Chapter One #2
Avery smiled again, wondering if it was a good idea to encourage him. He seemed friendly enough, and she appreciated the effort—but her natural reserve convinced her to remain silent. If she did jump back into the dating scene, she wasn’t sure she should start with someone serving in the Navy.
The line moved forward.
“I’m meeting my sister,” he added, when she didn’t respond. “I haven’t seen her in over two years.”
He didn’t give up easily, she noticed.
“Between her schedule and mine, we’ve had a hard time connecting. What about you?” he asked, noting the carry-on suitcase she pulled along behind her. “Off to see some guy?”
Well, that was hardly subtle. He clearly wanted to know if she was involved. “As a matter of fact, yes.”
“Oh.” He sounded deflated.
Avery smiled to herself. No need to let him know her Christmas plans involved her brother.
“I recently transferred from the East Coast. It’s the first shore leave I’ve had in twelve weeks.”
Avery said what he likely heard often. “Thank you for your service.”
They entered the ferry, and she headed for the seating in the middle of the passenger deck. Hoping to signal that she had no interest and wasn’t keen to continue the conversation, she said, “I hope you have a good visit with your sister.”
“Ah, thanks . . .”
Avery took a seat in the front row. It looked like the sailor was about to ignore her parting shot and claim the seat next to her when someone called out for his attention.
“Harry, over here.”
So his name was Harry. She had to admit she was mildly interested and flattered by his attention; however, the timing wasn’t the best with the holidays upon them.
Harry paused and explained as if she needed this information. “Those are a few of my shipmates. Save a seat for me, will you?”
“Actually, I . . .” He was already out of earshot before she could suggest that he sit with his friends.
She had just taken her seat when a little girl of around five or six jumped into the chair next to her.
“Hello,” Avery said, surprise lifting her voice.
“Hello.” She had on a red coat, with her long pigtails hitting the top of her shoulders. She swung her legs, crossing her ankles, showing off her missing two front teeth. “I’m Olivia and my mom is taking me to visit Santa.”
“Are you going to tell him what you want for Christmas?” Avery asked, remembering her own visits to Santa as a child.
Olivia nodded eagerly. “I want an iPad like my friends have so I can play games and draw and learn stuff.”
“You must be a smart girl.”
“I am,” she returned with pride. “Both my teacher and my mommy tell me that all the time. But I could be even smarter if I had an iPad. Do you have one? Lots of people do. My mommy has one. She lets me play with hers sometimes, but it isn’t the same as having my own.”
The little girl chatted away as her mother took the seat beside her daughter. “Sorry,” she said. “Is Olivia talking your ear off?”
“Mommy, don’t be silly. No one can talk off anyone’s ear.”
“I know, love. That is a nice way of asking if you were pestering her.”
Olivia instantly looked offended. “Was I being a pest?” she asked Avery.
“Not in the least,” Avery assured both mother and daughter. “Olivia was telling me she’s visiting Santa this afternoon and wants to let him know what the biggest desire of her heart is for this Christmas.”
Olivia turned to look at Avery. “It’s all right to let my mommy know what it is. I’ve already told her.”
“Like a thousand times,” the mother murmured under her breath. “I’m Beth, by the way.”
“Avery,” she returned.
“That’s a pretty name,” Olivia said. “No one in my class has that name.”
“I like it, too,” Avery returned.
Olivia’s feet continued to sway as the ferry’s engine came to life and the boat started to pull away from the Bremerton dock.
After a few moments, Olivia said, “I really need to talk to Santa, though.”
“That’s why we’re visiting him,” her mother assured her.
“But I want more than an iPad.”
Beth caught Avery’s eyes and blinked as if this was news to her.
“Have you been a good girl?” Avery asked Olivia.
“Oh yes, I’ve been especially good this year.”
Avery had to smile. She was about to say more when a group of four men and one woman entered the cafeteria, climbing up the stairs from the car deck.
One of them carried a guitar, and Avery surmised they were members of a band.
They headed to the long line at the small cafeteria and Avery was able to hear smidges of their conversation.
“Our first paying gig . . .”
“We got this. It’s only up from here.”
“Suzie, keep your throat lubricated so you’re fresh . . .”
Olivia tugged at her sleeve and Avery realized the little girl was trying to get her attention again. Leaning down so Olivia could whisper in her ear, the little girl said, “I need Santa to know what I really want for Christmas is my daddy to come home.”
Avery’s heart ached for her. Beth seemed to have heard her daughter and her face went tight, as if she was struggling to hide her emotion.
Avery was saved from having to address the issue when her phone chirped. Caller ID showed the call as coming from Reed.
“Excuse me, Olivia, this is my brother calling.”
“Okay,” she said graciously, as if granting Avery permission to answer.
“Merry Christmas, big brother,” she said.
“You’re on the ferry?”
“Yup. I should arrive around twelve-thirty. The ferry arrived on schedule, so I should be in Seattle on time.”
“Great. I thought I’d walk to the dock and greet you. My condo is less than six blocks from there.”
His thoughtfulness was something of a surprise. “No need to do that.”
Reed ignored her objection. “I plan on treating you to lunch.”
Avery was instantly suspicious. This could well be another matchmaking attempt. “Just the two of us?”
“Funny you should ask that—”
“Reed,” Avery cut him off. “I prefer to find my own dates, thank you very much.”
“I know, and agree, however, Sam is a great guy. The least you can do is meet him.”
“Over lunch, with my brother listening in on every word? No, thanks. Call him right now and explain that I would prefer to wait for a more convenient time.” Like never, she mused.
“You sure?”
“I’m positive. Although, thinking about it, I would enjoy being treated to lunch by my big brother. I’m hungry. I skipped breakfast this morning. All I ask is that you make sure it’s a table for two, not three.”
“Message received.”
“Where is the reservation?” Her brother had taken her to a wonderful seafood restaurant recently, and she was eager to return.
“Anthony’s.”
“Perfect. You couldn’t have chosen better.”
“I made those reservations shortly after our last time there.”
“That was in October. You mean to say it’s been on the books that long?” Surprise showed in her voice. She knew it would be difficult to reserve a table this close to Christmas, since Anthony’s, part of a local chain, was extremely popular.
Their lunch in the fall had been a birthday treat.
It was the first year her grandmother hadn’t been alive to cook Avery’s favorite dish of seafood spaghetti.
Reed had done his best to help her through the sadness of missing Grams. Her brother was kind like that.
He thought ahead and took the initiative, which was one reason he’d advanced as quickly as he had in his career with Microsoft.
“I asked for a table by the window.”
“Reed, that’s so nice. I can’t wait, and I promise, hungry as I am, not to order half the menu.”
“It’s Christmas. Order whatever you want.”
Avery ended the conversation with a huge smile. Although Grams was gone, at least they had each other and would make the best of things, as they always had.