A Christmas in Connecticut Read online

  “Great,” Claire murmured as she went into full panic mode.

  “Allergic to ham? Who’s allergic to ham?” Emmy’s face scrunched up on Claire’s phone.

  “Beth, that’s who. What am I going to do? I can’t cook a turkey.” Claire had felt her panic turn into despair after Jack left. She was hoping Emmy had a magic solution…like crock pot turkey or something else Claire-proof.

  “Don’t panic…I’ll make a turkey this weekend and video every single step. You can do this Claire…just study the video and memorize the steps. You’ll be fine…I’ll even write it all out for you. I’ve got an easy recipe for a beautiful green bean salad that I know you can do…you’re great at salads, just make some mashed potatoes and you’re golden. You’ve got this!”

  “But I don’t, ugh…I don’t know Emm…can I do this?” Maybe it was time to lay her cards on the table before she really made a fool of herself. Put her tail between her legs and come clean. But what would Jack think of her? He likes the Claire that can bake, sew, and cook…not the totally inept Claire who usually ruined frozen pizza. But then she thought of Jack and Beth and how excited they were to have her help. How can I let them down? Maybe she owed it to them to try…they were counting on her to make their Christmas a little special. Maybe she could do this with Emmy’s help. Maybe.

  “Think on the bright side…you get to actually visit a turkey farm.” Emmy’s face flashed a big, forced smile. You can take pictures of all the cute, happy turkeys…and an actual turkey farmer!”

  “Yay, turkey farm,” Claire said, her voice completely defeated.

  “So, I’m dying to know what happened last night? I think I know because before the subject of turkey came up your face totally was glowing.”

  Claire’s brain went from gloomy to swoony with just the thought of her night with Jack. “It was pretty spectacular, Emm. I can’t really explain it…it was great, but something else, there’s a weird, connected vibe going on between us. It’s as if I’ve known him so much longer than I actually have. Does that make sense?” She scrunched up her nose, waiting for Emmy to respond.

  “It does…it’s like when we first met…we felt as if we’d been best friends for years. Some people just have that kind of connection. I’m guessing it wasn’t exactly like that with Zachary.”

  “It wasn’t…I mean, we connected sexually in an instant. But I can honestly say that I never really felt that deeper connection with him…I don’t think he ever got me. It came out when he couldn’t handle my grieving. With Jack it’s different…except he thinks I’m someone I’m not.” The reality kept hitting her squarely between the eyes.

  “I’m sure that’s not why he’s attracted to you, Claire, he likes you…the actual you that’s there with him physically…not the you he’s reading online.”

  “Maybe,” Claire replied glumly.

  “Shake yourself out of those thoughts.” Emmy smiled at her. “Oh…hey…did you grab extra branches at the tree farm?”

  “I did. And I got all the stuff at the craft store you told me to get: wire rings, glue, a pre-tied ribbon, and some small glass ornaments…oh…and pine cones.”

  “Great. I emailed you step-by-step instructions for the wreath…this is an easy project. Make a practice one for yourself and then make one for Beth. She’ll love it.”

  “Okay, I’ll try.”

  “I also sent you a video and instruction to make a popcorn garland for her tree…it looks way more complicated than it is, and it has a pretty big wow factor…another easy project that looks great.”

  They chatted some more before disconnecting. Claire’s thoughts were elsewhere as she gathered everything she needed for the project. Maybe if she could conquer something successfully, she would feel more confident. She’d also felt more like the Claire in the blog. She read Emmy’s instructions several times and watched the video she’d made. Okay, seems kind of doable.

  After about an hour, she stepped back and admired the wreath she had made. Kind of impressive, she thought as she smiled at her handiwork. She’d bent the pine branches around the wire ring, weaving them around as Emmy had shown her. She then glued the glass ornaments and pinecones to the wreath and topped it with a large red satin bow. It was so easy that she’d made the second one for Beth with no problems. Making them had given her a boost of confidence. Maybe I can do this. She let the glue dry as she showered and got dressed.

