Christmas Cookie

by Sophie Kaye

  “It is quite a lot.” Hailey bit her lip and peered through the back window.

  The bed of the truck was loaded with building supplies, paint cans and boxes full of different bowls, measuring cups, muffin tins, and bread baskets.

  “Do you think I bought too much stuff?” She looked at his profile.

  “No. I think you bought what was on your list. And I don't think I've seen anyone shop so... organized before.” He smirked.

  “I like being prepared. If I didn't have the lists I'd just forget stuff.” She picked up her purse and put away the clipboard.

  “I didn't mean-” Sam was cut short by a screaming Jessica running out of the town hall, dripping wet.

  “What on-?”

  Sam had barely stopped the car before Hailey opened her door.

  “Jessica?”

  “Oh, thank god.” She came running towards them. “There's a leak. I was just setting things in order and the ceiling collapsed. I don't know where to turn off the water.”

  Sam was already running into the town hall.

  “Come on,” Hailey said and led Jessic after him. “You're soaking wet, you need to get out of the cold.”

  They followed Sam inside.

  “I have an extra shirt in my bag and some pants in a locker I think,” Jessica said. “Working with kids and food, I've learned the hard way to be prepared. I can't tell you how many times I've been... Let's just say I'm familiar with bodily fluids.”

  “I wish I didn't know what you meant.” Hailey smiled. “You go change, I'll see if Sam needs help.”

  She made her way to the main hall. Above the stage part of the ceiling had collapsed. The stage was covered in water and pieces of rubble. All the decorations and costumes that had been there were soaked.

  “Oh, no.” Hailey put a hand to her mouth.

  “I stopped the water.” Sam showed up from a side door.

  “This is horrible. All the scenery is ruined.” She walked slowly over the wet floor. Water gushed down from the stage.

  “It's clean water,” Sam said. “It could have been worse.”

  “But the pageant...” Hailey had seen the kids rehearse the other day. Sage had been so excited to be a sheep. And the older kids had worked so hard to learn their places.

  “We need to move the costumes and scenery outside so it doesn't mold.”

  Hailey looked up at him. He was in problem solving mode. Intent on doing what needed to be done.

  “Oh thank god you got the water turned off.” Jessica came back into the room. “How bad is it?”

  “It shouldn't be too bad, but we need to get rid of the water.” Sam moved some scenery away from the wall.

  “Right.” Jessica took a breath. “I'll get bags to put the costumes in and mopbuckets for the water.” She turned and smiled at Hailey. “The show must go on.”

  “Can they still hold the pageant?” Hailey asked carefully when Jessica had disappeared.

  “Maybe. Look, I'm going to have to stay and help here. I want to make sure the water gets dried up as soon as possible.”

  “Of course. I'll help too.”

  “You don't have to. I could bring your things to the bakery tomorrow.”

  “No. Jessica helped me so it's only fair that I help her.” Hailey picked up a soaked blue tunic.

  Sam nodded.

  “Oh, my.” An older woman in a pantsuit and short black hair hurried in. “Oh my. Oh my.” She stopped and put a hand to her heart. “Oh my.” She shook her head and seemed to notice Hailey. “You must be Hailey. I'm Susan. I brought you a bundt cake.”

  “Right. You're Myra's friend.” Hailey dropped the tunic and walked over to the dry area. “It's nice to meet you.” She held out a hand.

  Susan grabbed it with cold fingers and held it while she surveyed the disaster. “You too, dear. Oh my. This does not look good.”

  “Here we are.” Jessica said and came in carrying a roll of trash bags and two mopbuckets. “Susan, how nice of you to come help.” She unloaded one of the mops on Susan who held it gingerly.

  “Well, actually-” Susan started.

  “Here.” Jessica ignored her and handed the other mop to Hailey. “You do this and I'll gather up everything that's wet.”

  “I really must-” Susan started.

  “It's so nice of you to help out. I know the Christmas pageant means alot to you.” Jessica turned her head slightly towards Susan and smiled while walking over to a pile of wet costumes.

