Trading Christmas (5 page)

T
he Boeing 767 bounced against the tarmac and jarred Faith Kerrigan awake. She bolted upright and realized that she'd just landed in Seattle. She glanced at her watch; it was just after seven. She'd had less than four hours' sleep the entire night.

She'd survive. Any discomfort would be well worth the look of joy and surprise on Emily's face when Faith arrived and announced she'd be joining her friend for Christmas.

Remembering that was a better wake-up than a triple-shot espresso. Although the flight—which was completely full—had left the Bay area at 5:00 a.m., Faith had been up since two. Her lone suitcase was packed to the bursting point and she'd stuffed her carry-on until the zipper threatened to pop. After filing off the plane and collecting her suitcase, she dragged everything to the car rental agency. Thankfully, an attendant was available despite the early hour.

Faith stepped up to the counter and managed a smile. “Hi.”

“Happy holidays,” the young woman greeted her. The name tag pinned to her blouse identified her as Theresa.

With her confirmation number in hand, Faith leaned against the counter and asked, “Will you need my credit card?” She couldn't remember if she'd given the number to her travel agent earlier.

Theresa nodded and slid over a sheaf of papers to fill out. Faith dug in the bottom of her purse for her favorite pen.

The girl on the other side of the counter reminded her of Heather, and she wondered briefly if Theresa was a college student deprived of spending Christmas with her family be cause of her job.

The phone pealed; Theresa answered immediately. After announcing the name of the agency, followed by “Theresa speaking,” she went silent. Her eyes widened as she listened to whoever was on the other end. Then, for some inexplicable reason, the young woman's gaze landed on her.

“That's terrible,” Theresa murmured, steadily eyeing Faith.

Faith shifted her feet uncomfortably and waited.

“No…she's here now. I don't know what to tell you. Sure, I can ask, but…yes. Okay. Let me put you on hold.”

Faith shifted her weight to the other foot. This sounded ominous.

Theresa held the telephone receiver against her shoulder. “There's been a problem,” she said. Her dark eyes held a pleading look.

“What kind of problem?”

The young woman sighed. “Earlier we rented a van exactly like yours to a group of actors and, unfortunately, theirs broke down. Even more unfortunate, we don't have a replacement we can give them. On top of that, it doesn't look like the van they were driving can be easily fixed.”

Faith could tell what was coming next. “You want me to give up the van I reserved.”

“The thing is, we don't have a single car on the lot to give you in exchange.”

Faith would've liked to help, but she had no other means of getting to Leavenworth. “The only reason I reserved the van is because it was the last car available.”

“My manager is well aware of that.”

“Where is this group headed? I just need to get to Leavenworth.” Once Faith reached her destination, she'd be with Emily, who had her own vehicle. She explained that.

“I'm not sure, but my manager said this group gives charity performances across the region. They have appearances scheduled at nursing homes and hospitals.”

Great, just great. If she didn't let them have her van, the entire state of Washington would be filled with disappointed children and old people, and it would be all her fault.

“In other words, if we could find a way to get you to Leavenworth, you'd be willing to relinquish the van?” Theresa sounded optimistic. “Let me find out if that's doable.”

Faith waited some more while the clerk explained the situation. The young woman had an expressive face. Her eyes brightened as she glanced at Faith and smiled. Cupping her hand over the receiver, she said, “My manager's talking to the actors now, but it seems their next performance is in the general vicinity of Leavenworth.”

“So they could drive me there?”

Theresa nodded. “They can drop you off.” She smiled again. “My manager said if you agree to this, she'll person ally make sure there's a car available for you later, so you can get back to Seattle.”

“Okay.” This was becoming a bit complicated, but she was willing to cooperate.

“She also wanted me to tell you that because you're being so
great about all of this, there won't be any charge for whatever length of time you have one of our cars.”

“Perfect.” Faith was pretty sure the rental agency must be desperate to ask such a favor of her. Still, it was Christmas, a time for goodwill.

Theresa's attention returned to the phone. “That'll work. Great. Great.”

Fifteen minutes later, Faith was driven to the off-site rental facility. Clasping her paperwork and pulling her suitcase, she half-carried, half dragged her carry-on bag.

“Can I help you?” a dwarf asked.

“I'm fine, but thank you,” she responded, a little startled.

“I think you must be the woman the agency told us about.”

“Us?”

“The others are inside.”

“The actors?”

“Santa and six elves. I'm one of the elves.”

Faith grinned and, bending slightly forward, offered the man her hand. “Faith.”

“Tony.”

Soon Faith was surrounded by the five other elves and Santa himself. The actors were delightful. Tony introduced each one to Faith. There was Sam, who played the role of Santa. He was, not surprisingly, a full two feet taller than the other cast members, and he had a full white beard and a white head of hair. He must pad his costume because he was trim and didn't look to be more than fifty. His helpers, all dwarfs, were Allen, Norman, Betty, Erica and David. And Tony, of course. Before Faith had an opportunity to repeat their names in her mind, the luggage was transferred from the company van to the rental.

“We sure appreciate this,” Sam told her as he slid into the driver's seat.

