Mending Christmas With The Billionaire (Artists & Billionaires Book 2) Page 7

  Most of the rest of the emails found their way to the trash bin.

  Mandy’s email brightened the inbox.

  Okay, girls! Plans!

  A car service will pick you up at Candace’s on the 30th at noon. I am planning early because of weather. We are putting you up at the Four Seasons. Daniel insists he prefers it for security reasons, etc. I am not going to argue as they have an excellent spa. Here is a link to a formal rental company. Choose your three favorites and email me back. Do it soon while they still have a selection. Daniel tells me I should have sent this link before Thanksgiving. You can stay through the second, right? Tessa, when do you need to be in Park City?

  Hugs, Mandy

  The dresses were gorgeous! Some of them almost made her want to dance the way they’d tried to teach her in the dance class she’d taken for a PE credit her sophomore year. But then she would need a plus-one.

  Sean.

  She hadn’t even known him a week. A black-tie affair in another time zone wasn’t exactly something one could ask someone to unless the relationship was definitely going somewhere. Nope, not the type of date you asked a guy on even if he did give you a perfect hug when you needed it and ended the night with a kiss on the cheek like he knew how vulnerable you still were after the events of the day.

  She sent her reply to Mandy but only chose two dresses. Both blue. She would detail the Park City trip when they were together. If only Araceli could come too.

  Turning out the light, she kept replaying the best part of her day.

  The hug.

  fourteen

  “Are you finished for the night?” Sean’s voice interrupted Tessa’s thoughts.

  “Just a little bit more.” Tessa poised her glass cutter to make the first cut.

  “You said that an hour ago.”

  Tessa looked at her phone—nearly eight. Where had the time gone? She planned on being further in her repairs before she quit. “I did, didn’t I?”

  “I saved some dinner for you. Come eat, and we can go watch the tree lighting with Granda.”

  Tessa set her protective glasses down and examined her work area. Because it was her habit to clean up after each step, she only needed to wipe her oil-filled cutter and put it away. “You’re sure no one will come down here tomorrow?”

  “I’ll keep the key myself. The only reason to come down on a Sunday is to kick the old boiler anyway.” Sean held up the key ring.

  Looking over the room one more time, Tessa noticed the electric heater. “Oh, I need to unplug the portable radiator. Thank you. I can’t believe how cold it got down here today.” She also double-checked to make sure her equipment was unplugged and cooled.

  “Ready?”

  Tessa followed Sean out of the building. “When did it start snowing?”

  “Must have been in the last few minutes.” He held open the door to the house.

  Reverend Cavanagh sat in his recliner. “About time you quit work for the day. Just because I am not paying you doesn’t mean you can put in all the overtime you want.”

  Tessa returned his smile. “From the smell of dinner, I am getting paid pretty well.”

  “Well, I hope you can eat fast. The mayor will be upset if I am late tonight.” He made an attempt to get out of the chair. Sean went to help him.

  “Why will the mayor be upset, Granda?”

  “Didn’t I tell you? I get to flip the switch this year!”

  Sean steadied his grandfather. “No, I believe you left that out of your news bulletins this week. Tessa, I am sorry to rush you, but—” He gave her an apologetic smile.

  Using one of the soft rolls, Tessa made a fried-chicken sandwich. “Ready.”

  The doorbell rang.

  “My ride.” The reverend walked to the door, but Sean beat him.

  “Come in, Ms. Mayor. Granda was telling me about getting to light the tree tonight.”

  “Isn’t it exciting? Personally, I think the honor is long overdue. After all, your grandfather’s little church is the heart of Christmas around here. Christmas won’t be the same next—”

  The reverend cut the mayor off. “No Christmas is ever the same, but we always have Christmas. Better get moving. I know you are worried about me being late, and we will be if you stand around yakking with Patricia.”

  Sean closed the door and shook his head. “Some days I think he takes his role as town grandfather too far. I doubt the mayor’s own mother could be that brash and still loved.”

  “Face it. Your grandfather is one of those rare men who treats everyone like they are all his good friends, and everyone is.” She went to the sink and rinsed her hands. “I am finished eating.”

  “Grab your coat and let’s go. I want to see Granda’s face when he flips the switch.”

  The snow still fell lightly. Sean liked this kind of snow—easy to shovel and not of epic proportions. A blizzard would ruin the evening. He reached for Tessa’s hand, but she didn’t take it. He found her catching snowflakes on her tongue with her eyes closed. He laughed.

  Tessa closed her mouth. “I always like to try to catch one of the first snowflakes of the season, and we were running too fast earlier.”

  “I haven’t tried since I was a boy.” Sean joined her in catching snowflakes. Across the street, someone whistled. Sean reached for Tessa again. This time she took his hand.

  They worked their way up near the front of the gazebo where city officials were already gathering.

  “Sean, me lad, I see you still have the bonny lass with ye.”

  “I hear you haven’t gotten your Irish and Scottish accents straightened out yet, O’Malley.” Sean clapped his friend on the back.

