Harlequin Mini-romance for Woman’s World

A past good deed turns into a special Christmas for Lydia and Jason . . .

The shop door opened, letting in cool December air. A little girl rushed through the shop, her blue eyes bright as she twirled around.

Lydia Jackson came out from behind the counter, smiling at the girl and looking for her adult. He came through the door slowly. His gaze scanned the bright interior.

“Welcome to Lydia’s, where it’s Christmas all year long!” She had coined the phrase and sometimes regretted that it sounded so cliché.

The customer glanced her way, and her heart tumbled a bit. His eyes were the blue of the child’s but older and wiser, his mouth a firm line that hinted at hidden humor.

He glanced her way, and her heart tumbled a bit

“Is it really Christmas all year long?” the child asked. “Do you get gifts every day?”

Lydia smiled. “No, I don’t. But each day is a gift. And in my store, we always have Christmas music, decorations and hot cocoa.”

“My daddy taught me that Christmas is always in our hearts,” the little girl said with authority. “My mommy is in my heart, too, even though she’s in Heaven.”

Lydia didn’t know what to say. She knelt before the girl, putting them at eye level.

“I think that’s a very wise thing your daddy told you. And since we both know that Christmas is special, I have something special for you. Homemade peppermint sticks. Would you like one?”

The man reached his hand to help Lydia stand, and their gazes connected, unsettling her. She’d turn 30 on Christmas. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt thrown off balance by a man.

“Are you here for the living nativity and the parade?” Lydia asked, making cautious eye contact with him.

“No, we’re here to see you.” The little girl grinned.

“Really?” Lydia asked. “Do I know you?”

The stranger smiled just a little. “Not really.”

“You sent care packages,” the little girl offered. “With homemade candy.”

Care packages . . . That had been a project she’d started about five years ago. She’d left the Navy to open this store in her hometown. But she couldn’t forget those who still served. She’d begun the Christmas care packages program with her church.

“I received one of your boxes,” he admitted. “I was a doctor on a ship. It was some of the best candy I’ve ever had.”

“We make the candy here. Customers can sign up to make candy and paint ornaments. We embrace the idea of homemade.”

“Yes, I looked you up—i really admire your story,” he said, blushing as he seemed a little embarrassed by the admission. “We’re looking for new holiday traditions.”

She understood now. He’d lost his wife. The child had lost her mother. The holidays were a joyful time for many and a sad time for others. She applauded him for finding new traditions to share with his daughter.

“I didn’t think this through,” he said. “We thought we’d make candy, but maybe we’ll just watch the parade.”

“The living nativity really is very moving,” she offered.

He stood there for a moment, his gaze on his daughter, and then he lifted his eyes to hers.

“Would you join us?” He nervously brushed a hand through his hair. “I’m not good at this . . . inviting a pretty stranger out. We really just came here for the candy.”

“And the parade,” his daughter offered.

“It would help if I knew your name,” Lydia said. “If I bump into people, I can’t really introduce you as the stranger who came into my store.”

He stuck his hand out, “Jason Gardner. And this is my daughter, Olivia.”

She gave him her hand, and he held it for a moment. The door opened as a customer entered, and she could hear carolers in the distance.

Jason Gardner released her hand, but in that moment, she knew that this would be a Christmas to remember.