An Ozarks Christmas (Planned to Perfection Book 1) Read online

  Brendan shook his head in disgust. He couldn’t allow himself to think like that. Stephanie told him in no uncertain terms that he didn’t have a chance as long as he was drinking. Except she hadn’t waited for him to stop drinking before she had moved on with her life. Brendan rubbed at the back of his neck, trying to release some of the tightness pulling on every nerve in his body.

  “Dad? What are you doing out here?” Jennifer slipped an arm around her father.

  “Just getting some air, sweetheart. How does it look inside?”

  “I’ll know more tomorrow. I never add anything until the last person is gone.”

  “Are you superstitious like your mother?” Brendan grinned, pulling her close.

  Jennifer shrugged and leaned against him. “I guess so. Mom always said I was more like you. Do you realize it has been over two years since you’ve been here? I hope you’re not planning another world tour any time soon. I’d really like it if we had a chance to spend some time together.”

  His daughter’s attempt to change the subject didn’t go unnoticed by Brendan. They’d never really talked about Debbie’s death. Maybe it was for the best. He and Debbie had never been each other’s favorite subject alive, talking about her now didn’t seem right.

  “Not till after the first of the year,” Brendan replied.

  “Really?”

  Her squeal of delight warmed his soul though he couldn’t help but remember the times he failed to deliver surprises like this in her younger years. They had mended that fence as best they could, but some things he would never get back.

  Brendan laughed. “Really. I’ve rented a studio in Branson to work on a new album. I can’t be on the other side of the world the day my baby gets married now can I?”

  Jennifer flung both arms around him. “Dad, that’s wonderful!”

  “I thought you’d be pleased. But speaking of Branson, I have to make a trip up there tomorrow. Do you want to meet me for dinner?” Brendan asked as they walked back into the hotel, arm in arm.

  “Sure. David is on a job site there. I’ll call and ask him to meet us at the Rib Shack.”

  “Great. I need sleep. It’s been a very long day. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Brendan kissed her forehead.

  Hoping the exertion of the three-flight climb to his suite might help further ease some of the tension; he chose the stairs over the elevator.

  In his room he sat down in an ornate chair and pulled off his boots. Standing to remove his shirt, he caught sight of the picture he took on the road with him. In a silver plated frame on the night table, a blonde with sparkling blue eyes smiled back at him. Stephanie had given it to him for his birthday a couple of months before the break up. He thought back to the first time he’d seen her smile, one of the few solid memories I had of their time together.

  It had been a long day on the construction site. Nothing had gone right. The rain began early that morning, a slow and steady drizzle that made his job hazardous. His best framer slipped on wet planking and fell just before lunch. By the time they had gotten out of the emergency room, all Brendan had been able to think about was a beer. Spotting Stephanie the minute he entered the bar quickly put other things on his mind. He ate lunch there nearly every day for six months and had never noticed the petite blonde before.

  Stephanie had looked up at the jingling of the bell above the door. Their eyes locked as an invisible current shot between them, connecting their souls

  God, he’d missed her over the years. All he wanted to do was make things right. But how was he supposed to do that? Stephanie was married. She had a family that did not include him.

  Yanking the shirt off and tossing it across the chair, he turned to the open window of his room overlooking the valley. A warm breeze whispered around him, caressing the smooth bare chest Stephanie once rested her head on as they had cuddled that first cold winter together. Even now, he could still feel the softness of her hair as he filtered the strands through his fingers.

  Many times, they’d lain in silence for hours just enjoying each other’s company. He knew she wanted to hear him say ‘I love you’. How was he supposed to love her and provide her with everything she deserved? He’d been a drunk for as long as he could remember, having had had his first beer at fourteen. From then on, every day of his life gradually became a booze-induced fog. The only times he could recollect even remotely were the ones with Steph.

