Chapter Six

Candy cranked the volume on the CD player and Christmas carols drowned out the worry in her head. She didn’t want to think about Jackson anymore. She’d spent the past few hours pondering nothing but him and the way their short-lived kiss left her spinning. Not to mention the stares from Virginia and Steve.

Jackson’s mood had suddenly changed after the last child departed the shop. He seemed contented yet determined. But now his whereabouts were unknown. Candy had called the inn only to find out from Violet he’d left to run errands.

With the shop quiet and only an hour before closing, she sent Virginia and Steve home. Candy needed to be alone to clear her thoughts. Her emotions had been running a marathon since Jackson’s return. Her willpower to keep a distance had quickly diminished last night. Seeing him wearing nothing but a towel and their almost kiss, reignited a spark. Then today, his tenderness with the children and his gentle kiss provoked that spark into a flame. If she wasn’t careful, the wall she’d constructed around her heart would get broken a second time. Jackson was dangerous.

Why didn’t she just sign the divorce papers? He’d be gone and out of her life for good. That’s what she wanted—wasn’t it? She couldn’t allow herself to hope—to want.

The timer on the oven buzzed. With the cookies for the carollers decorated, bagged, and dropped off at the hall where they were gathering, Candy placed the ingredients for the chocolate bark on the counter. She chopped the chocolate into pieces and dropped them into the double boiler. With the filling added, she poured the mixture onto waxed paper to cool.

Next on her list was a chocolate cake and crimped candy ribbons. Elvis’ version of Santa Claus Is Back In Town crooned from the speakers. Candy sang the chorus and danced around the room, flapping her hands above her head and swaying her hips.

“I wouldn’t mind climbing down your chimney on Christmas Eve.”

Candy froze. Her cheeks flushed when she spun around and saw Jackson standing in the doorway. Obviously, she’d forgotten to lock the front door. Candy scrambled to the CD player and lowered the volume.

“Hey, don’t stop because of me. I was enjoying the show.” He grinned devilishly.

“Where have you been? You left so quickly. I was worried…” Fudge. That last part wasn’t meant to be out loud.

“Thought I packed up and left without telling you? Isn’t that what you did ten years ago?” Jackson’s brows rose.

He remembered? Candy removed the chocolate mixture from the burner, her hand trembling on the handle. She didn’t want to talk about that night…how she almost gave in to temptation. “How long are you planning to avoid your family?”

“They probably don’t even know I’m here.”

“You’re staying at the inn. It’s a small town. You can’t hide forever.”

He shook his head. “Stop changing the subject. I want the details on our wedding night. You told me I passed out.”

“You did.” Candy reached for the sifter and added the cocoa powder and flour. Her nerves hung on the edge of sanity.

“But what happened before I passed out? When I woke up you were gone.” Jackson dipped his finger in the bowl and slowly licked off the concoction. “Things are still a little foggy, but...”

Candy tapped an egg on the bowl and almost dropped the cracked shell inside. She held her breath, unsure where Jackson’s thoughts were headed.

He returned his finger to the chocolate blend. But instead of licking it clean, he smeared the gooey substance over her lips. Before she could ask what he was doing, Jackson swooped in and ran his tongue along her lips.

Candy’s knees wobbled. The spoon fell from her fingers and sank in the bowl. He suckled her bottom lip, and then slipped his tongue inside, provocatively exploring her mouth. A breathy sigh escaped her. She relented and ignored her heart, running her hands over the hard, warm muscles of his chest.

Jackson withdrew suddenly, staring at Candy, but his eyes were unfocused, as if he was somewhere else. A few moments passed and still he said nothing.

“Jackson.” The sound of her voice seemed to break his trance.

“We’re married,” he said.

“Yes, we already covered that last night.”

“This…us...it’s real. I couldn’t remember anything about that night, but since arriving here—being with you—I’ve been experiencing flashes. They didn’t make sense until today. I walked for hours this afternoon, seeing this town like I’ve never seen it before. Then these memories keep popping in my head.” Jackson locked his gaze onto hers. “We almost consummated our marriage. Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”

He wasn’t supposed to remember. “I thought it was for the best,” she whispered. “No point bringing up the past.”

