A Christmas Kind of Perfect Page 5

  “Listen, sorry again about the mess I caused. I’d better get over by Mel.” She walked alongside the yellow tape that guided her footsteps.

  “Don’t forget this.”

  Lila turned back around to find Conrad holding her purse. In another time, or under different circumstances, it would make a funny sight. Instead, she reached for the bag.

  Their hands brushed against each other. Lila took in a quick breath to still the charge that raced through her, the power of his touch igniting an inner spark.

  He narrowed his eyes. “Were you running this morning?”

  Lila grinned and lifted one shoulder. “I’m a little out of practice, but it was exhilarating. I can’t remember the last time I went out for a run.”

  He hooked his hammer into his toolbelt. “I can relate. It’s been too long since I’ve taken a decent hike. I used to love that.”

  “I remember.” Lila looked at the floor and then back up at him.

  “Lila, is that you?” Melanie’s voice sang out.

  “I guess duty calls.” Lila thumbed to the front of the store.

  He gave her a slight tilt of his head. “You’d better move along, or she’ll come down here.”

  Her gaze lingered on him for a minute. She wished things were different between them. She turned and walked to the front of the store.

  Melanie stood behind the checkout counter. “Good morning. I confess I’m excited for today.” She placed her purse on the shelf under the counter and moved to stand beside her friend.

  Darkness circled Melanie’s eyes.

  “Have you slept?” Lila brushed her hand across Melanie’s back.

  “The boys kicked and played like crazy. When I don’t sleep well, neither does Jack. His soft heart seems to double in size where I’m concerned. Conrad was like that with you too. Remember?”

  Lila nodded. She’d lost count of the number of times she caught Conrad giving something up so she could benefit. If there were two places they had to be at the same time, he’d often feign disinterest to his and default to her preference. Or he’d agree to do things most men would not want to do, like singing in the Christmas choir at church. Those attributes were hard to find in a man, and if anybody learned that, it was Lila.

  Melanie walked over to the display window.

  Lila followed.

  “I love this corner of the store because of the natural light. When the days grow shorter, as they are now, I use hidden rope lighting to keep the area lit. I’d like to turn the window decorations over to you, starting today. It’s getting more difficult to set up and take down the props.”

  Lila nodded. “No problem, I’d love to.”

  “It takes a lot of imagination to come up with enticing displays to draw the customer into the store. I’m sure you’ll be good at it.”

  Lila imagined all kinds of possibilities. “Now I understand why you want the riser placed here. It’s perfect.”

  “We need to accommodate the audience members outside as well as inside.”

  Lila straightened a stack of devotionals on a nearby table, forming an attractive domino layout. “You still think we’ll get a packed house?”

  “I do. You’re a living, breathing success story for Sister Bay.”

  Lila sighed, unsure how to handle the attention and praise. She’d paid a high price for her achievements, but had she made the right choice for her life?

  The rest of the morning flew by as they devised a timetable for the book signing. They covered the floorplan, the presentation, the reading, checkout procedures, and the refreshments they planned to offer.

  When they finished the training, Melanie crossed her arms. “What are you doing for the rest of the day?”

  “I’m wide open. Do you need some help with something?” Lila slid the scissor in the direction of the tape dispenser and took mental note of the remaining gift wrap on a large spool.

  “I’d like to show you my routine for the afternoons since you’ll be taking them over.”

  Lila brought her hands together. Finally, she’d be able to do something to help Melanie. “Sounds good to me. Let’s get busy.”

  “First off, I could use some help in the kitchen. I need to stir up a batch of cranberry scones. We’ll offer them at the signing.”

  Baking was not part of her skill set. She took a deep breath, garnering up her courage, and followed Melanie toward the kitchen in the back of the store. They passed Conrad, who was nailing sideboards onto the ramp.

  “Are you headed where I think you are?” He held the hammer in midair, looked toward the kitchen and back to her, mock horror on his face.

  Lila stifled a giggle, shrugged, and crossed her fingers.

  He winced.

