Christmas Cookie Read online

  Still smiling, she kept walking towards the drugstore. Myra had said it was just around the corner. A patch of ice appeared and she lowered her gaze from the snowfall, carefully shuffling over it, barely noticing the man that came towards her.

  She was almost past the ice when the man flailed. He let out a gruff cry and grabbed her arm, throwing off her balance. She landed on the sidewalk and the air disappeared from her lungs. For a second she struggled to inhale. Then, she noticed the man lying next to her, his hand was still on her arm.

  He muttered something under his breath and started moving around.

  “So sorry about that,” he said and sat up. “I was looking at the snow.”

  He scrambled to get to his feet.

  Hailey sat up. She had landed on her hip and it ached.

  “Here, let me help you.” He reached out a hand.

  “I'm fine. I think maybe you've done enough.” She stood up, ready to give her big city glare at the man who had tackled her. He was tall, with deep brown eyes. When he smiled the dimples made his stubble fascinating.

  “I really am sorry.”

  He smelled of fresh cut lumber and something else. Something pleasant.

  “Just pay attention to where you're going.” Hailey was unable to take her eyes off his dimple.

  “Yes, ma'm.” He took on a serious face.

  Was he making fun of her?

  A door opened just ahead.

  “I told Ethan to sand that spot. Are you two alright?”

  Hailey turned to Gunther who had emerged with a comb and a pair of scissors in his hand. She hadn't noticed the big window that revealed a small hair salon. Two older women were sitting inside, their attention glued to her and the tackler.

  “I'm fine, Gunther.” She brushed snow of her pants. “But I should get going.”

  She took the opportunity to turn away from the man.

  “Are you sure your not hurt?” Gunther looked at her with worried eyes. “It looked like a nasty fall.”

  “I'm sure.” She smiled and walked past him, careful to keep an eye out for more patches of ice. Or large men aiming to take her down.

  “Why don't I sand this before someone else falls too,” the man said.

  Hailey turned the corner, and couldn't help but smile.

  Chapter two

  Hailey

  “Here we go.” Tina unlocked the door and let them in. “I have to say it's nice to see someone willing to move here and take this over. I know a lot of people missed having a bakery.”

  “I'll wait out here with Sage,” Myra said. “You take your time.”

  Hailey entered the front room. By the door to the kitchen there was a long counter with a big display case with the glass missing. A few tables covered in soot were scattered among chairs and broken items.

  “It looks worse than it is, dear.” Tina stood next to Hailey. She sighed. “At least that's what they told me. It hurts my heart to see it this way.”

  “You didn't want to renovate it yourself?” Hailey walked slowly, keeping an eye on the stained parts of the floor.

  “I thought about it. It's my life's work, mine and Herbert's. Herbert was my husband. But ever since he died, and my hip got worse... to tell you the truth I had been looking for an excuse to retire. I had just hoped to find someone to take it over first. When the fire happened, my first thought was to get the work done and continue. I've worked my whole life.”

  “But you decided not to.” Hailey peeked behind the counter. There were shelves underneath and an old fashioned till stood on the floor.

  “I figured it was my time to take it easy now. I'm almost seventy years old and I've never travelled outside the state. I might even go on a cruise.”

  Hailey smiled at her. “Can I see the kitchen?”

  “Of course, it's right through there. There's also a small office and bathroom through there.” Tina pointed to another door with customer access.

  Hailey opened the door to the kitchen and stood in awe. She'd worked summer jobs at some bakeries in Thurmont while she was studying, but they had been cramped, full of stainless steel and hurry.

  “It may look old fashioned, but all the appliances work and it's all up to code.”

  “It's perfect.” Hailey took a step inside and put her hand on the wooden countertop. The kitchen was inviting and cozy. It reminded her of a family kitchen, where everyone would gather for Sunday dinner. The appliances were old. But old enough to be the kind that never broke.

