10

In the ten days since the festival Alexis had seen Jessie only twice. Once, for a quick lunch at Drake’s, and a few days later for a cup of coffee at the bistro. Working long hours to complete two remodeling projects before Christmas, he’d carved out some time for her in his frantic schedule. The chemistry between them was astounding and the stolen moments had only made her crave more of his time.

She should put on the brakes. Jessie came with baggage, and she was much too vulnerable for a relationship right now. Even knowing this, it was ridiculous how much she was looking forward to seeing him tonight.

“This little table would be perfect for my daughter, Janie’s, apartment. I know she’d love the farmhouse style. Does it come in white?” the customer, a well-dressed woman in her early forties asked, yanking Alexis’ thoughts away from Jessie and back to her current business of running the store. “I think we have one in country cream in the warehouse. Let me check.”

“Wonderful. Can I have it delivered today?”

Seriously? On the busiest delivery day of the year?

Keeping her irritation in check, she said, “I’m sorry ma’am, our delivery schedule is overbooked for today.”

The woman let out a longsuffering sigh. “I suppose my husband will have to come by with his truck, then.”

The woman paid for the table and chairs and Alexis called back to the warehouse to have them brought in. After nearly fifteen years working in retail, she never got used to people’s outrageous demands. She could understand what Jessie had gone through that week.

After his customer’s last- minute change in trim color, Jessie had finished up the last project the night before with no time to spare. He’d sent photos of a cozy reading nook he’d created under an attic dormer. And he had texted a message this morning.

I’m heading to Buffalo to do Christmas shopping. Yep, I’m the idiot who waits until the day before Christmas to shop.

And tonight, Alexis would finally get to spend some time with him. Her tummy clenched. And his daughter.

When the men returned from their final delivery at 4:00 PM, Alexis flipped the sign on the door to Closed with a sigh of relief. After her staff had enjoyed the coffee and doughnuts she’d brought in, she gave them their Christmas bonuses. Everyone except she and Stan headed home to their families.

“Another holiday season in the books. Literally,” Stan said, as they closed out the books for the day.

“I couldn’t do this without you, Stan. You know that, right?”

“You’d be just fine, but thank you.”

“You’ve worked as hard as I have this Christmas.” She handed him an envelope containing his bonus check, along with a pair of movie tickets and a gift certificate for dinner at Crawford’s Inn. “I hope you and Winnie will enjoy a night out soon. You both deserve it.”

“This wasn’t at all necessary, sweetheart. But Winnie and I sure do appreciate it.”

He reached beneath his desk and handed her a gift bag. “Here’s a little something from us.”

The bag contained a designer sweater. A lovely, off -the- shoulder design in a blend of cashmere and silk in her favorite shade of blue that she had no doubt Winnie had picked out. “Stan, this is absolutely gorgeous.”

“A gorgeous sweater for our gorgeous girl.”

Reaching beneath his desk again, he produced another gift, a small box wrapped in tissue paper.

With a questioning glance, she unwrapped it, blinking back sudden tears when she saw the small, whimsical angel. “My Christmas angel.” Tears clogged her throat. “You remembered.”

Her mother had come across the collection of angel ornaments one year when she and her father had attended the annual Furniture and Gift Expo in New York City. She had ordered one for Alexis. The tradition continued even after her mother’s death, with her father adding a new angel to the collection each year. She’d thought last year’s would be the final one.

“It’s not from me. Your dad ordered that for you when we went to the expo in September. It arrived a few weeks later.” He gently kissed her forehead. “Merry Christmas, Lexi.”

~*~

With the workday over at last, Alexis boxed up the leftover doughnuts and went upstairs to get ready for the evening. Snow had come down steadily throughout the day and the village was cloaked in a blanket of sparkling white. After a warm soak in the tub, she blow-dried her hair and twisted it into an elegant low bun, tucking crystal snowflake hair pins into the sides. She took extra care with her makeup, applying a darker shade of lipstick than normal to her still slightly bruised lips. Finally satisfied, she put on her new sweater and her black skirt and boots. She was ready.

Back in the kitchen, she unplugged her phone from the charger and checked for messages. There were none. She hadn’t heard from Jessie since that morning. She hoped the snowstorm hadn’t slowed him down. Buffalo was an hour’s drive in good weather, but even with the snow, he should arrive home in plenty of time for the concert.

At a few minutes before seven, she pulled into the lot of the small, red-brick church Jessie and his daughter attended. The windows glowed softly in the dark evening, each one decorated with an evergreen wreath with a red bow. Matching wreaths adorned the two solid wood doors in the front. She scanned the parking lot for Jessie’s truck.

Where could he be?

Pulling in a breath, she went inside. The church was lovely, with polished oak pews and berry colored carpeting. On the altar, a Christmas tree twinkled with white lights. Three tables in crimson cloths had been arranged in a U shape in the center of the altar, presumably for the bell choir. Feeling slightly awkward, she glanced around at the congregation and spotted Mark and Wendy near the front. Noticing her at the same time, Wendy waved her over. As Alexis slid into the pew, Wendy shot a glance over her shoulder.

“Is Jessie not with you?” she asked.

“No. I haven’t heard from him since this morning.”

“He’s not returning my messages. Nor Izzy’s. I had Mark pick up the pizzas after work, since Rico’s is closing early today. We swung by and picked Izzy up on our way here.”

“He sent me a message at around nine this morning saying he was going Christmas shopping in Buffalo. He said he’d meet me here a little before seven. I can’t imagine what’s keeping him.”

“That’s my brother. That man will be late to his own funeral.”

Alexis tried to be consoled by Wendy’s insouciant attitude, but fear whispered to her heart that something was wrong. Moments later the service began, and she turned her attention to the lovely hymns and the pastor’s Christmas message.

When the bell ringers took their places at the tables a half hour later, Jessie had still not arrived. A girl with inky black hair and eyes the shape of Jessie’s anxiously scanned the congregation. No doubt this was Izzy.

As the sweet, silvery sounds of bells filled the church, Alexis allowed herself to relax into the candlelight and the joyful, ethereal music. A sense of peace came over her as they chimed her favorite, Carol of the Bells. When they launched into their rendition of O Holy Night, the impact on her was profound, filling her heart with prayer.

Lord, forgive me for wandering away from You. For thinking anything but You could bring me happiness. Please help me to stay close to You from now on. And please, Lord. Let Jessie be OK…

When the concert ended, the pastor offered a closing prayer and the congregation slowly filed from the church amid hugs and cheerful wishes for a Merry Christmas. She, Wendy, and Mark caught up with Izzy in the lobby and Wendy gathered the girl into a hug. “You did a fantastic job up there, little sis.”

“Thanks, Aunt Wendy.”

Izzy’s gaze flicked to Alexis, so Alexis introduced herself.

“I’m Alexis, a friend of your dad’s. Thank you for inviting me tonight. Your concert was so beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Remembering her manners, she added, “It’s nice to meet you.” Her gaze lingered for a moment on Alexis’ face before turning back to Wendy. “Where do you think Dad is?”

“You know how he loses track of time, sweetie. I’m sure he’s on his way home. Let’s go back to the house and wait for him.”

The awkward feeling returned. Despite their mutual uneasiness over Jessie’s whereabouts, this was a family moment, one Alexis had no part in. “Maybe I should head home.”

“Don’t be silly.” Wendy linked arms with Alexis. “Jessie will be disappointed when he gets home if you’re not there.”

Despite her smile and her warm assurance, Alexis sensed a current of worry running beneath Wendy’s words.