Christmas Romance (Best Christmas Romances of 2013) (16 page)

Clara smiled and splayed her hands. “It’s more fun to view the world like a big present I get to unwrap every day. I hate to see people promote doom, gloom, and strife—especially at Christmas. I mean,
really
. It’s the season of hope and anticipation. No matter what happened, my parents always believed life could get better.” She sat down. “So what’s my surprise?”

“It should be here any moment.” Lucy poured tea. “In the meantime, let’s review what each of your guests will need—breakfasts, snacks, that kind of thing. This is such a great idea, Clara. I’d like to do it again in the spring for the flowers, and late summer when the vegetables come in. What do you think?”

For the next hour, Clara and Lucy solidified plans for the clients due to arrive the following Friday afternoon. All the while the imminent arrival of a surprise teased Clara’s brain.

The front door opened around five, followed by the clump of boots coming down the hall.

When Sam poked his head into the dining room, Clara’s heart took a little leap.

Still as good-looking as he was two weeks ago.

Then she gave him a closer look. Something had changed. His face looked more relaxed.

He grinned. “Are you just going to stare at me like I’m one of Santa’s elves, or are you going to say hello?”

“Hello!” She leapt from her chair and walked to him. “Are you my surprise?” She wanted to hug him, but hesitated when she remembered their last encounter. “
You
made a Christmas joke?”

He laughed. “Amazing, isn’t it? Let’s sit down. I want to see if you can fit my cheese making operation into the busy schedule Lucy says you have.”

Stunned, Clara sat. “You’ve changed your mind?”

“Yes, about a lot of things.” His gaze lingered on her face, giving shades of meaning to his statement.

Lucy cleared her throat. “I think, if you get started a half hour earlier and plan dinner a half hour later, you can squeeze Sam in right before the candlemaker on Saturday. I know the candle shop is pretty flexible with its schedule, and I’ve already checked with the restaurant, and they’re okay with the adjustment. What do you think?”

“I think that sounds perfect,” Clara said. She looked at Sam.
What happened to him?

They finalized arrangements for the event.

“Can you come with me?” Sam asked when they were finished. “I have something I want to show you at my place. Besides I’m sure you’d love to see the sheep again.” He chuckled.

“Sheep?” Lucy asked Clara.

“I was afraid of them, but once Sam showed me how docile—”

“And dumb,” Sam added.

“—and
cute
they are, I got over it. Now I see them as future woolen hats.”

Lucy smiled. “Have fun, you two.”

Chapter Seven

Clara kept the conversation light on the way to Sam’s house. The last thing she needed was for him to blow up again like he did when she’d given him the carved dog and sled. While he seemed different to her, she didn’t trust miraculous transformations, even if it was Christmas. Instead, she focused on how she’d prepared for the weekend, creating a pamphlet for attendees that included maps and history behind each activity.

“Of course, you’ve gone and ruined it. I have nothing about you to give them.” she jokingly complained.

“Sometimes you can plan too much,” he said.

She laughed. “That may be true, but when you have ten women to shepherd around town, planning counts. Even then, you’re bound to lose one because she has to use the bathroom or something.”

“Sheep are easier.”

“You have your dog.”

He smiled. “You could borrow her.”

“I think the women would object to Maggie May nipping at their heels.”

“Probably.” He turned down the long drive to his farm.

As they drew closer she was startled to see the side of his red barn lit by a floodlight. An enormous green circle was suspended in the circle of light. “A wreath?”

“There’s another one on the front door.”

“What happened? I knew something was different, but you were so opposed to Christmas.”

“Let’s go inside and I’ll explain.”

When he helped her out of the truck, the warmth from his hand traveled up her arm and added to the heat inside her. Once she landed on the ground, she stood still, and took in the moment: starlit skies, full moon, white snow, red barn, green wreath, and Maggie May running to greet them.

The crimson of his lips as he lowered them to hers.

She melted into his kiss. It lasted long enough to give her a taste of the man, but was too short to satisfy her.

“That,” he said, “was not a mistake.”

She smiled, finally believing in the miracle.

The magic of Christmas really could heal a broken heart.

