White Christmas (9 page)
“We’ll talk after the holidays. Merry Christmas, and give Tessa my love.”
He hung up and printed out two copies of his findings. “Aunt Nell, I need the car,” he called out as he headed for the door. “Can you find a way to the Square?”
“Go! Go! I’ll be fine.”
He jogged down the steps, looking at a horizon already changing to dusk. He pushed the city speed limits as he hurried to his first stop at the town manager’s office.
“Mr. Fletcher, I’m surprised to see you back so soon. What brings you here this late in the day?”
Chad held up the manila folder. “I wanted to give you this info. I think with your slow growth policy, you might want to find out why Austin Enterprises is buying up so much county property.”
The manager expressed his interest.
Then Chad headed to the print shop offices.
Tessa’s parents were turning out the lights and preparing to lock up as Chad hurried in the door and handed the file to Bob Conway.
“They’re lying about their expenses, trying to drive the price down. I thought it might be better for your father to hear it from you than me,” Chad said. “I’m in the dog-house with Tessa right now.”
Mr. Conway looked over the rim of his glasses and then back at the figures. “I don’t know about that, but I do know I appreciate your work on this.” He held up the paper. “Personally, I’ve wanted Dad to retire for a long time. He needs to take it easier, but not like this.”
“The local citizens might be interested in hearing about those tactics as well. You could put that nephew of yours on the story.”
A wry smile slipped over his lips. “Thanks. I’ll do that.”
Chad nodded and left. He had one last duty to perform. Once he was seated in the quiet of Nell’s car, he called Jake Austin’s number.
After the message beep he said, “This is Chad Fletcher. I just wanted to let you know, I can’t accept your offer.”
****
A cold breeze swept over Tessa and she hunkered down in her ski jacket. After a windy day, the distant storm had finally settled over White. The air was frigid most of the day, but since she and her family had been standing in front of the nativity scene, it seemed to have warmed slightly.
Tessa smiled. Black clouds. Freezing wind than warm air. A definite sign of snow. They might actually get that white Christmas everyone had been talking about.
She looked around at her family, boldly singing out the carols that had started only moments ago. They all seemed especially joyful tonight. Or maybe it was just her own happiness she saw reflected in them.
Her parents had arrived late, brimming with news. But Tessa already knew most of it. Gene Watchinski had given her a last-minute call.
Tessa watched her dad put his arm around her mother and wink. He was never happier than when he had a new lead and a possible story.
Grandma Sophie slipped her arm through Grandpa Jim’s and nudged him to sing louder. He wouldn’t, of course, but he bent close and kissed her cheek. Even the little ones were behaving…well, mostly. Giggling and hitting each other with the Christmas carol booklets kept them busy.
Yes, all was well with the Conway family. They had each other, their health…and their ranch.
Earlier today, Tessa’s cousin Daniel, the only cousin who hadn’t been able to come back to White for Christmas, had called. There’d been cut-backs and lay-offs at his plant. He’d felt it best to stay close to home and put in the extra hours. But yesterday, as he’d spent another long day working and worrying, it suddenly occurred to him that he could leave it all behind.
The ranch needed someone young and healthy to run it and he needed a better environment for his family. He’d talked it over with his wife, then called Grandpa and asked if they could come and live on the ranch. It was a perfect fit. Of all of her cousins, Daniel had loved helping on the ranch most.
Tessa knew it was going to work out.
There was only one thing missing to make this a perfect Christmas Eve. She looked around the gathering.
Still no sign of Nell and Chad.
After all Chad had done today, it never occurred to Tessa that he might stay away.
She bowed her head. She didn’t regret what she’d said, especially after what Chad had done.
What he’d accomplished in one short afternoon was amazing. He’d mowed through red tape and sources like a steam engine. He was a force to be reckoned with. And Jessica had seen him leaving the chapel so Tessa was pretty sure he was on the right track again. She couldn’t be sorry if her passionate outburst had caused that.
But still, if she expected Chad to be completely honest, than she had to do the same. She had to look more deeply into her emotions and admit the truth. Much of her outburst this afternoon had come from her own bitter disappointment.
Chad was too perfect. By her own admission, she’d spent their time together, waiting for his faults to show themselves. When they did, she’d been overwhelmed by her own disappointment.
