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She opened her email for the day and tackled an assignment, but her heart wasn’t in it. The minute hand on the clock moved slowly toward twelve. Sweat started under her arms and on her forehead. She plucked a tissue from the small box on her desk and smoothed it over her brow.
Jumpy, she headed for the coffeemaker. Not a good idea to pump up on more caffeine, but she simply couldn’t sit still or focus on her work. When she picked up the pot, a deep male voice startled her.
“Are you all right?”
Glancing up, her gaze connected with Sam’s. “You look pale. Maybe you should sit down.”
“I’m okay.” Becky stepped back.
“What happened? Is your mother okay?”
“As far as I know. Mr. Ralph wants to see me. I must have done something wrong. Or maybe Trevor complained.” She gripped the mug tight to keep her fingers from trembling.
“Maybe it’s a good thing?”
“Good? Me? Couldn’t be.”
“Don’t sell yourself short.”
Sam poured milk in her brew and offered a packet of sugar. “Take it easy. He’s a nice guy.”
“If you say so.”
He smiled. “Good luck.” And returned to his office.
Becky took the coffee, which she didn’t want back to her desk and checked her watch. A quick stop in the ladies’ room gave her five minutes to refresh her makeup and show up at Mr. Ralph’s door on time.
“Come in, come in.”
Becky entered and made a beeline for a chair opposite his massive wood desk. Her knees refused to be still.
“Hi, Mr. Ralph. You wanted to see me?” Her voice shook.
“Yes. Relax. I don’t bite. Did you write this evaluation of Gordon Albright’s book?”
She nodded.
“Maryann was impressed with it.”
“Really?” Becky tried to keep the surprise out of her voice but failed.
“She said you’re pretty sharp. After reading your evaluation, she read the book and totally agrees with you.”
“She does?”
“Don’t sound so surprised. It’s Maryann’s job to spot talent. Since you love this one so much, we thought we’d give you a shot at landing the contract and shepherding the novel through to release. Are you interested?”
Her heart rate doubled. “Do you mean it?”
“Of course. Why do you doubt it?”
“I mean. Well, acquisitions has always been my dream.”
“Then you’re living proof that dreams do come true. We’re having a meeting on January second. I’ve added your name to the list. Get your thoughts together and be ready to discuss your ideas when we get back.”
“I will. Oh, I will, Mr. Ralph. Thank you so much for this opportunity.” She stood and shook his hand.
“Don’t let me down.”
“I won’t.”
“If you do a good job, there might be a raise in it.”
“Oh, thank you for the opportunity.” Becky pushed to her feet.
Her feet barely touched the ground as she flew back to her desk. Stopping on the way at Maryann’s door, she popped her head in.
“Mr. Ralph gave me the good news. I can’t thank you enough for passing along my evaluation.”
“It’s my job, Rebecca. You spotted a good book. Now we must figure out how to make it great. Glad you’re on the team.” When Maryann’s phone rang, Becky returned to her desk.
Her mind whirled faster and faster, her fingers flew across the keys and could barely keep up with her thoughts.
“Coming to lunch?” Joy asked.
Lost in thought, Becky shook her head and kept typing. At twelve thirty, hunger gnawed at her belly. She stopped, grabbed her sandwich and headed for the cafeteria. Sam sat alone, reading a magazine and munching on lasagna.
Emboldened by his past support, she approached. “Can I join you?”
He smiled and pulled out a chair.
“What happened at your meeting?”
“I can’t believe it. You were right.”
“You can’t believe I was right?”
She sensed heat in her cheeks. “I didn’t mean it like that. You were right. It was a good meeting, not a bad one.”
Becky summarized it to Sam. While she talked, he worked his way through a huge plate of pasta, nodding at appropriate intervals.
“Confidence, Becky. Maryann tells me you’re smart.”
“I thought she hated me.”
“She can be a little gruff, but don’t let that put you off. She’s sharp and knows talent when she sees it. She’s mentioned you to me.”
“She has?”
He nodded. They went on to talk about Gordon Albright’s book. Sam shared marketing tips he’d seen used for success. Becky listened.
“Tomorrow’s the last day until after Christmas. What do you think the Hanukkah Elf will bring you?” Sam asked.
“I have no idea. Frankly, he’s already done more than enough.”
“Have you figured out who it is, yet?”
She shook her head. “Carson and Trevor both tease me about it every day. It must be one of them. Unless it’s Charlie in the mailroom. Ugh. He’s not for me.”
Sam laughed. “Do you think he’ll reveal himself? If it is a him?”