They joined hands and walked to the house, Maggie May trailing behind them, tail wagging.

Once they got inside, he helped her off with her coat. “Tea? Coffee? Glass of Chardonnay?”

“The wine would be nice. I drank gallons of tea with Lucy.” She glanced around at the tidy, but old-fashioned kitchen. “So this was your parents’ house?”

“Yeah. Someday I’ll remodel, but right now the business is taking up all my time.”

“I get that.” Suddenly, she saw the dog and sled she’d given him a few weeks before, centered in the middle of fake snow on his sideboard. “You fixed the tail!” She clapped her hands with delight.

“Yes. A little glue will do wonders, and Maggie May needs a tail to wag.”

The dog in question barked.

Sam handed her the wine and offered, “Have a seat.”

They sat at the kitchen table, and each took a sip of wine, their gazes never leaving each other.

“Mmm. It’s good,” she said, wondering what he wanted to tell her.

“It’s from the winery you’re visiting tomorrow.” He rubbed his fingers over the condensation on the glass. “I’m sorry I got so upset with you last time. I haven’t celebrated Christmas since my freshman year in college.”

She touched his arm, hoping to ease some of the pain evident in his eyes. “What happened?”

He twisted his glass in his hands. “Hailey was a high school senior. A bunch of her friends were going for a skiing weekend in Vermont the weekend between Christmas and the New Year, and she wanted to go. My parents waffled.”

He sipped his wine.

She stayed silent.

“I convinced them to let her go.” His dark brown eyes clouded with pain. “It was the worst mistake of my life. She...she...” His eyes watered. “There was an accident. They...they said she died immediately.”

“I’m so sorry.” Clara rubbed his arm.

They sat quietly for a few minutes.

“Why now? How come you’re finally able to let the pain go?” she asked.

He smiled. “First you came along with your belief in Christmas cheer no matter what happens.” He placed his hand on hers. “When you told me about your dad I couldn’t believe you still celebrated Christmas. It didn’t make any sense to me.

“Then Charlie asked me a question I didn’t really have an answer to. Why was I still punishing myself? Hailey wouldn’t have wanted me to. So I spent the better part of a week thinking about that question.”

“And?”

A brief smile crossed his face. “I think I’m dumber than the sheep.” He sobered. “Somewhere in my adolescent brain I decided if I punished myself long enough, I’d make up for Hailey’s death. In some stupid way I guess I even thought my sacrifice would bring her back to life. I finally saw the only way to make her life worthwhile was to start living my own.”

She let the silence linger, but kept her hand on his arm.

“I realized during the weeks you were away, if I didn’t change that belief, I’d just be a shell, communing with a dog and some sheep for the rest of my life.”

He put his hand over hers and rubbed his thumb on it. “You walked into my life a few weeks ago and turned it upside down. You had so much joy in the simple act of breathing. The contrast with my own black and white version of life came into focus. After you left, it was like the sun went out.”

Without letting go of her hand, he stood and pulled her up next to him. “I’d like to celebrate Christmas this year. With you. Is that possible?”

She smiled. “You’re an answer to prayer. My mother informed me she was tired of watching me bounce from one thing to another without ever producing grandchildren. She’s off to visit my brother in Denver for the holiday.”

She took a risk and put her arms around his waist. “I have one more condition.”

“What’s that?” He gave her a mock scowl.

She feathered a kiss across his lips. “I want to tie red ribbons around the sheep.”

The dog barked.

“Maggie May wants one, too.”

“Of course.”

“It’s a deal.” He lowered his head to hers and kissed her.

Epilogue

The following spring…

“It’s so good to see you, Lucy!” Clara dumped her suitcase on the dining room floor and threw her arms around her friend and business partner. “I’m sorry it’s been so long.”

“Not a problem.” Lucy returned the hug. “You’ve been busy.”

“I know. I’ve hired someone in New Jersey to handle the tasting tours there while I concentrate on culinary road trips. That idea you had about starting a website to showcase the partners of The Perfect Plate was absolutely brilliant! With the money we’re getting from ads and commissions from the sales, we’ve reached a whole new level of revenue. We’re going to be a success!”

