Six

 

December 21

 

Kelly stood in the discount store and reached for the boxes of candy canes Eula handed her. “That’s twelve.”

“That’s one hundred forty-four canes, so we should have enough to decorate the tree and cover Mama’s giving.” Eula added a roll of red satin ribbon to the cart.

“Your mama’s giving?”

“Each year on Christmas Eve, Mama sits in her rocking chair next to the cane tree and passes out candy canes to each child, grandchild, great-grandchild, and each year a few more, great-great-grandchildren. This year we need seventy-five candy canes.”

“Wow seventy-five family members together at your house on Christmas Eve. I can’t imagine cooking for so many.”

“Oh, no, honey, by the end of the evening we’ll have well over a hundred people come. They start coming about noon. At midnight, those that can, go to church together.”

Kelly couldn’t imagine that many people in one family much less that many in Eula’s house. She marveled at the woman’s calm and patient manner. If she had over a hundred people coming to her house, she’d be stressing out trying to get everything perfect and ready.

The woman had exhibited the same type of patience and calm yesterday when she’d taught her how to cook jambalaya.

Kelly picked up a snow globe and shook it. Tiny flakes fell on the idyllic village inside, making her sigh. No snow for her this Christmas. It was eighty degrees outdoors. The familiar things of her life, her Dad’s baked ham, his spiced hot chocolate and even the silly Christmas sweaters her wore were just memories now. Christmas would never be the same without him. She returned the globe to the shelf and squeezed her lips together swallowing the threatening sob.

Her heart clenched when she thought of last night. Denny and Chelsea had eaten then left early to return home. Although, Denny had been warm and friendly, Kelly wondered if his abrupt departure had something to do with his response to the women they’d encountered yesterday during lunch. Or had he simply been tired and needed to get to bed early?

Eula glanced at her watch. “It’s almost eleven. Denny’s serving lunch in a few minutes.”

Kelly looked forward to seeing Denny again, but the thought of encountering Earline’s icy glare unnerved her.

Farther down the aisle, with twinkling eyes and a broad smile, Chelsea skipped alongside the motorized cart Mameré Milla operated. From the smile adorning Mameré’s face, Kelly couldn’t tell who was having more fun, Mameré or Chelsea.

Eula added a box of tea candles to the cart. “There, that’s everything.”

Kelly whispered near Eula’s ear, “I’d like to get Chelsea something for Christmas. Cover me?”

“No problem.” Eula smiled.

As Kelly walked away, Eula called Chelsea over to ask her opinion about a gift for Tante Lulu.

Tante Lulu? She made a mental note to ask Eula about that one then headed for the jewelry department. As she scanned the case, the perfect gift came into view. A pair of gold necklaces with one part of a separated heart on each. When placed together to form a whole heart, it read, Best Friends. Perfect. Chelsea could share her gift with her best friend. She paid for the chain then tucked it into her purse.

 

****

 

Denny scribbled his signature on the last of the approval vouchers. Thank you, Lord. A few months ago things looked bleak. Decreased drilling activity had put Labouve Pipe and Supply dangerously close to the red. But just when he thought he’d have to lay off a few of his men, a major oil company had called. He’d gotten the bid on a huge deep-water drilling job. Soon after, he’d been awarded the bids on several land jobs. Other jobs filtered in through the next months, easing his worry about layoffs.

“Here you go.” He handed the stack of invoices to Earline.

With an arched brow and inclined head, Earline reached for the documents. “Are you ready to eat?”

“Not yet. I’m waiting for my family to get here.” Denny had ordered in a feast for the employees. He stifled a yawn. The last few nights he’d fought insomnia. Kelly consumed his thoughts. The last time he’d lost sleep had been those many months after Andrea’s death. Night after night he had lain awake battling with God. Before long, he finally gave up and prayed. That’s when the peace came. After a while, he’d come to accept that his wife was gone. He needed to move on, if not for his own sake, for Chelsea’s. Now he wondered if these new emotions were proof that he had moved on? Or were they emotions brought on by a beautiful kind woman? He’d only met Kelly a couple of days ago. How could he be sure? Lord, I need Your help on this one.

The ding sounded from the front door’s chime. He glanced at his watch, eleven thirty. His heart responded to the sound. Was his family here? With Kelly? The increased heart rate and antsy feeling in his gut reminded him of his high-school years every time Andrea had walked near him. Many women had entered his life in the past five years. Several had tried to win his heart, but none had stirred his dormant feelings like Kelly did. He stood on less-than-steady knees and headed for the kitchen.

 

****

 

Kelly held the door for Eula, Camilla, and Chelsea. She followed them into the building past Earline’s empty chair. Voices filtered into the hallway from the kitchen. When Kelly walked into the spacious kitchen, the roar of voices dropped to a low murmur. Eyes turned toward her. Denny’s employees stood or sat in various places throughout the kitchen. Words drifted toward her. “Who’s dat?”

Denny appeared next to her then bent over to brush a kiss on Chelsea’s cheek. “So glad you made it.” His gaze met Kelly’s. “Ready for lunch?” He guided her toward the spread of food on the far end of the kitchen. When she and Denny’s family walked toward the decorated tables, several of the seated men stood and pointed to their chairs. “Have a seat right here.”

Once they sat, Denny stood, several envelopes in his hand, near the door trimmed with cedar boughs and gold ribbon. “Everyone, can I have your attention.” He called each employee by name, shook their hand, and then with a smile and a twinkle in his eye, he handed each a sealed envelope. His obvious enjoyment warmed her heart. She’d never seen anyone enjoy the act of giving so much. His laughter rang through the kitchen. When the employees collected their bonuses, an unbridled look of respect for Denny shone on their faces.

With each new introduction, she had to explain she was not his girlfriend, just someone in town to write a story. Their reactions surprised her. Many responded with a shake of their head and a “tsk tsk” or “too bad.”

Denny patted a burly guy on the shoulder then burst into unrestrained laughter. Kelly admired how his honesty and genuine character shown through. The more she saw of this man, the more she wanted to see. He seemed too good to be true.

“How do you like the fried turkey?” Denny slid into the empty chair next to her. The same smile and intense gaze he’d shared with his employees he now lavished on her. Only his gaze seemed more intense. Or was it her imagination? Maybe wishful thinking?

“I like it.”

He scooted his chair closer to hers. “Ready for your swamp tour tomorrow?”

She swam in the warmth of his brown eyes. “Sure am.” A whole day with this interesting man. The anticipation that brewed within had nothing to do with an alligator named Gaston or the swamp.