Christmas Romance (The Best Christmas Romance of 2016): The Love List Christmas (10 page)

Chapter Three

Kady woke to the rumble of a truck outside. She sat up in bed and the vice of her hangover wound down on her head. “Ow.” She pressed her hands against her temples and reached for the glass of water on the nightstand.

She stood and then tiptoed across the cold, creaky wood floor to peek out the window. Why did a wood floor feel so much colder in the winter?

Editon and Nahko were outside talking with her dad. They’d brought her car back. She remembered that Editon drove her home and that she’d left her car at the store. He’d offered the take her home because she’d had enough liquor in her to light a tiki torch. She’d been friends with Editon in high school, and he obviously was still a nice guy.

When her eyes could focus again, she would go and thank him in person…just not now.

****

There was a knock on the door of Editon’s shop. When he opened it, he was surprised to see Kady standing on the porch.

“Hey.” He brushed off his hands and moved to the side to let her in. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to thank you and your brother for bringing back my car.” She looked down at her feet when she spoke. “I had no plans to drink last night. I never do…but I guess I did.”

“No problem. I didn’t want your car sitting in the lot.”

“How did you get it back without the keys?”

“When I stopped by this morning to buy juice at Ray’s, I peeked in your car’s window and the keys were still in the ignition.” He grinned. “I’m not a very good carjacker.”

Her eyes widened for a second and then she blushed. “I guess that shows you what kind of state of mind I was in last night.”

“That good, huh?”

“How did you know where I lived?”

“You said you’d moved in with your parents. I remembered their house when we rode the school bus together.”

She looked around. “Is this where you live?”

“No.” He was surprised she would think that. “It’s my shop. I use it for the projects I’m working on.” Editon looked at the way the light came through the window and caught the gold in her blonde hair. It tumbled out the sides of her furry winter hat. In high-school, Kady was pretty, but now, she was definitely a beautiful woman. He’d had such a crush on her, but thirty-year-olds didn’t have crushes.

“Can I take you out for a late breakfast to thank you for driving me home?” she asked.

“You don’t need to…”

She smiled. “I’d like to. That is, if you aren’t too busy.”

“Sure.” He didn’t want to sound too anxious. “Let me put a few things away and get my keys.” He hurried into his office and spotted the clean shirt he’d hung on a hook.
Thank goodness.
The one he was wearing smelled like a sweaty oil can. He’d just taken a shower so hopefully, he still smelled better than the shirt. He quickly stuck his arms through the sleeves and buttoned the fresh garment.

Editon locked the front door on the way out, and then said, “Let’s go.”

He picked Bean and Dreams café guessing that at this time of the morning they might not be too busy. His hunch paid off. There were only a few tables filled in the café. They each ordered coffee and then biscuits and gravy.

Editon slid an arm along the wood booth and leaned back. “Even though it’s been so many years, it felt like it was yesterday when I saw you walk into the bar last night.”

Kady looked out the window. A distant smile curved her lips. “Only yesterday plus a dozen and a million years.”

“You disappeared from school like a puff of smoke. Did you decide not to graduate?”

“I had every intention and then on to college, but life intervened. I guess you hadn’t heard. I became pregnant with Noah.” As the waitress poured coffee into her cup, Kady added a splash of creamer.

“I never knew. One day you were there and the next day you were gone. Why didn’t you stay in school? It wasn’t the 1950s.”

“My dad’s a great dad. The best in the world. But he’s old-fashioned. When Tad Walton offered to take me away—ˮ

“Tad Walton was the father?”

“Yeah…I’ve never had great luck picking men. Anyway, Tad offered to take me to California and move in with his aunt. After we settled in I was eight-months pregnant and he hooked up with an older woman. She told him that she could help his acting career.”

“Did she?”

“No. He was in a few ads in the local newspaper for a burger joint, but he always thought it would lead to the big screen. That was when he left, and I had to move out of the aunt’s house. I haven’t seen or heard from his since.” Kady took a drink of her coffee and then stirred it again with her spoon.

“He left you and his baby? When you were eight months pregnant?” Even though there was nothing he could do about the past now, anger churned through Editon, “I never liked that guy. How could he do that to you?”

