Mistletoe and Magic (26 page)

The entire scene would have been comical, reminiscent of a jail break in an action movie, if it weren’t so pathetic. Everyone here knew she planned to leave the circuit and had agreed to help. Everyone except Uncle Leo, who would keep her here, slaving away for below minimum wage, expecting her to show him gratitude for her indentured servitude.

“Pollyanna!” Speak of the devil. Uncle Leo stood on the outskirts of the midway, a cigarette dangling from between his thin lips, fists planted on his non-existent hips. “Get to work on that Zipper. We need it up and running by tomorrow night. Your tools are already there.” His baleful gaze encompassed the other carnival workers clustered around her. “The rest of you get back to work, too. We’ve got people coming tomorrow.”

He stalked off, and the others took a moment to kiss her and whisper a hasty message or two before scurrying to their various tasks. “Last time, Uncle Leo,” she muttered as she headed for the popular attraction of flipping cages on a rotary track.

***

Hours later, safely hidden between two semis at the rear of a truck stop, Polina opened the large manila envelope Tiny had stashed in the mobile home’s oven. When she flipped it upside down, at least a dozen sheets of paper wafted onto the scarred Formica table, each one complete with a yellow sticky note with numbers one through fourteen on them in thick black marking pen.

Picking up the first in the pile, she discovered a letter and began to read.

Dear Professor Rosenfeld,

Polina sounds like she’d be an excellent addition to our staff here, and I thank you for bringing her interest to our attention
…

It was a job offer! From one of the largest amusement park chains in the Midwest. Tingling from scalp to toenails, she picked up another and found the same type of offer, this one for the New Jersey location of a multinational theme park chain. Even the biggest of them all, the home of the world’s most famous mouse, had made her an offer to work in their California location. The last letter in the pile was different—handwritten instead of word processed, no letterhead on top—from Tiny.

Polina,

The boys and I wanted to wish you well the best way we could: by making sure you land on your feet. We contacted every amusement park, zoo, and aquarium in the country. These were the ten or so best offers. Look them over carefully and choose the one you think is the best fit for you. My personal recommendation is the one in New Jersey. They’ve even offered you tuition reimbursement for school if you major in engineering or something called mechatronics.

I never told you this when you were with us, but you were, by far, the best student I ever taught. You’ve got the smarts and the guts to do incredible things. Now seize the tools and conquer the world. You earned it!

Love,

Tiny, Sasha, Ralph, and all the boys of JE (except that ogre, Leo)

Running a finger over the signature, she laughed. Magic. The magic just kept coming. After placing all of the papers back into the envelope, she powered up the laptop. Time to check in with Rhys, to let him know she was okay.

Better than okay. She was on her way!

Chapter 12

Christmas Eve

One Year Later

Polina sat in front of the open laptop and willed the clock to move. Five more minutes and she’d be able to see Rhys’s face. While it wasn’t exactly an engagement ring, the laptop had turned out to be the best Christmas gift she’d ever received. Oh, she had the ring now, too—her birthday present last June—a perfect square-cut topaz that reminded her of his brilliant eyes. Despite the time difference with him in California and her in the pretty, wintry town of Chester, New Jersey, they spoke via Internet conference option every day.

At last, her clock struck eleven a.m., and she accessed their private chat room. He was already there when she logged in.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he greeted her just like always. “How are you today?”

The background around his image bounced erratically, and she strained to see what was happening. “Where are you?”

“Cab,” he said with a grimace. “I hate to do this to you, but there’s an emergency in our office in Hong Kong—”

“Oh.” She tried to shield her disappointment, but the tears stinging her eyes clearly told her she’d failed. Willing herself not to let them fall, she fisted her hands until her nails dug into her palms.

This was so unfair. Rhys was supposed to come to her house for Christmas. His flight was scheduled to land in Newark…she glanced at the microwave’s clock…six hours from now. Later tonight, they’d been invited to an open house holiday celebration at the home of her neighbors, AJ and Mallory Miller. She had the next two weeks off from school and work, and besides, it was
his
turn. She’d spent both their birthdays in San Francisco with him, and he had promised to come to her for Christmas. She stared over the rim of her laptop screen at the beautifully decorated tree—her first
real
Christmas tree in her first
real
home. She’d spent the last two days baking cookies and preparing recipes that Agata had sent her. Now, he wouldn’t even be here?

