A Heart for Christmas Read online

  “I got it.” Picking up his phone, he dialed is parents.

  “Hey mom, it’s Chris.”

  “Hello, darling,” Margaret Darcy said, warmly. “How was your day?”

  “Great,” he said. “Mom, I have a favor to ask of you and Dad. It’s important.”

  “Sure honey, what is it?”

  “There’s a woman I met on the airplane—”

  “Now you definitely have my attention,” she said excitedly.

  Christopher told his mother what he knew so far, and then laid out his plan for a surprise for Yvette and Lacey. He was hoping that with his family’s help, it would be an event that would warm their hearts and make their holiday memorable. The more he voiced his plan the happier his mother became.

  “Chris, it’s a wonderful idea. I just know your new friend and her daughter will be thrilled.”

  He had been a little unsure at first, but now Christopher was beginning to get keyed up. “You think so?”

  “Absolutely. I can’t imagine how hard it must be losing your spouse during the holidays. If Yvette is anything like you’ve described, this will be just what she needs right now. Trust me on this. She’ll love it.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  “We’re here,” Yvette informed Lacey.

  She eased into the parking lot and found a space. Checking the coupon in the mailer she’d received, she verified the address.

  Turning around in her seat, she said, “You can open your eyes now.”

  “Look at all the Christmas trees,” Lacey exclaimed with excitement.

  “Yep. It’s time we picked one out don’t you think?”

  They’d been intent on getting a tree after their mall excursion with Aunt Addie a few days ago, but they’d been unable to agree on one. They’d tried several tree lots, but so far no luck. Lacey was flipping through coupons in a mailer they’d received when she waved a coupon in the air.

  “Mom, we’ve got to go here,” she’d declared. “It’s called Winter Wishes Tree Farm.” Lacey ran over and handed her mother the colorful paper. “See, new customers get a free Christmas ornament with the purchase of a tree,” her daughter recited.

  “Okay, okay. We’ll give them a try,” Yvette promised.

  Now that they were here, she had to admit to feeling a certain amount of excitement. The place was like a winter wonderland.

  “Come on, mom,” Lacey said, unlatching her seat belt.

  Yvette got out and walked around the car to let her out. Holding her hand, they walked up to the entrance.

  “It looks like a Christmas village,” Lacey enthused.

  They walked past six-foot candy canes with garland laced between them. Holiday music piped through speakers around them. Lacey spotted a decorative table filled with treats.

  “Mom, it says help yourself. Can we see what they have?”

  Yvette nodded. “Let’s check it out.”

  They each got a gingerbread cookie and a cup of hot apple cider.

  “Can we look around now?” Yvette asked trying to lure Lacey away from the snacks.

  A woman dressed like an Elf greeted them and after speaking with Yvette for a few moments, directed them to the larger sized trees further down the aisle toward the back.

  “This place is awesome,” Lacey cried as they walked past the Fraser Fir trees.

  Occasionally they stopped, walked a complete circle around a tree and studied it. The trees were upright, which Yvette liked. It was hard enough trying to find the perfect tree without having to imagine what it looked like while it was bound and leaning on something.

  “Can I be of some help?”

  Lacey and Yvette turned around. Lacey smiled expectantly. Yvette’s jaw dropped. “Christopher?” she said with surprise.

  “Hey, Yvette.”

  “You’re Mr. Darcy?” Lacey asked running up to them.

  “I am.”

  “My name is Lacey.”

  Christopher lowered himself to her height. “Hello, Miss Stilwell. How are you?”

  “I’m fine,” she said, and then boldly extended her hand toward him.

  Christopher took her gloved hand and shook it gently. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “What are you doing here?” Yvette blurted out.

  “I work here.”

  She placed a hand to her chest. Her heart was thumping wildly. “You do?”

  “Yes. This is our first year here. So far it’s been a great location.”

  Yvette was trying to wrap her head around seeing him out of the blue, and discovering that he worked at a Christmas tree lot.

  “Lacey, can you start looking at trees while Mommy talks to Mr. Darcy?”

