The tranquility of her surroundings was balm to Kenzie’s mind. On her second trip around the pond, her thoughts turned to Jared. From the very first, when she’d met Jared at the school play, she had felt a strong attraction which had grown slowly but steadily—even after the fiasco with Tracy Perez. Kenzie shook her head, still embarrassed at how she’d rambled on and on at Jared’s house. It had been hard to dredge up the courage to offer an olive branch and invite him personally to her parents’ party. Jared’s cool treatment hadn’t been easy to take—even if she did deserve part of it. Kenzie had hoped that by reaching out through small acts of friendship, she might eventually break through the barriers Jared had put up. But perhaps she was fooling herself. It was quite possible Jared would never forgive her.
A small cloud of discouragement hovered over Kenzie as she left the pond and headed home. The chill of the day entered her heart, and she shivered. Would all of her overtures be met with coldness? If only they could get back to the friendship of their youth—or even to before that wretched day when she had spoken with Tracy. Before then, she and Jared had been able to talk effortlessly with each other. She’d felt so free, so easy and comfortable with him. Had he felt the same way? Kenzie yearned to get those feelings back, but how many times could she reach out before giving up?
Suddenly, she stopped on the snowy trail as an epiphany hit her. Could her father have possibly felt the same way? During the past few years, he had reached out to her but only to give her advice on rotating her tires, putting in a toggle bolt to hold the towel bar, or hanging a new set of blinds. Enveloped in her own pain, she hadn’t appreciated that her father’s efforts were his way of reaching out to her and had kept him at arm’s length. Thinking about it from a new perspective, Kenzie doubted she herself would have had the stamina to keep trying as long as he had.
Kenzie pulled her scarf a little tighter against the icy breeze. Since telling Mandy she was going to take steps, Kenzie had spent a lot of time thinking, but it hadn’t been until recently that she’d come up with a plan—and this one was a doozy. Kenzie had thought about it long and hard, then prayed and received a confirmation that she was doing the right thing. Although her family might not understand, at least no one could accuse her of acting rashly. Well, actually they probably still would, but that was all right. She was a big girl and could stand by the decisions she made.
Her walk through the woods had crystallized Kenzie’s resolve. Doubt had fled. She pulled out her phone and, using her teeth to pull off a glove, texted Tom. Kenzie told him she was on her way and wanted to talk to him. She’d tried to talk with her brother before, and he’d pushed her away.
But not today.
She wasn’t going to take no for an answer today. If Kenzie had to strap him down and gag him, Tom was going to listen. In fact, he was going to get an earful. He didn’t understand, and why? Because he’d never given her a chance to explain. He and Jared were too busy being angry to listen to her side of the story.
Kenzie chuckled to herself wryly as the similarities of this situation and the cold war with her father struck her. She hadn’t been willing to listen to her father the past two years, and now Tom wouldn’t listen to her, but he was going to today. Yes, she’d done a lot of things wrong but not as many as Tom thought. She wasn’t as black as he and Jared had painted her. If only Tom and Jared had let her tell her side of the story.
She went up the driveway with purposeful steps—adrenaline surging. Kenzie could have jumped into a boxing ring with Muhammed Ali in his prime and knocked him for a loop. She was going to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.
In Lake Forest, she strode down the sidewalk toward Tom’s office, pausing at an intersection. A young couple, their faces bright and happy, hugged each other as they waited for the light to change. On the street, other couples walked hand in hand, chatting comfortably. She crossed the road and, walking past a restaurant, glanced though the window to see a middle-aged couple sitting close, talking as they ate. Kenzie sighed wistfully.
Jared was the first man since her divorce that Kenzie had felt a special connection to. She had fallen for him and felt interest on his side as well. There had been sparks, lots of them, but unfortunately, at least on Jared’s side, they seemed to have burned out. And now, it might be too late to repair the damage, especially since Jared still believed she had deliberately torpedoed his chance to sell his house. If only Jared had listened to her. If only their chance at a relationship hadn’t slipped away. But she was prepared to accept reality—once she’d put her plan into motion.
