Chapter Four

Thanks to Jackson, Candy had to bake another batch of acorn cookies, which set her schedule back at least an hour. She called Violet to let her know she wouldn’t be able to help with dinner at the inn and went back to work.

The last thing Candy wanted to do was to bake, but those cookies in the trash bin were meant for the carollers. She gathered the ingredients and creamed the butter and sugar. The simple baking process that usually took thirty minutes lasted over an hour. Candy checked and double-checked her measurements, too preoccupied to concentrate.

Why did she ask Jackson to play Santa? And why on earth did he agree? She never expected him to give in so easily. He wasn’t even fond of children. They made him nervous, which meant the kids would be just as apprehensive. His awkward actions might make them edgy. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, after all. She should have just signed the divorce papers and disappeared from his life a second and final time.

She placed the large baking pan in the oven and set the timer for ten minutes. While the cookies baked, Candy started a tray of vanilla swirl fudge, crushing the candy canes before adding them to the mixture.

The wedding ceremony had been a foolish impulse reaction. She wanted retribution that night, but she shouldn’t have mixed anger with infatuation. They drove to the chapel and before she came to her senses, they were married. Going through with the vows had been wrong, but Candy did nothing to stop them. Her obsession with Jackson had clouded her thinking.

Later that night, once her brain overruled her heart, Candy wanted to do the right thing. She tried to convince Jackson to return to the chapel to have their marriage annulled. He refused and made her promise to give them a chance. He wanted her to leave town with him.

How could he forget their heated kisses, the tender caresses, and whispered promises? Jackson soon fell asleep and Candy left early the next morning.

The timer buzzed, bringing Candy’s thoughts back to the bakery. She removed the cookies and placed them on a cooling rack before returning to the vanilla fudge. She stirred in the crushed candy canes and vanilla extract until the mixture was blended, and then poured it into a foil-lined pan. Using a knife, she swirled red food colouring through the fudge. After placing the pan in the refrigerator, she breathed deep, taking a moment to clear her head. Too much needed to be done, and wasting time thinking about Jackson wouldn’t increase production.

Candy flicked on the CD player and turned up the volume. She reached for a clean mixing bowl, allowing the Christmas music to soothe her nerves.

****

Thankfully Jackson had packed an overnight bag. Surprising, since he originally had no intention of staying. This stopover was meant to be a quick in-and-out. He should be on his way to the Bahamas, soaking up some sun and women. Instead, he booked a room at the Redford Falls Inn and then walked the snowy main street of the town he once called home.

With darkness looming, most of the shops were preparing to close. He flipped up his collar and roamed the town inconspicuously, not worried about being recognized. He’d been gone far too long.

A light snow descended, dusting the handmade wreaths hanging from the lamp posts. Coloured mini-lights draped pole to pole, twinkling in the night sky. Many of the same shops from his childhood still lined the street. The pharmacy, hardware store, post office, town hall, the bank, Bailey’s Restaurant, Kringle’s Lounge and, of course, the chocolate shop. New to the main strip were a shoe store, a pizza joint, and a few clothing boutiques.

Each storefront was decorated for the holiday season. Sparkling lights glistened radiant colours across glass ornaments that hung from garlands. A few windows were hand-painted, while others contained figurines. Santa’s village, a peaceful manger scene, a family of snowmen, and a barn filled with reindeer could all win awards for their beauty. But in Jackson’s opinion, the chocolate shop window should be honoured with top prize for its magnificence and creativity. He was surprised he hadn’t noticed the decorations when he first arrived.

Fluffy white cotton formed the hills. Red and white candy canes acted as the ski lift and chairs. A house sat to one side of a lump of snow, chocolate strips lining the roof, graham cracker brick walls, and glazed, hard candy windows. Brilliant white mini-lights accented the serene landscape.

Jackson smiled, and then faced the far end of the street. The dark pit, high above the inn and at the top of the hill, was once a fever of activity. The ski slope was the place to be during the winter. He had many fond memories of rushing home from school to grab his skis and snowboard so he could hit the slopes. One of the most special moments he remembered was the time he taught Candy how to ski. Those days were filled with fun and laughter—priceless memories.

