Jingle Bell Blessings (12 page)

E
van's cell phone rang. Seeing it was his father, he answered quickly. “Hey, Dad.”

“Didn't see you at breakfast.”

No. And that way Evan hadn't seen Chloe or Jimmy.

“I'll take your silence to mean yes. Church school called. They asked if we could supply them with a boulder to use in their school play.”

Evan frowned. “Don't they usually make them out of papier-mâché?”

“Not when children are sitting on them. It's for the little shepherd boy when he sees the star.”

“Right. How big a boulder do they need?”

“The shepherd boy is probably six or seven. Principal said it's usually a first grader.”

“Okay, Dad. When do they need it?”

“I told them today.”

Sighing, Evan counted to ten.

“Of course,” Gordon continued. “I suppose I could try and lift it myself….”

Pure blackmail.
“I'm not that far from the quarry.” Evan checked his watch. “Will an hour or so work?”

“Sounds good. Rehearsals start after school today.”

“Okay.”

“Son?”

Evan waited.

“I'll try not to volunteer you for anything else.” Gordon paused. “Today.”

Clicking the phone off, Evan smiled for the first time since his talk with Chloe. It didn't take long to drive to the quarry and load a decent-sized boulder along with a flat dolly to transfer it inside the school auditorium.

Funny how schools all had that same smell—chalk and cafeteria food combined with stale gym socks. Having attended the school himself, Evan knew his way around. He pushed the dolly over wooden floors, the weight of the boulder causing them to creak. The noise was going to make it difficult to execute a quick drop and run without anyone noticing him. He glanced around. Class must be in session since the halls were empty. Maybe the getaway was possible.

Children's voices emerged from the open doors of the auditorium. A teacher clapped her hands. “I need the lamb and camel.”

Two youngsters bounced up to the stage. The teacher showed them where they would stand. Both stepped outside of the chalk circles she had drawn. “Children!”

Amused, Evan pushed the dolly to the stage. Lifting the heavy boulder, he carried it up the three short steps.

The teacher paused. “Evan! That must weigh a ton.” It
was
getting heavy. “If you'll tell me where it goes…”

Flustered, she looked around. “Well… the night of the play it needs to be in the center of the stage, but it would be in the way for the rest of the performance.”

Evan carried the boulder to the far side of the small stage. “It can be moved to the center on the night of the play.”

“You'd do that?” the teacher exclaimed. “That would be wonderful!”

He hadn't intended to offer, but submitted to the inevitable. “Fax the date and time over to Mitchell Stone.” The boulder in place, he turned around. And stared at Chloe. Who was supposed to be out of Rosewood by now.

Chloe stared back.

“Evan!” Jimmy hollered, running onto the stage.

“No running,” the teacher chided.

“Guess what? I'm gonna be the shepherd boy. I get to sit on the big rock!”

Evan looked into the youngster's eager face and couldn't disappoint him. “Congratulations. I hear that's a big part.”

Relief flooded Chloe's face.

Had she completely forgotten what he'd told her? That it was time for her to return Jimmy to Milwaukee?

“Jimmy,” the teacher called. “Let's try out that big rock.”

While he did, Evan pushed the dolly off the stage, then headed straight for Chloe. He nodded his head toward the door. “I'll see you outside.”

Tailgate down, he lifted the cumbersome dolly into the bed of the truck. Despite the noise, he heard Chloe's hesitant steps coming up behind him. Evan whirled around. “What did you do? Jimmy's already in too deep and now he's got a part in the school play?”

“
I
didn't give him the part.”

“You also didn't tell him no.”

She gaped at him. “Why don't you do that? Tell a thrilled little boy who just got one of best parts in the play that he can't be in it?”

“That's your job, not mine.”

Chloe shook her head. “Oh, no. You want to crush his
spirit, then you'll have to do the dirty work.” Stomping off, she didn't look back.

Evan slammed the tailgate shut. How had he lost control of his own life? Angry, he forced himself not to speed as he drove to his only refuge—work. At least Chloe was occupied at the school and wouldn't be there.

His office fronted Main Street and he always left the blinds open so the natural light could enter. Standing by the window, Evan watched pedestrians walking the elm-lined street. Mothers with preschool-age children, two aging men clinging to their canes, an elderly couple arm in arm. It was easy to imagine Chloe as part of the tableau, walking along, her hand gripping Jimmy's.

Evan sighed. Sometimes it was difficult to live in a place with so much happiness. Especially now that he was on the outside looking in.

Someone knocked lightly on the door frame.

He didn't turn around. “Come in.”

“Evan.” Perry's voice was somber.

