by Cindy Kirk
By the time Stella paused for breath, her voice shaking with conviction, Sam was grinning.
“What are you smiling about?” she snapped.
“I think you’d be a fabulous PR person for Holly Pointe.” A softness settled over his expression. “You convinced me.”
“You didn’t need much convincing.” Stella felt her cheeks warm, embarrassed by her spirited defense of a town that wasn’t even her own. “Let’s just say I’m enjoying my time here.”
Like a hunting dog that has spotted a bird, Sam’s gaze turned razor sharp. “When you say ‘your time here,’ it makes it sound like this is a stopover and you’re planning to leave.”
Stella supposed she could return to Miami, but other than a handful of casual friends, there was nothing there for her anymore. And since the incident with Jane, not even the possibility of a job.
She could go to Minnesota and perhaps find something near the retirement community where her grandparents lived. But she knew they already had a very active life. While she was certain they would be excited to have her close, she would in essence be starting a new life from scratch there.
But in Holly Pointe, she already had a place to stay. She had friends. And she had Sam.
“Stella?”
She blinked as a yearning washed over her. “What?”
“You didn’t answer my question. Are you planning to leave?”
“At this moment, I don’t have any plans one way or the other.” She smiled. “Besides, you promised to take me skijoring. I’m not leaving until that happens.”
He laughed. “Then I can tell you right now, a skijoring date is off the table.”
The next week was one of the happiest of Stella’s life. In addition to covering various holiday events, she filled in at the Busy Bean and helped Mel when she was short-staffed at Rosie’s Diner. On Thursday, she spent a whole day helping Faith prepare signs she’d sold for mailing.
When Stella called Tasha to wish her a Merry Christmas, her friend couldn’t understand why Stella was working so many hours for no pay. Try as she might, Stella couldn’t make her Miami friend understand that in Holly Pointe, she’d rediscovered the spirit of giving that her parents had instilled in her.
It wasn’t as if it was all work and no play. She saw Sam several nights that week and on the weekend. Like this afternoon.
They were attending the Dickens Village Festival. In addition to a craft show complete with food booths in the courthouse and a performance this evening at the local playhouse of A Christmas Carol, there would be a fruitcake relay.
“I thought you said National Fruitcake Day is December 27.” Stella paused in front of Memory Lane on their way to the courthouse. “So why is the toss part of today’s events?”
“Lots of people in the area come to town for the Dickens festival. Having the competition at the same time bolsters attendance for both events.” Sam’s gaze traveled over her. “You look nice.”
“The plaid trapper hat is new.” She kept her expression serious. “Isn’t it lovely?”
He touched the ear flaps, deliberately brushing his knuckles against her cheeks. “Very stylish.”
“It’s also very warm.”
“I like having a practical girlfriend.” Sam brushed his lips against hers, paying no attention to those passing by.
His public displays of affection—holding her hand, placing an arm around her shoulders, and light kisses—had increased over the past week.
Each time he touched her, Stella found herself wondering whether his feelings for her were as deep as hers for him. She didn’t ask. She knew it was too early to get serious, but she couldn’t stop herself from wondering . . . and hoping.
“I have some good news.”
Though something in his tone put her on alert, she smiled and inclined her head. “What news?”
“My parents are flying in this week for the Mistletoe Ball.”
Eagerly anticipated by everyone, the ball would be held next Saturday, December 23. Faith had already asked Stella to help with decorations.
“That’s wonderful. I bet you can’t wait to see them.” A knot formed in the pit of Stella’s stomach. When Sam had said he was spending the holidays in Holly Pointe, she hadn’t considered that his parents would come here.
“I want you to meet them.” He took her arm, and they continued their stroll past cheerfully decorated windows. “I want them to meet you.”
“I’d love to meet them.” Stella hid her disappointment behind a bright smile. She’d been looking forward to enjoying the holidays with Sam. “Two more new friends to add to my growing list.”
Sam smiled. “Actually, three new friends.”
Stella inclined her head.
“They’re bringing Britt with them.”
Sam watched Stella across the giant ballroom, laughing with Mel, Kate, and Faith. Her three friends had convinced her to join their fruitcake relay team. He assumed by their gestures that they were utilizing the time before their event began to instruct her in how to toss a fruitcake through a basketball hoop.
From watching many of these relays through the years, Sam knew the basketball hoop toss was one of the most difficult obstacles that a team member needed to conquer on the way to the finish line.
“We should have signed up.” Derek stood beside Sam, his eyes on Zach as the man army crawled under a rope stretched between two chairs with a fruitcake balanced on his back.
It was the last obstacle in the course. When Zach made it through, he scrambled to his feet, tucked the fruitcake under his arm like a football, and sprinted across the finish line.
Onlookers, including Derek and Sam cheered and whistled.
“Maybe next year.” Sam’s gaze returned to Stella.
“Did you tell her?”
Sam nodded.
“How’d she take the news?”
Pulling his gaze from Stella, he faced Derek. “She didn’t have a chance to say much. We ran into your sister on the street when we were coming here, and she asked Stella to join their team. Apparently, there was some last-minute catering crisis that Lucy had to handle.”
