CHAPTER EIGHT
Billy came to the house to pick Lindy up for the short twenty-three-mile drive to Leavenworth. As a child, her parents had taken the family to this German village for their annual Oktoberfest, which was one of the largest in the country. The town’s Christmas celebration was even bigger.
People came from all over the world to this tiny burg during the holiday season. The city’s festivities had become popular long before being highlighted on national television. What had always amazed Lindy was the story behind the city. Many years ago, Leavenworth had been in trouble. Recognizing they needed to do something to boost revenues before the small town, nestled in the foothills of the Cascade mountains, became a ghost town, the city council decided to reinvent Leavenworth. They succeeded beyond what anyone could imagine.
Lindy’s mother greeted Billy at the front door while Lindy gathered her coat and purse. “My goodness, Billy,” Ellen said, shaking her head as she looked at him. “You’ve grown so tall.”
“Mom, the last time you saw Billy he was ten. It’s only natural he’d grow.”
“But to over six feet?”
“Height runs in the family,” Billy said, sharing an amused look with Lindy.
“I think it’s time we go,” Lindy suggested, before her mother said something that would embarrass her or mentioned that infamous letter to Santa.
Her mother appeared highly entertained by the two of them. “Off with you, then. Have fun, you two, and don’t worry about the time.”
“Yes, Mom.” From the way her mother acted, one would think Lindy was still in high school and needed to be home before her curfew.
To her surprise, Billy reached for her hand as they walked toward his car. Not that she objected. The warm feelings that ran through her at the simple gesture could be described only as welcoming.
Once inside his four-door truck, Lindy noticed that Billy had turned on the heated seats. Snow had been predicted at the higher elevations, which meant it was likely to snow in Leavenworth, as well as in Wenatchee.
Billy headed through town to U.S. Highway 2 for the thirty-minute drive to the German town. “I was able to get us dinner reservations at Berghoff’s,” he mentioned, as if all that was required was a phone call.
“No way.” The German restaurant was often booked months in advance, especially at this time of year. The food was legendary.
“The owner is a friend of mine,” Billy explained. “He moved a few things around to fit us in. The reservations are for six, which should work perfectly for the day I have planned.”
Billy had made other arrangements, or so it appeared. “And pray tell, what do you have scheduled?”
He briefly took his eyes off the road to glance her way. “The usual. A sleigh ride, a visit to Santa.”
“A visit to Santa? You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope. It seemed appropriate, seeing how you appear to be on his list, and how often you wrote him as a kid. I figured you’d welcome sitting on his lap again and telling him what you’d like for Christmas.”
“Very funny,” she chided, with more than a hint of sarcasm. “I’m too old to be chumming up with Santa,” she said, and then she remembered her most recent letter to the jolly old fellow, where she’d asked for a new best friend. The ink was barely dry on the page when she’d reconnected with Peggy. And that wasn’t all. She’d run into Billy, too, when she’d asked Santa to introduce her to a worthy man.
“Too old for Santa?” Billy teased. “Is anyone really too old for Santa?”
“You’re right,” she agreed. “Maybe visiting Santa isn’t such a bad idea after all.” Impulsively, she leaned her head against his shoulder. She knew this day was in appreciation of the work she’d done on the website for the Wine Press and nothing more. A relationship with Billy wouldn’t really work beyond these two weeks, which was unfortunate. She had her life in Seattle, and he was a restaurant owner in Wenatchee. Weekends, when she was off work, were his busiest days of the week. He couldn’t drive to Seattle to be with her. Furthermore, his attention had to be on his business, if she were to come to spend time with him.
Far better for her to tone down the attraction she felt for him. Even Billy seemed to understand this time could be for only these two weeks; anything beyond Christmas would be problematic. Nevertheless, a short holiday romance would certainly lift her spirits. Being with Billy helped relight the smoldering flame of hope in her heart. That was all this attraction could ever be. Keeping it light and fun would work best for both of them.
When Billy pulled into the alleyway behind the German restaurant, she had to acknowledge he had great connections in town. He parked behind Berghoff’s in a space his friend had saved for him. The small town had precious little parking available, and people who drove often had to walk several blocks to the center of town, where many of the activities took place.
Just as he turned off the engine, the snow started to fall in light flakes, drifting down from a flat gray sky. Climbing out of the truck, Lindy looked up and caught several fluffy flakes on her nose.