As she threw open the door to the realty office, the chimes crazily bumped each other, making a cacophony of noise. She glowered at them. One of these days, she was going to yank them down and use a hammer on them.
Kenzie marched into Tom’s office, glad he was alone. “I want to talk to you,” she announced, giving him a clear, unflinching look and planting herself into a chair.
“What have you done now?”
Her lips compressed. “Nice to see you’ve got such a high opinion of me.”
“Well, based on your past record . . .”
“You don’t even know what my past record is because you’ve never listened to me. You’ve been too busy being my judge, jury, and executioner. You keep putting me off, but you’re going to listen today.”
Tom put his hands out in a conciliatory gesture. “Look, it’s over and done with. Let’s just forget it.”
“I don’t want to forget it—I want you to hear me out. Do you realize that you’ve never allowed me to explain the whole thing?”
There was a pause before Tom admitted, “I suppose I haven’t.” He made himself comfortable and crossed his arms against his wide chest. “All right, sis. Go ahead.”
“Before I start, I need you to put a crowbar in that closed mind of yours and pry it open.”
Tom’s mouth twitched, and she could tell he was trying not to smile. Starting at the beginning, from when she’d stopped on the sidewalk—beguiled by posters of exotic locations— Kenzie explained the dropped package, helping Tracy inside, and the instant camaraderie which had sprung from their common grounds of searching for a house. Kenzie made it plain she hadn’t gone to the travel agency to stop the Perezes from seeing Jared’s house. Yes, she’d gotten caught up, and, yes, she’d gone on too much about her friend’s terrible experience with remodeling. And although she had advised Tracy to get a three-bedroom home, she hadn’t known Jared’s only had two. And, yes, she knew she was planting doubts in Tracy’s mind. It was wrong to do that. She was sorry.
Kenzie paused in her recital, glad that Tom appeared to be listening. She went on further, explaining that when Tracy asked about homes, she’d pulled out the papers she’d been carrying around in her purse. She’d been wrong to talk up those houses, knowing they were a far cry from Jared’s, and to speak in favor of a garage when she didn’t think Jared’s home had one. Kenzie didn’t minimize her self-interest but laid out her visit objectively.
“I know I was wrong in many ways,” Kenzie said a bit defiantly. “So give me ten lashes, but I’m not quite the hard-bitten scoundrel you seem to think I am. I felt terrible about what I did, and I have apologized.”
Tom had laced his fingers together and took a few moments, absorbing the information. “Yes, you have apologized. And I see that I assumed a few things. When I was showing you houses and Jared’s came up on the screen, I thought you’d seen the specs and knew it only had two bedrooms and no garage. And when Tracy called to cancel our appointment, I was sure you’d gone there to talk her out of seeing Jared’s house and stop the sale. So now I have to apologize. I’m sorry, Kenzie, I should have listened to you.”
“Thank you. Now I need your help.”
A realtor gleam came in his eye, and Tom sat up straighter. “You’ve been looking at the list I gave you and found a home you want to see?”
“Close. Let me explain—”
Chapter Thirty-Six
&
nbsp; Standing in front of the mirror in her bedroom, Kenzie plumped her hair with her fingers, then smoothed it. She turned sidewise and sucked in her breath to flatten her stomach. Too bad she couldn’t hold it all evening. Although Kenzie wasn’t the slim reed she used to be, her figure was still good. The rust turtleneck with glittery threads running through it did something nice to her complexion, and she wore her best-fitting pants and gold heels. Kenzie leaned forward to apply her lipstick. All set. For the hundredth time, she wondered if Jared would come. And hoped with all her heart that he would.
She went to the kitchen, where her mother was arranging cookies on a glass platter. Elaine glanced up, and her eyes widened. “My goodness, Kenzie. Don’t you look pretty!” As she opened another container, Elaine asked, “Would you put the rest of these cookies on plates and put plastic wrap over them? Your father is going to have a heart attack if I don’t finish getting ready. You know how he hates to be late.”