“But you did tell her Britt was coming.”
Sam frowned. “I just told you I did.”
“Most women would be jealous.”
“Stella isn’t most women.” Though she’d done a good job of hiding any reservations, the hint of uncertainty that had flickered in her eye for just a second troubled him.
Sam wasn’t going to worry about that now. He had all evening to pull out all the stops and convince her she was the only woman he wanted.
Chapter Twenty
Stella considered the Thursday morning coffee klatch with friends to be a private celebration of sorts. Last night, she’d turned in the draft of her article on Holly Pointe, advising Jane in her email that she’d send pictures of the Mistletoe Ball on Sunday.
Although Jane had yet to respond, Stella considered the assignment completed. Or it would be once she sent the final photos. Now the only thing she had to worry about was meeting Sam’s parents. And Britt.
“Being with all of you like this is oh-so-lovely.” Mel lifted the cup of frothy cappuccino to her lips. “I didn’t realize until I moved back just how much I missed living in Holly Pointe.”
“You’ve decided to stay.” Pleasure rippled through Faith’s words like a pretty Christmas ribbon.
Like Kate and Faith, Stella held her breath awaiting Mel’s reply. The four women had decided to meet at the Busy Bean for coffee and scones before heading out to Grace Hollow.
Stella had been informed by her new friends that assisting Lucy’s crew with the decorations for the Mistletoe Ball was an annual tradition. Would she be here next year to continue the tradition, Stella wondered? She hoped so.
“I am going to stay,” Mel announced.
“I’m so glad.” Faith reached across the table and gave Mel’s freckled hand a squeeze.
“Yay!” Kate lifted her cup of plain black c
offee in a mock salute.
“I totally get it,” Stella heard herself say, then flushed as three pairs of eyes shifted to her.
“Ah, another fan of this wonderful community.” Kate spoke in a teasing tone, but Stella saw the spark of pleasure in her eyes.
“Are you going to stay, too?” Mel asked with an eagerness that she didn’t bother to conceal.
“If Sam has anything to say about it, she will.” Kate shot Stella a wink.
Faith only gazed at Stella, her eyes warm and accepting of whatever decision Stella had reached.
“I’d like to stay.” Taking another bite of the delicious blueberry scone proved to be a mistake. The light and buttery quick bread turned to dust in her mouth as she thought of Britt. She gulped her coffee then cleared her throat. “I’m just not sure yet.”
“Is your hesitation because of Britt?” Sympathy skittered across Mel’s face. “Derek told me she and Sam’s parents got into town late last night.”
Stella started to say no, but then stopped herself. When she’d gotten up the courage to tell Jane that she wouldn’t be skewing the article, Stella had made a vow to be as honest as possible going forward.
Resting her hands on the table in front of her, Stella searched for the right words. When Kate opened her mouth to speak, Stella held up one of her hands. “I love it here. I can see myself making a home in Holly Pointe, building a life here.”
The women’s eyes never left her face. They remained silent, giving her time to say whatever she wanted to say without interruption. In the accepting silence, she felt surrounded by their love.
It was difficult to believe that it had been less than a month since she’d arrived in Holly Pointe not knowing a soul. She recalled how she’d watched with envy as the three sat at a nearby table laughing and talking.
Now she was part of this wonderful group. She glanced briefly at the counter and saw Norma snap Kenny with a tea towel. And part of this caring community.
The capital of Christmas kindness.
Stella turned back to her friends. “I hope that things work out between me and Sam. I really care for him.”
Total honesty, Stella reminded herself.
“The truth is, I love Sam.” She’d said the words to herself, acknowledged them in her own mind, but had never voiced her feelings to anyone. Until now.
“Oh, Stella.” Faith’s expression turned dreamy. “That’s wonderful.”
“Maybe.” Stella couldn’t stop the sigh.
“You’re worried about Britt.” Kate’s direct gaze met hers. “What does Sam say?”
“Not to worry. That I’m the one he’s with, the one he wants to be with.” Stella slumped back against her chair. “But he was with her for nearly two years. That’s a long time.”
“I was with someone in Burlington for three.” Mel expelled a shaky breath. “There were times I convinced myself that we were meant to be together. Deep down, I knew it wasn’t meant to be. It’s probably like that between Sam and Britt.”
Stella nodded, recalling what Sam had told her about never having a deep connection with the Broadway star. “Possibly. I just don’t want to get hurt. After my parents died, I promised I wouldn’t care about anyone that deeply ever again.”
“If you don’t love, you don’t hurt,” Mel said almost to herself.
“If you don’t love, you miss out on the best life has to offer.” Faith spoke in a soft, firm tone. “Love makes life worth living.”
Stella wondered whether that saying was from a sign, then chided herself. There was no one more sincere than Faith.
“Is the thought of staying in Holly Pointe but not being with Sam what’s troubling you?” Kate, the most analytical of the three, appeared to be trying to get to the bottom line.
Stella considered, then shrugged. “It would be difficult for me to be here and see him every day but not be in his life.”
