Twelve Days of Christmas (9 page)

“No.” She pressed her head on the sofa pillow and sighed. One would think he'd be grateful.

“First I can't shut you up, and now I can't get you to talk.”

Despite his tone, she smiled. “Count your blessings.”

He chuckled. “That's my girl.”

His girl?
He thought of her as his girl. Oh boy, this experiment was getting complicated.

“What time is it?”

“Around one-thirty. I'm on my lunch break.”

“Late lunch, isn't it?”

“Later than usual. I had a bunch of work I needed to catch up on.”

“Oh.”

“You need anything?”

“No. Thanks for calling.” She'd been up for less than thirty minutes and already she felt the need to sleep again.

“I'll check in with you later.”

“Okay.” She was too weak to argue, especially when she knew it was a lost cause, and especially since she looked forward to hearing from him again.

Although she tried to stay awake, Julia slept most of the afternoon. She feared she wouldn't be able to sleep that night and fought it as best she could but quickly succumbed.

She woke to someone at her door.

It could only be Cain.

“Open up, Julia,” he called from the other side, confirming her suspicion.

Dragging herself to the door, she turned the lock and stepped back. “It's open.”

Cain let himself in, carrying a white paper bag.

“What's that?” If it was food, she wasn't interested.

“Soup.”

She held up her hand, disgusted at the mere thought of food. “Take it away. Please.”

As she suspected, he ignored her and set the bag on the countertop. “What can I do for you?”

“Give me some privacy.”

He chuckled. “If you've got a sassy mouth, that tells me you're feeling better.”

“No, I'm not.”

“You will soon enough,” he promised.

She swayed on her feet, and right away he was at her side, his arm tucked around her waist. His protective action took her by surprise, but no more so than the unexpected thrill she felt being close to Cain. Awareness swept through her and she sucked in a small breath. If he felt anything even close to what she did, he didn't let on, not that she expected he would.

“You okay?” he asked, tightening his hold on her waist.

She nodded rather than respond with words. The truth of it was she wasn't okay. There'd been a physical connection between them that went beyond his gentle touch. Oh my. This shouldn't be happening. Being attracted to him definitely wasn't part of the plan. Her breath came in short spurts until she managed to regulate it again.

His hold loosened, but he didn't release her. “What can I do for you?”

“Can you help me into the bathroom?”

He didn't answer but carefully steered her down the hallway. Once they were there, he paused and waited before he asked, “Now what?”

“Can you pull the scale out from below the sink?”

“The scale?” he repeated incredulously.

She looked at him, knowing she was pitiful. “I want to weigh myself and see how much weight I've lost.”

His look was completely dumbfounded.

“Now kindly leave the room so I can look?”

His eyes rounded to huge saucers. “You have got to be kidding me.”

“Just do it,” she insisted.

Grumbling, Cain dragged the scale out from where she said it would be and then walked out of the room.

“Don't you dare try and peek, either,” she instructed.

She heard him mutter in the hallway outside the door. “Do you honestly think I care about how much you weigh?”

“Cain, please just stay where you are.”

“I hope you know you're being absurd.” It sounded like he was speaking through clenched teeth.

Julia stiffened, disliking his attitude. “If you're going to get testy with me, you can just go. I want to know how much weight I lost.”

He groaned again and she heard him mutter “women” under his breath.

Julia stepped on the scale and swallowed a gasp of surprise. “Five pounds.”

“You weigh five pounds?”

“Don't be ridiculous. I lost five pounds.”

“Is that good?”

“Of course. It's everything.”

He shook his head as if he couldn't believe they were having this conversation. “We done in here?”

“Yup.”

Without being asked, he led her back into the living room and helped her onto the sofa. He looked down on her for a moment. “When you feel up to it, eat the soup.”

“Okay.”

He started toward the door.

“You're leaving?” she blurted out, which only went to show she wasn't thinking on all eight cylinders.

He grinned as if her protest pleased him. “Going to collect Schroeder for a walk. I'll be back.”

“Oh good.”

His gaze held hers. “That I'm taking the dog for a walk or that I'm coming back?”

“Both,” she answered without hesitation.

“I mean what I said about you eating the soup. You're going to eventually need something in your stomach, and as a side benefit it'll make you feel better.”

“No, it won't. I'm probably going to die.”

He had the audacity to chuckle. “Why doesn't it surprise me that you are such a drama queen?”

“I'm not. I'm sick. I'm suing the company that makes those flu vaccinations. This should never have happened.”

Cain laughed as if he found her hilarious.

