Christmas Tempest (Holiday Heartwarmers #12)

Chapter Two

Jasmin’s mom had bullied her nonstop for weeks about her coming home for Christmas. “Your father has cancer, baby. He needs his little girl.”

“I’m thirty, Mom. And seriously, Dad recently got a clean bill of health. I was there, remember?”

“But it’s the holidays, Jassy. It won’t be the same without you.”

“Hey, remember what happened last time I got on a plane. The drastic turbulence forced it to drop what felt like hundreds of feet before we even knew what happened. Remember how long it took me to forget that horrific experience? Some days I think my stomach is still floating up there in the clouds. It’s taken me months to stop the nightmares. I’m not getting in another death trap… I’m just not.”

“No, no. We don’t expect that. Take the train and then drive from Seattle to Carlton Grove. It’s just a few hours. I’d go and pick you up, but Dad says I’m not allowed on the highway anymore. Silly man. Goes cuckoo over a few bumper bangers. God Lord, it’s not like I have a new car he should be worried about. He gets to drive that one, not me.”

If her mother got started ragging on her father, she’d never get her off the phone, so Jasmin interrupted. “Stop. Fine, I’ll come this time. But Mom, please quit expecting me to make it home for every single long weekend. I have friends here who I’d like to spend those days with too.”

Little did her mom know that her life in Los Angeles was boring, empty, and becoming worse every day. Because she’d stood up for a principle, her lady boss had overlooked her for a promotion, and her co-workers, other than Mandy, didn’t want to hang with her in case they got tarnished with the same brush.

Being a young, struggling, deputy district attorney in the county of Los Angeles had her working so many hours, including weekends, that Jasmin had built up a mass of days in her time-off bank.

But her mother believed her fibs. “I understand it’s hard being so popular, same as when you were growing up. But kiddo, your dad and I don’t get to see you near enough. I keep telling you that you should live here. What’s wrong with Carlton Grove. Frankly, there’s so many new developments that the population is growing rapidly. I understand there’s a real need for lawyers. Hells bells, we have criminals here too, as many per capita as dumb old LA.”

Recognizing the futility of arguing with a woman who always got her way, Jasmin agreed. “Fine, I’ll text you the day and time of my arrival. But I can only stay a little while so don’t go making too many plans with the neighbors. Promise me.”

“Right, no big parties. Gotta go and tell your dad. He’ll be thrilled. Love, you, babe. By-ye.”

Jasmin’s heavy sigh might be construed as a person taken advantage of, but the truth would be more like relief. She had a place to go where she would be loved and spoiled and made to feel better about herself. Really, how bad could that be? God only knows the last time she felt that way.

Chuffing under her breath, she accepted the truth. Feeling that good only happened when she was at home in Carlton Grove. Best not to think about it now. She would make her plans later.

Before she could get back to the screen filled with dry lawyer jargon, a person appeared at her door. “Hey, Mandy. What’s up?”

“It’s the bitchy, lawyer-eating she-wolf. She’s on the warpath, and she’s headed this way. Just a heads up.”

By the time Jasmin had funneled the warning, Mandy had disappeared and a few seconds later, Meredith Jones, her boss stood in the same space Mandy had vacated. From her pissy attitude and the frown on her Botox-filled features, she was out for blood. Stupidly, the thought entered that maybe if she didn’t wear her hair pulled back so tight in a bun on the top of her head, the woman might be able to form a smile. Trying hard not to giggle at the image, Jasmin kept her face straight with fake interest.

“Hi.”

Ignoring the niceties, Meredith barked, “Jasmin, where is the file I asked you to finish on the Stiles case?”

“I did finish it and sent it to your office yesterday.”

“No. You didn’t.”

Taken completely aback, Jasmin fumbled for her next words. Before she could come up with any, Meredith blasted her loud enough for everyone in the outer office to hear.

“Friggin’ incompetent… narcissistic…. I have no idea how you got this job.” By this time, the she-wolf had built up enough steam that her hands were clenched and riding her hips. “I specifically asked for those files because I needed them for the courtroom later today.”

“And I sent them to you like you requested. You can check my sent messages.”

“See… that’s just it. Why can’t I simply trust your word?”

“Why would you say that? I’ve never lied to you. In fact, I worked on those files until eleven o’clock last night. And that case had nothing to do with what I’m supposed to be spending my time on.”

Ignoring Jasmin’s logic, Meredith strode forward, rudely waving her hand. “Get out of my way. Show me your proof.”

Jasmin, her fingers working at lightning speed, pulled up the sent mail and sure enough, there was the email she had forwarded with the attached files. “See here.”

Meredith leaned over and saw where Jasmin’s pencil nib pointed at the screen. “You sent them to the company’s address. I specifically asked you to forward them to my personal email. See. I knew you’d screw up.”

Fuming, Meredith swung away from Jasmin’s desk and stomped out of the room, leaving behind a furious employee.

Christ in a barrel! I can never do anything right for that woman. Why even try? I’m just her scapegoat for whenever she feels like dumping on someone.

Seconds later, Mandy reappeared wearing a consoling expression. “Don’t listen to her, Jasmin. Everyone knows she’s a nutbar. That ditzy broad is just using you to cover up her own failings. Anyone else would have checked both of those addresses.”

“Yeah. What I didn’t get time to add is this. I sent them to both. Here. Look. See the ‘Sent to’ line. I swear she’s losing it.”

Mandy released an expletive under her breath and added, “Lost it, you mean. Why does the B always use you as her punching bag?”

“I don’t know.”

