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

by Jen Peters

  “Hasn’t he kissed you yet?”

  “Just on the cheek.” Nora looked down, feeling like a teenager again. “But I want him to.”

  “Well, there you go,” Lori said, smiling. “Trust that and see where it leads. You’ll probably find out he’s just incredibly generous.”

  What a relief it was to have a friend! Nora hugged her, taking comfort and encouragement, and hopefully giving the same.

  She was humming Christmas carols again as she walked home. She’d have Lori’s beautiful dress for the wedding. Cat and Justin would be magnificent, with wonderful memories to hold onto. And Nora was almost giddy, looking forward to a romance with a handsome, caring man. She’d pull him under the mistletoe if she had to!

  Chapter 13

  Thursday evening, Nora parked in front of Susie’s Boutique on Main. Lori’s dress was in a bag in the back. Cat sat in the passenger seat, picking at her nails.

  “Nervous?” Nora placed a hand on Cat’s arm. “I’m sure Susie will have designed something beautiful.”

  “It’s not that,” Cat said. “She already helped Robin and me find a style I really like, and she will tweak it for Robin later. It’s just…”

  Nora watched the drizzle against the windshield until Cat was ready to finish. “What if you don’t like it? What if it doesn’t look good on me? What if I'm not cut out to be a bride?”

  Nora drew the young woman into her arms. “Oh honey, those are the same thoughts every bride has. The same ones I had. I will love it because you and Robin love it, and you will be beautiful and look every inch the bride. You can’t help it.”

  Cat took a shudder of a breath, then nodded and opened the car door.

  Inside, Susie had Cat stand on a small pedestal while she slid the basted gown over Cat’s head, zipped it up, and made sure it was settled smoothly. Then she turned Cat’s shoulders to face the mirror.

  Cat gasped. “Oh, Nora, I never imagined…” And burst into tears.

  Nora smiled through her own teary eyes. It wasn’t the same Cinderella gown anymore. The sweetheart neckline was still there, but the dress was fitted to Cat’s figure, smoothing over her hips and flaring slightly from her knees down. The 80s puff sleeves had been tamed to lay smoothly along Cat’s beautifully toned arms, but the seed pearls and lace over the satin added a vintage look that gave a nod to its origins.

  And Cat was beautiful, glowing with happiness and anticipation.

  “It’s perfect,” Nora said.

  “Not quite,” Susie put in, pulling fabric together here and there. “We need to take the waist in a little more, and probably allow a bit more movement through the shoulders.” She tucked and pinned.

  “Thank you, Nora,” Cat said as Susie moved her this way and that. “I didn’t know I would feel this way. I didn’t realize.”

  Nora blinked back tears and leaned over Susie to press her cheek against Cat’s. “That’s what mothers are for, sweetie.” She stepped back to let Susie work.

  Cat bit her lip as more tears leaked out. She met Nora’s eyes in the mirror. “I love you, you know?”

  And it was Nora’s turn to cry.

  Once Cat had slipped out of the wedding gown, Nora changed into the borrowed dress from Lori. “It needs hemming,” she told Susie, “but please don’t cut any off. We need to be able to let it back down for Lori to wear later.”

  Susie nodded and went to work pinning it for Nora’s height.

  “That’s nice,” Cat said, as Nora turned whenever Susie motioned.

  “Just nice?”

  “Well, I’m not really into fashion, you know.”

  Nora glanced into the mirror, and Cat was right. The borrowed dress was nice but no more than that. It was more for Lori’s coloring than Nora’s, and she looked rather washed out in it. But it was a world better than the mail-order disaster. She was grateful for the emergency rescue, and she could always use a heavier hand with her make-up.

  She slipped out of the dress and turned it over to Susie. “When do you need us to come in again?”

  “Yours will be ready Saturday, but I’d like one more fitting with Cat. Maybe on Sunday afternoon?”

  Cat made a note in her phone.

