Kitabı oku: «A Stonecreek Christmas Reunion»

Chapter One

“More lights.”

Maggie Spencer surveyed the work taking place in the town square, a mix of confidence and anxiety spiraling through her. Her small town of Stonecreek, Oregon, was about to be thrust into the national spotlight.

Or at least the social media spotlight. LiveSoft, a wildly successful software and mobile app development company, was searching for a new location for its company headquarters. The over-the-top lifestyle in Los Angeles, their current location, clashed with the app’s branding and corporate culture. LiveSoft was all about using technology to slow down and simplify life. LA wasn’t a great place for that.

So in conjunction with a request for proposals, the company had launched a marketing campaign during which its social media followers would help determine which Pacific Northwest city would be the best fit for a company move.

As Stonecreek’s recently reelected mayor, Maggie was determined to make sure her town was chosen and had been working around the clock since the election to that end. Stonecreek had arrived late to the proverbial party, finding out about the proposal deadline only a week before submissions were due. But she’d been thrilled to learn just before Thanksgiving that her town had been short-listed by the company’s CEO.

And why not? Stonecreek was only an hour south of Portland and she liked to think the community boasted the potential workforce, opportunity for growth and work-life balance LiveSoft had outlined in their preferences. The company was best known for its mobile app that claimed to “balance internal life with the outer world.” Of course, she had yet to download the app herself, but it was on her to-do list along with a million other items.

“We’ve already added two dozen extra strands.” Jacob Snow, head of the town’s maintenance department, had been coordinating the town’s holiday decorations for the past two weeks. “At this rate you’re going to be able to see this place from the moon.”

“There’s no such thing as too festive,” Maggie told him.

“You ever seen that National Lampoon Christmas movie?” Jacob asked with a soft chuckle. “I feel like Clark Griswold out here.”

Maggie frowned, looking around at all the activity with fresh eyes. The entire town square was draped with lights while a huge, elaborately decorated fir tree stood in the center of the park waiting for tonight’s tree-lighting ceremony. An almost fifteen-foot tall menorah had been given pride of place in front of the main archway into the square, ready to be lit on each of Chanukah’s eight nights. Wreaths had been draped over every lamppost and nearly life-size nutcrackers lined the main path. In addition to a makeshift stable that had been built to house the nativity-scene animals, there was a display of Santa riding his sleigh, complete with reindeer painted by the high school’s art department, and all the planters situated through the park burst with oversize ornaments and colorful dreidels.

“Oh, my.” She clasped a hand to her chest when her heart started beating out of control. “Is it too much? Our theme is winter wonderland. I don’t want it to be gaudy. Are we trying too hard? It has to look effortless, like the holidays in a TV movie. Charming and quaint, not over-the-top. Should we take down some of the lights? What about the live manger? I knew those goats would cause trouble.”

Jacob stared at her for several seconds then climbed down from the ladder. He’d been working for the town since Maggie was a girl, hired when her grandmother had been mayor.

He’d never married and rarely dated as far as Maggie knew. In fact, Jacob Snow was a bit of a mystery, keeping the town running smoothly but rarely participating in the myriad of festivals and fairs that delineated the seasons in Stonecreek throughout the year. Other than his silver-white hair, he looked very much like he had twenty years ago when Maggie first met him.

“Slow down. It will be beautiful,” he said, awkwardly patting her shoulder like he knew she needed comfort but wasn’t sure how to offer it. “Like it always is.”

“This year is different,” Maggie whispered. “It matters more.”

“Because of that new company thinking of coming here?” He reached for another strand of lights.

She nodded. “LiveSoft is one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the region. It would mean new jobs and increased tax revenue for the town. We could fund programs for impacted kids in the school district. Some of those maintenance requests you’ve put in would be approved.”

“Like a new snowplow?” he suggested with a wink.

“Exactly.” She drew in a slow breath. “I’m freaking out.”

Jacob smiled. “I hadn’t noticed.”

“There’s no reason for me to freak out, right?”

“None at all.”

“But there’s so much I want to do for Stonecreek. Now that I’m mayor—”

“You’ve been the mayor for two years,” he reminded her. “You were reelected by a landslide last month.”

She sighed. “Yes, but it feels different now. I feel like the town elected me and not Vivian Spencer’s granddaughter. It changes everything.”