  Luckily, the cottage’s front door already had a hook to hang the wreath on. She gently placed it on the door and stood back. It looked really good! She snapped a couple of pics of it and sent them to Emmy along with a text.

  Claire: Emm…you were right…totally doable…check it out!

  Emmy: Beautiful! You can do this…I have faith in you!

  Claire felt her mood lift as she admired it. Just then, she got a text from Jack.

  Jack: Can you come by Beth’s in about an hour? I’ve got a surprise for you.

  Claire: Yay…I love surprises! Can’t wait.

  She felt totally uplifted and confident. The wreath was beautiful…Beth would love hers and Jack had a surprise for her. She could feel her mood lift. Maybe, just maybe I can make this all work out, she thought. A feeling of hope surged through her. She went back inside and closed the door. Instantaneously there was the sickening sound of glass hitting brick. She pulled the door open and found all the glass balls smashed on the porch. The pine branches of the wreath had sprung loose from their wire holder and were sticking out all haywire. Who am I kidding? I can’t do this.

  Chapter 12

  Jack had everything organized on Beth’s counters. He double checked the list to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything. He hoped Claire was okay with this. She should be, I mean…how much creative license are we talking about? Last night had been great. He didn’t want to ruin whatever was forming between them. He smiled at the thought of her…how she felt…how she smelled…how she looked. A quiet groan escaped his lips. He’d only had brief flings since his breakup with Tara. No one ever grabbed his attention for very long. Claire had not only grabbed his, but was holding it hostage.

  There was that certain something between them. That nub of a feeling you sometimes get when you meet someone new. That feeling of comfort, acceptance, and belonging…all combined with incredible desire and attraction, and, as it turned out, some pretty spectacular chemistry. He could feel the happiness on his face.

  “Well, you look like all kinds of happy this morning.” Beth smiled as she reached for a mug. “Who put the extra sprinkles on your donut?”

  Jack could feel his face turn hot. “Should you be out of bed? Let me get that…tea or coffee?” He took the mug from her hand; he could feel her eyes boring into his back.

  “Well? Does this have something to do with Claire?” she said teasingly. “And what’s all this stuff for? Oh my god, is she going to m—”

  “It’s a surprise…you need to get back to bed, I’ll bring you your tea and then I’ll take Archie out.” The dog ambled into the room and looked up expectantly at Jack before making a loud snort. “Yeah, yeah, you’re next buddy.” Beth reluctantly returned to her room.

  After walking Archie, Jack made sure he had everything that was needed. The knock at the door sent his heart soaring. She’s here.

  He pulled the door open and felt his entire being warm at the sight of her.

  “Hi,” he said as he let her in. He leaned down and kissed her softly on her lips, immediately wanting more. Think cold shower.

  “Hi,” she replied, taking off her coat. Her cheeks were pink from the cold weather and her eyes were warm. “Was that the surprise?” She winked at him.

  “Do you want it to be?” he said in a low voice. Jack’s body was heating up at the thought.

  “Maybe,” she replied, a sly look on her face.

  “Just maybe? Wow…I better work on my skills.” He made an exaggerated slump of his shoulders.

  “Trust me…your skills are top notch.” Her brown ey
es held his.

  “I’ll be sure to put them to use again…soon.” He cleared his throat. “But first things first…come this way.” He motioned for her to follow him into the kitchen.

  Jack strategically had his back against the counter, hiding everything. He stepped aside with a flourish. “Surprise!”

  Claire stared at the bags of flour and sugar, the rolling pin, cookie sheets and numerous spices with a blank look in her eyes.

  “Gingerbread house time!” He waited for her response. He’d swear that a look of horror washed over her. “I know you said you wouldn’t have time to make your annual Christmas gingerbread house…but Beth really had her heart set on one…I thought we could do it together. I’ve got carpentry skills, you’ve got the baking skills, so… I should be of some help…right?”

  She just stood there, silently nodding her head. The flush that had been in her cheeks had vanished. “Claire…are you all right?” Shit…I screwed up with this idea.

