Christmas Medley, page 14
How could I possibly resist as she looked at me with those warm eyes and that gentle smile. When the image of Clancy popped into my head, I knew my answer. “Ok, I’ll find Darren, and then write down my address for you.”
After I found Darren and informed him that Jean was there to pick him up, I returned to the office and smiled at mother and daughter. In the time, it took for Darren to complete his circuit and join us, I spent most of the time talking to Clancy. Or perhaps, listening was a better word considering her constant chatter about what Santa was going to bring her but only if she was good. When they left, I locked up the office. Most years I’d be wishing away the few days we were closed—this time things were different. I needed to find out if whatever it was that was making me happy would last—a scary thought. I left the office, jumped in my car, and headed home. I hoped that I’d look as good in my denims and sweatshirt as Jean, but knew there was no way; she had a fabulous figure.
†
We had a marvelous time. My facial muscles had never had such a work out as I laughed at Clancy’s antics, not to mention those of her mother. Jean had a gloriously childlike way of enjoying the moment. I could understand that perfectly when I saw her with her daughter. They were a team, bound by love and blood not to mention necessity. A faint memory came unexpectedly as I watched Clancy snowball her mom. Recalling a similar experience with my dad, filled with tenderness and affection that glowed in my memory, told me everything I needed to know—he loved me. I felt the tears welling up as I watched Jean tickle Clancy after the snowball she threw hit her mother in the chest. I wiped away the tears and smiled.
Suddenly, I felt the smack of snow against my arm. “Ha, gotcha,” Jean said laughingly.
“I’ll have you know I can throw a pretty mean snowball myself,” I said. I bent over and scooped up a handful of snow, fashioning it into a ball while I straightened up. Smack! I hit her square in the chest.
“Is that all you’ve got?” she said as she launched another in my direction.
Artfully, I dodged it only to find myself hit in the arm again, but this time by Clancy. “I see it is two against one.” I laughed and scooped up more snow and the game began.
Finally, we all sat down in the snow, spent but laughing with each other. As I watched Jean brushing the snow off her daughter, I smiled softly, knowing that if I never experienced anything like it again, I would be eternally grateful to these two people for coming into my life, even if for a brief time. They had helped me remember what this time of year was all about and that I didn’t have to be afraid to enjoy myself. I had time to change my life and have myself a merry Christmas.
As we traveled to the small diner that I’d recommended for our dinner, the darkness of the early evening began. The magic of the lights strung around the town filled the air with happiness.
“Look at that one, Clancy. Santa is on the roof and going into the chimney.”
“That isn’t the real Santa, Laura.”
Both Jean and I laughed. “I know, but it is a good likeness.” I winked at Jean.
“See those lights,” she pointed to a tree in the square, “they are beautiful. Someday I’d like to put up a smaller display like that,” Jean said wistfully.
“Oh, Mommy, look at that one.” Clancy squealed as she saw the entire window filled with animated Christmas characters.
I couldn’t remember ever enjoying looking at the lights with the wonder of a small child’s eyes. At one stage, with Clancy glued to the side window of the car, I looked across at Jean and the gaze she directed toward me made my stomach flip. Obviously, my own version of bonding with her daughter was something she approved of big time.
The diner was another success. When we entered, I saw Clancy’s eyes fill with wonder as she took in all the various costumes that each of the staff was wearing. Stevie, one of the waitresses, had told me earlier in the week that they all dressed in fancy dress on Christmas Eve. Clancy was even more delighted when a small box was placed in front of her.
“Mommy, is this for me?” she said solemnly.
Jean looked at the waitress who nodded. “Yes, I believe it is.”
Clancy tore into the box and laughed when she took out a miniature deer with a red nose. “Look, its Rudolph.”
Jean just laughed and ruffled the girl’s hair. “This is a marvelous place, Laura. I’m so glad you brought us here.” The look in her eyes told me all I needed to know—she was glad to be with me.
“I’m so glad you invited me to join you. Thank you,” I said softly.
Her eyes sparkled and the familiar sound of her laugh seemed to fill the room. “No, thank you. It’s been a long time since I have laughed so much.”
I rubbed my shoulder and rolled my eyes. “You have a pretty good aim with the snowball.”
She winked at me.
When our meal came, Clancy’s face lit up. “Chicken fingers and fries…my favorite.”
Jean and I both shook our heads and smiled.
The meal was a wonderful topping for that afternoon.
Clancy was asleep virtually in my arms in the back seat as we neared my house and I tried to extricate myself from her small grip. Jean helped to remove her from my lap and the touch of her hand as it accidentally touched my breast had me catching my breath. The sensations that ran through my body excited and frightened me at the same moment. I didn’t dare look into Jean’s eyes as I climbed out of the back of the vehicle. She placed Clancy carefully on the backseat and managed, though how I didn’t know, to encase her in one of the seatbelts.
We stood on the sidewalk. “Thanks for the lovely time. I really enjoyed myself,” I finally said.
“You’re welcome. It was a wonderful outing,” she said. She placed her hand on my arm and leaned forward slightly to kiss me fleetingly on the lips. “Goodnight, Laura.”