“I hope so. Maybe tomorrow? I’m leaving for Milwaukee on Sunday. At least I’ll have the last two nights with my family.”
Sam nodded. “Good. I hope your mom is okay by the time you get home.”
“That would be the best gift of all.”
* * * *
FRIDAY MORNING, BECKY threw off the covers and bounded out of bed. Would today be the day she’d find out who was the Hanukkah Elf? It was the last day for a present and since the office would be closed for Christmas. Becky needed to be with her family. Unable to get a seat on a plane leaving on Friday night or Saturday, she’d had to opt for a seven-a.m. flight on Sunday.
She slipped on a red velvet dress and black patent leather heels to dress up for the holiday. She tied her hair back in a red ribbon.
All the way to work, she wondered what would be waiting for her on her desk. The Hanukkah Elf had created excitement and anticipation. Anxious at being separated from her family in a time of crisis, Becky had worried every day. The surprise gifts relieved a bit of the tension in her shoulders and put a smile on her face—at least for a while. She looked forward to the new gift and sadness swept over her since it would be the last.
Becky chewed her lip at the thought that maybe the Hanukkah Elf was someone she didn’t like or couldn’t like or want to go out with. Ugh, how ungrateful to turn her thoughts toward rejecting whoever had been kind enough to help her through a tough time. What would her mother say? She knew the answer. Guilt seeped into her bones. No matter who it was, she had to be gracious and acknowledge the kindness and generosity of the anonymous friend.
She’d risen early and arrived half an hour before the rest of the staff. This gift she wanted to receive alone, privately, not with everyone gawking. When she entered the office, her gaze went straight to her desk. There was nothing there! Her eyes widened and her heart sank. Could he have forgotten? Changed his mind about her? Or been hit by a bus? Instead, there was an envelope.
She hung up her coat, pulled out her chair, took a deep breath, and sat down.
She fingered the envelope with her name on the front. With a shrug of her shoulders, she opened it. Inside was a piece of paper with a printed message and one ticket.
Happy Hanukkah, Becky. If you want to know who I am, come to Lincoln
Center tonight at 7 p.m. to see The Nutcracker. I’ll be in the seat
next to you. You’ll be in a public place and free to leave any time. I hope
you join me. I’m tired of hiding.
The Hanukkah Elf
Sure enough, the ticket had all the ballet information printed on it. And it was for a tier one seat, center section, fifth row. She Googled the seating chart and found hers. Hers was one in from the aisle. She guessed his was the one on the aisle. Her pulse went crazy. She’d always wanted to see that ballet. Her parents had given her the music CD when she was eight and, in three years, she’d worn it out.
How did he know? Relief at finding out who he was without the office crowd around calmed her. Of course, there would be a ton of people, but they wouldn’t know them. And it wouldn’t be her colleagues, so if the man was hideous, she could hide her reaction well and not have everyone know. But what if he wasn’t?
Trevor Gorman and Carson Diller were both good-looking men. Since it was probably one of them, she didn’t have to worry about being repulsed. Would she go out with Carson again? If he was the Hanukkah Elf, sure. Why not? What about Trevor? She frowned but conceded she’d give him one date. If he had been showering her with anonymous gifts, how could she refuse him? As for Harmon? Same rule—one date.
Shoving the envelope in her purse, she turned on her computer and opened her email.
“What did you get today?” Joy asked, leaning on Becky’s desk.
“Nothing.”
“Oh, come on. Nothing? I don’t believe you.”
“It’s private.”
“Hmm. A night at his place? Then it’s Trevor, for sure.”
“Nope.” Becky continued to type.
“Well?” Bridget joined them.
“She’s not talking. Must have been something spectacular,” Joy said.
“A diamond ring, maybe?”
Becky laughed. “No. And stop guessing. I’m not going to tell you.”
“Now she shuts down. You’re no fun, Cohen.” Bridget huffed off to her desk.
Sam Golden sauntered up. “No Hanukkah present?”
“It’s personal.”
“Personal?” He raised his eyebrows.
“As in, I don’t feel like sharing.”
“Did he at least tell you who he is? If it’s a he?”
She shook her head. “But I’ll find out soon enough.”
“Oh? How?”
“Oh, no. I’m not telling. Please, Sam, leave it alone.”
He raised his palms. “Okay. It’s your secret.”
“Thank you.”
“See you later.” He headed for his office. Becky wondered if she’d offended him. They were friends. But she was also friends with Joy and Bridget, and she didn’t tell them. Some things a woman wants to keep to herself. And this qualified. If Sam was offended, he’d have to get over it.