“Do you enjoy laughing at me?”

“If you remember, you took delight in adding to my misery less than twenty-four hours ago. So yes, this is fun.”

“You're coming back soon, right?” Suddenly the thought of being alone depressed her.

“I won't be long.”

“Will you watch TV with me?”

“If that's what you want.”

“Even if I want to see
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
?”

He groaned and nodded. “Even that.”

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome. Can I leave now?”

“Okay.”

As soon as Cain left, Julia reached for her phone and called Cammie.

“Hey,” her bestie answered after the first ring. “I wondered when I was going to hear from you.”

“I'm in trouble,” Julia burst out.

“What kind of trouble? Have you been arrested? Because if so, I know this great lawyer who can get you off the hook.”

Cammie's husband was an attorney.

“Not that kind of trouble. Besides, what can David do to help me a thousand miles from Seattle?”

“He'd do whatever was necessary, because he loves me and he knows you're my best friend. Now tell me what's up.”

Julia hardly knew where to start. They spoke nearly every day. If she were to blame anyone, it would be Cammie. This whole experiment had taken control of her life, and Cammie was the one who'd suggested it. Like she told her friend, she was in deep trouble. “First off I've got the flu.”

“Oh no.”

“And I got it from Cain.”

“I read your blog. Do you have any idea how crazy successful this has been? I hope you're looking at the numbers. It's nuts the way people are following what's happening. At this rate you're a shoo-in for the job.”

“Yeah, I know. That's where the trouble part comes in.”

Her words were met with silence. “Cain found out you're blogging about him?”

“No, thank God.” That would be disastrous. “It's worse than that.”

“Worse? What's happened?” Cammie demanded.

Julia dragged in a deep breath, hoping that would help her sort through her feelings. “You know how I intensely disliked him not more than a week ago.”

“Of course I remember.”

“Well…” She paused and then blurted it out. “I don't feel that way anymore. In fact, I'm starting to feel the opposite.”

Silence.

“Julia.” Cammie's voice was low and concerned. “Are you falling for this guy?”

The denial didn't make it past her lips until finally she confessed. “Maybe.”

“It's clear I've missed more than a few details in the last couple days. Tell me what's changed.”

“It all started this evening when Cain stopped by to check on me. I was shaky on my feet,” Julia murmured. “Cain put his arm around me to keep me upright. It was all innocent and…and, this is embarrassing to admit, but I wanted more. A lot more.”

“What about Cain?”

“I don't know. He's hard to read, but I get the impression he's feeling the same way.”

“You're in trouble, all right,” Cammie confirmed. “But it's a good kind of trouble. Come on, Julia, it's time you moved on in your life.”

Julia flattened her hand against her forehead and it wasn't to check for a temperature. “I know but this complicates everything.”

“It does, but you'll figure it all out. Have you…you know, told him about the blog?”

“No! Cain is…is…”

“Is what?”

“I don't know…he's Cain. It's complicated.”

“Tell me when anything is ever uncomplicated with you,” Cammie demanded.

Her friend had a point.

Julia was sick and Cain blamed himself for that. He tried to get her to stay away, but the woman was nothing if not stubborn. The truth was, and it took him time to admit it, he'd been happy to see her. The fact that she'd first brought him the soup and then disinfected his apartment was above and beyond anything he would ever have imagined. She'd even walked Schroeder.

It'd been a long time since he'd felt this strongly attracted to another woman after Dani. His coworker had nearly destroyed his trust; it'd taken him five years to be willing to make himself vulnerable again.

Julia made him want to open his heart, and while he was wary, he felt alive and happy. He found he couldn't wait to see her each morning, wondering what she had up her sleeve.

Even his grandfather had noticed a difference in Cain. He hadn't mentioned Julia, but the old man laughed and said it must be a woman. Cain didn't confirm or deny.

All Cain could say was that life was better than it had been in a good long while.

Julia felt decidedly better in the morning. Weak as overcooked pasta but able to function. She didn't dare stay in bed another day, not this close to Christmas. She woke to a text message from Jeremy.

U better?

Much,
she replied, balancing the phone on the side of the bathroom sink while she applied her makeup.

Last practice is tomorrow. U OK for that?

I'll be there. Promise.

Thanx. Take care.

Will do.

The holiday program wasn't the last of her volunteer responsibilities, either. She had yet to fulfill her obligation to the Red Bucket Brigade. She'd signed up to ring for an hour and was scheduled for that very afternoon.