  She shook her head. “No…you’re right…this will be fine…totally fine, I’ve got this.” He saw her take a gulp. “You can help…right?”

  “Of course, just tell me what to do. I read your blog, got all the ingredients for baking and decorating, and everything else I figured you’d need. I thought it would be fun. You know…just me and you…together.” He smiled at her…pulling her in for a kiss. God, she tasted good. He had every intention of helping, but it was going to be hard to stay focused. All he could think of was getting her back in to bed again. And again. Cold shower time, Jack. “I even made the templates for you; I used the dimensions given in your blog…it’s all ready to go.”

  Claire just stood silently. Nodding in agreement as she put an apron on over her head.

  “I need to cover the store for about an hour while Hank runs an errand. I figured that’ll give you time to make the dough and get the pieces into the oven…after they’ve cooled, we can assemble everything.” The color was still missing from her face. “I’ve walked Archie, so he shouldn’t be a problem.” She still looked stricken. “I won’t be long…promise, and when I’m back we’ll do the rest together.” He kissed her on the top of her forehead…he didn’t want to keep thinking about cold showers.

  “Emm what am I going to do?” Claire said, her voice just above a whisper…she didn’t want Beth to hear her losing her shit. She was in full on panic mode over the gingerbread house. Surprise? It was more like a nightmare.

  “Calm down…the baking part isn’t that hard. Follow the recipe…it’s just mixing the ingredients, that’s all.”

  “And then what??? It’s got to be more than just mixing ingredients,” Claire hissed.

  “Once it’s mixed, chill the dough and then roll it out…easy…the secret is to use enough flour so that the rolling pin doesn’t stick, if it begins to stick too much even with flour, throw it back into the fridge. Once you have it rolled out, you’ll use the template to cut out the pieces of the house, then carefully transfer them on to the baking sheet, chill in the freezer for fifteen minutes and then bake. Seriously. This is the easy part, Claire. It’s the building and decorating that I’m worried about.”

  “You and me both. I mean…Jack does build things…maybe this is pretty much the same. Except…how are we sticking everything together…I’m sure it’s not with nails.” Claire was trying not to panic but it wasn’t working.

  “Icing, the icing is used to glue it together.”

  “Icing? I’ve got to make that too?” she wailed. She needed to sit down. There was no way in hell she was going to be able to pull this off.

  “Here’s my advice…go to the store and buy some pre-made icing. Just tell Jack it’s a quick tip…no one’s going to be eating the house so it’s a way to cut corners.”

  That’ll work, thought Claire. She’d get the icing while the gingerbread was baking.

  “Call me if you need help…or text if you can’t call. You’ve got this Claire.”

  Claire wished she had as much confidence in herself as Emmy did. She pulled up the recipe on her phone, read it a few times before beginning to make the dough.

  As Claire looked down at the baking sheets, she felt a swell of pride. Making the gingerbread house pieces had felt like a roller coaster ride. One minute she was in a giant dip of despair, the next minute at the peak of elation. Currently, she was high in the air and hoping the ride was over. The gingerbread pieces were all laid out neatly on two cookie sheets. She was feeling quite happy with herself, although just 20 minutes earlier she’d been clutched with panic and feelings of failure. She pushed the cookie sheets into the hot oven, removed her apron and grabbed her purse.

  Claire stuck her head in Beth’s room. “I’m running to the store, is there anything you need me to grab for you?” Beth was propped up in bed reading a book. She quickly threw the book to the side, a huge smile spreading across her face, she tucked a blond curl behind one ear.

  “No, I’m fine. But a little birdie told me that you and Jack went on a date.” Her face was lit up as if Christmas had come early.

  “Yeah, but…it was just one date.” Claire was trying to play it cool.

  “I heard that he was at your place the night the puppies came,” Beth said, still looking excited.

  Wow, news really does travel fast here, thought Claire. “I…well…he was helping me with my Christmas tree.” Claire could feel her cheeks burn; she wasn’t used to everyone not only knowing her business but talking about it too.

