Sweet Christmas Engagement Read online

  Sweet Christmas Engagement

  Amelia St. James

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imaginations or are used fictitiously.

  Copyright © 2018 Amelia St. James

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  ISBN:

  ISBN-13:

  DEDICATION

  Dedicated to Chris, my loving husband. I cherish every up and down as we walk together through our happily ever after.

  Contents

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  ~1~

  ~2~

  ~3~

  ~4~

  ~5~

  ~6~

  ~7~

  ~8~

  ~9~

  ~10~

  ~11~

  ~12~

  ~13~

  ~14~

  ~15~

  ~16~

  ~17~

  ~18~

  ~19~

  ~20~

  ~21~

  ~22~

  ~23~

  ~24~

  ~25~

  ~25~

  ~26~

  ~27~

  ~28~

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Many thanks to my sweet family for their support. Ryan, you’re the coolest eight year old I know, and I love hearing you talk. Owen, you’re the expert at giving excellent hugs, and Mommy will take them as often as you offer them! Chris, I can’t imagine walking through life without you, and I love you more each day.

  Mom and Dad, thanks for reading my first drafts, my last drafts, and every rough copy in between. Your support truly means the world to me.

  Last, but not least, I’d like to thank my mentor, Danae C. Little. Your encouragement along the way has been like a lamp in the darkness, lighting the way for me to write. You are a talented author and wonderful friend!

  Love,

  Amelia St. James

  ~1~

  “Go on; get to your study group. I’m almost finished here.” Katie looked away as she lied, hoping her sister wouldn’t see through her.

  She was an especially bad liar, and the stacks of orders for Halloween chocolates in front of her should have given her away. She quickly picked them up, stuffing them into her apron. It was now covered in edible paint spatters, whereas it had been a crisp white.

  She took in a deep breath and looked over at Emma, waiting for her response. She had one hand on her backpack but still looked doubtful.

  Bolstered, Katie said, “Go. Kiss Mom and Dad for me and tell them I’ll see them for dinner on Sunday. Good luck with your exams tomorrow.”

  Smiling, Emma slipped her backpack strap over her shoulder and cleared her long brown hair from underneath.

  “Thanks, Katie. Tell Felicity I hope Daniel gets over his cold quickly.”

  “I will. I know she was quite worried when she got the call to pick him up from school today. I’ll walk down with you.”

  Katie grabbed her keys and followed Emma down the stairs and through the Sweet Pics cafe. She was still getting used to the most recent expansion, and hoped that moving the kitchen upstairs hadn’t been an expensive mistake.

  “Katie, I’m sure it’s nothing and he’ll be bouncing through the cafe, asking for chocolates in no time. Felicity worries too much.”

  “That’s understandable, since she lost her husband last year.”

  Emma kissed her sister on the cheek and said, “See you tomorrow after my exams.” She reached for the heavy front door, turning back to speak quietly as if revealing a secret. “I forgot to tell you. Paulie rented the empty space next door. He told me it was to a chiropractor, and he should be opening up soon.”

  “Great.” Katie tried to keep the sarcasm from her voice, but failed.

  “You’d rather have the space stay empty?” Emma looked at her sister, concern etched on her pale features. “What’s wrong?”

  Sighing, Katie said, “I was hoping for a business that would boost ours, sending customers our way.” She rubbed the back of her hand over her eyes, feeling tired now that she’d finally taken a break from filling orders.

  “Relax. The cafe will be a huge hit. We’ll have a giant turnout for Halloween. I put up notices all over campus for our Grown Goons trick-or-treating event.”

  “You did?” Katie asked.

  “Yes, isn’t it brilliant?”

  Emma grinned broadly, reminding Katie of the little girl who used to borrow her heels and clomp around the house, giggling.

  “Yes. Go study.” Katie half pushed Emma out the door before locking it and leaning her forehead against it. She would never get her orders fulfilled in time for the holiday unless she worked all night, not to mention the inventory required to keep up with the hungry junior college crowd that Emma had invited for free chocolates. Her younger sister was full of big ideas and dreams, but sometimes lacked the practical side that drove every decision Katie made.

  She made her way back upstairs and ate her overdue lunch for dinner before getting back to work. For the first time, she was glad she lived alone. She didn’t even have a houseplant that needed watering, so she wouldn’t be missed by anyone when she picked up the extra shift.

  As she often did, she looked at the small framed photo of her family, taken right after her father’s diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Her mother’s stoic smile always bolstered Katie’s strength, and the haunted look in her father’s eyes pushed her to push herself whenever she felt like quitting.

  He’d always been their rock and their provider. Having his eldest daughter support the family after medical bills ate through their savings had been hard on Michael. Katie knew that the lack of college funds for Emma had weighed on him more than anything.

  Rolling up her sleeves and putting on gloves, Katie got back to work, determined to quietly support the people she loved most in life. She worked all through the night with only the radio to keep her company, but gave in to sleep after resting her head on the countertop in the early hours of the morning.

