“She’s perfect,” Matthew Buck whispered watching the attractive silver-haired woman glide down the store’s escalator. Matthew was desperate and by the looks of this woman, she could be the one to pull him out of this mess, one he created himself, with his insistence on a more up-to-date Christmas display. The Enchanted Land of Claus was due to open in a few short weeks, and there was still one piece to his Enchanted Land of Claus that was missing, and that was the perfect Mrs. Claus.
Matthew knew when he accepted the position of Creative Director of Special Events he would be solely responsible for the Herculean task of redeveloping a time-honored tradition. However, as much-loved as this tradition was, it was tired and dated. He had the experience to pull it off, having previously been the creative director of McKinnley’s, a big box chain store based in Chicago that recently went bankrupt. The call from Corrine Howardson, an old college friend, came at the right time just as Matthew received his pink slip.
“Matty, c’mon, I know you want to come back to the bright lights of Boston. And besides, I heard about McKinnley’s going belly up.” Corrine was recently promoted to marketing vice president of Howardson’s and was ready to give the store the twenty-first century makeover it desperately needed, including revamping the Christmas exhibit, and Corrine knew only one person could pull it off.
Matthew felt the blush rise into his cheeks upon hearing the voice of his college crush through his cellphone. College was decades in the past, but he could still recall the day that any chance he might have had with Corrine Howardson vanished before his eyes.
Corrine and Matthew had most of their classes together and casually socialized. Everyone liked Corrine: she was pretty without realizing it, kind to everyone, and a great student. She was also the heir to the Howardson’s Emporium throne, the stalwart of Boston’s retail kingdom.
“Here ya go, Matty,” she said, holding out the stapled set of assignment papers the size of a manuscript.
The gold flecks in her brown eyes sparkled in the shaft of afternoon sunlight that streamed in from the large windows of the lecture hall. Her thick light brown hair was piled high on top of her head as two small diamond studs sparkled in her ear lobes. If any makeup graced her glowing face, it was not noticeable at all, as Corrine’s natural prettiness needed nothing to enhance it. She was wearing a light green cowl neck sweater, which brought out the amber in her eyes and the pink of her cheeks, and Matthew thought there was no one as beautiful as Corrine Howardson.
Ask her now, Matthew silently commanded, mustering the courage to ask Corrine on a date. He took a deep breath.
“Thanks, Corrine. Corrine…”
“Ya, Matty?” she asked in her charming Boston accent. She quickly turned away from Matthew and enthusiastically waved toward the door. Colton Duke, a Texas cowboy type, and a big bass out of water in this bucolic New England College town, returned her wave. Colton was on a football scholarship, but during a practice he broke his hip and was on the long road to recovery, a road on which Corrine traveled by his side. The sight of Colton Duke sitting in his wheelchair took the wind right out of Matthew’s sails, and he knew he stood no chance with Corrine.
“Were you going to say something, Matty?” She had turned back to Matthew, waiting for a response.
“Oh, no,” he said, shaking his head. ”I just wanted to let you know I thought your presentation last week was outstanding. Great job.”
That beautiful bright smile spread across her pretty face.
“Aw, thanks, Matty! That means so much. And congrats on yours, too. Your designs are amazing. I wish I had that kind of talent. Next assignment we should work together. Easy A.” She winked at him as she threw her books and notes into her bag.
“Gotta run. I told Colton I’d push him to his chem lab,” she laughed. ”Oh, almost forgot this!” Corrine said as she grabbed her pen. She looked at Matthew and smiled, shaking her head and said, ”Men are so funny. I know Colton could very well get out of that wheelchair and walk, but I swear, he loves the attention. I told him I was only pushing him until his next doctor’s appointment, which is tomorrow, so he better not get used to it. But I really don’t mind. He’s such a sweetheart.” She turned and waved again, and Colton smiled the smile of a man in love.
“Seriously, Matty, next team assignment, you’re my partner. Deal?”
“Deal.” Matthew smiled as Corrine bounced down the steps of the auditorium and into the hall toward Colton. She lovingly tucked a blue and red plaid Stony Oak woolen blanket around his lap, bestowed a gentle and loving kiss on his lips, and then she happily pushed him down the hall and not only out of Matthew’s sight, but out of his romantic reach forever.
