Faith stopped, laid her gloved hand on his arm. The pressure reassured him. “I have to tell you, I don’t know if I could do this. Luckily I don’t have to. What I’m trying to say is, I hope you find your birth mom.”
Now that he’d taken a personal step in the search, it meant a lot to hear someone else encourage him. And even more, coming from Faith, it kept him from backing down.
“Ready?”
He nodded. “As I’ll ever be.”
They climbed the steps of the bungalow. Drew rang the bell, his stomach clenched with anticipation.
The door flew open to reveal a short, frail woman. Her white hair was pulled back in a severe bun, her pale skin attesting to a possible aversion to the outdoors. With narrowed eyes, she scrutinized them both. Right away Drew knew she was too old to be his mother.
“Mrs. Abernathy,” Faith said, her voice cheery. “Thanks for letting us come by.”
“It’s cold and dreary out here. You have two minutes.”
Drew waited for her to invite them inside. After a long static moment, it became clear they were to have this conversation while standing on her porch.
“Mrs. Abernathy, I’m looking for my birth mother. Her name is Tina. I learned that at one time she worked at Comfort and Joy, and since you also worked there−”
“You assumed I was your mother?”
“I didn’t assume, ma’am. I hoped that by speaking to you I could determine the situation.”
“I’m not your mother,” the woman spoke bluntly. “I have no children.”
“I see. Then I’m sorry to have bothered you.”
Mrs. Abernathy focused on Faith. “Your parents hired many women to help in the store over the years, but I doubt they’d approve of you giving information to a stranger.”
“I make my own decisions, Mrs. Abernathy. And my parents gave their permission to look through the old records.”
The older woman’s face grew more harsh. “Well I will not be part of this.” She closed the door with undo pressure.
“At least she didn’t exactly slam the door,” Faith said, humor lacing her voice as they trooped down the steps and headed back on the sidewalk to town.
“That didn’t go well,” Drew observed. “It seems she didn’t want to help from the start. Why even see us?”
“This is a small town. People are always curious.”
“I guess we can cross her off the list.”
“She was a long shot. I’d hoped maybe she might be helpful in remembering the other Tina.”
“I’ll try calling her again. See what happens.”
“You aren’t going to give up, are you?"
“No. I’m not gonna lie, I am discouraged, but I knew the search might not go smoothly. After all, it’s been thirty years.”
“If it is meant to be, you’ll find her.”
As they walked back to the store, dusk began to creep over the town. Although it was barely five, the light faded quickly. A little more traffic than usual passed by as folks traveled home from work. Once they reached Main Street, the busy shops and restaurants served as a welcoming beacon in the otherwise dreary evening.
A deep sense of belonging griped Faith. She’d grown up here. Worked here. And, ironically, wanted to leave here. Not forever, just long enough to see the places she’d read about her entire life. Did that make her a bad person?
“You’re quiet. What’s up?”
She turned her head. Drew’s eyes were filled with concern. No other guy had ever looked at her that way. Why Drew? And why now? Her mother had always said the Christmas season was filled with magic, making dreams come true. For the first time in her life, Faith started to believe.
She waved her gloved hand. “It’s nothing. Just thinking about living in Christmas Town.”
“Must have been a great place to grow up.”
“The best. But now...”
“Now?”
She laughed. “Never mind. You’re here with a goal in mind so we should concentrate on that.”
“So, back to square one.”
“And back to the shop. I still have to unpack the last carton of ornaments.”
“The special ones you mentioned?”
“Yep.”
“Mind if I tag along? I’d like to see what you’re all excited about.”
Did she want him to come to the shop? Since he’d arrived in town they’d been spending a lot of time together. She was amazed at how quickly he went from being a stranger to becoming a friend. A handsome friend she wouldn’t mind kissing again.
Her cheeks heated at the thought. Whoa girl, slow down.
“I promise I won’t get in the way.”
Had he noticed her cheeks turning red? Did he think she didn’t want him around? “You won’t.”
As they passed the town square, workman were positioning an extremely tall pine tree smack in the center of Christmas Town.
“Town tree?”
“Yes. Tradition and tourist attraction.”
“And I bet you have a grand lighting ceremony.”
“We do.”
“Never been to one. The town I grew up in didn’t have a public tree.”
“Really? That’s just wrong.”
He chuckled.
“Then you’ll have to go to the lighting tomorrow night,” she said.
“Only if you join me.”
Tendrils of pleasure wound around her heart. She hadn’t expected him to invite her when she explained the lighting, but now that he had, could she refuse? “I usually work. We get a lot of traffic after the event.”
“Look, I owe you for helping me. Can’t you humor me for a few hours?”
She should say no. This attraction between them was morphing faster than she’d ever imagined. But Drew wouldn’t remain here forever. She had to take a chance or always wonder what if.
“I’ll see if Beth wants to work another shift.”
His wide smile made her toes curl inside her boots.
“You won’t regret it.”