  A rhythmic pounding woke her, and she hit the power button on the small radio. The pounding didn’t stop, even after she groggily unplugged the radio. She wiped her tired eyes and stretched, becoming more alert as the pounding continued. Supplies on the shelves bounced and rattled, threatening to clatter to the floor if the construction didn’t stop.

  Grabbing her keys, Katie stomped down the stairs and out the door. As she passed the large bay window that looked into her cafe, she caught her faint reflection and quickly tucked stray strands of blond hair behind her ears. She wasn’t exactly presentable for customers, but the sun was barely up and she had at least an hour before she had to be open for business. If she timed things right, she’d have just enough time to run home to her apartment and shower before her next shift.

  She paused outside the door of the chiropractor’s office, surprised to see how quickly it had been transformed from an empty business suite to a beautiful office. The proud new owner was a Dr. Donovan, and the sign advertised that new patients are welcome. Though the window had been tinted, she could make out brown leather office furniture and a painting of a sailboat on the wall near reception.

  Taking a deep breath, she swung the door open and marched inside, taken aback when she found the reception area completely empty. She shook her head and considered that the office wouldn’t likely be open already, so it made sense that no one was there to greet her. She peeked around the corner
behind reception but didn’t see anyone.

  “Hello?” She spoke in a normal tone, but it felt like she was yelling so early in the morning. When no one answered, she turned to leave. As her palm touched the door, the pounding started up again in full force and she imagined her baking supplies falling off the shelves.

  Fueled by her desperation, she went up the stairs at the end of the hallway and banged on the door at the top. The door swung open slightly and a golden retriever puppy pushed his way through the crack.

  The dog began to sniff her, his wet nose leaving a cold trail along her arm. She saw frosting smudged near where the pup was investigating, and smiled.

  Leaning down, she said, “Do you have a sweet tooth?” The dog licked her hand and barked excitedly, causing the man on a ladder across the room to stop hammering and turn around. He lifted his safety glasses to the top of his head, one hand still holding his hammer. He smiled at her, looking slightly confused as he came down the ladder.

  “The office isn’t open for business yet. Can I help you?”

  He looked at her with gentle blue eyes and wiped the back of his hand across his chin. Katie noticed the slight stubble. Dark blond, with faint dimples hiding behind it. She stared at him, forgetting for a moment why she had been upset. Shaking her head to clear the distraction, she rehearsed what she’d come to say.

  “I’m Katie from next door. I’m working, and the banging is causing a disruption. Can you please stop?” She smiled sweetly, hoping she wouldn’t have to switch gears and be stern.

  “I’m going to need at least an hour to get this wall soundproof, so I can do it now, before your business gets rolling, or I can do it after lunch. You pick.”

  Glaring, she said, “Why don’t you call it a day and stop banging on the walls?”

  “I can’t, ma’am. I have a schedule to keep.”

  He lifted his shirt to wipe sawdust from the corner of his eye, and she caught a peek at his tanned, muscular stomach. She turned away and bit her lip, turning back when he started laughing.

  “What?”

  “I’m sorry. We’re both a mess. I’m covered in sawdust, and you have what looks like green paint on your cheek.” He walked closer to her and reached out a tanned hand, gently wiping at her face with his warm fingers.

  She stared at him for a moment in surprise at his touch, then stepped back from his reach. “Please, just stop hitting the wall. My supplies are on shelves just on the other side and the hammering is making everything move. I’m sure your boss won’t mind, once you explain it to him. I’m in a bind with my employee out today with a sick kid, and I can’t take the time to rearrange my kitchen until you finish up your banging. Although I must say, it’s coming across as pretty creepy that the chiropractor needs a room where no one can hear what he’s doing.”

  The man laughed again, showing neat, straight teeth that must have made his orthodontist proud. “Let me introduce myself. I’m Marcus Donovan.” He shrugged slightly as if not wanting to say any more, then said, “Dr. Marcus Donovan.” His vivid blue eyes searched hers for a reaction, and he cleared his throat uncomfortably when she didn’t speak. “I’m sorry if the noise bothers you. The best I can do is offer to help you move things around in your kitchen until I’m finished.” He smiled, as if that would soften his refusal.

  Finally finding her voice, Katie said, “Well, Doctor, I’m sorry to inconvenience you but that won’t do. I’m not able to accommodate your schedule, and I need to keep my business from being impacted by you. Just keep the noise down or I’m calling Paulie.”

  She turned and fled, holding onto the railing to steady her nerves. As she reached the bottom, he called out, “Have a good day, ma’am.” The pounding promptly started again, and the dog barked twice.

  Rankling at his polite refusal, she called back, “My name’s Katie, not ma’am, and I liked you better when I thought you were a carpenter.” She pushed the door open wide and fled to her cafe, her heart thumping wildly.

  ~2~

  Markus finished nailing the final board up, feeling slightly guilty when he thought of his new neighbor’s reaction to him. He certainly hadn’t meant to be inconsiderate; it was trying to not be inconsiderate that motivated him to cut down on Finley’s noise.

