The Clause in Christmas Page 23

  “Not yet,” Cassie admitted. Deep down, she longed to open Poppy Creek’s first coffee shop. But there wasn’t a single space for sale or rent.

  “You’ll think of something.” Frank shut the door, shuffling around to the driver’s side.

  Cassie pushed all thoughts of her dream coffee shop aside.

  Tonight, she only wanted one thing.

  To see the look on Luke’s face when she entered the dance wearing his gift.

  Luke nearly choked on his chilled apple cider the moment Cassie waltzed into the room arm in arm with Frank. She looked... stunning? Radiant? Breathtaking? He couldn’t think of a single word that would do her beauty justice.

  Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he set his glass on a nearby table, rushing to greet them at the door. Reaching for her, Luke froze, taking a second to soak up every single detail of her appearance. “Wow, you look…” He still couldn’t conjure up an adequate adjective.

  “For Pete’s sake,” Frank grunted. “Tell her she looks beautiful and kiss her already.”

  “Yes, sir.” Luke slid his arms around Cassie’s waist, kissing her deeply.

  Frank cleared his throat. “That’ll do, sailor.”

  Pulling apart, Luke and Cassie laughed.

  “You really spruced up the place,” Frank told Cassie, scanning the expansive barn with an appreciative glance.

  “She did a great job, didn’t she?” Luke admired the dozens of pine-scented garlands and wreaths bedecking the barn’s interior, particularly impressed with the hundreds of paper snowflakes dangling from the ceiling.

  “It was a group effort.” Cassie blushed as she focused her gaze on the ten-foot-tall Christmas tree. “And it was women like Maggie and Eliza who really went above and beyond. After spending the morning decorating, they filled the dessert bar with their delicious baked goods.”

  “Speaking of Mom…” Luke spotted Maggie across the room where she chatted with a pretty older woman dressed in a burgundy organza gown. “There’s someone she’d like you to meet.” Locking his fingers with Cassie’s, Luke led them toward the dessert table.

  Maggie’s entire face lit up when she saw them approach. “Sweetheart, you look dazzling!” After kissing Cassie on both cheeks, she turned her attention on Frank. “And don’t you look handsome in that uniform!”

  Frank mumbled something incoherent before adding, “Merry Christmas Eve, Margaret.”

  “Frank, have you met Beverly Lawrence?” Maggie’s hazel eyes twinkled as she gestured toward her friend. “She’s the town librarian and knows more interesting facts than a contestant on Jeopardy.”

  “I prefer Wheel of Fortune, myself,” Frank muttered.

  Luke suppressed a groan. Wow, Frank really wasn’t getting the hint.

  Beverly smiled, her porcelain cheeks turning pink. “Me, too.”

  Frank cocked a peppery eyebrow. “Did you watch last night’s rerun?”

  Beverly giggled. “You mean when the contestant didn’t recognize the famous line from Shakespeare?”

  “I almost threw my dinner plate at the TV,” Frank admitted with a wry grin.

  “So did I!”

  Grasping Cassie’s elbow, Luke shot a meaningful glance at his mother and slowly backed away, leaving Frank and Beverly to chat alone.

  “Well, don’t they make an adorable couple?” Cassie whispered.

  “As long as Frank doesn’t find out one minor detail.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Beverly doesn’t like coffee.”

  Cassie’s hand flew to her mouth, stifling a laugh. “Oh, no. That might be a deal-breaker.”

  “You think so?” Catching Eliza wave at them across the dance floor, Luke steered Cassie through the crowd of swaying couples. “And what if I didn’t like coffee? Would you still love me?”

  As the words floated from Luke’s lips, time slowed down. His heart thumped above the four-piece band so loud he was certain Cassie could hear it hammering.

  The night of their first kiss, Luke held back. He’d told Cassie he was falling in love with her, but she deserved more than that. She deserved the truth.

  In the middle of the crowded dance floor, Luke took hold of Cassie’s hands.

  She gazed up at him, her eyes searching his.

  “Cassie Hayward,” Luke began, his voice thick with emotion, “I am hopelessly in love with you.”

  A soft smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Hopelessly? Why, Luke Davis, you know better than that.”

  Baffled, Luke’s mouth fell open. “I...”

