Winter Wonders 2011
Winter Anthology
Smashwords Edition Dec 2011
Winter Wonders 2011 is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination and are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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Copyright © 2011 by each perspective author for their story:
Jane Wakely, Sharon Donovan, Jenny Twist, Regina Puckett, S M Senden, Angela Adams, Paul McDermott, Melissa Hosack, Janet Durbin
All rights reserved
Published by
Whimsical Publications, LLC
Florida
http://www.whimsicalpublications.com
ISBN-13 for e-book: 978-1-936167-67-8
ISBN-13 for print book: 978-1-936167-66-1
Cover art by Traci Markou
Editing by Melissa Hosack
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Table of Contents
Christmas Hope by Jane Wakely
Christmas Angel by Sharon Donovan
Mantequero by Jenny Twist
Hearts of Fire by Regina Puckett
December Bride by S M Senden
Burgers and Hot Chocolate by Angela Adams
Long Winter by Paul McDermott
If Only by Janet Durbin
Saving Santa by Melissa Hosack
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Christmas Hope
Jane Wakely
Chapter 1
Another Thanksgiving alone. Karen sighed as she took the cookies out of the oven. She wondered briefly if she should sell the bakery and move to Florida to be closer to her parents. She immediately discarded the idea. She loved her shop, Delightful, and she worked hard to make it a success in this town, which she loved just as much.
Karen had grown up in Woodland Springs and wanted to live the rest of her life here. She’d dreamt of opening a bakery in the small town and did everything she could to make that dream happen.
She had other dreams, too. She wanted to get married and start a family. She wanted to be surrounded by friends and relatives. Unfortunately, while she’d stayed close to home for school, most of her friends had traveled to far away colleges and never came back except on holidays. Her parents got tired of the cold winters and moved to Florida. She had made new friends, of course, but sometimes she longed for things to be the way they used to be.
The holiday season was the worst time of the year for Karen. Not for business, but for her personal life. Maybe she should take a vacation. She would, but she didn’t want to close the store during the busiest time of the year. The day after Thanksgiving, everyone started to come home for Christmas. Woodland Springs bustled with all of her old friends coming home to spend a white Christmas with their families and share the experience of the Christmas Carnival with their children.
It was also when she received the sympathetic looks or heard the whispers behind her back when they discovered she was still unmarried and didn’t even have a boyfriend. Everyone knew what happened to her three years ago, and it seemed they would never forget it.
Three years ago, her longtime boyfriend and she thought soon to be fiancé said he was bringing home a surprise for Christmas. Asked to meet him at the Christmas Carnival, she was sure it was a ring, and that he was going to propose at the huge Christmas tree in the center of town.
Instead, he’d brought home a girl. A girl he had married. That was the surprise. At the Christmas Carnival, in front of the town, he announced that he had been married on Thanksgiving to his college sweetheart. A sweetheart he dated at the same time he was dating her, only she was the only one who didn’t know about it. She’d been humiliated.
The people who lived in the town soon forgot about it and moved on, but the winter visitors never forgot. They brought that memory back with them and seemed to enjoy opening the wound every year.
Her ex-boyfriend was the worst. Every day that he and his family were in town, he’d visit the bakery. Sometimes he would come alone. Other times when life was feeling particularly cruel, he would stop by with his family in tow.
He always bought something, and he always wore a big grin. She didn’t know why he couldn’t just leave her alone. On multiple occasions, she’d pictured herself slapping that smug grin off of his face. Of course she didn’t though. She was polite and smiled right back. Still, she hated it, and she hated him for being such a jerk.
The timer went off and pulled Karen out of her trip to the past. She shook her head in an attempt to clear it as she pulled more cookies out of oven. She then put in another batch, trying to keep from feeling sorry for herself.
The truth was, she loved this town even though she had to deal with the pain of her past for a few weeks a year—and she wasn’t leaving. Her bakery, her dream, was here, and this was where she was staying.
With her pep talk over, and her resolve strong, Karen started working on making the batter for her cakes.
Chapter 2
Thankfully, the weekend was finally over. Thanksgiving weekend was always packed, so she was extra tired. Delightful was only open in the mornings from seven to noon and then again in the evenings from five to eight, but sometimes she had to bake during her off hours. Usually she baked in the mornings when she had Janice out front helping, but over the busy holidays, they were always empty up front by noon.
She sat down with a cup of coffee, doing a mental inventory in her head and planning out her Monday. She was happy Delightful was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays; she could sleep in tomorrow. She closed her eyes thinking about it and heard the bell on the front door ring.
She must have been really tired; she’d forgotten to lock the front door.
Karen opened her eyes, and her heart skipped a beat as she looked at the most handsome man she had ever seen. He was tall, she could tell from her sitting position, and he had hair so black it reminded her of the wigs the children had worn on Halloween. His eyes were a smoky grey, and when he smiled, she saw a dimple on his right cheek. Though covered in a jacket, she could tell that he was lean and muscular. She opened her mouth to say something and nothing came out.
He smiled. “Hi.”
Somehow she found her voice, though she didn’t take her eyes off of him. She had never seen him before, and she liked the view. “I’m sorry, we’re closed. I--I forgot to turn the lock.”
“Oh. Do you think I could get a quick cup of coffee? I just got into town, and I don’t have a coffee machine yet.” He smiled again, his expression hopeful.
“Okay. Why don’t you sit down, and I will pour you one to go.”
“Thank you so much. It’s really cold out there. I think I need a warmer coat.” He laughed as he said it, and his dimple showed prominently.