“I'm happy to help,” Faith said, and she meant it.

At Sam's invitation, seconded by Tony, Allen and the others, Faith joined him up front; the six elves took the two rear seats.

“Is Leavenworth out of your way?” she asked.

Sam shook his head. “A little, but you won't hear me complaining.” He glanced over at Faith. “We have a performance this afternoon in north Seattle at a children's hospital. If you need to be in Leavenworth before tonight, I could let you take the van with Tony. He has a license, but—”

Theresa hadn't mentioned a performance that day, but then she probably hadn't known about it either. Faith hesitated. No doubt Tony should be there for the show. Yes, she was tired and yes, she wanted to see her friend, but nothing was so pressing that she had to be in Leavenworth before five that evening.

“I'm surprising a friend,” she admitted. “Emily isn't expecting me. So I don't have to get there at any particular time.”

“You mean she doesn't even know you're coming?”

“Nope.” Faith nearly giggled in her excitement. “She's going to be so happy to see me.”

“Then you don't mind attending the performance with us?”

“Not at all.” Although she was eager to get to Leavenworth, Faith didn't feel she could deprive children of meeting Tony.

As it turned out, Faith was completely charmed by the performance. Santa and his helpers were wonderful with the sick children, and Tony even enlisted her to assist in the distribution of gifts. The performance was clearly the highlight of their Christmas celebration.

It wasn't until after four that they all piled back into the van. The elves chatted away, pleased everything had gone so well. Faith learned that Sam and his friends had been doing these charity performances for years. They all worked
regularly as actors—with roles in movies, TV productions and commercials—but they took a break at Christmas to bring a bit of joy and laughter into the lives of sick children and lonely old people. Faith felt honored to have been part of it.

“I'm starving,” Allen announced not long after they got on the freeway.

Erica and David chimed in. “Me, too.”

Not wanting to show up at Emily's hungry, she agreed that they should stop for hamburgers and coffee. Sam insisted on paying for Faith's meal.

“You guys were just great,” she said again, biting into her cheeseburger with extra pickles. Emily was going to love them, especially when she learned that they were performing at children's hospitals and retirement homes.

“Thanks.”

“What's on the agenda for tomorrow?”

“We aren't due in Spokane until three,” Sam told her.

Spokane was a long drive from Leavenworth, and they'd be driving at night. “Do you have hotel reservations?” Faith asked.

“Not until tomorrow,” Sam confessed. “Our original plan was to spend the night in Ellensburg.”

Faith mulled over this information and knew Emily would encourage her to ask her newfound friends to stay at the house overnight. The place had two extra bedrooms that were rarely used.

“Listen, I'll need to talk it over with my friend, but I'm sure she'd want me to invite you to spend the night.” She grinned. “What if you all arrived in costume? I'll be her Christmas surprise—delivered by Santa and his elves. Are you game?”

“You bet,” Sam said, and his six friends nodded their agreement.

They all scrambled back into the van, and Tony chuckled from the back seat. “One Christmas delivery, coming right up.”

E
mily was bored and sad and struggling not to break down. There was only one thing left to do—what she always did when she got depressed.

Bake cookies.

But even this traditional cure required a monumental effort. First, she had to locate a grocery store and because she didn't have a car, she'd have to haul everything to the condominium on her own. This was no easy task when she had to buy both flour and sugar. By the time she let herself back into the condo with three heavy bags, she was exhausted.

On the off chance that she might be able to reach Faith, she tried phoning again. After leaving six messages, Emily knew that if her friend was available, she would've returned the call by now. Faith must be at her sister's because she certainly wasn't at home.

Heather's roommate had apparently left town, too, because there was no answer at the dorm. Emily had to accept that she was alone and friendless in a strange city.

Once she began her baking project, though, her mood improved. She doubted Charles had so much as turned on the oven. In order to bake cookies, she'd had to purchase every single item, including measuring cups and cookie sheets. Once the cookies were ready, Emily knew she couldn't possibly eat them all. It was the baking, not the eating, that she found therapeutic. She intended to pack his freezer with dozens of chocolate chip cookies.

Soon the condo smelled delectable—of chocolate and vanilla and warm cookies. She felt better just inhaling the aroma. As she started sorting through her Christmas CDs, she was startled to hear someone knocking at the door. So far she hadn't met a single other person in the entire building. Her heart hammered with excitement. Really, it was ridiculous to be this thrilled over what was probably someone arriving at her door—Charles's door—by mistake.

Emily squinted through the peephole and saw a man in a wool overcoat and scarf standing in the hallway. He must be a friend of Professor Brewster's, she decided. A rather attractive one with appealing brown eyes and a thick head of hair, or what she could see of his hair. She opened the door.

All he did was stare at her.

Emily supposed she must look a sight. With no apron to be found, she'd tucked a dish towel in the waistband of her jeans. Her Rudolph sweatshirt, complete with blinking red nose, had been a gift from her daughter the year before. She wore fuzzy pink slippers and no makeup.

“Can I help you?”

“Where's Charles?” he asked abruptly.

“And you are?”

“His brother, Ray.”

