The Shop Girl on Christmas Eve

The Shop Girl on Christmas Eve

December 24 1872

 

            The light snow tackled the windless day creating a snow globe feeling to the bustling street on the hectic Christmas Eve.  The store windows were filled with Christmas scenes designed to lure the shoppers into their establishments with hopes of dropping a coin or two with no particular care of the purchase.

            Ryan Middleberg had once again put off what he considered a chore that must be done in person even though his assistant would have accomplished it weeks earlier.  Guilt was something he avoided the rest of the year or really he avoided admitting that such an emotion existed.  Being the oldest child in a large family of silly and romantic girls could drive the best of men beyond falling into a bottle until the festivities past.  This year had been a very busy year that required more of his attention than normal so this day came without his knowledge.

            “Mr. Middleberg, you do know it is Christmas Eve.”

            Ryan looked up from his ledger at his young assistant.  Thomas had been working for him for three years and even though he was not a man of means he was impeccable in dress and manners.  “It is?”  Ryan turned to his calendar and shook his head before closing his ledger.  “Thank you Thomas.  I guess I can put it off no longer.”

            “Sir, I find the festivities of the holidays to be a most wonderful time that I look forward to with great joy.”

            “I assumed that by the decorations on the door.”

            “Sir, I was wondering if I could possibly get off early to pick up the goose for my mother.”

            Ryan put the ledger in his drawer and locked it.  He picked up an envelope and handed it to him.  “I apologize; you should have had the whole day off.  Just because I have no life doesn’t mean that the rest of the world is the same.”  Ryan put his scarf around his neck and took his coat off the hook.  “I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and if you find yourself out and about please remember to drop in for a cup of Nog.”

            “Thank you sir.  And Merry Christmas to you.”

            Ryan stepped out of the office before Thomas could open the envelope.  Thomas realized the envelope had his name on it.  He turned down the lanterns then opened the envelope finding not only a bonus but a certificate to a men’s shop for a new suit to be picked up on Christmas Eve as well as a note that the goose and trimmings were being delivered to Thomas’ mother this very morning.  Thomas thought it was a shame that Ryan’s finance had broken off their engagement last Christmas making the holidays less than festive for his employer.

 

            Ryan juggled his packages until his carriage finally caught up with him allowing him to deposit the many packages before taking out his long list that his sisters had put together.  He believed that they took great joy in embarrassing him by putting down personal things that were inappropriate for him to address with a clerk.  Ryan let out a sigh and looked up at the sign over the door.  Miss Tudor’s Personal Apparel.    This was a first for them but his youngest sister was now sixteen years old and the three oldest were married.  He approached the door as a group of women were coming out.  Ryan held the door and bowed slightly as they raised their eyebrows and nodded in return before turning to watch him go into the shop.

            The small shop was filled with women so he worked his way around the edge of the cases to the back hoping that he could find what was on the list without help.  He felt like a bull in a china shop as the eyes followed him with curiosity.  Ryan ran his fingers along the light pink and gold camisole realizing that it had been too long since he had taken pleasure in a woman.

            “May I help you sir?”

            Ryan was startled out of his thoughts as he looked up at the young woman standing on the other side of the counter.  He took out his list and shook it as it unfolded while Christine watched the paper surprised at its length.  Ryan tried to fold it back so she could read the portion on the female apparel that he needed to purchase.  “I need these items.  I believe they put the sizes and colors down.”

            Christine leaned closer looking at the list as she realized he was extremely uncomfortable.  “For your wife and daughters?”

            “No, no this is a list from my sisters.”

            Christine took the paper and let it unfold again as she slowly went down the list.  He watched the small smile struggle not to form on her beautiful lips.  “They must feel you love them a lot to give you such a list.  Would you also need something for your wife?”

            “You believe a man who must deal with so many sisters would be anxious to have a wife?”

            “Well, I can see how it would be daunting to any woman to catch your eye but patience is something a woman would appreciate.”  Christine held his eyes for longer than was appropriate but he was so handsome that she didn’t want to rush assisting him despite the number of women waiting to be helped.  He took in the shape of her face, the sparkle in her blue eyes and the sweet smell of roses.

            “Christine?”  She turned to the proprietor who was appeared to be impatient.  Nothing further needed to be said as Ryan turned to the older lady and smiled.  “Do hurry along dear.  We have a lot of customers to help before closing.”

            Ryan turned back to Christine.  “That is a very pretty name.”

