The Christmas List Read online

  “Would you ladies like me to walk you to your car?” Max had a red scarf on and big mittens. He plunked a fuzzy blue hat on his head and smiled at them.

  “Thanks.”

  “No.” Mandy stared at her friend, trying to communicate with her eyes. Jennifer was not being sensible. She had no idea if this guy was a decent human being.

  As if reading Mandy’s mind, Max spoke up again. “May I point out, I’m a well-known local and the owner of this Paint N Go knows me. Hey, Kerry, vouch for me with these lovely ladies, please,” he yelled into the paint studio.

  Their instructor came out into the hallway. “He’s solid. You’re safe with him. Hey, are you coming back to sleep here, Max?”

  “I’ll be back when I make sure they get to their car. I’m Max and you’re Mandy and you’re, let me guess, Jennifer.” He held out his hand to Jennifer.

  “How do you know our names?” she asked him, awestruck.

  “I painted across from you for two hours and you had a name tag on,” he smiled, deep dimples bracketed his mouth.

  Mandy stared. Men shouldn’t be allowed to have dimples. It wasn’t fair. “You’re coming back here?” she asked.

  “Kerry lets me bunk here in exchange for a painting once in a while and cleaning up in the evenings.”

  “Hi,” Jennifer reached her hand across Mandy and shook Max’s hand. “I run the Berry Boutique and this is Mandy, accountant extraordinaire.”

  Mandy smiled.

  “Do you have a card? I need an accountant,” Max smiled at Mandy.

  She dug into her pocket and produced a card. “Give me a call.”

  Jennifer rolled her eyes behind his back.

  They both seemed to be doing that a lot this evening. Mandy shook off the inconsequential thought.

  “I will, but for now, let me walk you to your car.”

  Jennifer gave Mandy a look that said, ‘come on’ and smiled.

  “Let’s do this.” A shudder ran through Mandy that had nothing to do with the temperatures outside. She could see the headline: Idiot Adult Women Leave Art Place with Stranger. Never seen Again.

  “Come on, Mandy,” Jennifer whispered in her ear. “What are the odds he’s a bad guy who paints on the side?” Jennifer turned and gave Max a bright smile, linking her arm through his proffered elbow. “I’m afraid I’ll slip in my heels.”

  As a compromise, Mandy found her pepper spray in a deep pocket and unlatched the top, keeping a finger on the trigger.

  The three struggled to the parking lot, blinded by snow.

  “My feet are freezing.” Jennifer wailed, slipping as she clung to Max, who dragged her upright for the third time and steadied her.

  “Perhaps boots would’ve been a better choice,” he murmured, huffing, with effort.

  They located Mandy’s car under a drift.

  Max made them get into the car while he cleared snow from the vehicle and the pavement in front of it. He waved and started to walk away into the blizzard.

  Mandy rolled down her window. “Come in and warm up. You’ll freeze out there. At least let me give you a ride back.”

  He shook his head and headed back.

  “Too bad he’s homeless. I think he liked you,” Jennifer yawned.

  4

  After the knuckle-gripping drive home, Mandy was tense and wide awake.

  “Come in for a few minutes to relax.” Jennifer had obviously noted her tight expression.

  Once inside, Jennifer made a soothing chamomile tea and the friends drank it while discussing the painting class.

  Though they lived in the same building, their apartments couldn’t be more dissimilar. Jennifer’s three bedroom housed a guest bedroom, an office and a lavish bedroom. Vibrant colors and colorful drapes and cushions filled the space. Mementos of her travels filled every surface, but it was a comfortable, kaleidoscopic mix of textures and patterns.

  Mandy had chosen a smaller one-bedroom utility apartment next door to Jennifer’s. She left the walls neutral and decorated with only a few quality pieces. In her secret heart, she would have loved to have had Jennifer’s lifestyle as a free-spirited global wanderer, even as she decried the expense and danger.

