A Heart for Christmas Read online

  “Whole or jellied cranberries?” He suddenly asked.

  “What?”

  “You asked me if I liked deep fried or roasted turkey better. Now it’s your turn. Whole or jellied?” he repeated.

  Yvette didn’t hesitate. “Whole. Definitely whole. My mother has this amazing recipe for homemade cranberry sauce. We make it every Thanksgiving and Christmas. My favorite thing is to make a sandwich on thick honey wheat bread with leftover turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. With mayonnaise—of course.”

  “You can keep the mayo,” he frowned. “It’s Miracle Whip for me, but other than that I agree with your choice,” he grinned. “No combination is better than that for a sandwich.”

  “Not even pastrami?” she coaxed.

  “Nope, and I love pastrami, and I do mean love,” he said emphatically.

  “Me, too.” Yvette said, dreamily.

  They continued listing their favorite things while they were waiting for their next flight. By the time it was their turn to board, they were deep in a game of iPhone Backgammon.

  This time their flight was packed, so they didn’t get to sit together. Yvette found herself sitting next to a very large man that quickly commandeered the arm rest when he sat down. Scooting as close to the window as humanely possible, Yvette closed her eyes and tried to pretend that she was thinking of anything other than Christopher Darcy.

  Their whole encounter was completely unexpected for her. He was fun. He made her laugh so much while they were awaiting their plane that her sides and cheeks ached. If she were honest with herself, running into him had come as a very pleasant surprise.

  Yvette didn’t feel like trying to read or listening to music so she stared out of the window. It was dark, but she could still make out a few clouds directly below the wing of the plane. She stared at them and pondered her life. The last few hours spend in Christopher’s company had made her painfully aware of just how much was missing. She wasn’t a participant in her life, she was an observer. When she got home, Yvette vowed to make some changes. Each Christmas, she and Lacey would make a list of things that they were grateful for. With a new purpose alight in her heart, Yvette knew that when she put pen to paper this time, it would be different. Joy would be at the top of her list. It has been missing way too long. It was time to rekindle some of the embers that had been snuffed out when her husband was killed. She and Lacey had been in limbo for three years. It was time to shake things up.

  This time when Yvette retrieved her luggage from baggage claim, it was with a lot less enthusiasm. She turned and faced Christopher. It was time to say goodbye.

  “Are you expecting a ride?”

  “No, I’m parked in Satellite parking,” Yvette told him.

  “Me too. Can I see you back to your car?”

  “You don’t have to,” she said quickly.

  “I know, but I want to.”

  Yvette smiled. Truthfully, she wasn’t ready to say goodbye, either. “Okay.”

  They boarded the airport shuttle to the parking lots. Christopher loaded their bags on the luggage racks while she found a seat for them. He sat down next to her when he was done and they lapsed into silence. Both lost in their own thoughts.

  The driver turned into the first lot.

  Christopher turned slightly toward her. “Where are you parked?”

  “I’m at the next stop.”

  “My car is a bit further down.” Christopher said.

  The bus slowed and eventually came to a halt at the empty bus stop. Christopher set Yvette’s luggage at the curb, and then retrieved his own. They walked in companionable silence to Yvette’s car.

  “This is me,” she said when they got to a silver Toyota Venza.

  She opened the trunk and Christopher set her luggage inside and shut the tailgate.

  “Why don’t I give you a lift to your car? There’s no sense in your walking when I can drive you,” she reasoned.

  “You just don’t want to say goodbye, yet,” he joked.

  You don’t know how right you are. She said to herself.

  “Not really,” she practically whispered before walking around the car and sliding into the driver’s seat.

  Christopher got in and directed her to his parking spot.

  “I’m really glad we met,” he said as she pulled up next to his black Ford F-150 pickup truck. “Officially this time.”

  “Me, too.”

  Christopher studied her face. “All things in good time, right?” he said softly.

  Yvette couldn’t comprehend why saying goodbye to him was causing her so much internal distress. She forced a smile. “Apparently so.”