She looked at his coat as she made her way back to the table. It was thin, especially for this weather. He hadn’t been wrong when admitting he needed a thicker one. “It’s going to get colder. You really do need to get a warmer coat, and fast. Cream and sugar?”
“No, black is fine. Thank you so much. I’m Jason,” he said as he stood and pulled out his wallet.
“Don’t worry about it.” She waved her hand. “This one is on the house. I’m Karen.” She sat down at the table as she said it, and he sat down too. Delightful was closed, and she was tired, but she didn’t want him to go just yet.
“Are you visiting family?” she asked as she sipped her coffee, curious about where he came from.
“No, I just moved here for work. I don’t know anyone in this town. Well, except you.” He smiled again.
* * *
Jason watched as Karen smiled at his comment and sipped her coffee. She was really beautiful. Most men might prefer blondes, but Jason liked dark haired and dark eyed girls. Karen was perfect. Her brown hair, though pulled back, framed her face and highlighted her dark brown eyes. She had a small, cute nose set inside a round face. Her skin was creamy white and he could see a small hint of pink on her cheeks. When she stood next to him, she was a few inches shorter, the perfect height for him to bend down and kiss.
He wanted to get to know this girl. With his dedication to school and then his internship, he couldn’t remember the last time he wanted to take the time to get to know anyone. “Maybe you could show me around,” he said, “and then I could take you to dinner afterwards.”
She smiled that beautiful smile again and opened her mouth to answer when someone pulled on the shop’s door handle hard, shaking the glass.
They both jumped, and he saw Karen’s smile fall as she looked up, just for an instant, before she headed for the door.
* * *
Karen kept a smile plastered to her face as she walked to the door. It was Simon and his family. She wondered what he was doing this time. She was obviously closed, and the sign was out. She didn’t even have to look to see if it was there. She remembered putting it up when she turned the lock after Jason came in.
With a sigh, she unlocked the door and pulled it open slightly. “Good Evening. I’m sorry, but we are closed.”
“Hello Karen. I see we aren’t the only ones who would love something to keep us warm this evening. May we please come in?” Simon said it in the superior, condescending way that he spoke to everyone. His wife stood by him smiling, knowing that he always got what he wanted, and waited for Karen to let them in.
It was one thing to have to deal with them during working hours, but Karen wasn’t going to start letting them in when she was closed.
“No, I’m sorry, but we are closed for the night,” she said again.
Just then, Jason got up and came to the door. It seemed like he was coming to help her, and she thrilled at the thought.
Before she could think any more about it, Simon spoke. “Jason! Good to see you again!”
Karen felt her heart sink. He had lied. He did know someone in town, and it was Simon of all people. She didn’t want to find out who else he knew. She felt like such an idiot. Trying to remain calm, she listened to their conversation.
“Hi Simon, how are you?”
“Great, just great! I’m here for the holidays. You remember my wife Kim?”
“Yes, it’s nice to see you again,” he said to Kim.
“Are you visiting our little Karen?” Simon asked in a tone that held a hint of pity to it.
Karen wanted to hit him for speaking about her at all, but especially for calling her little Karen.
“No, I moved here for a job--”
“Oh, I knew it had to be something like that. Well, it is nice to see you again. We will have to catch up before I leave.”
“Have a good night,” Jason said as they turned and started to walk down the street.
Karen didn’t know how well they knew each other, but she did know one thing: Simon’s idea of catching up was to tell Jason all about their past and how silly she was for thinking he would ever marry her. She had to get rid of Jason and never see him again.
* * *
Jason smiled as she turned to face him after locking the door. “That was weird. So anyway, dinner? What night is good for you?”
“I think you better leave now, I have a lot of work to do before I can go home,” Karen said, seemingly ignoring his dinner question.
“Sure, I understand. Thanks for the coffee,” he said, holding up the paper cup he had in his hand as he walked over to the door. Not one to be deterred, he asked again, “What about dinner? Would you like to have dinner with me?”
He studied her as he waited for an answer. She looked like she was trying to pick her words very carefully, and she looked sad. Her smile was gone, and her beautiful eyes looked glossy as if they held tears. He didn’t understand the change in her mood, but he thought maybe she was just tired. He could imagine running a store around the holidays could get hectic.
* * *
Karen thought about what to say to him. She wanted to yell, and she wanted to cry all at the same time. He had lied to her, and worse than that, the person he lied about knowing was Simon. She was so disappointed; she really had wanted to get to know Jason.
“I’m sorry, I won’t be able to show you around or have dinner with you. This is a busy time of year for me, and I work long hours baking nearly every day. I don’t really have any spare time to show you around.” Not wanting to seem mean, she offered him an apologetic smile. “Once again, I’m sorry. Goodnight, Jason,” she said as she held open the door to her shop.
She saw the disappointment on his face when she declined his dinner invitation, but his dejected expression wasn’t going to sway her decision. If he was already being dishonest, how could she ever trust him?
“Goodnight, Karen,” he said hesitantly as if waiting for her to change her mind. “It was nice meeting you.”
He stared at her in confusion for a moment, and she hated the look of disappointment on his face. She had felt a connection and was sure he did too, but she didn’t waiver. Even though it was only seconds, it felt like hours before Jason finally stepped through the door into the cold.
He watched her lock the door, and she felt his eyes on her back as she walked into the kitchen. She knew he still stood there, but she didn’t dare look back.
Karen barely made it out of his line of sight before the tears fell, just a few as she thought of Simon and Jason. Why did they have to know each other? Why wouldn’t Simon just leave her alone?
She was relieved that at least she’d made it to the kitchen before the tears came. It was mortifying enough that Simon and Jason would probably mention her later when they caught up. She didn’t want to add the topic of her tears to their discussion. How pathetic would that be?