Pushing the kaleidoscope of images from his mind, he faced his friend and colleague. One look told him it was trouble.

Perry gripped the back of one armchair. “The financing.”

Evan knew what was coming, but he couldn't believe it. “Fell through.”

There was nothing to say. A million things to say.

“Any other avenues?”

“I've been on the phone all day.” Perry sighed, then pulled back the chair, sitting down. “I have a few more places to try.”

“But you don't expect any better news.”

Perry couldn't hide his discouragement.

“How much of the big order can we complete without it?”

“Evan—”

He waved away the words. Barely a dent. He'd known before he asked. “Contract penalty?”

Perry met his gaze. “It'll wipe out everything that's left.”

Evan turned back to the window, seeing everyone going on as though nothing had just tipped the world. “How long can we make payroll before we notify TEX-INC?” He ran his hand up his forehead, then through his hair.

“It won't be long.”

Christmas was closing in. If he could stretch the funds until it was past… “Work up the figures.”

The other man's footsteps echoed over the granite floor as he left.

Refuge?
Now this one was crumbling. Soon he would be a man with no safe harbor. And people he had known all his life were going to be without jobs. How was he going to tell them? Evan remembered the solace of turning to the Lord for direction. His own personal war hadn't ended. But, could he keep up the battle when so much was at stake?

 

Chloe read Jimmy his favorite story twice, then three others before he nodded off. Now she tucked Elbert close. Jimmy didn't stir. He had fallen asleep hours earlier, but she couldn't stop checking on him.

What would happen if Evan remained steadfast about his decision? For all that she wanted to protect and nurture Jimmy, she didn't have the means. Even if she found the money for a babysitter, her time wasn't her own. Jimmy would end up being raised by the sitter.

The ache in her heart resonated. And what about Evan? Was he doomed to live alone, without love, without hope? She had pushed and fought against it, but he, too, had broached her defenses. Why? Of all the men in the world she could have fallen for? Why Evan Mitchell?

Taking a last, long look at the sleeping child, Chloe returned to her room. The fire was banked, her cup of Thelma's spiced cider long empty. But she was still restless. Thoughts continued spinning, encroaching. Gordon had been excited to hear about Jimmy's part in the Christmas play. Since Evan hadn't been there for dinner, she had been spared his displeasure.

The mantel clock struck midnight. It was pointless, unnecessary, but she wondered why Evan wasn't safely at home. Surely if there had been an accident at the quarry, Gordon would have been informed. In a town like Rosewood, the word would have spread quickly.

Chloe edged the curtain aside so she could look out into the street. There was something comforting about the tidiness of the quiet neighborhood. As she ruminated, Evan's truck came into sight. It was the old truck she and Jimmy had ridden in with him. The beater rumbled to a stop near the end of the driveway. Strange that he didn't park it in the garage. Continuing to watch, she saw him climb slowly out of the driver's side, then just as slowly approach the bench that curved around the ancient oak out front.

Straining to see, she wondered at his behavior. Evan always walked briskly, energetically. Now he slumped down on the bench. Worry hit like a well-placed arrow. Something was wrong.

Disregarding the hour, Chloe grabbed her sweater, glad she hadn't changed from her warm slacks yet. Skipping lightly down the stairs, she reached the front door. Caution prodded. What was she doing?

Refusing to listen to the inner warning, she stepped outside, quietly crossing the winter-dried lawn. A few feet away from Evan, she slowed, but didn't stop. “Evan?”

He raised his bleak face.

Immediately, her heart thudded in fear. “What is it?”

Evan only looked at her.

The fear intensified as she sat beside him. “Evan?”

“You know just when to hit, don't you?”

“I'm not here because I want something,” Chloe implored. “I was worried when it got so late. Then… I saw you from the window. I can tell something's wrong.”

He searched her face, his guard dropping. “Wrong is an understatement.”

“The business.”

“Good guess.”

“No guess. You worry about your employees as though…” She almost said
children.
“As though they mean the world to you. It has to be something concerning them.”

The soft gas lights illuminated his expression. “The big order we got from TEX-INC—we can't fill it.”

“Maybe they'll negotiate a later delivery date. They took time choosing their supplier. Surely—”

“It's not the delivery. Our financing fell through.”

Shocked, Chloe tried to fathom the implications. “Surely your bank has done business with Mitchell Stone for decades.”

“Make that closer to a century. The local bank didn't have the funds in this economic climate. We found a big national bank, thought it was a done deal.”

“There are more banks!”

“With the same criteria. We've lost money for the last four years, not a banker's dream.”