  “I had someone interested a few years back, but they took one look at the kitchen and backed out, said it would be too expensive to upgrade it.”

  Hailey could hear the tremble in Tina's voice. She turned towards her.

  “I love it.”

  Tina nodded. “They're a bit harder to manage, some of them need a bit of strength, but you get used to it. Today's youth think everything should be electrical and streamlined. Who even knows what that means? Anyway, the oven is new. But there is a wood burning oven out back. Sometimes in summer we'd have pizza parties in the garden.”

  Hailey nodded, at a loss for words.

  Tina smiled. “Myra said you wanted to rent at first?”

  “Yes.” Hailey cleared her throat. “I don't have the money to buy.”

  “I would have preferred a sale. But, as Myra said, if it doesn't work out, the contract is only for two years.”

  Hailey nodded. She was putting everything she had into this. It had to work out.

  “The kitchen just needs a good cleaning, then it should be good to go. And the front is structurally sound. But parts of the wall need to be replaced. And of course you'll need new furniture and such.”

  Hailey nodded. It had to work. For Sage.

  The left the kitchen and after a quick look at the office and the bathroom, small, but tidy and fully functional both of them, they went back to the front room.

  Hailey stood in the doorway, watching Myra play with Sage in the snow.

  “I've hired someone to take care of the renovations,” Tina said.

  “Will it be done by Christmas?” Hailey tore her eyes off Sage and turned to Tina.

  “He said it should be. It's mostly cosmetic.” Tina looked around the singed room. “You'll need new furniture though.”

  Hailey nodded.

  “There's a great store in Langford.” Tina lowered her voice. “But don't tell anyone I told you.”

  “Why not?” Hailey asked in the same low voice while looking around.

  “Langford is... well, I suppose you could call it a rival to Bellfrey.”

  Hailey smiled. “I see.”

  “Oh, it's a friendly rivalry, but nonetheless.”

  “I'll remember that.”

  “Here are the keys.” Tina took a folder out of her bag. “And here's the lease. It's a standard contract I found on the internet, but you should look it over before you sign.”

  “Thank you.” The keys felt strange in Hailey's hand, like responsibility and a new beginning.

  Outside, Jessica had stopped to talk to Myra and Sage. She was helping them build a tiny snowman on the sidewalk.

  “Oh, there she is,” Myra said. “What do you think Hailey, can Sage be in the Christmas pageant?”

  “The Christmas pageant?” Hailey looked at the three smiling faces.

  “It's an annual tradition here in Bellfrey.” Jessica stood up. “I'm directing it this year and the smaller children are putting on the nativity scene. Everyone's welcome. There'll be other performances too, and afterwards we all have some cookies and eggnog.”

  “When is it?” Hailey smiled at Sage trying to get the head to stick on the little snow figure.

  “Christmas Eve.”

  “It sounds perfect.”

  Hailey remembered Christmas last year. She had decided to spend it alone with Sage, in their little apartment. She told everyone she had to work, that Christmas break was the perfect time to catch up on paperwork. The truth was, she didn't want anything that re
minded her of losing Conrad. They had spent their first and only Christmas together at his parents. And everytime she saw a Christmas tree she was reminded of how openly they had welcomed her.

  Sage had been too young to realize she was missing out. But lately when Hailey thought of her daughter's first Christmas she felt a black hole in her heart. Sage deserved a family and traditions. She deserved happiness and everything Hailey could give her.

  She cleared her throat and crouched in front of Sage. “Sage, do you want to be in the Christmas pageant?”

  “Essica.” Sage pointed a hand at the young woman and gave her a big smile.

  “I'll take that as a yes,” Hailey said.

  “Wonderful.” Jessica clapped her mittens together. “We're going to have so much fun.”

  “Do we need a costume?” Hailey stood back up.

  “We'll help with that. There are some costumes from previous years and Amanda... I don't know if you met her yet?”

  Hailey shook her head.