  She’d show him. How hard could it be to make scones? She followed Melanie into the kitchen, which was small but well-equipped. Of course, Lila’s frame of reference was limited. Everything appeared in order. Muffin and bread pans hung from baker’s hooks on a large pegboard. An enormous mixer was positioned in a corner on the countertop. A stainless-steel side-by-side refrigerator stood like a sentry guarding the room. A farmhouse style sink, a gas cooktop, and double ovens lined the opposite wall. A five-foot working island overpowered the room, its bottom shelf stacked with a variety of large bowls, pots and pans, mixing cups, and unfamiliar utensils.

  Melanie handed her a white chef’s apron and put her own on. She tied a loose bow behind her and motioned Lila to do the same.

  “It’ll take me a minute to slide the afternoon tray into the oven. After that, we’ll get started on tomorrow’s batch.” Melanie walked over to the refrigerator.

  Lila slipped the apron on and created a loose knot like Melanie’s behind her back. “What if customers walk into the store?”

  Melanie pointed up to the ceiling’s corner. “I installed a small intercom device for that purpose.”

  Lila rested a hand on her chest. “Good thinking.”

  “Actually, it was Jack’s idea. He’s familiar with how I can slip into another world when I get into a kitchen.”

  Lila’s phone buzzed in her back pocket. She tugged it out.

  Andrea’s smiling face filled the display, but Lila allowed the call to go to her voicemail. She’d contact her agent later.

  “Everything OK? You can take that call.” Melanie pulled some bowls out from under the counter.

  “No, I don’t need to. Now let’s get busy with that recipe of yours. I’m actually excited to bake.” She dropped the phone into the apron’s pocket and pushed up the sleeves of her cashmere sweater.

  “OK, if you say so. Now I’m going to share with you my secret to a perfect scone. You don’t overwork the dough. It’s similar to making a pie crust or a batch of biscuits.” Melanie lifted a full pound block of butter from the refrigerator, wrapped in wax paper.

  Lila sighed. My goodness that was a lot of butter and Melanie’s reference to pie dough fell on deaf ears. Should she confess that she’d never made a pie, much less her own crust?

  “What’s the matter? You look like you did when Mrs. Warren told us we were having a pop quiz.”

  Lila grimaced. “It’s the baking. I haven’t done much in the last decade.”

  “For me, it’s something fun to do. What do you do when you’re not working?”

  “I get together with friends. Once a month we go out for dinner and let our hair down.”

  “Sounds nice. I need to do more of that myself. Good old-fashioned girl fun. But what happens on regular nights of the week?”

  Lila shrugged. “You can buy whatever your heart desires in Manhattan from the small vendors or bakery cafés. There’s really no need to be in the kitchen when everything you could ever want is right out your front door.”

  Melanie rolled up her sleeves. “Wow, I can’t imagine. Well, you’re not in New York anymore. Here we work the dough with our own two hands.”

  Lila widened her eyes as if she won the first prize at the county fair for one of her entries.
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  The two women cackled. “Listen to me. If you can write one bestseller after another, this will be a piece of Door County cherry pie. I make a double batch every night. One tray goes out in the morning and the other midafternoon. What we’re doing today is dedicated to the signing.”

  Conrad walked by and stopped in the doorway, finishing up a conversation on his phone. Despite his furrowed brow, his tone was calm and reassuring. “I’ll be there in an hour.”

  He most likely made the promise constantly. He was raised to stand behind his word. He had to have carried that trait over into his business.

  “Ladies, the ramp is done. I need to get to an appointment, but I’ll be back later tonight to put up the riser.” He wrapped three times on the doorframe, signaling his departure, but before he left, he turned to lock eyes with Lila’s.

  “Good luck with the scones.” Conrad gave Lila a thumbs-up.

  “Conrad, you’ve got your key, right?” Melanie asked.

  He wiggled a lemon drop chain similar to the one Melanie had given Lila. “Yup. I’ll make sure to lock up.”

  Melanie placed her hands on her rounded hips. “Thanks so much, Conrad.”