  “That’s it, then,” Nora said. “We’ll get out of your hair.

  They stopped by the church to make final arrangements with Pastor Mark. The wedding would be in the afternoon, with time to relax a bit before the reception at seven. Guests would be able to attend the six o’clock Christmas eve service without a conflict.

  Nora studied the Nativity, the poinsettias in front of the altar, and the lighted white tree off to the side. “Lori Swanson, the florist, was going to do simple arrangements for the Inn, but the main areas are already decorated beautifully for the holidays. Would you rather have wedding flowers for here instead, Cat?”

  Pastor Mark chimed in. “We can move the crèche and the poinsettias to the side to accommodate whatever you want.”

  Cat looked around. “I’m not sure. I really hadn’t planned on any at all.”

  “We want to create magic, remember?” Nora said gently.

  “Hmm…maybe flowers here? And then just the Inn’s regular Christmas decorations?”

  Nora smiled. “That’s my girl.” But she knew she’d arrange something for the Inn, too. Maybe just small vases of red and white carnations on the tables, with a bit of greenery. And sparkly lights, at least in the room they’d be dancing in. She’d have to see what Ree had already.

  “Thanks, Pastor,” she said. “We really appreciate you squeezing us in.”

  He shook both their hands. “Not at all—I’m thrilled to be part of this. You’re one of my favorite families, you know.”

  They walked back down the aisle and Cat turned back to look, tearing up again. “I’m not used to this, Nora. Maybe you could just adopt me?”

  Nora laughed. “I don’t need to—Justin already did!” She linked arms with this girl she loved and strolled back to the car through a new set of falling snow.

  Chapter 14

  Nora forced her mind away from the wedding for the next few hours and caught up on office work at the restaurant. She was keeping up with her shifts to cook and the fresh orders to place daily, but it wouldn’t help anybody if she got behind on the bills. Invoices to pay, standard ingredients to restock, wait staff schedules—all of those took time.

  The snow was coming down harder, which made the meal service lighter than she would like. If a hard winter kept business slow, they’d have problems.

  She wasn’t quite caught up when Forrest poked his head around the swinging kitchen door. “Anybody home?” he asked.

  She grinned. “A knight to rescue me!” Not to mention bringing those starry feelings back. She looked at her paperwork, at all she had done, and what would be left.

  “You do need some time off,” Forrest said, coming through and taking her hand. He kissed it with a courtly gesture and pulled her to her feet. “May I escort you away from the drudgery, my lady?”

  Oh my. If she hadn’t been fluttery before, she certainly was now. And it wasn’t just the romantic gestures. It was the sparkle in his eyes, the warmth in his smile, and the way he focused just on her.

  “You are a sweetheart,” she said. She gathered her nerves and dropped a fleeting kiss on his cheek.

  He gave a quiet sigh, then extended his arm. “I was thinking a walk through the snowflakes if you have a hat and gloves.”

  Double oh my.

  Outside, the snowflakes glowed under the street lamps. Forrest pulled her close to his side, her hand tucked through his arm, his other hand resting on top. Her heart pounded at his touch, and she reveled in how right she felt with him.

  Nora pondered that as they walked in companionable silence. She didn’t need his financial security; extra money would be nice, but she’d proven that she was capable of providing for her family, and she’d have no problem providing for just herself, one way or another.

  But to have someone
else in her life—a companion, a confidant, someone watching over her instead of the other way around—that was a delicious feeling.

  “Penny for your thoughts?” Forrest said.

  She looked up at him. “Just that I’m glad you came to check out your son’s project. How’s it going, anyway?”

  He shrugged. “He’s plugging away at the paperwork, talking to contractors. It all takes time.”

  “I’m excited to see it. I think it will be a boost to the town.”

  He smiled and squeezed her hand, then pulled her under a street light. “Look up.”

  She lifted her face to the snow, and it was as if the flakes were floating on a beam from heaven. Large, light, infinite in number. She felt small against this immense, magical sky, and at the same time, as if it were being created just for her.

