Stuck With My Christmas Crush (Sweet Christmas Kisses)

19. Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Jason

W hen I call Charlie’s number it clicks straight through to voicemail. I hesitate. I really want to talk to her and not a stupid machine. But then, I end up leaving a message, as instructed, after the beep.

“Hi, it’s Jason. I just wanted to say thanks for the juggling balls. Maddie’s been helping me. Anyway, I would love it if you called me back. I know you must be busy fairying somewhere. So…” I hang up. I want to erase the message immediately. Busy fairying ? No one says that.

It’s no surprise that I don’t get a call back. I’ve stopped checking my phone every five minutes. But I’ve been thinking, and I’ve had a crazy idea. And I need to talk to Charlie about it. I think she can help. But mostly, I just want to talk to her. I miss her so much. I’m going to ask her out on a date. Take her for a ride in the Rolls-Royce or something fun. I don’t know. Do something to make her smile. I couldn’t bear the look she gave me when she left the mansion. She was so upset. It broke my heart to think it was me and something that I said that made her so miserable. I want us to be friends. I want us to be more than friends.

I call Meredith. I’m not sure how she’s going to react to my idea. I’m a little apprehensive as I dial my sister’s number, but she’ll give me a straight answer and let me know, honestly, if she thinks I’m mad. Meredith picks up straight away.

“Hey, Sis. What are you up to?” I say over-brightly.

“Well, Jason. I’m baking some more gingerbread cookies.”

“More cookies, huh?”

“Yes. Of course. They make great gifts. Who wouldn’t want a stack of Christmas gingerbread men all decorated with frosting and shiny colored sugar beads?” There’s a pause on the line. “Maddie says you should come and decorate them with us.”

“Thanks, but I’m busy with something here at the mansion.” I lean back on the couch and watch the flames in the wood stove. “But have fun with that.”

Maybe this isn’t the right time and I’m about to hang up when Meredith says, “Okay, Jason. So why the call?”

“Ah yes. I wanted to run an idea by you. It concerns the sale of the mansion, so I need your take on it.”

“Okay. What’s in your head?”

I take a deep breath. “You know the plan for the mansion was always to sell up as fast as possible?”

“Yes.”

“Well. I’ve had an idea. It might sound crazy, and I know we agreed that it’s a money pit and we should just get rid.”

“I’m listening.”

“But what if we didn’t sell? What if we did something cool with it?”

Meredith laughs. “Like what?”

I’m out of my comfort zone but I push through and say, “Like a hotel. But more of a venue. For weddings and stuff.”

“Stop right there. Who are you and what have you done with my brother?” Meredith laughs some more. “Jason, since when were you interested in doing up an old house? And since when were you ever interested in weddings?”

“Since I learned to juggle.”

“Excuse me?”

“Look it’s hard to explain. I’ve just had a blinding, what-do-you-call-it? When your life and everything you thought was real just isn’t?”

“An epiphany.”

“Alright. Yes. That’s it.”

“Are you going to shave your head and start wearing orange? You’d look good by the way.”

“No. Nothing like that. But I do feel as if I’ve seen the light. Sort of.”

“Good gracious. Jason. Are you in love?”

“I don’t know. I need to figure things out. But, maybe…”

“It’s the fairy, isn’t it? The one you got stuck with in the blizzard. Charlie.” There’s a pause as I think about what to say. “Ha. Your silence says it all. When can we meet her?”

“I don’t know,” I say stroking Rocko’s ears and thinking about Charlie. I don’t know what to tell my sister.

“Are you still there? Jason?”

“Yes.” I sigh. “Meredith. I don’t want to sell the mansion. But I know you were counting on the money, so we need to talk about what that means for all of us. ”

“Okay. Jason. Let’s start with you, then. What would it mean for you, if you didn’t sell? Could you put your career on hold? Would it mean that you’re going to stop being an engineer and stay in one place? Can you do that? Do you think?”

“I can try.” Rocko jumps down and lies on the floor in front of the stove. “We have an opportunity to do something cool with this place that could generate cash. There is so much to tell you, but...”

“Yes. I want to hear all about it. Wow, this is a complete turnaround, Jason. But I trust you. I’m overwhelmed. Gosh. What happens now?”

“Well. I’ll contact the real estate agent and stop that process from going any further. Meredith. I’d like to see if what I imagine is possible. And if it is, and we can make a successful business, then wouldn’t that be exciting?”

“So exciting!”

“We’ll give it a go and if it doesn’t work out, we can still sell up, but only after we’ve given our best shot.” The phone line is quiet.

Strangely, voicing my idea to Meredith makes my mad dream seem plausible. I have this notion of something I know absolutely nothing about. I’m excited. I’m terrified.

“So why the change of heart? Is this Charlie’s idea? ”

“No. She doesn’t know yet. I called but she hasn’t called me back.” I sigh but then I go on hoping to redirect Meredith away from Charlie. “Listen. I’ve been finding out about the hotel and the people who lived here, and I just don’t feel as if I can let it be bulldozed. It doesn’t seem right to destroy a legacy. I feel a responsibility to keep their story alive. Out of respect, but also…”

“So, you’re telling me that this has nothing to do with Charlie?”

“Okay. I’d be lying if I said no. But she may not want anything to do with me. She hasn’t called back. I left a message. Meredith. I think I’ve blown it there. I don’t know.”

“But she invited you for Christmas dinner, didn’t she?”

“Yes.”

“So go.”

“I don’t know. People say and do things they don’t mean. Charlie felt sorry for me living in this big old place alone.” Rocko rolls onto his back and begins to snore. “She’s kind and I’m a charity case.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Go find out. But come to us first, okay? I’m sure Daniel will want to hear about your plans. And bring Rocko, okay?” Meredith hangs up the call.