Anger welled inside of her when she realized he had made her cry again. She dried her eyes, cleaned up the kitchen and went home. On the way, she vowed not to let another tear fall because of Simon.
Chapter 3
The next day, Karen’s day off, was interrupted by her dog throwing up—a lot. It made her nervous, so she took an emergency trip to the vet. She walked in the door, carrying her black miniature Dachshund, and almost walked right into Jason. He wore a lab coat, and she guessed that this was his new job; Dr. Montgomery finally filled his veterinarian vacancy.
“Hi Karen--” He started to say before she cut him off.
“Hi Jason.” She looked at him briefly before making her way around him to the counter.
“Hi Karen, how can we help you today?” asked Cindy, the head nurse.
“My dog has been throwing up all morning. I’d like Dr. Montgomery to take a look at her.”
“Dr. Montgomery isn’t in right now, but Dr. Matthews is,” she said as she motioned her head toward Jason. “He can take a look at Lucy right now,” Cindy said.
She turned and Jason was right beside her. He didn’t touch her, but she wanted him to, and she hated herself for that.
He stretched his arm towards a room. “After you, Karen and Lucy,” he said with a smile.
Karen couldn’t help but smile too. He was cute in a goofy way, and she felt comfortable around him. She mentally reprimanded herself for her thoughts, and walked into the room.
* * *
“What seems to be the problem with Lucy today?”
He was all business, and focused on Lucy. She respected him for that, even though she didn’t want to.
“She has been throwing up. I think she ate some paper that came in a package I received today. I didn’t notice a piece had fallen on the floor until she had shredded it to pieces.”
“That’s probably what happened. Let me keep her here for about an hour and see how she does. The office will call you if I feel anything more needs to be done. Otherwise, come back in an hour and a half.”
“Okay, thank you, doctor.” She smiled at him.
“You may always call me Jason, Karen,” he said as he smiled back at her. “Did you change your mind about showing me around town? I could really use a tour.” He watched her and waited.
Again, she took time to formulate her response. “I’m sorry, Jason, but I don’t think that it would be a good idea. Maybe Simon can show you around.”
“Simon? From last night?” He shook his head. “I don’t really know him that well, but what I do know… Well, no offense, but I think I would rather find my own way around than spend any time with Simon.”
“You guys aren’t friends?”
“No! No, we aren’t. Are you and he friends?” He raised his voice a little at the end of that question like he couldn’t believe that they would be friends. It also sounded like he didn’t like Simon all that much. Had she made a mistake in her judgment of Jason?
“No, we are not friends.”
“Good,” Jason confided. “We went to the same school. That’s how I know who he is, but from what I have seen, he is not a very nice person.”
Warmth filled her and she smiled wide at his declaration. Then she said, “I would love to show you around Woodland Springs, Jason.”
He leaned closer upon her agreement to show him around, and she realized he was close enough to kiss her. In fact, seconds passed as he lingered, and she thought he might be about to do just that. She wanted him to, even though she knew it was too soon, but with a look of regret, he slowly moved away from her.
Chapter 4
It had been a week since the day in Jason’s office when she offered to show him around the town. She opted for dinner that night, and she had seen him every night since. He would come over to Delightful after work and have coffee with her in between her customers. Then he would help clean up and take her to dinner, or pick up take-out and bring it back for the two of them.
Simon came by most nights with his family, but he just bought his items and left. Still, Jason knew there was something going on, and he asked her about it. “What is the deal with Simon?”
“Hmmm?”
He was spending so much time with her that he’d come to realize she was trying to avoid the question.
“Why does he come in here so often? It’s obvious there is friction between the two of you. Why does he shop here? There are other bakeries in town,” Jason asked.
She didn’t want to tell him the whole story. She didn’t want him to think less of her, wonder what was wrong with her, or pity her. She wanted to forget about Simon and move on from the past. She told the truth, but she also told him as little as she could.
“I don’t know why he comes in here. We used to date, a long time ago, before I opened the bakery. Since I opened, whenever he is in town, he comes in the store.”
“That seems odd,” he said, waiting for more.
“Yes, it is. I agree with you, and personally I wish he would take his business to another bakery.”
“Have you ever told him to?”
“No, I haven’t. I’d like to, but I think it’s best to just try and ignore him.”
“I don’t like it.”
He didn’t say anything more about it, and neither did she. Silently though, she savored his last comment. She knew he wouldn’t say such a thing if he didn’t care about her, and knowing that he cared made her happy. Even though the pain of the past made her nervous about her strong feelings for Jason, she pushed them aside because she was starting to care about him, too.
* * *
Two weeks later, Karen helped Jason at his office on her day off. She wanted to be near him, so she’d asked if there was anything she could do.
He asked her to come walk the dogs and give them some play time.
Karen brought Lucy and played with the dogs for most of the day, taking her breaks when Jason took his. In the middle of the day, they both stole away for a long lunch. She took him to her favorite restaurant called The Sea Captain. It looked like a shack that a strong wind would blow over, but it had weathered many snow storms and was still standing. They split the shrimp and scallops and talked about the dogs.
“Thank you, Jason, for letting me help you today. I loved playing with the dogs.”
“Which one was your favorite?”
“Lucy, of course,” she said laughing.
He laughed too, and she could see his dimple clearly. She’d gotten to see that dimple up close when he kissed her for the first time the night after their first date, and when he’d kissed her goodbye every night since. She loved getting to see his dimple up close.
“Besides Lucy?” he asked.