Maggie had finally stepped out from behind the long shadow her grandmother cast. The Spencers had been one of Stonecreek’s most powerful families since the town was founded in the mid–eighteen hundreds. But Maggie’s grandma had taken their leadership to a whole new level. As soon as Grammy married into the family, she’d made it her mission to ensure the Spencer name was synonymous with Stonecreek.

Grammy had been the biggest force in Maggie’s life, especially after she’d stepped in to help when Maggie’s mother died eleven years ago. Maggie owed Grammy so much—they all did—but she also wanted a chance to make her own mark on the town. She loved this community.

Although she’d won the election, the months leading up to it had been tumultuous to say the least. Her opponent had been Jason Stone, cousin of her ex-fiancé Trevor who she’d left at the altar last spring when she’d discovered he’d been cheating on her.

As if that didn’t complicate things enough, she’d then fallen for Trevor’s brother Griffin, the black-sheep of the Stone family, who’d returned to town to work on the vineyard the family owned and operated outside town. When Griffin broke her heart a little over a month ago, it had made her question everything.

Everything except her dedication to the town, which was why she had to do an amazing job as mayor. Her work was everything to her now. She might be a dismal failure at love, but she could succeed at this.

“Maybe you’re the one who’s changed,” Jacob told her gently. “I’ve known you since you were a wee girl, Ms. Maggie. You were always the apple of your grandmother’s eye. She wouldn’t have encouraged you the way she did if she didn’t think you could handle it. I see how hard you’re working for the town. Everyone around here does, and we appreciate it.”

“Thanks, Jacob.” Emotion clogged Maggie’s throat. “I’m going to go check on Dora Gianelli at the bakery. It’s the first business we’re spotlighting as part of the campaign. What says holidays more than hot chocolate and a Christmas cookie?”

“Cocktail weenies and a beer?” he suggested.

She nudged his arm, the tension in her shoulders relaxing as she grinned. “When are you going to come to Christmas with our family? There’s plenty of room.”

“Vivian likes to keep things private,” he said, scrubbing a hand over his whiskered jaw.

“Grammy would love to have you join us,” Maggie countered, even though she’d never discussed the matter with her grandmother.

“She never mentioned it to me.”

Maggie rolled her eyes. “She gets busy around this time of year. I’m not going to force you, but keep it in mind, okay?”

“Okay,” he agreed. “I’ve got one more string of lights to hang.” He held up a hand when she opened her mouth to comment. “Trust me on this. One more strand will be the perfect amount.”

She nodded. “I’ll see you later tonight at the tree lighting.”

“The whole town will be here to make you look good.” He rubbed a hand over his jaw once more. “I may even shave for the occasion.”

She leaned in and bussed him on the cheek. “I’m lucky to have you.”

Maggie watched for another minute as he climbed the ladder, feeling marginally better that she could accomplish her goal. There was no reason LiveSoft wouldn’t want to come to Stonecreek. Nestled in the heart of Central Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the town had great restaurants, outdoor activities, a fantastic school system and tight-knit community.

Groaning softly, Maggie realized she was becoming a bit too obsessed with work when even her internal thoughts made her sound like a billboard for the town.

She turned to head across the town square toward the bakery only to find Griffin Stone blocking her path.

He looked as handsome as ever, the bright afternoon sunlight shining off his dark blond hair. He wore a flannel button-down, faded jeans and work boots. She couldn’t see his green eyes because of the sunglasses perched on his nose, but the set of his jaw and the way his broad shoulders remained rigid told her this wasn’t going to be an easy conversation.

Fine. Maggie wasn’t in the mood for easy when it came to Griffin. She’d had plenty of time to get over him. She was over him so she could certainly manage a few words without losing her mind.

“I’m busy,” she said and started down the path that would take her out the west gate of the town square. Stonecreek Sweets was on the north end, but she told herself she needed the exercise walking around the block would give her. Just because she could handle talking to Griffin didn’t mean she wanted to handle it.

“You can’t avoid me forever,” came his rough reply from behind her.

“I can try,” she said over her shoulder and quickened her pace. It didn’t matter. Griffin caught up with her in a few long strides.

“Maggie, stop.” He reached for her arm, but she yanked away.

“Do. Not. Touch. Me.”

He held up his hands, palms out. “Fine. Okay. Sorry.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered.