  Mandy had met Jennifer four years before and rented a ten foot by ten foot office in the back of Jennifer’s boutique for her accountant business. Jennifer had generously told Mandy she could put in hours at the boutique to supplement her income until her accounting took off. So far, her only client was Jennifer. They walked together every day to and from their businesses.

  Mandy’s tension seeped out. “That was a good idea, I’ll probably sleep like a baby now.” She yawned and rose to leave.

  “I’m glad. I felt a little guilty for dragging you out in this. But we did have fun.” Jennifer grinned and followed her to the door. “See you in the morning.”

  Mandy walked across the hall. She got ready for bed, and sank back into her pillow. A vague shadow of Max wandered through her dreams, but Mandy was so tired, the subject was almost forgotten by morning.

  

  Mandy knocked on Jennifer’s door the next morning.

  Jennifer answered, dark circles under her eyes and hair going every which way.

  “Whoa, what painting event did you go to last night?”

  “One of my friends came over for a drink for my birthday after you left. We hadn’t seen each other for a while and were catching up into the wee hours.” Jennifer yawned and opened the door wider. “Give me a bit to get ready.”

  Half an hour later, they walked together on the freshly shoveled sidewalks. In unspoken unison, they turned to the coffee express store. The lights were out.

  “How can it be closed?” Jennifer asked. “I need a cup of coffee this morning. I wonder if the storm knocked out their power.” She looked around as if a cup of coffee might appear.

  “I could go out around nine when the Maxi Mart opens, but it will be gas station coffee,” Mandy offered.

  They walked further down the sidewalk to Jennifer’s boutique.

  “Hey!” A bright blue, fuzzy hat attached to tousled red hair and a green coat beckoned them from farther down the street. Max had a tray of coffees and a bag of something.

  “Hi, Max.” Jennifer waved as he came closer. She opened the door to the shop.

  “This is nice.” He looked around.

  “Thanks, I’m in the process of starting another across town. Is that coffee for us? If it is, you are a Godsend. If it isn’t, you’re just teasing me.”

  “Then I’m a Godsend. How exciting to be opening another shop. Why, hello, Mandy. How are you?”

  “Fine. What’s this about a new store?” Mandy said as she made her way through the eclectic shop to get to the back office.

  “I wanted to tell you about it last night but forgot. By Easter. If I can open the doors three weeks before Easter, it’s a go.” Jennifer followed her and Max to the back. “We have to open the doors by the first week of March. Can you manage the new store or would you rather have this one? This one would be better for you, it’s already established.”

  “You want me to manage? Why am I just hearing about this now? I can’t manage your store. I’m trying to get my accounting firm up and running,” Mandy retorted, ignoring Max.

  They stared at each other, both frowning.

  “But I’ve always wanted you to be my partner. Who else could I trust? Do you know how hard it is to find a good partner? I read the trade magazines. It’s a horrible problem. I need you.” Jennifer leaned across the neat desk.

  “I have my own business to build. I’m your accountant, but I can’t be your manager.”

  “At least think about it. You could be an accountant on the side and a full time manager for me.”

  “No. No. No. I’m a full-time accountant with an office in the back of your store because I can’t afford to move yet. I just help out in your store.” Mandy stared at her friend, her mind reeling from this news.

  “Just think about
it,” Jennifer said, her smile wobbling a little.

  “Here are your coffee and carbohydrates,” Max broke in.

  “I’m grateful for the coffee. What can I do for you?” Mandy asked, shelving her surprise.

  Jennifer took that as a cue, and after grabbing a coffee cup, went to the front to open.

  “I’m here to see you, my new best friend.” Max smiled at her, his dimples making inroads to his rough-shaven face.

  “What do you mean?” Mandy put her purse in the drawer and sat in her ergonomically perfect chair. She would think about the dilemma with Jennifer later. She gestured for him to sit in the uncomfortable, client chair. It was by design. She didn’t want her clients getting too comfortable.

  “I was serious when I said I needed an accountant. This is the first year I made any money so one of my friends told me I needed to file a tax return.” He smiled that beatific smile.

  Despite its effect on her, Mandy cringed. “You’ve never filed taxes?” she asked in shock.

