A Heartwarming Christmas: A Boxed Set of Twelve Sweet Holiday Romances

by Melinda Curtis

  Tanner turned to go but stopped and spun back. “Women love a hero. Two rescues in one day … I think you still have a shot.”

  Rick’s glare should have been enough warning but he added, “Get going.”

  Tanner didn’t hesitate or try to convince him to reconsider. He rounded up the squad and headed out. Rick took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. As much as he hated letting someone else be in charge of the engine company, he needed to make sure Julianna was really all right. The look on her face when he was on top of her … she seemed mortified.

  When the call had come in regarding someone being locked in the freezer at Lynn’s, part of him knew he’d find Julianna. It was Fate’s way of pushing him to follow through with the deal he made with Tanner, but after falling on top of her, asking her to dinner seemed inappropriate.

  “I know what you’re going to say,” Lynn said with her hands up like she was under arrest. “I planned to get that door fixed after the holidays.”

  “If I was the health inspector, you’d be in big trouble. You need to take care of stuff like this right away.”

  “I know, I know. Safety first.”

  “Your niece almost became the Bride of Frosty,” he said, glancing over at Julianna, who was signing another form for the medic.

  “Hopefully she’ll forgive me. You know how I feel about her sticking around.”

  He wanted her to stick around, too. She definitely made his job more interesting. Rick scooped the pie box up off the floor and peeked inside to check on the damage. The whipped cream was now stuck to the top of the box instead of the pie, but other than that, it looked completely edible.

  “You know what helps the body fight off a chill?” he asked, coming up behind Julianna.

  One eyebrow quirked up. “Fire?”

  “I think you should stay far away from fire today. No telling what could happen.”

  She exhaled a laugh. “You’re probably right about that.”

  Rick cleared his throat and shuffled his feet. “Come have some of this slightly mangled yet surely delicious pie and a hot cup of coffee with me. Some food in your belly will warm you up.”

  “You sure you don’t have to get back to work? Who knows how many other morons will get themselves locked in freezers today.”

  “I’ve got time,” he replied. “And you’re not a moron. The door was at fault.”

  “That’s your nice way of saying it’s highly unlikely anyone else will get themselves into this situation.”

  She was being too hard on herself. “Come on, Jules. Don’t make me beg you to join me for some coffee and pie.”

  “What a great idea,” her aunt said, butting in. “We’re all closed up for the day. You two should sit for a minute. Warm up.” Lynn shooed them out of the back room and pointed at one of the cafe tables. “Sit there and I’ll bring you two some coffee.”

  Julianna pulled the blanket over her shoulders before taking a seat. “She feels guilty now, but she’ll want to fire me for sure when the bill for that door comes in.”

  Rick set the pie box down on the table. “She loves you. She told me a few weeks ago that she’s thrilled to have you around.”

  His comment seemed to pique her interest. “You and Aunt Lynn chatted about me?”

  “We did. She was at my mom’s for book club.”

  “You attend book club with your mom and my aunt?” A sly smile spread across her face.

  “My mom hosted last month, and I came by to pick up my dad. Mom likes to get him out of the house while the ladies discuss important town matters and maybe the book they read.”

  Julianna leaned forward and rested her chin on her hand. “Are you suggesting they don’t talk about books at book club?”

  “Well, my dad swears the whole thing’s a sham. He says it’s nothing but an excuse to drink wine and gossip.”

  “And you agree?”

  “Well, I was only there a few minutes and I found out how much everyone thought the Carrigans overpaid for their new car, who they all suspect is getting a divorce after the holidays are over, and that you were helping out here a few times a week.”

  Lynn had gone on and on about how glad she was that her niece was back in town and how she hoped Jules would stay. She was proud of Julianna for leaving "The Jerk” back in New York.

  “She needs to settle down with someone stable. Like you,” she had said. He did not plan to share that bit of information with Julianna.

  “Who’s going to get a divorce? No, don’t tell me,” she said, changing her mind. “Small towns. Gotta love ‘em.”