“You can't just give up.” She searched her mind for alternatives.

Evan laughed bitterly. “Easy to say.”

The difficulty of her own life for the last decade surfaced. “Hardly. Yours isn't the first business to falter. And you're not the only person to face difficulties. But you have to believe you can turn things around!”

“Believe? You
are
new here.”

“What? So you're going to cave, let all your employees fend for themselves. I'm sure each of them will find a great paying job, be able to keep their homes, feed their children—”

“Stop! I've been fighting this battle for years. You waltz in here and—”

“
Waltz?
Did you actually say
waltz?
I came here scared to death for myself, for Jimmy, for everything that means anything to me. And now, I'm getting to know the people who work for you, liking them, wondering how they'll cope.” Her chest heaved with fury and frustration. “And what about Gordon? He'll be devastated. He cares as much about these people as you do! And—”

Evan held up one hand. “I can't take another
and.
”

Her anger deflated. Drained, she sat silent. No bird sang in the night to fill the quiet, no cars passed, no dogs barked.

“I suppose one of us should jump on a white horse, put on some armor,” Evan said finally.

Chloe leaned back against the bark of the sturdy oak. “I'm not that good with horses.”

He turned, scrutinizing her. “An hour ago I wouldn't have given ten cents toward taking another shot.”

“Does that mean you're not giving up?”

“How did you do that? Turn everything around?”

She looked down, fiddling with her hands.

Evan stopped the motion, curling her hand in his larger one. Chloe swallowed, all too conscious of the nearby light that revealed her features, possibly even her feelings. He leaned closer. She'd thought her heart thudded before. Now it nearly jumped from her chest.

His lips touched, then covered hers. Sensation raced through her as though day might never dawn again, that she must take her fill this very instant.

Evan cupped the back of her head, twining his fingers in her long, loose hair. Somewhere not far away, a cat meowed loudly. But it was too late. Nothing could distract her now.

C
hloe studied the latest pile of correspondence regarding TEX-INC, taking notes on each key point. The growing stack of refusals from the banks was disheartening. But she had an idea. One of their law firm's clients was a large, privately owned bank, where Mr. Wainwright also sat on the board of directors. She prayed they could extend a loan that would save Mitchell Stone and its employees' jobs.

As a bonus, if Mr. Wainwright helped Mitchell Stone, Evan might reconsider his position on Jimmy. She didn't think of it as buying their way past his defenses. But if Evan didn't have the constant worry about the fate of his employees, he might be more open to an emotional commitment.

Swallowing, Chloe knew she was avoiding her own emotions. Evan's kiss lingered in her thoughts, nagged at her conscience. What was she doing kissing a man she couldn't possibly have a future with?

Logging the last of her comments in her laptop, Chloe didn't notice Viola until she was standing beside her desk. “Oh, hi.”

Viola glanced at the computer.

“I'm just used to taking my notes this way. Beats shorthand any day.”

“Shorthand?”

Chloe realized her slip. “Typing fast is probably my strongest office skill.”

“I don't know. You caught on to our file system in no time.”

“Like I said, I know my way around the office.”

“Right. In a law firm. Perry mentioned that's your background.”

Chloe couldn't lie to this woman. So she nodded.

“Legal secretaries make pretty good money. Guess estate reps must do even better.” Viola smiled, deposited a small stack of papers on top of the incoming tray and left.

That was close. She didn't need to complicate things now. Chloe scribbled a note on her desk calendar so she'd remember to check back with Mr. Wainwright the next day.

She glanced at her watch—an hour until she picked up Jimmy. Enough time to phone Mr. Wainwright. Pushing the
away
button on her phone, Chloe gathered her purse and sweater, then grabbed the laptop. Fingers mentally crossed, she prayed that Mr. Wainwright would fall in with her plan. Because reading the correspondence had about convinced her it was the only option left.

 

Viola handed Evan several invoices to approve. “These are going to start flying in now that we have that big order.”

Evan didn't look up. “Uh-huh.”

“We've all been praying for an answer,” Viola continued, “because we're worried about you. Taking everything on yourself the way you do. Well, anyway, everyone's relieved. We had been talking about taking cuts in salary, benefits, whatever it takes to keep things going. Anyway, if we have more going out on this order faster than it comes in, we're willing to make those cuts. And you don't have to wait for
the next staff meeting. We've talked about it, so anything you need from us can get done in a New York minute.”

Evan stared, unseeing, at the invoices. “It's not the employees' responsibility to prop up the business.”

“Pish posh. You're family, Evan. And you've always taken care of us. Don't you think we want to do the same for you?”