“Maybe,” Mel conceded in a tone that was surprisingly matter of fact. “But right now you are with him. And if the time comes and you do eventually part ways, it seems like you could decide then.”
Baffled, Stella stared. “Decide what?”
“If the town and the friends you’ve made are enough to keep you here.” Mel met her gaze. “I can tell you, I’d be very sad if you left. And I wouldn’t be the only one.”
“Each time I look at these barns, I’m amazed all over again that such a small community has this fabulous space.” Britt Elliott, looking stylish in all black, tilted her head to gaze up at the massive barn that was Holly Pointe’s premier venue.
Constructed of reclaimed lumber, stone, and steel, the barn had been modeled after the Big Sky Barn in Texas. Like that venue, the Barns at Grace Hollow were two barns. One was a chapel where wedding ceremonies were held, and the larger one was an event barn where receptions and other events were held year-round.
Sam didn’t know why the comment rankled, especially since there was only admiration in the pretty blonde’s tone. Maybe it was the use of the word “amazed,” as if they were in the boonies and she was shocked that something so nice could be found here.
He knew he wasn’t being fair to Britt. It was unusual to have such a first-class structure in a rural part of Vermont. Lucy’s mother had had the barns built using money she’d gotten from the dissolution of her fourth marriage.
After a year or so, Paula Franks had lost interest in Holly Pointe and turned the operations of the venue over to Lucy. That changeover had occurred shortly before Kevin’s death.
Lucy had thrown herself into the business after Kevin’s death and hadn’t come up for air since.
“I’m so happy we could make it to the ball this year.” His mother slipped her arm through Sam’s and smiled up at him.
Emily Danforth was a slim, petite woman, barely five foot two. Sam’s father affectionately called her his little firecracker. Her hair was blonde, like Britt’s, only his mom’s strands were more gold than platinum.
Sam always thought his mother’s eyes were her best feature. Not only because they were such a vivid blue but because of the intelligence and good humor always lurking there. Seeing her brought back memories of Kevin.
Same light coloring.
Same laughing blue eyes.
“Sam.” His father’s voice held an insistent edge.
Sam focused on his father and found the man’s gaze fixed firmly on him.
If looking at his mother was like seeing his brother, for Sam, gazing at Geoff Johnson, talented playwright and all-around good-guy, was like looking at himself in twenty-five years.
Tall with dark hair and brown eyes, his father’s face might hold a few more lines and his hair some strands of gray, but it was still like looking in a mirror.
Sam inclined his head.
“I asked if your new girlfriend will be able to join us tonight for dinner.”
His mother and Britt turned curious eyes in his direction.
If this was what it felt like to be center stage with the spotlight on you, it was no wonder he’d never pursued a career in the theatre.
“I haven’t been able to reach Stella since I let her know last night that you had arrived.” Sam kept his voice free of the irritation he’d felt over his texts being ignored and his calls going straight to voice mail.
He wasn’t worried, knowing she often turned off her phone when she was involved with something, but he’d really wanted to nail down plans for tonight.
“Dinner at Rosie’s Diner isn’t much of an incentive.” Britt flashed him a teasing smile.
“I happen to like the food at the diner.” Stella’s voice came from behind them.
Sam turned, a smile already on his lips.
Her arms were wrapped around a box marked “table linens.”
She’d been working today, he realized.
“Rosie’s hamburgers are to die for. I’ve never had better,” Emily confided. “Whenever we’re in Holly Pointe, Geoff knows we need to have at least one meal there.”
>
“Let me help you with that.” Without waiting for a response, Sam lifted the box from Stella’s arms. “Stella Carpenter, these are my parents, Emily Danforth and Geoff Johnson. And, our family friend, Britt Elliott.”
For all her initial hesitation about meeting his parents, Stella appeared surprisingly relaxed, shooting the group a warm smile.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all.” She turned to Sam. “I’m so sorry. I just realized five minutes ago that I had my phone turned off. I saw your messages, and I was planning to call once I finished bringing these boxes in.”
“I understand.” Sam wished he could touch her, even just a hand on the arm, to reassure himself that all was indeed okay between them.
Unfortunately, right now, his hands were full. But that could be easily remedied. “Where should I put these?”
Stella pointed to a work table against a wall to the right, where several more boxes had been placed.
“Is there anything else you need to bring in?” Geoff asked Stella.
“There are two more, about the same size as these.” She gestured to his cashmere topcoat. “But you have a nice coat on, and the outsides of the boxes are dusty.”
“A little dust never hurt anyone.” His father flashed a smile. “Where can I find these dusty boxes?”
“They’re in the back of a white maxivan. The vehicle is unlocked, and there’s only two boxes left, so you can’t miss them.”
“I’ll see you in a few.” Geoff took off whistling.
“I’ll hold the door open for Geoff.” Britt scurried after him, appearing oblivious to the wind whipping at her blonde strands as she pushed open the door.
Once Sam set the box down, he glanced around the cavernous hall. He’d been to a lot of Mistletoe Balls, and to his critical eyes, it appeared the setup was nearly complete.