  Cupping his chin with her fingertips, she murmured, “Love always hopes, remember?” and pressed her lips against his.

  Luke melted into her kiss, savoring the knee-weakening taste of her.

  Gently pulling back, she whispered, “I love you, too.”

  As Luke took her in his arms, the silky notes of “The Christmas Waltz” filled the air, cocooning them in the melody.

  Holding Cassie against him, Luke swayed, humming along with the lyrics.

  This year, Luke had a pretty good feeling his New Year dream would come true.

  Chapter 33

  Cassie’s eyelashes fluttered as her surroundings drifted into focus, the edges hazy as though she was still dreaming.

  Outside the window, delicate snowflakes swirled in playful patterns in celebration of Christmas morning. Cassie burrowed deeper beneath the soft sheets, grateful she’d donned the flannel pajamas Eliza had given her the night of Pajama Christmas.

  Christmas… the word danced in Cassie’s mind, teasing a smile from her lips.

  In the past, the day had conjured nothing but heartache. But now…

  Hope and happiness swelled in Cassie’s chest, and she pressed a hand over her heart, certain she would burst with joy any second. In a few hours, she would join Luke at Maggie’s house, along with Frank and Dolores. Eliza and Ben said they’d stop by, too.

  This year, Cassie would spend Christmas with family—people who loved her.

  Stretching her arms overhead, Cassie beamed, basking in the glory of the morning and the promise of things to come.

  Curiously, the tantalizing aroma of warm-from-the-oven cinnamon rolls and freshly brewed coffee tickled her nose. Ready to explain the sensation as the sheer force of her imagination, Cassie snuggled deeper beneath the covers.

  Then the silky notes of Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” floated up the staircase, luring Cassie out of bed.

  Heart skittering in anticipation, Cassie’s fingers curled around the smooth banister. Had Luke come for her? A smile curved her lips, crinkling the corners of her eyes. As she slowly descended the stairs, her Christmas tree came into view, the star on top glittering brightly.

  Cassie’s pulse quickened as she neared the last step, each chord of “The Christmas Song” accompanying her movement. Pausing at the bottom, Cassie’s breath caught as her gaze settled on Luke, surrounded by Maggie, Dolores, Frank, Ben and Eliza, each wearing a set of pajamas identical to her own.

  “Merry Christmas!” they shouted in unison.

  Happy tears pooling in her eyes, Cassie admired her new-found family gathered around the twinkling Christmas tree. The snowfall beyond the bay window provided the perfect backdrop to the most beautiful sight she’d ever seen.

  “You’re here.” Cassie’s voice broke with emotion.

  Luke stepped forward, cupping a mug of steaming coffee. “We thought you should spend your first Christmas in Poppy Creek at home.”

  Moved beyond words, Cassie leaped into Luke’s arms, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  Grinning, Luke tried to save the coffee from sloshing onto the floor. But as Cassie’s lips found Luke’s, his concern slipped away.

  Ben’s less than subtle exclamation of, “Ew,” eventually pulled them apart.

  Giggling, Cassie slid her arms from around Luke’s neck, hugging everyone else in turn.

  When she finally reached Frank, he tugged the collar of the gaud
y pajamas mumbling, “They made me wear this getup.”

  “It suits you,” Cassie said, smiling fondly.

  Frank grunted, but his gray eyes twinkled. “Merry Christmas, Cassie.”

  “Merry Christmas, Frank.”

  She embraced him warmly, content with his awkward back-pat.

  As they broke apart, Eliza looped her arm through Cassie’s, leading her to the sofa. “It’s time for presents.”

  “Oh! Let me get—”

  Before Cassie could retrieve the gifts she’d set under the tree, Eliza gently shoved her into the plump cushions. “Sit. You’re opening first.”

  Cassie laughed. “You’re a little pushy for Santa’s helper, aren’t you?”

  Eliza smirked, her face glowing with excitement. “Sorry, but none of us can wait another second.”

  Touched, Cassie’s throat tightened as they all gathered around the crackling fire, festively-wrapped packages in hand.

  “Me first! Me first!” Ben skipped toward her, thrusting a thin, flat rectangle into her hands. “I wrapped it all by myself.”