  Lynn reappeared with a pot of fresh coffee, a couple of red-and-green striped mugs, dessert plates, and two forks. “You sure you don’t want a pie that hasn’t done a tumbling act?”

  “What?” Rick protested. “This pie is perfect. It’s the best kind. You can eat right out of the box because you don’t have to worry about it looking pretty.” He opened the box and dug right in the center. With a full mouth, he exclaimed, “Delicious!”

  “Who knew you could be so unconventional?” Julianna scraped some whipped cream off the lid with her finger and licked it off.

  “I’m full of surprises.”

  She smiled at him like his flirting could have actually been working. They fell into easy conversation, reminiscing about the times they’d gone sledding together as kids and the snowman they’d built in the middle of Reindeer Meadow that Josh destroyed by showing off his karate moves.

  “So, I need you to explain something to me,” Rick said, leaning his elbows on the table. “How could someone who always appeared so fearless be afraid of heights?”

  Julianna shrugged, as she stuck her fork back in the pie. “Put me in a room with someone who’s bleeding or throwing up and I don’t even flinch. Take me sailing on the Atlantic and I’ll smile the whole time. I’ve never been seasick a day in my life. The things that make everyone else woozy don’t bother me, but ask me to leave the safety of solid ground and I freak.”

  “The girl who not once let me use my scalpel on the frog we had to dissect in seventh grade is afraid of heights?” Rick hadn’t been surprised when he’d heard she was going to medical school after graduating from college. She’d been steady-handed like an experienced surgeon at the age of thirteen.

  “You still remember things from seventh grade?”

  “I remember lots of things. Like how when you found out they killed the frogs just so we could dissect them, you staged that hunger strike.”

  Julianna’s hand quickly covered her mouth. “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you remember that.” Her face turned the same color as her red dessert plate. “I don’t know if you can call three girls refusing to eat lunch for two days a hunger strike, but I did get Mr. McKinney to reconsider his dissection unit.”

  “You’ve always had the confidence to accomplish anything. Josh was bummed when his class only got to play with plastic models.”

  “Until med school,” she mumbled behind her coffee mug.

  “What happened to med school?” She had opened the door, so Rick jumped through it. Julianna had always seemed like the girl who knew what she wanted and who wouldn’t stop until she got it. “I was kind of shocked when I heard you dropped out.”

  Julianna fidgeted in her seat. “Honestly, med school wasn’t my first choice after I got my degree, but my dad wanted me to go and I wanted to make him happy since he was paying my bills.” She twisted the napkin on her lap. “I somehow survived the first year, but the work got harder, the other students got more competitive, and I lost my confidence the second year. I was looking for an out when this guy I’d been dating asked me to move to New York with him. I guess I also foolishly believed he was going to marry me.”

  “That didn’t work out, huh?”

  “I took me over two years to realize that Gavin didn’t believe in the institution of marriage. Or monogamy in general.”

  Rick sat up a little straighter. His muscles tightened reflexively. T
his Gavin character was lucky he lived in New York. “Not cool.”

  “You live and learn, right? What about you? How come Rick Fisher is still single?”

  That was a good question. Rick didn’t have a very good answer other than he hadn’t made time for anyone.

  The door chimed as Tanner strode back into the shop. “Sorry to interrupt, Lieutenant, but Chief is out there and wondering where you are. You might want to come join the festivities.”

  Chief, aka Dad. Rick’s mom must have dragged the old man out of the house to set up for the pageant. There was no way Rick could get out of making an appearance. Chief would never understand why someone who wanted to be captain wasn’t with his engine company.

  He tossed a couple dollars on the table. “Tell Lynn thanks for the coffee.”

  “Thanks for defrosting me. And for the pie and conversation.”

  Tanner was grinning at the two of them like some kind of lunatic. Rick nodded in the direction of the door.

  “Merry Christmas, Jules.”

  “Merry Christmas, boys.”

