Page 8 of A Perfectly Splendid Christmas (On the Way to Christmas)

Later that evening, Kacey glanced around her sister’s dining table while Drew shared a story about when he taught a music

class at a day camp.

“Most of the kids were more interested in swimming in the lake, but I had a few that actually listened,” Drew said, and everyone

laughed.

“Mr.Murphy,” Riley began, “what’s your favorite instrument to play?”

Drew rubbed his chin. “Hmm. That’s a tough question. I’d have to say the guitar, since it was the first instrument I learned

when I was about your age.”

Kacey shared a smile with her mother. She was grateful when she texted her sister to tell her that she had invited Drew and

Dani told her she’d made plenty of stew to share. They spent supper laughing and sharing stories while Drew sat beside her.

He seemed to fit right in with her family. It was as if he belonged there. Her heart turned over in her chest at that thought.

Dani tapped Kacey’s arm. “Why don’t we clean this up and bring out that lemon cake I baked yesterday and make some coffee?

Then we can play a game.”

“Great idea.”

Kacey and Dani carried the dishes into the kitchen and set them on the counter.

“He’s totally into you,” Dani whispered.

Kacey shushed her and peeked into the dining room, where Drew and Travis were engrossed in a conversation about IT jobs in

the area. “We’re just friends. You know that.”

“I think he would like to be more than that. Haven’t you noticed how he looks at you?”

“You’re imagining things. Let’s get the cake and go back in there.” Kacey began filling the coffee carafe with water.

Dani placed her hand on Kacey’s back. “Trust me, Kace. He’s going to ask you out.”

“And I’ll have to tell him no because I’m not staying in town forever.” Her heart sank at the thought of saying good-bye to

Drew again, but her plan all along had been to go back to Charlotte.

Later, after half of the cake was gone, their coffee mugs were empty, and they had played a rousing game of Candy Land, Kacey

and Dani filled the dishwasher before Kacey gathered up her coat and purse. She kissed her nieces good night, said good-bye

to Dani and Travis, and then walked with Drew out to his car.

The air was crisp, and she could see her breath. Above her, the stars had begun to appear in the sky, and she inhaled the

aroma of the lake in the distance mixed with the smell of wood fireplaces.

“I had a great time with your family.” Drew leaned back on his car and smiled down at her.

Kacey shivered and shoved her hands into her pockets. “I’m glad you could join us.”

He smiled. “You’re freezing. You need to get in your car and turn on the heat.”

“I will.” She touched his arm. “Talk soon, okay?”

“I plan on it, Kacey. Good night.” He opened his car door.

“Good night.” Her pulse was racing as she jogged over to her car and unlocked it. She hoped to see him again very soon.

Garrett leaned in the doorway of the band room the following afternoon. “What are your plans for the weekend?”

“I was hoping to catch up with an old friend who’s in town temporarily.” Drew walked over from his desk in the far corner

of the large room equipped with risers and music stands for the middle school band. “That reminds me. Her brother-in-law is

looking for a job. Have you heard about any IT jobs with the school system?”

“I’ll ask around. Who’s the old friend?”

“Her name is Kacey. We were close from middle school until just before graduation.”

“Did you date her?” Garrett’s dark eyebrows lifted.

Drew sank down onto a chair by the door. “No, because I was too chicken to ask her out back then.”

“Is she married?”

“No.”

“Is she dating anyone?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Do you have feelings for her?”

“Absolutely.”

“So what are you waiting for?” Garrett said. “Go after her.”

“She’s not planning to stay here. Once she finds a new roommate, she’s heading back to Charlotte.”

“But she’s here now. You need to find a way to convince her to stay.”

Drew folded his arms over his chest and smiled. “You’re right.” A plan was beginning to form in his mind.

Friday afternoon, Kacey stood at the cash register in the bakery and rang up an order for a middle-aged woman she’d known

nearly all her life. “May I get you anything else, Mrs.Dixon?”

“No, thank you. I believe those boxes of assorted cookies are perfect for the ladies’ social at church tomorrow.” She handed

Kacey her card.