“The small brown Dachshund. I’ve always wanted a completely brown Dachshund too, but I’ve never been able to find one. Dachshunds are not popular in Woodland Springs.”
* * *
Jason smiled as she talked about the dogs. She seemed to love animals almost as much as he did, and that was important to him. She even kept her shop closed through the middle of the day so she had time to spend with Lucy. Just another thing he was starting to love about her.
Jason knew that it had only been a couple of weeks, but he was starting to love Karen. It scared him and made him feel content all at the same time.
He wanted to do something special for her. Christmas was the perfect time. He could mask his gesture as a Christmas gift, that way she wouldn’t feel awkward. Well, maybe she would. It had only been a couple of weeks. He thought about it, and decided he didn’t care. He wanted to do something nice for Karen, something that let her know how much she meant to him.
The next day he started making calls.
Chapter 5
The day of the Christmas Carnival had arrived. It was Christmas Eve, and Karen was waiting for Jason to arrive so they could go together. Jason had never seen the Carnival before, and she was anxious to show him all the fun.
There would be ice skating shows, carolers, present wrapping, food, craft booths and games. There weren’t any rides, which is what most visitors looked for, so she had warned Jason ahead of time. He didn’t seem to mind either way.
Even though the Carnival had been a place of such pain, Karen refused to let that stop her from enjoying something so wonderful in her town. She went every year. She supported the Carnival fund by donating cookies and cupcakes or candy. She participated in the games and sampled the food. She visited with friends and always enjoyed herself, burying the pain from that night down deep inside.
Jason and Janice had helped her package and deliver her donated goods. Jason had helped by volunteering his time to set up booths and tables the evening before the event. She was happy that he had gotten involved in something so special in his new town.
* * *
It was a wonderful night, and Jason and Karen were making their way to the stage for the awards ceremony. There were contest and raffle winners to announce, and appreciation to give to everyone who had helped to make the event a success.
First they mentioned each community contributor by name, and what they donated. Dr. Montgomery was reading the names off the list.
Each person stood and waved so people could see who and where they were before he went to the next person.
Karen did the same when her name was called, and everyone clapped just like they did for everyone else.
When it was Jason’s turn, Dr. Montgomery called Jason to the stage and gushed about what a wonderful job he was doing at the office. He then asked him to say a few words.
Jason looked at home on the stage, and Karen was proud of him. He talked about how much he liked the town and the office, how he hoped to meet everyone he hadn’t already met. Then he said he had something special to give away.
Karen listened as he described how he had a special gift for the girl who he had met his first night here, for the girl who had showed him around the town and made him feel welcome.
Karen had given up her seat when he was called to the stage, and as he spoke about her, she slowly moved to the back of the crowd. She couldn’t believe that this was happening to her again. Jason was about to humiliate her just like Simon did. She could hear the whispers and giggles of the people who remembered. Tears threatened to fall, but she wasn’t going to stick around and let anyone see. Just as Jason said her name and called her to the stage, she was far enough back that no one noticed where she was.
She wasn’t going to meet Jason’s wife on stage in front of the whole town. She had done that once already, and never wanted to do it again. She turned, and with tears spilling down her cheeks, she ran.
Chapter 6
Long after the Carnival was over, and everyone had gone home, Karen walked down the center of Main Street. She watched a random food wrapper fly down the street on the wind, and looked at the empty tables that had previously been set up and decorated so festively. It was late, and no one was around. The snow flurries started to fall just after midnight, and left the town in a blanket of snow dust. The streetlamps cast a beautiful glow over the scene, and lit her way down the street.
When she’d run earlier, she’d gone home and cried for a long time. Lucy never left her side, even when someone had come to the door. She didn’t know who it was, and didn’t care. She wanted to be alone. Jason had called and so had Janice, but she didn’t answer. She waited until the Carnival was over and the streets were clear before deciding to take a walk.
She walked right up to the stage that sat in front of the tall Christmas tree that was put up every year, and then she continued around the stage to the other side of the tree, sitting down on one of the benches that circled it.
Maybe she should sell her store and move away, after all, go somewhere where no one knew who she was or her history. She could go somewhere where she could live her life without whispers and giggles, somewhere where Simon and her past wouldn’t follow her. She thought of Jason and the time that they had spent together. She liked him so much, had started to see a future with him and hoped for something more. Now, she didn’t know what she should do. She felt lost and lonely as another tear started to fall.
Just as she started to swipe it away, a brown Dachshund puppy jumped in her lap and licked her cheek. She wrapped her arms around the puppy and followed the leash to the man holding it.
“Hi,” Jason said as he sat down beside her. “I talked to Janice, and she told me what happened with Simon.”
Karen just nodded her head and tried to stop the tears as she thought about what he said.
“I didn’t know, but I would never hurt you, Karen. I’m not married right now, but I want to be one day. I just wanted to give you something to let you know how much you mean to me.” He took a breath and then continued, “You should have told me the whole story about Simon. Everything makes so much more sense now.”
He looked at her as if waiting for her response.
She ducked her head down, facing her lap as she held on to the puppy like it was a lifeline. He understood her fear. If she was honest, she could get hurt again, but if she wasn’t, she would never be happy.
“I didn’t mean to mislead you,” she said, still looking down. “It’s just that I really want to let the past go, and I didn’t want you to know about it.”
“The past should stay there, but the man who loves you should know more than the whole town. I should know more than that creep Simon does. I should have known everything, so that a surprise wouldn’t have made you run away.”
“You love me?” she asked, finally looking up at him.
“Yes, I do. Very much. I want to marry you, too.” He smiled wide, showing off his dimple again, and waited for her to say something.