Corrine’s cheerleader personality and natural prettiness made her popular on campus, and it was obvious to everyone that Corrine Howardson and Colton Duke were meant to be together.
Matthew cursed his shyness with women and was crushed, but no matter how hard he tried, he found it almost impossible to approach a woman in whom he was interested; they, however, had no problem approaching him.
And now Summer Graystone was about to let Matthew in on destiny’s little secret.
Like a rescue dog that picked up a scent, women honed upon Matthew’s vulnerability, and now as he was at his most low. Unbeknownst to Matthew, his vulnerability was extraordinarily palpable, and he did not see the freight train named Summer Graystone come speeding down the track and heading right toward his wounded heart. ”Hi, Matthew.” Summer walked down the stairs toward Matthew who sat slumped in his seat in apparent defeat.
“Hi, Summer,” he said, turning at the sound of her voice. She sat down next to him, the scent of her exotic perfume assailing his nostrils.
“Corrine sure is devoted to Colton. And it’s so obvious he feels the same about her. Don’t you think they make a sweet couple?”
“I guess. Must be nice.” Matthew shoved the last of his notebooks into his backpack.
“I’m sure it is. I haven’t experienced anything like that yet, but I’m hopeful. You should be too.”
He looked into her eyes, and he noticed they were the most extraordinary shade of purple, the color of his mother’s beloved early summer irises. Summer was a pretty girl, but she wasn’t Corrine.
“What makes you think I’m not hopeful?” he asked, putting his backpack on the empty seat beside him. He couldn’t help but smile as he felt her body lean in closer to his.
“Call it women’s intuition,” she said, smiling. She pulled her long, coal black hair over her right shoulder, running her hand through her shining tresses.
“Sometimes hope is all we have,” she said, her hand grasping his. The softness of her skin sent a shock through his blood, and Corrine quickly vanished from his mind.
“I’m going to stop for a coffee if you’d like to join me.”
Matthew affably shrugged his shoulders. ”I could use a coffee right about now,” he said matter-of-factly. He glanced at his watch. ”My next class isn’t for another hour, so yeah, coffee sounds good.”
“Great! Oh, it’s my treat, since I asked you.”
“Thanks. I’ll get the next one,” he said, smiling.
Summer Graystone, one of the most gorgeous girls at Stony Oak, just asked him on a date, and he accepted.
Eat your heart out, Corrine, he thought, as he happily followed Summer out of the auditorium.
They dated off and on until graduation when they both decided that they needed to go their separate ways. Matthew headed to Chicago, while Summer accepted an entry-level hotel management position in Minneapolis. They parted amicably when they agreed in only wanting to be married to their careers at this young stage in their lives.
Years later, Matthew was checking into a conference at the Snowton Resort in Minneapolis one cool autumn morning when a stunning woman behind the desk greeted him with a captivating smile.
“Matthew Buck. I saw your name on the registry, and I was hoping it would be you.”
“Summer?” Matthew asked incredulously. Summer had always been beautiful, but the passing of time made her even more so, if that was even possible. She still had the same flawless complexion, but now faint lines appeared around her eyes when she smiled, which Matthew thought made her even more attractive. Her jet-black hair was still thick and luxurious, framing her pretty, round face and her eyes were still as violet as those newly bloomed summer irises.
Summer stepped from around the check-in desk, walking gracefully toward him. She was wearing a white skirt and jacket which hugged her curvaceous figure in all the right places. She embraced him in a bear hug and the scent of her perfume took him right back to his days at Stony Oak.
“You haven’t changed a bit!” she exclaimed, stepping back, grasping his hands tightly within her own.
Matthew was left almost speechless as he stared at Summer. She was absolutely stunning.
“You haven’t either, Summer,” he said, feeling the softness of her hands in his. ”You look amazing.”
“Matthew, we simply have to catch up,” she said, dropping his hands and walking back behind the desk.
“I’m off tomorrow night. I can arrange for dinner here in our private dining room.” She suddenly stopped.
“Oh, Matthew, I’m sorry. I can be so forward sometimes. I noticed that you were checking in alone, but maybe you’re…”
“No,” Matthew said, shaking his head and holding up his left hand.
“Not married. Only to work, if that counts.”
