.” He strode to the door and turned and grinned before exiting.

  Keira’s heart stuttered. Somehow she’d have to find a way to escape this place for a few hours. She smiled and took a deep breath, willing her pulse to slow. No man had ever affected her like this. She’d loved Michael, but it hadn’t been the same with him. They’d been the best of friends and had known each other since high school. They’d had an ease about their relationship, somewhat like the comfy feel of a favorite pair of jeans. But Pete was different.

  * * *

  Sunday afternoon Pete sat in his favorite easy chair and watched the flames dance in the river-rock fireplace. He glanced toward the rustic wood clock hanging over the mantel in his old farmhouse. He planned to fix the place up one room at a time, but so far hadn’t touched a thing besides replacing the old mantel. The house had good bones and deserved to be restored.

  Restoration seemed to be a theme in his life. A pang of regret pierced him like a direct hit from a missile. Unfortunately some things couldn’t be fixed.

  The phone jarred him from his thoughts. A quick glance at the caller ID put a smile on his face. “Keira.” Since he’d seen her last, he couldn’t get her image out of his mind. She had a delicate mouth and nose, and her straight blond hair draped down to a perfectly rounded chin. But what grabbed him the most was her clear green eyes.

  “Hi there. I did the impossible and found a part-time helper. If you’d still like to grab coffee, I can get away for about thirty minutes. I’m training her today, but I think she can handle being on her own for a short time.”

  A half hour wasn’t long, but he’d take what he could get. “Sure. When?”

  “Does two o’clock work for you? You could meet me at my store.”

  “I’ll be there.” The day was turning out better than expected. He’d let the fire die out, then head into town.

  * * *

  Keira walked her new hire through a sale and her shoulders relaxed. Holly was good at the register and, because she’d been a customer since she was a young teen, she knew the product well. How fortunate that Susan recommended her. The best thing was, Holly attended nursing school in Wenatchee and only wanted part-time work so she’d have time for classes and studying.

  “I’m going to step out for coffee at two. Do you think you’ll be okay?”

  Holly bit her bottom lip and unease covered her face. “I don’t know. I’m a little nervous. What if I have a problem?”

  “I’ll be right across the street at Starbucks. I’ll leave you my cell number.” Hopefully her short time with Pete would go well. The timing couldn’t be better since her son was off with his grandma again. All in all everything had worked out better than she’d expected. It had stopped snowing, and the sun shone bright in the blue sky. This was her favorite kind of day. Snow was still on the ground, but it didn’t seem so bad with the sun shining.

  She hummed her favorite tune, ignoring the piano music piping through the speakers mounted on the wall.

  Holly cast a glance her way. “Christmas already. Seriously?”

  “It’s my happy song.” Keira shrugged. Pete had put Christmas front and center in her mind and she couldn’t help herself.

  Holly raised her hands and shook her head. “No problem. Just surprised. I suppose if you can’t hum Christmas music in October in Leavenworth, where can you?”

  “Exactly. After all, this village wasn’t voted the best place to spend Christmas for nothing. We know how to do the holiday right.”

  The bells on the door jangled as it opened and a burst of cold air rushed in along with Pete. Was it two already? She glanced at her watch. Where had the time gone? “Hi, Pete. Just give me a second.” She turned to Holly. “My cell number is by the register. I won’t be long.”

  Holly gave her a tight smile. “Okay.”

  Keira grabbed her jacket and strolled to the door where Pete waited. “I hope there isn’t a line. I really can’t be gone long.” She kept her voice low so Holly wouldn’t hear. No need for Holly to think she was worried.

  Pete held the door for her and offered his arm. “The sidewalks are clear, but the street’s a little slick.”

  She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. This felt so weird. She barely knew the man and here she was hanging on to him. But he was right, the street was slick. Her brow scrunched. Maybe this had been a bad idea. She needed to focus on Cody and the shop, not dating. But since Cody was off with his grandma, her son would be none the wiser if things didn’t work out with Pete.

  “You okay?” Pete looked down at her with concern in his eyes.

  “I’m...fine. Just a little nervous. Snow isn’t my favorite thing. It’s good we’re walking because I don’t drive on slippery roads.” Her foot slid and she gripped his arm tighter.

  “Careful. I don’t want you to break something.”

  “No kidding.” She held tight until they crossed the road, then let go. “I’m not sure how I’d work with a broken arm or leg.”

  “Me neither, come to think of it. Can you imagine trying to do surgery on crutches or with only one hand?”

  Keira laughed. “Or tie a bow around a box of chocolates.”

