A Heart for Christmas (2 page)

After a few seconds,
they both burst out laughing.  A woman an aisle over started clearing her throat loudly.  That only made them laugh harder.

“I’m sorry, it’s not funny,” Yvette said, batting tears from her eyes.  “I’m sure you loved your dog a great deal.”

“I did.  I honestly think I liked him much more than my ex-wife.”   

They continued to chat until they both feel asleep.  This time when they woke
up, the Captain was announcing their final descent into Philadelphia International Airport.  From there they had to change planes to continue on to Raleigh-Durham.  Yvette wearily checked her watch. 

“
It’s four-thirty in the afternoon, but the way I feel it might as well be the middle of the night.”

Christopher grabbed his jacket and shrugged it back on. 
“Just wait till the real jet lag kicks in.”

After they’d deplaned and retrieved their luggage, Christopher
turned to Yvette.

“So, are you tired of me, yet?”

“Oddly no, I’m not.”  She joked.

That made Christopher
grin.  Good to know.  “How about joining me for a meal?”

“I
’d love too,” Yvette replied, “but I’m not that hungry.”

“Fair enough. 
So why don’t you keep me company while I eat, or order a cocktail or dessert?”

“That sounds good. 
I have to run to the Ladies room first.  I’ll meet you at the restaurant.”

“Great.  I’ll get us a table.” 

They chose Legal Seafood from the list of restaurants.  Yvette took off for the closest restroom.  When she was done, Yvette washed her hands and freshened up.  Yvette wore wrinkle-free black knit pants, comfortable ankle boots and a pink fleece jacket.  She used pressed powder to blot the shine from her skin, and Pink Shimmer gloss for her lips.  She wasn’t wearing eye makeup or blush so she closed her make-up tote and left.

While w
alking to meet Christopher, she checked in with her aunt.

“How’s everything going?” Adelaide inquired.

“Just great.  “We’ve had quite the adventure,” she laughed.

“We?”

“Oh…I uh,” Yvette stammered.  “I met someone at the airport.”

“
You don’t say?”

“It’s not like that,” Yvette
countered.  “It turns out I went to Duke with him.  His name is Christopher Darcy.”

“
How interesting,” Adelaide said slowly.

“I know that voice,
Aunt Addie.  We were just making small talk while traveling together—that’s it.  Turns out he’s living in Raleigh, too.”

“
That’s an awfully big coincidence if you ask me.  I think you two were fated to meet.”

“
So how’s Lacey?” she said changing the subject.  “I miss her so much.  Can you put her on?”

“I’m sorry, honey, but she
went to the movies with my neighbor’s granddaughter.  Turns out she’s visiting for the weekend.  They’ve been joined at the hip since they met.”

Though disappointed, Yvette was happy that Lacey had met a friend.  She’d been so outgoing before her father died, and since then Lacey
was serious and didn’t venture out to meet anyone new.  She’d become so staid for an eight year-old.  It broke Yvette’s heart that she was trying to be strong and grown up for her.  Yvette tried to discuss it, but Lacey always said she was fine.  Not that Yvette could blame her.  Since Michael, she hadn’t done much by way of socializing or meeting new people either.  They were stuck in a perpetual state of mourning which made the idea of her striking up a conversation and having dinner with Christopher so bizarre.  It was like a window was thrown open and a cool breeze had rushed over her.

“Honey, are you still here?”

“Hmm?  Oh, yes.  Sorry, Aunt Addie.  Will you tell Lacey I called and that I’ll try her again before we take off?”

“Of course, dear.  You have a great time with Christopher.  Lord knows you deserve it.”

“I will, auntie.  But it’s not a date.”

“Mmm hmm,” Adelaide replied, and then said goodbye.

Yvette put her cell phone back in her purse and kept walking.  Arriving at the restaurant, she spotted Christopher right away.  Unable to help it, she studied him.  Yvette was shocked that her insides tingled.  It had been so long since she’d felt a jolt of electricity, or anything else for that matter.  She hadn’t been out on a date, much less seen another man since Michael had passed.  Losing him was so sudden she felt as though she were still reeling from the shock.  Now all her energy went into ensuring Lacey was coping, and into her job.  Those were her top priorities.

What about you?
  Her conscience asked. 
You’re still alive.

“Am I?” she whispered aloud.  There are times when she wasn’t so sure. 
Stop it. 
She chided herself.  It’s just dinner.  It’s not a date.

“Right,” she reaffirmed.  “Just a casual meal spent in the company of an old acquaintance.  You had to eat anyway, right?  Don’t think to death.  Just have fun.”

With that, Yvette took a deep breath, and then walked confidently toward Christopher’s table.

CHAPTER THREE

“So, what are you going to order?”

Yvette perused the menu again, her appetite returning.  “The clam chowder, and an order of Fish & Chips,” she replied.

“I’ll have the Crab cakes,” he told their waitress and handed her back their menus.

“I told you that you couldn’t resist,” he said when they were alone again.

“I know, I couldn’t help myself.  I love seafood.”

“Me, too.”

Christopher took a sip of his water.  “So how’s everything at home?”

“How’d you know I called home?” she replied.

When he just sat there smiling, Yvette said, “Everything is just fine.  Lacey was with a new friend so I didn’t get to talk to her, but my aunt assured me all is well.”

“That’s good.”

“I still can’t believe I’m sitting her having dinner with someone I just met in an airport.”

“Well, technically we didn’t just meet.”

“I know.  It’s just so out of character for me.  I’m not normally this…open.”

Christopher observed her for a moment.  She looked a bit bewildered and nervous.

Unable to help himself, he reached over and
patted her hand gently.