  “Why are you still with this boy-o? Most gals run from ’im after three days. Five be a new record.”

  Tessa didn’t skip a beat. “And is your record still counted in hours?”

  O’Malley laughed with them. “Sean, she is a keeper, and if you don’t, I will.”

  Sean shot his friend a get-lost look.

  “Lookee, there be a fine lass all alone. I must see if she needs me company.”

  The high school choir filed into the back of the gazebo, singing a song Sean didn’t recognize.

  The mayor accompanied Granda to the steps of the stand. “I could give a long-winded introduction, but everyone who has been in Blue Pines for more than a day knows Reverend Cavanagh and his catchall answer—”

  “We have Christmas!” the crowd yelled.

  The mayor laughed and turned to Granda, handing him the microphone. “We have Christmas—to remind us of all the things that matter. Family, love, kindness, and giving. We have Christmas so we can come together as friends, old and new, and so we can experience the miracles going unnoticed each day. But most of all we have Christmas to remind us to pause and remember God.”

  The crowd clapped. The mayor pasted on one of those smiles probably meaning “Have we offended someone?” For the first time in a long time, Sean found he didn’t mind that Granda had managed to slip a tiny sermon into something. If he couldn’t at Christmas, when could he?

  The mayor took back the microphone. “Okay, time to turn around and watch the tree! You know what to do. Ten!”

  “Nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!”

  Sean watched Granda rather than the tree. He wished he could permanently capture the smile. From the flashes going off, there would be one in the morning newspaper or at least on a few social media pages. Granda gazed at the tree with all the wonder of a four-year-old. The cheers of the crowd decrescendoed, and the choir started singing a rendition of “O Christmas Tree.”

  Tessa retook Sean’s hand and tugged him down. “Your grandfather is amazing.” Tessa’s eyes teared up.

  He pulled her into a
hug. “I know.”

  Standing among a throng of well-wishers, Granda was not leaving anytime soon. “Shall we go get some hot chocolate?”

  “As long as we avoid the Homefire crew.” Tessa nodded toward the tree.

  “Belfry?”

  Tessa nodded.

  Coming up here was a mistake. There couldn’t be a more romantic place in all of Blue Pines. Snow, Christmas music, hot chocolate, and even a hot guy who’d turned out to be much nicer than she expected.

  Remember what O’Malley said—“Only five days”! Tessa was tempted to text an S to Candace. How long could she keep sipping her drink and avoid touching Sean again?

  Sean rested his arms on the half wall. “I thought of watching the lighting with you from up here, like I used to with Dad. I’ve been thinking a lot about him these past few days, mostly because my mom is coming with her boyfriend and I think she wants to tell me she is getting married.”

  “Has she said anything?”

  “Not specifically, but, well, something is different with her.”

  “How do you feel about it?”

  “I love how Richard takes care of her, and he doesn’t try to go all fatherly on me like some of her early boyfriends. Maybe it’s my age, or maybe he realized Granda already took that role. He is good for her. And as Granda told me last September, we need to stop looking back.”

  Tessa moved next to Sean and put her arm around him in a half hug. She wondered how much of the concept of “stop looking back” applied to Sean.

  “He has told me that every year, ‘Stop looking back, or you will trip going forward.’ I think I am starting to understand him now.”

  “What changed?”

  She felt Sean shrug. “Maybe I am older, and a bit wiser. Maybe it’s Christmas, like Granda says.” Sean turned to face her, then lifted his hand to her cheek. It was still warm from holding his cup. “And may—”

  Screams from the square caused them both to turn. What they saw caused her heart to skip a beat.

  “Granda!” Sean flung open the trapdoor.

  Tessa followed him. It took her a couple of tries to slide the bolt closed, and halfway down she realized they’d left their cups on the wall, but that could wait. Sean had already left the building by the time she got to the bottom of the stairs. At least she had her key and could lock the outside door.

  Track had never been her thing, but her high school coach would have been impressed by how fast she ran around the church and into the square. The commotion was centered around the gazebo. The EMTs who had been on hand were rolling a gurney. She found Sean kneeling next to his grandfather and another EMT.

  “Let me up. I only fainted.”

  “No way, Granda. Not until they check you out.”

  “Fuss and bother.”

  Another man pushed through the crowd. The EMTs let him pass. He conversed in low tones as the EMT took the reverend’s vitals. “Well, Reverend, lighting the tree wasn’t enough excitement for you? How about I recommend you leave this place under a set of flashing red lights? And I’ll be right behind you.”

  “Aw, Doctor, it was only a little faint.”

  “For a man your age, there is no such thing.” He nodded to the EMTs and left.

  Sean stepped back and let them move his grandfather to the gurney. Tessa slipped her hand into his and squeezed. “What do you need me to do?”

  Sean blinked a couple of times as if processing her words. “I left my car in the city. Will you drive me to the hospital?”

  “Of course.”

  fifteen

  The lights of the ambulance flashed, the driver hitting the siren only briefly before pulling away from the curb. Sean watched, transfixed, until someone tugged on his arm and said something. Oh. Tessa. Granda would be dismayed to know his timing had interrupted Sean’s attempt at romance.

