Island Christmas (2 page)

Tonight was Rachel’s first night at
Wildflower Fresh and her nerves were shot. She rushed to gather Jason’s bedtime stuff and enough toys and books to keep him occupied at the sitter’s. She couldn’t wait to get her own place so the sitter could come to her. Her hands shook as she stuffed his pajamas into his blue backpack.

Her cell phone chimed, and she snagged it off the dresser. “Hi, Tori.”

Her sitter sneezed into the phone. “I’m so sorry for the last minute call, but I’m sick and can’t watch your son.”

Panic surged through her. She couldn’t miss her first day of work! “Um okay. Maybe he could play in another room or something.”

A hacking cough assaulted her ears.

“Never mind. I hope you feel better soon, Tori.” She disconnected the call and plopped onto the bed.

Jason looked at her from his position on the floor where he’d been enjoying a picture book. “We go now, Mommy?”

“Not yet. Mommy needs to think.” She didn’t know anyone on the island other than Zoe and Nick. What was she going to do? Maybe Jill would know someone. “Come on, Jasie.” She held out her hand.

He hopped up and tugged her toward the door. “I hungry.”

“It’s
I’m
hungry, Jason.”

“You hungry too, Mommy?”

She shook her head, giving up on correcting his grammar for now. They had to get their own place fast. Living at a B&B was fine for an adult, but she wanted privacy and access to a kitchen to fix healthy meals for her son. “I put celery sticks and peanut butter in your backpack along with crackers and a cheese stick.” It wasn’t much, but he ate like a bird unless he was having a growth spurt.

Jason pulled her toward the stairs. “I do it myself.” He tugged his hand free from her grasp, then reached for the railing.

“I want you to hold my hand.”

“No. I do it.” He led with the same foot until he got to the middle then looked over his shoulder and grinned. “See.” He turned back, and the next thing she knew he was tumbling. A scream ripped from his lips.

Or was that her own? Rachel raced after him.

“Whoa there.” Chris caught Jason before he hit the landing.

Rachel slowed, breathing heavily. “You saved him! Thank you.” She extended her arms toward Jason, who reached out to her from the safety of Chris’s arms and drew Jason close. “You okay, honey?”

“That was funny.” Her son giggled.

Leave it to a three-year-old to think falling halfway down the stairs was funny. He looked okay too—no blood or protruding bones. She inhaled deeply and let it out slowly, trying to slow her pulse.

“Never a dull moment with this guy.” Chris winked. “I guess someone is pretty excited about going to his sitter’s.”

Rachel sighed, feeling much older than her twenty-six years. “I wish. My sitter is sick and cancelled a few minutes ago.”

His brow furrowed. “What are you going to do?”

“I thought Jill might know someone. I can’t miss my first day on the job.”

“I’d offer to watch the little guy, but—”

“You have dinner reservations. Don’t worry about it, Chris. Jason isn’t used to being around men anyway.” She took a step then paused.
Isn’t used to being around men? Had she seriously said that?
Her cheeks flooded with heat. “That didn’t come out the way I—”

He chuckled and raised a hand palm out. “It’s fine. I understand.”

“Have you seen Jill around?”

“Did I hear my name?” Jill pushed through the swinging doors that led to the kitchen and presumably her suite.

“Yes.” Rachel moved toward her. “My sitter cancelled at the last minute and I start work at Wildflower Fresh in…” she glanced at her watch. “Thirty minutes. I was hoping you could recommend someone.”

Jill’s face lit. “As a matter fact, I can. My niece lives nearby. She’s thirteen and is an excellent babysitter.”

“I not a baby.” Jason stuck out his bottom lip.

Jill chuckled. “Sorry there, little guy.”

“I not little either.”

“Quiet, Jason.” Rachel touched a finger to his lips.

Jill breezed by her and stopped at the reception desk. “Alyssa watches children of our guests frequently, so I had business cards made up for her. She is great with kids, and I’d trust her with my own if I had any.” She handed over a white card with blue and pink baby rattles on each side of the card.

“This is really short notice.” Rachel couldn’t imagine the girl would agree to a job with only a moment’s notice.

“Don’t worry. I happen to know for a fact she’s free tonight. She’s coming here to bake cookies with me, but I’m sure she’d much rather watch your son.”

The knot in her stomach eased. “Okay. Thanks.” She set Jason down. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be a disaster after all. “How about you go sit at the table and eat a celery stick.” She handed him his backpack.

“Okay.” He skipped over to the table.

Satisfied her son would stay out of trouble for a moment she called the sitter. “Is this Alyssa?”

“Yes. Who’s this?” the way-too-young sounding voice asked. Maybe this was a mistake. Surely Zoe would understand.

“Hello?”

“Sorry. I’m Rachel Narrelli. Your Aunt Jill gave me your card. I’m looking for a sitter.”

“Oh!” Her voice took on an animated tone. “When do you need me?”

She looked toward the dining room table where Jason ate happily. “Right now. I’m staying at the B&B, and I’m in a huge hurry to get to work. My sitter is sick and cancelled at the last minute.”

“I’ll be right there.”

“I can come get you.”

She giggled. “I’m in the car with my dad. We were on our way over when you called.”

Just then the front door opened, and a petite blonde girl and a man stepped inside. “Hi. I’m Alyssa, and this is my dad.” She pocketed her cell phone.

The man held out his hand. “I’m Derrick.”

