A Christmas Carol In Romance (Christmas In Romance Book 5) Read online

Cassie hadn’t spoken to them since her breakup with Andy. They came over with smiles on their faces, with nothing to suggest they were angry.

  “Hey, Cassie,” Lila said. “It’s so good to see you back in Romance. How is your aunt Sue?”

  Cassie was relieved they acted as if nothing had gone wrong between her and their son, but it left her with an uneasy feeling.

  “What are your plans for Christmas?”

  Hamish put his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Lila, give her a chance to speak.”

  “Aunt Sue is doing well. I’m staying with her now. She was feeling tired, so she’s at home. We really don’t have any special Christmas plans besides the play.” Cassie fiddled with the long strand of jingle bells around her neck, then Andy rushed over and wedged himself between his parents.

  “Hey, Cassie.”

  “Hi. It’s really good to see you again, Mr. and Mrs. McKay.”

  “Why don’t you come have dinner with us on Sunday, Cassie? We’re having the whole family over.”

  Andy pressed his lips together, seeming to be trying not to speak. Cassie knew he didn’t like that idea. “Thank you, Mrs. McKay, I have plans with Aunt Sue. We’re going to make gingerbread for the firefighters.”

  “Call me Lila, dear. And let me help. I can make some cookies to contribute and drop them by Sue’s place tomorrow afternoon.”

  “That sounds wonderful. Thank you.”

  “Ah!” Lila looked behind her. “Chase is playing my favorite. Got to run. I can’t wait to see you and Andy in the play. We are so excited, aren’t we, Hamish?” She didn’t wait for him to respond and pulled Cassie into a hug. “Wonderful to see you, Cassie.” Next Lila hurried in the direction of the stage and Hamish followed.

  “So your mom is a big Lockhart fan?” Cassie twirled the necklace’s long strands around her finger and avoided Andy’s eyes.

  “Yeah, she knows every word. I didn’t even know how much she liked him.”

  “He’s really good. This acoustic set is especially nice for Christmas.”

  Andy shoved his hands in his pockets. “Yeah, last year it was that local band Sweet Grass, remember them?”

  “Oh, yes.” Cassie chuckled. “There was nothing sweet about them. They did the worst bluegrass version of ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ ever.”

  “Yes!” Andy threw his head back and came back to meet her eyes. “Soooo bad.”

  “And we would know.” Cassie brought her hands up to her chest. “We are the biggest bluegrass fans in the world.”

  They both laughed. Andy was a fan of almost every kind of music, but not necessarily bluegrass.

  Seeing Andy laugh and smile again had Cassie’s heart jumping. They’d been through so much together, so many good times.

  “Is Granny Mary dancing over there?” Cassie craned her neck to see through the crowd.

  “Granny and my mom.” Andy looked over. “Oh, and there’s my aunt Fiona and Mallory.”

  “I haven’t seen them in forever. Wow, they are big fans.”

  They were swaying and rocking with the beat, singing every word.

  “Mallory and her fiancé are going to play the Cratchits.”

  “Really? I’ve been wondering all this time how we were skipping those Christmas Present scenes.”

  “They’re coming to the next rehearsal.”

  “Good. It will be great to run through the entire play. Your granny read for Bob Cratchit once. She does this incredible deep voice when she asked for another coal for the fire.”

  Andy chuckled. “Granny loves this play.”

  “I’m really excited to be a part of it this year.”

  “I…hope to be happy after I’ve done it.”

  Cassie tapped him on the elbow. “It’s not so bad.”

  “It is freezing out here.” Andy rubbed his arms. “I gave away my apple cider.”

  “Let’s go get some more; that sounds perfect right now.”

  They walked side by side down past the vendors. Cassie’s necklace jingled as she walked and she loved it. In silence for several steps, Cassie brushed her hand against his, wishing he would take her by the hand. Her fingers buzzed from his touch.

  Andy placed his hands in his coat pockets instead.

  “How goes life on the radio?”

  “We’re playing nonstop Christmas songs now.” He grimaced.

  “You hate that, huh?”