  “Do you…can I call you sometime?”

  Her smile belied her relief at the possibility of seeing him again. “I’d like that.”

  They exchanged numbers before Christopher opened the door. He retrieved his bags from the back, and then walked around to Yvette’s side. She rolled down the window.

  His hand slipped in the window and retrieved hers. “I’ve had a great time.”

  “Me, too.”

  She watched him bring her hand up to his lips and lightly kiss it.

  “You aren’t driving up to your Aunt’s tonight, are you?”

  “No, I’m going to pick up Lacey tomorrow afternoon. After some much needed sleep.” As if on cue, she yawned.

  “Would you ring me when you get home? Just so I know you arrived safely. You can just let it ring once. I’ll know it’s you.”

  Yvette nodded. “Good night, Christopher.”

  “Good night, Yvie.”

  She didn’t pull off until he’d gotten into his car and started it. Slowly, she headed out of the complex. Just as they were coming to the signs for I-540 and I-40, he sped past. He honked as he went by and Yvette did, too.

  Yvette lived in North Raleigh less than fifteen minutes from the airport in a two-story home. She’d moved into the thirty-one hundred square foot home with her husband twelve years prior. After Michael had died, Yvette couldn’t bring herself to move from the only home that Lacey had ever known. She pulled up to the curb and retrieved the stack of mail from her mailbox, and then drove into the two-car garage. Once she’d dragged her luggage inside, she turned on the kitchen light and set her purse on the granite countertop. She took out her phone and dialed her aunt again. This time Lacey was home and mother and daughter caught each other up on their adventures.

  “I’ve had a great time with Aunt Addie, mommy, but I miss you—and my room.”

  “Aw, I miss you too, honey. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Did you get me a surprise?” her daughter asked eagerly.

  “Of course I did. You’ll see it tomorrow.”

  “Okay,” her daughter giggled. “I love you, mommy.”

  “I love you too, sweetheart. See you tomorrow, okay?”

  “Okay. Snuggles.”

  Yvette’s heart constricted. She and her daughter said that every night before going to bed. Lacey was such a joy. She was truly blessed to have such a wonderful little girl. Yvette tried her best to hold back the tears. “Snuggles, baby.”

  Hanging up, she scanned her list of contacts for Christopher’s name. After a moment of hesitation, Yvette dialed the number. It rang once, but she couldn’t bring herself to hang up.

  “I thought you were only going to let it ring once?” Christopher said without preamble.

  Yvette heard the amusement in his voice. It made her smile. “I was, but I changed my mind.” She held the phone between her ear and neck while she sifted through the large stack of correspondence placing them into piles. “Do you mind?”

  “Why in the world would I? So what are you doing?”

  “Sorting mail.”

  “There’s no way I would have guessed that one,” he chuckled.

  They conversed for a few minutes more before they said goodnight. After she hung up the phone, Yvette turned out the lights and took her luggage upstairs to her bedroom. She sta
rted to unpack, but decided against it opting instead for a hot shower. When finished, Yvette got into a fresh pair of pajamas and crawled into bed. When she got settled, she thought about how wonderful it would be to see her daughter the next day. She missed her terribly, and longed for their reunion. Her thoughts drifted to her chance encounter with Christopher. “Life is full of surprises,” she yawned before drifting off into an exhausted slumber.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The next morning, Yvette awoke feeling like she’d been run over by one of those tour busses. Her body ached, and there wasn’t a name for how sleepy she was, but that didn’t matter. She had to drive to Asheville to pick up Lacey, and jet lagged or not, she was going to get her daughter. Before she could get out of the bed, her telephone rang.

  Not opening her eyes, Yvette’s hand swung out in an arc and moved around until it connected with the phone on her nightstand. “Hello?” she said groggily.

  “Good morning, dear. You know, I got to thinking this morning that with all that flying, you must good and wiped out. I can bring Lacey home so you can get some rest.”

  That sounded like heaven to Yvette. “Aunt Addie, are you sure?”