“We were eighteen. I thought he loved me.”

“You could have come back.”

“No, I couldn’t really. I got a job and my GED. When Noah was born, he became my life. I wanted to prove to myself and to Noah that we could make it on our own.”

“And you did?”

“Noah and I did. It wasn’t easy, but we did.”

Editon thanked the waiter and cut into his biscuits and gravy. “How is it?” he asked.

“I forgot about Meg’s biscuits and gravy.” She sighed and closed her eyes. “They really are the best in the world.”

Editon chuckled. “They are pretty darn great, aren’t they?” He took another bite, chewed, and swallowed before speaking again. “At the bar last night you said that you needed a job?”

“I finished my college degree to be a teacher, and I did my student teaching in California. I had checked before we moved back here if there were openings at Vine Grove Elementary, but there are no positions open right now. I’m not sure now what I am going to do. Start over from scratch once again probably. I’m living with my mom and dad. I doubt they will kick us out.”

“Are you planning on staying in Vine Grove? Why don’t you move somewhere where there are openings for teachers?” he asked.

“We can’t right now. Noah and I literally have what I fit in the U-Haul when we left a few days ago.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, what happened in California? Why didn’t you stay?”

“I don’t want rumors to spread.” Kady looked nervously around the restaurant. “Noah needs a fresh start, that’s one of the reasons we came back…well that, and we had to.” She bit her lip. Her gaze met his, and there were questions in her eyes. He could see that she wanted to have faith in him. “Promise you won’t spread this around town. Noah needs to get settled.”

“You can trust me. I’m not one of the gossips from the Grange Hall.” Editon took Kady’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “You can trust me,” he repeated.

“Thanks. I really appreciate it.” Kady took a shaky breath and looked as though she was going to cry. He squeezed her hand again.

“What happened?”

“Noah’s a really good kid. Smart. He’s in advanced classes in middle school. He loves math and wants to go into the field. In California, the only place we could afford to live was a mobile home park outside of Hayward. I was gone, finishing up my classes, and he was bored. Noah started hanging out with some kids from the park. They wanted him to start committing crimes. Petty stuff. Stealing purses out of unlocked cars, taking kids bicycles and reselling them.”

“Did he get arrested?” Editon asked.

“He was never arrested but did go along as the lookout a few times. He thought they were fun to hang around with at first, but when they started to get deeper into crime and wanted to steal cars and rob people in the park, he said no.”

“I take it his answer didn’t go over well.”

Kady’s laugh was stiff. “That is an understatement. One night a bullet shattered his bedroom window. The bullet hit the wall a foot above his head. That was when I knew that we had to move.”

“Are you sure it was these kids?”

“Yes. Noah saw them drive away. That was when Noah told me about what was happening.”

“This made up your mind?”

“I called around to find a new place to live and we were going to move in a few days. A few nights later, I had a final at school when the same boys from the park launched fireworks into the side of the mobile home. It’s dry. It’s California. The grass along one side ignited. The whole mobile home went up in flames in a matter of minutes. Noah was inside.” A shudder passed through her.

“Was he hurt?” Editon watched the fear in Kady’s eyes as she relived the memories.

“His hands received minor burns. He stayed inside and tried to collect up as many things as he could and threw them out the door. Noah saved things you wouldn’t think a thirteen-year-old would save, like our photo album. The fire department arrived quickly, but most everything went up in the fire. I was so scared when I got the call, a girlfriend had to drive me home. Noah just should have gotten out…he could have died.”

“But he didn’t. He’s fine.”

“He felt…” she paused and then added, “He
feels
so guilty for what happened. He’s a good kid.”

“I can only imagine how difficult it is to move back here to your mom and dad’s house. But things will get better.”

“That’s what I told Noah last night. I hope I can believe it.”

“No fire insurance?”

“Nothing to cover as much damage as we received. I had the minimal coverage that I could afford which I found out was next to nothing.”

Editon leaned back and pushed his plate off to the side. “There are a few advantages to being in a small town. You hear things good and bad. I happen to know that a shop in town, Que Syrah Syrah, is looking for help.”