  “I really would prefer mixing in Christmas songs to our playlist. If it were me, I wouldn’t switch to nothing but Christmas tunes until Christmas Eve.”

  “You just need to get in the spirit. Here.” Cassie took the jingle bells from around her neck and stood on her toes to slip them over Andy’s head. Then she realized she was against his chest, feeling his heart beat and tingling from his warmth. Andy’s eyes went to her lips, his hands on her upper arms.

  Andy cleared his throat and Cassie stepped back. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to…uh…”

  He waved a hand. “It’s fine.” They resumed walking. “So what will a jingle bell necklace do for me?”

  Cassie flipped the switch on it that turned on the lights.

  Andy chuckled. “Let’s get another one of these.”

  “You like it?”

  “Nah, I just think if I walk around with this, you should join me.”

  Cassie smiled. “Sure. Right after you buy me a cider.”

  “Deal.”

  The girl selling apple cider was excited to see Andy wearing the necklace. “I need one of those.”

  “They’re selling them over there not far from the stage.” Cassie pointed in the direction they’d come.

  The girl handed them each a foam cup filled with warm apple cider. Cassie flipped the lid and inhaled the delightful spices.

  Andy paid for the drinks, then they strolled along past the vendors. Andy was getting a lot of grins from people walking by and Cassie laughed. “You’re more popular now.”

  “I should wear a shirt from the Beaver Jam and do some promoting while I’m at it.”

  “You should get a beaver hat.” Cassie paused. “A fake one, of course. The Beaver Jam should be kind to all beavers.”

  “Why don’t we get hats that say ‘hug a beaver,’ then?”

  Cassie play-slapped him. “That would be great publicity if you hugged a beaver. Get that on YouTube and you’d be so famous.”

  “Okay, let’s go find a beaver.”

  They laughed and Cassie’s heart leaped. How she’d missed him!

  Andy took a sip of cider and they watched a vendor carrying a tray of fresh doughnuts over to a booth.

  She didn’t realize she’d been staring till Andy leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Do we need doughnuts?”

  His warm breath against her face spread to her heart. “Absolutely. Do you want to go watch the rest of the show after we get some?”

  “Okay, but give those wacky McKays plenty of room.”

  They acquired their needed doughnuts, then headed back in the direction of the stage, Andy’s chest still blinking with Christmas cheer. “We’ve got to get another one of these first.” He patted it with the side of his hand while holding his doughnut.

  Andy finished it by the time they reached the jingle bell booth, then bought her another necklace. “Here, we’ll take these too.” Cassie picked up a couple of Santa hats.

  “What? Come on.”

  “Don’t you have to prove to everyone you aren’t bitter about Christmas?”

  “Fine.” He turned to the vendor. “We’ll take the hats too.”

  Andy and Cassie both slipped on the Santa hats, and Cassie put on the new necklace and switched it on.

  When they got closer to the stage, Andy’s mother’s eyes went wide. “You’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you?”

  “Good for you, Andrew.” Granny Mary nodded her approval.

  Cassie joined in as they all sang along with Chase Lockhart’s rendition of “Joy to the World.”

  When the song ended, Mal
lory stepped closer to her. “Glad to see you here tonight, Cassie.” She pointed to the older woman behind her who gave a little wave. “Do you remember my mom, Fiona?”

  Cassie waved back. “Hey.”

  A tall man walked up beside Mallory and she put an arm around his waist. “This is my fiancé, Max.”

  Cassie shook Max’s hand. “Nice to meet you, I’m Cassie Winston.”

  “And you.” Max nodded. “So you and Andy used to date?”

  “Yes, all through high school and college,” Mallory said, nudging Andy. “These two were adorable together. And look at them now, all decked out for Christmas.”

  Cassie could feel her cheeks warming and knew she was blushing. Andy sneered at Mallory, who ignored it.

  “Let’s go get some of those.” Mallory pulled Max toward the vendor booth.

  Chase Lockhart started another song. He put on a great show with his acoustic guitar. As the sun sank lower in the sky, the time to light the tree grew near.

