The Christmas Phoenix (5 page)

 

Jess dragged herself into the hotel. The overnight storm had been fierce, dumping lots of wet, heavy snow. She'd gone out early this morning, plowing driveway after driveway. The drifts were deep, and it had taken longer than usual to clear the drives and parking lots. More snow was forecast for this afternoon, so she'd probably have to go out again this evening.

Business was picking up. She'd been contacted by another store to clear out their parking lot. It was more work but she was thrilled to have another client. If things kept picking up, she'd have to start hiring someone to help. She had a nephew who'd appreciate the work.

But for now, she had a banquet to serve. She stowed her coat and purse in her locker and punched in just before the time switched to show she was late. She turned around, and found herself face to face with Max, the banquet manager.

"Jess, we have to talk."

"Sure. What's up?" She tied her apron and adjusted her collar.

"We've got a lot of evening banquets coming up. I know you don't usually work at night, but we're going to need you on nights more than on days."

Jess stilled and counted to ten. Better not to blow up at her boss. He knew very well why she insisted on working only during the day. "Max, I have a young teenager at home. When I applied, I specified I'm available only during the day, while he's at school. Rory's old enough to take care of himself for a few hours after he gets home, but I don't want to leave him by himself all evening."

"I understand, but it's only until after the holidays."

"Anything can happen in that amount of time. And there's no guarantee you would switch me back. I just can't do it, Max."

Max's gaze shifted. His hands went in his pockets, and he took a deep breath. "I'm going to have to insist, Jess. We have the business at night, not during the day."

"You've got plenty of afternoon events on the books."

"But we also have servers with more seniority than you. If you want the hours, you're going to have to work at night. Especially for the big banquet on Christmas Eve."

"You expect me to work on Christmas Eve?"

"I need everyone here on Christmas Eve. Nobody's getting it off. Not for any reason."

Jess waited for Max to meet her gaze. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, ran his hand through his hair, and when he realized she hadn't given him an answer, finally looked up at her.

"I'm giving you my two-week notice, Max. I'll put it in writing by the end of the day."

Max's face paled. "Are you sure, Jess? I—I might be able to put you on days maybe one or two days a week."

"Sorry, Max. I can't work at night. Period. Not while Rory is still in school. He's already lost one parent. I'm not going to make him fend for himself. It's bad enough he's alone for a few hours after school. But if I work one night a week, it'll become two nights, and before long I'll be gone every night of the week. And Christmas Eve is definitely out. I won't do it." Before she could change her mind, she turned and went to work.

She expected to feel panic set in, knowing she was giving up a source of steady income. She was quitting a job at the height of the holiday season. Had she lost her mind?

Maybe so. But she had to do it. Rory wasn't a baby, but he still needed her. She needed him. Besides, if she had to wait on tables at night, it would be more difficult to get up and drive the plow in the mornings. And the plowing business was quickly becoming her main source of income. They would get by. And after the New Year, maybe she could look for something else closer to home.

But right now, she had to get through this shift.

 

Jess poured herself a cup of coffee and laced it with her favorite creamer. It had been on sale at the grocery story this week, and she'd splurged on a couple of different flavors. Today she opened a new one called Peppermint Candy. She poured it into the steaming liquid and watched as the white swirled into the brown, blending into a light tan color. Then she leaned over her mug and breathed in the enticing aroma.

It was Saturday, and she had some unexpected time off. Rory was gone for the day. He'd met some new friends at his church youth group, and one of them had invited him to an overnight party. She'd taken him to the boy's house last night, met the parents, and been assured he was in good hands. No snow had fallen since yesterday, so she didn't have to run her route. And the banquet she was supposed to serve had been cancelled.

Finally, she had a day to get caught up on chores. She decided to start with the worst job of all—tackling Rory's room. It had been a while since she'd given it a thorough cleaning. She'd been in there to change his sheets and grab his dirty laundry, of course, but that had been all. No telling what she'd find in there.

Finishing her coffee, she changed into her work clothes and tied her hair back. She took a deep breath at the entrance to Rory's room and set her shoulders. Then she opened the door.

And nearly fell backward from shock.

The first thing she took in was the floor. There was nothing on it that didn't belong. No clothes, either dirty or clean, littered the carpeting. Her gaze moved upward. The bed was made. Neatly. It would be a real shame to take it apart to change the sheets. She walked over to his closet and got another shock when she opened the doors.

His clothes hamper was full of dirty clothes, as well as the sheets she had put on his bed the previous week. He had actually changed the sheets himself! Did he know how? She glanced at the neatly made up bed. It looked decent. She couldn't resist checking. Yes, it was made up with clean sheets. When had he done that? It must have been after school yesterday, before she had gotten home from work.