“Sure, Mom.”
Elaine scurried off as Sara wandered in, a bit awkward in her walking boot. “Can I take this off tonight?”
“Absolutely not. The doctor said it was important to keep the boot on all the time.”
Picking up a cookie, Sara bit into it. “Can I help?”
“That would be great.” She showed Sara what to do, then checked the oven to make sure her mother had put the ham in and set it to timed bake. She had. The ham would be ready to take to Tom and Mandy’s house, where they would have Christmas Eve dinner after the party.
Her father came out wearing a shirt and a tie with a Christmas-green sweater. He looked at the clock with narrow eyes. “Your mother is always the last one ready,” he groused.
“Because she was getting the cookies ready, Dad,” Kenzie replied. “Would you put these plates on the table?”
She and Sara got their coats, and Allen bellowed, “Elaine, we’re going to be late!”
As if on cue, Elaine appeared, pulling down the sleeves of her gold jacket. “Don’t fuss. It’s only quarter to six, and it only takes five minutes to get there.”
“By the time we park and walk in, we’re going to be late,” Allen grumbled. Elaine rolled her eyes, and they all bustled outside.
It was a long-standing tradition in Lake Forest to go caroling at assisted living centers on Christmas Eve. The number of volunteers had grown so much over the years that a committee had been formed to divide the carolers into groups—with each one given a holiday name such as the Candy Canes, the Saint Nicks, or the Holly Berries. At first the volunteers had simply sung Christmas carols, but now each group elected a chair and planned a program that included readings or musical instruments.
The first time Elaine and Allen had participated, they’d invited a few couples to come to their house afterward. The gathering became an annual event, and although the number of invited guests had grown, it remained an informal affair. Even though many of them were in different groups, they still went to the Dahlquist home afterward to socialize.
This year, Kenzie and her family had been assigned to the Heritage House. Their group, the Candy Canes, had prepared a wonderful program. A number of songs included musical instruments such as violins, guitars, and flutes. The residents, seated comfortably on couches, chairs, and wheelchairs, listened, enthralled. Claire Garacochea, who was well-known for her angelic voice, sang a solo, “O Holy Night,” which was so soaring it took Kenzie’s breath away. Most of the songs, though, were a group effort, and the residents were encouraged to sing along.
Afterward, the group served refreshments and chatted with the residents. Mandy caught up with Kenzie at the refreshment table, where she’d gone to fetch more cookies for a white-haired gentleman who fancied the coconut macaroons.
“You look fabulous! Love your curly hair.”
“And you look—pregnant!” They laughed, then Kenzie said, “Jared didn’t come.”
“He could have gone with another group.”
“I told him we were coming here.”
Mandy remained optimistic. “Maybe he had a special part with his group. And he still might come to the house.”
Their group continued to mingle and visit with the residents. After a while, Kenzie’s parents left to get things ready for their guests, and a little bit later Tom drove his family and Kenzie and Sara back to the house. Shrugging off her coat, Kenzie scurried to unwrap platters of cookies while her father saw to the hot chocolate machine.
As guests arrived, Tom and Kenzie took their coats and laid them across the bed in their parents’ bedroom. The house was filled with lively chatter, and Mandy turned on some Christmas music. Heavenly scents rose from the hot chocolate, evergreen garland, and cinnamon candles that were scattered throughout the room. Multicolored lights blazed from the tree, and the room was alive with friendly faces. The house was full, and the ringing of the doorbell slowed then stopped.
At one point, Kenzie caught Mandy’s eye and shrugged slightly while looking toward the door. A lot of people had come, but not the two she’d hoped to see. Then, as she went to the kitchen to get more napkins, the doorbell rang out. Kenzie stopped and strained to see through the crowd as her father opened the door.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Although Jared had some serious debates with himself, he finally stayed with the caroling group he’d been assigned instead of going with the Candy Canes to Heritage House. When he and Corey arrived at the Golden Living Center, they went to where the volunteers were already arranging themselves in rows against the west wall of the large common area. He waved at Pam in the soprano section, and she smiled back. Their audience was ready. Couches and chairs were packed, and quite a number of seniors were in wheelchairs. Others sat on short rows of folding chairs facing the carolers.
