by Cindy Kirk
The call disconnected.
Stella dropped her head into her hands.
Last night, when she’d told Sam she wasn’t complicit, she’d lied.
To herself.
To Sam.
She wasn’t some young college student. She’d been in the newspaper business since graduating from the University of Florida. How could she have made so many mistakes?
The biggest mistake was in not telling Sam the entire truth of why she was in Holly Pointe. If she had, he’d have understood that she hadn’t sold out her friends. That she wouldn’t.
Stella pulled to her feet. She couldn’t put this off any longer. She had to apologize and make amends with those she’d hurt.
She would start now.
With Kenny and Norma.
The last thing Sam felt like doing on Sunday evening was celebrating an early Christmas with his parents and Britt. But the threesome planned to drive to Burlington tonight and fly back to New York City in the morning.
Sam wished they could just skip the presents. The scene with Stella last night had left his emotions too raw and close to the surface. But this time of year continued to be difficult for his parents, and he wouldn’t spoil it for them.
It wasn’t their fault he’d been taken in by a pretty face.
The doorbell rang as they were gathering in the living room.
“I’ll get it,” Britt jumped up.
“Who could that be?” Sam asked.
“Didn’t I mention I invited Lucy to join us?” His mother shot him an apologetic smile. “After so many years celebrating with her, it doesn’t feel like Christmas without her.”
Lucy came into the room, her arms filled with presents, which she placed in the pile by the tree. Then Lucy turned to Sam, holding a small burgundy sack adorned with a silver ribbon.
“You won one of the silent auction bids.” Lucy placed the sack on the side table rather than under the tree. “Since I was coming over, I thought I’d bring it along.”
“What did you win?” Britt’s eyes shone bright with curiosity.
“Nothing important.” Sam waved a dismissive hand, thinking of the necklace Stella had admired. He fixed his eyes on Britt. With his parents hovering, it had been impossible to catch her alone. “Do you have a minute?”
“Sure, Sam.” Britt offered a warm smile, and he was struck by how lovely she was, both inside and out.
He would never understand why the affection he felt for her had never progressed beyond friendship. “Walk with me to the kitchen.”
The kitchen still carried the sweet aroma of the spiced apple cider his mother had made earlier on the stove.
Britt leaned her back against the counter. “What’s on your mind?”
“I don’t know if anyone mentioned the article in the Sun Times to you, but—”
“Your parents and I went to the Cookie Extravaganza this morning, and it was all anyone could talk about.” Britt narrowed her gaze. “Don’t tell me you care about what’s said about us. You and I know the truth. That’s what matters.”
Sam stared, trying to make sense of her reaction. “Are you telling me having lies spread about you doesn’t matter?”
“Well, I’d rather they print the truth.” Britt moved close and placed a hand on his arm. “Most people, the smart ones anyway, know that kind of stuff is made up. I was surprised to see Stella’s name on the byline.”
A muscle in Sam’s jaw twitched. “I was surprised, too. She says she didn’t write it, but—”
“I know. That’s what she told me, too.”
“What?” Sam narrowed his gaze. “What do you mean that’s what she told you?”
“I ran into her at the cookie festival.” Britt paused and brought a finger to her lips. “I think she went there looking for me. She’d already visited with Kenny and with Dustin and Krista. Anyway, Stella apologized. Apparently, she’d speculated when she first arrived about our breakup, and those notes somehow made it into the final article.”
“You believe her?”
“I do.” Britt’s tone was matter of fact. “She let me read the article, the one she actually wrote. I wasn’t mentioned in this one. It was a lovely article about Christmas in Holly Pointe. Very warm and uplifting. What did you think of it?”
Sam shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “I haven’t read it.”
Her gaze sharpened. “Why not?”
He looked away and shrugged. Did they really have to do this? He didn’t want to talk about Stella. Right now, he didn’t want to even think about her.
Though keeping her from his thoughts was proving impossible.
“I’m disappointed in you, Sam.”
The admonishment fired his temper on all circuits. Britt was disappointed in him? “Me? I’m not the one who took advantage of friendships and the kindness of everyone in this town. Frankly, I’m surprised you’d want anything to do with Stella after what she pulled.”
“The reason I love Holly Pointe is that people care about each other. They give each other the benefit of the doubt. They listen. They forgive.” Britt touched his arm and met his gaze. “I know Stella hurt you, but by being so quick to believe the worst about her, you’re not really living the Holly Pointe spirit. She may have unwittingly hurt you, but by not hearing her out, you’re deliberately hurting her.”
Sam shoved his hands into his pockets. Britt made forgiving sound so easy. It wasn’t. Not for him.
“The article should be posted to the town’s website by now.” Britt smiled, her gaze never leaving his face. “Check it out.”