“I agree.” Kacey ran the card and then handed it back with the receipt before placing the two boxes in a shopping bag sporting

the bakery’s logo.

Mom stepped out from the kitchen. “Loretta. So nice to see you.”

“You, too, Monica,” Mrs.Dixon said as she picked up her bag. “I can’t believe Thanksgiving is only two weeks away.”

“Where has the year gone?” Mom asked.

“I was just thinking on the way over here that I need to start on my Christmas cards. I always mail them out the day after

Thanksgiving.”

Kacey leaned forward on the counter. “You’re very organized, Mrs.Dixon.”

“Well, Kacey doesn’t know it yet, but I plan to enlist her to help me with Christmas cards this year.” Mom looped her arm

around Kacey’s shoulder.

“Is that right?” Kacey asked. “I’ll add that to my list of duties while I’m home. You do know I’m a graphic designer. How

about I design a beautiful Christmas card with our names already signed on it? Then all we’ll need to do is print out address

labels.”

Mrs.Dixon shook her head. “No, no, no, Kacey. You need that personal touch with real signatures.”

“I agree. Not only do we need to design our Christmas cards and handwrite our signatures, but we also need to go shopping,”

Mom added.

Kacey pointed at her. “I’m happy to help with shopping anytime.”

Mom and Mrs.Dixon chuckled.

“You two enjoy the rest of your afternoon.” Mrs.Dixon waved and then headed for the door.

“Come back to see us soon,” Mom called after her.

Kacey looked out over the dining area, where a few couples sat enjoying their snacks and drinking coffee. When her phone buzzed

with a text message, she pulled it from her back pocket. Her heartbeat gave a little kick when she saw who sent it.

“What’s that?” Mom asked.

She opened the message and grinned. “A message from Drew.”

Do you still love lasagna?

She fired back: Is this a trick question?

Maybe.

She laughed. Why?

Come over tonight and I’ll cook for you.

What can I bring?

You work in a bakery. You’ll think of something.

I’ll be there after I go home and change.

Perfect.

Her heart flopped around like a fish. Another date with Drew! Then she shook her head. It’s not a date. We’re friends!

“Well?” Mom asked, bringing her back to the present. “What did he say? From the looks of it, it was good.”

“He’s going to cook for me tonight.”

Dani appeared in the doorway. “Who? Drew?”

“Were you spying on me, Dani?” Kacey asked.

Dani shrugged. “Mom is going to tell me anyway, so you might as well spill it.”

“Drew is going to cook for her tonight,” Mom said.

Dani clapped her hands. “How romantic!”

Kacey couldn’t hide her smile.

“I always knew you two would wind up together.” Mom wagged a finger at her.

Kacey rolled her eyes. “He never liked me that way.”

“That might have been true then, but I’m sure he does now,” Dani said, and Mom nodded.

Kacey was grateful when the bell above the door rang and a group of teenage girls headed toward the counter. “Welcome to Morningside

Bakery. How may I help you?” she asked, but her hands trembled with the idea that Drew might possibly care for her.

Later that evening Drew glanced over the table and rubbed his hands together. The table was set with candles, along with a

bowl of salad. The lasagna and garlic bread sat on the kitchen counter ready to be served, and their delicious scents permeated

his little cottage. Now he just needed his guest of honor.

When the doorbell rang, he brushed his hands down his green button-down shirt and his best pair of chinos before heading toward

the door. He pulled it open, and Kacey stood on the porch holding a bakery box.

She looked beautiful with her thick blonde hair cascading past her shoulders in waves, her blue eyes accentuated by makeup.

Her bright smile reminded him of the summer sun. “Hi,” she said, sounding almost shy. Did she seem different tonight?

“Come in,” he said, opening the door wide. “You’re right on time.”

She stepped past him into the house. “It smells heavenly in here.”

“Thank you. Let me take your coat.”

She set the bakery box on a nearby chair and shucked her coat. “This place is amazing! I told you, I always wondered what

it looked like inside. Could I have the twenty-five-cent tour before we eat?”