  Susan opened her mouth to say something but closed it quickly as Jessica became emerged in gathering up the costumes for the three wise men, which were actually four this year due to tears and arguments.

  Susan turned to Hailey. “Well, we better get started, dear.”

  ∞∞∞

  It was late in the evening before they had mopped up all the water they could and carried out the costumes. Word had spread about the burst pipe and people had showed up to help, or at least get a firsthand look at the damages.

  Amanda had sent David to gather the costumes so she could dry them and see what could be salvaged. Gunther showed up with a dehumidifier from when there had been a water leak in his salon a few years ago.

  Jessica instantly told people what needed to be done and handed out tasks. Sam worked silently and efficiently, moving the bigger pieces of the scenery and examining the floors and walls. He disappeared with the head councilman, which Hailey had found out was Bellfrey's equivalent of a mayor, and inspected the pipe that had burst.

  “Thank you so much for staying to help. You didn't have to do that.” Jessica sank down on a chair next to Hailey.

  “You helped me when I needed it.” Hailey's stomach growled. Her phone buzzed and she looked down at the image.

  “Oh, you missed Sage's bedtime.” Jessica leaned over Hailey's phone to get a better look at Sage sleeping with a tight grip on her pink bunny.

  Hailey smiled. “Myra was there for her.”

  “But still.”

  Hailey shrugged. “This needed doing.”

  “I'm beat. I think I see a hot shower and a warm bed in my future.” Jessica stood up and put a hand on Hailey's shoulder. “Thanks again for staying.”

  “No problem,” Hailey said as Jessica walked off.

  Sam angled one of the fans someone had brought in and made sure the dehumidifier was empty. He looked up and their eyes met. Hailey inhaled and a warmth spread from her stomach when he gave her a crooked smile and came down from the stage.

  “It's been a long day,” he said and sat down next to her.

  Hailey nodded. “How is it?”

  “The ceiling needs fixing, but it looks like the damage was contained.”

  “That's good.”

  “It should have time to dry out. At least enough that it can be used.”

  For a moment they sat in comfortable silence. The sound of the fans filled the room.

  “You want to grab some dinner?” Sam cleared his throat.

  “Sure.” Hailey swallowed.

  Sam checked his watch. “The diner should still be open. Would that be OK?”

  Hailey nodded. “Sounds good.”

  “Good, because there aren't many options here.” He smiled and held out a hand.

  Hailey hesitated just a second before taking it.

  The town glittered in the dark night. More fairy lights had been put up around the gazebo and the lampposts had big red bows tied to them.

  “Oh, wow.” Hailey looked up at the night sky.

  “What?”

  “I can see the stars.” She looked over at Sam and couldn't help smiling back at him. “You can't see them in Thurmont. I forgot how pretty they are.”

  “They sure are,” Sam said, his voice deep and rumbly.

  Hailey glanced at him. He was watching her. She felt her cheeks redden and looked down just in time to find herself on a patch of ice.

  “Careful.” Sam grabbed her arm. “I think we've done enough falling for this winter.”
/>   “Thanks to you.”

  He laughed. “I wasn't the only one not looking where I was going.”

  “But I didn't knock both of us over.”

  “That's just because I was able to catch you.” He smiled.

  Hailey raised an eyebrow and smiled at him. “Are you saying it's my fault we fell because I didn't catch you?”

  “You said it, not I.”

  Hailey shook her head. Even their banter made her toes curl.

  “After you.” He held the door to diner open.

  Jenna stood at the desk, her red hair held back in a messy ponytail, her cheeks flushed. “Sam.” Her lips curved into a smile.

  “Hi, Jenna. What's good today?” Sam steered Hailey over to a table with one hand on her back.

  “We have meatloaf.” Jenna eyed Hailey.

  “Hi again.” Hailey said. “I'm Hailey.”

  Jenna narrowed her eyes. “Meatloaf?”

  Hailey opened her mouth. Jenna stared at her, already turning towards the back. “Sure. Meatloaf sounds good.”

