Twelve Days of Christmas (6 page)

“Did he ever connect with his mother?”

Bernie shook his head sadly. “Fortunately, my grandson was close to my wife, but then she died about three years after Carl.”

“Oh dear.” Julia sank lower in the chair.

“Her illness came at a crucial time in Cain's life. He was going into high school, and until that point had always gotten good grades. I'm afraid I wasn't much help, grieving as I was.”

Julia placed her hand on Bernie's arm. “I'm so sorry.”

“It's years ago now. One adjusts, although you never fully recover from the loss of a loved one. I sort of figured out a way to walk around that black hole in my life. I did the best I could, but it wasn't near enough. Thankfully, he wasn't the kind of teen to get into trouble or anything like that. He sank into himself, grew quiet and withdrawn. It's like he's afraid to let anyone too close for fear they'll abandon him.”

Julia was almost afraid to ask the following question. “Has Cain had any meaningful relationships?”

“Romantic ones, you mean?”

She nodded.

Bernie rubbed the side of his face as he mulled over the question. “He doesn't share a lot with me. After his grandmother's death, Cain seemed to turn off his emotions, sort of the same way his father did when Gayle left him. I know there was this one woman a few years back. They worked together. Cain became a mentor to her, and then I suspect they became more. How much more I can't say, but I do know Cain was serious about her for the simple reason he mentioned her a few times. It encouraged me that he was willing to open himself up. Then there was nothing and the light went out of his eyes.”

“What happened?”

Bernie shook his head. “I was never completely sure, but reading between the lines, I got the impression that this woman cozied up to him in order to gain his favor for a promotion. I assumed once she got what she wanted she dumped him.”

Julia briefly closed her eyes. That explained a lot.

“I've asked him about his social life, but he refuses to answer or quickly changes the subject.”

Every ugly thought Julia had entertained about Cain vanished. Learning about his family and the woman who'd used him for her own personal gain changed her perspective.

“Now you can see why I think this kindness experiment you mentioned is exactly what my grandson needs.”

“I feel terrible.”

“Why?” Bernie asked.

Julia was sure guilt was written all over her face. “I haven't exactly been thinking kind thoughts about Cain.”

“No worries. Those will come in time.”

The comment struck her as odd. “They will? What makes you say that?”

“You'll see.” Right away he changed the subject. “By chance, do you happen to know how to play cribbage?”

“I do. My grandfather taught me.”

Bernie's face lit up like a Christmas Eve candlelight service. “You got time to humor an old man?”

“Sure. You think you can beat me?”

“I can try.”

Julia ended up spending an hour with Bernie, the cribbage board on the table between them. Bernie was happy to tell her story after story about Cain until she felt she knew far more about him than she'd ever imagined she would.

“Cain ever mention his dog?”

“You mean Schroeder?”

“No, Bogie.”

“No, I can't say that he has.” But then they weren't exactly on the most friendly terms.

“Raised Bogie from a pup. Loved that dog like he was human. The two of them did everything together. Bogie lived until he was eleven, which is old for a large dog. Devastated Cain when we had to put him down. I wanted him to get another dog, raise him, too, but Cain refused. Said he'd had his dog.”

“But he has Schroeder now.”

“Schroeder was my dog. Couldn't have him here at Manor House, so Cain agreed to take him. I know he sees to his needs, but I worry that Schroeder isn't getting the TLC he used to.” He looked to her as if she could tell him what he wanted to know.

“I can't say, but I do know Cain walks Schroeder every day.”

Bernie's expression sobered. “Cain doesn't show a lot of emotion. He keeps the way he feels locked up inside. I'm hoping this kindness project of yours will make a difference. It's what he needs and a lot more.”

They played several games of cribbage. It'd grown dark by the time Julia prepared to leave. She collected her coat and purse and thanked the older man. “Bernie, I had a wonderful afternoon. I can't thank you enough.”