Heaviness settled on his chest. News about the ski closure was unfortunate. He’d heard the town suffered severe repercussions. No doubt that was the reason so many shops stood empty. He wondered how Candy survived financially. If her shop was in need of anything, he’d insist on helping. Jackson owed her. But playing Santa? Why had he agreed? Not even an hour home and he was somehow mesmerized by the sights and the sounds of the small town…and even more captivated by a particular chocolate brown haired woman who haunted his dreams.

Jackson shook his head and headed back to the inn, nuzzling his nose deep into his collar to avoid the carollers as they strolled by and onto a connecting residential street.

Within his room, filled with gold-fringed, plush pillows and Victorian furniture, the crooning voices from outside brought back another rush of fond memories. An image of him singing, though never in public until Candy won a study bet. During an evening of tutoring, she suggested a wager. Either he passed the Chemistry exam with flying colours or he would have to go carolling with her. Candy had more faith in him than Jackson had in himself. When he passed the exam, she still managed to drag him out to join the carollers. To this day, Jackson never admitted how much fun he had that night.

The Christmas carols drifted off into the distance. In their absence, something gnawed at his heart strings. The peace and quiet. The sense of community. Could he be homesick? No, not a chance. He thrived in the hustle and bustle of the city. That’s why he chose a career in real estate development. True, ten years ago, he couldn’t wait to get away from this place. The slow pace and heavy quiet had made him crazy. If only she had gone with him. What? Where did that thought come from? As if Candy would ever leave this town. Yet, a dream that taunted his memory saw her nodding in agreement.

Jackson ran his hands through his hair. He shrugged out of his suit and went into the bathroom to take a shower. He was about to turn on the tap when a knocking caught his attention. Quickly wrapping a thick towel around his waist, Jackson turned the door handle and stepped out, walking straight into the woman who had just claimed his thoughts.

Candy stumbled backward, her face paled, and the towels she held fell from her hands. “I—you—what the heck are you doing here?”

“I think that’s supposed to be my question.” Grinning, Jackson bent to retrieve the towels and tightened his grip on the one around his waist.

Candy’s cheeks flushed as her gaze followed the length of his torso.

Jackson squinted as his mind drifted through a fog of a similar scene. Candy’s stare coiled his stomach into a knot.

Now, looking anywhere but at him, she grabbed the towels from his hands. “I help out here when I have some time to spare. Violet is checking in a late guest, so I offered to prepare the room. Why are you here at the inn?”

“I was coerced into sticking around for a few days.”

“What about your parents...” Candy stopped, as if she suddenly realized why he wouldn’t stay there. “Why are you in this room? It is supposed to be empty.” She fussed with the towels, refolding them to perfection.

Jackson crossed his arms, enjoying her obvious discomfort. “Oh, right. I was booked in the room across the hall, but I asked Violet if I could have a room with a view of Main Street, and at that time this room was still empty. So, here I am.” He stretched his arms outward causing his covering to loosen.

“Take these!” Candy quickly shoved the towels at his chest. “I need a drink before going home,” she mumbled as she rushed to the door.

“Sounds like fun.” He chuckled. “Can I join you? I missed our nuptials, but perhaps we can celebrate our divorce.”

She stopped and turned to face him. “You are so obnoxious—”

“Too soon for jokes?” Remorse smacked him in the gut. “I’m sorry.” Then, just as she was about to retreat again, he reached for her arm. “I didn’t mean…” The warmth of her skin against his fingers had reality battling with what he thought were dreams. Candy in faded jeans and a t-shirt. The aroma of citrus. He pulled her closer and leaned his head next to hers. The scent of citrus in her hair triggered a deep memory. He closed his eyes as confusion blurred his vision.

“Jackson.” Candy placed a hand on his chest. “Are you okay?”

Her touch on his bare skin was too familiar and sent heat surging through his body. An intimate longing overwhelmed him. In his mind’s eye, he saw Candy wrapped in his arms, their almost naked bodies pressed together, and his hands roaming over her silky, smooth skin.

Jackson opened his eyes and gazed into the most beautiful blue eyes he’d ever seen. Candy’s lips parted. He dipped his head, craving for a kiss, which he was certain would clear the haze.

She sighed and closed her eyes, but before their lips met, she moved, thrusting him backward.

“Don’t, Jackson. I’m not that young and naive girl anymore.”

Something deep in Jackson’s subconscious sprung to life, but before he could question the authenticity of the mental picture, Candy bolted from the room, slamming the door behind her.