The Christmas Key To Her Heart (McCormick's Creek Series Book 5)

by Jen Peters

  She closed her eyes, feeling the dress around her as she danced. Hearing the swish of fabric. The color shimmering in the lights. She sighed. “Unfortunately, yes.”

  Forrest put his hand over hers—large, warm, and comforting. “Nora, you’re trying to make memories for Justin and Cat, but you deserve your own memories too. If you’re dreaming of it, you should buy it.”

  “It’s not every day a son gets married, especially to just the right girl for him,” Nora said. “That will be the memory I’ll treasure the rest of my life.”

  Forrest got up, leaving Nora’s hand cold and abandoned. He woke the computer up again and studied the dress. “It would be beautiful on you,” he said quietly. “You give so much to others—can’t you splurge on yourself just this once?”

  She wrapped her arms around herself. “You don’t understand. That would be way more than a splurge. I can’t afford it.”

  “Savings?” He returned to the couch and sat facing her.

  Nora looked at him and tried to see the person inside. Did she know him well enough to tell him the truth? On one hand, it was too early. On the other, she always tried to start as she meant to go on, and that included not setting herself up to be someone she wasn’t.

  She took a deep breath. “If you really want to know, my accountant embezzled a lot of money from the restaurant, and we’re just getting back on our feet. I’m pulling some wedding expenses from Justin’s budget, some from mine, and using up the little I had in savings.”

  She watched him closely, but all she could see was his furrowed brow. He finally nodded and took her hands. “You’re a wonderful mother and a very responsible woman. I understand.”

  With that, he leaned closer and kissed her softly on the cheek. “Now, how about that movie?”

  She sat close to him, shared popcorn, and laughed and cried as George Bailey met Clarence the Angel. She never could remember that actor’s name, but she loved the line where he talked about the new book Mark Twain was writing.

  When George talked about leaving Bedford Falls and seeing Italy and the Coliseum, Nora murmured to Forrest, “I always wanted to travel a little. Never got the chance.”

  He turned to her. “Where would be the first place you go?”

  She hadn’t thought about it in years. “I don’t know. Hawaii, maybe. Or Paris. Or Greece. It looked beautiful in Mama Mia.”

  Forrest laughed. “That’s one movie I was glad to miss!”

  “It was a fun sing-along,” Nora protested.

  “If you’re an Abba fan,” he teased. “I was more into David Bowie and Labyrinth.”

  Nora just shook her head. “You’re hopeless.”

  He smiled, settled his arm around her shoulders, and turned back to the movie.

  A myriad of feelings rushed through Nora. She had been fine sitting close to Forrest, knees touching occasionally, her heart only beating a little faster, but this—this made her feel like a sixteen-year-old. Giddiness, nerves, joy, uncertainty…just how did she feel?

  She ignored George Bailey dancing the Charleston in the swimming pool while she considered. The weight of Forrest’s arm was warm and comforting. She wanted to snuggle into him, although she wouldn’t let herself do that yet, but the risks ahead seemed counterbalanced by the security he exuded. What would it be like to kiss him? Firm and demanding? Soft and tender?

  Mostly, his arm around her made her feel happy inside—like he might just fill a hole in her heart. She let possibilities meander through her mind, then leaned into him a bit and turned her mind back to the movie.

  Chapter 11

  Nora spent the next two days humming as she cooked at the restaurant, planned the reception food, and checked on the progress of alterations for the wedding dress. Everything she did seemed to go well, or if it didn’t, she handled it without getting mad. No teenage hormonal blow-ups for her!

  She’d cooked lunch for Forrest both days, taken a chilly walk with him in the evening, and tonight they were having dinner with both kids and their sweethearts.

  Robin and Forrest helped her finish up the salad while they waited for the others. Cliff got there first, stomping his boots and brushing snow off his cowboy hat before coming in. “Hey, Beautiful,” he said, giving Robin a gentle kiss.

  “Over here. Now.” Robin pushed him to the mistletoe hanging in the living room doorway and drew him down for a longer kiss.