  Cassie hid a smile, noticing Ben had secured several mangled scraps of wrapping paper together with way more tape than necessary. But as the pieces fell away, Cassie’s hand flew to her heart.

  A stunning silver frame displayed a colorful drawing.

  Ben curled up next to her on the couch, proudly pointing to his masterpiece. “That’s me. And that’s you. We’re building a snowman. See?”

  Cassie nodded, tears stinging her eyes.

  “That’s the pen we used for his nose.” Ben’s finger tapped the glass above a bright orange streak depicting the highlighter pen. Tilting his pink-cheeked face to look at her, he asked, “Do you like it, Aunt Cassie?”

  Swallowing past the lump in her throat, Cassie draped her arm around Ben, pulling him into a hug. “I love it. It’s perfect.”

  Ben beamed, throwing his arms around her.

  Resting her chin on top of his head, Cassie closed her eyes, hoping to capture the moment in her memory. She couldn’t imagine any present topping the one she’d just received.

  “It’s my turn next.” Dolores eagerly placed a large gift bag on Cassie’s lap.

  Setting Ben’s picture frame on the coffee table, Cassie removed the red and green tissue paper. Laughter spilled from her lips as she withdrew a knitting starter kit. “I was just thinking the other day since I’m staying in Poppy Creek, I’d better learn how to knit.”

  “Now, I can teach you.” Dolores’s eyes gleamed behind her glasses.

  “I can’t wait.” Cassie smiled her appreciation, surprised to find she actually meant it.

  “Our turn!” Eliza cheered from her perch on the arm of the couch. She nudged Maggie, who sat beside her.

  Reaching across Ben, Maggie handed Cassie a small red stocking. Her fingers curved around Cassie’s for a moment, squeezing gently before pulling away.

  Turning the stocking over, a long brass key fell into the palm of Cassie’s hand. Confused, Cassie searched Maggie’s face.

  Maggie smiled with motherly affection. “It’s the key to the bakery.”

  Cassie stared at the aged metal, its sheen dull and scratched from wear, still uncertain what it meant. Was Maggie making her a manager? The thought that she trusted her to open and close the shop touched Cassie’s heart. “Thank you, Maggie.”

  “It’s really a gift from both of us.” Maggie reached for Eliza’s hand. “When I hired Eliza, the intention was she’d take over for me one day. I wasn’t sure when that day would be, but…” Misty-eyed, she patted the top of Eliza’s hand. “When you girls took over for me the other day, I realized I enjoyed having some time for myself. So, after a lot of consideration, I’ve decided to retire. And I can’t think of two better women to take over the business for me.”

  Dumbstruck, Cassie’s gaze darted between Maggie and Eliza.

  “What do you say, Cass?” Eliza asked. “Do you want to be business partners?”

  “I—” Cassie grasped for the right words, but her brain wouldn’t cooperate. “I… don’t know what to say.”

  “Then say yes,” Maggie supplied. “Of course, Luke will help us make it official. And if it makes you more comfortable, we can work out a small price constructed as a payment plan from the profits.”

  Cassie thought of the money sitting in her bank account. Assuming Eliza had a little saved, they could make a fair down payment to Maggie and still have money to remodel. She drew in a shaky breath. This couldn’t be happening...

  “Well, Cass?” Eliza leaned forward eagerly.

  Clutching the key, Cassie’s eyes sparkled with a wellspring of emotion. “Yes! I’d love to be business partners.”

  “Yay!” Eliza bounced on the arm of the sofa, nearly toppling off in her enthusiasm.

  “Thank you,” Cassie whispered, reaching across Ben to embrace Maggie.

  Ben giggled, and squirming out from under them, escaped to join Luke on the loveseat.

  Eliza took his place, completing the group hug. “I’m so glad you said yes! And Mags, you’ll still be around all the time, right?”

  “Of course, I will. I suspect you’ll have to come up with a new name, though.” Maggie wiped a happy tear from the corner of her eye.

  “That’s true! Any ideas, Cass?”

  “The Calendar Cafe,” Cassie blurted without thinking. Her hand flew to her mouth, heat spreading across her cheeks. Where had that come from?

  Eliza clapped her approval. “It’s perfect! Three hundred and sixty-five days of deliciousness.”

  Cassie laughed. “And without the Christmas Calendar, none of this would be possible.”