  “Nope, I’ve never made any money. Just enough to live and tithe.”

  “Tithe?”

  “Of course, God loves a cheerful giver,” he said.

  “In keeping with His income,” she retorted.

  “You read the Bible? Good. I had a very good feeling when I saw you at the Paint N Go.” He gave a joyful grin.

  The temperature rose a few degrees in the tiny office.

  “You have to file taxes every year.” Mandy asserted.

  “Even when I didn’t make any money?”

  “You made zero money, or at least less than $11,000?”

  “After expenses,” he admitted.

  “Gah!” Mandy slid back in her rolled chair and pulled forms out of a cabinet. “I need this coffee.” Her hands were shaking. “How could you not do your taxes? That is so irresponsible,” Mandy scolded him.

  “I didn’t make anything.” He shrugged.

  “My services are expensive, you can file the EZ form. Someone else can easily help you, perhaps the library.”

  Jennifer popped in. “I heard yelling. Are you fighting with Max?”

  “Your friend doesn’t want to do my taxes,” Max wiped a pretend tear from his eye.

  “Give me a break! I am not fighting.” Mandy fumed.

  “Didn’t you say you wanted more clients? Something about not putting all your eggs in the same basket,” Jennifer smiled at Max.

  Mandy shook her head, trying to catch Jennifer’s eye to signal a negative. Max couldn’t afford a place to live, much less an accountant.

  “I’m as different an egg as you can get, plus I need the help. I made money this year and with money comes social responsibility.” Max and Jennifer beamed at each other.

  “How exciting,” Jennifer told him.

  “It’s like a sink hole. This will just get bigger and uglier the deeper I dig,” Mandy said.

  “But you’re such an excellent accountant. I’m sure you could help him out.” Jennifer was pro-Mandy taking this on.

  Mandy looked back at the door. “I guess I could do it,” she muttered.

  “I’m sure Max would spread the word for you, or write a testimonial for your website when you get one,” Jennifer nodded at him.

  “Of course, whatever you need.” Max agreed.

  “Through God all things are possible.” Mandy inhaled the steam from the coffee he’d brought.

  “Absolutely.” Max powerwalked out of the shop, humming, after promising to return with his records later in the day.

  “He walks so fast!” Mandy said.

  “Rear view is nice,” admitted Jennifer.

  “He’ll not be so attractive carrying his box of receipts,” said Mandy in a voice filled with doom.

  Jennifer laughed.

  5

  Within an hour, Max was back carrying nothing.

  Mandy was helping with a customer and frowned when she saw him come through the door.

  “He’s back,” whispered Jennifer, “and without any boxes.”

  Either he couldn’t find them or he was too embarrassed to bring them. It was a toss-up which was worse.

  “Hi, Max.” Mandy smiled. It was impossible not to.

  He grinned at her and swung her around once in a dance move. “Let’s have lunch.” He pulled her close for a dip.

  Mandy’s cheeks got hot. “Stop,” she whispered into his ear. “This is humiliating.”

  He set her back on her feet, still smiling.

  The women in the store had dreamy looks on their faces and wistful smiles.

  Mandy had to work to gather her scattered senses. Outrage vied with delight. This wasn’t supposed to be happening. Max had no prospects to match her own, despite a megawatt smile and a charming manner. She had a business, a plan for her life, a list of attributes for the man who would be in her life, and nothing could get in the way of that.

  Jennifer, oblivious to Mandy’s precarious emotional state, shot her a thumbs-up.

  “I’m taking a break.” At Jennifer’s nod, Mandy straightened her blouse, grabbed her coat, and fled the store.

  Max hurried to catch up with her.

  Mandy turned into a coffee shop on the next block and plunked herself at the first empty table. Tears threatened. How had her life gotten out of control in a few short days?

  Max pulled a chair next to her and put his arm around her chair back. “I’m sorry. It’s hard to stay away from you. You make me want to dance,” he said into her hair as he stroked her back.

  A waitress came up.

  Max ordered black coffee for Mandy and a caramel macchiato for himself.