  Nora smiled. “That’s what it’s there for.”

  Forrest looked over at them, then up at the mistletoe. He quirked his mouth and went back to chopping tomatoes.

  Oh my! She hadn’t meant…she’d only been commenting on her daughter’s love, not implying she wanted a kiss. The heat rose up Nora’s face and she turned to the oven. The roast must need checking. Besides, it would camouflage any remaining redness.

  The front door opened again, and Justin and Cat left snowy boots on the mat in the entryway. “Hey, Mom!” Justin called.

  Nora wiped her hands and went to give welcoming hugs. “I’m glad you could tear yourself away from the house,” she said.

  “We needed a night off,” Justin admitted. He looked at Cat with shining eyes. “Besides, we’re almost done.”

  “Done? Really?” Nora led the way back to the kitchen.

  Robin and Cliff unwrapped themselves from each other and joined them. “That’s a lot to get done in your spare time,” Robin said.

  “It helps when you’ve got the perfect partner,” Justin said, pulling Cat close to him.

  “Eww, big brothers shouldn’t get all lovey-dovey in front of the family.” Robin made a face.

  “Then neither should little sisters, Miss Under-the-Mistletoe,” he cracked back.

  Nora and Forrest looked at each other and shook their heads.

  “You’re building your house?” Forrest asked as Nora put the roast on the table and they all sat down.

  “Not completely,” Cat said. “It had been well started when the owner went bankrupt. Justin showed it to me while we were renovating the Inn.”

  Justin grinned. “Not sure who she fell in love with first—me or the house.”

  “The mansion, actually.” She grinned and elbowed him. “Anyway, we bought it with the exterior mostly done and the interior finished except for the drywall and plumbing.”

  “So what’s left?” Nora asked, passing vegetables around.

  “We finished painting last night,” Justin said, “so now it’s just the baseboards and crown molding.”

  “We’re going to do the main areas and our room, and leave the other bedrooms for later,” Cat continued. “I don’t want to be working through the night right before we get married.”

  Nora cringed at the thought. They should all get a good night’s sleep, but with both Christmas and the wedding, they probably wouldn’t.

  Robin asked about their honeymoon, and Justin just smiled and kept quiet.

  “Urgh,” Cat said. “He told me we’d be gone for a week and to pack for someplace warm, but he won’t tell me anything else!”

  “He always did like setting up surprises,” Nora said.

  They talked for a while about childhood memories, the frozen trip they’d taken to Yellowstone, and the blistering one to San Diego. Then the conversation turned back to the wedding.

  “Susie’s making good progress on your dress,” Nora said.

  “I thought you weren’t going to do a wedding dress,” Justin said, puzzled.

  Cat smirked. “You’re not the only one keeping something a surprise.”

  “Oh, don’t worry, Justin, you’ll be dressed to match,” Nora said. “We’re getting a tux for you.” She gasped. “Oh no, I haven’t ordered them yet!”

  How could she have forgotten that? She had to find a store that not only had them available but could fit him and Javi, his best man. What else had she missed?

  “Why don’t you let me take care of it?” Forrest’s voice cut into her thoughts. He eyed Justin’s broad shoulders. “I’ve got a place t
hat can fit most anyone.”

  “Yes, but that’s down in the valley, right?”

  He nodded, but said, “They do a great job from just measurements if you can’t get down there for a fitting, and I can have them deliver up here. Christmas eve morning? Or the day before?”

  “It sounds expensive,” Nora said. “Maybe I should—”

  “Let me, please,” Forrest answered, putting his hand over hers. “I want to.”

  Nora was aware that all four of the kids were watching them. She wanted to protest but didn’t want to make a scene.

  “I appreciate the offer, but I need to think about it.”

  “Mom,” Justin said, “you’re doing an awful lot as it is. It sounds like delivery would make a big difference, and I think you should let Forrest help.”

  “But the cost to bring them way up here!”

  “Mom, I’ll cover it. Remember, none of us are supposed to stress out over this.”

  Nora nodded acceptance, but her heart was pounding furiously. She didn’t like asking for outside help. She began gathering plates to clear, and the others joined in.