  Her eyes glistening, Maggie squeezed her hand. “I can’t think of a more perfect name.”

  The three women huddled together, celebrating their new venture.

  Frank cleared his throat. “I believe that brings us to my gift.” Slowly rising from the armchair, Frank shuffled toward Cassie, unceremoniously plopping a simple craft bag in her hands.

  The enticing aroma of freshly roasted coffee rose from the loose seal, but it wasn’t the contents of the bag that caught Cassie’s attention.

  Cassie’s Blend was printed neatly across the front of the bag in large, bold letters. Grazing her fingertip over them, Cassie met Frank’s gaze. “Thank you.”

  “I figure you’ll go through several pounds a week. We can develop a few different blends if you want. And something special for the espresso, of course.”

  As the implication of his words settled, Cassie’s eyes widened. “You mean…”

  Digging his fists into the pockets of the pajama bottoms, Frank shrugged. “If you want to serve some other brand of coffee at your cafe—”

  Leaping from the couch, Cassie flung her arms around Frank and pressed a kiss to his scruffy cheek. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

  Cassie expected Frank to pull away, embarrassed by her outburst, but his shoulders relaxed and he leaned into the embrace. “That clause of Edie’s,” he whispered in her ear. “It changed my life, too. And somehow, I think she knew it would.”

  A sob nearly escaped Cassie’s lips as she buried her face in Frank’s neck, inhaling the faint aroma of coffee that seemed to permeate his entire being. “I think you’re right,” she whispered back.

  Pulling apart, they each wiped stray tears with the edges of their matching pajama sleeves.

  “You have one more gift.” Frank nodded in Luke’s direction.

  As Cassie turned, she noticed Ben had vacated the spot beside Luke.

  With a tender smile, Luke patted the cushion next to him.

  Seated side by side, Cassie’s thoughts swirled wildly as he handed her a small, square-shaped box.

  “Merry Christmas, Ru.”

  Heart fluttering, Cassie tried to control the tremble in her fingers as she untied the velvet bow. Finally reaching the box beneath the wrapping, Cassie tentatively lifted the lid.

  A gasp escaped her lips.
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  Luke scooted closer, placing his hand on her knee as her fingertips gripped the red satin cord.

  Slowly, Cassie withdrew an exact replica of the cottage, each intricate detail of the ornament carved by hand. “Oh, Luke,” Cassie breathed.

  “I thought we’d continue your grandmother’s tradition,” Luke said softly. “And there’s something else inside.”

  Cassie’s gaze flickered to Luke’s face. Could it be?

  He gestured toward the miniature red door.

  Drawing in a deep breath, Cassie eased the door open and peered inside.

  Her breath caught, and as she tilted the ornament, a glittering gold necklace slid into the palm of her hand.

  “I thought you could use a new one.” Lifting it gently, Luke held it up for her to see. Light reflected off the charm shaped like a tipped coffee cup. The delicate chain appeared to loop through the handle and tiny diamonds sparkled along the rim.

  But the engraving in the center garnered all her attention.

  Two simple letters that made her heart sing like a Christmas choir.

  Ru.

  “Do you want to put it on?” Luke asked.

  In response, Cassie pressed her lips to his, lacing her fingers through his hair.

  Tenderly cupping the side of her face, Luke returned her kiss, speaking the depths of his love without a single word.

  Contentment filled Cassie’s heart as she topped off her coffee mug, once again admiring the colorful poppies splashed across the smooth, white porcelain. Laughter and chatter carried into the kitchen from the living room, along with the triumphant notes of Andy Williams’s “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

  Cassie would have to agree. Oh, how things had changed.

  “There you are.” Luke strode across the kitchen, scooping her into another kiss.

  As their lips parted, Cassie chuckled. “Miss me already?”

  “More than you know. And I have another gift for you.” Luke handed her a plain manila envelope. “The last day on the Calendar was Celebrate with Friends and Family. I think you’ve accomplished that, don’t you?”

  Cassie met Luke’s gaze, her pulse pounding in her ears. Her fingers trembled slightly as she peeled open the seal. Even though she’d been working toward this moment all December, she couldn't believe it had actually arrived. She hesitated as her fingertips met the sharp edge of the paper.