She smiled as the tears spilled down her face. This time, though, they were tears of joy and not sorrow.
Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. The puppy jumped off her lap onto the ground as she buried her face in his neck and shed a few more tears. “I love you, too, Jason. Very much,” she said in his ear.
He pulled back and kissed her. His lips were gentle on hers, tentative at first, but they both soon became more aggressive. “Let’s take you home, and get you warmed up,” he said with a big smile.
She didn’t miss his meaning, and was eager to go with him. She was ready to begin her new life with Jason, and she wanted to get started right away. “I love my new puppy. Where did you find her?” she asked as they walked arm in arm towards her house.
“I called a few of my friends and found her in Bayview.”
Bayview was four hundred miles away. She couldn’t believe he had found her the puppy she wanted and somehow gotten it from Bayview to Woodland Springs. She smiled as she thought about how lucky she was. “I love you, Jason. Thank you so much for such a wonderful gift.”
“I love you, too,” he said as he kissed her again.
It was awkward, because they were still walking, but she didn’t care. He looked so happy, which in turn made her even happier. She was so grateful that Jason had moved here to Woodland Springs.
“What will you name her?” he asked.
“I’m going to call her Hope,” she smiled and kissed him on the cheek.
Chapter 7
The next morning, Jason and Karen slept in. They spent the morning drinking coffee in bed and watching old Christmas movies. They ate lunch at Janice’s house then stopped to visit Dr. Montgomery and his wife, Eve, on the way home. They walked the dogs, and after, they went to Delightful to bake some cookies for the following morning.
It was a wonderful day.
A wonderful week followed.
They fell into a rhythm, spending some part of each day together. Karen helped Jason with the dogs in the afternoon, and he helped her with the bakery in the evening. Then they would do something for just the two of them such as dinner, a movie, or just a walk.
New Year’s Eve was a Saturday, and the bakery was only open in the morning. Delightful would be closed the next day, Sunday, for New Years Day, and the bakery was packed.
Being closed on Sunday, meant that customers had to go three days without her yummy cookies and cakes, instead of two. With so many people in the shop, Jason was helping Janice at the counter while Karen worked in the kitchen.
Just as she brought out a fresh tray of cookies, Simon walked in without his family. Karen inwardly groaned, but kept the smile on her face as she boxed up cookies for Mrs. Montgomery. She looked at Jason and noticed that he remained smiling at his customer, but he was tense. He asked Janice to take over the register, and walked to the back of the line, in the middle of the shop, where Simon stood.
Simon smiled and greeted Jason like they were old friends. “Jason, how are you doing? How do you like Woodland Springs?”
Ignoring his questions, Jason leaned over and whispered something near Simon’s ear.
“Are you kidding me with this?” Simon spoke loudly and everyone in the shop stopped what they were doing to look at the two men.
Karen had watched Jason walk over to Simon, but she had no idea what was going on.
Everyone watched closely as Jason leaned over again and whispered something to Simon.
“Yeah right. You don’t make those decisions. Karen wants me here!” Simon said out loud and all eyes went to her.
“Karen, come here please,” Jason said.
She put down her box and walked over to them.
Jason started, “I was just explaining to Simon that he is no longer welcome in this bakery. We don’t want his business, and he can buy cookies and coffee somewhere else--”
“First of all,” Simon interrupted, “you don’t own this bakery, and I don’t have to listen to you--”
“Yes, you do,” Karen interrupted him. “Jason speaks for me, and those are my wishes. I don’t want you coming in here anymore Simon.”
He laughed. Simon started laughing like a crazy man as everyone in the bakery stared at him. “You don’t mean that. You have no idea what throwing me out will do to your business. You have always been a stupid girl--”
Jason punched him, hard and Simon fell to the ground.
Everyone held their breath as her hero pulled Simon to his feet by his shirt, opened the door and pushed him outside. Then they cheered.
Karen cried tears of joy at how lucky she was to have found Jason. She didn’t have to worry about slapping that smile off of Simon’s face, because Jason punched it off for her. Jason. Her friend, her protector, and the man she loved.
He walked back to her and kissed her hard on the mouth, but pulled away quickly, mindful of their audience.
She kissed his cheek and hugged him tight. “Thank you, my love,” she said quietly so only he could hear.
They pulled away, and she and Jason started to walk back to the counter.
“So where were we?” he asked the room and everyone laughed, continuing with their evening.
Simon never came back to the store, and Delightful became more successful than it had ever been before.
Epilogue
One year later…
The Christmas Carnival was beautiful this year, just as it always was. It felt good to enjoy it with her hand locked inside her husband’s.
Jason was a wonderful man, and asked her to marry him, officially, on New Year’s Day. Even though they had known each other only a short time, they both knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.
They got married the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the weekend they had met the year before, and had spent the last month in wedded bliss.
Karen had a special surprise for Jason for Christmas, and she hoped he was as thrilled about it as she was.
Dr. Montgomery was on stage again, and had already thanked all the businesses for their contributions. He said he had a special announcement to make. He then called Jason and Karen to the stage.
“Well folks, I have decided it’s time for me to retire, but I leave you and your pets in good hands. I am giving my entire practice to Dr. Matthews. I hope he and Mrs. Matthews will have many years of blessings together like my Eve and I have,” Dr. Montgomery said to the crowd.
“Thank you, Winston. The two of us are grateful to the both of you,” Jason said.
The crowd cheered as Karen whispered something in Jason’s ear.
He looked back at her in question, hope and a smile showed on his face.
She smiled back and nodded her head.
Jason pulled the microphone back to his mouth and spoke again. “The three of us,” he corrected. “The three of us are so grateful. Thank you, Dr. and Mrs. Montgomery.”