  Forrest’s voice rumbled over the clatter of loading the dishwasher and dishing up pie. “As long as we’re talking wedding details, I pulled a few strings and lined up a photographer for you. If you want her. Susan Elliott?”

  Justin and Cat looked blank, but Robin gasped. “She’s one of the top wedding photographers in the state! And she’s booked up at least a year ahead!”

  Forrest smiled. “Like I said, it helps to know people. Justin, Cat, would you look at her portfolio online and let me know later tonight? I told her I’d send her a definite yes or no by morning. And before you go on about costs,” he continued, looking directly at Nora, “let this be a wedding present from me.”

  Justin and Cat looked dumbfounded, and Robin was bouncing up and down with excitement, Cliff trying to calm her. But Nora—Nora didn’t know whether to be irritated or immensely grateful.

  A good photographer was worth a lot, although she couldn’t see spending what would surely be thousands of dollars on one. Forrest obviously didn’t think twice about it. He might call it a gift, but it certainly wasn’t the type of gift you’d give to a new acquaintance.

  And he thought nothing of taking over their small wedding plans.

  Was he simply doing what was second nature, managing things like he had when he was a CEO? Or was he managing her? Spending loads of money and expecting something in return later?

  She kept her mouth shut and took a bite of pie. The photographer would be Justin and Cat’s decision, but Nora had a lot to think about.

  Chapter 12

  Nora grinned as she came home from her restaurant shift. A package just the size for a dress sat on the front porch.

  She took it inside, dumped her purse on the table, and headed straight for the bedroom.

  Five minutes later, she looked in the mirror in horror. The length was good, the neckline was good, and the curvy blue insets against the cream took some weight off her—if she looked through half-closed eyes.

  The rest was a disaster. The fabric was thin and not only showed every bump and bulge, but was stretched so tight she was afraid to breathe. There was no way she could wear this in public, let alone to her son’s wedding.

  She slowly wiggled out of it, going through contortions to avoid ripping a seam. Perhaps they sent the wrong size.

  Nope. Size fourteen, just like she ordered. Just like the measurement chart had said would fit her.

  She sat on the bed, holding the dress to her chest and trying not to sob. It served her right—she should have known she shouldn’t trust online shopping to get it right the first time. But what would she do now? If it had been too big, she could have taken it in. Instead, too small equaled impossible.

  The phone rang, jarring her nerves. She took a breath and let it out slowly, then looked at the screen. Lori Swanson.

  “Hey, Nora. I just thought I’d let you know I got a confirmation that the flowers will arrive in plenty of time.”

  “Th-that’s good,” Nora answered. “One less thing to worry about.”

  “Are you okay? You’re doing too much, aren’t you?”

  The concern in her friend’s voice almost made Nora crack. “I’m fine. I just…” Her voice trailed off.

  “You’re not fine,” Lori said. “I’m coming over.” The call ended abruptly.

  Nora stared at the dresser with the phone in one hand and the dress in the other. She didn’t move when she heard sounds at the door.

  “Nora, I know this is a quiet town, but you cannot leave your front door unlocked!” Lori’s voice increased in volume as she came down the hall. “What is going on?” She stopped at the bedroom doorway and stared at Nora.

  Nora promptly burst into tears. “I can’t…I want…it’s not…” She hiccupped between words.

  Lori sat next to her and pulled her in close, whispering love and encouragement in her ear. Eventually, Nora calmed enough to set the dress aside and put on her robe.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t think I was that on edge,” she said.

  “It’s probably been building up. This is a lot of stress, you know.”

  “But it shouldn’t be! It’s a happy time and we’re keeping it low key.”

  Lori squeezed her shoulder. “It is a happy time, but the stress is still there. And you’re doing it all yourself. Plus, you have a new guy in your life, and that adds its own jumble of emotions.”

  Nora nodded and wiped her eyes. “So I’m a wreck because things are good?” she joked half-heartedly.

  Lori laughed. “I would have broken down long ago. So what happened today?”