Summer held up her left hand.
“Me either! And I’m with you—only to work and that does count! So, I can arrange for dinner tomorrow night in our private dining area if that works for you?”
He found himself captivated by her violet eyes and bright friendly smile. Summer was a part of his carefree college days, a part of his happy and treasured past, and Matthew didn’t realize how lonely he was until this very minute.
“I’d love that,” he simply said.
“Wonderful!” Summer exclaimed as she handed him a card.
“Here’s my contact information. You can call me but if I don’t pick up, leave a voicemail. We can meet right here tomorrow at eight. Would that work?”
Matthew mentally ran through his conference schedule, as it was jam-packed for the next three days.
“That would. The last session tomorrow ends at six, so eight would be perfect.”
“Oh Matthew,” she said excitedly. She walked toward him and pressed her lips to his cheek.
“It’s so good to see you. I can’t wait to catch up.”
“Miss Graystone, you’re needed in the kitchen.”
“Oh, thank you, Hannah. I’ll be right there.” The young waitress walked back to the dining area.
“Duty calls, but I’ll see you tomorrow. And, if you need anything, extra towels, blankets, give me a call. And, oh, there will be no charge for the minibar in your room.” She winked and Matthew felt his heart skip ten beats.
“Summer, that’s very kind of you. Thanks so much.”
“Anything for an old friend. Until tomorrow!” She waved and bounced down the corridor in spectacularly high heels, her shapely hips swaying back and forth with each step to a tune that only Summer could hear.
Matthew watched her lithe body disappear around the corner, as a shakiness that he hadn’t felt in years consumed him—the feeling of a woman, and a gorgeous one at that, being kind and simply paying attention to him. He tucked the card into his shirt pocket and headed to his room curious to see how his minibar was stocked.
The following year, on a clear and bright late autumn morning at the quaint St. Theresa’s Church in Brightmore, Matthew waited at the altar as Summer gracefully walked down the aisle toward her future husband.
There were still days in his life when Matthew couldn’t believe that he married this woman, but she had swooped in so calmly and gently as Matthew nursed his lonely heart. Matthew wasn’t even sure if he was ever in love with anyone before, even then at thirty-six years old, with the exception of Corrine. His job had all but consumed him, and Summer changed all that. She was gorgeous, but more important, she was familiar. They were both New Englanders living in the Midwest. They dated in college, and he felt comfortable with someone who knew him when he was younger and had the same shared experiences. He never thought of her as being his wife while they dated in college, but now, there could be no other woman to be Mrs. Matthew Buck.
Their marriage was barely two years old when right before Labor Day Matthew was in the midst of finalizing the store’s Autumn Festival display. Summer had been working crazy hours at the Snowton’s Chicago location, and they were lucky if they grabbed a quick dinner and then fell right to sleep. But Matthew was now under a fierce deadline, and he could feel the pressure mounting.
Matthew’s phone rang. He shook his head in agitation, and against his better judgment, he answered.
“Matthew. I need you to come home now.”
“Summer, it’s insane here. Can’t it wait until later?”
“No, Matthew, it can’t. Just come home and then go back to work. I need to talk to you about something and, no, it cannot wait.”
Matthew heard the sense of urgency in his wife’s voice, which put him on edge. Summer had a habit of interrupting his workday with her whims, to which Matthew always acquiesced, but he could tell this was not one of her usual demands.
“You’re not asking for a divorce already, are you?” he nervously laughed into the phone, hoping to break the apprehension he was feeling. Their careers had invisibly gripped them, tearing them away from each other, and making a young marriage that much more difficult.
“Not yet, but if you’re not here soon, I might have to.” Summer’s end of the line went dead.
“Matty, you’re needed up on the display floor. Something’s going on with one of the mechanical scarecrows. There’s straw flying everywhere…”
“You’ll have to take care of it, Fern. Summer just phoned, and she needs me home immediately. I’ll be back later. Can you handle it for now?” Matthew noticed Fern’s face distort with agitation. Fern made it clear on many occasions how she felt about Summer.
Fern Rhodes was the McKinnley’s seamstress, and Matthew adored her as she was the surrogate mother who listened, counseled, and when needed, scolded Matthew. He wouldn’t know what to do without her. But there was always one thing Fern made very clear: She felt as if Matthew was Summer’s puppet. Summer called, he ran; Summer wanted something, she pulled Matthew’s strings.