“It’s fine,” she lied.

“I called you.” He ran a hand through his hair, looking past her. “Eventually.”

She sniffed. “I blocked your number. Take a hint.”

“This isn’t you,” he said, glancing back at her.

“Oh, yes,” she shot back. “This is me. You know how I’m sure of that? Because I never left. I’ve been here the whole time. Some of us don’t have the luxury to take off when things get too real, Griffin.”

“That’s not what happened. It’s complica—”

“Don’t say complicated. That word is off-limits with us,” she told him. “Along with apologies. Remember?”

“I remember everything.”

Despite her resolve to hate this man, his words felt like a caress against her skin, a secret promise and one she knew he could fulfill with remarkable skill. All the more reason to hold tight to her willpower.

“Go away,” she said, not bothering to try to hide the pain from her voice. Let him understand he hurt her. That was all on him.

He sighed. “Give me a chance to explain.”

“I don’t need an explanation. You ran off to your ex-girlfriend. Sends a pretty clear message, you know?”

“I called,” he repeated.

“Almost two weeks after you left.”

“Things were crazy and I—”

“You said you loved me,” she blurted, and it felt like sandpaper coated her throat. “Here’s some advice for next time. Don’t say ‘I love you’ if it doesn’t mean anything.” She took a step closer to him, ignoring the tears that sprang to her eyes. So much for being unaffected. Maybe what she needed to truly move on was to get this out of her system. “If you love someone, you tell them everything. Not weeks later or when it’s convenient. I don’t know what happened between you and Cassie, and I don’t care. Go to her again if that’s what she needs. We’re finished, Griffin.”

“She died.”

Maggie drew in a sharp breath and watched as Griffin pulled off his sunglasses and tucked them into his shirt pocket. His eyes were sad, almost hollow, and darn it all if she didn’t want to reach out to him, offer whatever comfort she could.

But no. It was too late for that.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I know you loved her.”

“I cared about her,” he corrected. “I love you.”

She shook her head. “Not in the way I needed you to.”

There was the truth of it, and when he took a small step back like she’d hit him, she knew he felt the impact as much as she did.

He lifted a hand and used his thumb to wipe a stray tear from her cheek.

“Are you staying in Stonecreek?” she asked, because she had to know.

“I’m not sure yet.” He cleared his throat. “There are extenuating circumstances.”

She huffed out a humorless laugh. “I imagine one might even call them ‘complications.’”

“One might,” he conceded with a nod.

“Good luck with wherever life takes you.” It was difficult to get the words out, but she even managed a small half smile to go with them.

“This can’t be the end.”

“We were naive to think it ever would have worked out between us.”

He shook his head. “You know that’s not true. Maggie, please.”

“Please what, Griffin?” She threw up her hands. “What exactly do you want from me at this point?”

“I want another chance.”

“No.” She fisted her hands at her sides, her fingernails digging into the fleshy center of each palm until it hurt. Physical pain to mask another emotional hit. Of course, a part of her wanted to give in. It would be so easy. She could take one step forward and be in his arms again.

Except he was still holding back. She didn’t know what it was or understand why, but she could almost see the barrier that surrounded him.

“I’ve got to go,” she told him. “The tree lighting is tonight and it’s a big deal this year.”

“I heard about LiveSoft. I’m sure you’ll put on quite a show for them.”

“Yes, well...the show must go on and all of that. Goodbye, Griffin.”

His jaw tightened. “I won’t say goodbye,” he whispered.

“That doesn’t change me leaving,” she said and walked away without looking back.

* * *

Griffin returned to the vineyard, his mood as black as a starless sky at midnight. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected from Maggie. He thought he’d understood how mad she was, but other than that one moment when tears had filled her eyes, she’d been cold more than anything.

It had been like talking to some kind of vintage automaton, and the ice in her eyes when she looked at him made frustration curl along the base of his spine.

He kicked a piece of loose gravel in the driveway in front of his mother’s house. The air was thick with the scent of wet earth from the rain that was so typical this time of year. He drew in a deep breath, hoping the earthy smells would ground him, as they always had in the past.

When he’d left home at eighteen after that final, awful fight with his father, Griffin had never expected to return. As much as he loved the vineyard, Dave Stone had made it clear that his oldest son would never be worthy of having any place in the family business.

