The Christmas Cookie Wars

Chapter Twelve

Twelve

Melody lined up the teacher gift cards on the kitchen table—each one neatly wrapped with a scarf she’d selected from the boutique and secured with red and silver foil ribbon.

And then there was the mixing bowl.

She’d wrapped that too—in festive red and green paper. You could still tell it was a bowl though, so it wouldn’t be some big surprise when Jonathan opened it. When would he open it? At school? In his office? Would everyone know she’d given it to him? The gift had seemed like a good idea at the time, but would it make her feelings for him too obvious?

She slumped into a chair at the table. Oh, how quickly she’d forgotten the complications that romantic feelings could introduce into daily life—the wondering, the analyzing, the questioning.

“Hey, Mom.” Tate bounded down the stairs and went straight for the breakfast sandwich she’d made him.

“Good morning, sweets.” She assessed his outfit with a wince. Track pants and a Marvel sweatshirt? He’d clearly missed the memo for his big fifth-grade choir concert after their holiday party today.

“Why aren’t you dressed?” One by one, she picked up the gifts and put them in the box she had waiting. “Come on, Tate. We’re going to be late for school.”

“I am dressed.” Her cherubic son shoved half of the egg sandwich into his mouth. Like her, he was definitely not a morning person, and normally she could let his choice in apparel slide, but not today.

“You can’t wear that outfit for the holiday concert.” She poured him some orange juice to soften the blow. “There’s a dress code. Remember? Your shirt has to have buttons on it.” She’d gotten a text from his teacher to remind her. In her parenting philosophy, her kids should have autonomy when it came to getting dressed—they were the ones who had to take ownership of their own appearance, after all. But today her hands were tied.

“I don’t see why we’ve gotta dress up to sing some songs,” Tate mumbled with a full mouth.

“Because all of the loving parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles will be taking pictures of you and your classmates singing those songs.” She kept her voice light and sweet, even while she had one eye on the clock. “That’s why I brought you that awesome outfit from the boutique.”

“The shirt’s itchy.” He downed the juice.

“So wear a shirt under it.” She knew for a fact that the shirt was a pima cotton blend, but she didn’t argue. “Go back upstairs and change, please. Pronto.”

Little did Tate know that when he looked at her with such a grumpy furrow in his forehead he reminded her exactly of his sweet four-year-old self. If only she could hug him to her and smooch his cheeks to make him giggle the way she used to.

“I don’t even like singing.” He did, however, enjoy stomping out of a room.

“Thanks, honey,” she called as he disappeared.

And now, back to the mixing bowl.

Maybe it didn’t have to be a big deal. Since she’d be staying at school to help the boys’ teacher with the holiday party, they could secretly leave it in Jonathan’s office without a tag. Like an anonymous gift from Santa. As far as he knew, it could be a gift from anyone. Even Santa. Smiling to herself, Melody added the package to the box.

“Hey, Mom.” Finn bounced into the kitchen dressed in the pants, button-up shirt, and vest she’d laid out for him last night. He’d even combed his curly hair away from his forehead.

“Wow. Lookin’ sharp.” She almost reached for her cell phone to snap a picture but then thought better of it. There’d be a whole lot of pictures today. She didn’t need to waste her few chances at the breakfast table.

“Why, thank you.” Finn took a bow before settling in at the table. “Do you think Ms. Sanderson will like my outfit?”

Melody hid her grimace underneath a smile. She’d totally forgotten to discuss the Ms. Sanderson crush with him after the cookie swap. “Oh. Yeah, sure. I bet she’ll think you’re adorable .” Seeing as how the woman could probably be his grandmother. She’d always hated to burst any of the boys’ bubbles, but this one would have to pop sooner than later—preferably without too much heartache or embarrassment. “Um, so is there anyone in your class you want to impress?” Hopefully…

“Nah. All the girls care about are their clothes and their hair.” Finn tucked a napkin into the collar of his shirt. “And they also tell on me when I do something they don’t like. But Ms. Sanderson and I talk about real stuff.”

“Oh?” It was pretty cute how he got all starry-eyed when he talked about Ms. Sanderson. She poured him a glass of juice. Her younger twin had always been quite the conversationalist. He’d spoken his first word six months before Tate and had then proceeded to talk for his brother as much as he talked for himself.