The revving of the car that left my driveway brought me out of the stupor I was in. Then, like a dream, my fingers tenderly stroked my lips that were still tingling from hers.
Oh, my god, I think I’m in love!
†
Entering my house, I looked around and saw nothing that would signify this time of year, not a tree or trimming to welcome me home. I closed my eyes briefly as I thanked god that Clancy or Jean hadn’t entered my home. What would I have said? Peering at the clock in the hallway, I saw it was only six-thirty. If I hurried, I could get to the mall three blocks away and buy a few items.
Picking up my car keys, I quickly drove to the mall and was amazed at how many people were still shopping. Obviously more than me had left it to the last minute. I bought a fiber optic tree that would stand quite nicely in my hallway and a few other Christmas ornaments I could place strategically around the family room. I smiled at the thought of the two-foot-tall Santa that jiggled his sack and sang ten different Christmas tunes.
Next, I went along to the supermarket and bought a small ham and a breast of turkey and a few other festive goodies. As I shopped the euphoric feeling that I was having increased. I felt that I might burst along with the fully loaded shopping bags I was storing in my car. I was about to leave when I saw a small shop that sold all kinds of trinkets and gifts. Walking toward the window, I saw a snow globe that looked just like the picture in my mind of the Nicholbys’ home a couple of nights before. It was a beautiful creation. Next to it was a much smaller one depicting children playing in the snow and throwing snowballs. The decision was made—I bought them both, and satisfied, I drove home. When I got there, I placed the items I’d purchased around the house and put on the Christmas CD I’d bought. If nothing else this year, I could say I’d made the effort.
As I sat looking around, satisfied with my decorations, I heard a car drive up outside my house and footsteps crunch on the newly laid snow. The doorbell rang and I was puzzled as to who would be calling on me at nine-thirty. Opening the door, I was surprised and happy to see my visitor.
Jean stood there and smiled. “Hi, Laura, I’m sorry to bother you but I was thinking that maybe you might change your mind about tomorrow?” She looked at me with hope in her eyes as she fingered her keys.
I tried to find the words to answer her.
“Hey, look, I’m sorry. I’ve disturbed you. It isn’t normal for me to hassle anyone.” Apologetically she turned to leave and then I galvanized myself into action. Reaching out to stop her, my hand felt hers and it was as though I was touching molten lava—the heat of our connection mentally seared me.
“No, please, Jean, don’t go,” I implored. She turned back to me, and her sparkle and confidence were back in her face as her eyes filled with joy. “If the invitation is still good, I’d love to accept…but I do have one request.”
A beaming smile was my answer as she quickly said, “Anything, you name it.”
“I was wondering if you and Clancy might come over here to lunch or dinner or …spend the day after Christmas, if you’re not going back to California that is.” I’d forgotten for a moment that she wasn’t living here permanently and the thought made me sad to think that I might lose her from my life so soon.
A wonderful sound came from Jean as she smiled in gratitude. “We’d love to come over for the day. Do you think you can cope with a six-year-old going on twenty and a thirty-five-year-old going on ten?”
Oh yes, I’d cope anytime. “Why don’t you come inside for something warm to drink? You must be freezing out there?”
For a moment, she hesitated and then she smiled. “I’d love to.”
As I took the coat that was dripping from the snow, I had to admit that my trip to the mall had been one of my better decisions. She smiled and complimented me on the decorations. Ten minutes later, she was snuggled into my old leather armchair with a steaming cup of hot chocolate in her hands. She looked like she belonged right there. I must have been staring because she gazed at me and a tender smile creased her lips.
“You make great chocolate.”
“Thanks, it’s all in the wrist action.”
“Really?” she teased, as her eyebrows flicked upwards in a suggestive manner.
The expression placed me at a slight disadvantage until it dawned on me that she might not quite be thinking on the same lines as I was. Embarrassed, I spluttered, “You know, with the froth maker.” A secret smile and twinkling eyes didn’t have me fooled. She was teasing me and I’d fallen for it. “You’re teasing me, Jean.”
“Absolutely.” Her eyes sparkled in merriment. “You don’t mind, do you?”
Taking a deep breath, I grinned back. “Not at all…but only by you.” I closed my eyes for a second, wondering why I said such an idiotic remark. Then Jean stood up and placed her cup on the table. I was so insecure at that moment that I didn’t really think properly and figured that she was leaving because of my stupid comment.
Then something magical happened. When she knelt in front of me and took my hands, my eyes flared only to be captured by hers.
“Laura, it’s taken me a long time to find someone I’d like to spend time getting to know. If you don’t mind, I’d like to get to know you better.”
My heart did crazy things as the words sank in. Do I want to get to know her better? Try to stop me. “I’d like that, too, Jean.”
This time her arms didn’t go around my waist, they encircled my back as she pulled me close, and our lips met in a sensual kiss. All my expectations of what kissing someone you loved would be like were blown out of the window with its intensity. We broke away but remained close for a while until she laughed softly.
“I’ll not rush you, Laura, but right now I’d be lying if I didn’t say my idea of a wonderful Christmas present would be to spend the night making love with you. Not tonight though. I meant what I said about not rushing, and I do need to go and help with the presents.”