Sam thought of the accusations Stella had flung at him last night.
“Stella told me I don’t fight for what’s important to me.” His laugh sounded hollow, even to his own ears. “She thinks I’m scared to commit because I’m frightened of losing that person, just like I lost Kevin. Have you ever heard anything so ridiculous?”
For a long, uncomfortable moment, Britt didn’t speak.
“You know what I think, Sam?” Britt cocked her head. “I think you never found a woman you cared about enough to fight for. Until now.”
Sam mulled over her words as presents were unwrapped. Then his mother handed him the package that Stella had given him to put under the tree. “Where did you get this?”
His mom didn’t bat an eye at his accusing tone. “It was in the back seat of the Mercedes. I brought it in.”
Sam didn’t want to open it, especially not with everyone looking at him. But he was beginning to feel like a jerk over how he’d handled things with Stella. He tore off the paper and stared at the painted piece of wood.
The piece had come from Faith Original. Sam immediately recognized Faith’s artistic touch. The words—So Many of My Smiles Begin with You—started out in block lettering and ended with the You in a more stylish font. Woven strands of hemp crisscrossed the front. Tiny clothespins attached to the hemp held three photos.
The first he recognized from the event at the Bromley mansion, the day Stella first arrived in Holly Pointe. From her perch she’d captured a picture of him, right before he’d ordered her off the stairs. How she’d captivated him.
The second picture had been taken at Star Lake. It was one of the two of them skating across the ice, arm in arm. Stella was looking up at him while he gazed down at her. He recalled how much fun they’d had, and then he remembered something else. He’d told her he didn’t give up on those he cared about.
With an increased heaviness in the vicinity of his heart, Sam shifted his gaze to the last clothespin. This shot was taken when they were on the blue toboggan headed down the hill. She was leaning back against him and laughing with sheer joy.
He lowered the board. “This, ah, this is from Stella.”
“We figured.” His father cleared his throat.
Though Sam hadn’t mentioned what had happened last night, he’d seen his parents speaking with Lucy. He didn’t doubt his parents and Britt had discussed the situation in detail
with Lucy at the cookie exchange. “I need to speak with her.”
“That’d probably be a good idea,” his mother said, and his father nodded agreement. “When you do, be sure and give her our regards.”
“I’ll do that.”
Later, after his parents and Britt were on the road, Sam pulled up the town’s website and read Stella’s article. Britt had nailed it. The piece was a heartwarming feature promoting the wonderful life that could be found in Holly Pointe.
Did Stella want to build a life here? Last night, he’d have said yes. Now he didn’t know.
He pondered the question all the way into town. Striding into the coffee shop, he spotted Norma and Kenny behind the counter. While the tables were full, there was no one in line at the counter.
“I hope you know,” Sam kept his voice low, not wanting to be overheard, “I didn’t share any confidential information from our discussion.”
Kenny surprised Sam by leaning forward and patting his hand. “Don’t you worry none about that. Stella came to me and explained everything. She was worried about me. She never meant for those photos to get out.”
“You believe her?”
Kenny jerked back as if he’d been struck.
“Course I believe her. My daddy used to say it’s not people’s words that tell you who they are, it’s their actions.” Kenny’s broad hand swiped the air. “That article don’t mean squat. That girl has been nothing but kind to me and my missus. Her actions showed us who she is, and who she is, is our friend. I don’t want to hear you imply otherwise.”
Sam raised his hands, palms out. “You won’t get any argument from me.”
“Good. Because it’s all over town that you two had words at the Mistletoe Ball. Last I heard, you hadn’t kissed and made up.”
“Is she upstairs?” Sam glanced upward.
Kenny nodded.
“Take this.” Norma reached into her pocket and pulled out a sprig of mistletoe. “It came off the big ball over the dance floor.”
“Thanks, Norma.” Sam tucked the mistletoe into his pocket. “Wish me luck.”
“You won’t need luck.” Kenny slung an arm around his wife’s shoulder. “Not if you’ve got love.”
The unexpected knock at her door had Stella striding across the room to glance through the peephole. Her heart did a full somersault.
“Sam.” Opening the door, she stepped aside to let him enter. “This is a surprise.”
His dark eyes searched her face. “You were right. I was wrong.”
“Well, that’s an interesting way to start a conversation.” She gestured to the couch. “Can I get you something to drink?”
She was pleased that her voice had come out steady when her entire insides felt like jelly.
“No. Thank you.” Instead of immediately sitting, Sam paced to the window before dropping down on the sofa. “I was wrong not to give you an opportunity to explain.”
She licked her lips. “Are you ready to listen now?”
“I am ready. But I think I’ve pretty much gotten it figured out already.”