His curiosity about today’s present snuffed out any tiny hope she’d harbored that he was the Hanukkah Elf. Yes, he was seeing Maryann, yes, he was a manager—she knew all that. But it didn’t stop her heart from hoping. If he was the Hanukkah Elf, he wouldn’t keep pushing her to tell him what he already knew. He’d probably snicker and slink away.
She sighed. Can’t have everything. Now the one thing left on her list was her mother’s recovery. Becky had prayed her mom would be home by Monday. She needed to focus on her assignment, so she ignored negative thoughts and focused on work.
* * * *
BY THREE O’CLOCK, BECKY took her hundredth glance at the clock in the past hour. Talk about time dragging? Joy sashayed around the partition and leaned on Becky’s desk. “Okay. So, you’re not telling us anything about the Hanukkah Elf now, but after you find out who it is, you’ll tell us, right?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know? You’d leave us hanging?”
“Depends on who it is.”
“That sucks. We’re friends. We’ve been happy for you to get all that stuff. And you’re blowing us off now?” Anger settled in two red spots on Joy’s cheeks.
“I don’t mean to.” Becky put her hand on Joy’s arm. “It’s just. Well, this is personal now.”
“How come?”
“Please don’t ask. I’m going to find out who it is tonight. If I can, I’ll tell you when I get back after the holiday.”
“You’re so mysterious.”
“I just want to keep this private. Can you understand?”
“It’s a little late for that, but I guess, if it were me, I’d probably do the same.”
“You’re not mad?”
Joy shook her head.
“Good. Thank you.”
“Good luck.” Joy gave her a hug.
Finally, the clock read five o’clock. People fled as if they were on a sinking ship. Seemed everyone had someplace to go. Becky waited for the second elevator down.
“Happy holiday,” Sam said, stepping aside to let her get on first.
“Happy holiday.” She made eye contact with him and hid her curiosity. Would he be getting engaged to Maryann over the break? Emotion tightened her throat. Perhaps she’d only get one wish this year, recovery for her mom. That would be enough.
Becky hopped on a crowded subway, barely squeezing in. She got off at 66th Street and walked toward Lincoln Center. The air had been frigid, but at least the wind wasn’t blowing.
On a side street, she spied a coffee shop and went in.
The first thing she saw on the menu was soup. Boy, if ever there was a night for soup, this was it. Besides, soup was cheap. She ordered chicken noodle and a small side salad plus hot tea.
While she waited for her food, she took out the ticket and read it over again. Then her phone rang. It was her brother, Joe.
“Hey, glad I caught you before you went out.”
“Actually, I’m at a coffee shop. What’s up, Joe? How’s Mom?”
“I’m calling to tell you they finally found the right antibiotic. She’s responding. If she continues to do well, she might come home on Monday.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Honest.”
“She’d be home for the last night.”
“Exactly. Gotta go. See you Sunday, squirt. Love you.”
Emotion tightened in her chest. Tears gathered and spilled down her cheeks. Mom was going to make it. Thank God! Joy and gratitude washed through her.
“You okay, Miss?” the waiter asked.
“Oh, yes. More than okay. My mom’s coming home from the hospital!”
“Great.” He placed her food on the table.
Happiness bubbled up inside Becky. She inhaled her soup and salad and hit the street. This was the best Hanukkah ever. Mom was going to be okay and now, The Nutcracker! She bounced down the avenue, weightless, and grinning.
Sinking into the crowd, she thought she saw a familiar coat, but then it turned out to be worn by a stranger. Tonight, she’d meet the Hanukkah Elf, watch a classic ballet with her favorite music, and Sunday, she’d see her mother. Life was good.
Becky slipped into her seat and struggled her way out of her winter coat. She pulled it up over her shoulders. Directing her gaze to the stage, she was mesmerized by the beautiful curtain and the gorgeous theater. Box seats with red velvet chairs rimmed the sides. The ceiling boasted colorful, intricate artwork. The huge orchestra pit welcomed the myriad of different instruments bringing Tchaikovsky’s glorious music to life.
She rummaged through her purse, looking for a lozenge. She liked to suck on them when at the theater, a concert, or ballet. They kept her from coughing and disturbing those around her. She found one and unwrapped it.
The familiar clearing of a throat stopped her. Her heartbeat doubled and her mouth went dry. It couldn’t be. Could it? No, no, no way. She turned in her seat to see a handsome smiling face.
“You?”