  As if on cue, the overgrown puppy he’d adopted rolled onto his back, barking and wiggling until Markus knelt down to scratch his favorite spot along his side.

  The last week had been a whirlwind of activity, but he was grateful he’d finally found a location where he could both work and live. His new landlord, Paulie, had been on board once he’d explained his intentions.

  After student loans and the mountain of debt his new practice would incur, he’d be able to buy a house much sooner if he kept his living expenses down. The only stipulation was that Paulie insisted his dog couldn’t bother the neighbors. He’d reassured Paulie he wouldn’t, and did a lot of research on how to soundproof the noise.

  He’d tried not to laugh when Katie jumped to conclusions about his reasons for the quiet room, but wasn’t successful. If his closest friends knew what she’d inferred, they would have been in hysterics. As it was, they’d thought him random and slightly irrational for picking Dunedin, Florida, simply by throwing a dart at a map. He was usually a careful planner, but threw caution to the wind when deciding where to get his start in his career. He was newly single, and had been more than eager to finally move away from Miami and his past.

  When his tools were carefully stowed away where Finley couldn’t hurt himself, Markus took stock of his apartment’s progress. He was pleased with the way things looked, and he’d managed to keep his expenses in check while making the place look classy.

  He’d done most of the work himself, and was grateful for the experience he’d gained while working to put himself through college. The white cabinets he installed complimented the brushed steel and the gray marble countertops. He still needed to paint, but could take his time now that he wasn’t so concerned about Finley becoming a nuisance to the neighbors.

  He’d walked him earlier this morning, and the two miles had done them both good. He’d been surprised to see the number of cars in the parking lot of the twenty-four-hour diner across the street well before sunrise, and reasoned the food must be pretty good to draw such a crowd.

  Just remembering the delicious smells wafting from the building as he passed made his stomach growl. Grabbing his keys and a hat to cover the sawdust sprinkled in his hair, he quickly fed Finley his breakfast and locked up.

  The gentle morning light greeted him as he stepped onto the sidewalk out front, and he was surprised to see Katie hurrying back to work so soon. Her freshly washed hair had left a wet spot on her lower back, and she swiped at it as she bent to unlock the bottom deadbolt. His pace slowed slightly as he watched her, but she rushed in before noticing him.

  He was still thinking about her when he opened the diner door, the clanking bells startling him. A woman behind the counter nodded toward the bar and said, “Help yourself to a seat. I’ll be right over to take your order.”

  The red and chrome barstool squeaked as he sat, and the television behind the bar was tuned to the weather channel with the volume down.

  He turned toward the large bay windows behind him, smiling when he saw his business sign out front lit up. It was still a shock to his system to see ‘Dr. Donovan’ on a large sign, but he’d earned it. The upstairs lights next door were on, and he could see Katie bustling around, already back to work. He doubted she’d had any time to eat breakfast, and she’d already looked exhausted when she came over to yell at him. He’d started off on the wrong foot, and hoped he could smooth things over with her before she reached out to Paulie.

  “I’m Isabel. Can I take your order?” A kind woman in her early forties held a pencil in her hand and smiled, fatigue etched around her eyes. He didn’t have to look down to know that her shoes were probably worn in spots that made her feet ache when she walked. He used to watch his mom slip her sh
oes off after her shifts in the diner, groaning as her achy feet touched the floor.

  “I’d like two cups of coffee, two omelets, and a fruit bowl to go. Please.” He smiled gently, and left a large tip when he paid.

  He balanced the food and coffee as he stood outside Sweet Pics, not sure how to get Katie’s attention from upstairs. He shifted his bundles and pounded on the front door, cursing quietly when he heard Finley barking through the window next door. He watched as his blinds swung and bent, and knew he’d have more soundproofing to do later. He heard footsteps on the stairs and turned his attention back to the door just in time to move as it swung out.

  Katie exhaled her frustration when she saw him and said, “How can I help you?” She made a poor attempt to smile, and looked back at the clock behind her. Her hair had dried some, and swung in bouncy waves as she turned back to look at him.

  “I came to apologize for the inconvenience I caused you. I brought breakfast.” He smiled and held up his packages, hoping she’d take his peace offering.

  “I’m too busy to eat right now. But thanks.” She began to close the door, but he held a cup of coffee in the way.

  “How about this. You eat, I’ll help with whatever you are behind in. My way of apologizing for this morning. We’ll get you caught up and I’ll leave. I’m guessing you’re either packaging or cleaning?”

  She narrowed her eyes at him and looked up the stairs as if something there had betrayed her. “Packaging. How did you know that?”

  “No hair net. Here, I’ll pitch in to say I’m sorry and you’ll eat before the crowds stampede the cafe.” He moved closer to the door, hoping she’d let him in before she heard Finley’s erratic barking.

  She stepped aside and let him in, locking the door behind her. “You can come up but I have to open the cafe soon.”

  She led the way upstairs to a large kitchen that would have been gleaming, if it hadn’t been covered in boxes, trays, and shipping supplies.