  “Don’t mention it,” he said and turned from the doorway.

  A moment later, the door closed behind him.

  “Busy guy, huh?” Lila was curious about the man who once stole her heart.

  Melanie sighed. “Unbelievably so. He never stops, and he doesn’t have someone special keeping an eye on him. Not like you used to do.”

  “I thought he and Suzanne were almost engaged.”

  “According to her they are, but sometimes I wonder about them. She’s devoted to her career. That seems to come first, even before Conrad. She won some kind of Realtor of the Year award last year, and with his line of work, he’s no better. They’re down at Al Johnson’s place quite a bit. I often wonder if Conrad’s thinking about what kind of home life that would be for him? And how do kids fit in? Conrad’s always talked like he wanted a houseful of kids.”

  8

  Lila was bone tired when she pulled into Aunt Cathy’s driveway. She was used to the exhaustion that came after a frustrating day working out one of her stubborn scenes. A cup of her favorite blend of chamomile tea with a little honey helped her unwind with that type of tired. This kind needed a hot meal, a bubble bath, and a good-night’s sleep.

  Lila parked the car and started up the walk. She’d been so busy all day that she’d forgotten to check for any other calls other than the one she’d received earlier. She patted her back pocket and then reached into her purse—nothing. Later in the day, they’d changed the sign on the window to add Lila’s number in case of an emergency at the store. And Melanie would surely have Jack call her if she went into early labor. She needed that phone. She was so close to the door now. She wanted to reach out and turn the knob and walk in.

  The apron.

  She exhaled, realizing what she must do. Retracing her steps, she slid back into the car, slipped the gear into reverse, and headed back to the store.

  Conrad’s truck was parked outside. A man of his word, he was working to complete Melanie’s task as promised. A task light illuminated his finished work. The riser, complete with a short set of stairs, was placed in front of the display window, exactly where Melanie wanted it.

  Conrad stood in the shadows, holding his hammer like a guitar. He stepped to the beat of one of their favorite songs. Lila slowed her steps, not wanting to ruin the moment. An ache, years old, filled her. A beat-up boom box sat on the floor, thumping the tune.

  Lila closed her eyes, instantly transported to the past, sitting next to Conrad in his old pickup, his hand resting on her knee. They’d gone down to Sturgeon Bay to a movie.

  He pulled up alongside the curb in front of her house and shifted the vehicle into park. The only light came from a street lamp on the corner. He turned toward her and slipped his arm around her shoulders. She watched his eyes move up her body and pause on her lips. “Lila.” He breathed her name with such tenderness she had trouble believing her ears over the beat of her own heart. Thick, dark lashes hooded his dark eyes. The boyish grin, the one she’d become so accustomed to, was replaced with luminous parted lips.

  The clang of metal—a hammer into a toolbox— startled her thoughts bringing her back to the present. She blinked and shuddered at the sound.

  Conrad shifted in her direction. “Hey, there. I didn’t expect anyone tonight. Sorry if I scared you.”

  “Hey, there, yourself. I never thought you’d be here so late.”

  He tilted his head toward the front of the store. “The riser needed to get up. I don’t want Melanie worrying about anything in the state she’s in.”

  Lila walked in the direction of the riser. “You laid it out perfectly. Mel wanted to make it possible for her customers outside to get a glimpse of what’s going on inside. She expects a packed house. I hope, for her sake, that’s exactly what happens.” She bent over and joined Conrad picking up the scattered tools.

  “It wouldn’t surprise me if it was a standing-room-only crowd. I’m sure you’re quite the draw for Sister Bay. A lot of folks are proud of you.”

  Did that include him? “I’m not sure I believe that, but I’m here and I’ll do my best.”

  “Do you have anyone special coming to the event? Friends, maybe a boyfriend, that you might like to reserve seating?”