“The pleasure was mine. Can't remember the last time I've enjoyed a visitor more. I hope you'll come again.”

“I will, and I'll bring you those cookies next time I stop by.”

“Wouldn't turn them down like my foolish grandson.”

Leaning forward, Julia kissed his weathered cheek. “It might not be a good idea to mention our visit to Cain.”

“Not a good idea at all,” Bernie agreed. “Keep me updated on your progress. A twelve-day experiment, you say?”

“Twelve days. This is day five.” For a number of reasons she didn't mention the blog, mostly because it didn't seem relevant. She wasn't sure he would even know what a blog was.

“I'll stop by again soon.”

“Good. I'll look forward to that more than you know. Furthermore, I demand a rematch,” he said, putting away the cribbage board. “Your grandfather did a good job teaching you; you're one fine opponent.”

Julia considered that high praise.

Despite the hour, Julia stopped off at a Christmas tree lot on her way back to the apartment and purchased a large wreath and a small tree. It was awkward getting both home on her own, and when she got to the elevator, she saw a sign that read:
TEMPORARILY OUT OF ORDER
.

“Just great,” she muttered under her breath, her shoulders sagging with defeat. It'd been a long day and she was dead on her feet.

“What is?”

Cain stood behind her, a take-out bag in his hand.

Julia shot him a look. “The elevator is out of order.”

A huge grin came over his face. “Looks like you're up a creek with a Christmas tree.”

She paused, unable to look away. Cain was an attractive man when he smiled. And, while she hated to admit it, he was good-looking even when he didn't, which in her humble opinion was grossly unfair. “This isn't funny.”

“On the contrary. I look forward to watching you haul that tree up two steep flights of stairs to the third floor.” He walked over to the door leading to the stairs and held it open. “You coming?”

Julia wasn't about to give him the satisfaction. “Go on ahead of me. You wouldn't want your dinner to get cold, would you?”

“And miss seeing you struggle with that tree? Not on your life.”

“I'm happy you think this is amusing.”

“Come on,” he urged, tilting his head toward the stairwell. “I'm not a doorstop, you know.”

Julia dug her fist into her hipbone. “In case you hadn't noticed, I could use some help here.”

Cain cocked his eyebrows. “Do you want me to contact the building manager for you?”

The man was infuriating. Ignoring him as best as she could, Julia carried the bushy fir tree into the stairwell. The Christmas tree might not be big—it was less than four feet tall—but it was heavy. Determined to ignore him, she marched up the first few steps and was halfway to the second floor before she had to pause and rest the base of the tree on the concrete step. Leaning against the railing, she glared at Cain. He was seriously going to let her do this on her own. If nothing else, it would make great blog material. No one would doubt it was a true Ebenezer moment.

“I suppose I should thank you for the latte,” she said while gathering her breath.

“Collected it already, did you?”

“Phil brought it out to the bus stop for me this morning. Peppermint mocha's my favorite; you remembered.”

Crossing his arms, he seemed perfectly content to wait for her.

“I should have refused it,” she said, stiffening.

“Why would you do that?”

“You did.”

He wagged his finger like a pendulum. “Different situation.”

“Whatever. What about the cookies? You refused those, too.”

“I'm watching my weight.”

He didn't have a spare ounce of fat on him. That was an excuse if ever she heard one. In other circumstances she would have called him on it. At least they were talking, and while it might not be the most fun conversation, it was an improvement over the last couple days.

She hauled the tree up the rest of the flight and paused on the landing. “I hope you realize that comment about me stalking you was low.”

He shrugged. “It was.”

“Are you going to apologize?” She challenged him with a hard look.

Cain met her gaze and for a half-second it looked as if he was in danger of smiling. “How about I help you haul that tree up to the third floor instead?”

Julia was no fool. “Deal.”

He took the tree out of her hand and effortlessly climbed the remaining stairs. Julia followed behind with the wreath and was breathless by the time they reached their floor. Cain stood outside her door while she dug in her purse for her keys.