His throat clogged. “We have the best people in the world right here at Mitchell Stone.”

“And the most diversified.”

Emotion was clouding his brain. “Diversified?”

“Like Chloe. Who knew we'd have a former legal secretary doing our filing?”

Legal secretary? Wainwright's legal secretary?
Evan searched his mind, trying to remember if he'd seen her name on any of the correspondence. Chloe said she was an estate representative. He frowned. She'd also made that comment about not having the funds to keep her mother at home like he could.

Evan had believed from the beginning that Chloe accepted the assignment strictly for money. But then she'd broken past his initial misgivings, proving to be more than just some moneygrubber. Was he wrong about that, too? Had she been lying to him all this time?

“I really like her,” Viola added just before she left.

Shoving aside the invoices, he strode to the file room. Empty. The away button flashed on Chloe's phone. Her desk calendar was askew. Nearing close enough to make out the letters, Evan read her notation. Slowly raising his eyes, he couldn't help wonder. Had Chloe been reporting to Wainwright each day? From Evan's own office?

Disappointment flooded him. And betrayal. But what had he expected? He had betrayed Robin.

Worse, he'd allowed himself to believe.

 

The wheels were in motion. Chloe had extracted all the information she needed on Mitchell Stone from the records and accounting files. Mr. Wainwright agreed it was a sound proposition and that he would present it to the loan committee. And, since Mr. Wainwright held a lot of sway in the private corporation, the odds of getting the financing were excellent. Her hopes were high, but she hadn't yet told Evan. She feared what might happen if the plan didn't work out.

Now she sat next to Grace in the school auditorium, watching the kids rehearse. Grace's daughter, Susie, was playing a sheep in the scene right after Jimmy's.

He only had a few lines, but Jimmy practiced them over and over each afternoon and evening, wanting to be sure he remembered each and every word on the big night. By now Chloe, along with Thelma, Ned and Gordon, also knew Jimmy's lines since he practiced on all of them. Everyone agreed to come to the performance and Jimmy grew more excited as the play approached.

“Could they be cuter?” Grace asked in a quiet voice, watching her daughter.

“Thanks for keeping an eye on Jimmy. Knowing you're here makes it easier to leave him at school each day.”

“I haven't done anything, really. And I intended to help you get settled in. It's sort of a Rosewood tradition.”

“I don't know how long I'll be here,” Chloe admitted.

“If Evan sticks to his decision, I'll be taking Jimmy back to Milwaukee. Of course, I'm hoping Evan will change his mind.” She tried to keep her voice steady. “In any case, I'll be going back.”

Grace looked at her searchingly. “Haven't you found a pretty good reason to stay?”

“Am I that transparent?”

“Evan's a good man. It's going to take time, but he'll get
past what happened. I don't believe he wants to be alone forever.”

Chloe wished it didn't matter so much. “Even if he could…I have to go back and take care of my mother. I'm all she has.”

“Families make adjustments all the time.”

“Not that kind of adjustment. I don't know if I told you, but when I go back, I'll be attending law school. Marquette, if I can get in there.”

“Wow.” Grace absently rubbed the scar on her hand. “I didn't picture you pursuing another career. I kind of thought you were ready to tackle raising a family.”

Chloe hadn't confided in Grace. She'd promised Mr. Wainwright she would keep his secret, that she would only tell the whole story when it was necessary. Chloe needed a friend, someone to discuss her confused feelings with, but she wasn't accustomed to breaking promises.

The financing matter, however, wasn't a promise. “I did something. And I'm hoping it'll help Evan's business. Now, I'm also hoping he won't be mad since I didn't consult him first.”

“It would be easier to give an opinion if I knew what you were talking about.”

Chloe outlined the basics. “When I had the idea, I didn't really think about any resentment Evan might have that the money would be coming from Mr. Wainwright's bank. I just wanted to help.”

“Evan will no doubt realize that. After all, he helps people all the time. It's in his nature.”

“Maybe you're right. I didn't think about it that way.”

“I'll pray for you, Chloe, and for Evan and his employees.”

Chloe sensed she would need Grace's prayers and all of her own.

 

Evan stood by the window in his office until he saw Chloe park out front. He waited, giving her time to reach the file room before he walked down the hall. She stood midway between the incoming table and her desk, looking around.

“Expecting more information?”

She whirled around, her brow furrowed.

He took one step inside the now immaculate space. He had removed all of the loose filing, the papers that told the tale of Mitchell Stone's situation.

“What happened? Did Melanie come back?”

“You're good. I'll give you that.” Evan walked closer. “The innocent look, the nearly convincing confusion.”