Grabbing her phone off the sink, she collected her coat, gloves, and purse and was just about to head out the door when Cain knocked. When she appeared fully dressed and ready for the day, he seemed surprised to see her up and about.

“You're going to work?” he asked.

“I can't stay home,” she said, gently attempting to ease her way around him. “People are counting on me.”

“I don't think returning to work so soon is a good idea.”

“Cain.” Her hand moved to his chest. “I don't have time to argue.”

“Good.” Frowning, as if unsure what to do, he continued to block her way.

“I'm gonna miss my bus,” she pleaded. “I'm running late as it is.”

To his credit, he moved aside, although reluctantly. The truth was Julia would have enjoyed lounging in bed another day, but it simply wasn't possible. Not with her schedule.

She locked her apartment and met Cain at the elevator. She felt his censure, which she chose to ignore.

“You sure you feel up to this?” he asked.

She did and she didn't, and she answered with a flip-flop of her hand. “I guess we'll see.” It was destined to be a long day, and all she could do was hope she had the energy to make it through.

Once inside the elevator, Julia felt Cain exhale in frustration. “I think you should take an extra day. Screw the season.”

“Cain, I wish I could, but I can't. You only took off one day, and I'm as tough as you.”

He snickered.

“You took a later lunch yesterday because you had so much work to catch up on, right?”

“You're in retail,” he countered.

“I still have commitments.”

“To sell so many sweaters? Fold display socks?”

Julia stiffened, surprised how offended his comment made her. “If you're belittling my job, I don't appreciate it.” Working at Macy's wasn't her choice for a lifelong career, but her years with the company had served her well. She was able to pay her bills until she found employment in her field of work.

He pinched his lips and then sighed. “You're right. That came out wrong. It wasn't what I meant to say. I'm concerned you're going back too soon, and I would hate to see you relapse.”

She accepted his apology with a soft smile. “I'll be fine.”

“Promise me you'll do your best to take it easy. I have a desk job, but you're going to be on your feet all day.”

“I'll do my best,” she assured him, touched at his concern.

The elevator doors glided open and they stepped into the lobby. Cain paused long enough to collect his newspaper.

“Hey, is that yours?” she demanded, remembering his habit of stealing. Generally, he collected it earlier when he walked Schroeder.

“Yes,” he insisted, without looking.

“Prove it,” she demanded, with a hand at her hip. It looked to her like he was up to his old tricks.

Cain grinned. “Aren't you going to be late for your bus?”

“No. Give me that newspaper, I want to check.”

“Julia.” He groaned and showed her proof positive. His apartment number was marked on the plastic wrapper. “Aren't you going to get yours?” he asked.

“I canceled the newspaper,” she said pointedly. “Someone from the building kept stealing it.”

Cain laughed out loud, and together they walked out of the building. “You have time for coffee this morning?” he asked.

Watching the approach of the bus, she shook her head. “Not today.”

“Tomorrow, then. We'll leave ten minutes early.”

Julia did her best to hide a smile as she came to a standstill in front of the bus stop. “Is that a date?”

Walking backward in order to continue their conversation, Cain looked undecided. “Yeah, I guess you could call it that.”

“I'm flattered,” she called out just before she boarded the bus.

Cain stopped moving and people were forced to walk around him. “Text me and let me know how you're doing today,” he called.

“I will if I can.” The only time she had to text was her lunch break, and she'd be checking to see what was happening with her blog. Reading the comments and keeping track of the number of hits and shares had become something of an obsession.

“Do it.”

“Aye, aye, Captain,” she said as she stepped onto the bus. It would have been impossible to hide her smile. Already she felt better, more energized, and she credited Cain.

The driver caught her eye. “You're in good spirits this morning.”

Julia realized he was right. “Aren't I every morning?”

“Pretty much; more so than usual today. Looks to me like you got yourself a boyfriend.”

Her immediate response was to deny it, but then Julia changed her mind. It would be silly to argue. Still, the bus driver's comment sobered her, and Julia quickly took her seat. Cain was fast becoming someone important in her life, more important than her blog. What had started as an experiment in kindness had turned into something else. Exactly what that “something else” entailed remained an unknown. At this point she was leery of examining it too closely.

By the time Julia took her lunch break, she was physically dragging but on an emotional high. Sitting in the break room, she put her feet up and ate her soup, which seemed the best option for her stomach after her bout with the flu.

Her phone dinged, indicating she had a text message. Even before she went to check, she guessed it was Cain and she was right.

U feeling OK?

Leave it to Cain to be brief and utilitarian. No verbose language for him.

