Sweet Tidings

by Jean C. Gordon

  “Miss me yet?”

  “You’ve only been gone hours.” But I have been missing you. “I am going to really miss you not being by my side this evening.”

  “The gala. I’ve been thinking of ways to make that up to you.”

  Amanda’s imagination started a tingle that went from her head to her toes.

  “Instead of offering a two-night, one-day trip to my next movie shoot as my contribution to the secret auction at the gala, ramp it up to five nights with three days on set and a chance to appear as an extra in the movie. What do you think? That should boost the bids.”

  “Ah, yes.” She swallowed her disappointment. “But I was thinking more along the lines of personal ways to make that up to me.”

  “Darlin’,” he drawled. “I don’t have to do any thinking to come up with those.”

  Amanda fanned herself, thankful they weren’t on a video call where he could see her flush. “Well, as long as you have that covered, how is Chris?” She resisted pointing out that he hadn’t called her from the hospital.

  “Not as bad as he could be. He had a concussion and broke his thigh, along with the expected scrapes and bruises. He’s pushing to be released tomorrow, even though it’s Sunday, and I hope we’ll be on our way to Indigo Bay Monday. Early Tuesday at the latest.”

  “Let me guess. You don’t want to miss our afternoon helping with the animal shelter open house and preadoption clinic.”

  “Right! That’s it,” he said dryly. Eric dropped his voice. “No, I don’t believe I can last a minute longer than that without touching you. Repeatedly.”

  Amanda’s mother’s voice from upstairs interrupted her shudder.

  “I’m finished in the bath,” her mother shouted.

  Eric laughed. “I think that’s your cue. Before you go, there should be a little surprise arriving for you any minute.”

  “I’m at Mom’s.”

  “I know. I texted your mom for your address. I never noticed the house number. She said you’d be at her place. The surprise is supposed to arrive before 8:00 when I’d planned to pick you up.”

  “I’m not a fan of surprises, but I’ll make an exception for you.”

  “I plan to be the exception to any and all of your rules.”

  “Not over-confident, are we?”

  “Babe, when it comes to you, it’s all wishful bluster, not confidence.”

  The doorbell rang, and she jumped. “I’ve got to get that. But if it helps, I love you and started missing you on the way home from Mom’s last night.”

  “Of course that helps for a while until I can get another dose. Have fun. I’ll leave you a good night message and talk with you tomorrow. I love you. Bye.”

  Amanda stared at the phone screen until the doorbell rang again. Then she answered the door.

  “What have you got there?” her mother asked as she opened the package that had been delivered.

  “A surprise from Eric.” Amanda opened the florist box and lifted a corsage of small red flowers.

  “Beautiful,” her mother said. “I think they’re lava burst orchids.”

  “I love them, whatever they are.” Amanda noticed something else in the box as she started to put the corsage back in. “Oh,” was all she could say as she lifted the red Cartier box, opened it, and saw the delicate white gold Love bracelet displayed on black velvet. “He shouldn’t have. It might be the most beautiful piece of jewelry I’ve ever seen.”

  “Honey, it is gorgeous. And your teardrop filigree silver earrings will be perfect with it and your dress. You’d better scoot back upstairs and get ready yourself, or we’ll be more than fashionably late.”

  A half-hour later, Amanda took one last look in the mirror. She hadn’t wanted to go shopping with Sonja but was so glad she had. She absolutely loved the one-shouldered gown she’d found. The soft green fabric shot with silver threads hugged her figure without looking tight and the above-the-knee side slit gave the skirt enough play to shimmer when she walked.

  “Oh,” her mother said, as she walked into the living room. “You look lovely, and once you add the corsage Eric sent, I think you’ll match the Gala color scheme perfectly.”

  That hadn’t exactly been her plan, she’d simply fell in love with the dress. “Thanks.” She spun around.

  “Let me help you with the corsage and bracelet and I’ll take a picture for you to text Eric.”

  “I thought you were in a hurry to leave.”