She hadn’t expected to care so much.
Lashing out, she’d challenged him. Well, Chad had risen to her challenge and then some. Now it was up to her. She needed to prove to herself and to Chad that she was strong enough to be the woman he needed by his side.
But first she had to wait for him to show up.
Tessa heard laughter and cheers all around her. She raised her gaze to see huge, fluffy snowflakes falling around the square. The choir leader called out a number. Pages flipped and everyone began to sing.
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas….
Smiling, Tessa joined in. Little Emma grabbed Tessa’s leg. Tessa hugged her, and then looked up. She closed her eyes as cold flakes kissed her cheeks and lips.
Thank you, Lord. Thank you, for this night and the man you’ve sent into my life. Please let me be worthy of him.
The song ended. Tessa opened her eyes and the choir leader called out another page number. As Tessa opened her booklet, she glanced across the square.
Chad and Nell stood directly across from them, but they made no move to come closer.
When Chad saw her, he nodded.
Tessa took a slow, deep breath and nodded back. The distance between them seemed like a mile.
Silent night. Holy night.
The singers began Tessa’s favorite Christmas song and she saw the two performers coming from behind the nativity backdrop.
In her arms, the young Mary carefully carried the baby Jesus doll. Usually, the couple chosen to play Mary and Joseph were picked from the teen youth group. Most of the time, they’d play their part with embarrassed, half-hidden smiles.
Tonight the couple was older and perfect for the part. Joseph was tall and had a carefully tended dark beard. Mary carried the baby with exquisite care. The look on her face was so serene and beautiful, it brought tears to Tessa’s eyes.
When Mary placed the baby in the manger, it began to cry. The crowd gasped as they realized the doll was a real baby. As its mother gently rocked it in the manger, the cries muffled as the baby fell back asleep.
With the snow falling around them and the song in her heart, Tessa thought there was never a more perfect night. She remembered what she’d told Chad the first time they’d met. Nativity displays always remind her of the fresh start the Lord gave with Jesus’s birth.
When she glanced across the space, she saw Chad looking at her and she knew he was remembering, too.
Right now was the perfect time for a fresh start. Taking a deep breathe, Tessa crossed towards them.
Nell said something quiet to Chad, then walked towards Tessa. As she passed, she squeezed Tessa’s arm.
That little bit of reassurance spurred Tessa the rest of the way.
“Hello,” Chad said, his voice low, tender.
“Thank you,” Tessa blurted out. “I have to say this before I lose my courage. Thank you for what you did for my family.”
Chad smiled a crooked smile. “It wasn’t really much help. I heard about your cousin.”
“Don’t sell it short,” she said with a shake of her head. “What you did was amazing. I was amazed.”
He grasped her gloved hand and studied it intently. “I did it because it was the right thing. But I’m glad you were impressed. I’d like to look good in your eyes.”
Tessa gave a little shake of her head. “You look too good! You’re perfect and I needed you to have a fault. I overreacted today because of my own insecurity. Deep down, I didn’t believe someone like you could really be interested in me.”
He pressed his finger to her lips. “You were wrong.”
“About what,” she murmured against his finger. “The fact that you are perfect?”
He smiled a teasing smile. “That, too, but mainly about you. I’m very interested. I’ve fallen in love with you.”
Tessa’s heart melted. “I think I’ve loved you since we worked on that committee. But are you sure, Chad? This isn’t just a rebound romance, is it?”
He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. “I’m sure. Now that I’ve met you, I can’t imagine my life without you. I need you, Tessa. You can stand up to my life in the limelight. You’re strong and compassionate. You have lots of family to support me when I need to lick my wounds and most of all, the power to smack me down to earth when I start to think I’m all that!”
Tessa smiled as he said the last. “Why, Mr. Fletcher. Are you offering me a job?”
“A partnership. A lifetime partnership. Will you take it?” he asked, his tone suddenly, serious.
“Yes! Oh yes!” Tessa threw her arms around his neck. Then right there, in front of baby Jesus, with Aunt Nell and Grandma Sophie looking on, she kissed him.
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May God’s glory shine through
this inspirational work of fiction.
AMDG