  “Of course, honey. You go back to bed and we’ll be there in about five hours. You know how we love to stop at Cracker Barrel for lunch.”

  “Thank you so much. That sounds like a wonderful plan.”

  “Good, it’s all settled. We’ll see you soon.”

  Yvette hung up the phone and sank back against her pillows. Yawning, she closed her eyes and promptly fell back asleep.

  It was noon by the time Yvette woke up again. Dragging herself out of bed, she padded into the bathroom. After finishing her morning routine, she pulled her hair into a pony tail, got dressed in a pair of jeans and a tan turtleneck and went downstairs.

  After drinking two cups of coffee, Yvette tried her best to get herself together. It took some doing, but she started feeling better and was confident that she’d still be awake when her aunt and daughter arrived an hour later. To keep herself busy, she decided to get everything out of the attic that they’d need to decorate the house. Deciding that her task would go smoother with some Christmas music, Yvette turned on the Holly channel on her XM radio. The Burl Ives tune, A Holly Jolly Christmas, piped though the speakers of her tabletop stereo system. Singing along, Yvette yanked on the cord to access the pull-down stairs leading up to her attic space. Very well organized, Yvette had all the boxes she needed labeled by content so that she could find things easier.

  “You can never been too organized,” she said aloud.

  After making several trips, Yvette and everything she and Lacey needed to decorate their home for the holidays. She was lining everything up on the carpeted floor in the family room when her front door opened, and Lacey came bursting in at top speed.

  “Mommy,” her daughter shrieked and threw herself at her.

  “Lacey,” she cried out taking the brunt of her daughter’s weight before she bent down and picked her up. “My goodness what a homecoming,” she said hugging the little girl tightly. Yvette lowered herself to her knees. “You’ve grown since I left.”

  “No I haven’t,” her daughter laughed. “I’m glad you’re here, though. Aunt Addie brought me a book of Christmas cookie recipes. They’re hundreds in there. I can’t wait to start cooking,” she exclaimed.

  “Honey bear, you’ll have to get the book first. You left it in the car, along with your suitcase,” Adelaide said shooing Lacey toward the front door.

  “Okay, I’ll be right back,” the child promised.

  “We’ll be here, love,” Yvette replied.

  When Lacey left, Adelaide turned to her niece. “You look awful, dear.”

  Yvette shook her head. “Thanks, auntie.”

  “Maybe I should’ve kept Lacey another day so that you can rest up.”

  “I’m just fine. I’ve been away from here long enough. You know this is our favorite time of the year.”

  “And your worst,” Adelaide said quietly. “Michael—”

  “I know,” Yvette cut her off. “He died a week from today,” She stared at their family picture on the fireplace mantel. “Why do you think I try and surround Lacey…and me too, with as much joy and Christmas cheer as I can? Michael wasn’t here for Lacey’s birthday, or Christmas.” Yvette swiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I owe it to our daughter to make this a time of happiness and wonder for her—no matter what. Michael would’ve done the same if our situation was reversed.”

  Adelaide hugged her niece. Her soft black eyes filled with concern. “I know, honey.”

  “I’m back,” Lacey announced barreling into the front door. “What do we do first?”

  Yvette gave her daughter a big hug. “Well first I’m going to give you the present I got you from London, and then we’re going to finish organizing our Christmas decorations, and then we’re going to start stringing the lights around the house.”

  She handed her daughter a decorative bag that was on the other side of the couch.

  Elated, Lacey opened it and peeked inside.

  “A Paddington Bear,” she shrieked easing the bear out of the bag.

  He was dressed like The Queen’s Guard in a red tunic and bearskin hat.

  “I love him,” Lacey said, hugging him tightly. “His name is George.”

  “I’m glad you like him. He was as eager to get to you as I was,” Yvette replied.

  Lacey turned to her great-aunt. “Aunt Addie, are you going to stay and help?”

  “You bet I am.” The older woman kicked off her mules and reached into her bag to retrieve a pair of slippers. Next she took off her jacket and laid it across the couch. “I’m spending the night, too. I wouldn’t miss this annual event for anything, so let’s get started.”