  Lila grabbed the broom and began sweeping up wood shavings from the floor. “No one. Aunt Cathy, maybe. Otherwise, I don’t have a boyfriend. I got close once or twice to having something—” she paused for lack of words “—permanent, but for one reason or another it didn’t work out. Wasn’t meant to be, I guess. And you?” If what Melanie told her was true about his relationship with Suzanne nearing marriage, she wanted him to tell her. After the hurt she’d caused him, she deserved whatever he told her.

  He closed the toolbox and secured the latch. “Dated pretty serious with a flight attendant for a few years, but that wasn’t right. In the end, we realized we weren’t a good fit.” He lifted his shoulders. “I’m not the most exciting guy around. When Suzanne came along, well—” his eyes focused on his boots—“things changed up again.” He positioned the dust pan for her, and she swept the contents from the floor into the pan. A thick pause settled between them.

  Lila wished she’d come home long ago. Perhaps everything would be different for both of them.

  He cleared his throat. “She’s expecting a ring this Christmas.” His words hung in the air.

  She fought the desire to reach out and caress his shoulders or to wipe the wood shavings from his hair. “Well, she’s a lucky lady if that happens.”

  Conrad shrugged. “So, what brings you back here tonight?”

  Lila headed for the kitchen, fighting a rise of jealousy evoked by his news. Why shouldn’t Conrad propose? She didn’t expect him to stay single forever. Or had she? “I forgot my phone. I think I left it in the apron pocket.”

  She entered the dark kitchen and slid her hand up the wall, searching for the light switch. It all looked so different in the dark. A real sense of agitation filled her. Her nerves were as raw as the shredded jalapenos she’d worked with earlier today.

  He was close. His cologne so fragrant of the earth and wind. It swirled around her leaving her lightheaded. He moved and settled right behind her, the heat from his body intoxicating her. His breath on her neck weakening her knees. Old familiar tingles shot up her spine. Her breath now jagged. Seconds ticked like rapid fire on the wall clock. His rough, callused hand covered hers. His touch reminded her how things once were between them. Together, they flipped up the switch. A click. A sputter. And the fluorescent bulbs overhead bathed the kitchen in jarring light. The moment gone.

  He backed away.

  Lila swallowed hard in an attempt to slow her racing heart. She didn’t have to see her reflection in a mirror. Her face and neck had to be as red as a June rose petal.

  He gave her a
quick nod and a smile she’d like to gift wrap for herself. “There you be.”

  She returned a nervous smile back at him and wished something would distract his attention from her unease.

  His eyes locked in on hers.

  For a moment, Lila feared he understood what passed between them. He thumbed in the direction of the front of the store. “I’ll be up front unless you need some help finding that phone.”

  “No. I mean yes. Go ahead. I’ll be fine.” Grateful for his turned back, she laid a hand on her chest to steady her heart. Her breathing began to slow. Melanie told herself he was almost an engaged man, but that didn’t seem to bear any weight. His power over her was as strong as ever. What was she thinking? Whatever it was, she’d better stop it right now. Get ahold of her emotions.

  Thankful for somewhere to go with her raging adrenaline, she fished the apron out of the soiled laundry bin and slipped her hand into the deep pocket. Sure enough, her phone was there. She hit the power button and the phone whistled its tune. The voice messaging icon blinked, reminding her of Andrea’s call along with five unanswered text messages. She sighed, turned off the lights, and headed outside. She found Conrad packing up his truck.

  Conrad peeked his head out from behind his truck. “Any luck?”

  Lila raised the phone. “Right in the apron pocket where I left it.”

  “How would we manage without them?”

  The expression on his face told her he didn’t expect an answer.

  “I’d like to find out,” she added and wondered if there were times he’d agree.

  He tilted his head in surprise. “By the way, I’m praying for you to have a great book signing.”

  Lila fished for her keys in her purse pocket. “Thanks. Will your mother be coming?”

  “She wouldn’t miss it. I’ll be bringing her. Dad’s got bowling, and Cassie has a date. So that leaves me.”

  “What about Luke?”

  “Luke? A wife and two kids under five keep him pretty busy.”

  Lila gasped as she walked to her vehicle. “Two kids. I bet they’re adorable.”