“Of course.” He opened the coat closet and hung up her jacket before motioning behind her. “This is the tiny family room.”

“It’s so cozy!” She walked over to the sofa. “Oh! Here are the kitties.”

“That’s pretty much where they stay too—unless they’re begging for food.” He pointed to his portly orange tabby. “This is

Thor.” Then he touched his gray cat. “And this is Loki.”

She gave Thor a head rub, and he opened one eye before rolling over onto his side, facing away from her. “I guess they just

want to sleep.”

“Don’t take it personally.”

She laughed. “I won’t.” When she rubbed Loki’s chin, he began to purr. “It’s so nice to meet you both.”

Drew pointed to the kitchen. “Over here is the tiny kitchen, where the table hardly fits.”

“I think it’s adorable.” She set the bakery box on the counter and peered down at the lasagna. “Oh my. This looks amazing.”

She spun to face him. “Show me the rest of the house before we eat this incredible meal.”

“It won’t take but a minute.”

She followed him down the short hallway.

He pointed to the right. “The bathroom is here.” Then he opened a door beside it. “Tiny linen closet here.”

She peered into the bathroom. “It’s perfect.”

He pushed on the next door, revealing a desk, bookshelves, and his console piano. “This is my office, music room, and everything

else room.”

“Wow.” She stepped into the room and turned, as if taking in every detail. “So nice.” She touched the bookshelves. “You still

like to read?”

“I do, but I don’t read as much as I used to.”

“I remember when you always had a novel in your backpack.” Kacey walked past him and he caught a whiff of her sweet perfume,

which made his mouth dry. “And this must be your bedroom.” She gripped the doorknob and then craned over her shoulder to look

up at him. “Is it okay if I look inside?”

“Of course.”

She pushed open the door and stepped inside his modest bedroom.

He stood in the doorway as she walked around his bed, looking at his dressers, and then spinning to face him.

“I love your house.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “You’re easily impressed.”

“It’s perfect, and since I don’t have a house of my own, I think it’s fantastic.”

She moved closer to where he stood, and he touched her arm as he guided her out and toward the kitchen. “Let’s go enjoy our

meal before it gets cold.”

They sat down across from each other at the table and began to eat their salad. While they ate, they discussed the Christmas

Tree Lighting Festival and reminisced. Soon their salad, garlic bread, and lasagna were finished, and she helped him carry

their dishes to the counter.

“I have a surprise for you.”

“Oh?” She rubbed her hands together. “I love surprises! What is it?”

“I’m working on a song, and I’d like to share it with you.”

“I’d love to hear it.”

His hands began to sweat as she followed him toward his office, where he sat down at the piano, and she stood beside him.

Closing his eyes, he began to play the song, which had been inspired when he first reconnected with Kacey. His fingers flew

over the piano as the melodious sound filled the room and a vision of her beautiful face filled his mind. When he finished,

he opened his eyes and found her watching him, her eyes shining.

“Drew,” she whispered, her voice sounding reverent, “that’s beautiful.”

No, you are . “Thank you.”

“Are you going to write lyrics for it?”

“Eventually.” He swallowed. “The music just came to me the other night. You’re the first person I’ve shared it with.”

“I’m so honored.”

They stared at each other for a moment, and the urge to kiss her nearly overwhelmed him. But he couldn’t give in to that longing

just yet. Instead he pushed back from the piano and stood. “How about some dessert?”

“Oh yes. I brought a chocolate cake.”

“Wonderful. I’ll put on some coffee.”

Soon they were sitting at the table sipping coffee and eating slices of the best cake he’d ever eaten.

“Do you remember when we used to sit on your parents’ pier and stargaze?” She rested her elbow on the table and her chin on

her palm as her expression became nostalgic. “We would stretch out on the pier and stare up at the sky for hours, talking

about everything and pretending to pick out constellations.”

Drew set his fork down. “Let’s go do it.”

“Right now?” Her brow puckered.

He pushed his chair back and stood. “Yes. Right now.”

“Okay.” She laughed as she stood too.