A Christmas Kind of Perfect Read online

  Oh, how thing change in life.

  She prayed that one day she too would experience the opportunity to place a child in Conrad’s arms. She anticipated the love on his face—pure joy. Lila sighed. She believed the plan for her life was already in motion. Was it too late for her and Conrad? The sermon last Sunday reminded her that behavior follows beliefs. Letting go and trusting always was the tough part for her.

  Outside a snowy gust caught hold of the awning. It flapped like one of her mother’s sheets hanging on a clothesline in the summer wind. Lila jerked back to the present. “Stop your daydreaming and close up,” she scolded herself. Within the next hour, she made two stops—to pick up gifts for the boys and a quick stop to the florist for flowers for Melanie. With a renewed spirit, she was turning onto Melanie’s street when her phone signaled a new text. She pulled over to the curb and read the incoming message.

  Great news. Call me. It was from Andrea.

  “Better to do it now,” Lila said under her breath and dialed Andrea’s number. She picked up on the first ring. “Andrea, hi, it’s Lila, how are things?”

  “Perfect. Excellent. I couldn’t be happier—for you, that is. You’re going to love what I’m about to tell you.”

  Lila held her breath, unsure Andrea was right. So much change happened for her it was almost as if she were living two lives.

  “OK, I’m listening,” Lila said, forcing an upbeat tone. Whatever good news Andrea wanted to tell her already had a different ring to it now. Somewhere along the way, the music changed for Lila, and she was dancing to another tune.

  “With a lot of encouragement and a good push, Jim pitched you to the editors at the new publishing house.”

  Lila shifted the vehicle into park, allowing the car to idle. Andrea’s voice slipped into its squeaky, I’m-excited range.

  “No kidding.” Lila was stunned. She brought her thumbnail between her teeth. Did Andrea mention to her that Jim was planning on doing that, and she flat out forgot?

  “They want to meet you and listen to your ideas for your next book series. Its crunch time over there for their next season, so there’s no time to waste. We need to move quickly.”

  “When?” Lila asked. She hoped it wouldn’t be before Christmas.

  “Next Friday. If you make the impression I believe you will, you’ll be all set for the next three years. You’ll be busy. No more vacations.”

  “Is that the twenty-third?” Lila said as if she’d misheard. It would mean she’d miss Christmas in Sister Bay.

  “That’s what we talked about, remember? You coming home Christmas week?”

  Lila twirled a lock of her hair around a finger. She suspected asking to postpone the meeting until after the holidays would be like telling a child he couldn’t eat the Christmas cookies on the platter in front of him. She’d run out of time. Oh, Conrad.

  “This is the break we were hoping for. We’ve got to move forward on this if you want to successfully switch genres. Lila, you need to come home.”

  Maybe she shouldn’t have told Andrea about her new series so soon. She hoped Andrea couldn’t sense her hesitation but the thought of returning to her empty apartment dampened her spirit. “I’ll do my best.”

  “Well, you’d better. I ran myself ragged getting you this appointment. And may I add, to satisfy your desire for change. Listen, I’ve got to run. Believe it or not, I’ve picked up two more clients, and they’ve got me hopping from one thing to the next. I hope it’s an easy flight.”

  After Lila disconnected the call, she tossed her phone against her purse sitting on the passenger seat.

  “I hate these things,” she yelled. She slipped the gear into drive and continued down the street to Melanie’s house. She pushed the conversation from her thoughts, parked the car, and made her way up the walk. After a light knock, she tweaked the door open, managing to balance two dozen roses and the babies’ gifts in her arms. Her purse, minus her phone, was slung over her shoulder.

  Melanie was seated on the sofa and placed a finger across her lips as she urged Lila closer. She was nursing one of the boys. The other lay sleeping in a wicker basket nearby. “Oh, my goodness, you’ve outdone yourself again. Did you buy out the florist? Come in and sit down next to me.”

  Lila slipped off her shoes and coat and laid the flowers and gifts on a nearby table. She took a seat next to Melanie and lowered her gaze at the infant in her friend’s arms, snuggled tight against Melanie’s breast.