  Everyone gathered around the town Christmas tree, and Mayor Adam Walker stood on a podium and gave a short speech, thanking everyone who had put the event together and those who provided the tree. “It is with great pleasure we now light the tree!”

  The lights flipped on and the tree shone all around with white lights. It was a magnificent sight. Mayor Walker led the gathering in singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

  Surrounded by Andy’s family, Cassie noticed Andy stepping a little farther behind them. Perhaps he was uncomfortable having her around his family again when they all acted like things were back to normal.

  It was wonderful to be there in Romance after all the months she was gone. Christmastime was her favorite, with the amazing tree and the cinnamon-scented air. Even being with Andy’s family felt familiar and cozy. Andy had said he didn’t want her back. But she had so much fun hanging out with him tonight.

  The crowd dispersed and Andy switched off the lights on his necklace.

  She stepped up to him. “Isn’t the tree incredible this year?”

  Andy nodded, then gave her a half smile. They stood watching the tree for a few moments in silence after his family had all gone.

  Cassie held her breath, wanting to tell him how much she cared…

  Andy checked his watch. “I better go, I’m working tomorrow.”

  “On a Sunday?”

  “Yeah, there’s no morning show, but Daphne is off tomorrow.”

  “Okay…”

  “I’ll see you at rehearsal.”

  She nodded. “See you then.”

  Cassie’s chest tightened. She’d missed him so much and hated watching him walk away.

  Chapter Five

  Cassie tapped away on her laptop keyboard, fingers flying trying to keep up with the words coming to mind. Being home again in Romance had her feeling inspired. She was attempting fiction this time―a romance about lovers finding their way back to each other.

  She paused. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to dream of a second chance with Andy, but she did. She’d even caught herself describing Andy when she wrote about the hero in the story.

  Aunt Sue’s sewing machine hummed steadily in the next room as she worked on the costumes for the play. Cassie’s dress was a long flowing green gown that would be wonderful for dancing. Dancing with Andy.

  She stopped typing when she realized she’d typed her thought. When had she last danced in his arms? Too long ago…

  She watched the colorful lights blinking on the Christmas tree displayed in the front window in the living room. It was last Christmas Eve when she’d told Andy she was taking the job with Travel There magazine and she needed space.

  She hated herself for it. Why had she told him she needed space? Couldn’t she have been honest and told him she was terrified of marriage? Surely he would have understood why. He’d been with her through her parents’ messy divorce and her mother’s disastrous second marriage. Her mother was on her third marriage and never kept in touch.

  But then…would telling him her fears have helped? He wanted to get married and she didn’t.

  Cassie had taken her time, gone on an amazing trip around the world where she was paid to visit and write about hotels and tourist attractions all over Europe and Asia. And the book it had inspired was doing well on the USA Today bestseller list.

  But none of it mattered when the space she’d asked for had shut out the man who’d held her heart since ninth grade.

  “Cassie, come try this on.” Aunt Sue walked in carrying a long green dress draped over her arms.

  “Oh, Aunt Sue, I love the color.” Cassie fingered the silky fabric and Aunt Sue’s eyes wrinkled more deeply as she smiled.

  “Let me see it on you so I can hem it.”

  “This is so much work for you, Aunt Sue. Maybe you should take a rest.”

  “Nonsense. I’ve followed all the doctor’s instructions since my…incident…and now I’m right as rain.”

  Aunt Sue was referring to her heart attack four months ago, giving Cassie quite a scare. Sue had no other family in town, and when Cassie came back to Romance, she’d moved right into Sue’s spare room. Cassie insisted she wanted to help.

  “Take it easy, Aunt Sue.”

  “Sewing relaxes me, dear. Come now, I need to see how this looks on you.”

  Cassie lifted the dress and carried it to her room. She slipped it on in front of the full-length mirror hanging on the back of the bedroom door. The dress had a square neckline and was perfectly fitted at her waist, with a skirt that draped over her feet.

  Cassie loved the way it brought out a green tint in her hazel eyes. She lifted the long skirt and returned to the living room where Aunt Sue stood ready with a pin cushion.