“Oh, are we playing Summer Says again?” The sarcasm in Fern’s voice cut through Matthew like the proverbial dagger. Matthew could usually shrug off Fern’s digs about his wife, but not today. He was leaving. Now.
“I’m not playing anything,” he said, furiously whipping his jacket from the back of his chair. “My wife called and said she needs me at home, and that’s where I’m going. I’ll be back when I can.”
He heard the terseness in his voice, and immediately felt guilty for being so curt with his long-time friend. He could tell from the wounded look in Fern’s blue eyes that he had gone too far.
“Look, the switch is right in the middle of the scarecrow’s back. Turn it off, and when I come back, I’ll be bearing gifts.”
“As long as they’re gifts from Sapphire Sweets, then I can forgive you.”
Matthew laughed. He looked at Fern who had pieces of straw stuck to her slick black hair and her ever-present tape measure was wrapped around her neck like a wayward scarf. She might have been small in stature but she was fierce in attitude, and her seamstressing skills were genius. They had worked together for years, and she had proclaimed him her honorary son, as she did not have children or nieces and nephews of her own. She lovingly took Matthew under her wing as he entered the highly competitive world of retail design and management. Fern truly was his right-hand woman, and he would be lost without her, especially being so far from his family.
But Summer was his wife, and she came first.
“Not only will I stop at Sapphire Sweets, but I’ll also make sure you have a cup of that peppermint tea you love. It might taste even better if you didn’t make it yourself,” he laughed, full well knowing that she much preferred making her own anything than purchasing it in a store.
“Well, if there even is such a thing as anything being better than homemade, I’ll admit it’s Sapphire’s tea. And cinnamon scones, wink, wink.”
Fern shrugged and pulled the tape measure from her shoulders.
“I’ll find that scarecrow switch. And I’ll see you later.” She waved her nimble index finger at him, and Matthew stood erect and saluted.
“Aye, aye, Madam,” he laughed and watched his friend fly back to the production area.
Fern’s palpable dislike of Summer was clearly evident to Matthew. Matthew knew Fern had nothing but his own best interest at heart, but her brusque comments about him playing Summer Says could grate on Matthew’s nerves. For the sake of their friendship, he chose to ignore Fern’s gruffness, but Summer was his wife, and he was going to be there for her.
Summer was demanding, but that was her personality, and it took her far in the professional sphere of hotel management. She had worked her way up from manager to general manager at Snowton in just two years, transferring to the Chicago location when they married, taking even more time away from the young married couple. But they both agreed that if they were going to get ahead, this is what they had to do—work—so that later in life, the financial fruits of their labor would be well enjoyed.
Matthew didn’t give Fern a second thought, as he grabbed his car keys and headed home.
“Sit down,” Summer commanded, as Matthew announced he was home. She had a glass of his favorite chardonnay ready and handed it to him as he flopped onto the couch.
“Wine, wow. I can’t imagine what you’re about to spring on me,” he said, taking a sip. “But then again, I think I can.” He really didn’t, but he thought it would be fun to play along with his wife.
“What do you think I’m going to tell you?” Summer asked, sidling next to her husband. She put her head on Matthew’s shoulder and he kissed the top of her glossy black hair.
“Well, you’ve already been promoted, so that’s out of the question. I know you bought a new pair of shoes last week, and a bag to match…”
“Matthew Buck!” Summer shot up beside him and Matthew could tell by her stern and hurt look on her face that she was in no mood for games.
“You make me sound like the most materialistic person that ever existed. That hurt.”
He pulled her in close to him, placing her head back on his shoulder. He could smell her juniper shampoo and nuzzled his face into the beguiling scent.
“Summer, you know I’d never hurt you. I love you. Now, what is so important that you had me come home during my work insanity?”
Summer pulled away and looked at her husband’s blue-gray eyes. She caressed his face and gently kissed him on his lips.
“You’re going to be a father,” she whispered into his ear.
Matthew pulled back and looked at his wife. Her smile was as large and bright as a full moon.
“We’re having a baby? Oh, my God, Summer.” He leaned over and deeply kissed his wife, pulling her as close to him as he possibly could.