The crowd cheered again as they realized what Jason had meant: they were going to have a baby. They left the stage, and were surrounded by a mob of people. Karen had never been hugged, kissed or given so many well wishes in her life. As they made their way through the crowd, she felt the comfort of Jason’s strong presence and realized that she would never be alone again.
She had her bakery. She had friends. She was starting a family in Woodland Springs. Most of all, she had Jason. With Jason, she had found hope. With Jason she had everything she always wanted.
The End
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Christmas Angel
Sharon Donovan
“I want an abortion,” Eve hissed, glaring at her husband as he struggled to control his SUV during a complete white-out on the northbound lane of Lake Shore Drive. Gusts of bitter wind howled, sleet pummeled the windows, turning one of Chicago’s main arteries into a car graveyard. She cranked up the radio, fiddling until she stumbled upon a rock song to her liking. “And I want a divorce.”
“You’re drunk,” Oliver said, dark eyes flashing in the oncoming traffic. “We’ll talk about this when you’re sober.”
“I’m not drunk, and we’ll talk about it now,” Eve said, turning up the radio a notch. “I’m sick to death of your self-righteous attitudes. Your constant moralizing drives me mad. I only had a few drinks. It was a Christmas party, after all.”
“A few drinks?” Oliver snorted, skidding on the off-ramp from Stevenson Expressway. “Don’t make me laugh. You were tilting back that Sangria like it was cherry soda. You’re pregnant and shouldn’t be drinking at all. You shoulda seen yourself out there on the dance floor in that skin-tight red dress, rubbing up to all the male jockeys, shimmying and kicking up your stiletto heels like you were a contestant in Dancing With the Stars. You looked ridiculous. Everyone was laughing and pointing. Honey, you made a royal ass of yourself.”
“Shut up,” her hands balled into tight fists, long fingernails coiled like talons. How she itched to wipe that smug look off his face, knock him off his pedestal. She rolled her eyes theatrically, heaving out an exasperated sigh. “Unlike some people I know, the jockeys at the clubhouse know how to cut loose and unwind, leave the work load behind at the end of the day. You’re no fun at all, a real deadbeat. Did you even try socializing, get to know some of the jockeys? No, you just sat there all night like a bump on a log, drinking coffee, eye on the clock, a scowl plastered on your face. We have nothing in common. Why I married you is a mystery to me. I want out, the sooner the better.”
“Over my dead body,” Oliver roared, tires squealing as his vehicle skated dangerously close to a light pole. “What about our baby?”
“Weren’t you listening? I’m terminating this pregnancy; I’m only a few weeks. I told you when we got married, no kids. Training horses is my profession, my passion, something I won’t give up for anyone, least of all a kid. Thoroughbred racing comes first, foremost and always. Get it through your head. The last thing in the world I want is to be straddled down with a snotty nosed brat. Not in this life. You can’t make me have it.”
“You think this is about power and control?” Oliver raged, brakes squealing, wheels spinning. “It’s not. It’s about love and commitment. Haven’t I always catered to your every whim, your every need? Since the day we met, I treated you like a queen. I spoiled you rotten and let you have your way. Not this time, Eve. I’m putting my foot down. I want this baby. An abortion is out of the question. Absolutely not, I forbid it.”
“You what?” she laughed, cranking up the rock music to an ear-splitting screech. “Do you think you can control me, make my decisions for me? Order me to go through with this unwanted pregnancy because you’re a judge? The Honorable Judge Oliver Wendell Williams presiding? Do you really think you can lock me up behind bars, hold me prisoner against my will? Make me have this kid? Because that’s what having a baby would feel like to me, a jail sentence.”
“Don’t be so selfish, Eve.”
“Oliver, the pole!”
With a screech of brakes, the wheels locked, sending the SUV skidding into the light pole with a thundering boom. The vehicle flipped on its side, rolling three times before crashing into a tree, the splintering of glass and broken metal piercing the night.
* * *
She ached all over. Not wanting to open her eyes, she preferred the comfort of the surreal place she was floating in, drifting in and out of. Her head throbbed and she felt something tight and uncomfortable squeeze her arm. Somewhere in the distance, she heard beeping.
Cool fingers snaked around her wrist. Paramedics feeling for a pulse? She had a vague recollection of the wreck. To her horror, she remembered the SUV skidding into a pole and rolling over and over before landing with a resounding crash. The shattering of broken glass rang in her ears, the shuddering shriek devastating. Was she dead? She felt cold, colder than she’d ever felt. She needed to tell them she was alive.
She was faintly aware of murmurs, muted and distant. Someone pried her eyelids open and flicked a bright light in them. She thought she heard her name, far away in the distance, but it was so muffled she couldn’t be sure. She fluttered her eyelids.
“We’re losing her,” a man said, panic rising in his voice. “She’s lost too much blood and is going into cardiac arrest. We need to resuscitate. Let’s move! Code Blue.”
Eve felt herself leaving her body, floating upward to a swirl of bright light. As she gently ebbed closer to the rapture, her senses became acutely aware. She drifted through a garden of roses, vivid blooms of crimson, burnt orange and liquid gold as bright as sorcerer’s flames. The sweet perfume permeating the air was heavenly. Enveloped in peace and tranquility, she passed through a veil of flowers. With a flutter of gossamer wings, a beautiful cherub materialized. The angel was breathtakingly beautiful. A spiral of jet-black curls framed a heart-shaped face, and when she smiled, lips the color of ripe cherries lit up her entire face.
“Who are you?” Eve asked.