“I’m not familiar with it.”

“It only opened in the past year. It’s a cute little wine shop. About six months ago, the owner, Tegan, married August who runs a vineyard. I had dinner with them last week, and she told me that she wants to take more time off, but hasn’t had any luck finding anyone she trusts with the shop.”

“Thanks for thinking of me. It sounds like a good opportunity.”

“I know it’s not perfect, but, you told me that there are no teacher openings right now. Tegan’s super sweet and I think she would be easy to work for. If you are interested, I can pass on your number.”

“Let me find a piece of paper and I’ll write it down.” Kady fumbled in her purse.

Editon grinned. “Don’t worry. I already have it.” He inched up his sleeve to expose the number she’d written on his wrist the night before.

Kady’s cheeks turned to an adorable shade of deep pink. She rolled her eyes. “I guess some things don’t change from school. How junior high can I be?”

“I’ll never take a shower or wash my arm again.” Editon faked a swoon and put his hand over his heart. His comment made her laugh, and her eyes brightened. Editon wanted to keep her happy, he didn’t like it when she was unhappy. He picked the bill off the table.

“Hey.” Kady reached for it. “I said that I would buy.”

He maneuvered it out of her grasp. “Don’t worry about it. Spending time with you again was thanks enough.” He paused, as he took out his wallet and tossed down a twenty-dollar bill. “Do you need me to drive you somewhere?”

“No. Thanks. I’ll walk.”

“I’ll stop by Tegan’s shop and give her your number.” He slid out of the booth and stood. “Maybe I can see you again?”

She smiled up at him, and his biscuits and gravy did a little flip in his stomach. “When I get settled. I’d like that. Maybe in a week or two?”

He was hoping Kady was going to say tomorrow, but he was a patient man.

“Sure. In a week or two. I’ll see you soon.”

Chapter Four

Kady took the job at Que Syrah Syrah, and life was starting to feel like it was finally falling into place once again one small piece at a time. Just as Editon assured her, Tegan was easy to work for, and she and Kady became fast friends. It had been a long time since Kady felt she had ‘girlfriends.ʼ When she was alone in California, she was always so busy that she barely had time to eat and sleep.

The rustic shop was filled with wine racks and cute rustic knick-knacks. Tegan had good taste and displayed the items to draw interest. She also encouraged local groups to meet at the shop.

A couple times a month, this particular group of women met at the wine shop. Tegan told her that it had started out to be a ‘book club’ but they admitted that they were really there to chat and drink some of Tegan’s new wines. Tonight was one of the ladies meeting nights.

Kady dusted off the shelves, as the women talked and laughed.

“We can laugh about this all we want, but we’ve had a pretty good track record so far with The Love List. A lot of the people we have paired up have stuck.” Tegan tipped her glass forward to make a point.

“You didn’t get August when you drew out a name,” Chloe pointed out.

“No, I drew Richard.”

“Who tried to burn down your shop?”

“Yes…but, because of going out to the Vineyard to meet Richard, the psycho, I met August the wonderful.” Tegan grinned.

“It’s kind of like the degrees of Kevin Bacon game?” Rebecca said.

“You end up with who you should be with. Our random drawing is just that, random. But, it might help you think of someone in town you never expected,” Tegan said, as she turned and shook the basket in Kady’s direction. “Ready to jump back into the dating game and give The Love List a try?”

Kady looked around the circle of women. “I’m happy this ‘Love List’ has worked out for most of you…but, I think I’ll pass. I don’t have room for Mr. Right.”

“Everyone has room for ‘Mr. Right’. ˮ Tegan said with a laugh.

“Well, not me.” Kady went back to dusting the shelves.

“Maybe next time.” Tegan shook the basket once more and placed it back on the table.

The bell sounded over the front door, and Kady looked up. She was surprised when Editon walked through. Kady ran a hand through her loose hair which had slipped from her ponytail. Of course, she wore her baggier jeans and a stained T-shirt.

“Editon.” Tegan jumped up and went to give him a hug. “How are you?”

“I’m fine.” He held a single white lily in his hand.