“Yeah, we talk about Star Wars ,” he said around a mouthful of food. “She’s seen all the movies and she knows everything . Plus, sometimes she gives me a couple extra chicken nuggets.”

“Wow.” No wonder he was smitten. What fifth grader could compete with chicken nuggets and Star Wars ? She’d developed a swallowing technique to assist her when she needed to hold back a giggle so the boys wouldn’t think she was laughing at them. But this crush thing was simply darling. Melody turned to put the juice back into the refrigerator.

“I’m ready,” Tate grumbled behind her.

She faced him and resisted the urge to straighten his collar. “You look very nice.” And so grown-up. A trapped sigh tightened her chest. The urge to press pause on the time button kept getting stronger and stronger. “We need to be on time. Can you grab the box of gifts for me?”

She grabbed her coat off the rack and slipped it on before following the boys out to the car.

“Why’d you get Mr. Braxton a bowl again?” Tate shoved the box of gifts onto the back seat between him and Finn.

“ I didn’t get him the bowl.” Her cheeks warmed while she waited for the garage door to open. They slipped most of the way down the driveway. “ We got him a bowl. For Christmas. Because he likes baking. We always buy Mr. Braxton something.”

“But no one gets Mr. Braxton real gifts.” Finn was still working on his breakfast sandwich. “Everyone gives him pencils and candy and stuff. He’s the principal .” He said the word like he was talking about Darth Vader. “It’ll be so embarrassing to give him something nice.”

Melody’s shoulders tensed. Maybe he was right. Maybe the copper relic had been a mistake. “It doesn’t have to be a big deal. I was thinking we’d leave the bowl in his office and he won’t even know who it’s from.” Then there’d be no analyzing anything on either side. No rumors would start about the lavish gift they’d given the principal. And Jonathan wouldn’t know how much she was thinking about him.

“Like a secret Santa gift?” Finn held up the bowl, examining the packaging.

“He’ll probably like it,” Tate muttered, still stewing about the wardrobe change. “Since he likes baking and stuff.”

That was what she’d thought, but she should’ve left well enough alone and found a nice pen and notepad instead. “Remember, it’s a secret Santa gift, so don’t tell him where it came from. It’ll be more fun that way.” Not to mention safer.

“Okay.” Finn set it back in the box and started humming “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

Melody joined in and the tension in her shoulders instantly loosened. It would be fun to do a secret Santa gift. They should do more of that—giving gifts anonymously. Maybe she’d bring that up at the next cookie committee meeting. They could start a new tradition in town.

Cars already packed the school parking lot, so Melody headed for the back forty. “We’re going to have to hustle inside.” They had approximately five minutes before the bell rang. “Finn, you grab the gift box. Tate, you get the party games box out of the back. Come on, boys, let’s move, move, move!”

They exited the car in a flurry of chaos, her grabbing her purse, them grabbing backpacks and boxes, and then booking it across the parking lot, rushing through the doors with two minutes to spare. She could officially consider her morning workout done.

Dodging frantic kids and parents, she followed the boys to their classroom. “Once we get inside, I’ll grab Mr. Braxton’s gift and—”

“Good morning, boys.” Jonathan greeted them at the classroom door. “Ms. Monroe.” His gaze swept over her before refocusing on the boys. “You made it just in time.”

“Mmm-hmm.” It was half murmur, half throat clearing, because the shock of seeing him standing there crushed her windpipe. “What’re you—” She coughed. “Um, what’re you doing in the classroom?”

Jonathan always started out the day in his office. Always.

“Both of my fifth-grade teachers are out with strep throat.” He used his authoritative principal tone, definitely not the same voice he’d spoken in when they’d had their exchange in the library. “So I’m subbing in here, and Nancy is subbing in the other class.”

“Great.” Her smile felt all wrong. “Okay. Well. This’ll be fun, then.” She’d get to spend the whole day awkwardly interacting with him in front of the boys and twenty other kids.

“Can I put the box down now?” Finn shifted his weight side to side.

“Yes, yes.” She nudged him away from Jonathan before he could look at the gifts too closely. “We’ll pass those out later.”

“Is that a bowl?” Jonathan asked.