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he said, and his face lurched on the screen as the cab apparently took another crazy turn. “I’m gonna need a few days to fix the glitches over there, but I’ll get to you as soon as I can. Obviously, I won’t get there for Christmas Eve, but with luck, I can be in New Jersey in three or four days, and we’ll celebrate a late Christmas together. Right? Who says we have to be conventional? Let’s buck the calendar and the world, and celebrate the holiday on whatever day works best for us.”

“Sure.” She pasted a smile on her face. “Imagine the discounts we’ll get on wrapping paper and decorations if we celebrate
after
everyone else.”

He laughed, a hollow sound that told her he was just as upset with this change in plans as she was. “That’s my practical girl.” His face sobered and enlarged on her screen. “I’m at the airport so I gotta go. I love you, Polina, and I swear I’ll make this up to you.”

“Uh-huh. I love you, too. Have a safe flight, Rhys. And get here as soon as you can, okay?”

The screen went black. On a sigh, she pushed away from her laptop. Merry Christmas…
not
.

For the next several hours, she moped. She tried to work on a project due for her mechatronics class in January, but her mind couldn’t focus.

Krakow, San Francisco, Hong Kong…

Rhys never planned to settle down; that was obvious to her now. She loved him, loved him with her whole heart, but she also loved the life she’d created for herself here. Her little house in Chester, a rental with an option to buy clause, her classes at the local university, her job at the theme park where she had access to the most cutting-edge rides ever created.

She was looking forward to getting her degree, getting approved for a mortgage, adopting a dog from the local shelter, having a family. The American dream: she wanted it all.

But she also wanted Rhys. She stared at her pretty Christmas tree, at the white fairy lights, the silver garland, the crackling fire in the marble hearth, and above the mantel, the framed photo of her and Rhys, all smiles and hugs, at Fisherman’s Wharf this past summer.

Either…or? She obviously couldn’t have them both.

No contest. A house was a house was a house. Rhys was her
home
. Had been from the moment he picked her up off the sidewalk in Krakow. So, if he needed to live untethered, able to fly at a moment’s notice, she’d give up her dreams for him. He meant more than a house or a Christmas tree, or even her job. He was her
life
.

It wasn’t like she’d never lived off the grid before. So, okay. Decision made, she had some things to take care of before tonight’s party, starting with a phone call to Chester Realty. After finding the number in her address book, she picked up the phone and called Devon.

“Chester Realty, let us help you find your dream home. Devon Reynolds speaking.”

“Devon? Hi, it’s Polina Kominski. I’m in the rental on Hillside Road?”

“Polina, hi!” Devon’s voice sounded enthusiastic, and Polina felt a twinge of guilt that she was about to burst the woman’s bubble. “What a coincidence. I was actually going to wait until after the holidays to call you.”

“Oh?” Suspicion wriggled down her spine.

“Yes. Umm…you see, we’ve received an offer on the property. I know, as the rental resident, you have the right to counter any offer made for purchase.” She uttered a number that might as well have been in the millions for Polina. Bye-bye, dream house.

“Take it,” she told the agent.

“I’m sorry?”

“Take the offer. I was actually calling to tell you I wouldn’t be renewing my lease when it ends in January.” Her heart cracked, but she stiffened her spine and pressed on. “I’m going to travel with my fiancé so…” She couldn’t finish the statement. Mourning wedged a block of tears in her throat.

“Oh, well, that’s very exciting. Good for you. So we’ll both get what we want. I’ll contact the buyer and let him know the house is his, and he can start the buying procedure after the New Year. Thanks for contacting me, Polina, and have a wonderful holiday.”

“You, too.” She hung up the phone and released a sigh. Pain seared her chest.

Rhys, she told herself.
Think of Rhys. He’s what matters
.

***

At seven p.m., with a tray of home-baked pastries and cookies in hand, Polina knocked on the Millers’ door. She’d toyed with forgoing the party altogether, but Mallory and AJ had been good to her since she’d moved into the house across the street. Mallory’s Christmas shop had provided most of her ornaments—at a deep discount—and AJ helped her string the lights on her house’s exterior.