  “I can spare a minute or two for love.”

  Amanda went still while her mother pinned the orchids to her dress. Was she that obvious? She relaxed. What did it matter? This was Mom. She held her arm out for the bracelet, stepping back when her mother finished and crossing her hands in front to showcase the bracelet in the picture.

  “I’ll use my phone,” her mother said, “so I have a copy.” She snapped a few photos and tapped the screen a couple times. “I sent it to you. I’ll drive, so you can text Eric on the way.”

  Amanda smiled and followed her out. Yep, Mom had allowed her a minute or two. She looked at the pictures and picked the one she liked best to text to Eric. She was glad she’d stuck with wearing her hair down as she’d planned to for him.

  I adore the bracelet and orchids! Thank you. Sending a pic of me all ready to leave.

  His text came right back.

  I adore YOU! Thanks for the picture. But I’ll need a private showing when I get home.

  Amanda warmed as much at Eric saying home as she did at the thought of a private showing for him.

  I might be able to fit that in my busy holiday schedule.

  You do that and look for my goodnight later. Bye, love.

  “We’re here.”

  Her mother’s voice broke her fixation on Eric’s text and brought her back into the present. Amanda glanced around as she got out of the car. Vehicles were already parked along the lengthy driveway, but not up to Seaside Boulevard yet. But it was still early, despite her mother’s plan to arrive fashionably late.

  She caught her breath when they walked into the B&B ballroom. The room had been pretty when she’d been in earlier in the day, but with the white Christmas lights the main illumination, it literally sparkled. Amanda laughed.

  “What do you find humorous?” her mother asked.

  “You are absolutely right. I match the decoration color scheme: forest green and silver with red accents.”

  “But you don’t blend into the background.”

  “I should hope not.” Amanda grinned. “Now, if you’re good on your own, I’m going to get a drink and do some mayoral mingling.”

  “Try to have some fun, too.”

  “The same to you. No standing off in the corner by yourself.”

  “I intend to. Have fun, that is.”

  Amanda headed toward the bar. It was good to see Mom out of her shell. Once she had her drink, she made her way to the front of room, pausing to greet and talk with people on the way. She looked over the variety of silent auction items, from the motor scooter donated by Clint Walker, to a fabulous painting by Hope Ryan, to Eric’s trip. Her stomach tensed. It still had the old description because she hadn’t made a new one to bring with her.

  She flagged down Sonja. “Can I use your computer. Since Eric couldn’t make it tonight, he’s sweetened his giveaway a lot. It should bump up bids.”

  “Let me get Gina. She did the signs.” Sonja waved to Gina.

  Amanda explained the situation and said, “Let’s go to Sonja’s front desk office and I’ll write the information down for you.” While Gina booted the computer, Amanda wrote Eric’s new giveaway information on a piece of printer paper. “Thanks so much,” she said, handing the information over and returning to the ballroom and the front table.

  The band was on break, so she took the microphone from its stand. “Hi, everyone. Having a good time?”

  The smaller than she’d expected crowd murmured “yes.” Or maybe she was misjudging the number of people.

 
“I have an announcement. Two, in fact. Eric Slade is unable to attend the gala. His son had a skiing accident, and he’s with him. His son’s okay.”

  A hum went through the room.

  “But Eric expects to be back for the animal shelter open house on Tuesday, and to make up for his not being here tonight, he’s changing his secret auction prize from two nights and one day at his next movie shoot to four nights and three days at the shoot site plus the opportunity to be an extra in the movie. That also includes your transportation to and from the shoot. So everyone get up here and get your bid in on that and all the other great prizes we have for you. It all benefits the Indigo Bay Animal Shelter.”

  Amanda started to return the microphone to the stand and stopped. “A reminder. The silent auction bidding ends at 11:00, so the fundraising committee has time to determine the winners and announce them before midnight. If you’re not here to claim your prize, a committee member will notify you by Monday.” She handed the microphone over to the band, who’d returned from their break.