Too late. His secret Santa gift had been spotted. “I don’t know,” she said mysteriously, this time steering Finn and the box to the table at the back of the classroom. “Can’t ruin any surprises.” And Jonathan could not open their gift in front of all these kids. They’d talk! Parents would find out. She could hear the rumors now.

Melody helped Tate set down the box of party games, and then both boys trotted away to hang up their backpacks.

“That sure looks like a rather large bowl.” Jonathan approached and picked up the wrapped package. “And it feels pretty solid…”

“That’s for you, Mr. Braxton. It was supposed to be your secret Santa gift,” Finn said behind her.

Melody closed her eyes so she couldn’t see his reaction. “It was supposed to be a surprise,” she half whispered. Not to mention completely anonymous.

Finn stepped in front of her. “You should open it.” Her younger twin had always loved giving people gifts.

“How do you know it’s for me if it’s a secret?” The principal’s dimple peeked out at her.

“Because my mom picked it out for you at Rudy’s store.”

Melody looked around them to make sure none of the other fifth graders had picked up on this conversation. Thankfully, the typical first-thing-in-the-morning chaos was in full swing, kids hanging up their coats and backpacks. “I didn’t exactly pick it out,” she said too loudly. “We all were doing some Christmas shopping together—the boys and my dad and I. And I came across the mixing bowl. It’s so unique. I thought it would be a shame to leave it on the shelf. I know you bake a lot so it seemed like you could use it.” She stopped there. Overexplaining might lead him to believe she was trying to cover her tracks because the gift meant something deeper than it should.

Jonathan’s smile widened, reaching for the corners of his eyes. He carefully peeled the paper away from the bowl.

Why had anticipation started to thump through her heart? She gave her collarbone a little tap to settle it down.

“What d’you think?” Tate had joined them now, a look of hopefulness gaping his mouth. “Do you like it?”

“Are you kidding? I love it.” Jonathan let the paper fall to the floor as he studied the copper surface. “Really.” His eyes rose to hers, and they were filled with something she’d never seen there. Almost like wonder. “It’s exactly like one my grandma used to have.”

“Okay. Good.” Her voice had gone hoarse. “Hopefully you can use it.” His whole face had come alive—like this was the best gift he’d ever been given…

“I’ll use it for sure.” He stared at her like they were the only two people standing there—even while twenty-two kids milled around. “I have a lot more cookies to make for Cookie Daze.”

“Is this where the party is?”

Melody’s stomach curdled. What was Charlene doing here?

The woman carried her own box of games and activities to the table.

“Good morning, Charlene.”

It was amazing to watch the transformation in Jonathan’s expression take place. His cheeks went stiff and his smile evened out into a polite curve. “We’re just getting ready to start class. The party will start in about a half hour.” He stooped to pick up the wrapping paper he’d dropped and quickly set it onto the table, along with the mixing bowl. “We have a math quiz to do first.” There was his principal voice—the one Melody had grown so accustomed to hearing. Not the same soft velvety tone he’d used seconds ago.

The kids were groaning as they took their seats, and Jonathan quickly dodged Charlene to move to the front of the class, instructing them all to take out a notebook.

“I saw that you signed up to take the lead on the party this year.” Charlene set her bigger box down next to Melody’s. “But I figured you could use some backup. Being the party mom is a big job, so I decided to be your co-hostess for the day.”

“Actually, I think I have this covered.” She didn’t even want to give her the satisfaction of looking offended.

“Well, since I’m here…” Charlene started to unpack an assortment of festive plates and napkins—which Melody had brought too. “Mr. Blaire called me last night to tell me he just got a positive strep test so Jonathan would be stepping in for him today.” She leaned closer. “He thought the more help Mr. Braxton had today, the better off everyone would be.”

So Mr. Blaire didn’t think Melody could handle the party either? She straightened her posture. “I’m perfectly capable of handling this myself.”

“Of course you are.” The woman rested a placating hand on her shoulder. “But the more the merrier, right? Especially this time of year.”

Right. This time of year should be about goodwill and generosity and giving and harmony. She really shouldn’t be eyeing the copper mixing bowl like it could be used as a weapon right now. That in mind, Melody carried her box of supplies to a different table along the far wall. “We can make this the food table. I’ll set up over here while you take care of the crafts.” They would divide and conquer, and then no one would have to witness her not-so-festive side.

