Page 10 of Christian Clause
Winter!
My favorite time of the year! Even though I don’t like being cold and always have to cover up throughout the season, I love it nonetheless. Christmas used to be my favorite holiday until my parents died, and I didn’t come home often anymore.
Turning away from the window, I stride out of the room to the bathroom down the hallway to take a shower. I sing a Christmas carol. After my shower, I head back to my room. I was too tired to unpack last night, so I quickly do that before slipping on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. I pull on my favorite blue sweater and black ankle-length snow boots. I walk down the stairs to the sound of Debra and Aria talking in the kitchen. The aroma of fried eggs and bacon fills the house.
“Good morning, my darling.” I walk over to Aria and place a kiss on her forehead. “I hope you slept well.”
She nods and says, “Uh-huh.”
I smile and pull out a chair at the table and Debra pours me a cup of coffee.
“This looks delicious,” I comment, fixing my eyes on the toast, bacon, and eggs.
I push back the emotion that clogs my throat. Most times, I skipped breakfast because I couldn’t afford it. Life has really been difficult for me these past weeks. My gaze shifts to the window to avoid Debra’s questioning gaze. With a rueful smile, I watch as the snow bathes the backyard in tiny flurries.
Refreshed from my night's sleep, I contribute heartily to the discussion at the table, unlike last night when I was so tired. Debra talks about her business and how it is flourishing. It thrills me because things had been tough initially for her when she first started.
Finally, we finish up the delicious meal and I tell Debra that I have to get some toiletries at the store. In my hurry to leave the apartment, I forgot to pack some. I didn’t worry because I knew I could get everything I needed when I got to Cedar Crest.
“You can use my car.” Debra sips from her cup of coffee. Adding on teasing note, she says, “You remember the way to the mall, don’t you?”
Giving her a mocking affronted look, I say, “Of course.”
“Good. You can take the car wherever you want to go. I don’t intend on going anywhere today.”
My brows shot up. “I’m only going to the mall.”
With a twinkle in her brown eyes, she sips her coffee. “Who knows? There are a number of eligible bachelors right here in Cedar Crest. Maybe you will meet one and they will make you forget about your heartache. Soon you will be saying, Terrance who?”
I let out a sigh and lift my eyes toward the ceiling before meeting Deb’s stare. “Slow your roll, Deb. I only arrived yesterday.”
Debra shrugs with a mischievous smile on her face. “We really can’t say where we’ll find love.”
“Oh, please, Deb. Not in Cedar Crest, of all places.”
Putting down her cup, Debra’s face twists into a frown. “What do you mean by that? Give the men here a chance, Hope. If I hadn’t met Ray at the University, I would have told you they’re men like him around here. Plus, he has good friends he could introduce you to.”
I laugh and shake my head. “You’re something else, Deb. I’m not ready for anything serious.”
“Just think on it, okay. We could go on a double date night sometimes.”
I lift my hands in mock surrender. “Little Miss Cupid, please get off my back.”
Not waiting for her to reply, I quickly rise from the table, kiss Aria’s sweet-smelling hair and exit the room. Debra’s laughter follows me up the stairs. I shake my head. I came here to find peace and possibly a job.
Definitely not love.
Chapter Five
Hope
“Why am I not surprised?” I say as I pull up in the parking area of The Cedar Crest Mall.
The Colorado skies are ominous with the threat of heavier snow. I hope that I can finish my shopping and be in the comfort of the house before it starts getting worse. I stand for a moment, looking at the magnificent edifice. Over the years, the mall has changed from a three-story building into an outstanding structure. The glass and marble building is so huge I have to tilt my head back to take it all in.
A shudder runs through me. I realize that I’m standing in the cold. I make my way through the throng of other shoppers heading for the entrance. A pair of doormen in red and white uniforms stand at the entrance, opening doors and welcoming people. I walk through the sliding doors, relieved to be out of the cold.
I can’t help the bright smile that crosses my face when I see how decked the place is for Christmas. Shoppers jostle around me, heading for the aisles, counters, and escalators. I just stand there in the middle of the huge mall, remembering when my mom and I used to come here. An awe-inspiring forty-foot-high green Christmas tree stands in magnificence at the side of the mall. My smile widens when I register how beautifully decorated it is with red and green ornaments, white and red bows, Christmas lights, and garlands.