  “I’ve noticed how you both are around each other…I can tell it’s something more than just a date going on.” She patted the bed for Claire to sit down.

  “There’s really nothing to talk about, Beth. I’m going back to L.A. after New Year’s…so…there’s nothing there.” Claire sat down at the end of the bed, Archie had plopped down next to her, all four feet in the air expecting a belly rub. Claire complied, rubbing the dog’s stomach.

  “Oh…don’t give me that…you write a blog for a living…you could do that anywhere.”

  “Beth…you are totally putting the cart before the horse here…I mean…I’ve only known Jack for a couple of weeks.” Beth was right…she could write the blog from any location…except for the fact that the heart of it…Emmy…lived in Los Angeles…that was the piece of the puzzle Beth was missing. And she was getting ahead of herself here…there was a connection between her and Jack…a pretty powerful one…but it was way too soon to be thinking of a relationship. Or was it? Because just the thought of him made her entire being feel happy.

  “Jack doesn’t just go out with women willy nilly, Claire. He hasn’t been interested in anyone since college…since—”

  “—Tara…I know, he told me about her. I just…” Claire wanted to spill her guts to Beth…but couldn’t…not without revealing she was a fraud…not who she seemed to be. “…it’s just, I think it’s too soon. And…I’m not leaving L.A…it’s all I’ve known,” she said quietly.

  She gathered her coat and purse and darted over to River Falls Grocery. She replayed in her mind the conversation with Beth. She had been kind of surprised to hear that Jack hadn’t shown an interest in anyone since Tara. Had Jack talked to Beth about her? Or had Beth put two and two together on her own? And did any of it matter…because she wasn’t moving from L.A. and Jack wasn’t leaving River Falls…and the elephant in the room was that Claire wasn’t the Claire he thought she was. Her head was cautious and confused but her heart was falling for him…and fast. She told herself to set aside her concerns for the time being and enjoy all the good feelings he was giving her right now. All of them.

  She grabbed the cans of frosting and made her way back to Beth’s. The gingerbread should be done by then, she thought. Hopefully Jack would be waiting for her when she got back. She couldn’t wait to see him. Thinking about being back in his arms made her entire body feel warm, despite the frigid temperatures outside.

  Jack’s truck was there when she pulled up. She made her way to the door as she mapp
ed out the evening in her head. They’d let the gingerbread cool…probably overnight would be a good idea. They could then head back to her place, and—

  Jack opened the front door as she approached.

  “Hi,” she said, beaming at him.

  “You’d better come look at the gingerbread,” he said, a worried look on his face.

  What? Her roller coaster had climbed the peak and now was headed downhill at about a hundred miles an hour and was about to go completely off the tracks. Claire looked at the cookie sheets. The gingerbread shapes were gone. The carefully cut out pieces had melted and combined into one giant liquidy blob…there was no resemblance of a house at all.

  “Oh no…what happened?” Claire wailed. She’d followed the instructions to a tee. “Maybe it’s the oven?” she cried.

  Archie had let out a loud snort from his bed in the corner.

  “I don’t think the oven would cause this,” Jack replied, motioning to the mess on the cookie sheets. “I have an idea though…maybe we can cut the shapes out once these have cooled.” He had a hopeful expression on his face.

  “Good idea,” Claire replied. She was going over everything she’d done, trying to figure out what could have gone wrong. She wasn’t a baker, so literally it could have been anything. I can’t do this. She’d worked so hard on this and thought she’d done a good job. Obviously not.

  Jack took her hand. “Hey, it’s okay…it’s only gingerbread.” He leaned down to smile at her. “I know what can cheer you up…how about we go to Jenny’s and grab something to eat. I got a text a bit ago saying she’s got apple pie. Would pie help?” He raised his eyebrows expectantly as he put his arms around her shoulders, giving her a gentle squeeze. Claire nodded as she tried to hold back tears. She was trying her best, and it just wasn’t cutting it. “And when we get back, maybe this’ll be ready for us to work on. I think it’ll probably be fine…just needs to cool…and solidify.”