While she spread the tablecloth, Melody listened to Jonathan give a math review. He was good up in front of the kids, authoritative but also patient and funny. She’d never thought of him as funny before. But she found herself smiling when he told the kids he always tried explaining fractions to people at parties, but it really divided the room.

A collective groan rose up, but the students were also smiling and giggling. When Jonathan glanced her way, she realized she was staring at him and probably smiling too much. So she turned back to the table and set out the plates, napkins, and silverware, arranging and rearranging so she wouldn’t get distracted by a certain sweater-vest-clad principal again.

“Plates should really go over here.” Charlene crowded in and moved the stack of paper plates to the other side of the silverware. “I brought some too. I wonder if mine would be a better color for this tablecloth.”

Melody counted out a ten-second inhale before answering—a technique she often used with the boys. “Let’s just use what’s out and add yours if we need more.” She made sure her tone didn’t leave room for negotiations. She’d already lost out on the activities she’d brought. Charlene had taken up the whole table with what looked to be an intricate glass ball ornament craft. There went Melody’s pet-snowman-in-a-jar idea.

“Sure. We can use my plates for the parents since they care a little more about presentation.”

Melody wanted to iron those condescending wrinkles out of Charlene’s nose.

“I’ve never heard Jonathan make so many jokes,” Charlene murmured, arranging the napkins into a fan pattern. “He’s really lightened up lately. There’re rumors going around that he’s dating someone.”

“Dating?” Melody’s mouth went dry. “Why would people think that?”

“Maybe you haven’t spent much time with him lately, but he’s off his game.” Her knowing expression matched her tone perfectly. Charlene loved being the bearer of gossip. “I mean, can you believe he accidentally used salt in his cookies instead of sugar?”

“No. I can’t.” She’d continued to wonder if Charlene had anything to do with that ingredient switch, but her surprise about Jonathan’s “mistake” appeared genuine. So who had sabotaged him?

“He’s also been late to meetings,” Charlene went on. “And apparently he’s not being nearly as strict as he usually is.”

Melody snapped a quick glance in the principal’s direction. He was going over instructions for the quiz. “That doesn’t mean he’s dating someone. Maybe he’s stressed about the holidays or something.”

“But he seems happier.” Charlene crossed her arms, not even hiding the fact that she was staring at the poor man. “I mean, look at him right now. Have you ever seen him smile so much at school? And he was making all those cheesy jokes earlier.”

They weren’t cheesy. Melody clamped her mouth shut. Charlene was already sniffing around, and, if something did happen between her and Jonathan, Charlene would be the last person on earth Melody would share it with.

The woman tsked. “I wonder who’s gotten to him. I mean, there’ve been many who’ve tried.”

And she would know this how? Charlene had been married to the president of the bank for fifteen years.

“Have you heard anything?” Her arched eyebrows gave her a villainous look. “He’d better not be dating someone from the school. That would be completely inappropriate. I mean, talk about a conflict of interest.”

“No. How would I have heard?” The words came out too defensively. Melody moved to the end of the table so she could straighten the edge of the cloth. “I have no idea who Jonathan could be interested in, er, dating. Besides, it’s really none of our business.” It shouldn’t be anyone’s business what Jonathan did on his own time.

“Hi, ladies,” the man himself said behind her. “Thanks for getting everything set up.”

Melody’s knees weakened. She didn’t turn to look at him in case Charlene noticed something amiss.

“Don’t worry, I brought some other plates we can use for the parents who attend,” Charlene said.

“I like these plates.”

Melody could feel him looking at her. But what would Charlene see if she looked back? She was losing the ability to act indifferent when Jonathan got this close to her.

“This whole table looks great. What a nice setup.”

“Mmm-hmm.” In times like these, it was best to stick with business. Melody straightened the napkins. Again. “Parents will be here in an hour to join the party.” The room would be crowded with a lot of people, so she’d never be caught alone with him and hopefully Charlene wouldn’t pick up on anything.

“That’ll be perfect.” Jonathan checked his watch. “I gave them a half hour to complete the quiz, and then I’ll have them put their stuff away and get ready.”

“Sounds good.” She knelt to hide her box of abandoned activities under the table.