  Nora lifted the dress. “It should look lovely, it’s just two sizes too small.”

  “Oh boy. That’s hard to remedy.”

  “Especially when you can’t take a whole day off to go shopping in person. And it wasn’t even what I really wanted.” A tear leaked again from Nora’s eye. “It looked nice online, just what I would normally want. But…c’mere. See what I’ve been dreaming about.”

  She led Lori out to the computer and pulled up the page with the bronze dress. “I never thought I could have this. I mean, look at the price! But somehow it’s stayed in my head, and now the really nice one I did order is a bust. What am I going to do?”

  Lori studied the bronze dress. “No way can I match this,” she murmured.

  “Match it? What do you mean?”

  “You’re making over your wedding dress for Cat, and Justin and Mick will be in tuxes, so you want to look nice, right? Not just a skirt and sweater like you usually wear to church?”

  Nora nodded glumly. “I think I’m stuck with it, though.”

  Lori shook her head. “You remember the dress I got for Ree’s graduation, before she had to quit college because of my hand surgery? I’ve never worn it. It might be a little long, but we could hem it. Come and try it on.”

  Nora brightened. “This is why you’re such a good friend.” She set the blue and cream dress aside, splashed cold water on her face, and followed Lori out the door.

  Fifteen minutes later, her look in the mirror gave pleasure this time, not horror. Lori’s dress was a bit snug through the hips, and yes, it did need hemming, but it looked good. A lovely midnight blue, somewhat fitted, with a V-neck and not-too-tight long sleeves. Tea-length, so she could wear her cute strappy sandals as long as she didn’t need to walk anywhere through the snow.

  She sighed with relief. “You don’t know what this means to me, Lori.”

  “Oh yes, I do. Remember when you loaned me your jewelry and shawl when the kids were little, and Dave and I had a night out?”

  Nora did remember—Lori’s plain dress had become elegant with the borrowed accessories, and she’d gained confidence for the evening.

  Lori sprawled on the bed while Nora took the dress off. “We haven’t had much time together lately. Tell me about Forrest. All about him.” She giggled.
<
br />   Nora blushed, but this time she didn’t care. “He’s…well, he seems wonderful. He’s retired, he’s caring, and he likes me.”

  “And you like him.” It was a statement, not a question.

  “I do.” Nora sat down on the bed. “More than any other guy I’ve met since Gary.”

  Lori sat up and pointed a finger at her. “Now, you can’t go comparing him against Gary. No one will ever live up to his memory.”

  “I know, and I’m not. In fact, I think Gary would have liked Forrest. He’s a gentleman, and generous, and…”

  “So what’s that look of concern I see?”

  “I think maybe he’s too generous,” Nora whispered. “He’s not only offering help with getting the wedding ready, he’s also offering to pay for a lot of it. Too much.”

  Lori raised her eyebrows.

  “Remember the last guy I dated after Gary died? The charming, handsome one? He liked to spend money on me—fancy dinners, presents, you know. Remember how he had expectations for payback?”

  “Oh yes!” Lori laughed. “We called him Bert the Jerk afterward, didn’t we?”

  “Huh! He deserved it!” Nora chuckled too, then sobered again. “I could have done without that episode in my life. And now Forrest…”

  “You wonder if he’s trying to buy your love too,” Lori finished for her.

  Nora nodded. “I really like him. I even have flashes of us growing old together, no matter how hard I try to convince myself it’s too soon. I want him to be honest and honorable, but this may come to a screeching halt.”

  “Is he buying you things?”

  “No, just wedding stuff. Like thousands of dollars for a photographer.”

  “Wow,” Lori said, her eyes wide. “But…what does your gut say?”

  Nora sighed. “That he’s as nice as he says, that there might be possibilities here. But the last time I trusted my gut was letting Hazel take over the bookkeeping completely. Maybe I just feel starry-eyed over Forrest because I want to.”

  “Has he tried to take advantage of you?”

  “No. He even watched Robin and Cliff under the mistletoe. He gave a half-smile, but he never pulled me over there.”