The Winter of Candy Canes (A Sweet Seasons Novel) Read online

  “Yeah, and look,” Tamara said pointing to some huge signs in one window. “You were afraid they were going to wait until Friday to start all the sales.”

  Candace grinned. “Christmas comes earlier every year.”

  “Or at least the marketing does,” Tamara finished. “So, who's on your list?”

  “Everyone. I've done zero shopping so far.”

  “Me too.”

  They walked slowly past a variety of shops and stared at the items in the windows.

  “What are you getting Kurt?” Tamara asked.

  “I don't know. It's driving me crazy, actually. I don't know whether to give him something silly and romantic or something practical that he could really use or something he really wants.”

  “What does he really want?”

  “I don't know!”

  “Have you tried asking him?”

  “I'm trying to be sneaky. I want him to be surprised, you know?”

  “Get him tickets to something. What's his favorite team?”

  “I don't know,” Candace admitted.

  “Okay, favorite sport?”

  “Again, don't know.”

  “Hmmm. Is there something he's always wanted to do, like sky dive or go to Paris?”

  Candace laughed. “I don't know, and even if he did, that would be way, way out of my budget. I'm thinking under fifty bucks.”

  “You usually spend more on my presents,” Tamara said.

  “That's because I'm using your credit card when I buy your presents.”

  “Oh yeah,” Tamara said with a smile.

  “Go with silly and romantic,” Tamara advised after a minute. “It'll be easier, and it'll be cute.”

  “What do you have in mind?”

  They stopped at a kiosk in the middle of the mall. “Get him a mouse pad with your picture on it,” Tamara suggested, waving toward a display.

  “Maybe … I don't know. It just doesn't seem quite right. Besides, I'm not sure how much he uses a computer.”

  “Then get a mug. I'm sure he uses those,” Tamara said.

  “That just doesn't seem romantic or useful or interesting,” Candace sighed.

  “Hey, don't we know that sad sack of misery over there?” Tamara asked, pointing toward a guy seated on one of the planters with his head in his hands and his shoulders slumped in defeat.

  “It looks like Roger,” Candace said.

  “More like the empty husk of what was Roger. Why does he look like that?”

  “I don't know. Let's find out,” Candace said, already headed toward him.

  “Hey, Roger, you okay?” Candace asked when they were standing next to him.

  He looked up, startled. “Oh, hi, Candy. No, I'm not okay.”

  “What's wrong?” Tamara asked.

  “I can't even work up the nerve to ask Becca out. How am I supposed to figure out what to get her for Christmas?”

  “You know, I thought you were going to ask her out the day after Halloween. It's been weeks. What happened?”

  “I know. It's just that every time I'm about to, I look into her beautiful, crazy, scary blue eyes, and I can't do it. I chicken out.”

  “Are you afraid she'll say no?” Candace asked.

  “Or are you afraid she'll break every bone in your body next time she's on a sugar rush?” Tamara suggested.

  “No, I know at some point I'll get hurt; that's a risk I'm willing to take to be with her. I'm just afraid she doesn't like me in the same way.”

  “Only one way to find out,” Candace said.

  “But what if she says no, and it ruins our friendship? I'd be miserable.”

  “You mean, more miserable than you are now?” Tamara asked.

  He sighed. “Why do women have to be so complicated?”

  Candace tried not to laugh, but she couldn't help it. She had often wondered the exact same thing about men. She sat down next to him on the planter and patted his shoulder, feeling bad for laughing.

  “Look, would you be happy just being friends with her forever?”

  “No.”

  “Then you owe it to yourself — to both of you — to go for it. It's like taking off a Band-Aid. You can do it quickly and get it over with, or you can draw it out and let the pain go on and on. Which would you rather?”

  He sighed. “I usually just wait until they fall off by themselves in the shower.”

  “Man,” Tamara said, sitting down on his other side, “you can't just shower this away.” She made a face as Candace giggled. “Just put everyone out of their misery and ask the girl out already.”

  Roger was nodding. “Okay,” he said. Then he asked, “What should I get her for Christmas?”

  “I'm sorry. I can't help you with that. I can't even help Candace figure out what to get Kurt for Christmas. You're on your own,” Tamara said, standing abruptly.

  Roger looked at Candace imploringly. “What do you think?”

  “I think she'd love you forever if you gave her something chocolate, but I'd advise against it.” Candace was joking, but a moment later she recoiled in horror as Roger leapt to his feet.

  “That's it!” he shrieked. “Why didn't I think of that? Thanks!” Then he headed across the mall at a jog.

  “Girl, what did you just do?”

  Candace shook her head. “I'm a bad, bad person.”

  “Um, excuse me?”

  Candace looked up. A nerdy-looking guy was standing there, twisting his hands in front of him and smiling sheepishly.

  “What?” Candace asked.

  “I need help figuring out what to buy for a girl.”

  Tamara rolled her eyes and grabbed Candace's hand. “I'm sorry, but that was her last client of the day. The love doctor is out.”

  Candace laughed as she let Tamara pull her along. “You've already done enough damage for today,” Tamara said.

  “Well, at least if I can't solve my problems, I can help someone else.”

