Meeting Mr. Christmas (Collier’s Creek Christmas)

Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

Making some final adjustments to the floral display, Jed stepped back and smiled. Simple, classical, beautiful. It was the mantra of Lucian, his boss and owner of Floristry by Lucian Blaxston. Not that the display had been simple to put together, and as much as he hadn’t wanted to, he’d had to ask for Lucian’s help. I could say don ’ t run before you can walk but as you ’ re already running, then maybe don ’ t sprint , Lucian had drawled in his upper-class English accent as he’d made some tweaks which had brought the display alive — before untweaking them and having Jed repeat what he’d been shown.

His choice of career wasn’t what he’d ever envisaged, and some of his old friends had made jokes, only stopping when he’d responded with no more than a hard stare. Truth was, the one who’d been the most surprised was himself.

“Who knew?” he murmured, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. He pulled out his cell and took photos from all angles, another display to add to his growing portfolio. The arrangement before him, a cascade of roses and lilies, with delicate sprigs of baby’s breath, was a testament to a talent he hadn’t realized he possessed until Lucian had thrust a bundle of wildflowers into his hands one day and said, ‘Make something lovely.’

Jed turned around as the door to the workroom opened. Lucian’s gaze settled on the display, his expression neutral, giving nothing away.

Lucian walked around the long table holding the display, leaning over to scrutinize up close before stepping back, his head tilting to the side. Jed said nothing, nerves pin pricking across his skin, as Lucian made a tiny adjustment here, a tinier tweak there. Lucian Blaxston, cute, ditzy, eccentric, and the fiancé of Jed’s dad’s oldest and best friend, was the hardest task master Jed had ever encountered.

“This is truly beautiful, Jed. I think the Collier’s Creek Museum Board is going to be very happy with its Christmas dinner centerpiece. It won’t be too long before I’ve got some serious competition here in town. You should be very proud of yourself.”

Jed’s breath escaped him in a rush, his nervous anticipation of Lucian’s judgement replaced with a surge of pride. His school grades had been average at best, and when he’d graduated high school, he’d been directionless, going from one dead-end job to another. As he’d seen his friends get good positions, his spirits had sunk ever lower, as he’d flipped burgers, or cleaned offices after hours. All of it he’d hidden behind a surface, false confidence and an easy smile. Only Noel had known how he’d truly felt. His best bud had, without judgement, listened time and again, as he’d unloaded his frustrations and fears, before urging without pushing for him to grab Lucian’s offer of a traineeship with both hands… hands that were the size of monster hams and which should by rights crush the life out of the delicate blooms. Jed’s lips tilted up in a smile. Noel, just as always, had been there for him, giving him the nudge he’d needed.

“Earth calling Jed.”

“What?” Jed jumped as Lucian tapped him on the arm.

“I don’t know where you went, but it was clearly somewhere rather nice, judging by the soppy smile on your face. The display will be collected later. In the meantime, I’m meeting Arlo for lunch, so you need to be out front. I shouldn’t be too long.” Lucian inclined his head towards the centerpiece and smiled. “Good work, Jed. Seriously.”

The scent of roast chicken and thyme wafted through the kitchen as Jed took his seat at the table. His mom, Francine, bustled about with her usual energy as she set a steaming dish of vegetables in the center before sitting down, blowing out an exhausted breath.

“Kandi Kane finally confirmed she’ll be switching on the lights at the tree ceremony — with less than a week to go! I don’t know, people get a little fame and it just goes to their heads. Why, it was just a handful of years ago when she was a skinny little thing with buck teeth and an eye patch. A couple of records in the hit parade and it’s all ‘talk to my agent’. She may have spent a year down in Nashville, but she’s no Dolly.” Francine glowered as she speared a carrot with her fork, as though it had personally offended her.

Jed caught his dad’s eye across the table, both of them tamping down on the grins threatening to break out on their faces. The hit parade… Perhaps he wouldn’t mention that nobody under the age of fifty would have any idea what she was talking about. It’d be way too dangerous, seeing as how she was now ripping her potatoes apart.