  Forrest moved behind her, clasped his arms in front, and pulled her back to lean against him.

  “You are such a romantic,” Nora said.

  She felt him chuckle. “So are you, you just don’t give yourself time to enjoy it,” he murmured. He swayed with her a moment, then turned her toward him. “I’d like to change that.” His breath was warm against her face. His eyes never left hers. He dipped his head.

  Her breath caught. Quivers ran through her as she mirrored his movement. His lips brushed hers lightly, once, twice. “You need more romance in your life,” he whispered, searching her eyes.

  More romance, more excitement, more Forrest. She stood on tiptoe to match her mouth to his. Electricity pulsed through her as their kiss deepened.

  She had longed for this all these years without realizing it. Or without finding someone to bring the yearning to the surface. But Forrest…Forrest made Nora feel like a passionate woman again—cherished, celebrated, wanted.

  She broke off the kiss and ran a hand through his steel-gray hair, stroking it back, loving the damp feel of it in the snow. It had been a long time.

  Forrest cupped her face and kissed her lightly again, sending shivers through her once more. “Shall we walk?”

  She nodded and slipped her hand in his. He tucked them into his coat pocket, making her really feel like a teenager in love again.

  “I know you have a lot going on,” he said eventually. “The wedding, your restaurant, and probably a million things I don’t know about yet.”

  Nora smiled but didn’t answer.

  “I also know you work incredibly hard, and you need a break.”

  “I don’t. I—”

  “Shh.” He placed a gloved finger over her mouth. “You do. You just never slow down enough to realize it.”

  Four steps later, she nodded. She liked to pretend she was the Energizer Bunny, but she wasn’t.

  “When this is all over…” Forrest’s words trailed off, and Nora waited while he gathered his thoughts.

  “I’d like to take you on a cruise after Christmas. Away from all our responsibilities, just the two of us.”

  Nora squeaked. Just the two of them? “B-but we’re just getting to know each other,” she protested.

  He turned his handsome face toward her and smiled. “I’m falling for you, Nora, and I think you’re falling for me too. A week at sea, warm sunshine, quiet conversation—what better way to spend New Year’s?”

  Nora breathed deeply, trying to slow the landslide that was suddenly tumbling inside her. “A cruise ship cruise?”

  He shook his head. “I’ve got a share in a sailboat that winters in San Diego.”

  Nora took her hand from his and put it in her own pocket as the landslide pounded. It settled in her stomach with a thud and would not be dislodged.

  “I think,” she finally began, “I think I’m not who you think I am. I know you’ve dated a lot, but I can’t…not a week on a small boat together.”

  “It’s a modern world, Nora, not the 1950s.”

  “Just because it’s a modern world doesn’t mean I give up my standards,” she whispered. “I didn’t believe in intimacy before marriage when Gary and I were engaged, and I don’t now.” The landside solidified into cement. She would never see Forrest again.

  Forrest stood frozen, studying her face. “Okay, then,” he finally said. He reached for her hand and tucked it in the crook of his arm again.

  “Okay then, what?” she asked, still numb as they walked on.

  “Okay then, I’ll have to woo you a different way,” he said, smiling. “You really aren’t like anyone I’ve dated before.” He paused. Almost under his breath, he said, “Maybe I’ve been dating the wrong women.” He kissed the top of her head like nothing had happened. “I won’t change who you are.”

  Befuddled, not sure if she was going up or down on the roller coaster, Nora walked with him.

  Was Forrest just saying he wouldn’t try to change her, or did he really mean it? He was right--she was falling for him. They’d seemed to match up in so many ways, but were there other things that were important to her and not to him? Things that one or the other of them would have to change drastically?

  That’s what a courtship period was for—to find out all about each other.

  Maybe his boat was big enough for two staterooms? Could she go with him without physical desires overtaking them?