“I do. It’s because you’re ten times smarter and prettier than she is, and you work five times harder.”

Jasmin grimaced, anger beginning to build. “Maybe she can’t stand her own feelings of inadequacy. Who knows? But I’ve reached my sucking-up limits. I’m writing my resignation today. When I go home for Christmas, I’ll be looking for a new job.”

Mandy’s voice oozed with sorrow. “Noooo. Don’t leave me here alone.” Hands posed in prayer, while actual tears filled Mandy’s blue eyes. “Find two jobs, and I swear, I’ll follow you.”

Giggling from the relief of her decision, Jasmin teased, “What about your boyfriend, Harvey?”

Mandy’s defiant, tear-filled glare had Jasmin rushing to her side. “What is it? You’re upset, and it’s not just about what happened earlier. Tell me what I can do.” Jasmin wrapped her arms around her friend and gathered her rather large body in close. They made quite a pair when they were together. Jasmin, small-boned and slim from her daily early-morning jogs, had muscles throughout that made her stronger than her tiny appearance would suggest.

Whereas Mandy had a foot more in height, filled out every inch to overflowing, and was always on some weird diet to keep from blossoming even further. Yet the amazon-like woman had a heart as big as her body, which made Jasmin love her like a sister.

“Tell me. I’ve been so busy, I’ve been putting you off lately, haven’t I?” Jasmin smoothed Mandy’s hair. “I’ve had the feeling you wanted to talk to me, but this hectic treadmill that Meredith has me on means there’s been no time left over. I’m really sorry, Mandy. Look, sit here. I’m all yours. Tell me,” she repeated, but this time with so much feeling that Mandy collapsed, giving in to the attentive and affectionate tone.

“We broke up last week. He was furious with me for canceling yet another date. Said I should just move in here since I spend more time at the office than I do at home.”

“I’m sorry, Mandy. Guess he’s got a point though. What boyfriend wants to come in second to a job? Look, it’s lunchtime. Let’s get out of here and go across the street to the restaurant for a real sit-down meal and a chat. You can tell me all about it.”

A few minutes later, they were relaxing at the table in the diner, scanning the menu. “I’m having a strawberry marguerita to celebrate my decision. You want to join me? My treat.”

“I shouldn’t.”

“Hey, live a little. It’s not everyday your best friend grows a pair. We should mark the occasion with something alcoholic.”

Grinning now, Mandy nodded. “Sure, you’re right. I’m in.”

Jasmin watched Mandy choose her meal, knowing how difficult she made it. Knowing that every morsel of food she ate had to pass her guilt test and be fussed over. These idiosyncrasies in her friend made her love her all the more.

Looking up at Jasmin’s teasing smile, Mandy explained self-consciously. “My scale never lies, yet I don’t overeat.” She pleaded to be believed. “Everything I look at adds on weight. Trust me.”

Laughing, Jasmin teased, “Right. First you look at it, then it goes into your mouth. That counts you know.”

Sighing, Mandy grinned sheepishly. “You know me too well.”

“And I love you just the way you are. Order your favorite food and no guilt. Just enjoy. Honey, life is too short to always be mad at yourself.”

Looking the picture of remorse, Mandy’s answer almost broke her heart. “I know it. And I hate myself for being so weak. I just can’t seem to stop stuffing myself all the time. I get nervous, I eat. I feel sad, I eat. Hell, I even eat when I’m happy. It’s like I’m addicted.”

“I’m sorry.” Jasmin reached for Mandy’s hand. “I didn’t realize how upsetting this is for you. Honey, it’s not the food you crave, it’s the brief reward you like… I’m guessing. From what I understand though, it only lasts for a short while and then you’re wanting it again.”

“You know me so well.” Mandy lowered her head to her hands, pushing her dyed red curls behind her ears.

“Okay, don’t get mad but I’m going to make a suggestion. And if you don’t want to follow it, no biggie.”

“Please. Tell me.”

“Right. Here goes. You, my friend, are a fact finder, a spreadsheet whiz, and a genius on the internet. In fact, you blow me away with your talents. So why don’t you use those skills to come up with a diet that will give you the foods you crave in small doses but mixed with healthy low-carb stuff to keep you full. Base it on a system of reward. Like if you eat salads filled with hardboiled eggs or chicken, you know, something that’s substantial, you can have a small bowl of ice cream as a reward. And if you do a stir fry containing mostly veggies and protein, you can have a small piece of cake. That way, you’ll always be full but still get to have your favorite cheater foods… just in small quantities.

Catching on with the idea, Mandy clapped her hands and gleefully added, “I love stir-fries and could freeze treats in a way so as to make sure of the sizes. I could come up with a menu plan to follow every day, so I shop for the right foods each week. I love the idea. I’m going to try it starting tonight.”

“Just don’t starve yourself or you’ll fail.”

“Right. Got it.” Changing the subject, Mandy said, “I’m ready to make changes so tell me you were serious about me moving with you to Carlton Grove.”

“Of course, I was. I’d love to have my best friend nearby. I know you’ve never been there but it’s a friendly, warm-hearted town filled with nice people who care about their neighbors.” Jasmin searched her friend’s expression. “So you’re serious about making the change and moving with me?”

Sitting upright, instantly on guard because of Jasmin’s earnest tone, Mandy bobbed her head at the same time as she spoke. “You’re damn rights, I meant it.”

“Then, you’re on. I’m resigning today and going home for the holidays. First day of the new year, I’ll be hunting for jobs for the both of us.”

Lifting their glasses in a toast, both girls clinked, grinned, and drank.