Pretty little Lacey, dressed in a midnight blue dress with a rhinestone clip in her hair, answered the door. “Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas, Lacey,” she replied with a wide smile. Such a beautiful girl, so polite and always so happy. “How are you?”

“Good. Mommy’s gonna have another baby!”

“Lacey!” Mallory’s voice came from deeper inside the house. “You do not have to tell everyone who comes to the door.”

“It’s not everyone,” Lacey said with a frown. “It’s Polina.”

“How about letting her in, pumpkin?” AJ suggested as he stepped into sight. “It’s rude to leave her on the doorstep.”

“Oops. Sorry.” The child pulled the door open wider and waved an arm. “Come on in.”

As Polina entered the house, she had to fight the urge to run a hand down the girl’s sleek, shining hair. Someday, she and Rhys would have a child: a little girl like Lacey or a rambunctious boy like Cyryl. Maybe one of each. “Thank you.”

“Merry Christmas, Polina.” AJ kissed her cheek. “Sorry about that.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “Here. Let me take your coat.”

“Thanks.” Shifting the cookie tray from one hand to the other, she shrugged out of the coat and allowed AJ to fold the gray wool over his arm. “I’m afraid I can’t stay long, but I did want to drop by to wish you guys a Merry Christmas.”

“You won’t leave before AJ plays Santa, will you?” Lacey asked.

Confused, Polina looked at AJ for clarification. “I dressed up as Santa last year to surprise Mallory and the girls. Jenny and Lacey have requested a repeat performance.”

“Special things happen when AJ plays Santa,” Lacey announced with a wide grin.

“That’s enough, Lacey,” he said on an indulgent chuckle. “Go get Polina some punch.”

“Okay.”

After the girl skipped off, AJ added, “Mal and Jenny are in the kitchen. The other guests are in the den. You can bring that tray wherever it’ll disappear the fastest.”

Her feet itched, and she skidded one toe over the hardwood floor. This was a mistake. She shouldn’t have come without Rhys. “What time is your Santa performance?”

“Now, that you’re here,” he said with a wink. “I’m guessing we’re just about ready to start.”

She skidded one index finger over the other in the age-old gesture of chastisement. “You are such a tease.”

“Only for my wife,” he said and strode off with her coat.

Shaking her head, she headed for the kitchen and found Mallory; her oldest daughter, Jenny; and sister, Dina fussing over half a dozen trays of the most delicious entrees Polina had seen—or smelled—since last Christmas Eve in Krakow.

“A very pretty birdie told me I should congratulate you,” she said to Mallory as she placed the sweets between the chocolate frosted Bundt cake and a tray of cookies dotted with colorful M&Ms.

Mallory looked up, a bright smile on her face. “I only found out for sure yesterday. I guess Lacey’s thrilled she’s no longer going to be the youngest in the house.”

With a loud harrumph, Jenny rolled her eyes. “I am
not
changing diapers.”

All three women laughed.

“Ho! Ho! Ho!” came from the living room.

“Ooh!” Mallory, already perky, perked up to the level of a Labrador puppy with a new ball. “I guess that’s our cue to join the crowd in the den. Come on. This is going to be so much fun.”

Wending her way around the butcher block, she kissed Polina’s cheek. “Merry Christmas and thanks for coming. Let’s go see Santa.”

As infectious as Mallory’s good cheer might be, she really wasn’t in the mood to spend the holiday without Rhys, and she held back. “I think I’m just gonna go home.”

“Oh, you can’t!” Mallory insisted, yanking hard on her hand. Meanwhile, Jenny pushed her from behind.

What on earth was wrong with these women? Honestly, what was the big deal? AJ was probably a fun Santa, but it wasn’t exactly the performance of a lifetime. Half-dragged, half-pushed, Polina found herself transported into the center of the beautifully decorated den, surrounded by a bunch of strangers and Santa.

“Ho! Ho! Ho!” Santa repeated and took her hand from Mallory, pulling her closer. “Here’s a beautiful lady who’s all alone.”