The chair had organized the program well. They sang “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” as a group, then scattered around the room to sing other songs directly to the elderly. Many times, they were able to coax the residents to sing along. The volunteers gathered back in place and sang more carols in between readings. The biggest hit was a local radio announcer who recited “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” with a deep, booming voice.
After the program, the volunteers mingled with the residents. As he walked around, chatting here and there, Jared noticed a tall man by Pam. Later, as he and Corey pushed a jovial fellow in a wheelchair over to the refreshment table, they passed Pam and her friend, who were talking to a pair of plump, white-haired women sitting side by side on a couch. After the man in the wheelchair picked out his treats, he asked to be wheeled over to talk to a friend. As Jared maneuvered the wheelchair past Pam, her friend put a proprietary arm around her waist and pulled her aside to make sure she didn’t get clipped.
When the man was settled, Jared and Corey went back to get a plate of cookies to take around to residents who hadn’t made their way to the table, either because of unsteadiness or because they were having such a good time chatting. A tap on his shoulder caused Jared to turn and see Pam.
“Hi, Jared. How are you doing, Corey?” Pam smiled at them. “Are you having a good time?”
“We are,” he replied as Corey nodded. Handing the now-empty plate to his son, Jared said, “Corey, why don’t you fill this up and take it around again.”
After Corey darted through the crowd, Jared said, “It was a great program, wasn’t it?”
“It sure was.” Pam peered around as if searching for someone. “Well, I need to go, but I wanted to say hi.”
“Got plans for tonight?”
“I’ve been invited to a family dinner.”
“By that guy I saw you with earlier?”
“Yes. Nate Kristofferson. When Nate found out I don’t have any family in Lake Forest, he asked me to his parents’ house for Christmas Eve dinner. It’s kind of intense for a first date, so I’m a little nervous.”
“No need to be. Just be yourself, and it’ll be fine.”
“That’s sweet of you to say.”
Jar
ed followed her eye to where Nate sat on the arm of the couch, talking easily to a lady with thinning silver hair. “You know, he looks familiar. Have you known him long?”
“He comes into the café a lot.”
“To see you, I bet.”
Pam’s cheeks pinked up. “I think it’s the food.”
“I doubt that. I hope he’s good enough for you.”
She put a hand lightly on his arm. “Thanks, Jared. You have a merry Christmas.” Then she left to join Nate.
Jared found Corey with a group of boys by the punch. “Ready to go?”
“I guess. Can I have another cookie first?”
“No more. The Dahlquists will have plenty at their house.”
There were a number of cars lining the street by the Dahlquist home, but Jared managed to find an open spot. When they rang the bell, Allen opened the door and shook Jared’s hand heartily.
“Glad you could come.” He bent to search out and shake Corey’s hand. “Nice to see you.”
“Thank you.” Corey left his coat with his father then dashed through the crowd until he found Sara, who was with her cousins by—what else?—the cookies. They palmed a few then disappeared down the hallway—probably to play video games in the office.
Allen took the coats from Jared. “Tom’s boys were supposed to collect coats tonight but forgot two seconds after getting here.”
“Hard to keep your mind on the job when cookies are calling.”
“Exactly.”
Allen Dahlquist was a genial host and lingered to ask about Jared’s café and how business had been. When the older man left with the coats, Jared stood to the side and searched the family room with his eyes. Then, as if by magic, the crowd parted, and there she was, standing by the fireplace and chatting with not one but two men. One of them was an earnest-faced young man and the other slightly older—a prosperous-looking man in a neat blazer standing far too close to her.
For Sale By Owner Page 23