“It’s me, Mummy,” the angel answered sweetly. “The baby you lost in the wreck, the child you didn’t want.”
Eve tried to speak, but she was too stunned. Was she in heaven? Her mind was in a haze. Through parched lips, she asked, “Where am I?”
“In limbo,” the angel said, soulful blue eyes sad with tears. “It’s an empty tomb between life and death.”
With crystal clear clarity, Eve realized she wanted to live. She’d been selfish and self centered during her life and desperately hoped for another chance. Emotions caught in her throat. “I want to go back. Please!”
“Not yet, Mummy. Not until we journey through your life. First, we’ll revisit your past with Daddy, then your present, and finally, the future you would have had with me.”
Before Eve knew it, they were floating through puffs of brilliant white light, aimlessly drifting through the rose-scented air. Then she saw it beneath the billowy clouds, her wedding day.
* * *
The Ave Maria softly drifted through the rose garden like a sweet summer symphony. The sun cast an ethereal glow on the landscape, burnishing the countryside in a rich copper glow. Love doves cooed from the cages flanking the trellis. A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, stirring the sweet perfume of vintage roses. Under sun-drenched skies on a late fall afternoon, guests gathered for the wedding of Eve and the Honorable Judge Oliver Wendell Williams.
Making quite a statement in a white tuxedo, the groom in waiting beamed beneath the oval-shaped trellis. To a violin-cello duo, the bride undulated up the path of crushed rose petals on her father’s arm. The wedding was a scene straight out of Camelot, a harmonic symphony amidst a setting of simple elegance.
As regal as a queen in a royal wedding, Eve sashayed up the path of roses to Oliver, her blue eyes sparkling like sapphires. Donned in a strapless white gown elaborately adorned with a beaded bodice and full train, she shimmered in the late afternoon sun. A diamond tiara graced the top of her head.
“My Darling Eve,” Oliver smiled, brown eyes twinkling. “You are so beautiful, you steal my breath.”
“Oliver,” A tear glistened on her cheek. “You are so devilishly handsome you make me weep.”
Shrouded in a garden of roses, the couple exchanged their wedding vows beneath the trellis, taking vows of fidelity.
“Darling Eve.” Oliver placed the diamond on her finger. “Now and forever, I promise to love you and only you.”
“Always and forever,” Eve promised in return as she slid a gold band onto Oliver’s finger. “I promise to love you until I draw my last breath.”
Sealed with a kiss, the couple joined hands for life. The amber leaves of autumn rustled with every gentle breeze.
The grand ballroom was charming and old-world. Marble floors gleamed under the brilliancy of a Baccarat chandelier, and a spiraling staircase led to terrace balconies overlooking the rose garden.
Silver candelabras graced either side of the appetizer table, and red roses in Waterford vases lined the mirrored wall. The scent of lemon-crusted medallions of beef, spicy shrimp, and Jonah crab claws wafted through the air. Oliver picked up a long-stemmed chocolate strawberry and traced the tip of it on Eve’s lips. Then he kissed those lips and whispered in her ear, “You will always be my queen.”
With the gentle strum of violin bow, the Viennese Waltz began, and the bride and groom glided across the ballroom floor. On a romantic lilt, Oliver ended the dance by placing his left thigh under Eve’s right thigh. To applause and whistles, he lifted her high into the air before bringing her down to earth with the greatest of ease.
With eyes only for Oliver, Eve slid down the length of his body, her hands locked around her husband’s neck. When her feet touched the ground, they were so close it was as if they were one.
His arms tightened around her waist, pulling her even closer. Losing herself in pools of liquid chocolate, she knew that Oliver was her destiny.
“Come on, Mummy,” the angel said as they took flight. “Off to the Emerald Isle where you and Daddy spent your honeymoon.”
* * *
Ireland was a land of enchantment, a heathery meadow of dreams. From the glimmering white castles towering high above rolling green hills to the lavish fields of lavendar, the island was truly magical.
As the newlyweds strolled through the village late one afternoon, capricious winds rippled the waters of the River Shannon. Walking hand in hand with his bride, Oliver pointed to a medieval fortress.
“Bunratty Castle has been restored to most of its former glory to give guests a flavor of fifteenth century charm. We’ll be dining there tonight. You’ll love it, my darling.”
“Being wined and dined in a medieval castle,” Eve sighed, blue eyes sparkling with love. “How romantic. I can’t wait.”
Oliver smiled. “It will be a night to remember, my love. I promise. A night where dreams come true.”
“It’s so peaceful here,” Eve said, inhaling the lavendar-scented air. “It really is like stepping back in time several centuries to when life was simpler.”
Later that evening, Irish music drifted out of hidden wall speakers as the newlyweds dressed for the banquet. A Tiffany lamp bathed the room in a warm amber glow. Mesmerized by her handsome husband, looking so gallant in black tails, Eve fancied him a king from a bygone era. She felt a little tingle as she watched him straighten out the sleeves on his jacket. For a fleeting second, she was transported back in time. Captivated, she shamelessly gaped.
His eyes sparkled in the lamp light, his features as finely chiseled as a Greek god’s. Catching her eye, he winked. “I do believe we’re donned for elegance. You, my darling, are definitely dressed to the nines.”
Eve applied a coat of cherry red lipstick, followed by a smudge of gloss to add shimmer and shine. Picking up the pearl handled mirror, she checked her back. The red silk tube dress hugged her like a second skin. To complement the strapless gown, she twisted her long raven hair in an exquisite French knot at the nape of her neck. She watched in the mirror as her husband came behind her and bestowed a diamond necklace around her neck. She shivered as his teeth gently grazed her ear, whispering seductive promises of things to come. Chills of anticipation raced down her spine. On a breathless shiver, she said, “I never did understand that expression, dressed to the nines.”