  Tessa tugged on his arm again. “Come on, Sean.”

  He followed her out of the square and around the church. A police car sat at the end of the driveway. The officer in it waved. “I came to give you an escort. Where’s your car?”

  Tessa held up her keys. “We are taking mine.”

  “Great! I don’t need to worry about Sean’s driving.”

  Sean didn’t remember getting into the car or putting on his seat belt.

  Tessa started the car twice. Sweet talk seemed to be her preferred method of car maintenance. “I’m glad your friend is giving us an escort. This traffic is worse than the other night.”

  Sean mumbled something. Mom. He should call Mom. He pulled out his phone. Voicemail. “Mom, they are taking Granda to the hospital. He argued with the EMTs, so I think he will be okay. I’ll call when I know more. Love ya.”

  “Is there anyone else you need to contact?” Tessa kept her eyes on the road.

  “No, my father, like me, was an only child of an only child, and I think everyone else in the town knows.”

  They pulled into the parking lot. Sean barely waited for Tessa to park.

  “Go. I’ll find you.”

  He sprinted across the lot.

  The receptionist, a woman he knew but couldn’t place, sent him back.

  He turned around briefly. “There is a woman with blonde hair named Tessa. She’ll be looking for us.”

  “Only family, Sean.”

  “Well, she is my, my—” He had no idea what to call her, but he knew the next little while would be more bearable for her if she could join him.

  “Significant other?”

  “Definitely significant.”

  “I’ll try to sneak her back if I can.” The lady winked.

  Sean found the room and a feisty Granda.

  “Tell them I don’t need the IV, Sean.”

  Sean nodded at the nurse. “You know they wouldn’t give you one if you didn’t need it. Do I need to bribe you like you did me when I was five?”

  “With a cookie?”

  “Probably not with food. You will need to come up with something else.”

  “A kiss.”

  “You want me to kiss you, Granda?” Sean shifted to keep Granda’s attention while the nurse drew blood through the IV tube she was inserting.

  “No, kiss Tessa. You two are perfect for each other, but you only have a few more days. You got to let her know.”

  The nurse laughed quietly. “There you go. All done, Reverend.”

  “You tell him, Cheryl. Tell him Betty Everett was right.”

  The nurse shook her head. “I don’t know her.”

  Granda looked the direction of the door. “Tessa, you know, don’t you?”

  “Know what?” Tessa slipped into the room.

  “Betty Everett.”

  “Wasn’t she a singer?”

  Oh no. Sean knew with sudden clarity where Granda was going with this. Nana had played Betty’s record over and over until it had worn out and Granda bought her a CD player.

  “At least someone knows. Now, do you know what she sang?”

  “Music?”

  Sean breathed a sigh of relief when the doctor walked in, but it was short-lived.

  “Doc, can you tell any of these kids what Betty Everett sang?”

  “She sang several things, but she’s most famous for the “Shoop Shoop Song.” They probably know it as “It’s in His Kiss.” Now, why don’t we clear this room and see what’s going on.”

  The nurse had a hard time containing her laughter as she ushered them out. “I’ll come get you from the lobby as soon as the doctor says you can come back. And thanks for distracting him from the IV and blood work.” She turned down the hallway as Sean continued straight, her peals of laughter reaching his ears.

  “Something tells me I don’t exactly want to know what just happe
ned.” Had Tessa reclaimed his hand, or had he reached for hers?

  “Granda was playing a game while the nurse got his IV in. He hates needles.”

  “Oh.”

  The lobby was full even for a Saturday night. It didn’t take long to realize the majority of the people were here about Granda. Even Rabbi Goldstein had come.

  Sean made the rounds with Tessa at his side, convincing most of them to leave. In the end, only Margo, Granda’s housekeeper, and Mr. Saunders, who played checkers with Granda every Thursday morning, refused to go home.

  Sean and Tessa found a couple of uncomfortable seats in the corner.

  “Do you want me to go find you some coffee?”

  “No, I am fine so far, but thanks. I should try to call my mom again.”

  “I’ll go talk to Margo.” She gave his hand a squeeze before she left.

  Sean dialed. “Hi, Mom.”

  sixteen

  Tessa rubbed her eyes when the glass in front of her started to blur. It had been a long weekend. She’d stayed with Sean at the hospital until they finally admitted his grandfather. After a twenty-four-hour observation, the reverend was released from the hospital late Sunday night. Taking insulin wouldn’t come easily for the man. Sean had had to bribe him to even do a finger-prick blood test. Tessa did want to be there to see him make a snow angel or to hear Sean sing “O Holy Night,” as she suspected he sang rather well with his knowledge of music. Each bribe was more creative than the last.

  The two had argued enough over Betty Everett that Tessa spent a half hour surfing last night to learn about the singer. The “Shoop Shoop Song” replayed in her head. She turned on her Christmas playlist to drown it out. Picking up the cutter, she set the blade at the starting point.

  The glass blurred again.