  “You look lovely, darling. I can’t wait to see you in it for the play.” Sue guided her over to stand on the step stool in the middle of the room, then went to work pinning the skirt at the level of her ankles.

  The doorbell sounded.

  “I’ll get it.” Cassie jumped down from the stool to answer it. Cast members were in and out of the house all week to see Aunt Sue about the costumes she was making.

  She opened the door and there stood the object of all her thoughts and dreams. Her heart fluttered as she gazed into his brown eyes.

  “Hi, Andy.”

  Chapter Six

  Andy had no words. He stood on the doorstep with his heart skipping. His emotions were a blender filled with longing, regret, hurt, and annoyance.

  There she was looking amazing in that dress. Yet she’d also looked incredible when she walked into his studio the other day.

  “Does it look okay?” Cassie watched him, her cheeks reddening.

  Surely she was wondering why he was standing there mute and gawking at her like an idiot.

  “You look perfect.” Andy tore his eyes from her and peeked into the house. “Is Sue here? I was told to see her about my costume.”

  “Come on in, Andy!” Sue called out from the living room.

  Cassie stepped back to let Andy enter and closed the door behind him.

  “It’s good to see you again.” Sue smiled and pulled a measuring tape out of a side table drawer. “You’re playing the younger Scrooge, right?” Sue waved him over to where she stood by the couch.

  “Yes.”

  “I had no idea you enjoyed acting, Andy.”

  “Granny didn’t give me a choice.”

  “Mary does love her play. She always does a wonderful job. Here, let me take your measurements.” Sue slipped the measuring tape around his waist.

  Cassie started out of the room as Aunt Sue wrote down his measurements.

  “Whatever happened between the two of you?” Sue’s tone was casual, as if she were asking about the weather.

  Andy’s throat tightened. He had no idea what Sue knew. Cassie froze with her back to them and slowly turned and met his gaze. She shifted back and forth on her feet.

  “Aunt Sue, this really isn’t―”

  “
I remember making Cassie’s dress for prom…” Sue shook her head and tapped Andy’s shoulder. “And your eyes practically popped right out of your head when you saw her in it.”

  Cassie’s mouth fell open. “Aunt Sue!”

  Andy’s heartbeat quickened, watching Cassie across the room from him, fiddling with her long hair. There was no way he would ever forget the sight of her at their senior prom. He’d never felt more inadequate in his life than he did that night with her on his arm in a stunning silver gown.

  “You two were the cutest couple in high school. And dating all through college had me convinced you two would be together forever.”

  Sue watched Andy for a moment and suddenly the room was too warm. “Um…uh…”

  “Aunt Sue, we really don’t want to talk about this.” Cassie folded her arms and looked everywhere except at him.

  “Oh fine.” Sue waved a hand. “Go change and put that dress back in my sewing room. I’ll behave, I promise.”

  Cassie slowly backed out of the room.

  “How is Mary doing?”

  “Granny is well, excited about Christmas, of course, and absorbed with the play.”

  “I’m so excited to hear it’s at the Esmerelda Theater. I love the old-fashioned architecture.”

  Sue chatted a few more minutes and explained the jacket and pants she had designed for his role.

  “How much will I owe you?”

  “Oh, nothing. Local sponsors are covering the costumes this year; that way all the ticket sales can go to charity. That’s the real spirit of Christmas, isn’t it?”

  Andy nodded. He was relieved to be talking about anything other than his relationship with Cassie. He’d thought most of Romance knew about his radio proposal whether they’d heard it themselves or through the grapevine.

  Cassie didn’t resurface, and Andy said goodbye to Aunt Sue.

  The air was windy and bitter cold, but there was still none of the snow Granny wanted for Christmas.

  He got in his car and a text popped up from a number he’d taken out of his contacts sometime ago. Cassie’s name was no longer listed as a contact, but her number was as familiar as his own.

  Sorry about Aunt Sue.

  He typed back: It’s ok. If you want I could make an announcement on the radio. Get it over with.