            “Thank you.  If you will be patient, I shall find what is on your list.”  Christine walked away as he watched her.  Several women stopped her as she was taking something from the shelves and she politely answered their questions.  She walked back to Ryan and put a large sheet of tissue on the counter and set out each set of stockings or camisoles so that he could approve them.  A woman next to him looked around to see what he was buying.  Before he realized what was happening, they were all talking and giving advice as the list was discussed in great detail.  Christine looked up at him and he smiled nervously.

            “I am sure they are fine.  If you could wrap them according to each sister, I would appreciate it immensely.”

            The young lady to his left put her hand on Christine’s.  “Wrap them in the silver paper with the green bows.  Mr. Middleberg can afford it.”

            Ryan turned to find Lorna Wilby smiling up at him.  He had not seen her since her sister had broken off their engagement the Christmas before.  “Lorna, what a pleasant surprise.  Last minute shopping?”

            “Always.  I love Christmas but this is for my husband if you know what I mean.”

            Ryan raised his eyebrows.  “I am sure that he will enjoy unwrapping his gift.”

            “Not as much as I.”

            Ryan watched Christine slowly wrap each article at a speed that he imagined was frowned upon but the women didn’t seem to particularly care for they had a handsome male trapped in the most luxurious women’s shop.  The woman to his right cleared her throat.

            “Miss Christine, you need to add some of the new orange and clove sachets in each box.”

            Another woman leaned in.  “Oh, and that new soap that just came in from France.”

            Christine stopped until Ryan nodded.  “Put in whatever they say should be there.  Maybe it will raise my worth in the family.”

            Lorna laughed.  “Your sisters dote on you but I do believe this list is meant to put you in the Christmas spirit.”

            He looked down.  “How is your family Lorna.”

            “We missed you at the wedding but everyone understood your regrets.  How have you been?”

            By now all of the women were listening for most knew the history of Ryan and Riesa’s breakup and her marriage to Lionel Benafore.  “I was surprised at the invitation though I had heard of her engagement to my cousin.  I am sure that they will be happy.”

            “These entanglements are hard on friendships and family.  It is such a shame for feelings to be hurt especially when it is family.”

            “She married awfully fast after breaking off our engagement.”

            Lorna shook her head.  “You could have stopped it at any time.”

            “No, it was the right decision.”

            Christine continued to wrap the boxes trying not to appear to be eves dropping on the personal conversation but she knew whatever happened did not sit well with this man.  “Would you require help in carrying the packages?”

            Ryan turned back to Christine and she watched as his eyes softened.  “If you could have someone put them in my carriage, I will settle up with you.”

            Christine rang the small silver bell bringing a young boy from behind the curtain.  She instructed him as she piled the boxes in his arms.  He couldn’t see over them as we weaseled through the throngs of women to the front door.

            “Christine, if the ladies do not mind taking more of your time, would you put together another box for me.”  Ryan looked her over.  “I don’t have her size but I believe she is close to yours.  I would like everything you put in the others plus I think you have…I don’t know what they call the long robes out front…but one of those as well.”

            Christine smiled.  “Does she have a favorite color?”

            Ryan looked into her light blue eyes and nodded.  “I believe blue.  Dark blue if it is available.”

            The young boy squeezed between the wall and counter as Ryan caught his collar.  The boy looked shocked thinking he did something wrong.  “Sir?”  Ryan put a coin in his hand folding it over and thanking him.  Christine finally came back to the counter with a large box wrapped in blue paper with a silver bow.  Ryan paid her for everything and wished all the women a Merry Christmas and thanked them for their patience.  He stopped at the front counter asking how late they would be open.

            He put the package in the carriage and went on to the next shop.  His impatience seemed to have disappeared despite the fact he was only halfway through the list.  At seven o’clock he put the last packages in the carriage then stopped into the bakery picking up chocolate dipped Christmas cookies for his mother. 

            The carriage stopped in front of the store as Ryan sat back watching the last minute shopper’s rush up and down the street.  He never watched people when it didn’t involve a business deal.  Ryan wrote out an invitation and slipped it under the ribbon on the box.  The lights in the store went out as the door opened and the clerks came out bundling up and kissing each other before heading in different directions.  Ryan stepped out of the carriage as Christine pulled the hood up on her cape and searched for her gloves.

            She seated the fingers and almost ran into him before she looked where she was going.  “Oh, please excuse me…”  Christine looked into Ryan’s eyes as he smiled.  “Mr. Middleberg, did you forget something?”