  Sam sat down opposite her and took his jacket off.

  “I don't think she likes me,” Hailey whispered and took off her scarf and hat.

  “Jenna?” Sam glanced after her. “She's just not a people person.”

  “So I hear. She seems to like you though.”

  “Jealous?” Sam raised an eyebrow and put his hand over hers.

  Hailey pulled back her hand.

  “Thank you for driving me today. I don't think I would have been able to get all the stuff I needed in my car.”

  “No problem. I heard a rumour you're bringing back donut Saturday. If they're half as good as Tina's it'll be worth it for that alone.”

  “I guess I better get practising then.” Hailey smiled.

  Sam cleared his throat. “So, here's the thing...”

  “Two meatloaf.” Jenna stood by the table with two large plates of food.

  Hailey leaned back. “Looks delicious.” She smiled at Jenna.

  Jenna glared back.

  “Thank you.” Sam smiled.

  “You're welcome. Drinks?” Jenna's attention was focused on Sam.

  “Just water.” Sam raised an eyebrow at Hailey. “You?”

  “Water is fine.”

  “Great.” Jenna rounded the counter to get the water pitcher out of the drinks fridge.

  Hailey leaned in towards Sam. “See, she doesn't like me,” she whispered.

  “Here you go.” Jenna poured water for them. “Let me know if you need anything else.” She retired behind the counter.

  They dug into the meatloaf and potato wedges.

  “This gravy is amazing,” Hailey said.

  “Jenna makes the best gravy. I usually order anything that comes with it.”

  Hailey ate a few more bites. She was hungrier than she had thought.

  “You were saying something?” Hailey looked up at Sam between forkfuls of meatloaf.

  “Right. The damage to the town hall isn't too bad.” He hesitated.

  “But?” Hailey looked at him.

  “But, it will need repairing. As soon as the ceiling has dried up a bit, I'll need to do some work there.”

  Hailey put her knife and fork down.

  “What are you saying?”

  “I don't think I'll have time for the bakery and the town hall.”

  “Oh.” Hailey's heart sank.

  “I promised you first. And I won't go back on that.” The rest of the words left hanging in the air. Unspoken.

  “No, you should.” Hailey inhaled. “I mean. The pageant is a town event. You have to make sure it happens.”

  “I promise I'll finish the bakery as soon as possible. But you won't be able to have the launch before Christmas.”

  Hailey looked down at her half eaten plate. Her appetite had vanished.

  “Of course. I understand.”

  He reached out a hand towards her. “I'm really sorry. But with Christmas Eve only a few days away, there just isn't time. I'll work on the bakery tomorrow while the town hall dries up and do as much as I can.”

  Hailey nodded. “I should get home. Myra is waiting up for me.” She grabbed her scarf and hat.

  “I'll walk you home.” He started getting up.

  “No, you stay and finish your dinner. It's been a long day and I need to clear my head a bit.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Hailey tried to smile at him. “I'll see you tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow.”

  She hurried out before she embarrassed herself by crying in front of him. It was just a few days. She would get her bakery and launching on Christmas Eve didn't really matter. It was just a silly idea she had had. Launching after Christmas would be fine. Really, it would.

  Chapter five

  Hailey

  The following morning Hailey was determined to make the best of the situation. She had overreacted at the delayed launch. It was just a few days and it couldn't be helped. She took a deep, cold breath and opened the door to the bakery.

  “You're here early,” she said to Sam.

  “I feel bad I won't be able to get you up and running before Christmas so I figured I'd try to get as much work as possible done today.”

  Hailey smiled. “I'll be in the kitchen. I need to clean the ovens today so I have time to try them out.” Hailey held up a box of ingredients and thermometers.

  “Aren't ovens pretty self explanatory?”

  Hailey cocked her head.

  “I mean if an oven works, it works right?” Sam said.

  “In theory. But ovens sometimes deviate from the temperature or have spots that are hotter or colder.”

  “Oh.” He looked at the board he was sawing. “So what are you going to make?”