“The past is rising from the fog.” Jackson glanced at the chocolate in the bowl. “I bought you chocolate-covered strawberries as a wedding gift. We had a lot of fun that night.”

Candy’s cheeks flushed with warmth.

“Every time I kiss you, new delicious memories return.” Jackson grinned. “I’d like to have more of those candy kisses.”

She gripped the edge of the counter as he stepped toward her.

“I thought I’d find you here.”

Jackson’s approach paused and his eyes widened. Candy peered over his shoulder to find his younger brother, Joseph, standing in the doorway.

“Jackson, what a surprise.” He nodded. “Hi Candy. Those cookies were scrumptious. The kids ate every one. Not a crumb left behind. Thank you.”

“I’m glad they enjoyed them. Is the carolling over?”

“We wrapped up over an hour ago.” Joseph refocused on his brother. “Were you going to drift in and out of town without acknowledging your family?”

Jackson ran a hand through his hair. “I didn’t think there was any reason—”

“You didn’t think? Typical Jackson concerned only about himself. Ten years, you haven’t changed a bit.” Joseph shook his head. “Mom and Dad are in Halifax helping Aunt Jane move into a senior’s complex. They’ll be home in a day or two. Will you still be around?”

“Not sure. Just home long enough to tie up a loose end.”

“I’ve been keeping Jackson pretty busy with playing Santa and helping me bake.” She pointed to the bowl on the counter.

Joseph laughed. “Right, like Jackson knows how to bake. He probably has a maid and a cook who does everything for him.”

Candy glanced between the two men, Jackson just a shade taller than his brother. A crackling tension filled the room. The last thing she needed was them brawling on her kitchen floor. “He’ll be home for a few days. He promised to cover for Andrew as Santa.

“Well, it’s obvious he didn’t come here to see his family. We’re hardly a priority. We haven’t been for a long time.”

“That’s not true...” She tried, but Jackson placed a hand on her arm.

“Don’t waste your breath, Candy. Joseph won’t listen. He sees only one side—his. This is why I didn’t come home.” Jackson slammed his hand on the counter, rattling the bowl. “I wanted to avoid a fight.”

Joseph clenched his hands at his sides. He opened his mouth to speak, but Candy cut him off. “Stop acting like children. Always trying to up the other, to be the best. Who could hit the most home runs, eat more hot dogs, or swim the farthest. And we all know how that one ended with one of you nearly drowning.” She glanced at Jackson. “You’re older and hopefully wiser. You’re brothers and family is what matters most.”

Joseph shook his head, tears watering his eyes. “I didn’t come here to argue with you, Jackson. I just wanted to see my big brother. I’ve missed you, man.”

Candy glared at Jackson then tilted her head toward Joseph. “And…”

“I didn’t drop by because I figured you wouldn’t want to see me. When I left, you had to deal with the mess. Mom was crying and Dad was angry. You were forced to take over the family business. I shouldn’t have abandoned you. I’m sorry.”

“No one forced me to do anything. I love working on cars. I even went back to college for more training in auto mechanics. Truth is, I was kind of happy to see you go.” Joseph spread his hands open in front of him. “For years, I tried to show Dad I could do the work, but he wouldn’t budge. You were first-born, the one to step into his grease-stained boots. He would never have signed the business over to me if you hadn’t left.”

Jackson laughed. “So, you’ve come to thank me?”

“Let’s not push it.” Joseph turned to Candy. “Would you mind if I stole my brother for a while? We have a lot of catching up to do.”

“Of course not. He was slowing my progress anyway.” She flicked a hand. “You two go.”

“Thank you,” Jackson mouthed.

As the two men left the room, Jackson glanced over his shoulder and winked.

Candy released a heavy sigh. What would have happened if Joseph hadn’t interrupted them? How far would she have let Jackson take her heart? She scowled the thought away. Jackson didn’t love her then, and he certainly doesn’t love her now. He came here for a divorce, not a reunion.

She poured the chocolate cake mixture into a pan, placed it in the oven, and set the timer for one hour.