  Christmas decorating at the Stilwell household was never rushed. In fact, they made a day out of it. Earlier, Yvette had made hot apple cider and her aunt’s beloved cranberry scones. Lacey popped in an Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas CD and sang along while she worked. Yvette had paid a few of her neighbor’s sons to hang the lights on the front of the house, and she was in charge of lights on in interior. Adelaide hung wreaths from all the entry doors, and Lacey sat out the snow globes, holiday-themed tea light candle holders, and all the decorations she’d made at school over the years. They ran evergreen garland down the banister and Lacey followed the pattern with a solid strand of white lights.

  By the time dinner rolled around, they were sitting on the couch admiring their handiwork.

  Adelaide eased her eyeglass off, and let them dangle on the gold chain on her chest. “It looks spectacular,” she exclaimed.

  Lacey squeezed Yvette’s arm. “Our best yet, mommy.”

  “I think you’re right, ladies. This calls for a celebration. How about we go out to dinner?”

  Everyone agreed and went their separate ways to get freshened up.

  Lacey chose Kanki, a Japanese Steakhouse at Crabtree Valley Mall. Lacey loved to have dinner prepared right at the table. So did Adelaide. Yvette opted for Sushi.

  After they’d eaten and Yvette was paying the bill, Lacey turned to her.

  “Mommy, since we’re at the mall can we get an ornament?”

  Buying an ornament with the year and their name on it was a tradition Yvette had kept up since the first year she and Michael were married.

  “Great idea, sweetheart. We’ll pick it up and have it all ready for our tree.”

  The three of them walked to the kiosk in the middle of the mall that sold personalized Christmas ornaments. As was tradition, Lacey got to pick one out and they’d get it inscribed. The toughest one was three years ago. They were torn between getting just their names, and adding Lacey’s father on the decoration. In the end, Lacey decided to add his name. From then on, they had continued to include him.

  Lacey picked polar bears sledding down a snowy hill. While they were waiting for their names to be added, they window shopped. Adelaid
e passed the time by putting her feet up one of those massaging recliners and watching the shoppers walk by.

  “Mom, can I go Bath & Body Works?”

  Her daughter loved the fragrant lotions and sprays. Yvette would have a real expert on her hands by the time Lacey was a teenager. She was watching Lacey speak to a saleswoman when her cell phone rang. Yvette retrieved her mobile phone and glanced at the screen. She smiled and hit the talk button.

  “Hello, Mr. Darcy.”

  “Hello Mrs. Stilwell. How are you?”

  “Just fine, I’m out shopping with Lacey and my aunt.”

  “Sounds like a nice time.”

  “It is. What about you?”

  “I’ve been working today. Just got off a little while ago and headed home. You were on my mind so I thought I’d call and say hi.”

  “I’m glad you did.” She filled him in on their day of decorating.

  Christopher chuckled. “I think my favorite part would have been putting up the lights. Second only to the scones, of course.”

  “Hey mom, can we buy this for my bus driver? It’s already got gift wrap on it.”

  “Just a minute, Lacey, mommy’s on a phone call.”

  “You go ahead,” Christopher told her. “I’ll talk to you later?”

  “Okay,” Yvette replied and hung up.

  “Who was that, mommy?” Lacey inquired.

  “That was Christopher Darcy. I ran into him on the plane ride home. He used to go to college with your father and me.”

  “Really? He knew daddy?”

  “He knew of him, sweetheart. They weren’t close friends.”

  “Oh. Will I get to meet him?”

  She slipped Lacey’s hand in hers. “I’m not sure, honey. Now let’s go buy that gift.”

  Christopher sat his cell phone back in the cup holder. He’d been thinking about Yvette non-stop since they’d parted ways the night before. Finally he had to call her just to hear her voice. Hearing Lacey in the background caused him to smile. She sounded a lot like her mother. He was thinking about a way to see her again when he snapped his fingers.