  “Anyway, she's helping out with sewing and such." Jessica checked her watch. "I have to run, I need to get back to the diner. But I'm so glad I bumped into you. Bye Sage, I'll see you soon.”

  Sage waved back at Jessica.

  “How was the bakery?” Myra took Sage's hand and they started walking back home.

  “It's perfect. I just hope I can get it up and running soon. I was hoping to open right after Christmas. And maybe I could even have a soft launch on Christmas Eve? Invite people to come over after the pageant. What do you think?” Hailey bit her lip.

  “Are you sure you can be ready by then? It looked in pretty bad shape.” Myra squinted at her.

  “Tina said it was mostly cosmetic and she already found someone to do the renovations. It's going to be a lot of work, but I think I can do it.” Hailey accepted the lump of snow Sage gave her.

  “Then I think it sounds perfect.” Myra shone up. “Here's an idea, maybe you could make those special cookies of yours for the pageant?”

  “Isn't someone already doing that?”

  “Yes. Me.” Myra winked. “Baking runs in the family, you know.”

  Hailey smiled. “Then I have a lot of planning to do.”

  ∞∞∞

  The following morning Hailey left Sage with Myra and hurried over to the bakery after dropping off the signed contracts. She'd already made a list of what she wanted to make for the opening and Tina had helped her order the ingredients via the grocery store. She said it was the easiest way to get everything in one go. Now Hailey just had to do some inventory of the equipment at the bakery and make a list of things she would have to buy.

  A smile played on her lips as she hurried past the friendly little streets. She was walking to work. Not taking a crowded bus or subway. There were no drunk people throwing up after a night of partying and no sirens in the distance.

  She was about to fulfill her dream.

  “Good morning.”

  Hailey blinked and returned to her surroundings. Jessica was waiting for her up ahead.

  “Good morning. Beautiful day.” Hailey inhaled the crisp cold air.

  “I heard you're reopening Tina's bakery after the pageant.”

  “Did Myra tell you? I guess news travels fast here.”

  Jessica waved a dismissive hand. “I hear everything at the diner. Let me know if you need any help. I'm sure Jenna can spare me an afternoon or two.”

  “Jenna?”

  “She owns the diner. And she's the chef. You don't see her much though. She prefers staying in the kitchen.”

  “It's very nice of you to offer, and I just might take you up on that.” Hailey smiled. “I should get going though. Busy day.”

  “Good luck.” Jessica smiled and waved.

  Several people stopped and waved at Hailey as she walked by, people she had never met. The first time it happened she startled and looked around to see if there was someone behind her. Finally she realized this was just the sort of town where everybody knew who everybody was.

  Hailey turned the corner and rifled through her bag for the key. A wall hit her. For a second she felt herself losing balance, then two strong hands steadied her.

  She inhaled the scent of wood and soap, and found her hands resting on a jacket covered chest. Even through the thick fabric she thought she could feel his heartbeat.

  “I'd say we have to stop meeting like this, but it sounds too much like a bad line.”

  Hailey looked up. It was the man that had knocked her over. The dimple was more pronounced when he smiled, and his eyes were glittering.

  “Maybe-” Hailey cleared her throat. “Maybe you should start wearing a bell, give people time to move out of your way.”

  He laughed. It was a small deep laugh, that lasted just a breath. But enough that his eyes got little lines that spread to his temples and there was a hint of a dimple on the other side. His chest moved slightly and Hailey was acutely aware that she was still pressing her hands against it. And that he was holding her.

  “I think you can let me go now. I need to get to work.” She met his eyes and inhaled. Warmth spread from his hands and she swallowed.

  “Of course.”

  He let go and stepped to the side. She glanced at him. He was still smiling. Hailey pressed her lips together and walked past him so he wouldn't see her return the smile.

  She took out the key and noticed that someone had cleared the snow off the step in front of the bakery.

  Her heart beat faster when she felt the man still behind her. Why hadn't he left? Was he trying to get into the bakery? Would he rob her? Or hurt her? He didn't seem the type, but who knew what secrets lured under the idyllic surface of a small town.

