A Christmas Delight

7. Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Joel

I head to my garage, AKA my work space. I’ve been working on making a table these past few days. Not a simple table. The kind that has colorful resin running down the middle of it. It’s almost done, and I’m quite proud of the result. Next, I’ll have to make a custom bookcase for another client, a woman who keeps hounding me by texts about when it’ll be done even though I’ve told her it would take three weeks to complete the order. She’s so eager to get it, she said she’d pick it up herself.

I enjoy working alone, being my own boss. It was the right decision to move back here, far from Catherine and her family and friends. Close to my dad and brother.

I’m deep in my work, varnishing the wood while listening to the radio and their stupid Christmas songs, when the bell rings inside the house. If I had been sanding, I never would have heard it. There’s only two people it could be. Although I know a lot of people here—since this is where I grew up—we don’t talk much, which is fine with me.

I open the door. Brent smiles wide at me.

“We’re getting lunch. Let’s go,” he says.

I forgot it was Friday. I usually have lunch with my brother and dad on Fridays. “I have work to do.”

“You bailed the last two times, you’re out of rain checks. We won’t take long. An hour max.”

I sigh and nod. “Alright.”

I give Maisie’s house a glance as we leave.

“Damn,” Brent says, looking at all the decorations. “Someone likes Christmas. Dad would approve.”

“I guess he would.”

“Have you met them? Your new neighbors?”

I stuff my hands deep inside my jacket pockets. “I’ve met her, yeah.”

“Oh, it’s a her, I see.”

He gives me a look, and I shove him away. “It’s not like that. She’s one of the new donut shop owners.”

Brent whips his head toward me. “No way! I’ve been wanting to try their donuts. Dad’s already been there a few times this week. He said they’re great. We should totally get some for dessert.”

I shrug, trying my hardest to look unfazed. I haven’t gone back to Maisie’s shop since her grand opening last week, despite her offering me free coffee. I thought about going a few times but changed my mind each time. I don’t know why.

Okay, yes, I know. She intimidates me. She’s petite and curvy and funny and her smile could melt the stalactites hanging from my roof, and I don’t like the way it makes me feel. The memory of the way she clung onto me, how her body slid against mine when I caught her the other day keeps hounding me. And since I hate the idiot working at the coffee shop, I’ve just stayed home and made my own coffee.

Brent and I take the long way downtown, as we need to make a detour by Randall’s Pine Patch, the local Christmas tree farm. The place is packed when we arrive, as usual, and Dad is talking to clients, making the kids laugh and giving them each a tree-shaped peanut butter cup. He’s so cheery all the time, it’s contagious to the people around him.

“Hey, boys,” he says after he finishes roping the tree to the top of a car. “Ready for lunch?”

My dad is what everyone pictures as a true lumberjack. A big guy with faded jeans, a flannel shirt, gray hair, and beard. I guess I look more and more like him, though I’m not gray yet, despite a few strands. Brent’s younger, with hair a lighter shade of brown than mine.

To my dismay, we end up at the café. There’s a mozzarella and dried tomato sandwich my dad’s obsessed with. Finn is as smug as usual, and it’s hard to ignore him even though I should. His black hair and light, bright blue eyes usually make women fawn over him. Maybe it’s his confidence I can’t stand. That says more about me than it does about him. One thing I know for sure is that his driving skills need some improvement.

“Stop staring,” Dad says, and I realize I’ve been shooting Finn the death stare. “He’s not that bad.”

“He disrespected you. Threw a fit like a brat in front of everyone because his damn tree fell off his car.”

“And I should have tied it up better.”

“He wasn’t letting you do it. Kept saying he knew better. Did you hear the stunt he pulled with his car when I was about to cross the road last week?”

“Anyway,” Brent cut off. “What’s new? Haven’t seen you in a while.”

I shrug, taking a bite off my sandwich. “Not much. Work’s going well.”

“Do you think you could help your brother cut down some trees this weekend?” Dad asks. “I hate to bother you, but my back’s killing me.”

“Sure thing, Dad. Don’t worry about it. I like doing it.”

“Hey, Dad,” Brent says. “You know the donut place that just opened? The owner’s Joel’s neighbor.”

A big smile spreads across Dad’s face. “How about that? Which one? Maisie or Nina?”

I frown. “I see you’re already on first name basis.”

“Oh, yeah. I’ve been every day since they opened. Their donuts are to die for, and they make a beverage and donut combo.”

I chuckle at Dad’s enthusiasm. “Maisie. She’s my neighbor.”

“Really nice girls, they are.”

I don’t know what else I expected. Dad likes to know and talk to everyone, and everyone in town likes him, Maisie and Nina included now, probably.

“We should go there after lunch,” Dad says. “I’m craving donuts now.”

“I’m not really into donuts for desserts.”

“They also make these fabulous cinnamon rolls.”

I wince and glance at Brent, who looks back at me with a satisfied grin on his face. “I can’t wait to meet her.”

A woman in her fifties enters the café and goes to the counter. Her dyed blonde hair is pin straight, brushing her shoulders, and she wears a black, straight coat that looks a little too fancy for a village like this one, and not at all warm enough.

“Hm, never seen her before,” Dad says between two bites.

I’ve never seen her, either, but I don’t remember a lot of folks. It’s more surprising that my dad doesn’t know her.

The woman chats with Finn for a while, giggling and pointing at something outside.

“What are we waiting for?” Dad says, pushing his chair and standing up.

The cold air greets us outside. The weather is bright and clear, the snow on the sidewalk blinding me. Brent and I follow Dad across the street. He enters the Donut Delight as though he owns the place, Brent following him. I enter last.

Maisie’s face lights up. “Hi, Randall.”