  “Merry Christmas, Jules,” Tanner mocked once they were outside. “That’s the best you could do? What about, ‘Let’s do this again sometime,’ or ‘What are you doing on New Year’s Eve?’ That was your chance to get a real date.”

  A pang of regret shot through him. Who knew when the opportunity to hang out with her would happen again, but as much as he enjoyed spending time with Jules, he couldn’t worry about it at the moment. Not when his dad was looking for him.

  Clear skies and sunshine took the bite out of the cold while the smell of cinnamon-roasted nuts filled the air thanks to one of the booths selling treats to the tourists and townsfolk alike. They approached the fire truck, now surrounded by kids and their parents. A little boy posed for a picture in the driver’s seat. The helmet on his head fell over his eyes as he smiled and said, “Cheeeeeese!”

  “What’s this about your brother not being able to work today because he was messing around at the ice rink yesterday?” His father stood in front of the truck, arms crossed over his wide chest. Mike Fisher had always been intimidating as a parent, but somehow managed to be even more so as a boss. Tanner was quick to make himself scarce.

  Josh was probably hoping their dad wouldn’t find out about his injury until they all got together this evening. Things had been tense enough between father and his youngest son lately.

  “He sprained his wrist helping at the rink,” Rick said in an attempt to smooth things over. “I’m covering for him, so it’s not a big deal.”

  Chief Fisher didn’t look too pleased. “He says he wants more responsibility, but he’s always leaping before he looks. Sometimes I wonder if I’m the right person to lead him,” he said with a defeated sigh.

  Rick often felt the same way. Having to answer to his chief/father and lieutenant/brother frustrated Josh. He was always trying to prove himself by taking on any task, no matter how dangerous. Who knew what he could accomplish if he wasn’t constantly compared to Rick and their father.

  “Josh is a great firefighter, Dad. He needs to find his own way, that’s all.”

  “All of our sons are pretty great, if I do say so myself,” his mother said from the sidewalk. Her arms were filled with grocery bags. Even though she was a good foot shorter than everyone else in the family, she was stronger than she looked. Still, his dad was quick to take them from her.

  “Goodness, Ellen. I thought all you needed was some butter. Are you expecting more than our family for dinner tonight?”

  “Oh, please,” she scoffed. “I can’t remember the last time I had leftovers.” She gave Rick a hug hello. Confusion creased her forehead when she pulled back. “What are you doing working today? I thought you were getting the tree.”

  “I’m covering Josh’s shift. He sprained his wrist saving someone on the ice rink yesterday.” A little exaggeration couldn’t hurt.

  “Why didn’t he call me?” She pulled her phone out of her purse, which was the size of a carry-on suitcase, and checked it as if there was a possibility she had missed a message from him. “Are you going to be able to pick up a tree or do you need us to do it?”

  “I’ll have time.”

  As a former schoolteacher and principal, his mother was always problem solving and making sure everyone stuck to the schedule. “I could call Ben. He’s back from his little trip with Andrea. I’m sure I could convince him to go tree shopping.”

  Rick put a reassuring hand on his mom’s shoulder. No way was Mr. Unmerry picking out the tree this year. “I got it, Ma. No worries.”

  Her blue eyes twinkled as she patted his cheek. Her palm was warm against his skin. “I’ll always worry when it comes to my boys. That’s the way I’m wired.”

  There was no arguing with that. Across the street, Rick spotted Julianna leaving Pudding and Pie. She had her mittens on and wrapped her long red scarf around her neck a few times. He wanted to look away, but even when she glanced in his direction and caught him staring, he couldn’t.

  Julianna crossed the street, and Rick felt his heart beat a little faster. “Hi, Mrs. Fisher. Chief, merry Christmas.”

  “Julianna Kramer!” Ellen brightened and pulled Jules in for a hug. Rick’s mom considered everyone who went through Christmas Town Elementary as one of her kids. “I saw on Facebook your parents are spending the holidays in Paris. I have to admit, those two and their world travels make me a little jealous.”

  “I really can’t imagine celebrating Christmas anywhere but here,” Julianna replied. “But they seem to be enjoying themselves.”