“Relax, Yvie.  I promise you I’ll be the perfect gentleman.”

She looked down at their hands.  When she looked up, their eyes connected across the small table.  She couldn’t look away.

“You called me Yvie.  Nobody’s ever called me that before.”

“Would you prefer that I didn’t?” he asked her.

“No, it’s fine.  I don’t mind.”

Christopher smiled.  “I’m glad, because I like it.”

He started to say something else, but their food arrived.

They kept conversation light while they ate, and by the time they’d finished their meal, Yvette was as relaxed as if she ate dinner with Christopher all the time.  He paid the bill, and then they walked slowly toward their gate.

“Whole or jellied cranberries?” He suddenly asked.

“What?”

“You asked me if I liked deep fried or roasted turkey better.  Now it’s your turn.  Whole or jellied?” he repeated.

Yvette didn’t hesitate. “Whole.  Definitely whole.  My mother has this amazing recipe for homemade cranberry sauce.  We make it every Thanksgiving and Christmas.  My favorite thing is to make a sandwich on thick honey wheat bread with leftover turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce.  With mayonnaise—of course.”

“You can keep the mayo,” he frowned.  “It’s Miracle Whip for me, but other than that
I agree with your choice,” he grinned.  “No combination is better than that for a sandwich.”

“Not even pastrami?” she coaxed.

“Nope, and I love pastrami, and I do mean love,” he said emphatically.

“Me, too.” Yvette said, dreamily. 

They continued listing their favorite things while they were waiting for their next flight.  By the time it was their turn to board, they were deep in a game of iPhone Backgammon. 

This time their flight was packed, so they didn’t get to sit together.  Yvette found herself sitting next to a very large man that quickly commandeered the
arm rest when he sat down.  Scooting as close to the window as humanely possible, Yvette closed her eyes and tried to pretend that she was thinking of anything other than Christopher Darcy.

Their whole encounter was completely unexpected for her. 
He was fun.  He made her laugh so much while they were awaiting their plane that her sides and cheeks ached.  If she were honest with herself, running into him had come as a very pleasant surprise.

Yvette didn’t feel like trying to read or listening to music so she stared out of the window.  It was dark, but she could still make out a few clouds directly below the wing of the plane.  She stared at them and pondered her life.  The last few hours spend in Christopher’s company had made her painfully aware of just how much was missing.  She wasn’t a participant in her
life, she was an observer.  When she got home, Yvette vowed to make some changes.  Each Christmas, she and Lacey would make a list of things that they were grateful for.  With a new purpose alight in her heart, Yvette knew that when she put pen to paper this time, it would be different.  Joy would be at the top of her list.  It has been missing way too long.  It was time to rekindle some of the embers that had been snuffed out when her husband was killed.  She and Lacey had been in limbo for three years.  It was time to shake things up.

This time when Yvette retrieved her luggage from baggage claim, it was with a lot less enthusiasm.  She turned and faced Christopher.  It was time to say goodbye.

“Are you expecting a ride?”

“No, I’m parked in Satellite parking,” Yvette told him.

“Me too.  Can I see you back to your car?”

“You don’t have to,” she said quickly.

“I know, but I want to.”

Yvette smiled.  Truthfully, she wasn’t ready to say goodbye, either.  “Okay.”

They boarded
the airport shuttle to the parking lots.  Christopher loaded their bags on the luggage racks while she found a seat for them.  He sat down next to her when he was done and they lapsed into silence.  Both lost in their own thoughts.

The driver turned into the first lot. 

Christopher turned slightly toward her.  “Where are you parked?”  

“I’m at the next stop.”

“My car is a bit further down.” Christopher said. 

The bus slowed and eventually came to a halt at the empty bus stop.  Christopher set Yvette’s luggage at the curb, and then retrieved his own.  They walked in companionable silence to Yvette’s car.

“This is me,” she said when they got to a silver Toyota Venza. 

She opened the trunk and Christopher set her luggage inside and shut the tailgate.

“Why don’t I give you a lift to your car?  There’s no sense in your walking when I can drive you,” she reasoned.

“You just don’t want to say goodbye, yet,” he joked.

You don’t know how right you are.
She said to herself.

“Not really,” she practically whispered before walking around the car and sliding into the driver’s seat. 

Christopher got in and directed her to his parking spot.

“I’m really glad we met,” he said as she pulled up next to his
black Ford F-150 pickup truck.  “Officially this time.”

“Me, too.
” 

Christopher studied her face.  “All things in good time,
right?” he said softly.

Yvette couldn’t comprehend why saying goodbye to him was causing her so much internal distress.  She
forced a smile.  “Apparently so.”

“Do you…can I call you sometime?”

Her smile belied her relief at the possibility of seeing him again.  “I’d like that.”

They exchanged numbers before Christopher opened the door.  He retrieved his bags from the back, and then walked around to Yvette’s side.  She rolled down the window.

His hand slipped in the window and retrieved hers.  “I’ve had a great time.”

“Me, too.”

She watched him bring her hand up to his lips and lightly kiss it.

“
You aren’t driving up to your Aunt’s tonight, are you?”

“No, I’m going to pick up Lacey tomorrow afternoon.  After some much needed sleep.”  As if on cue, she yawned.

“Would you ring me when you get home?  Just so I know you arrived safely.  You can just let it ring once.  I’ll know it’s you.”

Yvette nodded.  “Good night, Christopher.”

“Good night, Yvie.”

She didn’t pull off until he’d gotten into his car and started it.  Slowly, she headed out of the complex.  Just as they were coming to the signs for I-540 and I-40, he sped past.  He honked as he went by and Yvette did, too.