She checked his dresser drawers. His clothes had been put away. His books lay on his desk in a neat pile. She opened the top one. It was a planner, provided by the school. Monday's page listed all his assignments in his precise handwriting.

So like his father's.

She sat on his desk chair and waited for the familiar pain to hit her, the pain that always came when she thought of her husband. He had been her first love. But the pain didn't come. It was more like a dull ache, the discomfort that came from missing someone dear. Not the crushing, crippling pain of helplessness she'd felt before.

It was a good hurt, if there could be such a thing. The sort that came from shared memories. Doug would always be a part of her. She had this home they had worked so hard to build. But he was gone. She was still here. She had his son, who looked, acted, and sounded more like his father every day. Rory would grow up to lead his own life, and doing everything for him was not going to help him. Everyone was right. Her son was able to take on more. He'd proved it. She couldn't remember the last time she'd needed to take him to school. He'd even started to pack his own lunch. And now, he'd cleaned his own room. Her baby boy was growing up and coddling him would not protect him from the world.

They were like a phoenix, rising from the ashes.

She rose, gathered his clothes hamper, and took it to the laundry room.

For the rest of the morning, she sailed through her chores, humming. She dusted, vacuumed, and straightened up her own room. For the first time in months, she turned on the television and exercised along with a fitness show, and then, inspired by the show's message of good health, ate a light salad for lunch. Knowing Rory would be home for dinner, she hauled out her slow cooker and assembled the fixings for a beef stew, knowing it was one of her son's favorite meals.

Once in a while she would break out in song. "Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la."

The stew cast a homey aroma through the house. It smelled like family, like home.

She pictured Jake sitting at the table with them, the three of them sharing the events of their day. Could that possibly happen?

There was one way to find out. She still had the business card he had left with her the first time he had come, telling her about Rory and his friends shooting firecrackers. Would he think she was silly? Would he be annoyed with her? Before she could talk herself out of it, she picked up her phone. Her hands shook as she punched in the numbers. Her heart raced as she waited for him to pick up.

“Hello?”

He sounded a little irritated. Maybe she had interrupted his work.

“Jake, this is Jess. I've got beef stew cooking, and there's a lot more than Rory and I can eat. We'd love it if you could join us. If you want.”

There was silence. Was he figuring out how to turn her down?

“Stew is one of my favorites. What time is dinner?”

“We usually eat around six.”

“I have a really big order for next week, so if I get a lot done today, I'll come. Thanks.”

She disconnected, wondering at the giddy feeling in the pit of her stomach. He was just a neighbor coming for dinner.

A handsome, male neighbor. And she looked a mess after her workout.

Her shower was quick, but then came the daunting task of deciding what to wear. She had a clean pair of jeans. Did they still fit? Did they look too out of date? She didn't want to dress up and look like she was flirting. But she didn't want to look like a slob.

She had already vacuumed and straightened out the house, and Rory had helped her with the Christmas decorations. They had put up and decorated the tree the night before. What would she do for the next few hours?

The tree needed some wrapped gifts under it. She hauled everything out and was soon surrounded by mounds of cheerful packages. She'd forgotten how much she enjoyed giving gifts and watching as her loved ones unwrapped them. This would be a merry Christmas. She'd make sure of that.

****

Jake disconnected his cell phone and put it back in his pocket. He hadn't been lying about having a big order for tomorrow. This was a major banquet at the Pine Ridge Hotel, and he was to provide a huge sculpture for the serving tables. The hosts had some exacting requirements and were willing to pay big bucks for them. This commission would pay off several of his debts, and he would be able to start saving up for his own studio. He needed to get this done and delivered so he could get back on his feet and have a life.

Would that life include Jess and Rory?

He shook his head to clear it. Daydreaming and wishful thinking wouldn't get this work done. He picked up his chisel and got back to work.

****

Jess put the last of the dishes into the dishwasher. The leftovers were packed into containers and refrigerated. The candles on the table were put out, and Rory was in his room, talking to a friend on his cell phone.

Jake hadn't come for dinner. She really shouldn't feel so disappointed. He had told her he had an important project to finish. That had to come first.

But he had to eat sometime. He'd probably appreciate some hot food whenever he finished, or was ready for a break. She packed a generous portion into plastic containers and put them in a grocery bag. After letting Rory know where she was going, she let herself out.

A snowstorm was forecast later tonight. Maybe it was a good thing Jake hadn't come. She'd leave the food with him and come right back home.

She tried the front door without ringing the bell. If Jake was working in the garage, it would be better not to interrupt him. As usual, the door was unlocked, and she let herself in. Removing her boots in the foyer, she winced as her stockinged feet touched the cold tile. She quickly padded through the carpeted living room to the kitchen. There was no sign of Jake. Nothing was out of place. No dishes or glasses on the counter or in the sink. Had he eaten at all today? She walked over to the door leading to the garage, turned the knob slowly, and pulled the door open.