She typed in her reply.
Doing fine.

When she didn't get a reply, she set the phone aside but couldn't help feeling disappointed. Her hand was barely off her phone when she snatched it up again, her fingers bouncing against the keys
. Looking forward to our date.

Dinner tomorrow night?

If she read that right, Cain was asking her out to dinner. Well, well, that was a big leap from grabbing a cup of coffee in the morning. She loved the idea of having dinner with Cain, but then remembered she had the last practice session with the kids scheduled for the following evening.

Can't.
She added a round yellow face with a sad smile.

Y not?

Helping Jeremy.
She barely pushed the send button when she got a reply.

Jeremy?

She enjoyed thinking he might be concerned.
You jealous?

Should I be?

Depends.
It probably wasn't kind, but she didn't think it would hurt to let him assume he wasn't the only man in her life.

Explain tonight.

OK.
It'd been childish and immature of her to tease him. What was she thinking? It wasn't like they were in a relationship. They were friends. Nothing more. For that matter, Cain had probably brushed the idea of her being involved with anyone else aside as fictitious. It wasn't like Julia had a parade of suitors streaming in and out of her apartment. Furthermore, she had no business looking for ways to make Cain jealous.

Because she was caught up in texting with Cain, she barely had time to check her blog results. When she logged on, her eyes felt like they were about to bug out of her head. She'd gotten more than twenty-five thousand hits on her latest post.

Twenty-five thousand.

This was far and beyond anything she'd anticipated when she started this experiment. For the last few days, it hardly felt like being kind to Cain demanded any effort. At first “killing him with kindness” had taken resolve and determination. It didn't seem like he'd ever crack, but in reality it'd taken only a few days, which was astonishing when she thought about it. Even his demeanor had changed. The difference between Cain this morning and the surly, unpleasant guy he'd been as little as a week earlier was night and day.

She read a dozen of the shorter comments from the latest blog, and then, looking at the wall clock, she sighed and returned to the floor.

BetterWatchOut: What does it mean? Sweetie, watch out before your heart gets involved. Or is it too late for that?

MandyPandy: What do you mean no good turn goes unpunished? You got the first real sign this guy is actually human. Ebenezer has a heart and it looks to me like you just might have found it. Good for you. Keep up the good work.

When she finished her shift, Julia reported to the volunteer Red Bucket headquarters a block away from Macy's for her shift at ringing the bell and collecting cash for those in need. Her commitment was for only an hour, which was good because of the cold. This wasn't the first year she'd volunteered, and she had always enjoyed doing it. People tended to be generous and thoughtful.

The volunteer supervisor gave her directions on where to report and promised her a replacement would arrive when her hour was finished. As luck would have it, her assigned position was directly outside of Macy's, which was sure to be a great spot. While most shoppers wouldn't know her name, she might look familiar. That gave Julia hope that those passing by would be inclined to donate.

The retired gentleman she replaced assured her all was well and this was an excellent location before he handed over the bell.

“Anything else I should know?” she asked.

“Just be friendly and smile, but a pretty girl like you shouldn't have a problem filling that bucket. Don't let the cold get to you. Move your feet often.”

“Will do.” The sun had long since set and the wind was piercing. Her predecessor wasn't kidding about the cold. Julia was glad she'd remembered her gloves but wished she'd thought to bring the thick cowl her grandmother had knitted for her last Christmas.

Ringing that little bell for all she was worth, Julia called out in a fun singsong voice, “ ‘Merry Christmas. God bless us every one.' ” She was convinced she'd make Tiny Tim proud.

She could barely contain herself when someone paused long enough to insert a folded one-hundred-dollar bill into the red bucket. “Wow, thank you.”

She'd been at her station less than ten minutes when she spied Cain walking toward her. She had accidentally on purpose not mentioned she'd be doing this, fearing he'd have a conniption.

He recognized her at about the same time that she recognized him.

Cain stopped directly in front of her, blocking her exposure to the heavy foot traffic.

“Julia?” He made her name sound like a swear word.

“Cain?” She twisted her body to look past him and continued ringing the bell. “Move. People can't see me.”

“What are you doing?” he demanded.

“What does it look like?” she returned. “I'm ringing the bell for charity.”

He looked completely exasperated with her. “Do I need to remind you that you just got over the flu?”

Julia couldn't argue. “I couldn't cancel at the last minute. It's hard enough to get volunteers as it is. Now please move. You're discouraging donations.”

For half a second it looked like he was about to toss her over his shoulder and gleefully cart her away. Thankfully, he resisted the urge.