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Why did it feel like this was an interrogation? “Do I what?”
“Hate Christmas?”
He shuffled his feet. “I hate how commercial it’s become.” He pointed at the lights circling the room. “How bright. How loud.” He glanced at the evergreens topping each window with a brightly colored ornament hanging down the middle of each.
Her eyes followed his gaze. “You think Christmas should be soft, gentle, and quiet?”
Yes, like his paintings. “Would that be so bad?” he asked. That’s what he really wanted to know. Why did Christmas have to be so loud?
She stared at him for a long moment, then took a deep breath. “What do you want, Jimmy? Why are you here?”
“I came to apologize. I shouldn’t have run out of here last night without explaining everything that has been happening. I should have told you I was here and about my family’s business. That we owned Frankie’s.”
Her lips tightened, and he could tell she wanted to say something, probably something he wouldn’t like. “Why didn’t you?”
“After I heard you and your friends talking… I just didn’t know how. The timing didn’t seem right. You all seemed so upset about the event we’re holding. I figured I could wait a day or two for things to calm down.” His smile was small.
Her eyes flashed fire, and his gut tightened. He remembered that look, remembered it was best to steer clear whenever he saw it.
“Calm down?” she snapped. “As if we shouldn’t be upset? You’re having your tree trimming on the same night as The Caroling Kickoff. A huge fundraiser that we have every year. It’s a very important event to raise money for rescue animals and other charities.”
“I’m sorry about that. We didn’t realize that when we set the date. I asked my mom if we could change it, but she said it was too late. All the flyers have already gone out, but she’d like to make a donation to your friend’s rescue.”
Roni groaned deep in her throat. “Jeez. That’s so nice of her.”
He shrugged, not sure what more to say. She wasn’t understanding or forgiving. That wasn’t like the girl he remembered. What had happened to her over the years?
“Coffee’s ready,” the bored teen behind the counter said.
He turned and picked it up. Roni really needed to hire better help. He took a sip.
“Well, what do you think?” she asked, and from the look on her face, it was obvious she really wanted to know.
“I think you’re right. Your coffee is better than Frankie’s.”
Her smile was triumphant. “I guess you overheard a lot last night.”
It sounded wrong when she said it that way.
“Can we sit down?” he asked, gesturing toward the other room with his head. Her employee seemed to be listening to every word they were saying.
“Sure.” She headed toward the back room and sat at a small table in the corner.
“The fireplace is a nice touch,” he added.
She folded her hands in her lap. “So, how long have you been in town working for my competition?”
“Like I said, I’ve only been here a couple days. Frankie’s is my parents’ place. My dad recently had heart surgery. It’s why I had to come home. They need my help with the business and around the house.” Even as he said the words, he knew this trip wasn’t going to be a quick one. His dad’s recovery could take a while, and he had a feeling Mom needed him a lot more than she was letting on.
“Why youhadto come home,” Roni repeated. “For a year, you’ve been talking to me about coming back when in actuality, the only reason you’re here is because your dad got sick?”
His stomach dropped. “That didn’t come out right. I always planned to come home for Christmas.”
“Like you did last year?”
“Last year my mom made those cruise plans at the last minute. I had no idea. I explained that.”
She didn’t say anything.