“Francie, maybe you should step back from some of the committees. Make a little more time for yourself.”

“You know, Hank, maybe you’re right. Come the new year, I’ll reassess because I think I’ve done more than enough for this town over the years.”

Jed glanced at his dad. She wouldn’t, and they both knew it. His mom loved being on the committees as much as she loved complaining about them.

“Should have asked Sheriff Morgan to switch on the lights, seeing as he’s a descendent of our very own Jake Collier,” Francine grumbled, mashing down her peas and turning them to mush.

“It’ll be a fine ceremony, just as it always is — and that’s because of the hard work you put into it.” Hank patted his wife’s hand, and Jed dipped his head, hiding his grin. His dad’s steady voice and reassuring words were all that was needed to bring peace to the table.

“Thank you, sweetheart. It will be, I know that. The tree lighting always brings the community together and marking the countdown to Christmas. You know, I think it’s my favorite town event.” Francine smiled, and turned to Jed. “And talking of Christmas ,” she said with a laugh, “I guess you and Noel will be going together like you always do. My, you boys make me chuckle, the way you try to outdo each other to see who can turn up in the ugliest Christmas sweater. Honestly, the two of you are almost a tree ceremony institution!”

“Of course we’re going, but we’re ditching the ugly sweater thing.” He’d told Noel that — hadn’t he? Shit, he’d have to call him to make sure.

“But why? You’ve been doing it since you were kids?—”

“That’s just it.” Jed jumped in. “Noel and I… we’re shaking things up a bit. We’ve decided to double date.”

“Oh.” Francine blinked at him, and the Brussels sprout on the end of her fork wobbled and fell back on her plate. “A double date? But you two have been joined at the hip since you were in diapers, especially during the holidays.”

“I know, I know.” Jed stared down at the table, the knots in the wood grain holding a new-found fascination. “It’s just—things change, right? We’re not kids anymore.”

“Of course, sweetheart,” Francine said softly, reaching across to squeeze his hand. “Change is part of life. It’s just…” She sighed, a wistful note creeping into her tone. “You boys have always had such a special bond.”

“That’s never going to change.” His voice packed more force than he’d meant; his mom’s eyes widened with surprise as his dad frowned. “What I mean is, we thought it’d be fun to do something a little different this year.” Guilt tightened into a hard fist in Jed’s stomach. He didn’t find it fun at all, but he found himself caught and cornered, with no way out. What had always been a special night, looked forward to with eager anticipation, was now something to be gotten through. And it was all his fault. “Hey, it’s going to be great,” he said, bolstering his resolve with forced cheerfulness. “New experiences, right? Maybe it’s time to start some new traditions.”

“So who’s your date?” Hank asked.

“Ah, Cora? Works at Randy’s?”

Hank nodded his approval. “Nice girl. Good manners — and another cute little brunette.”

Francine laughed. “When aren’t your girlfriends cute little brunettes — whom your father most certainly should not be taking notice of. My, Jed Mason, you certainly have a type, don’t you? And who’s Noel’s date?”

“Er, I don’t know. I guess I should check with him on that.”

“Maybe you should. He’s such a wonderful young man. Honestly, anybody would be privileged to be with him. Who wants dessert?”

Jed jumped to his feet, saying he’d take care of it as he rushed out to the utility room where the big chest freezer was.

He fell against the wall, taking a moment to sort through his thoughts.

Wonderful… Yes, Noel was that for sure, the best friend a guy could have. Privileged to be with him… Dougal MacDouglas had been the last in a line of losers who’d not deserved that privilege at all . And hadn’t he told Noel that? Just like he’d told him about the one before, and the one before that?

Jed rammed the serving spoon into the ice cream and thumped it into the bowls. He’d call Noel. Find out who his date was going to be. The date he’d suggested Noel find for an event he was looking forward to with as much enthusiasm as he would a tooth extraction. Without the anesthetic.