Nina turns away from the coffee machine and smiles too. “Hey, Randall.”

Brent shoots me an amused look, which I return. My dad can just charm his way through life, and I admire him for it.

“Hey, girls. Loving the Christmas sweaters.”

“Thanks,” they both say.

Dad walks up to the counter, leaning on it. “How are those Christmas decorations going?”

For Christ’s sake. It’s like they’ve known each other for years.

“I found my old Christmas tree, but I don’t know,” Maisie says. “I’m thinking I might want a real tree this year. I want the full Christmas experience.”

“Well, if you decide to get one, you know where to find Randall’s Pine Patch.”

“Actually, I don’t, but I’m sure Google Maps will tell me.”

“It’s right behind the post office. Come by this weekend and take a look. If you find one you like, I’ll help you tie it to the roof of your car.”

“Thanks, I’ll come for sure.” Maisie’s green eyes turn to me, her eyebrows raising as though she’s surprised to see me.

“Hi,” I say, my voice barely making it out of my mouth.

“Hi.”

“I see you’ve already met my dad.”

“Your dad?” Her eyes bounce between me and my dad. “No way! Well, now that you mention it, I do see the resemblance.”

“And this is my brother, Brent.”

Brent gives her a little wave. “I hear you’re Joel’s new neighbor.”

“I am, indeed.”

“Good luck living next to that grump. If he bothers you, just tell us, and we’ll set him straight.”

She laughs. “Got it. What can I get you guys?”

“Same as usual,” Dad says.

A knowing smile stretches Maisie’s lips. “Medium coffee and glazed donut combo.”

“The one with the red and green sprinkles.”

“You got it. Anything for you guys?”

“Make it two combos,” Brent says. “The same.”

“Three,” I add.

“For here or to go?”

I open my mouth, ready to say to go, but my dad’s loud voice drowns mine as he says, “For here.”

Maisie gets our donuts while Nina starts on the coffees.

I give Dad a little nudge of the elbow. “Don’t you have to go back to work?”

“Not for another half hour, I don’t. Also, I own the place, I can do whatever I want.”

Fair enough, I guess.

Maisie comes back behind the counter with our orders, and Dad pays for them.

“Is that it?” he says. “Seems cheap for all this.”

“You’re only paying for two combos. The third one is free.” Maisie’s eyes flicker in my direction. “For helping me clean the driveway. And putting up my Christmas lights.”

Both my dad and Brent look at me.

A stupid but knowing smile hangs onto Brent’s lips. “Since when do you help people?”

“Shut up,” I mutter, then grab my order. When I look down at my coffee cup, I see the name ‘James’ written on it. I bite my lip, then look at Maisie. “Thanks, Megan.”

Maisie laughs, and for half a second, I can’t tear my eyes away from her. I join my brother and father at one of the small tables. There aren’t a lot of spots, but the large window gives us a nice view of the main street.

Brent’s groan catches my attention. His eyes close as he takes a huge bite of his donut.

“These are incredible,” he says, his mouth full.

Dad chuckles. “Told ya.”

“Alright, let’s see what all the fuss is about.” I bring the donut to my lips, and just as I bite, my gaze shifts to Maisie, who’s looking right back at me. She turns away at the same moment, getting busy. For a few seconds, I’m too busy looking at her to realize how incredibly good this donut is. It’s soft and doughy and the icing melts in my mouth. I think I made a mistake by ordering only one. I’m going to need at least ten of them.

“Damn,” I say. When I look at Maisie again, our eyes meet. She smiles, satisfied with my reaction, then greets new customers. I can’t seem to stop looking at her. That’s why I was afraid to come back here. To see her. I’m not good at relationships. I destroy everything I touch. My past is proof of that. I thought that coming back to my hometown would keep me away from trouble. From falling for anyone. But here I am, unable to tear my eyes away.

A face enters my vision as Brent leans to the side, blocking my view of Maisie. “You like her.”

I look down and take another bite from my donut. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Right.”

Dad’s gaze shifts from me to Brent. “I also don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Joel is about to lose the bet.”

“I’m not,” I say.

“What bet?” Dad asks, confused.

Brent turns to him. “When Joel came back after the fiasco of his last relationship, he swore he’d never date again, which is already stupid to begin with. Which I told him. And I’ll admit he did a good job at being a recluse so far.”

“I’m not a recluse,” I say.

“Right, right, if you say so.” Brent turns back to Dad. “So, anyway, I told him that swearing to stay single forever was dumb, so he told me he would for sure not date anyone for at least two years. We bet on it, and I think I’m about to win.” He nods discreetly toward Maisie. “Soon, he’ll be buying me lunch every Friday for two months.”

The light seems to come on in my dad’s eyes. “You like her, eh? She’s real nice.”

“Shh, keep your voices down.” Hot flashes spread up my back. Why did we have to talk about this here? “I don’t like her, okay?”

Brent grins. “You helped her with her Christmas lights.”

“No big deal.”

“You cleaned up her side of the driveway.”

“Just being a nice neighbor.”

“Sure, buddy. Were you that nice with your former neighbors?”

Dad studies me, and I know he can see right through me, but he chooses not to say anything. Still, he looks at me, as does Brent.

“It’s not like that, seriously,” I add. “Plus, she must be, like eight years younger than me.”

“Ten, actually,” Dad says. “She’s twenty-six.”

I shake my head at him. “How much time have you spent here?”

“Why would you not want to date again?” he asks instead of answering my question.

“You know the answer to that.”

His eyes soften. “You deserve happiness as much as anyone else, son. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. What happened wasn’t your fault. You did the right thing.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

The bell above the door tinkles, and a familiar figure enters. Slick black hair, trim figure, bright blue eyes.

What the hell is Finn doing here?