The Winter of Candy Canes (A Sweet Seasons Novel) (3 page)

“Famous last words.”

“Those of you who are not cast in one of the roles will still get to be in
Man of La Mancha
as part of the chorus,” Mr. Bailey said.

Candace stifled a groan. It looked like one way or another she was going to end up on stage.

“Not only will everyone get a chance to be on stage, but everyone will also get a chance to construct sets, work on costumes, and learn all about stage makeup.”

At the last part, all the guys in the room made faces, and all the girls giggled.

“Now that will be worth seeing!” Tamara laughed.

As soon as class was over, they made their way to Tamara's car.

“Girl, we are going shopping,” Tamara announced once she pulled out of the parking lot.

“What kind of shopping?”

“Christmas.”

“Isn't it a little early?” Candace asked. “The sales don't start until Friday.”

“Yeah, and you're working Friday, right?”

“Yeah, but —”

“But nothing. I figure I can write you off for most of the season thanks to The Zone. Not that I'm complaining,” she hastened to add. “I just want to get some of our annual Christmas shopping madness taken care of while we can.”

“But I'm not even dressed for it,” Candace protested.

“Tough. I'll buy you something to wear while we do the rest of our shopping,” Tamara said, jaw clenched.

Candace just laughed. “Okay, then, lead on.” She grabbed her cell phone and left a brief message for her parents, letting them know that she was going to be out late with Tamara.

A few minutes later they were inside the mall, and Candace shook her head as she took in all the decorations. “Looks like the mall's already in full holiday swing,” she said.

“Yeah, and look,” Tamara said pointing to some huge signs in one window. “You were afraid they were going to wait until Friday to start all the sales.”

Candace grinned. “Christmas comes earlier every year.”

“Or at least the marketing does,” Tamara finished. “So, who's on your list?”

“Everyone. I've done zero shopping so far.”

“Me too.”

They walked slowly past a variety of shops and stared at the items in the windows.

“What are you getting Kurt?” Tamara asked.

“I don't know. It's driving me crazy, actually. I don't know whether to give him something silly and romantic or something practical that he could really use or something he really wants.”

“What does he really want?”

“I don't know!”

“Have you tried asking him?”

“I'm trying to be sneaky. I want him to be surprised, you know?”

“Get him tickets to something. What's his favorite team?”

“I don't know,” Candace admitted.

“Okay, favorite sport?”

“Again, don't know.”

“Hmmm. Is there something he's always wanted to do, like sky dive or go to Paris?”

Candace laughed. “I don't know, and even if he did, that would be way, way out of my budget. I'm thinking under fifty bucks.”

“You usually spend more on my presents,” Tamara said.

“That's because I'm using
your
credit card when I buy your presents.”

“Oh yeah,” Tamara said with a smile.

“Go with silly and romantic,” Tamara advised after a minute. “It'll be easier, and it'll be cute.”

“What do you have in mind?”

They stopped at a kiosk in the middle of the mall. “Get him a mouse pad with your picture on it,” Tamara suggested, waving toward a display.

“Maybe … I don't know. It just doesn't seem quite right. Besides, I'm not sure how much he uses a computer.”

“Then get a mug. I'm sure he uses those,” Tamara said.

“That just doesn't seem romantic or useful or interesting,” Candace sighed.

“Hey, don't we know that sad sack of misery over there?” Tamara asked, pointing toward a guy seated on one of the planters with his head in his hands and his shoulders slumped in defeat.

“It looks like Roger,” Candace said.

“More like the empty husk of what was Roger. Why does he look like that?”

“I don't know. Let's find out,” Candace said, already headed toward him.

“Hey, Roger, you okay?” Candace asked when they were standing next to him.

He looked up, startled. “Oh, hi, Candy. No, I'm not okay.”

“What's wrong?” Tamara asked.

“I can't even work up the nerve to ask Becca out. How am I supposed to figure out what to get her for Christmas?”

“You know, I thought you were going to ask her out the day after Halloween. It's been weeks. What happened?”

“I know. It's just that every time I'm about to, I look into her beautiful, crazy, scary blue eyes, and I can't do it. I chicken out.”

“Are you afraid she'll say no?” Candace asked.

“Or are you afraid she'll break every bone in your body next time she's on a sugar rush?” Tamara suggested.

“No, I know at some point I'll get hurt; that's a risk I'm willing to take to be with her. I'm just afraid she doesn't like me in the same way.”

“Only one way to find out,” Candace said.

“But what if she says no, and it ruins our friendship? I'd be miserable.”

“You mean, more miserable than you are now?” Tamara asked.

He sighed. “Why do women have to be so complicated?”

Candace tried not to laugh, but she couldn't help it. She had often wondered the exact same thing about men. She sat down next to him on the planter and patted his shoulder, feeling bad for laughing.

“Look, would you be happy just being friends with her forever?”

“No.”

“Then you owe it to yourself — to both of you — to go for it. It's like taking off a Band-Aid. You can do it quickly and get it over with, or you can draw it out and let the pain go on and on. Which would you rather?”