  “Say hello to Brian. I’m sorry but you missed Jack by ten minutes. He ran to the grocery store for us. The poor thing, he’s tired himself out doing everything around here when I was restricted to bedrest.” Melanie brushed a finger across her new son’s feathery head.

  The scent of baby filled the space like a fresh rain. The sound of a mother’s heartbeat coming from a brown teddy bear in the bassinet repeated, thump-thump, thump-thump.

  “He’s so beautiful,” Lila said, fighting an overwhelming urge to cry. The news from Andrea, so upsetting moments ago, faded in the presence of Melanie and her newborns.

  “Benjamin decided he was too sleepy to wait for you. I fed him, and his daddy snuggled him in a cuddle that worked its magic. Look at the results.”

  Lila’s gaze followed Melanie’s to Benjamin. His gentle breathing sounding like a soft melody. Soon she was mesmerized with the easy rise and fall of the sleeping infant’s chest. She would be content to stay right where she was and watch him sleep for a long time.

  “There’s a pot of tea on the stove if you’re interested.”

  “Thank you, but I’m fine.” Although tea sounded delicious, Lila couldn’t pull her attention from the newborns.

  “Conrad was here earlier,” Melanie said, pulling Lila out of her thoughts.

  Lila followed Melanie’s gaze toward the two giant panda teddy bears in the corner. Fighting a pang in her heart she said, “I expected he’d come.”

  “How’s it going between you two?”

  Lila shrugged. “Since he’s finished the ski chalet, there’s little opportunity to run into him. It’s been almost a week.”

  Melanie’s face softened. “Your eyes tell all, Lila.”

  Lila rubbed the palms of her hands together. “I’ll admit it. I miss him. The last time we spoke he told me he wanted to get his life in order, but so far, nothing. Is it possible things changed for him?”

  “I doubt that.” Melanie shifted her weight on the cushion. She took in a sharp breath.

  Lila offered her hands in Melanie’s direction. “Are you OK?”

  Melanie wrinkled her nose. “I’m fine.” As she moved again to make herself comfortable, the baby in her arms appeared content and undisturbed. “It’s the healing process now that’s a little tough.”

  “What can I do?”

  “Believe me,” Melanie said, “I wish there was something you could do. But, Lila, I really don’t think Conrad is second-guessing anything, especially when it concerns you. He’s a considerate, thoughtful man. He’s probably waiting for the right time to come clean with Suzanne.”

  “Well, I’m not pushing him. If he’s torn, maybe we’re not meant to be together after all.” Lila allowed her words to settle in between them. “Andrea just called,” she said intentionally changing the subject.

  Melanie threw her head back. “Good grief, can’t that woman ever leave you alone?”

  Lila snickered at Melanie’s uncharacteristic response. “You’d like her. You’re both gutsy, spirited women and whose opinion I value. Anyway, I spoke with her right before coming over here. She wants me back in New York by next Friday.”

  “Oh, Lila. No,” Melanie moaned. “You can’t leave before Christmas. That’s ridiculous.”

  Lila shrugged. “That was our agreement, remember? And, she’s worked hard lining up an important meeting for me, but to be honest, I don’t want to go. I never thought it would happen, but my priorities changed.”

  Melanie adjusted the hand knit blanket around the baby in h
er arms. “That makes two of us. I think you need to give Conrad a chance to sort everything out with Suzanne. Can’t you find a way to postpone until after the holidays? Who’s expected to work during Christmas?”

  Lila worked her toes into the cream-colored carpet. “And give what excuse? What about my commitments to people back in New York?”

  “There are new responsibilities here, too. Blame it on me if you must and explain to Andrea that I need you at the store. Tell her about the sales we’re running and Ski Hill’s grand opening ceremony coming up. Buy yourself some time.”

  Lila rubbed the back of her neck. “This is the life I’ve carved out for myself. I can’t abandon my career.”

  Melanie’s nostrils flared. “Lila, are you seriously going to walk out on Conrad again?”

