One Sweet Christmas (novella) (8 page)

Tim Frost shook his head. ‘No need, my son. I’m the one to blame.’ He tapped the hanging porch swing and Jackson sat beside his father. ‘I was pretty hard on you growing up. I expected too much.’

‘You wanted the best for me.’

‘No, I made my dreams yours. I pushed you into football because my ambitions died after my knee injury. I wanted you to take my place in the family business, even though you didn’t like fixing cars.’

‘I tried, but my heart wasn’t in the work.’

‘And then my brother arrived and swayed you with his stories of property development. Your eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. Allowing you to spend that summer with him was a mistake.’

‘But yet you let me go.’ Jackson glanced at his father.

‘You would have gone, anyway.’ Tim smiled. ‘I was more upset with my brother than I was with you. He took my eldest son away to follow in his footsteps. Your uncle led you to success. That was supposed to be my job. I was jealous of your relationship.’ His smile faded. ‘I should have apologized and now it’s too late. My pride got in the way. I have to live with that the rest of my life.’

‘Uncle Billy didn’t blame you. Even when he was in the hospital he made me promise to contact you, mend the broken fences in our family.’ Jackson chuckled. ‘I guess I inherited your stubborn pride.’

‘We’re two obstinate mules, you and me, too proud to give in.’ He patted Jackson’s leg. ‘You’ve done very well for yourself. I’m proud of you, Jackson. I always have been.’

Was that a tear in his father’s eye? Jackson sighed heavily and gazed at the starry sky. He breathed in the brisk night air. Something about this town put him at ease. A belonging Jackson hadn’t experienced in any city he had lived in.

‘So, what’s going on between you and Candice? Apparently you’re married?’

Jackson rested his elbow on his knee, chin in hand. ‘That’s a long story.’

‘Do you love her?’

‘Yes.’ Jackson was surprised at how easily the answer rolled from his tongue. ‘I always have. Unfortunately, I’m a little late acknowledging the fact. She’s done with me. You heard her tonight. Candi wants me out of her life.’

‘I’m not so sure about that. Candice stopped by earlier today and told me you were leaving. I was instructed to put my foolish pride aside and talk to you before it was too late. A woman doesn’t approach a man’s family unless she cares.’

Could his father be right? Jackson’s heart skipped a beat. ‘I don’t know how to make things better with her. She’s really pissed.’

‘Well, I know just the person you should talk to. Your mother is an expert at making me grovel when I’ve done something wrong.’

They laughed and stood up from the porch swing. Jackson picked up the firewood as his father opened the front door.

‘Hey, have you seen the ski lift model Candice created in the chocolate shop window?’ Tim asked.

Jackson stepped inside the house, the smell of apple pie wafting past his nose.

Candi put the finishing touches on the cherry mice. Pointy chocolate kisses for the faces, cherry licorice tails, almond slices for ears, and bright, red candy eyes. Baking usually took her mind off her problems, but after exhausting all the supplies at the inn, she still couldn’t forget about Jackson. He was probably soaking up the sun in the Bahamas about now.

‘They look too good to eat.’ Violet entered the kitchen. ‘Why do I get the feeling you’re hiding in here to avoid Colin?’

Candi passed the tray of cherry mice to Violet. ‘I’m still mad at him for letting Jackson pay my loan. He should have come to me first.’

‘Colin never intended to upset you. And in your brother’s defence, he thought Jackson had already spoken to you about transferring the funds from his account to yours.’ Violet put her free arm around Candi’s shoulders and guided her into the main living room. ‘It’s Christmas Eve. The children are napping. It’s time for the adults to unwind with a glass of warm cider.’

With Candi and Colin’s parents down south for the winter, they usually gathered at the inn on Christmas Eve to celebrate the festivities with Violet and Sam. Joseph and his family always stopped by for a visit. His twin boys were curled up beside their mother and Clarice was nestled on Joseph’s lap. They had just closed their eyes after exhausting themselves playing with the toys they received from Violet and Sam.

‘Wow, the kids will be disappointed they missed out on these.’ Colin lifted the tray from Violet’s hands and placed it on the end table. He popped a mouse into his mouth. ‘Yummy.’

‘I made a batch for the children to snack on tomorrow. And you can stop sucking up. I forgive you.’ Candi kissed her brother’s cheek.

‘Thank goodness,’ Sam said. ‘I don’t need any more drama. I’m still trying to get my head wrapped around this mystery wedding. And I’m quite upset Jackson didn’t ask your father for permission before marrying you. What type of man does that?’

‘Sam, can we not talk about this?’ Candi sighed. ‘I already explained. We were young and foolish, and made a mistake. Quite honestly, I’d like to never speak of it again.’