He sighed. “I usually just wait until they fall off by themselves in the shower.”

“Man,” Tamara said, sitting down on his other side, “you can't just shower this away.” She made a face as Candace giggled. “Just put everyone out of their misery and ask the girl out already.”

Roger was nodding. “Okay,” he said. Then he asked, “What should I get her for Christmas?”

“I'm sorry. I can't help you with that. I can't even help Candace figure out what to get Kurt for Christmas. You're on your own,” Tamara said, standing abruptly.

Roger looked at Candace imploringly. “What do you think?”

“I think she'd love you forever if you gave her something chocolate, but I'd advise against it.” Candace was joking, but a moment later she recoiled in horror as Roger leapt to his feet.

“That's it!” he shrieked. “Why didn't I think of that? Thanks!” Then he headed across the mall at a jog.

“Girl, what did you just do?”

Candace shook her head. “I'm a bad, bad person.”

“Um, excuse me?”

Candace looked up. A nerdy-looking guy was standing there, twisting his hands in front of him and smiling sheepishly.

“What?” Candace asked.

“I need help figuring out what to buy for a girl.”

Tamara rolled her eyes and grabbed Candace's hand. “I'm sorry, but that was her last client of the day. The love doctor is out.”

Candace laughed as she let Tamara pull her along. “You've already done enough damage for today,” Tamara said.

“Well, at least if I can't solve my problems, I can help someone else.”

“I know. Let's forget Kurt, and you can help me.”

“Help you figure out who to take to Winter Formal?”

“No, Lame-o,” Tamara said. “Help me help you figure out what to get me for Christmas. I'm thinking maybe something ruby-ish this year.”

“Oh no, uh-uh. This year I'm picking out a present for you by myself and I'm buying it myself.”

Tamara looked nonplussed, and for a moment Candace thought she was going to argue with her. Finally, the other girl just shrugged. “Fine. Let's go get something for your mother or my mother, just as long as we
buy
something. I'm dying here.”

Two hours later, Candace had gifts for her mother, father, and all four grandparents. Tamara had done similar damage but had also bought presents for extended members of her family that she usually exchanged with. They ended up at Rigatoni's for dinner, where they discussed what was left on their lists.

“I've got to get something for my friends at The Zone,” Candace said. “I'm not even sure where to begin.”

“Are we doing a gift exchange in that girls' Bible study you're going to be leading?” Tamara asked suddenly.

Candace blinked at her. She had barely thought about how she was going to lead the first meeting, let alone given any thought to a Christmas party or gift exchange.

Tamara waited for a moment and then said, “Okay, maybe a better question is whether there's even going to be an
idea
exchange at the first meeting, which is in two days.”

“Don't remind me,” Candace said with a sigh. “I should be home reading over the leaders' manual Pastor Bobby gave me.”

“He gave you that two weeks ago,” Tamara noted.

“Yes, thank you for pointing out my slacker ways in this area.”

Tamara smirked. “Hey, at least I didn't let myself get roped into leadership.”

“Duly noted. If you're not careful, though, I'll draft you.”

“You'll try.”

An hour later Candace was home in her room staring at the leadership manual. She had already hidden away her purchases, and she had no homework to distract herself with. There was just her and the manual and the slowly dawning realization that in two days, eleven other girls were going to be looking to her for guidance, thoughtfulness, and preparation.

“God, I'm not sure how I got myself into this situation, but please help me,” she prayed. “Let me know what you want us to learn.”

At least she didn't have to pick a topic. That was taken care of by Pastor Bobby. For eight weeks they would be studying the true meaning of Christmas. Every girl would have a workbook with each week's reading and questions all laid out for her. All Candace had to do was to facilitate the discussion and keep everyone on track.

Her mom entered the room, and Candace looked up. “Hey, Mom, what's up?

“I just wanted to remind you that tomorrow afternoon you promised you'd help me set up for Holly Daze.”

“I remember. I'll be straight home after school, and we can go then.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it,” her mom said.

“Not a problem.”

Her mom left the room, and Candace stared after her for a moment. Her mom was running one of the vendor booths in the Holiday Zone for Christmas. Well, technically, it was the organization her mom worked for that was in charge of the booth. They would be selling eco-friendly trinkets and spreading the word on environmental issues. Her mom and several others would work the booth.

It was weird thinking that she and her mom were going to be working at the same place, even if it was just for a few weeks. Since she was an elf, Candace's primary duties would also be in the Holiday Zone. Candance was relieved that her mom was coming into her workplace and not the other way around. As a vendor, her mom wouldn't have full referee privileges, which meant there were still a lot of places Candace could go in the park that her mom couldn't.

With a sigh she turned back to the book and jotted down a few notes. She looked at the twelve names on her list. There were three girls from each grade in her group. She recognized the names of all except two freshmen. The third, Jen, she had seen several times at youth group. She seemed like a nice girl, even if somewhat overwhelmed half the time.

Her Instant Messenger pinged, and she read the message from Josh.