  “I know. Let's forget Kurt, and you can help me.”

  “Help you figure out who to take to Winter Formal?”

  “No, Lame-o,” Tamara said. “Help me help you figure out what to get me for Christmas. I'm thinking maybe something ruby-ish this year.”

  “Oh no, uh-uh. This year I'm picking out a present for you by myself and I'm buying it myself.”

  Tamara looked nonplussed, and for a moment Candace thought she was going to argue with her. Finally, the other girl just shrugged. “Fine. Let's go get something for your mother or my mother, just as long as we buy something. I'm dying here.”

  Two hours later, Candace had gifts for her mother, father, and all four grandparents. Tamara had done similar damage but had also bought presents for extended members of her family that she usually exchanged with. They ended up at Rigatoni's for dinner, where they discussed what was left on their lists.

  “I've got to get something for my friends at The Zone,” Candace said. “I'm not even sure where to begin.”

  “Are we doing a gift exchange in that girls' Bible study you're going to be leading?” Tamara asked suddenly.

  Candace blinked at her. She had barely thought about how she was going to lead the first meeting, let alone given any thought to a Christmas party or gift exchange.

  Tamara waited for a moment and then said, “Okay, maybe a better question is whether there's even going to be an idea exchange at the first meeting, which is in two days.”

  “Don't remind me,” Candace said with a sigh. “I should be home reading over the leaders' manual Pastor Bobby gave me.”

  “He gave you that two weeks ago,” Tamara noted.

  “Yes, thank you for pointing out my slacker ways in this area.”

  Tamara smirked. “Hey, at least I didn't let myself get roped into leadership.”

  “Duly noted. If you're not careful, though, I'll draft you.”

  “You'll try.”

  An hour later Candace was home in her room staring at the leadership manual. She had already hidden away h
er purchases, and she had no homework to distract herself with. There was just her and the manual and the slowly dawning realization that in two days, eleven other girls were going to be looking to her for guidance, thoughtfulness, and preparation.

  “God, I'm not sure how I got myself into this situation, but please help me,” she prayed. “Let me know what you want us to learn.”

  At least she didn't have to pick a topic. That was taken care of by Pastor Bobby. For eight weeks they would be studying the true meaning of Christmas. Every girl would have a workbook with each week's reading and questions all laid out for her. All Candace had to do was to facilitate the discussion and keep everyone on track.

  Her mom entered the room, and Candace looked up. “Hey, Mom, what's up?

  “I just wanted to remind you that tomorrow afternoon you promised you'd help me set up for Holly Daze.”

  “I remember. I'll be straight home after school, and we can go then.”

  “Thanks, I appreciate it,” her mom said.

  “Not a problem.”

  Her mom left the room, and Candace stared after her for a moment. Her mom was running one of the vendor booths in the Holiday Zone for Christmas. Well, technically, it was the organization her mom worked for that was in charge of the booth. They would be selling eco-friendly trinkets and spreading the word on environmental issues. Her mom and several others would work the booth.

  It was weird thinking that she and her mom were going to be working at the same place, even if it was just for a few weeks. Since she was an elf, Candace's primary duties would also be in the Holiday Zone. Candance was relieved that her mom was coming into her workplace and not the other way around. As a vendor, her mom wouldn't have full referee privileges, which meant there were still a lot of places Candace could go in the park that her mom couldn't.

  With a sigh she turned back to the book and jotted down a few notes. She looked at the twelve names on her list. There were three girls from each grade in her group. She recognized the names of all except two freshmen. The third, Jen, she had seen several times at youth group. She seemed like a nice girl, even if somewhat overwhelmed half the time.

  Her Instant Messenger pinged, and she read the message from Josh.

  Ready for D-Day?

  D-Day?

  Daze Day.

  More than U. Gotta help Mom set up vendor booth tomorrow.

  Kewl. Selling what?

  Eco-stuff.

  Stellar.

  Guess so.

  What U doing now?

  Prepping for Bible study that starts Wed.

  What on?

  Christmas.

  I'm the leader.

  Not happy?

  No. Don't know how well it will go.

  Yule kill. Get it?

  Haha.

  Just be your elf.

  You're in a good mood.

  Luv Christmas.

  What don't U luv?

  Arbor Day. Don't tell your mom.

  Gonna.

  Snitch.

  OK. Gotta jet.

  Later.

  Candace smiled as she returned to the study. Josh always had a way of making her laugh. Now he would make a great Bible study leader. Actually, he would make a great leader of anything. He was passionate, funny, caring, and competitive. She sighed. It was too bad he and Tam wouldn't get together. She was sure they'd be great for each other.

  With a sigh she closed the leadership manual. At least she had an idea of what was expected of her. She opened up the study and read the verses and then wrote down her answers to the seven questions. She might not be the world's best leader, but at least she could be prepared.

  When she finished, she put the books away and rewarded herself with a phone call to Kurt.

  “Hey, gorgeous,” he said when he answered the phone.

  She smiled. “Hey, yourself.”

  “Guess what I did today?”

  “What?”

  “I bought your Christmas present.”

  “What did you get me?”

  “No way I'm telling you. Just know it's perfect.”