“Were you serious about not getting in the elevator with me again?” he asked as she inserted the key and opened her apartment.

“I've had a change of heart, not that we need to worry about meeting at the elevator now that it's out of order.”

“Good point.”

“If by chance it's working tomorrow morning and I happen to leave for work the same time as you, then I would suggest you either take the stairs or wait.”

He cocked his head to one side. “You wouldn't want me to be late for work, would you?”

She gave a nonchalant shrug. “Your choice.”

“I'll take the elevator with you,” Cain said as he carried the tree into her apartment. “Where do you want this?”

“By the window.” She had to analyze what he'd just said. “Are you saying you don't mind my sunny disposition and cheerful chatter?”

“That isn't what I said.”

“Then what did you mean?”

Ignoring her question, he leaned the tree against the window. “You have a tree stand?”

“I do. You didn't answer my question.”

He frowned. “About catching the elevator? It's just what I said. I don't want to be late for work, and I wouldn't want you to miss your bus.”

“You could leave earlier, you know.”

“You could, too. No biggie. Do whatever makes you comfortable.”

Cain would rather submit to torture than hint that he enjoyed her company.

“Are you going to get that tree stand or not?” he prompted.

Leaving him, Julia went into her bedroom and stretched up to the top shelf of her closet and brought down the box of Christmas essentials. Including the tree stand.

“Here,” he instructed once she returned. “Hold on to the tree and I'll get it set up for you.”

Julia grabbed hold of the center of the tree while he knelt down on the floor and fitted the trunk into the stand.

“I appreciate the help,” she told him, and she did. It amazed her that the day before she'd been ready—eager, even—to throttle Cain Maddox. The difference in his attitude toward her from one day to the next was shocking.

“Cain?”

“What?” he muttered.

“Why are you helping me?”

He leaned back on his haunches and looked up at her, frowning. “Would you rather I didn't?”

“No. I'm surprised is all.”

He leaned forward, flattening his hands on his thighs. “If you must know, I decided you don't have any untoward intentions toward me. I don't know what this Merry Sunshine act you've got going is all about, but I've sort of gotten used to it.”

Julia did her best to hide a smile.

“You go overboard, but I can live with that.”

“Big of you,” she muttered.

He chuckled. “I decided you were right. You couldn't possibly have known I needed a birthday gift for my grandfather and planted yourself in the Macy's men's department.”

“Nor did I follow you to Manor House.”

“Right.”

Returning to setting up the tree, he fiddled with the screws in the stand as he spoke. “You have to admit you have been making a pest of yourself.”

“You really didn't say that!” It was agonizingly slow progress with this guy.

“I'm not being critical, but it seems you're hard up for a man.”

Her mouth shot open. “Hard up for a man,” she repeated, as the outrage built until she was afraid she was going to explode.

“Don't get me wrong. I'm flattered.”

Julia let go of the tree and it fell over sideways, hitting her small kitchen table before bouncing to the floor.

“Hey,” Cain barked. “Why'd you do that? I've got three of the four screws in.”

“Out,” she shouted, and pointed toward the door.

A look of bafflement came over him. “What's your problem?”

“First off, I am not hard up for a man, and if I was, I can assure you that you'd be the last man in Seattle who would interest me.”

His eyes crinkled with a smile. Something he didn't do nearly often enough. “Evidence says otherwise.”

“Thank you, Sherlock.” In thinking about it, Cain must assume she was blatantly flirting with him. It would be hard to convince him otherwise. Seeing how she'd repeatedly made efforts to get his attention, it sort of made sense. She hadn't considered that when she'd taken on this experiment.

“Get over yourself, Julia. Do you want me to get this tree in the stand or not? Your choice.”

Julia weighed her options. She could remain mad and then struggle to get it up on her own or swallow her pride and let him do it. “Okay, fine, finish.”