Griffin still didn’t understand the animosity that had simmered between him and his dad back then. Yes, his mother had given him an explanation about his dad feeling trapped by her unexpected pregnancy and taking out his frustration on his older son. But Griffin couldn’t imagine punishing a child for the things in life that didn’t work out the way his dad wanted them to.

Especially now.

He’d been home only a day and had yet to talk to Marcus Sanchez, Harvest Vineyard’s CEO, who’d announced plans to step away from his position right before Griffin left for Seattle. Griffin had no idea if Marcus still wanted him to take over the business, or if his abrupt departure had burned bridges with more than just Maggie.

As much as he wanted to get his former life back on track, he understood nothing would ever be the same. With another glance at the fields stretching out below the hillside, he headed for the house.

His mother, Jana, greeted him at the door, one finger lifted to her lips.

“Is he okay?” Griffin whispered, unfamiliar panic making the hair on his arms stand on end.

“Sleeping,” she mouthed then motioned him into the house.

They walked through the foyer, and she stopped at the edge of the dining room.

Griffin’s eyes widened as he took in the antique cherry table, covered with various blankets and sheets.

“In there?” he asked.

She gave him another strident finger to her mouth then led the way toward the back of the house and the big farmhouse kitchen that had been remodeled when he and his brother, Trevor, were in high school.

“I checked on him about ten minutes ago,” she said, her delicate brows furrowing. “He was fast asleep, clutching that ratty blanket he carries everywhere.”

“He calls the thing Chip,” Griffin told her. “You never would have let Trevor and me cover the dining room table with blankets. As I remember, that room was strictly off-limits.”

“I had to keep one room sacred from you heathens,” she said with an equal mix of humor and affection. “Besides, neither you nor your brother dealt with anything near the trauma that boy has.” She pulled a pitcher of iced tea from the refrigerator and glanced over her shoulder. “I heard him last night.”

Griffin nodded, his gut tightening at the memory. “The nightmares are a regular thing since the funeral. He has to be exhausted.”

“What are you going to do?” She poured two glasses of tea.

If he had a quarter for every time he’d asked himself the same question over the past few weeks...

When his ex-girlfriend and longtime friend, Cassie Barlow, had paid him a surprise visit in early October, she’d given no indication she was secretly interviewing him for the role of guardian for her four-year-old son, Joey. According to what she’d told him when he arrived in Seattle over a month ago, she hadn’t known either.

Treatment for the breast cancer diagnosis she’d received over the summer had seemed straightforward, a course of chemo and radiation and she’d been donning her own pink ribbon as a survivor. Then they’d discovered the cancer had metastasized throughout her body and within weeks, her prognosis had gone from sunny to “put your affairs in order.”

Being an eternal optimist, Cassie had still believed she could beat the disease. It wasn’t until hospice intervened that she’d called Griffin. He’d arrived at her bedside only to find out about her wishes for Joey.

The boy was polite and respectful but hadn’t warmed to Griffin at any point. Not that Griffin blamed him. He’d tried to convince Cassie there must be someone more appropriate for Joey than he was, but she’d been adamant. He’d managed to have her moved home with round-the-clock care at the end and then spent four agonizing weeks sitting by her bed and helping the nurses care for her before she’d slipped away peacefully late one night. He’d hoped the peace of her death might make things easier for Joey.

Could anything lessen the pain and trauma of a young child watching his mother die?

The night of the funeral had been the first time Joey had woken screaming and thrashing in his bed. The episode had taken years off Griffin’s life, but now he was used to the unsettling incidents. He’d wake within seconds of hearing the boy and bound to his bedside to comfort him. It was the only time Joey allowed himself to be touched.

It made Griffin’s heart break to feel that small body trembling in his arms and damned if he had any idea how to help the boy.

“I called Dr. Cunningham earlier,” he told his mother, massaging his hand against the back of his neck. “To say he was surprised to hear from me would be the understatement of the year.”

She smiled. “The thought of you calling your former pediatrician for advice is fairly shocking.”

“I get it. He gave me the names of a couple of child psychologists to call. I’ll try them on Monday morning. I think it would help if Joey had someone to talk to. I know it would help me.”

“You’re doing a good job,” she said, placing a comforting hand on his arm.