“Remember as kids how we used to catch the snowflakes on our tongues?” Billy asked.
“I do.” Snow in Seattle, a city on the water, didn’t often get the experience. Snow, three days before Christmas, was a treat to be treasured.
When they made it onto the main thoroughfare, it came as no surprise to be caught up in the thick crowds of tourists. Several of the stores on the main street had hired someone to stand outside to count the number inside the business. It was essential because of the fire codes. The requirement to wait before shopping certainly didn’t seem to dampen the holiday spirit. Street vendors loudly peddled roasted chestnuts, fancy coffee drinks, steaming cups of hot chocolate, and homemade doughnuts.
The train from Seattle whistled as it drew near town. Many tourists from the west side of the mountains opted to take the train rather than risk driving over the mountain pass that led to Leavenworth. These family adventures were highly popular for those coming from the metropolitan area. The train arrived at various times and then returned to Seattle, making it a perfect day trip.
The giant clock in the center of town chimed musically as the snow lazily drifted down upon them, leaving a layer of white on the shoulders of her bright red wool coat.
“To the sleigh ride first,” Billy said, gripping her gloved hand. As before, she felt an instant warmth at his touch. She ignored the warning from earlier, to guard her heart, determined to enjoy every minute with Billy.
The line for the ride was long, snaking down the pathway. Lindy counted some twenty couples ahead of them. She didn’t mind. Everyone appeared to be in a jovial mood, filled with the holiday spirit. A group of Victorian-dressed carolers walked past, their voices blending in perfect harmony. Her attention drifted to the train that sluggishly edged toward the depot and pulled to a stop.
Lindy’s gaze followed the passengers as they disembarked. As she suspected, they included several families. Parents with young children, eager to explore the city. The eager youngsters leaped onto the platform, their voices raised in excitement. The Victorian carolers were there to greet them with a song. One little girl who couldn’t be more than about five or six stared up at the quartet, her eyes wide with wonder.
Standing behind her, Billy placed his hands on Lindy’s shoulders as the line progressed toward the horse-drawn sleigh. The romance of this outing didn’t escape her.
“It won’t be long now,” Billy said, whispering close to her ear. They were only two couples back from the front.
As she turned to smile at him, her gaze went naturally toward the train platform and the little girl. Then something past the child caught her attention. Lindy’s eyes widened when she saw Brian and Celeste step off the train.
No way.
What were the chances that the two of them would arrive in Leavenworth at the same time she was there? She watched as Brian helped Celeste off the first step. He’d always been the gentleman…until he wasn’t. A shiver went through her. She’d assumed that because she’d forgiven them, this sense of loss and betrayal wouldn’t feel like a kick in the stomach. She inhaled a deep breath and refused to let her thoughts wander down those rut-filled paths.
“Are you cold?” Billy asked.
He must have felt her stiffen. “A little,” she said, rather than go into any details. She purposefully looked away, determined not to let Celeste and Brian ruin her day. If they saw her with Billy, then all the better. That would assure them she had moved on, and she had.
Billy rubbed his hands down the sleeves of her coat in an effort to warm her. “We’ll be under those wool blankets in a matter of minutes,” he said.
“It won’t be long,” she agreed, as they drew steadily closer to the front of the line.
When their turn came, the young man who was the assistant motioned for Lindy to climb onto the sleigh. Billy had climbed aboard first and offered his hand, which she gladly accepted. As soon as she was seated, he pulled the heavy blankets over her lap and wrapped his arm around her.
Warmth infused her. First from the blankets, and second, from her proximity to Billy. Not only was he attentive, but he was thoughtful, too. The horse and driver took off down a well-worn, snow-packed path into and through the thick woods. The horse’s hoofs kicked up a light dusting of the freshly fallen snow. Christmas music swirled around them and then gradually faded as they continued into the forestland. Their driver chatted amicably as he flicked the reins against the horses.
“Your first time in town, folks?” he asked.
Billy looked to Lindy to answer. “No. First sleigh ride, though.”
“Good to have your sweetheart with you.”
“Very good,” Billy answered, smiling at Lindy.
Mesmerized by the glow in his eyes, she smiled back and snuggled closer.
The wait, as Lindy suspected, was longer than the ride. Not that it mattered. The few minutes they were in the forest were magical. This was everything Christmas was meant to be. With Billy at her side, and his arm protectively around her. The fir trees that lined the path, their limbs burdened with the weight of the snow, created an iconic winter wonderland. Music from the carolers faded and then returned as they neared the starting point.