  They had gone to midnight movies. Cold pizza had been the food of choice. Passionate romps were interspersed with games of gin rummy. She always seemed to know what he was thinking, when he needed her and how he felt. And in return, he had forgotten her birthday and used her as well as other women to satisfy his own desires when it suited him. If someone looked up CAD in the dictionary, his picture would smile back at them.

  He hadn’t realized at the time what he was doing. Much of it he’d remembered through his own counseling and sponsoring others in the program over the years. Through the program he’d learned about the mistakes he made. But Stephanie hadn’t been there for him to heal that part of his life.

  Gazing out the window, Brendan knew she was there and that she was thinking of him. She had to be. She was so close and he couldn’t tell her that he knew what a jerk he had been and how sorry he was. She had a husband who gave her everything he hadn’t been able to. Swearing to himself, he went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. It was going to be a very long night.

  Chapter 2

  “Are you okay, Mom?” Kimberly asked, pouring milk on her cereal and filling a cup for Max.

  “Sure Hon, I’m fine.” Stephanie forced a smile. “Why do you ask?” Actually, her head hurt and her eyes felt as if they were on fire. If only she did not have to open the shop today or see Jennifer.

  Kimberly pointed to her mom’s bowl, giggling. “Most people use milk on their cereal, not orange juice.”

  Stephanie looked at the little round O’s swimming in the murky orange pool like life preservers before emptying them down the disposal.

  “Guess I’m not awake yet.” She forced a laugh at her mistake. Truth was, she had not slept much at all.

  “Did we make a lot for the Santa Club?”

  “I don’t have a total yet, but checks were being written when I left. I think we did very well.”

  “I’ll bet it’s because of Brendan Keane.” The teenager gushed as she put her bowl in the sink. “He is the hottest guy in country music. Jennifer is so lucky to have him for a dad.”

  “I would imagine she isn’t as lucky as you might think. Jennifer would never have any privacy because of who her father is. Celebrities sacrifice a lot for the spotlight.” She thought back to when Jennifer was little and how growing up during her dad’s addiction had cost them precious memories.

  “Come on, you’ll be late for play practice.” Stephanie saw the questions already forming in her daughter’s mind. Questions she wasn’t ready to answer.

  “I can’t believe we have known Jennifer all this time and she never let on. Do you think she would let me meet him while he’s here?” Kimberly asked, putting her jacket on and pulling her thick, dark hair into a clip.

  “I don’t know Kim. Mr. Keane has a very busy schedule. We were lucky to get him last night. I’m not sure how long he’ll be here.” Silently she prayed he had already left.

  “Oh well, he’ll be here for her wedding. Bye Mom. Remember, I’m going out for pizza with the cast after practice.” With that, Kimberly was out the back door.

  After setting coffee to drip, she unbuckled Max from his booster chair and helped him to the floor.

  “Come on little man.” He grasped her finger and they made their way down the front hall to the office. “You can watch your favorite show while I tidy up.”

  The morning sun streamed in the tall windows, touching the blush-toned tile of the office, casting a rosy hue to the cream walls. The Chintz covered mahogany settee and chair added to the cozy feeling.

  Once used as a parlor in
the modestly styled 1882 Victorian, Stephanie used the room for the sole purpose of promoting and tending to the business of planning. Whether a retirement party for ten or a grand wedding for three hundred, Stephanie wanted to be sure that ‘Planned to Perfection’ presented the grace and charm representative of the community that had accepted her little family two years ago.

  With her son settled on the play rug in front of the television, she adjusted the infant gate across the entrance to the hall. His favorite show would occupy him long enough for her to finish up in the kitchen. The tinkling of the bell above the door chimed just as she was putting the carafe of coffee on the tray.

  “Hi, Max!” The toddler’s laughter carried down the hall. Through the kitchen doorway, Stephanie watched him greet the young woman at the gate, arms raised. Jennifer scooped the chattering little boy up and kissed his cheek.