Jake sat on his stool with his back to her. He bent, chiseling the skirt of a stunning ice figure. The angel stood, her wings outstretched, poised as if about to take flight. Her expression was serene, and she was so life-like Jess felt the angel would suddenly come to life. Jake's work had shown he was talented, but this was truly a masterpiece.

She closed the garage door, careful not to make a sound. She put the dinner leftovers in his refrigerator and left him a note. If and when he got hungry, he could heat them up for himself. But the way he was concentrating, it wouldn't be for a long time.

 

Jess put the truck in gear and backed out of the garage. She turned around and put the blade down and followed the markers down to the road. The snowfall the previous night had been heavy, and in spots the drifts came almost to the top of the four-foot poles she had placed to mark the driveways. It would take several hours to get all them all cleared this morning, and she might have to do a second pass this afternoon.

Thank goodness she wouldn't have to worry about Rory being out in this weather. He probably wouldn't have school today with all this snow, but he'd be okay on his own. She'd check in with him later. She wasn't sure what had happened, but lately he'd been more conscientious about getting his work done. She'd checked his work last night, and he was taking the time to do a better job. Was it the influence of their neighbor? Rory seemed to look up to Jake. He spent more and more time over at Jake's house, taking care of Charlie and helping out in the studio. She was glad he'd found a mentor, a good male role model.

The early morning quietness was comforting. The only sound came from the motor and the tires crunching the snow, and on these side streets her headlights provided the only illumination. She felt insulated in her cab, knowing that outside the frigid winds blew.

This would be her first week without her job at the hotel. All her bills were paid, and her Christmas presents were bought and wrapped. She had two new clients, both of whom had expressed an interest in continuing with her lawn service in the summer months.

And she had another reason not to worry about bills. Last week, the insurance company had finally come through and paid damages from Doug's accident. Even after paying the attorney, she had been able to pay off all their business loans. She had even made a substantial payment on the house. Now, she could sell the business and get by on a part time job. Her friend had told her there was an opening for a teacher's aide at Rory's school.

But she had discovered she enjoyed this work. She'd found she was actually good at it. She loved the business side of it, where she dealt with people. She loved the challenge of keeping people's homes beautiful in the summer and safe in the winter. And she loved being her own boss.

Having the loans paid off allowed her the freedom to choose. For now, she would keep going with the snowplow/lawn care business. And later on, if she chose to do so, she could sell the business and move on. The choice was hers to make.

She turned onto Fairview Lane, toward Ben Hanks' house. As always, she did his driveway last, since his home was closest to hers and the elderly gentleman never left his home before daylight. With the mess on the roads, she hoped he wouldn't go anywhere today.

She passed Jake's drive and automatically looked up toward his house. Only a month ago, he had been a stranger. And now, he was a part of her life. She wasn't sure how he fit in, but he was an important part.

She had just finished clearing out Mr. Hanks' drive when her cell phone rang.

"Jess, I hate to ask you, but could I borrow your truck? I've got to get these sculptures to the Pine Ridge Hotel by eleven o'clock for the banquet, and I don't think my van will get there."

"They're having a banquet in this weather? I can't imagine they'll get a good turnout."

"It's some big political fund raiser. If I don't get them there, I won't get paid. And if I don't get paid, I can't make the next payment on my bills. Please, Jess. I'll be very careful. I know you use your truck for the route."

"I'm not going to send you out in my truck."

Silence. Then, "I understand. I'll see if I can find someone to rent me one."

"No, I mean I'm not going to expect you to drive this thing. I'll take you there."

"Are you headed there for work?"

"No, I don't work there any more."

"You don't? What happened?"

"A disagreement with my boss. It's a long story. I'm on your street right now, so I'll be there soon."

She sent a quick message to Rory then turned the truck around and drove back to Jake's house.

The drifts at the bottom of his drive were so high she knew he would never have been able to get out in his van. She lowered her blade and began her slow ascent up the hill.

The wind still blew, and large clumps of snow hit her windshield as she fought her way up. Even with her wipers going at full speed, visibility was a problem. And the dense woods on either side made navigating the winding drive even more difficult. Finally, she reached the house. Jake must have been watching for her, because the garage door rose before she reached it.

Jake had his ice figures wrapped in plastic, ready to be loaded behind the seats of the truck's extended cab.

"Are you sure you have time to do this with me?" he asked.

"Yes. Just get in. I'll get us there."

Jess inched her way down the hill and out to the street. She gripped the steering wheel and drove through the storm, thankful her companion wasn't prone to idle chatter. This trip was going to take all her concentration.