“Matthew I’ve been praying this would happen, and I was so scared when it wasn’t, but then I decided to let it go and let Mother Nature take its course, and now we’re having a baby.”
Matthew caressed his wife’s beautiful face and kissed her again.
“Summer,” he whispered. ”I thought marrying you made me the luckiest man in the world, but now, having a child with you, well, I didn’t know such happiness could exist. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, Matty,” she said, and Matthew could feel her melting into his strong and protective arms. He wasn’t just holding Summer—he was holding their world.
Over a decade later, the world that Matthew tried to keep in his tight embrace was ripped from his arms forever.
“It’s just not working anymore, Matthew. I think you know that as well as I do.”
It was Athena’s twelfth birthday, and she had just gone to bed after a day of horseback riding with friends. There had been tension between Matthew and his wife, particularly for the last few months, but it was growing like a festering wound, and when Summer ignored him all day at the riding stables, Matthew knew what was coming, but he had promised himself that he was going to let her make the first move, and not him. He knew that if he did, it could be detrimental, and he was not going to give Summer any ammunition if he could help it.
“What are you thinking?” he asked cautiously, still keeping his cards close to the vest. Let her be the one to mention leaving me, he thought as he sat down opposite his wife at their large dining room table.
Summer licked her lips and tugged at her necklace, an anxious habit. Buckle up, Matthew.
“Well, if you’re going to make me spell it out, Matthew, what’s not working is you and me. Our marriage. Maybe it never did.”
“What do you mean maybe it never did? I love you, Summer. When we made our wedding vows there was absolutely no doubt in my mind that we were going to be married for the rest of our lives. Are you telling me that was something that you didn’t believe?”
Hurt and anger bubbled up inside of Matthew. Was she telling him she never really loved him?
Summer shrugged her shoulders, another habit which Matthew read as her not caring.
“Of course I loved you. Love you. But I will honestly tell you that I did question myself. Was I marrying you for the right reasons? Sometimes I felt that if you didn’t come along, I would never have been married, and I have asked myself if I really loved you or I thought I loved you. I do love you, Matthew, but not in the way a wife should love her husband.”
Matthew looked questioningly into those penetrating violet eyes. He suddenly noticed the deep lines etched around them, like lines on a map that now creased her face. He also observed those same deep lines around her lips. When did those appear? he thought, realizing he never noticed them until now, thinking perhaps he didn’t see them because he loved her. Graying hair and fine lines didn’t matter because they were growing older together. And now, Summer wanted to end the journey.
“Enlighten me, Summer. How is a wife supposed to love a husband, because I can certainly tell you how this husband loves his wife. And their daughter. I work the way I do not just for me but for the both of you. I want Athena to see a strong father figure who only wants the best for her and goes to work every day and shows her how much she’s loved. I go to work every day to provide the lifestyle you love so much…”
Summer put her hand up.
“Stop right there, Matthew. I work full time as well, and don’t forget it’s my income that provides for our daughter as well as yours. I know what you do, Matthew, but I don’t want to drag this out like it’s a competition. We both love and provide for Athena, but it’s not enough for me. I’m not happy in this marriage. I am not asking anything of you, Matthew, no money, no child support, no alimony, absolutely nothing. Just that you let me go.”
“Let you go? Just like that? Look, Summer, we’re both so busy with work, why don’t we just take some time off and go somewhere, the three of us?”
Matthew watched as Summer’s body heaved with an exasperated sigh of frustration, another telltale sign that Summer had made up her mind, and Matthew knew he’d already lost his wife. But he would fight for his daughter.
“What about Athena? What are we supposed to tell her?”
“I’ve already spoken to her about the possibility that we may be living apart. She was upset, but I told her nothing drastic would happen, that we are still a family, but just not living together.”
Matthew felt the fury boil in his blood, gushing through his body. He had to remain in control because he knew Summer enjoyed a good fight, and he was not going to give her one. Not for his sake, but most importantly, not for his daughter who was soundly sleeping in her bedroom down the hall. No. He would handle this with a cool head and not provide Summer any ammunition whatsoever.