  Lucille accosted her before she got three steps into her mission to get a refill on her drink and one or more of the delicious-looking deserts on the side tables. She hadn’t had much of a supper.

  “I’m sorry about Mr. Slade not being able to be here,” Lucille said. “Are you sure about his son. I haven’t seen anything about that on Facebook or Twitter.”

  “I’m sure, Lucille.” Amanda was relieved when Dallas tapped her shoulder and asked her to dance.

  She spent the next couple of hours with a smile pasted on her face, socializing and missing Eric every time the band played a slow song. Her heart went out to Ariana Carol, a local singer trying to make a comeback, who’d sung a beautiful solo to an unexpected ending. A rescue dog had broken loose and ran onstage, followed by Ari’s date, whose rescue had knocked them both to the floor, injuring Ari’s arm.

  Finally, it was time to announce the silent auction winners. Amanda took the microphone and list from Kittim Lane, the fundraiser’s accountant and gala hostess, who’d quieted the crowd for her. Her heart sank when she skimmed the list and saw the winning bids. The amounts for the big items like the motor scooter and Eric’s prize were lower than she’d hoped—no, expected.

  She cleared her throat. “Drum roll please.”

  The band’s drummer obliged.

  Amanda announced the winners. “Congratulations, all. If you’re here, you can make arrangements with Kittim tonight to claim your prize. The others will be notified Monday. And let’s have a hand for everyone who donated an item to the auction.” She joined the crowd and scanned the room for her mother. Her duty was done. She was ready to go home and, she hoped, catch Eric’s call. It was only 10:15 in Jackson Hole. She needed to hear his voice.

  When she turned on her phone to take it off do not disturb, she saw Eric’s text.

  Sorry, I couldn’t wait until later. I’m done in by the time zone change and all and didn’t want to break my promise to say goodnight.

  Amanda sniffed as she continued reading.

  Goodnight, love. Sweet dreams.

  She touched her finger to her lips before she texted back.

  Sweet dreams of you. Goodnight.

  Chapter 14

  Eric took the least time possible to drive a rental car from Charleston and clean up from his red eye private flight. He couldn’t wait a moment longer to see Amanda. Touch her.

  He bounded up the steps to her cottage, knocked, and let himself in when he saw Amanda in the living room. “Surprise!”

  “Eric. You’re early. We don’t have to be at the shelter until one.”

  His gaze drank in her hair, makeup, long-sleeved t-shirt, his bracelet, and jeans. “I couldn’t wait another second to see you. Besides, it looks like you’re all ready to go.”

  “Guilty. I was dressed to go a half hour ago.”

  With that, he strode to her, took Amanda in his arms, threaded her hair through his fingers, and whispered in her ear, “Then why don’t I mess you up a little and you can kill the rest of the time putting yourself back together while I watch?”

  She snorted. “What girl could say no to an offer like that?”

  He crushed his lips to hers and took the sustenance he’d been deprived of for three days.

  They arrived at the animal shelter a little after 1:00. A woman hurried over to meet them.

  “Eric,” Amanda said. “This is Violet Montgomery. She and her husband Sterling run the Happy Paws Pet Shop and are heading the fundraising committee. Violet, Eric Slade.”

  “Nice to meet you,” he said. “Did my publicity people get the photos to you?”

  “Nice to meet you, too. And yes, we received the photos for you to autograph. But I think your idea of the in-person photos with you are going to be the bigger donation draw.”

  “Anything I can do to help. But I think I have some stiff competition. He nodded toward Santa Claus with a little girl and a kitten having their photo taken.

  “Only with the younger set,” Violet assured him. “Do you want a quick tour before you get down to work?”

  Eric took Amanda’s hand and wove his fingers between hers. “Sure.”

  Violet mouth turned up in a knowing smile. He didn’t care. Amanda squeezed his hand, sending a hum through him. Even better, she didn’t, either.

  Violet finished the tour and left them at the corner designated by a sign with a blown-up publicity photo of him. A donation box sat on a small table next to the easel with his picture.

