A Christmas Miracle. Anna Adams

I have to, but I didn’t with your loan.”

      “That’s what I don’t understand about you. You obviously cared about Fred, and I know you’ve been considerate of me, but if the bottom line creeps up, that’s where your attention will go.”

      “It’s my job.”

      “Your job,” she said. “That’s your first priority, isn’t it?”

      He met her measured gaze, knowing she wouldn’t let him put his arm around her now if he tried. “The job is why I’m here.”

      “I won’t let myself forget again.” She took her cup to the counter. “But aren’t you ever tempted to find out if you could belong somewhere?”

      “Fleming—”

      “I know,” she said. “It’s none of my business.”

      “You’re content here in these mountains. I’m not asking you why you aren’t tempted by everything you’d find outside this world.”

      “Because I belong. My life here is a suit of clothes that fits. You haven’t found that outfit for yourself.” She opened her laptop. “And I don’t think you’ll allow yourself to look.”

      “Just like I don’t believe you’re capable of opening your eyes to anywhere else.”

      “And now we’re getting personal. That’s a mistake.” Her fingers flew over the keyboard. “I’m asking the attorney for a closing date.”

      And shutting him out. Making sure he knew she wasn’t open to any relationship that might take her away from her beloved mountain home.

      “Good,” he said. “The sooner you commit to your business, the better.” He looked at his watch, not even seeing it. “I should get back to work, too. Good night, Fleming.”

      “Night.”

      Her cheery voice irritated him. He set his cup on her counter and looked at her, not hiding his awareness of what they were truly saying to each other. She belonged here. He was leaving.

      Neither spoke again as he exited the store and walked away.

      * * *

      FLEMING FELT THE silence in the shop as if it were a pillow smothering her. She sent her email to the bank’s loan attorney and closed the laptop, not even tempted to open her story file for a change.

      Her heart felt a little broken. She and Jason had talked a lot since she’d first met him in his office that day. They’d never been as personal or as honest as in these last few moments.

      She’d met other men, been interested in other men, but laughed to herself now, recognizing that she’d never felt like this before. Attracted, afraid, grateful for the sound of his voice, at a loss when he left her.

      But she’d always been clear about where she stood, where she’d stand forever. In Bliss, her home.

      Her phone rang, startling her as it vibrated in her pocket. She reached for it and tears burned in her eyes. “Mom,” she said, answering.

      “Am I too late? Why haven’t you called me?”

      Fleming picked up her coffee cup and carried it to the back room, where she put it in the sink. “The grapevine got hold of you?”

      “I’ve heard a few things. Is it true about the loan?”

      “Absolutely true, but everything’s fine. I have a new one that I’ll be able to cover, and the shop will be fine.”

      “I don’t care about the shop.” Her mother paused. “Right now, anyway. You sound sad.”

      “No.” Fleming lied as she never had to her mother before. She couldn’t explain that her heart had gotten involved without her permission. “I’m fine. Where are you calling from?”

      Her mom didn’t answer.

      “Hello?” Fleming glanced at the phone. It was a long way to a beach hut, but the call remained connected.

      “I asked Hugh if we could come home early. Just a few days. I’m on my way from Knoxville right now. I hope you won’t be upset with me for being concerned, but we both thought you might need me.”

      Fleming didn’t know how to respond. “I’m twenty-four, Mom, not a child. Hugh will think—”

      “That I wanted to see my daughter. He’s part of our family now, too. He understands what the shop means to us both. Besides, he’s excited about getting back to the hospital in the morning. Who knows how cardiology might have changed since the great Dr. Belford tempted fate by taking a vacation?”

      Her mom was rightly proud of her new husband, who’d never go out for pastry and disappear. “Thank him for me,” Fleming said, “and be careful getting here. It’s starting to snow.”

      “Oh, that’ll be good for business.”

       CHAPTER SIX

      FLEMING HAD ALL BUT tackled her mother when she arrived at home the night before. Over hot chocolate and oatmeal cookies, they’d discussed what had happened with the shop and the loan, and then they’d gone to bed.

      In the morning, Fleming woke to the smells and sounds of breakfast. She jumped out of bed and ran down the stairs. Her mother turned from the stove, where she was frying bacon.

      “I thought pancakes and bacon and coffee and some fresh fruit,” she said. “How’s that with you?”

      “Amazing. I usually just grab an apple or a boiled egg. Even your coffee smells better than mine.”

      “Help yourself.” Katherine went to the fridge and took out pancake batter she’d already mixed. “We should be eating in about ten minutes.”

      Fleming rubbed her stomach. “Can’t be soon enough.”

      “Now tell me what you’re doing to bring up sales in the store.”

      “I’ve distributed flyers for an ornament-making workshop. I haven’t decided what I want to do so it’s pretty vague, but I’ll provide the materials as part of the cost.”

      “I wondered if you’d keep up with the ornament tradition. You should do one each week.”

      “I was thinking papier-mâché. My friend Julia did some in art school. She might help me come up with something.”

      “Would she consider running the workshop?”

      “We could share the profits if she’s willing. I have the shop and she has the skills. She might even be able to put on other classes during the year.”

      “I’d talk to her,” Katherine said. “Call her after breakfast.”

      “I will. Actually, I kind of have an idea. You know the special ornaments we do each year? I modeled the ones for this year on the snowflakes the town puts on the streetlights.” They were 3-D stars with six sides, made so that each leg formed a diamond point. “What if we did something like that, only in jewel colors, with varnish? Nothing ornate—these would be for the children.”

      “Might be worth the effort if it brings in shoppers.”

      “And their little ones. We’ll keep it easy so the children can be involved in making them.”

      “Good idea. You should try.”

      Fleming smiled. “That wasn’t so hard for a few minutes of work.”

      Maybe she’d been putting all her creativity into her writing. Writing her mother didn’t even know about. Her own little secret.

      “Don’t rest your brain now. You’ll need more of that kind of work,” Katherine said.