As they made the final turn, Lindy noticed Brian and Celeste were in the line, but not close enough that they would easily see her and Billy. She would really rather not run into them.
“You’re chilly again,” Billy said.
As the sleigh drew closer to the drop-off point, she turned to look at Billy. “Would you do something for me?”
“Sure. What do you need?”
“Would you kiss me?”
His smile was huge, and he didn’t hesitate for even a moment. Capturing her face, his hands covering her ears, he slowly lowered his mouth to hers.
Lindy wasn’t sure what she’d expected when she’d made the request. One thing was certain, it wasn’t the intense emotions that quickly laid claim to her. At first Billy’s lips were cold, which only made sense, seeing as they’d been riding through below-freezing temperatures. His mouth warmed quickly as he deepened the kiss. Heat spread through her as she opened to him, raising her arms to rest her hands on his shoulders. She quickly became involved in the kiss. Slanting her head to one side, she was lost in the wonder of the moment. The magic of it. The sensation of being in his arms, as if this was where she had always belonged.
When they broke apart, all they seemed capable of doing was staring at each other, as if they were both shocked by the intensity of the kiss. Lindy could hear the people clapping and a few shouts and cheers directed toward them long before the sleigh came to a stop. For a moment, she didn’t hear the young man urging them to climb off the sleigh.
As he had earlier, Billy went first and then helped her down. As soon as her feet were on the ground, she couldn’t resist looking toward the line. She could only hope Celeste and Brian had witnessed a kiss that was far and away better than any she’d ever experienced. A smile tickled her mouth as she looped her arm around Billy’s elbow.
“Lindy.”
Celeste called her name, and when Lindy turned, she could see that she regretted it. Her once best friend lowered her head as if she was embarrassed.
“Celeste,” she said, and then nodded to Brian. “The sleigh ride is probably the most romantic thing I’ve done in ages. You’ll enjoy it. Have a fun day.” When neither seemed inclined to continue the conversation, Lindy and Billy left.
They hadn’t gone far when Billy paused and turned to face Lindy.
“You want to tell me what that was about?”
She toyed with playing dumb and recognized that wouldn’t work. Not with Billy. “That was my onetime best friend and my old boyfriend in line.”
“So that’s what prompted you to ask me for the kiss?”
Shame filled her when she realized how wrong it was of her to use Billy.
“How recent was the breakup with this guy?” he asked, his voice stiff and deep.
“Six months. He moved in with my former roommate, who I considered my best friend,” she admitted, and then added, “I apologize…I shouldn’t have used you. It was wrong of me, but I wanted them both to see that I’d moved on.”
“I understand, Lindy, better than you realize. I’ve had my own share of disappointments from people I’ve trusted. It’s a painful lesson. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
She hoped he did understand. “Asking you to kiss me seemed like a good idea at the time, but in retrospect, I…” She paused, unsure if she should continue.
“In retrospect, what?” he prodded.
“All right,” she said, shrugging a sigh that raised her shoulders two full inches. “Here’s the truth. That kiss was…” She struggled to find the words. “Was the best ever.”
“The best? Ever?”
“Better than the best. It was wonderful. I might have asked you to kiss me for all the wrong reasons, but Billy, wow. That kiss did something to my heart.” She pressed her hand over her chest to reassure him she wasn’t just saying that, but she meant it.
“You mean like heartburn?”
“No,” she answered, laughing, certain he was making a joke. “As I said at dinner, my job has been a challenge lately, and then the breakup.”
“That’s understandable.”
“Mostly it was my pride that took a beating,” she confessed.
“You liked the kiss?” Billy asked.
“Out of all I said, this is what you want to ask me?”
He shrugged. “It didn’t do my ego any harm.”
Lindy smiled. He was right. The past meant nothing now. He’d asked, and she was glad she’d been honest.
“What are you feeling about that kiss?” She couldn’t resist wanting to know.
He gave a lighthearted shrug. “It wasn’t bad.”
“What?” She demanded, and elbowed him in the ribs.
Billy did a good job of pretending she’d injured him. “Okay, if you must know, the kiss was pretty darn spectacular, although I can do better, given the opportunity.”
Lindy wound her arm around his waist once again. “Then I’ll make sure you get that opportunity.”
“Sounds good to me.” He brushed his lips over her forehead.