“Mr. Braxton, let me show you the activities I brought.” Charlene turned all sugary sweet. “Wait until you see how fun the craft project is.”

Melody stood up to the sound of them walking away.

For the next half hour she kept herself too busy to talk to Jonathan or Charlene. Instead, she focused on greeting parents, instructing them on where to set out the food they’d brought, and setting up the Minute to Win It Games. Once the party was in full swing, she stayed in the background and snapped pictures on her phone.

See? She could host a successful classroom party. Except they were running low on punch. After snapping one more picture of Finn and Tate doing the reindeer balloon race, she snatched the punch bowl and made her way to the cafeteria, where she found Ms. Sanderson washing dishes.

“Hey, Melody.” She dried her hands on a towel. “Can I make you more punch?”

“I’ve got it.” Ms. Sanderson likely had enough work to do. She found the sodas a parent had brought in the refrigerator and started mixing the magic potion that had gotten an entire classroom of kids hopped up on sugar.

“That Finn is such a sweetheart.” Ms. Sanderson stashed a large bowl on a high shelf. “He gave me a Star Wars Pez dispenser with a sweet note for Christmas.”

“He thinks pretty highly of you too.” Melody found a spoon and stirred the punch. “In fact, I think he might have a little crush on you.”

“Are you serious?” Ms. Sanderson broke out in a belly laugh. “Well, that just made my day. No one’s had a crush on me in a very long time.”

“I know the feeling.” Until recently. She continued to stir the punch, something in her heart stirring too. Maybe her feelings for Jonathan were a conflict of interest, but they’d also brought a new energy to her daily routine. It was fun to have a crush on someone. “All right.” She rinsed the spoon in the sink and handed it to Ms. Sanderson. “I’ll see you next week when I have the honor of being your cafeteria volunteer.”

The woman laughed. “You must’ve drawn the short end of a stick, huh?”

“I lost a bet.” But now that bet made her smile. She didn’t mind losing to Jonathan much. And how bad could working in the cafeteria be anyway?

Carefully, she carried the punch bowl back down the hall. She was just about to refill the pretzel bowl when her phone chimed in her back pocket.

Melody scanned the room as she pulled it out, finding Jonathan in the opposite corner. He was gazing down at his phone with a smile.

Thank you for the gift. It’s been a while since someone has surprised me with something so thoughtful. A single red rose emoji punctuated the text.

Her heart fizzed as much as the punch. She crossed to the bookshelves so she could shield her phone screen from the crowds around her. I kind of owed you one for making up a story to bail out the boys and me. I guess we’re even.

I don’t think we are. He added a sad face emoji. I wish we were alone right now.

Melody laughed out loud and then quickly covered her mouth. Why is that? she teased.

“Melody? Melody!” Charlene waved to her. “Can you be a doll and run to the supply closet and grab more paper towels for me?”

“Happy to!” Normally she wouldn’t have let her co-host order her around, but she shot out of the room with her phone suspended in front of her face.

If we were alone, we could finish our conversation.

Maybe we can find a way to be alone soon… As she typed, she swore her heart started to spin in dizzying circles. What was she doing ? She had no idea but she couldn’t stop.

Yes, please. Begging hands. Just tell me when.

When? She had no idea! When would she possibly be able to sneak away for a secret rendezvous with her kids’ principal?

Melody inhaled deeply, opening the supply closet doors to find a roll of paper towels. Staying hidden in the closet, she typed back, We may have to get creative.

I’m more creative than people give me credit for came right back at her.

Before she could answer, another message chimed in. I have to know…was that text really meant for someone else?

Melody froze in place, grasping at the courage to be honest—to take a risk. To tell him the truth. To admit she had feelings for him. She didn’t know if she could, so she turned to move out of the closet.

And there he was. Jonathan. Standing two feet away. He said nothing, only waited for her to make a choice.

Fear threatened a coup, but a sudden overwhelming strength suppressed her doubts. It almost took more effort to be afraid. “I wasn’t texting my sister.” She gambled with a step closer to him, meeting his gaze. “The eggplants were a total texting mishap, but I meant the other part—”

“Did you find the paper towels?” Charlene squawked from halfway down the hall.

“Yep! Here they are!” Melody raised the roll in the air and then fled from Jonathan before she could say another word.