Dear Santa(16)

“No problem, sweetie,” her mother assured her. “Were you able to help Billy with his website?”

Lindy nodded as she poured herself a cup of coffee. Her head spun with ideas on how she intended to add the finishing details. “I hope you don’t mind if I work on it again this morning,” she said. She took the chance that her mother hadn’t made plans for them. It was the holiday season, after all, and they had talked endlessly about shopping and baking together.

    “I haven’t got a thing scheduled,” her mother said, convincingly enough for Lindy to believe her.

“I mean if you’d rather—”

“This is your vacation. It’s time off you’ve worked all year to enjoy. You should spend it the way you want. Go help Billy. I’m sure he appreciates what you’re doing.”

“But Christmas is our time and—”

“Stop,” her mother said, smiling at Lindy. “After the year you’ve had, all I want is for you to enjoy yourself, and if that means working on a website for Billy, then have at it, as long as it makes you happy.”

Now was probably the best time to mention his invite. “Tomorrow is his day off and Billy suggested we spend the afternoon in Leavenworth. I hope you don’t mind if I go.” It would be another day that her mother might have made plans that she didn’t know about.

“Lindy, please, go and have fun. Rest assured you’re not letting me down.”

“You’re sure you don’t mind?”

“Lindy, when have I ever not spoken my mind?”

She grinned. Her mother had never been one to hold back her opinion.

“I’m happy you’ve reconnected with Peggy and Billy, too. Now, don’t you worry about a thing here. All I ask is that you do what your heart wants.”

When she’d left Seattle, Lindy had been in low spirits. What she hadn’t expected was to reconnect with Peggy and run into Billy Kincade. From the moment she’d arrived in Wenatchee and read those old letters to Santa, it felt as if the gray world had suddenly turned bright red and green—the colors of Christmas.

    “Thanks, Mom.”

Her mother glanced up from the newspaper. “You’re welcome, sweetie.”

When she arrived at the Wine Press, the same young hostess who had greeted her the day before unlocked the restaurant door, as it had yet to open. A flurry of activity was going on inside as the servers set the tables. The kitchen, or what she could see of it, was bustling as well. The aromas drifting toward her convinced her that the latte she’d picked up on her way in wasn’t going to satisfy her for long.

“You’re back,” the hostess said. “Will wasn’t sure exactly when you’d arrive. He’s with…someone currently. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you went straight to his office.”

He’s with…someone? Lindy frowned at the way the young woman hesitated, as if she wasn’t sure she should mention whoever it was who currently occupied her employer’s time. That was interesting.

As Lindy wove around the tables, making her way toward his office, she caught sight of Billy leaning against the bar. He was in what looked like a deep conversation with a woman who looked vaguely familiar. A beautiful woman.

    Not her business, Lindy decided, and with a determined effort looked away.

Once inside Billy’s office, she sat down at his computer and logged on with the information he’d given her. She’d just started working when her phone buzzed.

Even after only a few calls, Lindy recognized the number. Peggy.

“Hey,” Peggy said, when Lindy answered. “Do you have plans tonight?”

“What’s up?”

“A group of us are going on a food scavenger hunt. Want to join us?”

“A what?” Lindy had never heard of such a thing.

“I’ll explain it later. Meet me at my apartment at six.”

“Do I need to bring anything?”

“Other than yourself, a bottle of wine, and a white-elephant gift, not a darn thing.”

Lindy grinned. She had no idea what a food scavenger hunt was, but it sounded like fun, and she was up for that. “I’ll be there.”

“See you then.”

Lindy disconnected just as Billy entered his office. “Sorry to keep you waiting. I was talking with my sister. You remember Dede, don’t you?”

    Lindy vaguely remembered her. They’d been in the same school. Dede was a couple of years older than Billy.

“She was a bit older. I remember you had sister, but I don’t think we ever spoke,” she said, smiling up at him.

“I’m grateful to my sister. I faced some challenges when I decided to open the Wine Press. I couldn’t have done it without Dede and her husband, especially after…” He let the rest drop.

Lindy was about to ask him what he meant. Before she could, Billy asked,“Were you able to clear tomorrow afternoon with your mom?” he asked.

“We’re good.”

“Great.”

That smile of his was enough to light up a million-kilowatt dam. It took an exaggerated moment before she found the wherewithal to look away. It surprised her how quickly she found him occupying her mind. She’d fallen asleep with thoughts of him, and he was the first thing she thought about when she woke, eager to spend time with him.