  After her daughter went on ahead, she turned to Christopher. “I’m sorry,” she apologized lowering her voice. “It’s just a shock seeing you here. I just assumed you worked in corporate America.”

  “I did. I used to work as a Forensic Chemist at the State Bureau of Investigations.”

  “That sounds exciting—and lucrative.”

  “It was, but I quit two months ago.”

  “To find yourself? Is that why you went to Europe?”

  Christopher grinned. “Not exactly. I was in London to support a close friend. He’s launching a new catering business. I told him if he ever got it off the ground that I’d be the first one here to wish him well. His store opening was a few weeks ago. I stayed afterwards to check out the city and surrounding countryside.

  “Oh. So now you work here. That’s…that’s a pretty abrupt change. What made you pick Christmas trees for a living?”

  He shrugged. “I needed a change. I got burned out and figured it was as good a job as any right now.”

  Just then Lacey ran up to them.

  “Mommy told me about you, but she didn’t say you worked here.” We got a coupon in the mail,” she said proudly holding it in front of her.

  He chuckled. “That’s great. I’m glad you found us. Would you like a tour?”

  “Yes, thank you,” Yvette replied. She took Lacey’s hand and the two followed behind him.

  Christopher showed them around the lot and then into a small house where they had ornaments, wreaths, and other holiday decorations.

  He bent down in front of Lacey. “If you give that lady over there your coupon, you can pick out an ornament.”

  “The coupon says we have to get a tree. We haven’t picked one out, yet.” She frowned.

  “True, but I’ve got an idea I’d like to ask your mom about, and the ornament is part of it.”

  Christopher made eye contact with the elderly woman standing behind the counter. She smiled and nodded. He then turned to Yvette. “Is that okay?”

  “Sure,” she said looking down at her daughter. “You go pick out a nice one, sweetheart.”

  Lacey needed no further prompting. She bounded over to the lady.

  Yvette shook her head. “This is so weird. Figure the odds of our running into you.”

  He stood up to his full height. “Personally, I’m thrilled you did. I had planned to call you to discuss an idea I had. I know you want to get a tree tonight, but would you and Lacey like to come to a real Christmas tree farm and pick one?”

  Yvette’s eyes lit up. “Really? We’ve never been to one before.”

  “Then I think it’s high time you did. You could be my guest.”

  “Lacey would love it.” Her voice echoed her excitement. “Of course we’ll come.”

  A big smile covered his face. “Great. It’s Winter Wishes Tree Farm. It’s near Asheville.”

  “That’s a great name by the way. Aunt Adelaide lives in Asheville. Lacey and I can make a weekend out of it. I’m sure she would love us coming to visit.” Yvette placed her hand on his arm. “Thanks so much for inviting us, Christopher.”

  He glanced into her eyes. “It’s my pleasure Yvie, believe me. Hey, invite Adelaide, too.”

  They were still discussing their plans when Lacey returned with an ornament dangling from her fing
ers.

  “Look at this one, mommy,” she said proudly. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

  Yvette kneeled down and fingered the ornament. It had baby penguins on it that we wearing Santa hats. “It’s perfect, Lacey. You did a great job.”

  “That’s a great choice,” Christopher agreed. “You have great taste, Miss Stilwell.”

  “You can call me Lacey,” she replied with a grin.

  “Thank you, Lacey. You two stay as long as you like,” he informed them. I’m going to go help some customers, but come find me before you leave, okay?”

  Yvette promised and Christopher headed back outside. After he left, she turned back to Lacey.

  “Mr. Darcy invited us to a tree farm to pick out our Christmas tree. What do you think about that? Would you like to go?”

  Lacey’s face brimmed excitement. She could barely keep still. “Yes, yes I want to go,” she shrieked. “I’ve never been to a real Christmas tree farm. Some of my friends have, but not me. When can we go right now, mommy?”

  Yvette laughed. “It’s too late, honey. How about we leave on Friday? It’s near Aunt Addie’s so we’ll stay for the weekend. Do you mind waiting a few more days to get a tree?”