Before long they were back at Comfort and Joy. Drew opened the door to let her in. As she stepped inside, heat warmed her chilled face. Beth continued to wait on customers while Faith dragged Drew into the storeroom. She removed her gloves, hat and scarf, dropping them on a lone chair along with her coat before placing the last carton on a work table, hunting for her tools.
“Missing something?” Drew asked as he shed his jacket.
“Box cutter.”
“I saw you carry it to your office earlier. I’ll get it.”
He was back and cutting open the tape before she had a chance to do it herself. “Handy with tools, are you?”
“Have to be with my job.”
“Which entails what, exactly?”
“I bring equipment to areas of the world where people are trying to supply clean water to their villages and surrounding areas. I go in, set up the equipment, and then service it as needed.”
“Wow. And here all I do is sell ornaments.”
He chuckled. “Your job is just as important.”
She didn’t think so. “Do you mind traveling for your job?”
“I like the adventure. Not knowing what to expect when I travel to small villages.” He paused, scratched his head. “Come to think of it, the past few months since my mother died has been the longest stretch I’ve been in the states since...I can’t remember.”
“So once you locate your birth mother you’ll be off again?”
Drew caught her gaze. Something flickered in the depths of his eyes. “I’m afraid so.”
Holding back a disappointed sigh, she pulled back the flaps and removed the packing material. “Guess we all have obligations in life.”
“Is the store an obligation for you?”
Her head shot up. “Why would you ask that?”
“I saw all the pictures tacked to the wall in your office.”
She shrugged to hide her mounting panic. She’d never told anyone about her desi
re to see the world. To everyone in Christmas Town she was the dutiful Sullivan sister, taking care of her parents’ store. Not that it would take a rocket scientist to figure out she wanted to travel when looking at the office wall, but still, she felt exposed. Like she was ungrateful to her parents.
“Everyone has dreams,” she whispered, finally admitting her deepest longing out loud. Was it easier to tell Drew, a guy who didn’t know about her commitments or her inability to go after what she wanted, because he would eventually leave? She wouldn’t have to face him on the streets, meeting his critical gaze because she’d let too many excuses keep her from fulfilling her dreams.
“So why not go for it?”
His question wasn’t unreasonable.
“It’s complicated.”
He grinned. “Right now my life is the definition of complicated.”
Stalling, she handled a wrapped ornament. Once she unwound the packing paper, a stunning oval, resembling the style of a Faberge egg, sat in the palm of her hand. “I order these every year.”
“I can see why. It’s beautiful.”
“It’s my way of bringing the world to me, since I haven’t gone anywhere.”
Together they proceeded to unwrap the remainder of the inventory. As Faith held a Faberge inspired red ornament with gold embellishments, tears pinched the back of her eyelids. She quickly put it down and swiped at her eyes.
“So complicated must mean family?” Drew asked as he took the ornament to place it safely with the others.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to get weepy.” She grabbed a tissue for a box on the counter. ‘I’ve never told anyone how much I want to see the world.”
“Is it a secret?”
She barked out a bitter laugh. “One I created myself.”
“You must have a good reason.”
“Someone has to manage the shop. My dad can’t any longer and mom needs to take care of him.”
“What about your brother and sister?”
“Hope moved away a long time ago. She has her reasons for not returning. I understand.”
“Your brother?”
“Brady’s a forest ranger. He also has his reasons for walking away from the family business.” She thought about what she was revealing. Decided to trust Drew. “My parents were upset to lose both my brother and sister. I stepped in, hoping to fill the void their leaving created. Time went on, they never came home. Then Dad got sick.” She shrugged off the responsibility that had been weighing on her shoulders, keeping her bound to Christmas Town. “How could I leave?”
“You couldn’t.”
“No,” she whispered. “I couldn’t.”
“And now? Are you interested in staying in the family business?”
Now came the hour of truth. She’d accepted her place in life, had even decided to work within the confines of her circumstances by generating ideas to upgrade the store. “I’ve thought about the answer to this question for years. It’s hard to come up with a simple response.”
“Okay then, let me ask another way. What does Faith Sullivan really want?”
She looked at him, her throat tight, her heart pounding. “To leave Christmas Town.”
Chapter 5
Caught up in the town excitement of the tree lighting, along with seeing Drew again, Faith had taken more time than usual with her appearance. Instead of her usual blue jeans, she chose black slacks and paired them with a fitted emerald sweater before pulling on her high-heeled leather boots. She brushed her hair till it shone and swiped dusky eye shadow on her lids to bring out the color of her eyes. With gold hoop earrings and a sedate necklace, she hoped she came off date worthy, not desperate.
After letting her guard down with Drew last night, she felt raw. Traitorous. When she only considered leaving town it was okay. Didn’t hurt anyone because it would never happen. To say how she really felt out loud? Wrong. On so many levels.
She wanted so much to call her sister, Hope. Share some girl talk about her growing feelings for Drew. But a conversation would only lead to questions about the store and if Faith slipped and told her sister what she really wanted, it would not go well. Hope had her reasons for staying away from Christmas Town. Coming home was not an option.