Oliver’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “My darling, since we are in the land of legend and lore, allow me to explain. The nine muses, daughters of Zeus, were goddesses of the water. According to legend, the muses soared up to the celestial heavens on the wing of a poet, vowing to preside over the arts. If someone describes you as being dressed for the nines, it means you are donned to impress one of the muses. And you, Eve, will impress everyone at the Earl’s banquet tonight.”
Eve dabbed perfume on her throat and wrists. The scent was sweetly provocative. Day dreaming of the evening ahead, she slipped on fingerless silk gloves, accentuating her long ruby red nails and diamond wedding ring. With a sweeping bow, Oliver extended his arm. “Ready to make our grand entrance? My carriage awaits.”
Greeted with a tune by a kilted piper, the banquet was off to a lovely start. “Welcome me lord and me lady,” The Earl’s butler said. “If you will please follow me right this way.”
Hand in hand, Eve and Oliver were led up the castle steps and across the draw bridge before going onward to the upper great hall.
With a wink and a smile, the serving ladies handed them goblets of mead along with its legend. “According to an old Irish myth, a couple partaking of the mead on their honeymoon will be a couple blessed with many children.”
The candlelit banquet in the medieval castle was eloquently toasted with wine and a four-course meal. As Eve and Oliver enjoyed the first course of tomato bisque, brought up to their lips in typical fifteenth century etiquette, the Bunratty Singers entertained with harp and violin. For the next two hours, from soup and salad to roasted chicken and dessert, the honeymooners were treated like a royal couple. Amidst the flickering candlelight, they gazed into each others’ eyes, fed one another succulent strawberries and drank plenty of mead.
“Mummy,” the angel squeezed Eve’s hand. “Remember how happy you and Daddy were on your honeymoon?”
Emotions tugged at Eve’s heart. “I remember. Our wedding and honeymoon were like a fairy tale. We were so happy. What happened to that blissful couple who promised to love one another until the end of time?”
“You got selfish, Mummy,” the angel said, expressive eyes tormented. “Let’s journey into your present so you can see for yourself.”
* * *
Sitting on the terrace overlooking Lake Michigan, Eve and Oliver greeted the day with steaming mugs of coffee. With the sun just rising to meet the horizon, the birds chirping from the woods, and the brisk morning air rustling through the freshly budding maples, it had the promise of a gorgeous day.
“I almost forgot.” Oliver reached into his shirt pocket. “I bought a gift to celebrate our six month wedding anniversary.”
Eve glanced at her watch, drained her coffee mug and stood. “Listen, honey, can this wait until tonight? I’m running late. I gotta get to the horse track to train Wildfire.”
Ignoring her, Oliver slipped a blue diamond cocktail ring on Eve’s right hand with a smile. “It matches the sparkle in your beautiful eyes.”
“It’s lovely, Oliver,” Eve held it up to admire it. “Thank you. You spoil me with all these trinkets.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Oliver said. “It was designed for a queen, and that’s just what you are, my queen. It reminded me of royalty when I saw it in the jeweler’s window. You can pass it on to our daughter on her wedding day.”
“What?”
“It’s tradition,” Oliver explained, “for the bride to wear something blue on her wedding day.”
Stunned, Eve stared at her husband, the sun glinting on the brilliant blue stone. Her eyes narrowed. “I’m well aware of the tradition. Was this fancy bobble a bribe, something to butter me up and make me change my mind about having children? It won’t work. We’ve had this conversation until I’m blue in the face. Read my lips. No kids, no bribes, no compromise. I don’t want children, not now, not ever. Why can’t you get that through your head? I’m a professional horse trainer and nothing will get in the way of taking Wildfire to the Derby. Everything in my life revolves around horses and the track. Being a female trainer is hard work, a daily challenge. The racetrack is a man’s world. Don’t you get it? Not only do I have to break that barrier by showing men I am their equal, but I fully intend to be the first female trainer to have a winning Derby entry at Churchill Downs. I want it so bad I can taste it. I’ll go down in history, everyone will know my name. I won’t stop until Wildfire wins the roses. Got it?”
“I got it.” Oliver’s eyes flashed. “Let’s have this out right here and now. What about my feelings, what I want? I want children. Maybe not this year or the next, but at some point during our marriage I want them. It’s always about what you want, what you need.”
“That’s right,” Eve spewed. “It’s all about me so listen up. I’m training Wildfire to be a Derby winner. He’s an awesome colt, and I’m an awesome trainer. I dream about him winning the Derby in front of a record-breaking crowd. I can see it splashed all over the media, the front page in every country. No kid is about to break my stride or get in my way. So don’t think you can stop me or persuade me to have children. You’ll never win.”
“What happened to that sweet woman I married?” Oliver fumed. “When did you become so selfish and self-centered? It’s time you gave something back in this marriage.”
“What?” Her mouth dropped open. “Could I be hearing right, Oliver? Are you ordering me to have a child? Is that what I’m hearing?”
“Yes.”
Anger glinted in her eyes. “How dare you insult me? I never once asked for the gifts you shower me with. They’re not important to me. Nothing matters except making Derby history with Wildfire. Here’s what you can do with your bribe.” She ripped the blue diamond from her finger and pitched it across the terrace, the stone clanking as it skittered across the wooden planks.
“Come on, Mummy,” the angel said as she took Eve’s hand, “time to see what people thought of you during your life.”
As they soared through the clouds, a funeral home came into view. One name appeared in bright lights on the marquee: Eve Williams