Stella took a seat in a nearby chair. Because the living area was so small, their legs nearly touched. As it was, she was forced to contend with the fresh scent of his shampoo teasing her nostrils.
Clasping her hands together, she went all the way back to the beginning. “After being off work for nearly two months, I was super excited when Jane Myers, the managing editor of the Miami Sun Times, called and asked if we could meet in her office.”
Stella took him through everything, not leaving anything out, including her conversation with Jane this morning. “Attempting to pursue legal action appears pointless. Even if I won, which is doubtful, it would likely do more harm than good by keeping things stirred up.”
“Kenny told me you apologized to him and Norma.”
“I wanted them to know I didn’t knowingly betray them.” Stella dropped her gaze to her hands. She’d failed everyone she cared about. “I also apologized to Dustin and Krista. And, of course, to Britt and your parents.”
The tightness in Stella’s chest told her that this apology was going to be the most difficult one of all. “You were right. I should have told you all this before. You deserved better from me. I really am sorry.”
“Apology accepted.” His tone was terse, his voice as tightly strung as piano wire. His next words had her heart sinking to her feet. “Will you be staying in Holly Pointe?”
“Would it bother you if I did?”
He frowned. “Why would it bother me?”
“Well, it can be awkward to have a former girlfriend hanging around.”
She watched those dark eyes go razor sharp.
“I don’t think of you as a former girlfriend.”
“You’re right.” Stella expelled a breath. “We really weren’t together all that long and—”
He stopped her babbling by taking her hands in his. “You misunderstand. It’s the former part I have issue with. I don’t want to be your former lover or your former boyfriend. I want us to be together. The way we were before I made an ass of myself at the ball.”
He tugged her from her chair until she was sitting beside him. “I’m sorry, too, Stella. I should have listened, I should have given you a chance to explain. I promise that won’t happen again.”
Stella didn’t know what to say. After a long, sleepless night, she’d convinced herself there was no more Stella and Sam.
“You accused me of not being willing to fight for what’s important.” His hand cupped her cheek. “I will fight for you, Stella. I will fight for us. Whatever it takes to convince you I’m sincere. For however long it takes. That’s how much you mean to me.”
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
“I love you.” The words flowed from his lips, seeming to surprise him as much as her. “I realize we haven’t known each other long, but I hope, given time, you’ll love me, too.”
“I already love you,” she heard herself whisper.
Sam closed his eyes and pulled her to him. She heard him murmur something that sounded like “thank you, God” against her hair.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she rested her head against his chest and emitted a contented sigh.
“I opened your gift,” he said.
She smiled against his shirtfront. “Do you like it?”
“A lot.” He nuzzled her hair. “Do you know that so many of my smiles begin with you?”
“Hey.” She lifted her head and feigned outrage. “That’s my line.”
He chuckled, and she went warm all over. It felt so good to be in his arms, teasing with him again.
“I’ve got a gift for you, but you can’t open it until Christmas.”
“You already opened mine,” she pointed out.
“That’s because my parents were leaving, and they insisted all the gifts be opened.” His hand began to stroke her arm.
“I like your parents.”
“They like you, too.” Sam released his hold and sat back, his fingers pulling something from his pocket. “I believe it’s time.”
Stella studied the red berries surrounded by dark green leaves. “Time for what?”
“Time for us to officially kiss and make up.” He studied her for a long moment, his gaze soft and caressing as he held the sprig aloft. “Under the mistletoe.”
She smiled and leaned closer, never taking her eyes from his. “We already made up.”
“Our first disagreement won’t be officially over until we kiss.”
She answered by wrapping her arms around him. Stella knew there would be other disagreements.
Other kiss-and-make-up sessions.
And, she thought, as his mouth settled possessively over hers, a lifetime of love with this man in the wonderful town of Holly Pointe.
About the Author
Cindy Kirk started writing after taking a class at a local community college. But her interest in words began years earlier, when she was in her teens. At sixteen s
he wrote in her diary: “I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t be a writer.” After her daughter went to college, she returned to her passion and jumped straight into composing book-length fiction. She loves reading and writing romance novels because she believes in the undeniable power of love and in the promise of the happily ever after. An incurable romantic and an eternal optimist, Kirk creates characters who grow and learn from their mistakes while achieving happy endings in the process. She lives in Nebraska with her high-school-sweetheart husband.
Also by Cindy Kirk
ALSO BY CINDY KIRK
Good Hope Series
Christmas in Good Hope
Summer in Good Hope
Be Mine in Good Hope
Forever in Good Hope
Say I Do in Good Hope
Marry Me in Good Hope
Tie the Knot in Good Hope
Hazel Green Series
One Fine Day
One Step Away
Please see www.cindykirk.com for a complete listing of books as well as news of upcoming releases.
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