  Lila buried her face in her hands. What was the answer? “I’m so torn. I’ve been praying for a sign to lead me in the right direction, but so far, nothing. Andrea needs me back in New York, and as far as I can determine, Conrad’s still with Suzanne.”

  Melanie stretched out a free hand, and Lila grabbed on as if she were floating out to sea. Melanie was the life preserver that would save her.

  “That’s your sign not to leave. Be patient and find out how things work out here first.”

  Lila exhaled. The whole mess exhausted her.

  “Try to push Andrea off until the week after Christmas.”

  Lila realized before she answered that the end of her trip was about to come to pass. “I’m not going to get away with that.” She offered Melanie a wavering smile.

  Melanie exhaled a long, drawn out breath. “Maybe what you need is a little Christmas magic. After all, you do have a direct line to Santa.”

  Lila slumped her shoulders in disbelief. “Oh, Mel, you’re one of a kind. I’ll do my best. OK?”

  “OK,” Mel said with a satisfied grin. She leaned toward Lila. “Now hold your godson for me.”

  Lila beamed a Christmas smile, as if she’d been presented with the gift she’d been waiting for all year. “My godson?” She opened her arms and Melanie placed the baby inside of them.

  “That is if you’re willing to take on another responsibility in life?” Melanie raised her eyebrows and tilted her head.

  Lila forced her attention from the baby to Melanie. “Are you kidding? I wouldn’t give that privilege up for anything.”

  “Not even another bestseller?” Melanie tapped her cheek with her slender finger.

  Lila held back tears watching Brian struggle with a yawn. “Nope. Not even for that.”

  23

  Despite the twenty-degree temperature, Lila stood outside the store in front of the display window staring at the Christmas scene she’d created. With three days left before Christmas Eve, she wanted to present a festive setting to draw customers into the store. Toot-toot-toot. Lila recognized the sound of Conrad’s horn. She placed her hand over her heart to slow the beats and turned to watch him ease his monster truck alongside the curb.

  He rolled down the window and rested his arm on the door as if it were eighty degrees outside. “How are things going?” he asked.

  The sound of his voice set her feet in motion toward him. A hot flush washed over her. She wanted to invite him into the store for a cup of coffee but accepted that couldn’t happen now. He’d finished the addition and moved on to his next job. Lila hoped the reason for his visit was to tell her he ended his relationship with Suzanne. She forced her attention to the display window, “Did I overdo it?”

  He shrugged a shoulder. “Ahh…I’m not sure.”

  Lila threw her head back and laughed. “Men. You don’t see life through the same lenses women do.”

  “I guess not. I’ve brought you something this morning. I think you’ll like it.” His voice hinted at mischief.

  Lila lifted her eyebrows. “Me?” she asked and walked over to the driver’s side of his truck.

  He handed her a small white bag, which she opened the minute it hit her hands.

  A round chocolate donut sat in the middle of the bag surrounded by white baker’s tissue.

  “I figured you haven’t lost your taste for those little devils.”

  “And devils they are, but you’re as guilty as I am for tempting me with them. Thank you,” she said with a tilt of her head. She would much prefer thanking him properly by leaning into his truck and kissing him square on the lips. The smolder in his eyes told her he wanted to do the same. But her aunt scolded her once before that some people noticed them together, and Lila was determined to kill the gossip. Lila tore her eyes away from his, sensing an immediate loss of connection.

  “You’re welcome. It’s good to see you.” His voice was as smooth as the chocolate icing on the donut she held in her hand.

  “And you.” Should she ask about Suzanne?

  “Are you going to the dress rehearsal Thursday night for the Christmas concert?”

  “Dress rehearsal?” she asked. It was hard to believe that was on his mind.

  He blinked. “I mean the last choir practice.”

  Lila’s heart sank. She should tell him about Andrea’s call. “I am.”

  “Need a ride?” he asked under his breath. He wore the irresistible face of a naughty boy. Lila fought the urge to reach out and smack him.

  She adjusted her sweater to keep her hands busy and her attention distracted from him. “I don’t think that’s a good idea for us to be alone together in your truck, do you?”