It never occurred to me that I could fall in love, never mind so quickly. We’d known each other less than three days. It all fell into place perfectly and if it didn’t work out I’d call this my Christmas of firsts because I was going to ensure it wouldn’t be my last. She was right. Rushing this moment would be stupid. I knew in my heart there would be the right time and it wouldn’t be eons away. “You’re right about rushing. It has only been three days since we met.”
Jean grinned at that as she kissed me again and then winked. “Actually, it isn’t the first time.” My face must have been a tabloid of various expressions as she laughed, the adorable sound that I realized I wanted in my life forever.
“The day before I left for college about seventeen years ago, I came to the office to see Darren and you were there. I thought you were the sexiest woman I’d ever seen in my life. If things had been different and I wasn’t off to school the next day, and not terrified you’d turn me down, I’d have made a play for you then.” She chuckled again as the memory struck her as amusing.
Strangely enough, being called sexy had numbed my senses to everything but the glow it made me feel. Her other words finally filtered into my consciousness. “You were terrified?”
“Of course.” She laughed self-consciously. “You were so hot and older I didn’t think you would give the time of day to a teenager.”
“I’d only been with Darren for six months then.”
“I know.” She winked at me and kissed me again. “Have you ever had a special someone in your life?”
It took me a long time to answer for I really didn’t know what to say. “No, I never found anyone who interested me.” I sighed. “I’m not real comfortable with people.”
Her eyebrows creased in the center. “Why?”
“My parents died when I was very young.” I shrugged. “No one wants an older child, just a baby, so I was bounced around from one foster home to another. I learned early not to trust or care about others.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Laura. I know my brother and Elsie think the world of you.”
“They are good people.” I needed to end the direction of the conversation. I was feeling very uncomfortable. “What about you?”
For a long moment Jean got the faraway look that she had the night of the party. “Darren has tried to get us here for Christmas for years and I always made up excuses not to come.”
“Lucky you,” I replied quietly. “I don’t get the choice to spend time with my family.”
Jean nodded. “This year he said, you need to come and be with family, Jean. And I told him that being with his coworkers wasn’t exactly family. Then he said the most remarkable thing.”
“What was that?”
“He started rattling off the guest list and when he said, Laura Ramsey will be here, it was like magic to my ears, and I heard nothing else he said. I knew you still worked for my brother but…well, old fears…you know.” She sighed. “I really need to get back and help out.” She stood up and stretched her body. The liquid eruption that the motion set off inside me had me almost begging her to make love to me.
I stood up, too, and we walked down the hall. As I passed her the coat, I asked, “What time tomorrow?”
Jean gave me a smile that should have melted the snow accumulating outside because it thawed every damn nerve in my body. “You can be there as early as you want. We have lunch around three, but I’m hoping you don’t leave it to the last minute.”
“Don’t worry I won’t,” I said. We sealed that with another kiss before she left.
As I picked up the mug of spent hot chocolate that she had been drinking, I saw the shade of lipstick on the rim, and like a goof, I placed my lips on the transfer. Laughing at myself for such a foolish action, I thought, next thing you know I’ll not be washing the smudge off.
Even though it was early, I decided to go to bed. My logic for that was early to bed, early to rise, and that way I could go over to the Nicholby’s sooner rather than later.
Chapter Three
I would have thought that everyone at the Nicholbys’ home would be surprised when I actually showed up early but, for some curious reason, they were not. The house was filled with the true spirit of Christmas as everyone seemed to revel in the happiness of family. I always had the feeling that the festivities at their home would be glorious and I was not disappointed. It seemed so natural and everyone welcomed me into the circle of their family as one of their own. I’d never laughed so much as I did at the antics of the twins and Clancy. Christmas was a day for children but when I looked around the room at the happiness on everyone’s faces, I knew it was for adults too.
The marvelous lunch was consumed with gusto until all the adults sat silently, savoring not only the fare but also the day. The children, not as satisfied, challenged each other to a snowball fight and donned their coats to go outside.
When Elsie and Jean stood up to clear away the dishes, I offered to help.
“No, we’ll take care of it,” Elsie said motioning me to sit back down.
“But, it’s the least I can do after…” This time Jean patted my shoulder. “Stay here and keep Darren company, please. We won’t be long.” Her touch sent shivers through my body and, even though I really wanted to go just to be near her, I complied. Looking at the man, I smiled, wondering why his eyes were dancing in merriment.
Picking up his glass of wine, Darren stood up and moved to a chair next to mine. He sipped from his wine and softly asked, “Are you enjoying yourself, Laura?”
I smiled warmly at him. “I’ve had a marvelous time. Thank you for the invitation, Darren. You have a wonderful family. You’re very lucky.” I shrugged and mused, “I don’t know why I never took you up on the offer before.”
His jolly chuckle had me staring at him expectantly wondering what the joke was. “Perhaps it’s one person in particular that is wonderful?”
“Don’t be silly, you all are.” I defended my position but we both knew it was futile. My eyes betrayed me as they kept trailing to the doorway watching for Jean to reappear.