Rachel quickly stuffed her cell phone into her purse. She took his hand and gave it a firm squeeze. “It’s nice to meet both of you. Alyssa, my son, Jason, is at the table eating. He has plenty of food in his backpack. We’re staying in the Poppy room. I’m really sorry to spring this on you. Are you sure you can handle him?”

“Of course. Plus Aunt Jill is here if I have any problems.”

Rachel glanced at Jill who forced a smile. What was up with the woman? One minute she was happy and helpful and the next she appeared to be put out. “Okay then. Jason, come here for a minute please.”

Her son scooted off the chair and trotted to them.

“This is Alyssa. She will be watching you tonight.”

He studied the girl for a moment then shrugged. “I like blocks.”

“You do?” Alyssa asked with a lilt in her voice. “Blocks are my favorite. We could play after you finish eating.”

“I done.” He turned and headed for the stairs.

Alyssa giggled and followed him.

Derrick chuckled. “Don’t worry about your son, Mrs… .?”

“You may call me Rachel.”

He grinned, perfect white teeth flashing at her. “Rachel. My daughter is beyond her years. Since her mom died she’s taken over running our household. Were it not for my sister Jill stepping in and making sure Alyssa had a childhood, I think she would be a fifty-year-old in a teen’s body.” He looked to his sister. “Alyssa still needs to bake those cookies tonight. She’s supposed to bring three dozen chocolate chip for the bake sale at school tomorrow.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure they get baked, and I’ll bring her home when she’s finished.” Jill grinned. “I’m looking forward to tonight with my favorite niece.”

“She’s your only niece. You don’t want anyone to think you play favorites.” Derrick planted a kiss on Jill’s cheek. “You’re the best, sis.” He nodded toward Rachel.

“I agree you are the best, Jill. Thanks for saving me tonight.” Rachel followed after Derrick. “I’ll walk out with you. I’m on my way to work.” Why had she said that? It must be her nerves, and losing her sitter at the last minute didn’t help with her nerves. She had to calm down, or she was liable to cut off a digit tonight.

She strolled beside him. “I’m sorry about your wife. How long ago did she die?”

He glanced in her direction. “Thanks. She was in a car accident two years ago.” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “It’s been rough.”

“I understand.”

“Thanks, but unless you’ve been there, there is no way you could.”

She paused and looked him in the eye. “My husband died of a cancerous brain tumor two weeks after we were married. We had no idea he had something wrong with him until it was too late.” She shook her head. “But you’re right. I shouldn’t claim to understand the kind of love you and your wife shared.” She left without looking back, but the surprised look in his eyes made her wish she’d stayed silent. He had no way of knowing she had never loved her husband.

She slid into her navy Subaru Forester. Time was not on her side today. She should have come to the island yesterday. Should have, could have, but instead she chose to spend one more day at her parents’.

Chris walked into Wildflower
Fresh and strolled toward the hostess. “I have a reservation for one. Chris Campbell.” As the hostess checked off his name and gathered a menu, he looked around. The place felt warm and inviting. The rich tones of the cherry wood paneling appealed to him. A large stone fireplace along the far wall gave a cozy and inviting feel. The light clinking of silverware on dishes interplayed with a low rumble of voices and dinner music.

“If you will follow me, Mr. Campbell, I will show you to your seat.” The hostess wove her way to the far side of the room and seated him along a bank of windows that faced a small lake with white lights strung through the trees, outlining the lake. “How is this?”

He could hear noise from the nearby kitchen, but the view made up for it. “It’s fine. Thank you.” He sat with his back to the kitchen so he had a good view of the entire restaurant. With the holidays fast approaching, he wondered how busy this place would get. It wasn’t exactly a destination vacation spot, but at the same time, who wouldn’t want to be pampered in such an idyllic setting?

A dark haired woman wearing a black pantsuit strode in his direction. She smiled. “Good evening, sir.”

He nodded as she walked past and on into the kitchen. He’d noticed her picture on a wall as he made his way into the restaurant. If memory served she was the owner—Piper Grayson. She must be a hands-on kind of boss. He wondered how Rachel would deal with that considering how stressed she appeared earlier this evening. But then maybe she was frazzled because of her sitter situation. Either way, he hoped she didn’t mind having the owner hovering over her.

A crash in the kitchen made him jump. That couldn’t be good. He peered over his shoulder as Rachel rushed into the dining room, her face pale. She hesitated. He stood and blocked her path. “You look like you might appreciate a friendly face. Join me?” He drew her to the seat opposite his.

She shook her head but sat down. “I’m sure I’m not allowed.”

“Relax. If your boss says something, I’ll tell her I demanded to know what all the commotion was about.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you? Demanding?”

“Requesting nicely. What happened? Are you okay?”

She sighed and opened her mouth to reply, but before she could speak his waiter approached, curiosity lighting his young eyes.

“Are you ready to order?”

“Yes. I’d like the prime rib with baked potato and a dinner salad with ranch dressing. I’ll have water to drink.”

The waiter turned to Rachel, brow raised.

“Nothing for me. Thanks.”

Chris handed the young man his menu, then focused his attention on the wounded woman across from him. “Are you on break?”

“Zoe told me to take the rest of the night off.”

“Ouch. What did you do?”

Her eyes watered. “You don’t want to know. The worst part is, Mrs. Grayson, the owner, walked in, and I was trying to show off and impress her. The only thing I managed to do was make myself and Zoe look bad.” She buried her face in her hands.