  “Well, it’s good you came back,” Ellen said. “Your aunt told me you’ve been quite a help at the store.”

  Julianna’s face flushed. “She’s really the one helping me out.”

  “That’s how family works,” Rick’s dad chimed in. “They take care of each other without looking for something in return. I saw your grandpa at the hardware store the other day. He couldn’t stop talking about what a good cook you are and how happy he is to have you around. You’re doing more than you realize.”

  His comments seemed to ease some of Julianna’s worry. “I’m glad you think so, Chief. I’ll feel better once I have my own place and know what I want to be when I grow up,” she said with a wink.

  “I remember when you were little and used to play nurse to all the neighborhood pets.” Ellen touched Rick’s arm. “Remember when she bandaged up Jack’s legs?”

  The image of the Fisher’s rabbit awkwardly hopping around with two rolls of gauze wrapped around both his legs caused him to burst with laughter. “I forgot about that.”

  Julianna grimaced. “Please, forget again.”

  “Hey,” Rick said, his voice pulling her gaze up to meet his. “You were trying to help the poor thing after Josh tried to teach him to skateboard.”

  “Maybe I should stick to being saved rather than being savior. I’m obviously much better at getting myself in trouble than helping others out of it.”

  Rick didn’t want her to feel bad about needing his assistance today. “Everyone needs help now and again.”

  “Oh yeah? When was the last time you needed saving, big guy?”

  Rick put his hands on his hips and shifted his weight from foot to foot. She had stumped him. The truth was he didn’t get himself into too many dangerous situations. He was cautious and patient. He followed rules and that kept him safe.

  “Oh! When he was three, he slipped into Reindeer River and I had to jump in fully dressed and save him,” his mother said in an attempt to fill the silence.

  Julianna’s head tipped back as she laughed. The light and carefree sound warmed Rick from the inside out. He didn’t even care if her laughter was at his expense.

  “Thank you for that, Mrs. Fisher,” she said, wiping under her eyes. “I have pups waiting for me to give them their afternoon exercise. Have a wonderful Christmas, Fisher family.”

  “I’ll see you around,” Rick said, reminded that
he also had responsibilities to get back to.

  “Let’s hope not!” she shouted back with another laugh.

  For some reason, he wasn’t feeling the same way. Seeing Julianna again was exactly what he hoped would happen.

  Chapter 5

  Julianna crossed Holly Lane on her way to Yuletide Way, where Rex would be waiting in a quaint little cottage that could easily pass for Santa’s humble abode. Having learned from her earlier mishap, she would be walking no more than two dogs at a time this afternoon. Except for Rex, who would be going solo. Julianna was taking no risks.

  If she did more thinking before acting, maybe someday she’d be more like Rick. The man needed no one. He never got himself in a bind. Never had a lapse in judgment. He was practically perfect.

  “Too perfect,” she said out loud as she hurried along.

  She had forgotten how much she loved taking care of the neighborhood pets until Mrs. Fisher mentioned it. It was no wonder she usually enjoyed her walks with the dogs so much.

  Her planning paid off and the second round of dog walking went off without a hitch. Even though she had to do three walks instead of one, Julianna and Mabel made it back to her grandfather’s with time to spare. The thirsty pup bounded into the house and went straight for her water bowl. Julianna followed and pulled open the refrigerator door.

  “Look who’s finally home,” her grandfather said, joining her in the kitchen and giving Mabel a pat on the head. He had on his bright red flannel shirt with his green trousers and red-and-green suspenders. He wasn’t wearing shoes in the house, so she could see his socks were red with white snowflakes printed all over them. He looked like Christmas personified.

  “It’s been eventful,” Julianna said, cracking open a can of soda. “And not over yet.”

  “Will you be done babysitting in time to go to the pageant?”

  When school was in session, Julianna watched Evie and Bobby Sims a few hours a day after school. She helped with homework, drove them to their after-school activities, and basically made sure their brains didn’t turn to mush because of too much screen time.