  “Stephanie, you are so lucky. He’s such a sweetheart. You get to stay home with him and have a business.” She sat the child down and opened the gate for Stephanie.

  “It isn’t as easy as it sounds.” Jennifer unlatched the gate, allowing Stephanie to step through then slipped the latch back in place. “There are days when I know I’d get three times as much done if I didn’t have a two year old to cart around. But I wouldn’t trade a second of the time we have either.”

  Stephanie put the tray on the low Queen Anne table and joined Jennifer on the sofa. She poured a cup of coffee for each of them.

  “So how did we do last night?”

  “We beat last year’s total by a thousand dollars! Can you believe it? You always do so well getting people together. Everything went smoothly, as I knew it would, thanks to you. And Dad wrote a check to be earmarked for the start of next year’s fund.”

  Stephanie flinched at the mention of Brendan. “That was nice of your Dad. I’m glad he was able to fit the gala into his busy schedule. Has he gone back out this morning?” She took a hesitant sip of the hot coffee, hoping for an affirmative answer.

  “No, he has business in Branson today. David and I are meeting him for dinner. Why don’t you join us?”

  Her jaw tightened, thankful that Jennifer, in reaching for the creamer, had not noticed her discomfort.

  “I don’t think so.” The china cup rattled in the saucer as she struggled to sit it down

  gently. “With the gala behind me, I really need to finish some things here at the shop. I have three weddings over the next three months, one of which is yours. I also have final details for Judge Avery’s retirement party. Speaking of weddings, have you and David made any decisions on the guest list yet?” She hoped to change the subject, but her friend would not be detoured.

  “That’s what I mean. You work all the time. When was the last time you went out just for your own enjoyment?” Jennifer raised her hand, preventing Stephanie from offering any excuses in her own defense. “I don’t mean pizza with Kimberly’s theater group or the Chamber potluck last week. I mean a real relaxed, unconnected to anything, evening out.”

  “I just don’t have time. My evenings are reserved for the kids when I am not attending one of the events I spend the daytime planning. Besides, you need time with your father. The two of you see so little of one another. When does he leave?”

  “Oh, that’s the best news of the day.” Jennifer’s pleasure radiated from her as she sat her cup down and clasped her hands together in obvious delight. “Dad has suspended the beginning of the next tour. He’s rented a studio in Branson to work on the new album. He’ll be here for all the wedding planning. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  Stephanie forced a smile as her young friend beamed. Jennifer deserved this time with her father. Even if the choices had been Brendan’s to make, his daughter had suffered the most. She never had a dad around for the important things in her life. And although it meant being near him again, Stephanie would get through this for her dearest friend.

  “It’s good the two of you will get to spend this special time together.”

  “Finally. I realize he is in demand all the time but Dad and I see each other so little and with Mom gone I just really need him, you know.” Jennifer brushed at an unshed tear.

  “I know. How is David? I didn’t see him at the Gala.” Stephanie made another attempt at steering the conversation away from Brendan as she refilled her cup.

  “He couldn’t get away. They are almost finished with the new amphitheater. They’ve made some last minute changes he needs to take care of and he’s supposed to start on renovations at Silver Dollar City in a couple of weeks. I haven’t seen him much the last few days either.”

  “See, another good reason for me to not go. You need the time with David as much as you do your father.” Stephanie reached across to pat her hand. “And it won’t get any easier once you’re married, so make use of the chances you do get. Trust me, I know.” Her voice trailed off as she looked to the small table where Matthew’s academy photo sat, as if he were watching over her.

  She recalled the number of nights she had not been able to spend with Matthew because of his job as a police officer and now never would. Oh, how she missed him. His death left a deep void in her heart and the life of their children.

  Music from the TV signaled the end of the show and Max's attention. He wandered the room in search of new entertainment. Stephanie watched as he made his way on chubby legs to the gated doorway and began throwing his toys into the hall.