            “No, I had hoped that you would give me the pleasure of your company for dinner.”

            “I…”  She blushed and he wondered if she were married or engaged.  That thought hadn’t occurred to him.

            “I apologize.  I should have inquired as to your availability before being so presumptuous.”

            “No, it is alright.  I just am surprised since it is obvious that you are far above my station unless of course you believe that…”

            Ryan laughed.  “I am not asking you to crawl into my bed though the thought did cross my mind for a moment.  I would like to take you to a late night dinner if you have no plans.  I don’t wish to be alone on Christmas Eve.”

            Christine looked up at the sky which was overcast but the snow had stopped.  “I have no plans.”

            “Excellent.”  He took her arm and walked her to the carriage as the footman opened the door helping her in.  Ryan climbed in and sat across from her.  “I appreciate your accepting my invitation.  I do not enjoy dining alone.”

            Christine untied her cloak and laid it beside her.  “I would think that you would have many invitations for Christmas Eve.”

            “I do but I find this time of the year difficult when everyone but me seems to be filled with Christmas cheer.”

            “Would you accept these invitations if you had someone on your arm?”

            Ryan looked out the window.  “I would.”

            “I would gladly accompany you but I am afraid I do not have an appropriate gown.  I hate to think that you are not celebrating the festivities with your friends and family because you do not have someone on your arm.”

            Ryan laughed.  “Are you willing to spend the evening with me?”

            “I have nothing of importance waiting for me except a cold dinner.”

            Ryan tapped on the carriage and a small door slid open.  “Jack, I need to go by the house.”

            The carriage turned and headed through the exclusive neighborhood of large estates and homes.  She watched as the carriage went down a long drive.  Ryan told the butler to have all of the packages except the ones wrapped in blue put under the Christmas tree as he took Christine’s cape handing it to his maid.  Ryan put his hand on her back and escorted her up to the second floor and opened the door of a small dressing room.  “Clarisse will be up in a moment.”  He closed the door then found the upstairs maid handing her several boxes.  “Please take these up to the guest room and help Miss Christine get dressed.”

            Ryan took a bath before putting on his tuxedo.  He looked at the clock which was a quarter after eight.  Ryan went down to his library and poured a shot of whisky.  He thought about the fight he had with Riesa who just given him an ultimatum to either give her attention or they were through.  He could see her standing in the middle of the room as the sounds of the merriment from the engagement party came under the door.  She was twirling the diamond that had only been on her finger an hour.  When he didn’t respond, Riesa turned the engagement ring back and forth until it came off of her finger.  She offered it to him but he just looked from her to the ring as she suddenly threw it hitting him in the chest and ran from the room in tears.  Ryan didn’t know if he felt like a heel because he didn’t make an attempt to reassure her or because he just didn’t care.

            “Mr. Middleberg?”

            Ryan looked up as a smile spread across his face.  “You are stunning.  The color becomes you.”  She was slender with the softest curves.  Her light brown hair was pulled to the side with a silver bow that picked up the silver accents of the dark blue dress.  This was the craziest thing he had ever done.  He poured her a glass of wine and led her to a wing chair before the fire.  “Are you hungry?”

            “I’m nervous.”

            “I don’t know your last name which I think is important since I will have to introduce you.”

            “Simpson.”

            “It is a pleasure to meet you Christine Simpson.  I think you should use my first name tonight least others become aware of our rouse.”

            “Was this dress bought for the woman who wasn’t on the list?”

            “It was.”

            “I shall try not to spill anything on it so that she doesn’t know what we have done tonight.”  Christine smiled making him laugh.  “Will she be there tonight?”

            “She will so I would imagine that you will just need to keep it as my thank you.”

            “But it is very expensive is it not?”

            “It is but I believe the beauty of it is the way it fits you.”  Christine blushed.  “Shall we go entertain the world?”  Ryan put his glass down and put out his hand as she rose.  “Miss Simpson I believe the night is still young.”

            The carriage stopped at a large house a few streets east of his home.  The footman opened the door and bowed as Ryan stepped out and turned to help her down.  The house was lit and filled with laughter and music.  He gave their cloaks to the maid and escorted her to the grand ballroom where everyone turned to them as they entered.

            “Ryan, how wonderful of you to attend.  I have heard that you have been out of sorts.”  She put her hand on his armed and kissed his cheek.  “And who is this beautiful woman on your arm.  I declare I have heard no rumors about you being involved with someone.  Have you been keeping her a secret?”