  “I'm making my Christmas cookies. I promised Myra I'd bake them for the pageant. And it's a good way to test the ovens.”

  “Nice.”

  “But first I have to get them clean.”

  Hailey took her box into the kitchen. In a way it would be like launching on Christmas Eve. Everyone would be trying her cookies at the pageant.

  The ovens were in good shape. They were fairly new and had been taken care of. She scrubbed away the dust and grime that had settled while they hadn't been in use and was almost ready to fire them up in the afternoon when the bell on the door tinkled from the front. Sam's deep voice mingled with a lighter one for a moment before the door to the kitchen opened.

  “He's really getting along out there,” Jessica said as the door swung shut. “Is it true you won't be able to open before Christmas?”

  Hailey put down the rag and used her arm to wipe sweat off her brow.

  “It's not a big deal.” She smiled. “How's the town hall looking?”

  “Dreadful.” Jessica jumped up to sit on the workbench.

  “I'm so sorry. It must mean a lot of extra work for you.” Hailey took off the gloves she had been wearing.

  “That's why I'm here, actually. I could use your help.” Jessica peered into the box of ingredients.

  “What do you need?”

  “It turns out, most of the costumes got ruined. Something about a fabric not holding color, and stuff shrinking or ballooning up. I'm not sure. But Amanda called, and she needs help.”

  “I'm not very good at sewing.” Hailey tried to remember the last time she had been by a sewing machine, it must have been while she still lived with her parents.

  “She'll teach you. Can you come? I'm getting a bit desperate. Lots of people have offered to help out but there's so much to do.” There was a hint of worry in Jessica's voice.

  “How could I say no.” Hailey smiled at her while sighing internally. Looked like any chance of opening before Christmas was flying out the window.

  Jessica squealed and jumped down. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” She hugged Hailey. “Amanda will be at the town hall in about an hour.”

  Hailey checked her watch. It was already four o'clock and she had com
pletely forgotten about lunch.

  “I'll be there.”

  “I have to go. I have a few more people I want to coerce into helping out.” Jessica winked and hurried out.

  Hailey looked at the box of ingredients. There would still be time to bake the cookies. Hopefully the ovens wouldn't be too temperamental.

  ∞∞∞

  After a shower, playtime with Sage and a quick sandwich, Hailey was at the town hall. The foyer was full of people standing around in groups talking and laughing. She studied the faces that she was starting to recognize, looking for Jessica or Amanda.

  “Hailey, dear.” Susan came up to her in a pantsuit with no wrinkles and manicured nails. “Have you met everyone here?”

  “Oh...” Hailey looked around. Everyone had stopped talking at Susan's loud greeting.

  “Well, everyone, this is Hailey. Myra's niece. Hailey, this is everyone.”

  Hailey smiled and gave them a careful wave.

  “There you are.” Amanda pushed her way through the throng of people. “Hi Susan. Hailey, I have us all set up over here.” Amanda grabbed Hailey by the arms and steered her into the main room.

  “Thanks for that,” Hailey said when they stopped at a table full of fabrics.

  “Susan has a flare for the dramatic.” Amanda bent down over a box of patterns. “So, have you used a sewing machine before?”

  “Some, but it's been a few years.”

  “Well, it's easy. I'll show you.”

  Amanda worked at a steady pace, not rushing, but not dawdling. There was a sereneness to her manner that put Hailey at ease with the unfamiliar tasks.

  “You're very patient,” Hailey said as she had to rip up another part of a costume.

  Amanda laughed. “I think my husband would disagree. At least when we met. But ever since I got pregnant I've found this inner calm. You didn't experience that?”

  Hailey focused on her task. “No. I didn't have the best of pregnancies.”

  “I'm sorry to hear that.”

  “My husband died when I was about six months along. Car crash.” Hailey blinked and stared at the stitches she was removing. Amanda didn't move. “The rest of the pregnancy is a blur to me. My mom and Myra made sure I wasn't alone. I don't know what I would have done without them.”