“Oh…” Emily moved aside. “You'd better come in because this is a rather long story.”

“It would seem so.” He removed his scarf and stepped into the apartment. As soon as he did, he paused and looked around. “This
is
my brother's place?”

“Technically yes, but for the next two weeks it's mine. I'm Emily Springer, by the way.”

“Hmm. I hardly recognized it.” Ray glanced at the mantel where Emily had hung the two Christmas stockings and put the angel. “Would you mind if I sat down?”

“No. Please do.” She gestured toward the low-slung leather chair that resembled something one would find on a beach.

Ray claimed the chair and seemed as uncomfortable as she'd been when she'd tried watching television in it.

“You might prefer the sofa,” she said, although that meant they'd be sitting next to each other.

“I think I'll try it.” He had to brace his hand on the floor before he could lever himself out of the chair. He stood, sniffed the air and asked, “Are you baking cookies?”

She nodded. “Chocolate chip.”

“From scratch?”

Again she nodded. “Would you like some? I've got coffee on, too.”

“Not yet.” He shook his head. “I think you'd better tell me what's going on with my brother first.”

“Yes, of course.” Emily sat on the other end of the sofa, and turned sideways, knees together, hands clasped. She just hoped she could get through this without breaking into tears. “It all started when my daughter phoned to say she wouldn't be home for Christmas.”

“Your daughter lives here in Boston?”

“Yes.” Emily moistened her lips. “Heather attends Harvard.” She resisted the urge to brag about Heather's scholarship.

“One of my brother's students?”

The thought had never occurred to Emily. “I don't think so, but I don't know.” Apparently there was a lot she didn't know about her daughter's life.

“When I learned that Heather wouldn't be coming home for the holidays, I made the foolish decision to come to Boston, only I couldn't afford more than the airfare.”

“In other words, you needed a place to stay?”

“Exactly, so I posted a message on a home-exchange site. Charles contacted me and we exchanged emails and decided to trade places for two weeks.”

“My brother hates Christmas—that's why he wanted out of the city.”

Emily's gaze shot to his. “He didn't mention that.”

“Well, it's another long story.”

“Then I'm afraid Leavenworth's going to be a bit of a shock.”

“Explain that later.”

“There's not much more to tell you. Charles is living in my home in Leavenworth, Washington, for the next two weeks and I'm here.” She stopped to take a deep breath. “And Heather, my daughter, is in Florida with a man who looks like he might belong to the Hells Angels.”

“I see.”

Emily doubted that, but didn't say so. “Did Charles know you were coming?”

“No. Actually, my mother asked me to visit. She called and you obviously answered the phone. Mother was convinced something had happened to Charles—that he'd gotten involved with some woman and… Never mind. But she insisted I get over here to, uh, investigate the situation.”

“She'll be relieved.”

“True,” Ray said, “but truth be known, I'm a bit disap
pointed. It would do my brother a world of good to fall in love.”

He didn't elaborate and she didn't question him further. Everything she knew about Charles had come from their email chats, which had been brief and businesslike.

Emily stood and walked into the kitchen. Ray followed her. “So you're alone in the city over Christmas?”

She nodded, forcing a smile. “It isn't exactly what I in tended, but there's no going back now.” Her home was occupied, and getting a flight out of Boston at this late date was financially unfeasible. She was stuck.

“Listen,” Ray said, reaching for a cookie. “Why don't I take you to dinner tonight?”

Emily realized she shouldn't analyze this invitation too closely. Still, she had to know. “Why?”

“Well, because we both need to eat and I'd rather have a meal with you than alone.” He paused to take a bite of the cookie, moaning happily at the taste. “Delicious. Uh—I didn't mean to sound ungracious. Let me try that again. Would you be so kind as to join me for dinner?”

“I'd love to,” Emily said, her spirits lifting.

“I'll catch the last train back to New York, explain everything to my mother in the morning and we'll leave it at that. Now, may I have another one of these incomparable cookies?”

“Of course.” Emily met his eyes and smiled. He was a likable man, and at the moment she was in need of a friend. “When would you like to leave?”

Ray checked his watch. “It's six-thirty, so any time is fine with me.”

“I'd better change clothes.” She pulled the towel free of her waistband, folded it and set it on the kitchen counter.

“Before you do,” Ray said stopping her. “Explain what you
meant about my brother being in trouble if he isn't fond of Christmas.”

“Oh, that.” A giggle bubbled up inside her as she told him about Leavenworth in December—the horse-drawn sleigh, the carolers and the three separate tree-lighting ceremonies, one for every weekend before Christmas.

Ray was soon laughing so hard he was wiping tears from his eyes. Just seeing his amusement made her laugh, too, although she didn't really understand what he found so hilarious.

“If only…if only you knew my b-brother,” Ray sputtered. “I can just imagine what he thought when he arrived.”

“I guess Charles and I both had the wrong idea about trading homes.”

“Sure seems that way,” Ray agreed, still grinning. “Why don't I have another cookie while you get ready,” he said cheerfully. “I haven't looked forward to a dinner this much in ages.”

Come to think of it, neither had Emily.