‘Personally,’ Colin began, ‘I think you over-reacted. Jackson just wanted to help. Why persecute him for removing your debt? Give the guy a break.’

Candi smiled at Joseph, who chose to remain silent during the conversation about his brother. ‘Colin, please. We’re not talking about a few simple bills. Besides, Jackson is gone. There’s no point discussing the matter further.’ Candi opted out on the cider, picked up the bottle of wine, and filled her glass. A few drinks might help her sleep tonight. She sat down next to the fireplace, enjoying the warmth.

Maybe Colin was right. She thought Jackson’s payoff might be a way to clear his conscience, but perhaps Candi mistook his generosity for ulterior motives. She now had a choice. Ask Colin to transfer the funds back to Jackson’s account or accept her ex-husband’s gift and move on. With her financial trouble gone, Candi wouldn’t have to terminate her staff, and she could finally renovate the chocolate shop and the inn.

If only her heart could be fixed so easily. Believing she didn’t love Jackson had been naive. She never stopped loving him. But now it was too late. Their divorce severed the one tie they shared.

The doorbell rang. Colin sprang up from his chair and rushed to answer. Candi leaned forward when hushed whispers came from the foyer, but Colin blocked her view. Her curiosity vanished and shock drained the warmth from her cheeks when the visitor entered the room.

‘Jackson.’ Violet stood to greet him. ‘How nice of you to drop by.’

Nice?
Violet sounded as though Jackson arriving at their door was a common occurrence.

Jackson kissed Violet’s cheek and shook Sam’s hand. He greeted his brother and sister-in-law, and then turned to Candi and smiled.

‘What are you doing here? I thought you had a business deal…’ Confusion set in and Candi could barely think straight. With a shaky hand, she fumbled her wine glass to the table.

‘I called and cancelled.’

Candi stood and smoothed a hand down her dress. ‘You walked away from a three-million-dollar deal? Has the cold finally frozen your head?’

‘Just the opposite, actually. I know exactly what I’m doing.’

‘Maybe we should give them some privacy.’ Violet nudged her shoulder against Sam’s arm.

‘No, I want family to share this moment.’ Jackson knelt on one knee before Candi, and clasped her left hand in his.

She gasped. ‘Jackson, what the heck are you doing?’

‘I thought about apologizing for the past, but if we’d never got married, I wouldn’t have returned. In the few days since, I’m happier than I have been for years. This town has cleared my vision. My family and I are closer than ever, and I found the love I thought I had lost.’

Candi’s sight blurred. Her heart pounded loudly in her ears. The room spun and tilted at a dizzying angle.

‘I’m not going to let you walk out of my life again. I love you, Candice.’ Jackson tossed their divorce papers into the fire, and then retrieved a small, black velvet box from his pants pocket, easing back the lid.

The sparkling solitaire diamond whisked her breath away. Candi opened her mouth to speak, but words failed her.

‘I robbed you of a proper proposal and wedding seven years ago. We’re going to do things right this time. A real ring, a dress, the church, the reception, the whole darn package. Candice Cane, will you marry me?’

Tears streamed down her cheeks. The man she loved had just proposed! ‘I must be dreaming. Can someone pinch me?’

‘That’s not the proper response, honey,’ Violet whispered.

Candi glanced at everyone around her, all of them smiling from ear to ear. She lowered her gaze back to Jackson. He raised his eyebrows.

‘I…yes…yes, I’ll marry you!’

Jackson slipped the ring on her finger and stood, lifted her in his arms and smothered Candi with kisses. Hugs from family came next, followed by another round of drinks and toasts to the happy couple.

‘Wait.’ Candi held up her hand, the diamond catching the twinkling lights from the Christmas tree. ‘I can’t move away. This town is my home.’

Jackson put his arm around her waist. ‘We’re not going anywhere. I may have to go on the odd business trip, but Redford Falls is our home.’

‘What about your business deal?’

‘Yeah…that’s not going to happen. Good thing I have another transaction in my back pocket.’ Jackson dotted lingering kisses over her lips. ‘I just bought the ski lift. Restorations begin after the New Year.’

Candi placed her hands on Jackson’s cheeks and nuzzled her nose against his. ‘I love you, Jackson Frost.’

A soft whimper sounded from the sofa. Clarice stirred on Joseph’s lap, rubbing her eyes. ‘Daddy, did I miss Santa?’

Jackson approached the little girl and lifted her in his arms. ‘Not yet, but I know for certain you’re going to get your Christmas wish.’ Jackson winked at Candi. ‘And I get mine too…a lifetime of chocolate kisses.’

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