“You were always good at tidying messes, Summer. The most important thing right now is Athena’s wellbeing. I want her vacation plans to remain the same—staying with my mother in New Hampshire.” There was no way Summer was going to ruin Athena’s favorite six weeks out of the year.
“Absolutely. I know how much Athena loves her New Hampshire summers, and I would never take that away from her.”
Round one, Matthew thought. He and Athena had a close relationship, and although Summer would never jeopardize that, he knew it was extremely important he and his daughter spend time together to help her realize that the failure of her parents’ marriage had nothing at all to do with her.
“So how does this work? Do I leave or do you leave?”
“Well, I have made arrangements at the hotel to stay in the penthouse suite. There is more than enough room for the two of us.”
“The two of you?” Again, Matthew could feel his blood rage. It was very clear that Summer had been planning this for a while, and that she planned to take Athena away from him.
“I’m not so sure I like Athena living in a hotel.”
Summer rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh.
“Matthew, you know the penthouse is bigger than our condo, and I managed the interior decorating so it is homey and not just some sterile hotel room.” She waved her hands in frustration.
“Athena’s home base will be here, but I want her to feel she can be at home in both places. Until I’m settled.”
“And when do you plan on settling, Summer?” Keep your anger in check, guy. You don’t want her throwing anything at you. Her memory is a steel trap.
“Not sure,” she said, shrugging her shoulders.”I’m still figuring that out.” She held up her hand as if it could stop any words from escaping from Matthew’s mouth.
“And don’t worry about the money. Again, I’m not asking you for anything that has to do with me. I am solely responsible for this decision, and I am more than capable of taking care of my financial needs. And then some.”
Matthew winced at her last remark. Along with her promotion she also received a hefty raise, catapulting her annual salary into the six-figure stratosphere. Matthew was nearly there himself, but not quite, and he knew that since she had taken over the financial lead professionally, she would never let Matthew forget.
“Fair enough. We can have our attorney hash something…”
“I have my own attorney now and I can have her send everything to Nella. She’s still your attorney, right?”
“Nella is still our—my attorney, yes.” Matthew said, thinking that he shouldn’t be surprised at all that Summer had acquired her own attorney. There was nothing she didn’t think of.
“I do just have one question, Summer.” Matthew felt his mouth go dry as he almost did not want to ask, but he had to know.
“Anything,” Summer said, smoothing her skirt, anxiously squirming like a trapped rat, ready to jump.
“Is there someone else?” He could barely get the words out as his heart stammered in his chest.
“No one else, Matthew. I’m quite surprised you asked.”
“Why wouldn’t I ask? You work long hours, we hardly see each other. When I try to make time for us, you’re always busy. How could I not think that?”
“I could ask the same of you, Matthew.”
Her violet eyes penetrated his gray-blue ones, and he felt the heat of her anger boring straight through to him. Matthew never realized until this moment how cold and icy those beautiful eyes could be. Had they always been like that? Or did they turn stone cold because she just changed the course of their family’s life?
“Matthew, we’ve been trains running on separate tracks for a long time now. You can analyze things until the cows come home. That’s exactly what I’ve been doing, asking myself what went wrong. The answer is much easier than we think. We simply grew apart. And I believe you’ve known that, too, and neither one of us is to blame. The should haves, could haves, would haves won’t make any difference in the way our marriage ended, and I’m not going to beat myself up and neither should you. We have a wonderful daughter that we will both continue to raise, albeit separately, and I’m only going to think of the good that can come out of this for Athena. I hope we are in agreement on that.”
“We are, Summer. Athena’s wellbeing is most important for me as well.”
“Okay then. I’ll be staying at the hotel tonight and since it’s been so busy, I’ll move my things out next weekend and we can start fresh from there.” Summer stood up and smoothed the invisible wrinkles from her silk skirt.
Wrapping it up, just like a business deal, Matthew thought as he watched his wife grab her suitcase-sized, chocolate leather tote bag, her five-inch heels clicking loudly on the newly polished hardwood floor.
“I’m just going to give Athena a kiss and then I’ll leave. I’ll see myself out.”
And Summer Graystone Buck saw herself out from their condo and out from their marriage.
“It’s okay, Dad,” Athena said to Matthew. They were driving out of the city and into the serene countryside to Carousel Stables where Athena celebrated her birthday party just last weekend, the weekend that changed all of their lives forever. This presented the perfect opportunity for Matthew and Athena to talk, especially since she was begging to return for more lessons.