Clara twirled around in joy. Not only was she doing what she loved, she was actually making money.

“It’s all your doing.” She pointed at Lucy.

Lucy shook her head. “We each bring something. That’s what collaboration is all about.” She smiled. “Enough about that. When are your guests supposed to arrive for the tour?”

“Tomorrow around noon. Rooms ready?”

Lucy nodded.

Clara looked at the floor. “Um—do you mind if I stay a few extra days? I need to look for an apartment.” She looked up and caught Lucy’s grin.

“About time. Sam’s intolerable after he comes back from seeing you in New Jersey. What about your mother, though? Will she be willing to move up here?”

Clara shook her head. “She’s not coming. After she spent Christmas with my brother and his family in Denver, she decided Colorado was the place to be. She’s the happiest I’ve seen her since my dad died. Next thing I know she’ll find a beau.”

Lucy laughed. “Good for her. Since she’s not moving here, I have an idea. There’s a small studio apartment at the back of the inn. We’d planned to upgrade it when the inn made a profit and rent it to long-term guests.”

“I’d be in your way.”

“Nonsense! Besides—” Lucy gestured toward the hallway behind Clara. “I don’t think you’ll be here for long.”

Clara turned around to see Sam in the doorway, a fistful of daisies in his hand, and a big grin on his face. Maggie May sat by his side.

“Good to see you smiling, Sam.” Lucy walked toward the kitchen. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

Sam held out his arms, and Clara went into his embrace.

He closed his arms around her.

She looked up at his face, his cragginess softened by his own spring of rebirth. He no longer resembled the love-mad Heathcliff.

“I love you,” she said.

“I love you too, Clara.”

As they kissed, Maggie May ran circles around them, barking her approval.

No, Clara wouldn’t be staying at the inn for long.

About the Authors

Danica Winters

Danica Winters is a best-selling romance author based in Montana. She is known for writing award-winning books that grip readers with their ability to drive motion through suspense and often a touch of magic. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Montana Romance Writers, Greater Seattle Romance Writers, as well as the Marketing and Promotions Manager for Books To Go Now. She is a contributor to magazines, websites, and news organizations. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, the outdoors, and the bliss brought by the printed word. To learn more about Danica Winters you can get in touch with her on her Website, Facebook, or Twitter.

Jennifer Conner

Jennifer Conner is a best-selling Northwest author who has over thirty short stories on ebook and three full-length books in print. She writes in Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance, Historical Romance, and Erotica. Shot in the Dark hit Amazon at #1 in Romantic Suspense and Christmas Chaos was #2 in the Romance category. Her novel Shot in the Dark was a finalist in the Emerald City Opener, Cleveland, and Toronto RWA contests. Jennifer is an Associate Publisher for the indie e-book company Books to Go Now that resides in the Seattle area.

Sharon Kleve

Sharon Kleve was born and raised in Washington and currently lives on the Olympic Peninsula with her husband. Sharon KleveShe loves romance. She loves reading romance, living romance, and especially loves writing about romance. She gets no greater feeling than watching her characters come alive in each other’s arms. Most of all, she loves giving her characters the happily ever after they deserve--with a few bumps and bruises along the way. One of her favorite things to do is picking up a new book and sinking into the story, immersing herself in the emotions between the characters. She hopes to inspire her readers the same way her favorite authors have inspired her. When not writing, she can usually be found either curled up in her recliner with her cat and a good book, or in the kitchen baking sourdough bread or bagels. Visit Sharon Kleve’s Website!

Casey Dawes

Casey Dawes writes and quilts on the Clark Fork River in Missoula, Montana where she spends far too much time watching wildlife from her “woman cave.” She shares her peaceful abode with a husband she adores and two cats who think they own the joint. In her previous “lives” she’s been a medical records secretary, stagehand, college professor, junior high teacher on an Indian Reservation, Montessori teacher in Brooklyn, temp in businesses in New York City, a database guru for several fortune 500 companies, business and life coach. She’s lived in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New York City, Pennsylvania and California. With these varied careers, four step-children and two boys of her own, she has plenty to write about! She’s written three non-fiction books.