  He shrugged, hiding a grin. “I s’pose not.”

  A sense of melancholy filled her. “I’m really going to miss all of this. I’ve been forcing myself to think about returning home to my apartment.”

  “I thought you were home.” His comment cut to the quick.

  She didn’t want to, but she had to say it. “I mean New York.”

  Conrad jerked his arm into the truck. If he was trying to hide his aggravation, he wasn’t succeeding. “I understood what you meant.”

  Lila stiffened. “Andrea called and asked that I come back to attend a meeting on Friday.”

  He banged the palm of his hand against the steering wheel. “Why is this beginning to seem like five years ago?”

  His question threw Lila off track. He didn’t even give her a chance to explain. Her mouth went as dry as the powdered sugar she dusted on her scones. She sensed that old wall erecting between them. The barricade she thought she’d dismantled brick by brick.

  “What do you mean?” She tightened her grip on the bag unsure where to go with her response to his question.

  “You running off to the big city. Is that how this is going to end between us?” He squared his face to hers and stared her straight in the eye. “Again?”

  Did he sneer at her? Of all the nerve. One of Lila’s gears shifted deep inside like turning on the Kitchen Aid mixer to maximum speed. “Conrad, I’m not sure what you expect me to do. We both carry responsibilities to other people who rely upon us to come through. Yours are here. Mine are in New York.”

  Conrad rapped his hands three times against the door panel. “You’re right. You’ve got yourself a big fancy career to take care of.” He wiggled his thumb in her direction as if doling out a scolding and shifted his gaze to his wrist watch. “Got to run.”

  He pulled away from the curb before she could say good-bye. She watched the red truck roar through the yellow caution light and disappear from sight. Why was it that men thought speeding helped? It was about as helpful as losing your temper. And he was angry? You’ve got to be kidding. She was the one who should be furious. He was one step away from the altar—an almost-fiancé. He was aware all along what her plans were. To accuse her of running off? Who did he think he was? He’d given her no notification that he’d sorted things out. Did he think she was going to wait forever while he waffled?

  Lila whirled around and stomped her way back to the store. The frustration bubbling over inside of her was like pulling out a tray of burnt scones from the oven. She surveyed the store
deciding what needed a good cleaning. The collector Christmas bulbs always seemed to attract dust. She could certainly use a second batch of chocolate chip scones for Ski Hill’s grand opening ceremony. Or how about the coffee machine? It could probably use a thorough vinegar scrub. She wasn’t going to let the argument with Conrad ruin a perfect start to the day. But as her heart sank, she already realized the damage was done.

  She walked into the store and flipped on the music. A Christmas song roared to life, rattling antique teacups on saucers. “Of all the nerve,” she spat and marched back to the kitchen, fighting the urge to pick a fight with Andy Williams singing, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

  

  Exhausted by day’s end, Lila busily marked down Christmas cookie platters for the next day’s sale. She’d wanted to finish the job before closing up for the night.

  The door opened, and Lila turned to greet her customers.

  Suzanne held the door open for her mother before they both stepped into the store.

  Lila placed the pen down on the counter. “You can handle this,” she whispered and went to greet them. “Hello, ladies, may I be of assistance?”

  Suzanne wore a long red coat and one of the most beautiful mink hats Lila ever laid eyes on. Blond coppery strands of hair fell loosely around her face. She could easily have doubled as a Russian princess.

  “We’re searching for something special for my father’s sixty-fifth birthday tomorrow. Mother insisted on coming here.”

  Lila picked up on Suzanne’s icy undercurrent. She recalled the advice Melanie shared with her on handling difficult customers. Although she wouldn’t consider the Matthews problematic, this sale would definitely be a challenge.

  Lila inhaled to the count of three. “I understand. Is he a collector of fine things?”

  “How did you guess?” Mrs. Matthews asked as she returned an antique steam train engine to the shelf. A much older version of Suzanne peered back at her. Lila noticed the same exquisite green eyes and high sculpted cheekbones that settled to create an attractive full face.