  “Are you a dog or cat person?” Amanda asked.

  He sat in one of the two chairs set up. “Dog, I guess. I’ve never had a cat. Not that I have anything against them.”

  “Good. Because I’m going to adopt one. I lost my Miss Fluff this summer.”

  “I’m sorry.” Why hadn’t he known she had a cat. Simple. Before this trip they’d always gotten together in public places. He’d never seen her cat. There was so much he didn’t know about her. Their gazes caught, and she sucked in a breath. And he wanted to know it all.

  Amanda cleared her throat. “Thanks. She was 15. I’d expected it. But she’d been with me since I’d finished college.”

  “Let’s pick one out before we leave.”

  “I’d like that,” she said.

  “But I’ll help you with a better name than Miss Fluff.”

  She made a face and stuck out her tongue. Eric was thankful their first customer showed up then before he’d gone with his inclination to lean over and kiss her.

  The afternoon flew by with Violet being right on the money that more people would want Amanda to take photos of him and them, with or without a potential pet, on their cell phones.

  “We’d better look at the cats before the clinic’s over,” he said, when there was a lull in photo traffic. “Do you want a kitten?”

  She shook her head. “The kittens are cute, but I’d rather take a young adult cat that’s lost its owner. Usually, there’s no problem finding homes for the kittens.”

  As they walked into the cat room, one cage immediately drew his eye. “Panther,” he said as he strode over, taking Amanda with him. The cage held a pure black cat with the sinewy moves of a panther.

  “Panther?”

  “I’d forgotten. When I was about ten, the guy in the apartment next store had a cat like that named Panther. He and mom let me go over sometimes and play with Panther. We couldn’t have a pet because that would have raised the rent. Mom always tried to get us the best place she could for what she could afford.”

  A volunteer came over before he could continue his blather. “Like him? This is a brother-sister pair that we’d like to place together.”

  Eric hadn’t noticed the other cat, a furry butterball of a calico, that couldn’t look more opposite of her sleek brother. “Can you take them out for us?”

  The volunteer obliged, handing him the brother and Amanda the sister. Both broke into a purr in their arms.

  “What do you think?” he as
ked.

  Amanda dewy gaze was focused on him, rather than either of the cats. “Hmm?” She petted the cat in her arms.

  “What do you think,” he repeated,

  “Where do we fill out the papers?”

  While Amanda took care of the paperwork, Violet took photos of him with a couple last people waiting for pictures.

  “All set.” Amanda joined him. “We can pick them up next week, after Christmas.” She hesitated. “Are you planning on taking Panther back to California? I can keep him, and you can pick him up after your skiing with Chris or whenever.”

  “No, I’m not taking him. They’re a set, like us.” He placed his hand on the small of her back and walked to the door. “I wouldn’t split them.”

  Her smile was more dazzling than the bright winter sun shining on them when they stepped outside.

  “What are you doing now?” he asked.

  “I was going to help Sonja take down the ballroom decorations, but she decided to leave them up for the small New Year’s Eve party she’s having for her guests and a few friends. So I’ll just be joining you and her and Jeff for supper.”

  “Followed by that private showing of your gala gown.”

  “If you behave.”

  He assumed a superior expression. “I always behave. Just sometimes better than others.”

  “Exactly.”

  “I’ll walk you home, and then I’m moving my stuff back to the B&B for Chris’s arrival tomorrow. He wanted to recuperate at the condo for a couple days, so he’s gone back to his original plan to come Christmas Eve.

  “I’m so glad he can still come.”

  “Me, too. Chris, Jeff and Sonja, you.” He cleared his throat and tightened his arm around her waist. “It’s the first family Christmas I’ve had in a good long time.”

  “And Mom. Don’t leave her out.” She squeezed him closer.

  “Right.”

  “Why don’t you go ahead to her house. I should be able to find my way home.”

  He gave her a peck on the lips when they came to their parting place. “I suppose not seeing you home is okay. It does limit my opportunities to lose good behavior points.”