            “Lady Baldwin, please let me introduce Miss Christine Simpson.”

            “Welcome to our home Miss Simpson but you must tell me how you met our sweet Ryan.”  Ryan laughed.   “Well, even your mother has not said a word about this beautiful creature and you know we are the closest of confidants.”

            “My mother has not met her.”

            Lady Baldwin put her hand to her chest as her eyes became as wide as oranges.  “Oh my heavens, she shall certainly be in a dither when she realizes you are here.”

            “I am sure but I am sure she will forgive me.”

            Ryan watched as Lady Baldwin turned and disappeared into the room looking for his mother.  “I hope you are up to handling my mother.”

            “Will she be angry?”

            “Actually no.  She will want to know everything about you which is up to you what you tell her.”

            “Will she be upset that I am below your station?”

            “My mother was raised on a farm and married into society so if she is disappointed I would be a surprise.  My father on the other hand will be so taken with your smile that he won’t care as long as it has brought me out of my office.”

            Christine nodded as they worked into the room stopping as he talked to friends introducing her and avoiding what Christine thought were very personable and questionable inquiries into their relationship.

            “Ryan!”

            They both turned as a tall woman walked toward them with great intent.  She put her arms around her son and kissed his cheek.  “Must I rely on rumors to know what you are up to?”

            “Good evening mother.  May I introduce Miss Christine Simpson?”

            “Miss Simpson, it is a pleasure to meet you.  Are you from the Boston Simpsons?”

            Christine looked at Ryan who was trying to keep a straight face.  “Mother, do not scare her in the first five minutes.”

            “Scare her?  I merely inquired on her family.”  Lydia Middleberg turned to Christine.  “We must find some time to talk without my son in the room.  Is he bringing you to dinner with the family?  He has been very unsociable this year.”

            Christine smiled as six women seemed to come from different parts of the room surrounding them.  They all tried to introduce themselves as Ryan told them to slow down as he introduced Christine to his six sisters.  Chenille immediately took her hand and his sisters followed leaving Ryan standing alone with his mother.  He narrowed his eyes as his mother patted his hand.  “Don’t worry they won’t set a wedding date tonight.”

            “Mother, I barely know Miss Simpson.  I hardly believe bringing her to a party constitutes planning my demise.”

            “Darling you need to stop being so serious.  I think she is just darling.”

            “I think I need to find a drink.  Please excuse me.”  He walked across the hall finding all of his friends enjoying cigars and good brandy.  His father was in the midst of a story he told every Christmas Eve but he waved his son over.

            “It’s good to see you socializing again.  I have grown weary of listening to your sisters and mother complain about your bad manners in declining invitations.”

 

            Christine would have been overwhelmed at the six sisters but she found them to be so fun loving but mostly because it was their list that brought Ryan into the shop.  She looked around the room not seeing Ryan so she continued to talk with his sisters.  They tried to find out how she met Ryan but she told them that someday they might be able to get him to tell the story.   Ryan finally came up behind her and whispered in her ear.

            “Girls, I hope you will allow me to rescue Miss Simpson from your attempts to extract my private business.”  Ryan led her out onto the dance floor.  Christine leaned into him which made him smile.  He started dancing with her slowly as he instructed her until she was gliding easily in his arms.

            “Ryan, I am having such a wonderful time.”

            “Better than a cold dinner on Christmas Eve?”

            “I believe you have filled my fantasy and for that I shall forever be grateful.”

            Ryan studied her face as she spoke before he pulled her in closer causing her to lose her step.  He wanted to kiss her but in the middle of a Christmas Eve dance was not the appropriate place to be inappropriate.  She smiled as though she could read his thoughts.

            “Your eyes are very expressive Mr. Middleberg.”

            He nodded.  “I apologize.  I believe you have put some type of spell on me.”

            “It is the happiness and joy of Christmas that has captured your soul.”

            “No.  I have spent enough Christmases to know that it has never filled me with anything except obligation and patience.  It is you who has captured me so completely.”

            Ryan finally said their goodbyes before midnight and helped Christine into the carriage.  She leaned back against the seat.  “Can I ask you to take me home after I change clothes?”

            “How else would you get home?”

            “Thank you.”  The rode in silence as Ryan looked out the window.  “Ryan?”

            “Yes Christine.”

            “Happiness can only come from within after you discard the pain.”

            “She broke off our engagement on Christmas Eve an hour after I asked her to marry me.  Most of the time I can avoid dwelling on personal issues but for some reason I am having trouble tonight.”

