Sweet Christmas Kisses (109 page)

“Just so you know, I can’t guarantee the kids are disease-free. Don’t blame me if any of you come down sick.”

Jess hugged Elaine and the kids. “I can’t believe you came all this way for one day. At least you’ll get to sleep a night at the beach before heading back.” She signaled to Lila. “Can you introduce everyone while I grab more plates?”

Kathy said, “I’ll run next door and get extra plates and utensils.”

Five more plates. A total of twelve. While she waited for Kathy to return, Jess moved the place settings very close together. It was a long table, thank goodness, but even so they’d be elbow to elbow. Somebody might have to stand at the counter. There was no room left. Not even for one more.

Unless…

She looked over at the door. It was too much to hope for. Her mother was still at sea. Jess had been so unhappy about her going, she hadn’t thought to ask how long the cruise would last, but Mama had made it clear she wouldn’t be here for Christmas.

Jess moved aside as Kathy returned and took over counting and arranging plates. She noticed the dishes didn’t match, but she was grateful to have them.

Rob said, “The kids want to run down to the ocean. Is there time?”

“Ten minutes,” Jess said. “Ten minutes only. Wear your coats.” She pointed to the tallest one, Drew’s nephew. “Mike, when I call, y’all come right away.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Jess.” Rob touched her arm. “I’m glad you were able to get a tree, but I have to ask, why is it in the middle of the room?”

She grinned at her brother and asked, “Why not?”

A waft of fresh air entered as the kids exited. It was impressive sight—six children, most of them elementary-age and kindergarteners—thundering through to the porch and racing along the crossover. Jess followed them out, but slowly. The cooler air brushed her cheeks, reinvigorated her and helped her re-center herself.

Someone was standing on the steps at the end of the crossover.

Jess walked slowly toward him. He was standing by the steps as if he’d moved when the kids had barreled past and now didn’t know what to do.

He looked back and saw her.

Lila was right. Jess didn’t care about Pete. But Lila was wrong, too. She wasn’t jealous and she didn’t want to control everyone. She wanted the best for her loved ones, even if it cost her some pride.

“Pete. Lila said you’d gone.”

“I did. I just didn’t go far.”

“Would you like to join us for Christmas dinner?”

He looked around, then, surprised, he pointed at his chest.

She said, “I’m serious.”

“You sure?”

“I am.”

“I’d like that.”

“Okay, then. There’s only a few minutes before dinner’s ready so you should get on inside.”

“Thanks, Jess.”

“Don’t mention it. I mean, really don’t.”

Pete nodded with a half-smile on his lips and walked on past.

Jess turned around and there stood Drew. “Do you know about Pete?”

“Some. You two had that…conversation on the crossover.”

“We did. Hard to miss a Dawson heart-to-heart, isn’t it? We’re so subtle.”

Drew watched the kids running on the beach. “May I?”

She nodded. He put his arm around her shoulders and said, “Seems like things didn’t work out as planned this Christmas.”

Jess turned toward him, her hand on his chest, and looked up at his face. “Seems like.”

“Hope you’re not too disappointed.”

“Oh, I’m pretty tough. I can bear up under it.” She leaned against him and said, “By the way, the count is now up to thirteen. I need more chairs. Can you spare a few?”

“Yes ma’am.”

She pushed away from him. “The roast. I have to take it out of the oven or it’ll be overdone.”

“Mom’s watching it.”

He wasn’t expecting the move, so she stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. But then, apparently he was expecting it, because he turned his head. His lips met hers and lingered for a while.

Jess whispered, “The roast.” She yelled, “Kids. Come in.”

They parted at the privacy panel. Drew went to fetch extra chairs. Jess rushed inside.

Kathy saw her and waved, saying, “No worries. I got it.”

Jess joined her at the counter, quickly pronounced the roast as ready, and checked on the rolls turning golden brown in the oven.

The children scrambled back inside, but the adults were just standing around, bunched in a group. Annoyed, Jess clapped her hands. “Please, everyone, come to the table. Drew’s bringing more chairs.”

No one moved. Jess realized Rob and the others were smiling at her.

Two women stepped out from behind him. One said, “The ship had engine trouble and came back early.”

Mama and Aunt Lucy.

Jess laughed and put her hands over her heart. “We need two more plates.”

Lila said, “It’s already taken care of, sis.”

Drew asked, “Need more chairs?”

She slid her arm around him and said, “No, we’re good. Better than good.”

Not enough room at the table for thirteen? Well, fifteen would fit fine. Jess called that a buffet.

The table wasn’t perfectly decorated, the dishes didn’t match, and the food assortment was a bit haphazard, but they had everything that was needed—family, friends and food, and best of all, love.

~ Merry Christmas to you and yours ~

Grace Greene writes women’s fiction and contemporary romance with suspense. A Virginia native, Grace has family ties to North Carolina. She writes books set in both locations.

The Emerald Isle books,
Beach Rental
and
Beach Winds
, are set in North Carolina where “It’s always a good time for a love story and a trip to the beach.”

Or travel down Virginia Country Roads in
Kincaid’s Hope
,
A Stranger in Wynnedower
, and
Cub Creek
and “Take a trip to love, mystery and suspense.”

Beach Rental
, her debut novel, won the Booksellers Best contest in both the Traditional and Best First Book categories.
Beach Rental
and
Beach Winds
were each awarded 4.5 stars, Top Pick by RT Book Reviews magazine.

Grace lives in central Virginia. Stay current with Grace’s releases and appearances.

Contact her at
www.gracegreeneauthor.com
.

Mona Risk

Copyright © 2013 by:

Mona Risk

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any
means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief
quotes used in reviews.