  Lacey looked like she was about to implode with happiness. She hugged her mother and then started rattling off what they’d need to take, and what an amazing tree they’d find.

  “This is gonna be the best Christmas, Mommy.”

  Yvette’s eye caught movement outside. She glanced out the window and spotted Christopher toting a large tree with a family hurrying behind him. A warmth of emotion rushed over her. She kissed Lacey’s cheek. “I think you’re right, sweetheart.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  “Are we there, yet?”

  Yvette glanced in the rearview mirror at her daughter. “Not yet, sweetie. The GPS says we’re almost there, though.”

  “Mommy, you said that ten minutes ago,” Lacey complained. “Can’t you go any faster?”

  “Lacey,” Yvette said, patiently. “It’s snowing cats and a few dogs out here, and the GPS signal keeps dropping. Relax, and let mommy concentrate on the road, okay?”

  Her daughter sighed, and then stared out of the window. Yvette couldn’t help but smile. Lacey’s look of impatience reminded her of Michael when things didn’t go his way. There were many similarities between father and daughter that made Yvette happy. It reminded her that he lived on in their daughter, and in their memories of him.

  Driving in the snow had never been one of her favorite things to do, not that there was ever much of the white stuff in Raleigh, but having to do it when she didn’t know where she was going always made her anxious. To Yvette’s relief, the GPS finally resumed directions prompting her to turn left and continue down the road to her destination. When at last they reached the parking area, she cut the car off, said a silent prayer of thanks, and then spun around in her seat to say, “Now we’re here.”

  Lacey’s eyes grow wide. “Oh boy, this is even better than the lot in Raleigh—and we’ve got snow.”

  Yvette’s gazed through the window at the large farm blanketed in white. “You’re right about that.”

  They got out of the car and walked toward the main building. It reminded Yvette of a general store that was all done up for the Holidays. There was a large table with a big red tablecloth trimmed in white. It looked like a larger version of Santa’s hat. It was heaving with Hot Chocolate, Egg Nog, Apple Cider and a wide assortment of Christmas Cookies and treats. They helped themselves to a treat, and continued to look around the store. The whole place looked like a winter wonderland. On tables and in hutches around the large room there were baked goods, jams, jellies, maple and other fruit syrups.

  Her taste buds twitched with delight at seeing huge buttermilk biscuits and fresh Black Raspberry preserves.

  “Help yourselves,” A woman dressed like Mrs. Claus said to Yvette and Lacey. “If you ask me, it’s one of our most popular, but my husband, Mr. Clause, will swear it’s his top-secret Winterberry jam that drives our visitors crazy.”

  Lacey giggled. “Can I try one, mommy?”

  “Of course,” Yvette replied. “I guess we’ll have to solve this ongoing dilemma, won’t we?”

  Yvette tried the black raspberry on a biscuit while Lacey chose the winterberry on a muffin. Both sank their teeth in and closed their eyes in concentration. When they were done with their mouthful, each passed their treat to the other and after palate cleansing with a few swigs of water, they dug in.

  “Well?” Mrs. Clause prompted after a few moments. “Which one is the best?”

  “The Black Raspberry,” Lacey announced imperiously.

  “The Winterberry,” Yvette said simultaneously.

  Their host laughed. “You’d be surprised at how often that happens.”

  Lacey looked around a few times. “Is Mr. Darcy here? He said he’d be here.”

  “Ah,” Mrs. Clause said, glancing at Yvette with a knowing look. “You two ladies must be Yvette and Lacey Stilwell.”

  “Yes, we are. I guess Christopher mentioned we were coming?”

  “My son mentions everything to me…well at least the important stuff,” she winked. “I’m Margaret Darcy. Welcome to Winter Wishes Tree Farm.”

  “Uh…oh,” Yvette stammered. She shook hands with Christopher’s mother. “I’m sorry…he didn’t mention that this was his family’s farm. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Darcy. She clasped Lacey’s hand and eased her closer. This is my daughter, Lacey.”