  Perfect. Instead of filling her with anticipation, the word filled her with terror. He thought he had gotten her something perfect, which meant that she had to find him something perfect. No pressure, she thought as she groaned inwardly.

  “I've got my eye on something special for you,” she fibbed. Maybe a little fishing would help her out.

  “Like what?”

  “Guess.”

  “A fishing pole and a mess of hand-tied flies?”

  She actually pulled her phone away from her ear and stared at it for a moment, wondering in what spectacular way it was malfunctioning for her to have heard that.

  “Um … maybe,” she said.

  “Or how about one of those shower radios?” he asked.

  “Are you wanting one of those?” she asked, trying to make her voice teasing.

  “Not really, we've already got one.”

  “Well then, guess again,” she said, her voice cracking a little.

  “Ooooh, I know … a set of wrenches.”

  She thought for a moment. He had to be playing her. She refused to believe that these were his best guesses at what she might think he would want. She took a deep breath. “You aren't really trying to guess, are you?”

  “Of course not. I don't want to know what you get me. I want to be completely surprised.”

  “I see.”

  “It's fun playing, though. I mean, really, what would I do with more hand-tied flies?”

  “Heaven only knows,” she said, feeling nervous laughter coming on.

  “Hey, what should I wear to Thanksgiving?”

  “Just some Dockers and a button-down shirt would be fine,” she said.

  “I've got a tie.”

  “No, think a notch below church wear,” she said without thinking.

  “Okay,” and his tone told volumes.

  She winced. It sounded like he didn't know what church wear would be. “So, a tie would be too much,” she hastened to say.

  “You're sure?” he asked, now sounding thoroughly confused.

  “Definitely.”

  “Okay. Well, I should go. I've got more studying to do.”

  “Okay, see you Thursday,” she said.

  “Yeah.”

  4

  When Candace got home from school the next day, her mom had already loaded the van. After quickly changing into jeans and a T-shirt, Candace hopped into the van beside her mom.

  “Ready to go!”

  “Then let's get this party started,” her mom said.

  A few minutes later they reached The Zone. A large sign read, Welcome Holly Daze Vendors! and had an arrow pointing around the side of the park away from the player parking lot. After following several such signs, they parked in a referee-only area, where they found people unloading an assortment of vehicles. Referees were on hand, providing dollies and carts.

  “It's going to be strange. It will be like we're working together,” her mom said.

  “Tell me about it,” Candace said, jumping out.

  “Need a hand?” Sue asked as she walked up, pushing a cart.

  “Sure! What are you doing here? Were you pressed into service?”

  Sue shook her head with a smile. “I volunteered. It beats cleaning bathrooms this afternoon.”

  “I guess it would,” Candace's mom said as she came around the van. “Hi, I'm Patricia, Candace's mom.”

  “Pleased to meet you. I'm Sue.”

  “You were on Candace's team for that summer scavenger hunt, right?”

  “The winning team,” Candace pointed out with a smile.

  They shook hands, and then the three of them set to work. Once they had loaded up the cart, Candace stared at how much was left in the van.

  “It's going to take ten trips!”

  “No, three,” Sue said. “Trust me. I've been here all day.”

  They walked right into the Kids Zone, and Candace
smiled when her mom gasped.

  “I know, first time not going through the front gate is bizarre, huh?” Candace asked.

  “And cool. I can see why you enjoy working here,” her mom said.

  From the Kids Zone they pushed the cart into the Holiday Zone. The noise and activity were nearly overwhelming. The area already had its Christmas overlay, which Candace hadn't seen yet. Lights and wreathes hung on every permanent structure in the area, and a giant tree illuminated the center. Booths were scattered all around for the outside vendors, and on hand was a small army of food carts to keep the busy vendors from getting too hungry or thirsty.

  “Do you know what booth you're at?” Sue asked.

  “Thirty-two.”

  “It's over there by the gingerbread house.”

  A giant gingerbread house dominated a maze in the center of the Kids Zone all year round. Although something seemed a little different to Candace, she didn't pay much attention until they stopped next to her mom's booth. Then she gasped. The usual house had been replaced by one made out of real gingerbread.

  “That smells heavenly,” Patricia commented.

  “They just put it in this morning,” Sue said. “It's real gingerbread, and even the glue that holds it together is made out of edible materials.”

  “You mean you could eat that thing?” Candace asked.

  “Yeah. Someone probably will too.”

  “What do you mean?” Candace asked, her mind flying to Becca.

  “One of the Game Masters told me they will be giving it away at the referee Christmas Party.”

  “Wouldn't that be something?” Patricia said.

  “You've got a great view from your booth here,” Sue said.

  Candace looked at the booth. Like all the others it had about ten feet of counter space and a little awning to keep rain off. It was particularly well situated just to the right of the entrance to the maze.

  “How about you start putting stuff where you want it, while Candace and I take care of emptying the van?” Sue suggested.

  “Sounds like an excellent idea.”

  A few minutes later Candace and Sue headed back to the van with an empty cart.

  “Your mom seems really nice,” Sue said quietly.

  “Yeah, she's pretty cool,” Candace said. “She can be a bit tough, but that's okay.”