  Mandy gave him points for remembering her preference of this morning. “You could just buy sugar water; it’s the same thing.” She told him, still striving for stability.

  “I adore the flavors. They make me happy.”

  “So, what’s the deal on your receipts?” she asked when the coffees arrived. Taxes were a much safer topic than messy emotions. She muzzled her heart’s little leap when he turned that smile on her again.

  “Oh, yeah.” He dug into his back pocket, pulling out a slim envelope and slid it across the wooden table to her.

  “This is it?”

  Max nodded, smiling at her.

  Mandy straightened out the crumpled papers and peered at them. There were only two.

  “Those are my expenses and here, this is my profit.” He handed her another folded piece a paper. She unfolded it and laid it next to the other two. The check stub was for $15,000.

  “So, tell me about this. What do you do for a living again?”

  “I’m a sculptor. I sold my first big piece to a convention center.”

  “What’s the $1500 for?”

  “Oh, that was materials, and the one hundred was for renting space I worked in for the month.” He moved his hands and took her cool ones in his large warm ones.

  Mandy could only stare at his hands. His words moved across her brain for later perusal. Why did he always muddy the water by touching her? She could barely keep a thought together.

  “I used networking and talked up a contact at church, and they recommended me to the Art Board. I did a few sketches, was approved, and delivered as promised, and voila! A check. I would have done it a lot sooner if I’d realized how easy it was.”

  Mandy tried without success to extract her hands.

  “But it doesn’t end there, I’ve had half a dozen calls from other places who’ve seen the piece and are interested in me doing one for them.”

  “And this is what you do for a living? Make large metal sculptures?”

  He released her hands. “Well, yes. Someone has to do them. Why not me? Do you want to eat something? I’m starving.” He took the menu from the waitress and tried to hand one to Mandy.

  “Salad,” she said without taking the menu.

  “Me, too,” he handed both back to the server. “Is there something wrong with being a sculptor?”

  Mandy hesitated, wishing for
the comforting touch of his hands on hers. “It’s just so unsure. How can you live with the uncertainty?”

  “What uncertainty?” His brow furrowed, and he looked concerned for the first time in their short acquaintance.

  “How do you live day to day, never knowing if you have enough food or a place to live?”

  He nodded, serious at last. “It hasn’t been easy, I admit. I’ve lived on the street and relied on the generosity of strangers. The church has also supported me. I rely on God to supply my needs.” He said it so simply, it was beautiful.

  She smiled at him as the waitress returned with their food.

  “You’re beautiful when you smile, you know,” he quirked up one side of his mouth as he munched his salad. A bit of greenery hung off his lip.

  She reached out and brushed it off his face.

  He grabbed her hand and locked gazes with her, then pressed a gentle kiss on her captured knuckles.

  “Pretty cool, huh?” He smiled and concentrated on his salad.

  Mandy picked at hers while she considered his words. Rely on Jesus? Was this man a fool, a saint, or just incredibly naïve?

  When the waitress came back, Mandy had her salad packaged to go and she and Max left.

  “Tell me what you’re thinking,” he said, swinging her around in a small circle on the sidewalk.

  Mandy gasped. “I think I’ll let you do your taxes online and save a bundle.”

  “No, no, no, I need you to do them. Numbers bounce off my brain. Plus, I’ll be getting more commissions, and I’m sure there are magic things you need to do with that. We’re a partnership, you and I,” he sang.

  “You are the silliest man I’ve ever met.” Mandy tried to scold him but couldn’t manage more than a momentary cross look.

  He kissed her on the nose and continued to hold her hand as they strolled back to the boutique. “You have the coldest hands. But, hey, cold hands, warm heart, right? Are you ready to do some taxes?” He smiled.

  “I have to work in the store this morning. Let’s meet at the office tomorrow morning and get through it.”

  “Are you an accountant who works in a boutique or a boutique person who works as an accountant?” His question was full of whimsy. “See you tomorrow, then.” He walked off, looking back as he turned the corner and waved.