The window directly in front of them contained a mannequin dressed like a woman from the eighteen-hundreds. She looked elegant and wealthy in her diamond tiara and jewelry. But she sat in a slump in an expensive chair, her beautiful gown flouncing around her gold slippers. In her hand was a letter from her lover stating that he would not be back for Christmas.
“I think she’s supposed to represent the woman who seems like she has everything, but she herself feels like she has nothing.”
“What does that have to do with Christmas?”
“Well, I think it speaks to the fact that for some people, Christmas can be a very lonely time of year. It’s hard to be single during a holiday that emphasizes family.”
“You sound like you’re speaking from experience,” he said.
She had not expected such a personal comment and it caught her off guard. “I guess so. There are times when I wish that I had a husband and kids like some of my friends. Times when I can’t shake the feeling that I’m missing out on something.”
“I think that’s human nature, though, isn’t it? To wonder if perhaps the grass isn’t greener?”
“You feel that way, too?”
“Sure. Sometimes even I wish that-”
“You had someone to kiss under the mistletoe?” she said before she could stop herself. She winced. “What am I saying? You’ve got plenty of women to kiss under the mistletoe.”
“I know what you mean,” he said, hurrying to her defense. “And the answer is yes. Sometimes even I wish that I had someone to kiss under the mistletoe. Someone that I loved.”
She appreciated Rick making such a personal admission. He may be a pirate, but it was becoming obvious that he still had a heart.
As they stood there, they were joined by a couple carrying a Christmas tree. Off to their right, a young boy sat on his father’s shoulders as he hugged a bag from FAO Schwarz.
“Are you done with your shopping?” she asked Rick as they turned to the corner.
“I haven’t started. But usually I just give gift certificates. What about you?”
“My aunt is always complaining about the cold, so I got her a cashmere sweater and scarf.”
Lessa stopped. The Rockefeller tree, sparkling with thousands of tiny multicolored lights, stood before them. “Do you mind if I take a closer look?” she asked, nodding toward Rockefeller Center. “I don’t usually walk this way.”
“I’m in no hurry,” he said.
“Are you too cold?” she asked. “I’d be happy to give you back your coat.”
“I’m just right,” he said, taking her arm as they crossed the street. It was the protective gesture of a gentleman, but suddenly there was an electrical current in the air. Something had shifted between them. By that subconscious response, they had gone from co-workers sharing a stroll to a man and woman sharing an evening out.
They walked to the edge of the street balcony and looked down on the skaters below. Despite the rain, it was a beautiful scene. The giant Christmas tree, the skaters, the shoppers, all framed against a background of sparkling lights. She inhaled deeply, smelling air redolent with fresh pine and roasted chestnuts. “I love this time of year,” she said quietly.
He smiled. “Follow me.” He took her hand and led her into the building beside them.
What did he have in mind? He glanced at her and winked as the guard got approval for them to enter. Rick led her to the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. When the doors opened, he led her down a hall to the stairwell. “Where are we going?” she asked.
“Up,” Rick said, climbing the stairs. “A friend of mine owns this building. Every year he has a Christmas party on the roof.” He reached the top and opened the door.
She followed him out and stopped. Rockefeller Center, lit up in all its holiday glory, was directly in front of them. “It’s beautiful,” she said, impressed that he had taken the time to show it to her.
He moved closer, holding the umbrella over her head. Their eyes locked. After a moment’s pause, he broke the trance and looked away. “I should get going.”
“Me, too,” she said. “I promised my Gran that I would bring back a tree tonight.”
“By yourself?”
“I always do it by myself.”
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. If any woman is capable of carrying a tree home by herself, it’s you. Come on,” he said, taking her arm. “Let’s go get that tree. There’s a place I know on Lexington. It’s a short walk from there to your apartment.”
“But what about your car-” she said, surprised by his offer.
“I’ll come back for it.”
“You don’t have to help me.”
“I insist,” he said. “Who knows? Maybe it’ll help me capture some Christmas spirit.”
“Then you have to take back your coat,” she said, staunching his protests.
When they made their way back outside, Lessa stopped. The rain had turned to snow. “Look at this,” she exclaimed excitedly as she stretched out her hand to catch a snowflake. “A perfect time to get a tree.”
He put away his umbrella and, declining a cab, together they walked through the white-dusted world.
The Christmas-tree place could be seen and heard from a block away. “Here Comes Santa Claus” was playing over a speaker, and blinking, multicolored lights stretched from a lamppost to the greengrocer/tree store. A giant plastic Santa sat on the corner, smoking a pipe and watching over the festivities. Usually, picking out a tree was something Lessa did fairly quickly, as if knocking a chore off her list. But not tonight. Tonight she was more than happy to take her time. The salesman pointed to a fat evergreen and said to Rick, “Why don’t you get your sweetheart the best tree we have?”
Lessa began to correct the man, but stopped. What difference did it make if a stranger thought they were lovers?
Rick just grinned and said, “How about it, sweetheart?”
“If that’s what you want, dear,” she said, playing along.
Before she could stop him, Rick had bought the Christmas tree. “You didn’t have to do that,” she said.
“I have a secret motive. I wanted to get first dibs on the front. You take the stump,” Rick said, holding on to the prickly part. “And lead the way.”
Actually he had the tree more or less by the middle and was hefting the majority of the weight. “But you’ve got the worst part.”
“First dibs, remember? No argument.”
She smiled at his gallant act, accepted his kindness and started down the sidewalk.
“You usually do this by yourself?” he asked.
“I usually don’t pick the biggest tree on the lot.”
He laughed and raised it over his head to avoid hitting some fellow walkers. She knew the tree was heavy but Rick made it seem as light as a feather. Once again, she remembered the muscles she’d seen in his arms and torso. She had no doubt he was capable of carrying the whole tree and more. The shrill ring of a cell phone cut off her thoughts. “Hold on a second,” Rick said, putting down the tree. He swung open his phone. “Hello.” His voice visibly softened. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that. No, don’t leave. Give my apology to your family. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
She felt her heart drop. It was a woman, that much was obvious. And whomever she was, she was waiting for him with her family. Why had he told Lessa he wasn’t seeing anyone right now? Had he lied to her?
“This is it,” she said, nodding toward her brownstone.
She buzzed herself in and together they carried the tree up the flight of stairs to her apartment. The smell of pine filled the hall as her thoughts drifted back to the woman who had called, the one who was waiting for him. Lessa couldn’t believe she had actually admitted to Rick that she wished for someone to kiss under the mistletoe. Regardless of what he had said, she doubted he was ever lacking a date under the mistletoe, love or no love.