This book built at IndieWrites.com

Many thanks to my wonderful critique partner and friend, Helen Scott-Taylor, for always being ready to help, and to my husband, Sam, for his loving support and technical assistance.

His hand frozen halfway, Dr. Tony Lorenzo clutched the angel he was about to hang above the manger. By God, the real angel stood outside in the street, staring at the shop window Tony had started to decorate for Christmas.

With seraphic blue eyes and a riot of blond strands escaping from a brown, fur-lined hood, she was the prettiest thing he’d seen in a long time. Her delicious mouth rounded in an O of admiration. Following her gaze, he glanced down at the illuminated display of the Nativity he had just set up.

The young woman smiled and mouthed
lovely
. He answered with a delighted grin.
You too
, he wanted to say. She raised her head and he caught her gaze. For a blessed moment they stared into each other’s eyes and he willed her to come inside the store.

But why would she enter his mother’s travel agency at 5 p.m.? A paper bag with the next door pastry shop’s logo and a longer bag holding a bottle dangled from her hand. She had probably finished work, shopped for food and drink at Main Street Plaza and paused to take a look at the attractive Christmas decorations—like so many people before her. He’d better finish his task as he’d promised his mother.

Sure enough, the young woman stepped away. With a groan of disappointment, Tony bent to retrieve another figurine from the box on the floor. The door bell chimed, announcing a new client. A blast of cold wind invaded the store and carried in an exotic fragrance.

“I’ll be with you in...” His gaze connected with a pair of long legs encased in high-heeled boots, and traveled up to the delectable thighs bared by a short skirt. He jumped to his feet and straightened.

Tony, my boy, tonight is your lucky night
. The pretty young woman he’d noticed outside the window came to him, her hand outstretched. A beautiful Christmas gift delivered early. Wow, one should always believe in miracles at Christmastime.

 She lowered her hood and a sexy mane of golden curls spilled down her back. “I’m Julia Dutton.” Her melodious voice matched her physique and created havoc in his heart, and unfortunately in other responsive parts of his body.

“I’m Tony Lorenzo.” He took her fingers, gently shook them and resisted the urge to bring them to his lips—and enfold her in his arms and taste her luscious mouth. Could he ask her to have dinner with him as soon as he closed the travel agency in an hour?

“I’d like to speak to Renée. She promised to have the plane tickets and cruise package ready for me to pick up today. She knows how special that trip is for me.” Sparkles brightened her eyes. “My honeymoon,” she added with a sweetness that lent an exquisite appeal to her smile.

“Your...hon...” he stuttered. The meaning of her little speech finally sank into his mind. Her last word hit him with the strength of a blizzard wind and smashed his burgeoning expectations. “Ah, your ...honey...moon.”

He lowered his gaze to her hand still cocooned in his palm and glared at the huge rock on her finger. How could he have missed it? The six-carat diamond now singed his skin. He dropped her fingers and stifled a curse. “Congratulations. Are you getting married soon? Who’s the lucky bast... I mean the fortunate man?” Right now, Tony hated the jerk, even if he was the nicest guy on Earth.

Unaware of his inner distress, Julia rubbed her ring with an amorous caress that grated on Tony’s nerves. “My fiancé is a doctor. So smart.” Pride suffused her tone.

“Ah, a doctor?” Tony shrugged. Big deal, he was a doctor too. But he didn’t bother to provide the information. His dream girl was already taken.

“Yes, an internal medicine physician, Dr. Clyde Clifford,” she specified, with a firm tone. “He works at Boston Memorial Hospital.”

That Dr. Clifford?
Tony stiffened. The
lucky Dr. Clifford
as they’d called him at the hospital and the Psychiatric Crisis Center where Tony worked. The hospital had buzzed for months with the juicy gossip that Dr. Clifford had won the jackpot and was marrying an heiress who adored him, the daughter of Senator Howard Dutton.

Unease crept through Tony. Poor heiress. He loosened his tie that felt too tight all of a sudden. “What can I do for you, Ms. Dutton?”

“Where is Renée? I need my tickets.”

“Renée left at noon. An emergency. Her father had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. My mother owns the travel agency but is out of town for a few days. She asked me to substitute for her employee.”

“That’s terrible. I’m so sorry for Renée and her dad. But did she leave my tickets?” Worry knitted her forehead. “It’s for my honey—”

“You’ve already mentioned it.” Seriously, this word exasperated him to no end. “I’ll check the computer.” Not that he knew much about the agency’s programs for the organization of air travel or cruises. He entered Julia’s name and studied the screen. Full name,
Julia Ellen Dutton,
date of birth... Hmm, she was twenty-eight, although she looked younger, vulnerable and adorable. And she lived in the plush neighborhood of Wellesley. He kept perusing the information.

“Yes, you have a fare booked from Boston to Barcelona on December 14 and the next day a Mediterranean cruise. I’ll print the reservation package.” He clicked on the
Print
icon and made sure there was enough paper in the printer. When the printing stopped, he stacked the sheets in a folder and handed it to her.

“Thank you so much, Tony.” Relief flooded her voice.

“You’d better check everything is correct before you leave.”

Julia opened the folder, looked at each sheet of paper and nodded. “It’s all there. Thanks.”

“Well, have a good trip, Julia.” A twinge of sadness lanced his insides at the thought he’d never see her again.
Too late for him... Too bad
.

“Wait. You still need to print my fiancé’s tickets.”

Tony frowned. “Sorry, I work only part-time here.” His lips thinned in annoyance but he dutifully sat at the computer, entered the fiancé’s name, and pressed the search command.

Clyde Clifford had a reservation on the cruise, but no plane ticket to reach Barcelona. Tony browsed through the new screen, and repeated his search, only to receive the same result. Julia was not going to be pleased.