  She turned around. He was still smiling and since she was on the step their eyes were at the same level.

  “Look, I'm sorry I bumped into you, but could you leave now.” She strained to keep her voice from shaking, remembering how strong his hands were. All the while her eyes searched the street for a friendly face.

  He flinched and took a step back.

  “I'm not here to hurt you.” He put his hands up. “I thought you knew who I was. I didn't mean to scare you.”

  “I'm not scared.” Hailey held the keys so hard her knuckles whitened.

  “I'm Sam. The handyman. Tina hired me to renovate the front room.”

  Hailey took a breath. “Oh. She mentioned she had someone in mind. I didn't know she had already hired you. I'm Hailey.”

  “I know.”

  “Right.” Hailey turned back to the door. Her hand was shaking just a bit as she put the key in the lock. “Well, I was hoping to open on Christmas Eve, after the pageant. Do you think that's doable?”

  “Let me have a look around first.”

  Hailey hit the lightswitch. “Of course. I'll be in the back.”

  She hurried past the counter and into the kitchen. With a sigh, she dropped her purse on the workbench. Sam. Sam the handyman. Well, at least he wasn't a mugger. She shook her head and turned on the lights. The kitchen would need a good cleaning, but she still couldn't believe she had a bakery. First things first though. She took out her detailed list from the purse and started going through it. She had dreamed of this for so long. Nothing would stand in her way.

  ∞∞∞

  “Hailey?”

  Hailey startled and bumped her head on the shelf above her. “Ow, shoot.” She sat cross legged on the floor.

  “What are you doing?” Sam came around and leaned down towards her.

  Hailey rubbed her head. “I'm taking inventory.” She held up the hand whisk she had retrieved from the shelf.

  “Right. Well, you're in luck. Most of the damages are superficial and you should be up and running by Christmas.

  “Really?” A smile spread across Hailey's face. “That's fabulous. Tina did say it was mostly cosmetic, but still.”

  Sam laughed and held out a hand to help her up. Without thinking she took it and let him pull her up from the floor. />
  “Thanks.” Hailey grabbed her clipboard and made some notes.

  “What's that?” Sam said with a half smile.

  Hailey looked up. “This?” She held up the clipboard. “It's my list of inventories.”

  “And these?” Sam pointed to the other clipboards on the counter.

  “Other things I need to keep track of.”

  “Ever thought of getting an iPad?”

  Hailey shrugged. “I like being analog.”

  “And organized.” He lifted up her folder of recipes.

  “There's nothing wrong with that.” She took the folder from his hands.

  Sam held up his hands. “I need to show you a few things.”

  Hailey swallowed and nodded. He had removed his jacket, and the shirt did nothing to conceal his toned physique. She followed him to the storefront where he had torn some boards from the floors and walls.

  “What did you do?” Hailey stopped and stared at the holes.

  “I needed to check the structure.” He shrugged.

  “By making more holes?” Hailey eyed him suspiciously.

  “Yes. Tina gave some instructions but told me to ask you about specifics. So first I need to know what you want to change.”

  Hailey narrowed her eyes at him before she turned to study the room.

  “Not much, I think.” Hailey took a good look around. She had been so focused on the kitchen and baking side she hadn't given much thought to the storefront. “The counter seems to be in a good place and I'll get some new tables and chairs to place here.” She indicated the open floor space where parts of the floor were now missing.

  “Great. I'll tear out the things that need replacing and you can pick a color for the paint.”

  “Color?” Hailey looked at him.

  “You know, for the walls.” He raised an eyebrow.

  “Right, no. Yes, I know. I need to think about it.” Hailey looked around in the dim room. She would need curtains and tablecloths and maybe some plants. She knew what to do in the kitchen. Cookies and cakes were easy. Making bread was relaxing. Decorating and picking paint colors... not so much.