  Margaret reached down and hugged her. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Lacey. I’ve heard such wonderful things about you.”

  Her eyes lit up. “Really? Like what?”

  “That you love our Penguin ornaments, all things Christmas, and you’re in the market for the perfect Christmas tree to take home.”

  Yvette observed her daughter while she conversed with Mrs. Darcy. She was a tall, shapely woman, with vivid brandy-colored eyes and timeless beauty. Her light brown skin was flawless, with only a hint of wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. She reminded Yvette of the dance instructor she had when she was six-years old. Christopher’s mother.

  Hurt welled up inside her. He didn’t tell you. Her conscience piped up loud and clear. Yvette took a few steps away to get a handle on her emotions. Why wasn’t he truthful with her? She wondered. What was the reason behind his omission? Did he think she was superficial or something?

  Well, you were shocked that he worked in a tree lot. She told herself. “Surprised, yes, but not put off,” Yvette whispered aloud. In the larger picture, where Christopher worked did not bother her. That he wasn’t honest did.

  Just then Christopher walked in. Yvette’s eyes connected with his. She watched him saunter over to their group and did her best to keep her mixed emotions at bay. He had some explaining to do.

  “Good morning, lovely ladies. I’m glad you made it safely.”

  “Yes, we did. We’ve just been met your mother, too,” she said, staring right at him.

  The air suddenly crackled with tension.

  Margaret glanced between her son, and Yvette. She reached down and grabbed Lacey’s hand. “Lacey, I’ve got a great idea. Would you like to help me round up the elves? Their break was over a few minutes ago, and they’ve got mistletoe to hang.”

  “Ooh, mistletoe,” she squeaked.

  “You two excuse us; we’re going adventuring for a while.”

  “Of course,” Yvette replied bending down to give Lacey a hug. “You have fun, sweetheart.”

  “I will,” her daughter said with confidence. “It’s like we’re at the South Pole.”

  “The moment her daughter turned the corner and was out of sight, Yvonne rounded on Christopher. “Why didn’t you tell me your family owns this farm?”

  Gazing around the crowded store, he said, “How about we go someplace quieter to talk?”

  Yvette nodded and let him guide her out of the store. He walked over to where his truck was parke
d and opened the passenger door. Yvette stood rooted to her spot.

  “Please?” he implored her.

  With a sigh, she got up in the truck and fastened her seat belt. Christopher climbed in and turned the engine over. He eased out of the crowded parking area and drove down a side road. With her arms folded across her middle, Yvette didn’t say a word; she just looked out the window as they passed field after field of trees. As far as her eye could see there were rows of Fraser firs.

  Forgetting her annoyance, she turned to him. “This place is…huge.”

  “We have about one thousand acres of land, though less than 100 acres are utilized to grow Christmas trees. We also have horses, cows, chickens and other farm animals, but those are mostly to provide us with our own source of food. My mother wants to be as self-sufficient as possible. She makes soaps, cleaning supplies, and the best food you’ve ever tasted. You should see her garden,” he chuckled. “There’s not much we have to go to the grocery store for.”

  “And on top of that you have the trees?”

  He nodded. “We have all sizes of trees, some growing to over twenty feet. We get a few requests for trees for large scale parties and buildings with a lot of ceiling height,” he smiled.

  “How…how long have you been doing this?”

  “The tree farm belonged to my mother’s family. When my grandparents died a few years ago, my mother inherited the farm and all their other assets. She’s their only child. My father and I had been here a few times, but when my parents decided to combine their efforts and make a go out of running Winter Wishes, it was all in…for everybody.”

  “That was a big decision,” Yvette said softly. “So that’s why you quit your job.”

  “Yes. Family comes first. We have employees to help with running the farm. Some have been here since my grandparent’s time. There’s seasonal help, too, but this has been a family-owned business since my grandparents first bought this place sixty years ago and planted their first Fraser Fir. Our goal is to keep it that way.”

  Christopher parked the truck and got out. He walked around to open Yvette’s door.