“Apparently not that good. I don't know what you're talking about.”

“Haven't you been talking to Wainwright lately?”

The truth flashed across her face. “I was going to explain—”

“That you've been reporting to him ever since you got to town?”

“Well, of course, I've checked in, but—”

“Like a good secretary.”

The color drained from her face. “Mr. Wainwright didn't think you'd take me as seriously if—”

“So you've been lying since we met.”

Chloe drew in a shaky breath. “I did as Mr. Wainwright instructed. I work for him, yes. As his private secretary. But, when I agreed to bring Jimmy, my position changed.”

“To a far more lucrative one?”

Indecision flashed in her clear eyes. “Let me explain—”

“I don't understand why you want all the inside information on the business. That piece doesn't fit. Wainwright can't blackmail me into taking Jimmy.”

Chloe looked genuinely appalled. “Blackmail? With what?”

“With whatever you've gathered that you emailed to Wainwright.”

Chloe's gaze flickered back to her laptop sitting on the desk. “You went through my personal computer?”

“What are you really doing here, Chloe?”

She blinked. “I thought I was helping.” Pain darkened her eyes and she bit down on her lip. “That was my intention. But you're right. Mr. Wainwright did make me an offer that, as they say, I couldn't refuse. If I got you to agree to be Jimmy's guardian, made sure that he was happy here, Mr. Wainwright promised to raise my salary and pay for law school. I wouldn't have to work any longer, but getting paid, I could make it through law school in the normal three years.” She pushed the hair off her forehead. “Obviously, I have nothing to do here any longer. I'll leave my laptop so you have enough time to read everything you want. I do need it back, though.” Pausing, she took another breath. “And I'll need your final decision about Jimmy.”

Before Evan realized her intent, Chloe pushed past him, running down the hall and out the front reception area.

Viola walked up behind him. “Is something wrong?”

Everything. Absolutely everything.

 

She couldn't breathe. Having no place to run, Chloe had driven to the school, then remained in her rental car. Had she just blown Jimmy's future? Why had she told Evan in such a clinical manner?

Because his words hurt so badly.

Leaning her head against the steering wheel, she felt the tears roll down her face, wetting her shirt. How would she tell Jimmy?

Horrified, another thought hit. What if Evan wanted them gone before Jimmy could play the little shepherd boy?

She'd ruined everything. And, Evan didn't even know the truth. Deep in her heart, Chloe couldn't regret asking Mr. Wainwright to help Evan. It was the right thing to do. But the price was greater than she'd expected.

Someone knocked on her window and she jumped.

Seeing it was Grace, Chloe rolled down the window.

Grace took one look, then opened the door. “Come on.”

“But—”

“My kids are in the library for the next hour. Let's get out of here.”

Chloe stumbled out of the car and Grace gripped her arm. “My car's right over here.” With the kindness of a sister and the sternness of a mother, she got Chloe seated in the car. Leaving the school, she drove to the café on Main Street. “It's quiet this time of day. Most everybody's already eaten breakfast and it's too early for lunch.”

“Grace, really, it's not necessary.”

“You're the color of a shucked oyster. It's necessary.” Grace guided her inside, choosing the farthest booth in the rear. She grabbed a paper napkin from the holder and passed it across the table.

Chloe wiped her cheeks. “I'm not usually this weepy.”

“I'm guessing you have good reason.”

Biting her lip, Chloe nodded.

“Did Evan overreact?”

“In a way.” Chloe repeated her exchange with Evan. “I didn't even get to tell him why I was calling Mr. Wainwright.” Her voice started to shake. “But when he accused me of blackmail…”

A waitress approached. “Two hot teas, strong please.”

The woman disappeared and Chloe tried to pull herself together. “And I didn't explain why the money's so important.”
She told Grace about her mother's illness, the cost of the care facility.

Grace leaned forward. “Tell me more.”

And Chloe did, detailing her financial situation. “I can't believe I acted so stupidly. I thought about myself instead of Jimmy. I was indignant for both of us, but I could have handled it better, not alienated Evan. Oh, Grace, what if Evan makes us leave before Jimmy's play?”

Grace covered Chloe's hand with her own. “Evan is not an unkind man. You've seen how he protects the people he cares about. He wouldn't deliberately hurt Jimmy. He may not have thought about the play in the last few days, but he can't forget about it completely. He got corralled into moving the boulder during the performance.”

“I don't think reminding him about that will improve his mood.”

Grace smiled gently. “There are a lot of reasons for having friends.”

“Yes.”

“One of them is to divert the knight so you can slay the dragon.”