  No. She’d always told her kids not to play with fire—she needed to apply the same advice to herself. Besides, a cruise was a very artificial setting and not a way to discover someone’s inner self.

  But, oh, the thought of sunset on the water with Forrest holding her close, kissing her… Nora had a long winter ahead of her.

  Chapter 15

  Nora spent the next morning with her mind split three ways: her customer’s breakfast orders, the wedding—only four days away!—and Forrest.

  Mostly on Forrest, actually, and she’d had to throw away several sets of burnt pancakes so far.

  They had finished their walk talking about movies and books, steering well clear of past relationships and future hopes. He had kissed her back at the restaurant, but it carried nothing like the snowy exhilaration under the street lamp.

  Today was gray and frozen, the snow heavy to shovel, her heart leaden with uncertainty. What did he really want? Did she even want him to stick around if they differed on expectations?

  She pulled a waffle out just in time and forced her thoughts back into a box in her mind. She had no time for what-ifs right now.

  After finishing her shift and catching up on the last of the bookkeeping, Nora headed for the McCormick Inn to check on decorations. She caught her breath as she parked. She’d been driving past it daily but hadn’t had time to really look.

  The front of the Victorian mansion was decked out in holly swags and red bows. Ree had gone modern enough to twine small white lights through the holly, and a delightful wreath adorned the front door.

  The lights and greenery continued inside with Christmas trees in the entry hall, the parlor, and the dining room. Nora sighed. It was perfect.

  “Hey, Mrs. Cooper,” Ree said, appearing in her office doorway. “What’s up?”

  “Just trying to finalize a few things,” Nora said. “Cat wants to leave things pretty much as you have it for the reception, but I wondered if we could put something small on the tables.”

  “Sure,” the young inn manager said. “I’ve only got some holly and berries on the breakfast tables now.”

  “How many are we putting up for the reception?”

  “I planned eight, each seating four people. You said you wanted more of a party feel? Mostly a place for people to chat away from the dancing, right?”

  Nora nodded as they went into the breakfast room. The holly looked pretty, but not quite “wedding.”

  “We’ll put the buffet in here, along with four tables, then two more in the entry and the other two scattered on the landings.” Ree pointed to various areas as she spoke.

  “Could I maybe bring some small vases with red and white carnations to mix with the holly?”

  “No problem at all,” Ree said.
“Come any time you want, either Tuesday morning or the night before. We aren’t open to guests this Christmas. Except…” her voice trailed off and she looked up to the second-floor balcony.

  “Except?” Nora prodded.

  “Except we have one guest who didn’t give us a departure date, but I never imagined he’d be here this long.”

  Nora sighed inwardly. “Forrest Holt?”

  Ree brightened. “You know him? Do you know his plans?”

  “Surely he’ll go home to spend Christmas with his family.” But Nora wasn’t sure. He’d stayed in town longer than she’d ever expected, and she heated as she remembered his kiss from the night before.

  On the other hand, there was the awful suggestion of the cruise. Now that he’d had time to think about it, her response had probably put him off.

  Her heart sank at the idea of him leaving her life. He’d brightened things up no end, given her a glimpse of what her life could be like. However, just like her mother used to say, what will be, will be.

  “I really don’t know his plans,” Nora finally said. “But you certainly have the right to tell him you’re closed on Christmas. You need to be with your own family.”

  “We’ll see,” Ree answered. “He’s a nice man—the perfect guest.”

  * * *

  By the time Nora got home, she had dissected her growing relationship with Forrest six ways to Sunday. Just before she turned on her street, she finally decided she was reading much too much into his cruise suggestion. A good baking session was in order.

  Forrest’s car was parked in her driveway.

  Oh my. She needed to clear her head, and here he was.

  He opened her door and helped her out.

  “Forrest, hi! I didn’t expect you,” she said.

  “I did some business this morning—”

  “I thought you were retired!”

  He raised his eyebrows. “I still keep my hand in a few things. I’d be bored silly otherwise.”