            “Did you love her?”

            Ryan looked at her thinking about the question.  “I thought I did but she said if I truly loved her I would not ignore her or leave her waiting because of some business deal or emergency.  She said she couldn’t live in a marriage where I was absent even when I was present.  She was at the dance tonight with my cousin.”

            “Oh.”  Christine wondered why they had left so suddenly.  “Did that upset you?”

            Ryan smiled at her forwardness.  Her questions were very direct but had such a softness that he didn’t object.  “She looked happy but it made me uneasy.”

            “I was married when I was nineteen.”  Christine was looking out the carriage and not at him as the carriage rode up the long drive to his house.  “He was killed in a boiler explosion before our first anniversary.  It took all of our savings to bury him but I was lucky to get employment at the shop.  This is the first time I have gone out since the accident.”  Christine turned to Ryan.  “Your sisters asked how we met and I told them that someday you would tell them the story.  Was she, your fiancée, was she the blonde in the red dress?”

            “Yes.”

            “She is very pretty.”

            “I suppose.”  The carriage stopped as the snow started falling again.  Ryan stepped out and helped her into the house.  “Can you find your way to the dressing room?”

            “I can.”  She climbed the stairs as he loosened his ascot throwing it on the chair in the library and poured two glasses of wine.  He took off his jacket and wondered why he always ended back in the same lonely place.  “I am ready to go home.”

            Ryan turned to look at her.  “Will you join me for a glass of wine?”

            Christine crossed the room laying her cloak across the back of the chair as he handed her the glass.  “I have truly enjoyed this evening.”

            Ryan put his glass down and took hers away from her as his arm circled her waist and his lips touched hers softly.  Christine put her hands on his chest as her body molded against his with a longing that she hadn’t had in a long time.  His breathing grew shallow as his lips became demanding.  The clock in the foyer struck twelve as he stepped back.  Ryan looked into her eyes understanding her confusion but he didn’t want her to leave.  Christine ran her hand along his cheek before she put it behind his neck bringing his lips back to hers.

            “Ryan, will you grant me one Christmas wish?”

            He looked at her.  “Anything you want.”  Christine took his hand and walked toward the stairs as he stopped pulling her back.  “Christine?”

            “I promise not to…”  Ryan pulled her back into his arms and swept her off her feet as he climbed the stairs.

            He put her down in the middle of the room as she looked around at the masculine furnishings.  It smelled like leather and cigars.  When she turned around, Christine realized she was alone in the bed chambers.  She took off shoes and climbed up on the large bed sinking into the feather mattress.  Ryan came in carrying a dozen boxes that he put down on a wall table before he walked back over to her.  He leaned over her pushing her back as her arms went around his neck.  “Christine?”

            “Ryan the only thing I have missed is the love of a man and the heat of his body entangled in mine.  I ask only that you fulfill the latter.”

            He sat her up and unbuttoned her gown lifting it over her head.  Her body was so firm with the most exquisite long pleasing legs.  Ryan struggled to get out of his clothes as she lay on the bed trying not to laugh.  She lowered her eyes as he walked toward her.  His muscles were fluid and he was so aroused that she smiled when she met his eyes.  Christine missed this so much.  She got up on her knees and as he reached the bed her hands went across his chest muscles as though she were trying to remember them.  Ryan controlled his reaction allowing her to explore him though he had never met a woman who seemed so enthralled with the sight of a man.  She put her face against his chest taking in the animal musk of his desire as her hand went around his appendage softly moving as it became unbelievably thick and throbbing.

            “Has anyone ever told you that you are magnificent?”

            “Most women…no.”

            Christine smiled as she pulled him into the bed and straddled him.  “You are so magnificent.”  She took him to a plateau that he had never experienced nor had he wanted to ever please a woman like he did this one. 

            Christine woke turning over alone in the big bed.  She climbed out of the bed putting on the white shirt that was on the floor and opened the door finding a bathing room.  She hoped that he didn’t regret this morning what happened but she would be forever grateful to this stranger who only wanted to banish his loneliness on Christmas Eve.  She came out to find Ryan sitting on the bed.

            “It will only take me a moment to dress.”

            “Will you spend Christmas day with me?”  Looking at her in his tuxedo shirt was causing a reaction stronger than the night before.  Christine stopped at the chair where she had draped her dress watching him before she walked over to the bed and stopped between his knees.  His hands went up her legs until he cupped her breasts.  “I must thank my sisters.”