Matthew glanced at his daughter, her black hair shimmering in the sunlight. He watched his sweet little girl sip on her hot chocolate, her lips puckering to blow on the steam rising from her cup.
“My only concern, Athena, is that you are okay. Your wellbeing is my only concern, and your mother’s too. I’m sorry this happened.”
“Don’t be sad, Dad.” He felt the soft touch of his daughter’s hand on his shoulder.
“I know that things will be different, but I know things will be the same, too. You’re still my dad no matter what, and I love you.” He heard her slurp her hot chocolate, and he felt the gentle touch of her hand on his shoulder.
“But I do have to be honest,” she said, and Matthew could feel her gaze descend upon him, making him turn for a quick moment. Athena was the perfect blend of her parents—her mother’s fair complexion and her father’s sea blue eyes. Her thick black hair was twisted in a perfect knot perched on top of her head, and Matthew could see that his little girl was turning into a young woman right before his eyes.
“You know honesty is our only policy, sweetie. Shoot.”
Matthew heard Athena inhale and take a deep breath.
“I think you and Mom will be happier not living with each other. I think I’ve known for a long time that things were not right between the two of you. I can’t explain it, but I don’t think you’ve been happy with each other for a long time. At first, I thought it was something I did…”
“Athena, never think that,” Matthew quickly interrupted. ”You are the one thing your mother and I did that was right. You are the best thing that has happened to both of us. Sometimes it’s no one’s fault. Things happen in a marriage, and sometimes it’s best to move on. But always remember that no matter what happens between me and your mother, we will always love you. You got that?”
There was nothing sweeter than the sound of his daughter’s delighted giggle, signifying immediately to Matthew that Athena would be fine.
Athena quickly unbuckled her seatbelt. ”Don’t tell Mom,” she said, as the straps fell from her shoulders, enabling her to quickly kiss her father’s stubbled cheek.
She buckled herself back in just as quickly and patted her father’s cheek.
“You need a shave, Mister!”
“Well, if you didn’t get me up so early, I would have had time. I can shave later. Look, here’s the exit to the stables. You ready?”
“Can’t wait, Dad!” Athena shouted excitedly, as they made their way down the lane to the horse farm Athena had fallen in love with on her birthday. Little did Summer or Matthew realize, their birthday gift of a day at the stables would set Athena’s and Summer’s life on a different path, and away from Matthew.
And now, three years later, Matthew was in Boston, and Summer and Athena in London, where Summer was the general manager for a hotel conglomerate, and Athena, attending the Cobble Brooke Riding Academy of England, one of Europe’s premier equestrian schools.
Matthew watched the silver-haired woman sail down the escalator, knowing he had to act fast or he’d lose her in the lunch-time crowd. He ran down the nearby staircase, dodging hordes of shoppers until he was close enough to tap her on the shoulder. Matthew reached out but instead of his fingertip reaching for her shoulder, he found himself flailing as his foot caught on a stray piece of garland. He quickly lost his balance. Matthew instinctively braced himself and outstretched his arms to break his fall, but his hand caught the strap of the woman’s bag that was fastened tightly to her shoulder. A howling scream pierced the air, and shoppers turned and laughed, thinking a Halloween display had been set off. Instead, shoppers witnessed a man violently thrashing behind a woman, grabbing onto her bag. Shouts of thief! help her! rang through the store as the Howardson’s plain-clothes detectives descended upon Matthew, now lying prone on the cold, hardwood floor. One of the detectives, a former professional wrestler, was just about to cuff Matthew when he heard, ”Brock, it’s me, Matthew Buck. I tripped and fell.”
“Oh, Mr. Buck, so it is. What in the world? I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you, but I usually see you face to face, not face to store floor.”
Brock helped Matthew to his feet and quickly put away the cuffs.
“Entirely my fault, Brock. You were just doing your job, and very well I might add. Howardson’s is lucky to have you.” Matthew brushed himself off and extended his hand in friendship to Brock, who gripped it like a vice.
“I’m glad you think that, Mr. Buck. You understand how I reacted, a woman screams, and—oh my gosh, ma’am, are you okay?”