  They walked up the stairs and into the coffee shop. The strong scent of java enveloped her. Keira slid out of her jacket. “It’s hot in here.”

  He took off his gloves and they stood side by side in line. “What would you like?”

  “A tall mocha.”

  “Sounds good.” Pete ordered and paid. He guided them to a little table by a window. The space was tight, but the whole store was on the small
side. “I’m glad it worked out to get together. I’m really sorry to have run out on you like I did the other night.”

  “No worries. How’s the dog?”

  “Doing well.”

  Conversation flowed freely for the next fifteen minutes or so. Keira couldn’t stop smiling, her cheeks felt warm and she knew it wasn’t from the heat. Pete was a cool guy. “What brought you to Leavenworth?”

  “A job. I’ve always loved this area and when a position opened at the clinic I jumped at it. It’s hard to beat this place as far as I’m concerned. There’s plenty of snow in the winter for skiing and snowmobiling, and great hiking, fishing and rafting the rest of the year.”

  “Seattle is close to all of that.”

  “Sure, but I was sick of the rain and concrete jungle. This is much more to my liking. I only have to step outside my front door to enjoy nature.”

  She wrinkled her nose. How could anyone prefer snow to the safer roads on the other side of the pass?

  “I take it you don’t agree?”

  She shook her head.

  “Why do you stay? You could sell your shop and start over somewhere else, or even close for the winter and live someplace warm. However I must warn you, even though we just met, I’d be sad to see you leave.”

  “Thanks. But don’t worry. I could never do that. My friends are here, and I enjoy the candy shop and my customers. Starting over someplace else would be so difficult, especially with the economy the way it is. Besides, this is home, and Cody is close to family here. His grandparents live in town and I want him to know his family.”

  “Cody?”

  “My son. He’s a four-and-a-half-year-old bundle of energy.” She smiled and looked down at her cup, warmth filling her. She had an adorable son and now a man who might open her heart to new possibilities. She raised her eyes just as he looked away, but the expression that crossed his face lanced the joy that had started to fill the dry places inside her. Anger or regret. It passed so swiftly she couldn’t decipher which. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” He stood. “You should probably get back. It’s already two forty-five.”

  Keira caught her breath, shocked at how quickly the time had passed. “I promised Holly I’d only be gone half an hour.” She jumped up and slipped into her jacket, then tossed her cup in the receptacle. Pete stayed silent as they hustled up the street.

  He stopped just outside the candy store. “Look, I know this was my idea, but I don’t think things will work out between us.”

  Shocked, Keira blurted out, “Why not?” before she could stop herself.

  “It’s not you, it’s me. I don’t date women with kids.”

  “What?” How absurd. But she would never have a relationship with a man who couldn’t accept and love her son as his own, so it was better to find out now before her heart was involved. Who was she kidding? She’d fallen for Pete the instant he’d walked into her shop.

  “It’s a long story. Here’s the shortened version—I was in a relationship with a single mother for several years. I expected to marry her and loved her son as my own. But she had another plan. She left me and I haven’t seen either of them since.”

  Keira’s heart softened. He’d clearly been wounded by this woman. “I’m really sorry you went through that, Pete. Not all women will break your trust like that.” She glanced into the shop, then back at him. “Thanks for your honesty and for the coffee. Bye, Pete.” She brushed past him and went inside.

  * * *

  Pete’s chest ached. The disappointment and pity on Keira’s face stung. This couldn’t be happening. Josh had never mentioned Keira’s son. But then, he hadn’t mentioned she was a widow, either. Pete frowned. If he’d known he never would’ve allowed himself to be attracted to her, but now it was too late. They’d connected on a level he hadn’t expected and in a very short time. For the first time since Becky had destroyed his trust, his heart had connected with a woman. It was as if he and Keira had known each other forever. He tucked his hands in his coat pockets and hunched over.

  He couldn’t get involved with another woman who had a child. He still missed little Jack. They’d been the best of buddies. The kid had followed him everywhere and had even started calling him “Dad.” He would’ve been “Dad,” too, if Becky hadn’t cheated on him and taken off with another man.

  No, he couldn’t go there. It was one thing to have his own child, no one could take him away, but if he grew close to Keira and her son and things didn’t work out, it would be like losing Jack all over again. His heart couldn’t take it—not a second time. And Keira needed to consider her son, too. It wasn’t only adults who could get hurt when things didn’t work out.

  He quickened his pace. His musings served no purpose except to remind him to guard his heart. Besides, he much preferred animals to people these days. At least they were faithful. He never should’ve allowed Josh to talk him into meeting Keira. The hurt and disappointment he saw in her eyes still stung. She didn’t want anything to do with him and with good reason. He turned and looked back toward the candy shop.