“Only you could say that at this point.” He laughed. “I’ve managed to muck up every part of my life once again. Maggie is done with me, and I can’t imagine how Marcus took my absence.”

Jana leaned one hip against the counter. “It would have helped if you’d let me talk to him about why you left.”

Griffin shook his head. “I couldn’t deal with people knowing when I wasn’t sure what exactly was going to happen with Joey.”

“Would you have stayed in Seattle if he’d put up a fight about coming here?”

“Of course. At least for a while. Hell, I almost wish he had resisted. Or showed any kind of emotion. It was like the sicker Cassie got, the more Joey retreated into his shell. I should have done more to bond with him, but I was so focused on her.”

“She was lucky to have you,” his mother told him.

“It’s so unfair,” he muttered. “She seemed happy and healthy when she came to visit in the fall. Maybe I’m not the right person to judge. Cassie and I were both a bit of a mess when we were together.”

“Which is perhaps why the relationship didn’t work?” She sipped her tea. “You never talked much about her.”

He shrugged. “We dated for six months when we were in our early twenties. To be honest, we were too much alike to be together in that way. I was drinking a lot and Cassie...” He closed his eyes as he remembered some of the wild times they’d had together. The memories were hazy and left him with a sick pit in his stomach. “Cassie had other vices. But she finally had her life on track, and she was a great mom.”

“He’s a sweet boy.”

Panic tightened like a noose around Griffin’s chest. “Am I going to screw him up, Mom? Should I have stayed in Seattle?”

“What do you think?” she asked softly.

“I don’t know.” He downed the glass of tea then set in on the counter, but the cool liquid did nothing to ease the burning in his chest. “Actually, I do know. He’ll be better here, or at least I will, and that has to be better for him.” He met his mother’s gentle gaze. “I don’t know how I could face this without you.”

“I’m here for whatever you need.”

Before Cassie’s summons, Griffin had been staying in the efficiency apartment above the barn on the property. He’d planned to rent a place in town so that he and Maggie could have more privacy. Now he was back in his childhood bedroom, with Joey across the hall in Trevor’s room. It had made the most sense logistically so that his mom could help with the boy.

“I want to be a part of Harvest,” he told her. “This is my home. The grapes are in my blood.”

“I know,” she murmured.

“But Joey has to be my first priority.”

“Yes,” his mother agreed without hesitation.

“What does that mean for the CEO position?”

She lifted the pitcher and refilled his glass. “Your dad managed the company and his family. Being a father doesn’t mean you can’t run the vineyard as well if that’s what you want.”

“A father,” Griffin repeated, a little stunned at the words.

“That’s what you’ll be to him. We’re his family now.”

Griffin nodded. Cassie had told him she didn’t know who Joey’s father was. She’d been an only child and her parents had died in a car crash when she was seventeen. She had no siblings and no relationship with any extended family.

“I need to talk to Trevor,” he said, almost to himself.

“He’s still angry at you for leaving.” Jana’s mouth pulled down at the corners. “At Marcus for wanting to wait for you to take over his job and at me for supporting him in that decision.”

“Maybe Trevor has a point.”

His mother shook her head. “He’ll understand once you explain about Joey. I’m surprised the news didn’t sway Maggie.”

Griffin looked out the kitchen window. It overlooked the backyard, which included a large flagstone patio, built-in grill, seating area and a stone fire pit. Beyond that was an expansive yard with ornamental grasses and beds of perennials. It was the only part of the property they kept properly manicured.

He’d have to build a play set for Joey, as the one he and Trevor had used had been removed years ago. Maybe a tree house too. He’d always wanted one in the big maple tree in the corner, but his father never had time.

“I didn’t mention it,” he said, turning his back to his mom.

“Griffin.” The word was a soft admonishment.

“I couldn’t guilt her into taking me back.”

“You hurt her badly.”

“I get that.” He felt a muscle tick in his jaw and pressed two fingers to it. “Maybe I didn’t understand while I was in Seattle, but I do now.”

“So you’re going to let her go?”

He squeezed shut his eyes then opened them again. “What other choice do I have?”

“You could fight for her.”

“What do I have to offer?” He lifted a hand, ticking off all the areas of his life that were in chaos. “I’m the guardian of a boy who just lost his only parent and will barely make eye contact with me. I have no actual job at the moment and I’m back to living with my mom.”