“Can I help you with something? Do you have a date?” Tegan asked as she looked at the flower.

“Not exactly.” He shook his head. “I’m here to see Kady.”

“Kady?” Tegan looked from Editon to Kady, and then back. “
Our
Kady?”

“Unless there is another Kady here, I’m talking about the one who is standing behind the counter. I don’t mean to jump into your group here. I’d stopped and got this flower…and then I was going to go over to her house, but I saw the lights on and…”

Kady had to admit that Editon was even cuter when he was flustered.

Tegan grinned. “Well, don’t just stand there, Editon. Give Kady the flower.”

He walked over and handed her the lily. Kady took it and heard the other women sigh. These women were hopeless romantics, and as much as she tried to deny it, so was she.

Editon took her elbow and led her to the far side of the shop and hopefully out of earsʼ reach of the others.

He spoke first. “Sorry that I just ‘showed up’ but I was waiting for you to call. When you didn’t…I thought I’d take the proverbial bull by the horns and show up in person. I didn’t know that there would be a full house here.”

“It’s fine. They meet a couple of times a month, and it’s informal. It’s all my fault. I meant to call a million times, it’s just been so hectic learning a new job and then getting settled.”

“I didn’t want to push things. I know you’ve been through a lot. Then I thought maybe you didn’t want to see me again, but I didn’t get that from our last meeting.” He picked at an imaginary chip of paint on the counter.

Kady put a hand on his forearm and then looked at the women who were trying not to gawk at them. She pulled her hand back. “No…that’s the complete opposite. I did…do, want to see you again.”

He let free an audible breath as if he’d been holding it in. “How about tomorrow night? I’m not going to leave it up to chance this time.”

“Tegan is gone for a few days and this is the first time I’m covering the shop on my own tomorrow.”

“Would you like for me to come over and help?” There was eagerness in the tone of his voice.

“No.” Kady shook her head. “I’ve got it, and I think I have
almost
all the types of wine memorized.”

“Why don’t you pick out your favorite bottle and I’ll pick you up after the shop closes.”

“That sounds like fun.” She looked down at the lily. “Thanks for the flower. I donʼt remember the last time that a guy brought me flowers.”

“We’ll have to remedy that. It’s only
one
flower this time, but next time I’ll work on a whole bouquet.” He grinned as he took her hand and kissed the back of her knuckles.

There was another sigh from the group.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He turned to face the women as he pulled out his white and black knit hat with flaps over the ears. He wiggled it on making tufts of black hair stick out the front. “Evening ladies. Thanks for letting me crash your party for a few minutes.”

“Anytime, Editon.” When Editon shut the door, and the engine of his truck started, Tegan lifted the wicker basket with the names off the table and rummaged around until she found the scrap of paper she was looking for. “Editon…” she read the name out loud and then continued. “I guess he’s out of the single guy pool.”

“We just met…well actually, again. We knew each other from high school,” Kady said.

“I saw the way he looked at you,” Tegan held her gaze.

“It’s not like we are ‘seeing’ each other. You can leave Editon’s name in the basket,” Kady said as she slammed the feather duster back on the counter.

“I’m taking his name out for now. Unless you want to choose another name?” Tegan shook the slips in the basket again.

“No. I don’t.” Kady crossed her arms over her chest.

“I didn’t think so. Editon’s a great guy.” Chloe chimed in. “He’s done so much for Vine Grove.”

“I’m happy he’s a helpful handyman,” Kady said. “But, I need a man with a
real
job. Money. I don’t know, a life?”

“What has he told you about what he does?” Tegan asked with a raise of her brow.

“Not much…why?” Kady asked.

“You can clear things up tomorrow night,” Tegan said as she stood to clear the fruit and cheese plate from the table. “I was under the same misimpression of August the first time I met him. I wouldn’t have cared what he did for a living, but let’s just say it worked out for the best.”

“I’m not ready for a relationship,” Kady stated as she grabbed a few empty glasses and placed them in the sink.

“He’s just asking you on a date. Give him a chance,” Tegan said with the last sip from her wine glass.

“Fine. If it keeps me from drawing from your silly basket of names, then I’ll do it.”