  The tingling of the bell above the front door announced a client. She heard a heavy thud on the hardwood floor followed by a few choice words. Stephanie hurried to the gate with Jennifer close behind her in time to see Brendan on his back amidst the toys.

  “Daddy, are you all right?” Jennifer followed her over the gate, neither bothering to unlock it, and knelt next to Brendan.

  “I’m fine. I think this saved me.” He pulled a stuffed purple bear from beneath the lower part of his body and handed it back over the gate to Max. “Do all your clients drop in like this Stephanie?”

  Stephanie laughed. “Are you sure you’re all right? Can you stand?” She offered her hand to help him up.

  He looked at her hand for only a brief second before taking it in his own. The current that shot through Stephanie caught her off guard. There had always been a charge with him she failed to have with Matthew. It was like a sparkler you only played with on the Fourth of July.

  “This must be the young man you were telling me about.” Brendan smiled at Max as he stood, extending a finger to be instantly grasped by the toddler. He picked the delighted boy up and pretended to touch his head to the top of the doorframe. Max giggled at the new game. Stephanie’s throat constricted at the picture they made.

  “Would you like some coffee, Dad? And there are plenty of croissants left. Steph makes the best peach preserves.”

  “I’d love some.”

  Stephanie opened the gate, allowing him to step through. He crossed to a Queen Anne chair by the window, picking up one of Max’s books off the floor as he went.

  Brendan settled himself on the delicate chair, tucked Max into the crook of his arm, and opened the book.

  “I want to thank you again for your contribution both musically and financially to the Santa Club.” Stephanie forced a warm, business tone. Not only was this community her safe haven, but so was the business she was building, the fortress she never imagined he’d breach.

  Her hand trembled as she poured him a cup of coffee, causing the liquid to slosh over the rim of the delicate china cup into the accompanying saucer. He raised an eyebrow in questions as he motioned for her to set the china on the side table next to him.

  “I was glad to do it. I have a strong commitment to charities that involve kids. That is why I founded Keane’s Kids. Regardless of their circumstance, they shouldn’t have to do without not only the necessities but the pleasures of life as well. When Jennifer called to ask if there was a spot open on the tour, I had to do it. I haven’t told her ‘no’ to much of anything.”
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br />   “Well, except for the kitten I wanted for my tenth birthday!” Jennifer pouted playfully.

  “But you got a puppy for Christmas.”

  Stephanie remembered that little brown bundle of fur he was referring to. She had spent the entire day with him, shopping for the perfect puppy. They had promised Debbie it would be a small dog with all its shots. No strays allowed. If Debbie had known it came from the local shelter and not a pet store, she would have had fits. Stephanie ventured a smile at Brendan and knew he remembered too.

  “You do have a way with children, Dad.” Jennifer nodded to the now sleeping boy.

  “Guess he was bored with all this grown up talk.” Stephanie smiled as she rose to take him from Brendan.

  “No, let me.” He placed the book on the table then stood, shifting the sleeping toddler to his shoulder. “Lead the way.”

  Her legs felt like rubber with each step to the second floor bedroom, ever conscious of Brendan’s breathing behind her.

  “In here.” She stepped aside in the doorway to let them pass. “Just lay him on his tummy, he is old enough now and prefers to sleep that way.” Just like his father.

  Stephanie raised a hand to her mouth in an attempt to cover the pain she knew would come with the memory. Matthew had been gone nearly three years and little things such as Max’s sleeping habits still hurt.

  “Are you all right, Stephanie?” Brendan placed a hand on her shoulder. “Why did you run out last night? I… we need to talk.”

  Searching his face, she saw every question he wanted to ask. She had come to read that face and understand so much about this man when no one else seemed to be able to or care. They shared everything once.

  Clasping her hands behind her back, she fought the impulse to stroke his cheek, to run a fingertip across the lips she had felt so many times. How could she still want to do that? Hadn’t he made the choice by refusing to include her in his life full time? She squeezed her eyes tight, struggling to hold back tears.