  Chapter 3

  Four weeks later

  Two days before Thanksgiving, business picked up. Thankfully customers were snapping up Keira’s fresh chocolates in droves, which in turn eased the congestion in the storage room since that’s where the decorative boxes were stored. Soon there’d be room for Cody’s cot again. She locked up the shop. “Come on, Cody. Let’s head home.”

  Cody bounded from the back room. “I made a castle out of one of the boxes, Momma.”

  “Very nice.” She took his hand and they climbed the stairs together. Susan would be joining them for dinner soon and she needed to stick the frozen pizzas in the oven. No one ever accused her of being a culinary success although she made a mean lasagna. Michael had always been the cook. She sighed.

  “What’s wrong, Mom?”

  “I’m just tired.”

  “Not me.” Cody opened the door to their apartment and clicked on Clifford the Big Red Dog, his favorite cartoon.

  Keira turned on the oven and pulled two pizzas from the freezer. She laid them on the counter and gave them a dubious look. She wouldn’t be winning the Best Parent award tonight. She shrugged and placed them in the oven.

  The doorbell rang and Cody hollered, “I’ll get it.” She heard his feet scamper toward the entryway.

  She leaned out of the kitchen. “Make sure it’s Aunt Susan before you open the door.”

  Susan breezed in, loaded down with a large bowl and a canvas bag. “How are my two favorite people?”

  Cody hugged her leg and then charged back to the TV.

  Susan placed the bowl and bag on the counter. “I brought salad and dessert.”

  “You didn’t have to do that.” But she was already pulling the cellophane off the salad.

  “Yes, I did. I love my greens.” She beamed a cheesy grin. “What’s going on with Pete?”

  Keira’s hands stilled over the silverware drawer, and then she slowly pulled out three forks. She cleared her throat. “Um, nothing.” She’d actually seen him several times around town and at church over the past few weeks. He had been polite, and they’d even struck up a friendship of sorts, but it was clear the man guarded his heart. Not that she blamed him. It was hard to let go of the past. She of all people understood that.

  Susan crossed her arms. “Okay, what gives?”

  Keira brushed past her to set the small kitchen table. “Nothing, but Pete is history, at least in the romantic sense. I really like him, but there’s something major standing in the way.” She set the forks on the table, giving herself time to answer. She smoothed her hands against her jeans and took a breath before she turned. “Pete doesn’t date women with kids.”

  “What? I can’t believe you didn’t mention this sooner. You’ve know
n him, what, a month? When were you planning to tell me this?” Susan stopped, one hand on the refrigerator door, the other holding half a pumpkin cheesecake. She narrowed her eyes. “I saw you two talking just last week at church. You appeared friendly.”

  “Yes, we’re friendly, but I didn’t see any reason to bring up the no-kid thing. I guess I just didn’t want to talk about it. It hurt. Besides, I knew you’d ask questions.” She gave Susan a pointed look and sighed. “It’s not like we were seeing each other or anything. We had coffee only once. We talk at church. But we’re not dating.” Keira shrugged, keeping an eye toward the family room to make sure Cody was still engrossed in his program.

  Susan’s jaw dropped open and she quickly snapped it shut. “Oh, sweetie. I’m so sorry. I had no idea. When I saw the two of you together, I just thought...you looked so... Never mind. Consider the subject dropped.”

  “Thanks.” Keira added napkins to the table setting and changed the subject. “I got the most interesting invite in the mail today for a Christmas Surprise Ball. Did you get one?”

  Susan nodded. “Yes. Are you going?”

  “I’m considering it. Cody would have fun. What about you?”

  Susan shrugged. “Not really my kind of thing, but I don’t know.”

  “Yeah. You know how I hate surprises—and I’d have to get a dress.”

  Susan nodded. “I asked around, but no one seems to know what the surprise part is all about, or even who the sponsor is.”

  “Odd.” She imagined what a ball would have looked like a hundred years ago and sighed. “It does sound exciting. But I don’t know.”

  “You should go. Like you said, Cody would have fun. I can’t wait until next weekend when he sees the Christmas Lighting Festival.”

  Keira grinned. “We’ll see, but I’m kind of looking forward to the festival, too. I haven’t been since Cody was born.” She had so many things she wanted to do in Leavenworth.

  “Will you be going to your in-laws’ house for Thanksgiving?”

  “Yes. I’m bringing the dessert.” Hopefully the weather would cooperate. “You know what really stinks?” Keira set the table for three.