Brock quickly turned toward the woman, who was watching with a stern look on her face as these two men congratulated themselves on a job well done.
“Well, thank you for finally asking,” the woman replied with an edge of annoyance in her voice. Matthew watched as Brock’s face fell at the cold curtness of her tone, making Matthew realize she was truly the ’victim’, not him.
“I am so sorry,” he said, extending his hand in greeting.”I’m Matthew Buck, creative director for Howardson’s, and—and I hope you accept my sincerest apologies for the ‘attempted robbery’. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
He smiled and turned the charm level up as high as he could, detecting what he thought was a faint smile gracing her lips. She was actually quite stunning, with her platinum hair framing a round face, and eyes the color of emeralds shimmered in her pale and flawless complexion. She accepted his hand and a buzz of electricity shot up his arm.
“Savannah Brady. Nice to meet you. I think.”
Matthew smiled. ”It doesn’t sound like you’re too upset, and I hope that you’re not, but I’d like to make this up to you somehow.”
“That’s not necessary, Mr. Buck. Your apology is more than enough. Now, I’ve got to get back to work.”
Savannah Brady pulled her soft hand away from his strong one, and Matthew became instantly aware of how long he held it as she headed toward the revolving door.
“Ms. Brady,” The command of his own voice surprised Matthew as she abruptly turned around, but he couldn’t afford to lose her now.
“I’m sorry, I know I’m keeping you, but, well, there’s a reason I fell for… on you.”
Nervously, Matthew dug his hands into his trouser pockets for his talisman. His left hand found the worn handkerchief, one of many his mother had bought for his father and his brother to carry. His grandfather, Maximillian, always had a neatly starched white one with the initials MB embroidered in blue thread in the bottom right-hand corner in every pocket of every coat, pair of pants, and work shirt. In carrying on with family tradition, Matthew’s mother always presented her husband and sons with monogrammed handkerchiefs every Christmas, and now Matthew couldn’t be without one in any of his coats, pants, or shirts. He ran his fingers over the raised embroidery, feeling the curve of the letters M and B and felt the strength of his grandfather and father each time he touched it. And now, when he especially needed it, Matthew could feel their love surge through him via the handkerchief.
“Ms. Brady, truth be told, I was actually following you.”
Matthew watched as she twitched her head from side to side and furrowed her brows, as if not understanding him.
“Following me? Do you find following female customers in your department store amusing?”
Matthew shrugged his shoulders. ”Absolutely not,” he said, gripping the handkerchief even tighter.
“It was not my intention to frighten you. I saw you walk from the Christmas display, and well, ah, I just thought you’d be perfect.” There. He said it.
She stepped toward him and narrowed her emerald eyes, and Matthew instantly felt the heat of her anger penetrating into his own.
Matthew instinctively backed up, now realizing this was not a woman who joked easily.
“Oh, it’s not a pickup line or anything like that,” he laughed trying to diffuse her obvious anger. ”It’s a proposal, a job proposal I have for you, if you are interested, and I hope you are.”
“I already have a job, one which I am very late for,” she said, turning again toward the door, her silver hair bouncing with each step.
“Wait, please hear me out, for just one minute, I promise.”
Matthew watched as her shoulders appeared to relax, and she slowly turned around toward him. He sensed a possible opening, and he knew he had to tread lightly and keep the charm turned on high.
“It’s an opportunity for you to become part of the Howardson’s Christmas tradition, but I don’t want to keep you any longer, so perhaps we can meet for coffee when you’re done at work today? Five o’clock at the Yellow Pumpkin Cafe? I think you’ll find what I have to say quite fascinating.” Matthew fumbled in his jacket pocket and pulled out a business card.
“If you can’t make it, please call me, as I don’t want to waste your time, but I’m hoping to see you at five?”
“The card’s not necessary, Mr. Buck. I’ll see you at five.” She turned on her heels and stomped through the revolving doors of Howardson’s and out of Matthew’s sight.
Matthew’s brows furrowed in disappointment thinking perhaps that with that snooty attitude, she was actually not his perfect Mrs. Claus.
“Gotta find out,” he whispered as he headed in the opposite direction, deeper into the store and into his office to prepare for his five o’clock business proposal.