            “I would much rather you thank me.”  Christine pushed him back but he wasn’t about to give her control when his desire was raging.  They spent the morning in bed until there was a knock on the door and the butler stepped in.

            “I beg your pardon sir but your sister is requesting your company.”

            “Which one?”

            “Miss Madeline.”

            “Tell her that I will be done shortly and have tea served.”

            Ryan got out of bed and walked into the bathing room as Christine climbed out of bed wondering if it would be better that she wait until his sister left.  She crawled back on the bed as he came out rubbing his wet hair.  “They are bringing up hot water for your bath.  It might be best if you wait here for I do not wish to taint your reputation.”  He dressed casually before heading downstairs.  Christine crawled back onto the bed watching through the crack in the door as the refilled the tub.

            “Madeline, what do I owe to this unannounced visit?”

            “Since when must I announce my intent to visit?”

            Ryan raised his eyebrows as she stirred her cup of tea.  “What mischief are you up to on Christmas morning and why are you not at home?”

            “I told momma that I had to take a gift over to a friend and she is so frantic with Christmas dinner that she just waved me off.”

            “You take advantage of her.”

            “I do but I did not come here to talk about mother.”

            “Then get on with your mission.  What is of such great importance that you felt the need to pull me from a very good sleep?”

            “Oh Ryan it is almost ten o’clock.  Who sleeps that late?”

            “Someone who has been out drinking all night.”

            “Sleeping or romping in the sheets…”  She put the cup to her lips to hide her smile.

            “My personal life is absolutely none of your business and my love life is never any of your business.”

            “Are you involved with Christine and who is she?”

            “Madeline.”

            “Alright but I came by to tell you that Riesa saw you before you could flee the party.  She was absolutely livid that you would be with another woman.”

            “I think her breaking off our relationship, getting married and now carrying his baby would dismiss any opinions she may have on my life.”

            “One would think so but she was in the foulest of moods especially when no one could provide her with information on Christine.  She accused everyone of lying to her and then she stormed out of the party in a huff.  Momma believes that it is just the baby that is making her emotional but she said some very unfavorable things about you and your…”

            “Don’t say it.”

            “Is she one of those girls?  Riesa said she wasn’t from our social circles.”

            “Christine attended the event at my request and nothing more.”

            “Did you pay her?”

            “To attend?  No, I asked her to attend.” He sat back and lit a cigar.  “Most women do find me attractive.”

            “Ryan…”

            “Madeline, you are too young to ask these questions.  Please tell mother that Christine has accepted her gracious invitation to dinner tonight.”

            “Momma invited her?  She didn’t tell us that.”  Madeline put her cup down and stood.  “Will you not tell me how you met her?”

            Ryan laughed.  “I met her in the shop where you sent me to buy unmentionable women’s underclothing.  So technically my meeting her was your fault.”

            Madeline clapped her hands.  “Did you get everything on the list?”

            “And then some.”

            She threw her arms around her brother and kissed his cheek.  “I love you and I am glad you didn’t marry Riesa.”

            “I’m glad that my failures make you so happy.”

            “It wasn’t a failure.  A man in love moves the moon before he lets his love ever slip away.  You weren’t in love but the way you look at Christine is very naughty indeed.”  He stood up as she walked out into the foyer as the butler handed Madeline her cape.  “I love you brother.”

            “Madeline you are a hopeless romantic.”

 

            Ryan walked up the stairs to find Christine sitting before the fire drying her hair.  He handed her the large box she had wrapped in blue paper.  She looked at it then up at him then opened the box.  “Breakfast will be brought up and we don’t have to be at the house until four.”

            “Ryan what are we doing?”

            “I don’t know except I wanted to get to know you.”

            “But you bought these before you knew me.  What if I had declined your invitation to dinner last night?”

            “I would have sent everything up to your rooms then when you came to thank me I would have thought of a reason to get to know you.”

            “Are you using me to get over your fiancée?”

            “I think you are a Christmas angel who has captured my heart.  I don’t want to let you go now or ever.”

            “I won’t be a kept woman.”

            “Then marry me.”

            “I can’t do that.  I am a mere shop girl…”

            Ryan pulled her up from the floor and kissed her deeply as his tongue searched out hers as she wrapped around him.  He took her down to the floor as she whispered into his ear while she lost herself in his embrace.  The mere shop girl opened his frozen heart with her little fingers and the sweetest smile and he fulfilled her prayers.

 

Christmas Eve 2014

Barbara Svetlick