So Faith blew out a breath and sucked up her confusion. She’d been figuring stuff out on her own for years now. This thing with Drew would not be an exception.
Before leaving, she stopped by the kitchen. Her parents had arrived home earlier in the day, but decided not to brave the chilly night. Her father was tired after the trip and battling the elements held no appeal.
“My goodness, Faith. Look at you all dressed up,” Joy Sullivan gushed. Her soft ash blond hair sported a stylish cut, her skin still youthful and creamy. Despite becoming a full-time caregiver, her mother had aged well.
“Yeah, well, it’s nice to wear something different every once in a while.”
“Would this have anything to do with the young man who’s been frequenting the store?”
Faith blinked. “Come again?”
Her mother blew a raspberry. “Really, Faith. This is Christmas Town. You think no one has noticed?”
“I think people should mind their own business.”
“Well when your business involves a new young man, I get word.”
Hmm. “Mrs. Abernathy called you?”
Her mother laughed.
“I feel like I’m in fifth grade getting tattled on.”
“So you’re meeting him tonight?”
“Him has a name. It’s Drew.”
“So are you meeting Drew?”
“For the tree lighting. Nothing else.”
“I hear he’s good looking,” her mother teased in a sing-song voice.
Faith backed up. “I’m leaving now.”
“Have fun.”
Pulling her rarely used, fancy wool coat from the hall closet, Faith buttoned and tied the sash. Told herself to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. She donned her striped hat, matching scarf and gloves, then ventured outside to walk to the store and rendezvous with Drew.
She didn’t want him coming to the house. As if him ringing the doorbell and meeting her folks would make this a real date. There was no real date. He’d be leaving town soon, going back to his life. His work. Better to keep this casual. Just the two of them attending the tree lighting. Nothing more.
Which was her intention until she saw him, bathed in the outdoor lighting of Comfort and Joy. He stomped his feet in the cold, rubbed his hands together. He wore his heavy jacket, dark jeans and boots. When he noticed her approaching, his wide smile took her breath away.
Faith Sullivan, you are in so much trouble it isn’t funny.
She picked up her pace. “Sorry I’m late.”
“No problem. I was kind of excited so I got here early.”
People passed them on the sidewalk, heading to the entertainment centered on the town square. Children’s voices rose with glee. The scent of freshly baked cookies lingered in the air, coming from the bakery that extended business hours in honor of tonight’s festivities. Carols merrily played from an outdoor sound system. And Drew’s eyes, the color reminding her of tropical waters, which she was dangerously close to drowning in, blinked as he met hers.
“Are you okay?”
Faith shook off her flight of fancy. “Yep. Just fine. What do you say we get going?”
He held out his arm for her to hook her hand through.
She fought back the impulse to giggle. She never giggled. But her heart picked up a beat as she placed her hand on his arm. He tugged her close and she didn’t pull away. No, tonight she was going to go with the flow so that down the road she’d have magical memories to pull out on solitary winter nights.
Soon they were swept up with the tide of folks heading to the same destination. The temperature had warmed up just enough to make the Christmas tree lighting a special night. Families gathered in the square; children running off excess energy, adults chatting and anyone who
believed in the Season awaiting the colorful lights to shine.
Faith took it all in; from the excitement and joy on the children’s faces, to frazzled adults taking time to celebrate with their kids, but mostly, standing close enough to Drew so that his warmth radiated to her. She snuggled closer as they took their place near the rear of the crowd, letting the little ones have the front row view.
This year, ten-year old Bobby Sheehan had been selected to flip the switch. Really, it was an honorary job. The town maintenance men controlled the electricity. Bobby had recently gone into remission for leukemia, so it was only fitting to celebrate his news by letting him garner the attention of lighting the tree tonight.
“So the town does this every year?” Drew asked, his voice hushed.
“Yes. Tradition.”
“There’s a lot to be said for that.”
She shrugged. “I guess. It would be fun to see how other parts of the world celebrate.”
“I think at its core, the season is about love. No matter where you are.”
She turned her head to him, their gazes locking. Suddenly the comfortable warmth of his presence turned up a notch. She blinked, easing toward him, when someone thumped on a microphone set up on a stand near the tree. She jumped, putting space between them.
When Drew chuckled, she tried to yank her hand from the safe cradle of his arm, but he pressed his arm tightly to his side, keeping her hand hostage. After a few seconds she relaxed and paid attention to the proceedings.
The town mayor thanked everyone for coming, mentioned the sponsors of the event, then got right to the matter at hand. Bobby stood beside the mayor, his red cheeks bright, his eyes sparkling. It warmed Faith’s heart to see him happy and healthy for a change.
And then, the square went completely dark. Bobby, now holding the mic, led the countdown. Everyone joined in. Three...two...one. A slight pause. And then the multicolored lights on the giant tree sparked to life.
A momentary hush fell over the crowd, followed by an eruption of clapping. Hoots and hollers included. And as always happened at town events, Faith’s contradictory heart basked with sheer pleasure.
A Heartwarming Christmas: A Boxed Set of Twelve Sweet Holiday Romances Page 44
